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EARLY HISTORY OF MICHIGAN


WITH
BIOGRAPHIES
OF
STATE OFFICERS,


MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
JUDGES    AND    LEGISLATORS.
PUBLISHED PURSUANT TO ACT 59, I887.
LANSING:
THORP & GODFREY, STATE PRINTERS AND BINDERS.
1888.




I




PREFACE.
This compilation was commenced by the Semi-Centennial Commission, and has been completed under the direction of Governor Luce,
as provided by a law of the session of 1887. Many biographies have
been condensed more than was desirable, to bring the volume within
reasonable size; others are brief because full data could not be
obtained. The other features of the work are brief.
Several hundred sketches have not been written, and a full list of
these names will be found at the close of the work. Of most no record could be obtained. Of those living many failed to answer letters
of inquiry. In other cases promised aid has not been given.
Thanks are tendered to those who have taken time and trouble to
give information. The compiler is also indebted to county histories,
Farmer's history of Detroit, and other works for information of value.
Most of the Wayne county sketches were furnished by S. B.
McCracken. The history is a portion of that written by the compiler
for the Michigan census of 1884.
The object of the work, to preserve in compact form the record of
Statesmen, Judges, and Legislators of Michigan, will be more and
more appreciated with the lapse of time. There are errors no doubt,
but the information is from the best attainable sources. It is a just
tribute by the people of Michigan to the memory of those who, under
Territorial and State rule, have made Michigan one of the greatest
and best States in the Union.
S. D. BINGHAM.
LANSING, March, 1888.




1




EARLY HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.
Michigan made very slow progress in settlement and population up
to 1820. From its first discovery, about 1610, until 1763, the Territory
was claimed, or governed by the French. It was then ceded to Great
Britain, and in 1783, at the close of the war of the Revolution, was
transferred to the United States. The British government, in violation of the treaty, retained possession of the military posts of the Territory, and it did not come into actual American possession until July
11, 1796.
It was attached to the Northwest Territory until 1802, when, by act
of Congress, that portion west of the east line of Indiana became a
part of the Territory of Indiana. In 1805 the Territory of Michigan
was constituted, with the provisions of the Ordinance of 1787 as its
fundamental law. It included " all that part of Indiana Territory
which lies north of a line drawn east from the southerly bend or
extreme of Lake Michigan, until it shall intersect Lake Erie, and east
of a line drawn from the said southerly bend through the middle of
said lake to its northern extremity, and thence due north to the northern boundary of the United States." In 1816 a strip of land equal to
thirty townships was taken from the southern portion of the Territory, and became a part of the State of Indiana. In 1818 Congress
increased the area of the Territory, adding all east of the Mississippi
river and north of Illinois. In 1819 authority was given to elect a
delegate to Congress. The limits of the Territory remained unchanged
up to 1834, when all the territory north of Missouri and east of the
Missouri and White Earth rivers was added to the Territory of Michigan. It then comprised the area now occupied by the States of Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and a large portion of Dakota. By
the organization of Wisconsin Territory in 1836, and the admission of
Michigan into the Union in 1837, the State was reduced to its present
area.




6             EARLY HI8TORY OF MICHIGAN.
MICHIGAN UNDER FRENCH RULE.
French navigators of the lakes skirted the shores of Michigan as
early as 1612. Jesuit missions are said to have been founded in the
Upper Peninsula in 1641. In 1668 Marquette founded a mission at
Sault-de-Ste-Marie, and another the same or the next year at Michilimackinac. This last mission was located on the point now known as
St. Ignace. "The missions at the Sault-de-Ste-Marie and Michilimackinac are regarded as the first completely ascertained settlements
within the present State of Michigan."
These Jesuit missions were founded to convert the Indians to the
Catholic faith. The trading posts were established to enable the owners to realize the enormous profits in the barter of cheap merchandise
for furs. Neither priest nor trader cared for the permanent settlement and development of the country by the immigration of French
farmers. One sought to sway the Indian by appeals to the better
impulses of the heart; the other accepted his habits and customs,
and by intermarriage and adoption into tribes acquired great influence. The methods of both were not favorable to the founding of
stable colonies.
The country was in a disturbed condition for many years before its
surrender to the British. Through intrigues the Hurons were by
degrees led away from their fidelity to the French, and from 1747 to
1760 the people were kept in an almost constant state of alarm. During the border wars between the French and English, Detroit furnished
supplies to French troops in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The
war resulted disastrously for the French, and New France, so long in
their possession, was reluctantly surrendered. Quebec, the stronghold of their dominion, had opened its gates to the British in 1759,
but it was not until September 8, 1760, that Montreal and all Canada
came into British possession. Four days after Major Rogers was
ordered to Detroit. His force was stopped by Pontiac on the way.
With the consent of that chief he reached Detroit Nov. 29, 1760.
Another year passed by before British garrisons occupied the forts at
St. Marie, Mackinaw, and St. Joseph. It was not until February 10,
1763, that by treaty Canada was ceded to Great Britain.
At that time there were about 75,000 whites in all Canada, and possibly two thousand in Michigan. In 1757 it was stated by Bougainville that there were two hundred habitations, and in 1768 there were
5141 acres of land under cultivation, and 9,789 French bushels of corn
produced. The territory had belonged to France for 150 years, dating
from the founding of Quebec, and had been the site of missions for
90 years. During all these years the colonists had been loyal to




EARLY HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.


7


France. It had been at the best only a military despotism, conceding few rights to the people, but they had been brave, docile, patient
and true for almost a century. The Indians had profited by the skill
of their neighbors, and could in times of peace raise sufficient food,
and their other needs were supplied through the barter of furs. A
hundred years had done less to settle and improve the country than is
now often accomplished by some little colony in Dakota during a single year. It was the end of French rule, and fatal had it proved to
all real progress.
MICHIGAN UNDER BRITISH RULE.
The British had possession of Michigan from 1760 -until 1796,
although by the treaty at the close of the War of the Revolution, it
had been ceded to the United States. Except the little settlement at
and about Detroit, there were a few French traders at Mackinaw, and
one family at St. Marie. There was practically no increase of population under British rule. The change of possession intensified the
hostility of the savage. The French settlers were compelled to submit by the troops which held the forts. With these troops came
Dutch and Scotch traders, who became their most formidable rivals
for the limited trade. The French trader had kept cupidity within
bounds so as to retain the good will of the Indian. Some of the new
traders were disposed to deal fairly. Of others Parkman says, they
" were ruffians of the coarsest stamp, who vied with each other in
rapacity, violence and profligacy. They cheated, plundered, and
cursed the Indians and outraged their families, offering, when compared with the French traders who were under better regulation, a
most unfavorable example of the character of their nation." These
men freely supplied the Indians with guns and ammunition, which
were soon to be used to plunder and ravage the frontier. The rule
of the French had been arbitrary; it remained the same. What the
settler had quietly endured under his own flag, was not readily borne
under his nation's bitterest foe. Military rule was the only law, and
the commander was the sole judge and director of the destinies of the
people.
The result can readily be foreseen. The Indian had been the natural ally of the French, and both were ready to do anything to restore
French dominion. On the western borders of the States to the south
settlers were constantly encroaching upon the lands of the Indians.
They looked forward to the time when they would be driven from
their hunting grounds to the western wilds. Presents, which had been
liberally made by the French, were entirely withheld by the English,
or sparingly dealt out to them. In the meantime nothing was done
to secure an agricultural population.




8


EARLY HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.


In 1763 Pontiac, an Ottawa chief, secured a confederation of many
tribes, and made a well planned attempt to capture the military posts
from Niagara to Chicago. The attack was to be made simultaneously,
and British power to be destroyed in a single day. He personally
undertook the capture of Detroit. The attack followed as planned,
and nine of the twelve forts were taken. Detroit was saved, but
Mackinaw was taken, with the massacre of the entire garrison, while
only four were brought in as prisoners from St. Joseph. The preservation of Detroit was due to the timely warning given by an Indian
woman, who informed Major Gladwin, commandant of the fort,
that Pontiac, with sixty chiefs, would demand a council on the 7th
of May, 1763, when they intended, at a given signal, to shoot down
the officers, admit their followers, kill all Englishmen, and spare the
French.
The attempt failed. Pontiac found the garrison ready for him and
retired. Various stratagems were laid on following days, all of which
failed. Foiled, Pontiac and his followers made an open attack, which
was repulsed with the aid of two armed vessels in the river. But the
post remained in a state of siege until August, when it was relieved
by the arrival of General Bradstreet with a large force. During the
winter of 1763, Sir William Johnson, at Niagara, succeeded in effecting reconciliation with several tribes, but Pontiac through 1764-5
remained an obdurate enemy, but finally consented to make peace.
In October, 1763, by royal proclamation, the purchase of any lands
not ceded by the Indians to the government was strictly forbidden. It
was not for the interest of Great Britain to foster the colonies so far as
to build up manufactures. They must purchase from the mother
country. With the entire control of the fur trade, cupidity opposed
the felling of the forest. It must be reserved, that the animals whose
abundance supplied the trade might not be driven out or destroyed.
The British, like their predecessors, had no ambition or desire to see
the country settled and improved.
The military policy of the Pontiac war was so far changed as in a
measure to secure the good will of the Indians. Detroit became the
central point, from which war parties were sent out against the tribes
still in sympathy with the French. The Governor-general of Canada
had no interest and little knowledge of the colony. Sir Guy Carleton,
who commanded at the commencement of the American Revolution,
before the British Parliament in 1774, when asked whether both
Detroit and Michigan were under his government replied, "Detroit
is not under the government, but Michigan is."
The bulk of the population was French, and so continued until after
1820. Nothing occurred of importance for twenty years. A people




EARLY HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.


9


with nothing to do; a garrison in idleness; a commandant with no
interest outside of his military duties; this was the only history. The
colony remained undisturbed through the American Revolution. It
was distinguished as a military center, and many hostile parties, composed of a small number of regulars, piloted large bodies of Indians
to the banks of the Ohio river. With the commencement of the war,
Patrick Sinclair had been appointed Lieutenant Governor at Mackinaw, and Captain Henry Hamilton to the same position at Detroit.
Millions of dollars in supplies were sent to both places for distribution
among the Indians, and liberal bounties were paid for scalps. Among
these supplies the tomakawk and scalping knife has a prominent
place. During sixteen months the supplies were immense: 362,460
barrels of flour, 42,176 pounds of fresh beef, 16,473 pounds of salt beef,
19,756 pounds of butter, 203,932 pounds of salt pork, and 584 tons of
gunpowder were among the items received at Detroit. Of the result
of such an order as " sixty gross of scalping knives," Governor Hamilton, in January, 1778, wrote to General Carleton that the Indians
had brought in 23 prisoners and 129 scalps. In another letter of September, 1778, he says, "Since last May the Indians have taken 34
prisoners, 17 of which they delivered up, and 81 scalps."
With the close of the war, by the final treaty of September 3, 1783,
the American government understood that the territory south of the
great lakes was conceded to them, and that all military posts were to
be surrendered within five months. But no move was made in that
direction, nor was any notice sent to commandants of military posts.
President Washington sent Baron Steuben to take possession of Detroit,
but Gen. Haldimand, at Quebec, refused him passports, and wrote
that no orders had been received to deliver up the posts. In 1784
another attempt to gain possession was refused. John Adams, then
minister to England, in 1786 made demand for the surrender of the
forts, and was refused, on the ground that the States had failed to
fulfill stipulations as to debts due to British subjects. In 1787 the
military force was greatly increased at Detroit, two full regiments
being stationed there. Defensive works were erected, and every
preparation made to resist a siege.
Thus encouraged the Indians increased in hostility, and many settlers were killed in the Northwest Territory, of which Michigan was
a part. This resulted in sending out troops to subdue them, first under
General Harmer, who was defeated, October 22, 1790, with the loss of
600 men. The scalps of these American soldiers were strung on poles
and brought to Detroit. In 1791, Gen. St. Clair, with 1,400 troops, was
defeated on the Wabash river. Government then attempted to make
peace, but found that the Indians would not consent to it, unless their




10


EARLY HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.


rights were conceded as extending to the Ohio river. It was finally
determined to send Gen. Wayne with a sufficient force to secure a
decisive victory. Nearly all the military force at Detroit was sent to
resist him, on the Miami. On the 30th of August, 1794, the combined
British and Indian forces were defeated in a hardyfought battle.
In 1794 John Jay was sent to England to negotiate, and the Jay
treaty was ratified by the President in 1795. It provided that on
or before the first day of June, 1796, British garrisons should be withdrawn from all posts and places within the United States. Under
this treaty an American force under Captain Porter took possession
of Detroit, July 11, 1796. A garrison was soon after sent to Mackinaw, and Michigan was at last under the protection of the American
flag. General Wayne and Winthrop Sargent soon after visited Detroit
and received a cordial welcome.
MICHIGAN UNDER AMERICAN RULE.
From 1796 to 1805 Michigan was attached to other territories. On
the fifteenth of August, 1796, Secretary Sargent, by proclamation,
organized the county of Wayne. It included the lower, and a large
portion of the upper peninsula, a large tract across the northern border of the present States of Ohio and Indiana, and a strip along the
entire western shore of Lake Michigan, including the present sites of
Chicago, Milwaukee, and Green Bay. In all this territory, over which
so many times had swept the tide of war during the previous hundred years, the only land under cultivation was the narrow border
extending from the river Rasin to Lake St. Clair. To this the Indian
title had been secured in 1785, by Gov. Arthur St. Clair of the Northwest territory, it being described as "the port of Detroit with a district
of land beginning at the mouth of the river Rosine, at the west end
of Lake Erie, and running up the southern bank of said river six
miles, thence northerly, and always six miles west of the strait, until
it strikes the Lake St. Clair." It also secured the post at Mackinaw,
and twelve miles square about it. The consideration was $6,000.
In 1795 General Wayne, by an Indian treaty made at Greenville,
Ohio, secured the same territory in Michigan; also, the islands of
Mackinaw and Bois Blanc, and a piece of land on the Straits of Mackinaw, to measure six miles in length and three miles back from the
straits between Lakes Huron and Michigan. Twelve tribes were
represented by 1,113 Indians-the most prominent being the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanese, Ottawas, Chippewas, and Pottawattomies.
In 1808, Governor Hull secured a tract of land running north from
the mouth of Auglaize river until it intersects the latitude of the out



EARLY HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.


11


let of Lake Huron, thence northeast to White Rock. The southern
boundary was the Maumee river. This tract covered the land east of
the present meridian line.
By the treaty made at Saginaw in 1819, Gen. Cass obtained in addition the strip "commencing six miles south of the base line on the
boundary of 1808 treaty, thence west sixty miles, thence north in a
direct line to the head of Thunder Bay river; thence down the same
to the mouth." Gen. Cass, in his report of this acquisition, says: "A
large portion of the country ceded is of the first character for soil
and situation; it will vie with any land I have seen north of the Ohio
river. The cession probably contains more than six million acres."
The above were the principal cessions of land by the Indians, up to the
time they were thrown into market as public lands, which was in
1818.
Under the ordinance of 1787 whenever the Northwest Territory had
5,000 free white inhabitants, the people had a right to choose a Legislature, who could elect a delegate to Congress. In 1798 Wayne county
sent three delegates to the general assembly at Chilicothe, five hundred free white males being required for each delegate. The public
expenses were defrayed by the issue of bills of credit.
SLAVES IN MICHIGAN.
The ordinance of 1787 had provided that " there shall be neither
slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said territory, otherwise than
in the punishment of crime, whereof the party shall have been duly
convicted."
Under both French and English rule there had been a few slaves in
Michigan. Some were brought in, but most of them were Indians purchased from the savages who had captured and held them as household servants. Under Jay's treaty the right of ownership in both these
classes was held to be good. There is no record to show the number.
So far as the census returns indicate, from 1800 to 1830 there were
very few slaves. None were returned in 1800, when Wayne county
was attached to the Territory of Ohio. In 1810, Wayne county comprised the whole Territory of Michigan, and was divided into four civil
districts. Twenty-four slaves were returned in all, of which seventeen were in the civil district of Detroit, four in Erie, two in Huron,
and one in Mackinaw. In 1820 no slaves were returned. In 1830
thirty-two slaves were enumerated. Of these all but one were from
territory now forming part of Wisconsin. One slave was returned
from Oakland county, a female between the age of fourteen and
twenty-four.  With that census ended the record of slavery in
Michigan.




12


EARLY HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.


1800 TO 1805.
In 1800 the Northwest Territory contained a population of 43,365.
Wayne county, of which part was in the present States of Ohio and
Indiana, returned 3,206 inhabitants. Detroit contained about three
hundred houses. The only cultivated lands were contained in a strip
three miles wide, bordering on Detroit river and the lakes, except a
few hundred acres about Mackinaw. More than three-fourths of the
total population were French, and Catholics in religion. Two-thirds
were males. By the admission of Ohio as a State in 1803, and the
organization of the Territory of Indiana, Michigan became attached
to that Territory. The union was brief. Congress organized the Territory of Michigan June 30, 1805. The Legislature of Ohio had granted
a charter for the " Town of Detroit" in 1802. But there had been no
perceptible increase in population during the nine years since the
national government had assumed control of the Territory. Some
French families had come in from Canada; others had gone out who
preferred British rule. There was no opportunity to become landholders, while the merchants were sufficient for the trade.
MICHIGAN UNDER GOV. HULL.
President Jefferson appointed General Wm. Hull Governor of
the Territory, and he reached Detroit July 1, 1805. He was an officer of the Revolution, but was entirely unfitted for the duties required
on the western frontier. Stanley Griswold, from Connecticut, was
the first Secretary. The Judges were Augustus B. Woodward and
Frederick Bates, and John Griffin became a Judge in 1806. Griswold
could not agree with Gov. Hull, and Reuben Atwater, of Vermont,
succeeded him at the end of three years.
Just before the arrival of Gov. Hull, the town of Detroit had been
entirely consumed by fire. The court commenced its sittings under a
"bower" erected for that purpose. A Territorial seal was adopted in
1805. The first grand jury presented the subject of public lands as
requiring immediate attention.
LANDS AND TITLES.
The American State papers furnish voluminous evidence of the
great obstacles to the settlement of Michigan from the impossibility
of securing legal titles. Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, had as early as 1790 presented to Congress a plan for the disposition of the public lands. But nothing had been done in Michigan, and
it was in response to this action of the grand jury that President Jefferson, in February, 1804, gave to Congress the report of C. Jouett,
Indian agent at Detroit, of the situation of the titles and occupations




EARLY HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.


13


of lands, private and public. He made a full report of over four hundred farms.
One hundred and twenty-one farms were located on the river Raisin, 23 on Otter Creek, 16 on Sandy Creek. 16 on Ecorce or Bark river,
43 on the river Rouge, 10 on Grosse Isle, 23 on the banks of the Detroit
river between the Rouge and Detroit, 60 between Detroit and Grosse
Point, 24 from Grosse Point to Lake St. Clair, 30 on Milk river, a
branch of the Huron, 34 on the river Huron, 12 at Point O'Tramble,
six miles above the mouth of the St. Clair river, and twelve miles
above that point, 25 on the St. Clair river.
It was in 1806, before Congress began the consideration of land
titles in Michigan. Judge Woodward made a report to the Secretary
of the Treasury, which was laid before Congress. He stated that the
amount of land in cultivation did not exceed 150,000 acres, or a little
more than six townships, while he over-estimated the entire area at
76,000,000 acres, and the quantity of good land at only eighteen to
twenty millions of acres. He describes the farms as from two to four
acres front on the river, the houses about twenty-five rods apart; the
people, "honest beyond comparison, generous, hospitable, and polished; they seek in the duties of piety, and in the pleasures of sociability, an oblivion of all the cares of ambition and of avarice, as well
as of science."
The lands claimed comprised several classes; those made by Governors of Canada and Louisiana and confirmed by the King of France;
those made by Governors and not confirmed by the King; those made
by military officers, without grant or confirmation, but accompanied
by long and undisturbed possession; those with similar titles, and
extinguishment of native titles while the territory belonged to Great
Britain; and those occupied, with extinguishment of native titles,
since the country came under the control of the United States.
He reported in all 442 farms, with dates of settlement running from
1763 to 1801. Nearly all of these were French claims, bordering on
the rivers, with from two to five acres front, and forty acres in depth.
This was a French acre, less than four-fifths of an American acre.
The largest purchase mentioned was that of Patrick Sinclair, on St.
Clair river, comprising 4,000 acres, taken in 1765. Only six of these
farms had good titles, as appears from the report made Dec. 1, 1806,
by the Register of the Land Office at Detroit.
Thus, after the lapse of one hundred and five years since the settlement of Detroit, there were less than 4,000 acres of land to which
there was a valid title. Commissioners, however, took the claims
under consideration, and made full reports to Government. In 1807,
Congress passed an act confirming all grantees or heirs prior to July
3




14


EARLY HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.


1, 1796, in their titles, not to exceed 640 acres in each tract. A subsequent act confirmed the titles of settlers, outside of the vicinity of
Detroit, who were in possession in 1812.
By Gov. Hull's treaty with the Indians in 1808, the territory as far
west as the principal meridian line,- running through the present
counties of Hillsdale, Jackson, Ingham, and Shiawassee, to a point
near Owosso, and thence northeast to White Rock, on Lake Huron,
was secured to the government, and ready for survey, but no survey
was made, and no lands could be obtained. These surveys were not
made from a constant fear of trouble with the Indians. Gov. Hull
was infirm of purpose, and unpopular with the settlers. Owing to his
representations, the town of Detroit was stockaded in 1807, and from
that time until after the close of the war in 1815, there was little disposition to clear and settle on lands, except within hailing distance of
Detroit.
The history of Michigan, under the entire administration of Gov.
Hull, was one of bickerings between the judges. When they were
not at enmity among themselves, some of them were in opposition to
the Governor. The whole civil and military power was in their
hands; all laws were made and repealed by them. The Governor and
judges in turn were presented before the grand jury. Each had his
friends and sympathizers, who now and then came to blows.
In 1807 and 1808 it was evident that the Indians meant mischief.
They had signed treaties ceding their lands without understanding
them. It was for the interest of the Northwest Company that the
country should remain a wilderness. Their agent at Malden was
giving out guns and ammunition, and the British company distributed
their annual presents with a lavish hand.
Under Tecumseh, a Shawnee chief, whose home was on the upper
Wabash, a union of the tribes was gradually effected. In 1811 the
forces under Gen. Harrison defeated him at Tippecanoe, which
secured the peace of that region for a short time. Gov. Hull was in
Washington at the time of this battle, to urge the government to take
possession of the lakes with armed vessels. Practically his civil
administration then ceased. War was declared against Great Britain,
June 18, 1812. The news reached the British, at Malden, several days
in advance of that furnished to Governor Hull, and resulted in the
early fall of Mackinaw, which surrendered August 16, 1812.
By order of the President, a regiment of regular troops and twelve
hundred Ohio volunteers were placed under the command of Governor Hull. One of these Ohio regiments was under the command of
Lewis Cass, his first appearance in the affairs of Michigan.
General Hull, with his forces, arrived at Detroit, July 5, and took




EARLY HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.


15


possession of the fort, which he disgracefully surrendered, without
firing a gun in its defense, August 16, 1812. It was the surrender of
a superior force within fortifications.. The officers and men under
Gen. Hull received the surrender with just indignation. With the
fall of Detroit all Michigan passed into the hands of the British.
From August 16, 1812, to September 28, 1813, Detroit was under
British control. Mackinaw was not restored to our government until
July 1, 1815.
The Indian atrocities of the war of the Revolution were repeated,
and culminated in the Indian massacre at Frenchtown, of which a
graphic account is given in Campbell's History of Michigan. It was
the most atrocious act of the war. Of nine hundred soldiers only fifty
escaped capture; more than four hundred were killed, and many
others were scalped on their way to Maiden. Testimony submitted
by Judge Woodwardto Congress proved that many of the dead bodies
were literally devoured by dogs and hogs. The brutal Proctor, the
British officer in command at Detroit, refused burial to these men,
many of whom, wounded as they were, had been burned alive. The
prisoners who reached Detroit were ransomed by the citizens, the price
paid being from ten to eighty dollars. It was more than five months
after the massacre before Proctor took any steps toward the ransom
of prisoners, and then only five dollars were offered per man. Gen.
Cass, in an article in the North American Review of April, 1827, conclusively proves that the British Government did not ransom a single
prisoner during the entire war.
Not satisfied with allowing the Indians to capture and murder without restraint, Proctor banished the leading citizens of Detroit, who had
distinguished and impoverished themselves by the ransom of prisoners.
No wonder that the brutality of Proctor called forth the denunciation
of Edmund Burke, in the British Parliament. With the victory of
Commodore Perry the power of Great Britain in western Canada was
broken, and Michigan was safe for the future.
MICHIGAN UNDER LEWIS CASS.
On the surrender of Detroit, Colonel Lewis Cass, with his regiment,
had been left in charge of the post. His appointment soon after as
Territorial Governor was the beginning of the future of Michigan. A
native of New Hampshire, he had settled at Marietta, Ohio, at the age
of seventeen. After receiving a liberal education he had become a
lawyer, had been a member of the Legislature, and Marshal of the
State of Ohio. He had served with courage and success through the
war. Above all, from habits and training, he was familiar with the
needs of the people. No man in the Northwest was better qualfied to




16


EARLY HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.


deal with the Indian. Under him government acquired by various
treaties all lands south of Grand river to the headwaters of Thunder
Bay river, as well as such as were required to make the posts at Mackinaw and elsewhere safe for the future. By some of these treaties
lands were exchanged for other lands west of the lakes.
MILITARY BOUNTY LANDS.
In 1812 Congress had appropriated two milllion acres to be selected
in the Territory of Michigan as bounty lands to volunteers. At the
close of the war the survey of these lands was ordered. Edward
Tiffin was then Surveyor General, with his office at Chilicothe, Ohio.
A party of surveyors were sent out, who commenced in November,
1815, to run a line north, nearly upon the present meridian line.
They pretended to go some fifty miles, sent back several discouraging
reports, and, without orders, returned to Chilicothe. They were
undoubtedly in fear of Indian attacks; suffered from cold weather;
encountered more difficulties on the line than would have been found
either east or west of it; and might have met with other and better
inducements to make unfavorable reports.
At the close of the war 68,500 men were reported as entitled to 160
acres of land each, requiring 10,960,000 acres.
Whether the selection of the lands would have increased the population with greater rapidity is not easy to determine. It is certainly the
fact that up to October 1, 1821, only 71,975 acres of land had been sold
in Michigan, while 2,396,160 acres had been surveyed, and the Indian
title had been extinguished to i0,399,360 acres. In the same year, and
at a date six months earlier, bounty warrants had issued for 967,500
acres, changed by Congress from Michigan to Illinois. The cause that
led to this change came about through the following letter of Tiffin:
"SURVEYOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, 
Chilicothe, Nov. 30. 1816.
"The surveyors, who went to survey the military land in Michigan territory,
have been obliged to suspend their operations until the country shall be sufficientlyfrozen so as to bear man and beast. Knowing the desire of the government to have the lands surveyed as soon as practicable, and my earnest importunities to urge the work forward, they continued at work, suffering incredible
hardships, until both men and beasts were literally worn down with extreme
sufferings and fatigue. The frost set in early, and the ice covered nearly the
whole country, but broke through at every step, and the pack horses could not
be got along with them. They were, therefore, obliged to submit to the climate
and its attendant rigors, and desist for awhile, intending to attack them again
so soon as they think it possible to proceed."
"I annex a description of the country, which has been sent to me, and which, I
am informed, all the surveyors concur in; it was only yesterday I received it, and
heard of their return. So soon as their health and strength is recruited, I expect
to see them all, only one of them having been here yet. In the meantime, I think




EARLY HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.


17


it my duty to give you the information, believing that it is the wish of the Government that the soldiers should have (as the act of Congress expresses) lands fit
for cultivation; and tnat the whole of the two millions of acres appropriated in
the territory of Michigan will not contain anything like one-hundredth part of
that quantity, or is worth the expense of surveying it. Perhaps you may think
with me, that it will be proper to make this representation to the President of
the United States, and he may arrest all further proceedings, by directing me to
pay off what has been done. and abandon the country."
" Congress being in session, other lands could be appropriated in lieu of these,
and might be surveyed as soon as those in Michigan; for when the ice is sufficiently strong to bear man and beast, a deep snow would still embarrass the surveyors. I shall, therefore, wait to hear your answer to this communication
before I proceed any further, thinking I should be unfaithful to my trust if I
had lost any time in communicating the information received."
Description of the Military Lands in Michigan Territory.
"The country on the Indian boundary line, from the mouth of the great
Auglaize river, and running thence for about fifty miles, is (with some few
exceptions) low, wet land, with a thick growth of underbrush, intermixed with
very bad marshes, but generally very heavily timbered with beech, cottonwood,
oak, etc.; from thence, continuing north, and extending from the Indian boundary line eastward, the number and extent of the swamps increases, with the
addition of numbers of lakes from twenty chains to two and three miles acrossmany of the lakes have extensive marshes adjoining their margins, sometimes
thickly covered with a species of pine called 'tamirak,' and other places covered with a coarse, high grass, and uniformly covered from six inches to three
feet (and more at times) with water: the margins of the lakes are not the only
places where swamps are found, for they are interspersed throughout the whole
country, and filled with water as above stated, and varying in extent. The intermediate space between the swamps and lakes, which is probably near one-half
of the country, Is, with a very [few] exceptions, a poor, barren, sandy land, on
which scarcely any vegetation grows, except very small, scrubby oaks. In many
places that part which may be called dry land, is composed of little short sand
hills, forming a kind of deep basins, the bottom of many of which are composed
of a marsh similar to those above described. The streams are generally narrow,
and very deep, compared with their width; the shores and bottoms of which are
(with a very few exceptions) swampy beyond description; and it is with the
utmost difficulty that a place can be found over which horses can be conveyed.
A circumstance peculiar to that country is exhibited in many of the marshes, by
their being thinly covered with a sward of grass, by walking on which evinced
the existence of water, or a very thin mud, immediately under that thin covering, which sinks from six to eighteen inches from the pressure of the foot at
every step, and at the same time rising before and behind the person passing
over. The margins of many of the lakes and streams are in a similar situation,
and in many places are literally afloat. On approaching the eastern part of the
military lands, towards the private claims, in the straits and lakes, the country
does not contain so many swamps and lakes, but the extreme sterility and barrenness of the soil continues the same. Taking the country altogether, so far as
has been explored, and to all appearance, together with the information received
concurring, the balance is as bad, there would not be more than one acre out of
a hundred, if there would be one out of a thousand, that would, in any case,
admit of cultivation.
"With great respect, I am your obedient servant,
EDWARD TIFFIN.
" The Hon. JOSIAH MEIGS, Commissioner General Land Office, Washington."




18


EARLY HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.


Tiffin writes again to the Commissioner, under date of Dec. 11, 1815:
"I am very anxious to hear from you since my representation of Michigan went on. Subsequent accounts confirm the statements, and
make the country out worse (if possible) than I had represented it to
be."
William H. Crawford, Secretary of War, under date of January 22,
1816, wrote to Commissioner Meigs, asking him to designate a tract of
land from which these military bounty lands could be selected, and
that officer recommended two millions of acres from the Illinois cession. February 6, 1816, President Madison, by special message to congress, asked the designation of other lands, as the lands in Michigan
Territory " are so covered with swamps and lakes, or otherwise unfit
for cultivation, that a very inconsiderable proportion can be applied
to the intended grants."
The change was made by congress, as requested. Michigan had no
newspaper to meet the charges, while this opinion of Michigan had a
wide circulation through the press of the eastern States.
At this time both the Land and Indian offices were connected with
the War Department. Indian Agent Jouett had made a favorable
report in 1803, of Michigan lands. There was on file a complete contradiction of the statements of Tiffin. Jouett said of the lands on the
river Raisin:- "An excellent soil, producing twenty-five to thirty
bushels to the acre of wheat, or other grain in the same proportion.
Their orchards are yet young, but promise in a few years to be very
productive." Of the settlements on the Ecorce: "The country is level,
the soil rich, and sufficiently dry for any kind of cultivation. The
grass and wheat are astonishingly luxuriant, and nature requires to be
but little aided to produce in abundance all the necessaries of life." Of
farms on Lake St. Clair: "The soil is dark, rich and strong, and
extremely favorable to the production of wheat." This report was full,
explicit, and in direct contradiction to that of Tiffin.
In 1818 the people refused to advance a grade in government and
elect their own legislators. The French were opposed to it, as it
would have entailed an expense they did not feel able to bear. But
in 1819 congress allowed the Territory a delegate in congress, and
William Woodbridge, afterwards United States Senator, was elected.
The tide of emigration had commenced, and the census of 1820
proved that the population, which had remained almost stationary
for half a century, had doubled since 1810. But the real advance
commenced when the Erie canal was opened in 1825, and emigrants
could reach Michigan by water from Albany. With the opening of
lands to public sale came a demand for township and county organizations, of which Governor Cass was a warm advocate. Under the




EARLY HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.


19


organic law this power was exercised by him. Wayne was the only
county from 1796 to 1817. Monroe county was organized July 14,
1817; Macomb, January 15, 1818; and Michilimackinac, October 26,
1818. On the same day, Brown and Crawford counties were organized, comprising the territory now in the State of Wisconsin. Oakland
county was organized January 12, 1819, and St. Clair county in 1820.
The counties of Lapeer, Sanilac, Saginaw, Shiawassee, Washtenaw,
and Lenawee, were laid out in 1822. The first township organization
was that of Detroit in 1802. Mackinaw Island was organized as a
township in 1817, and Monguagon, Wayne county, in 1818. In 1824
the government passed from the first to the second grade. Up to that
year the people had no power. It was all vested in the Governor and
Judges. They now elected eighteen persons, from which the President selected nine, to act as the Legislative Council. The first Council assembled in Detroit, June 7,1824.
From 1821 to 1825 the sales of land had exceeded 220,000 acres, and
on the 30th of June, 1827, the total lands sold were 373,000 acres.
Within six years more than six times as much land had been sold and
settled upon as in the entire previous history of the territory. There
was no longer a doubt of the future. The era of prosperity had commenced which would soon bring Michigan into the Union.
In 1821 all the territory west of that ceded by the Indians in 1819,
and as far north as Grand river, was obtained by treaty. This gave
full one-half of the Lower Peninsula to the government. The remainder of the Lower Peninsula, and so much of the Upper Peninsula as
lies east of the Chocolate river was not obtained until 1836. In 1825
the Legislative Council was increased from nine to thirteen members,
to be selected from twenty-six by the President. In January, 1827,
Congress allowed the people of the Territory to elect thirteen members, who were to form the council, without the sanction of the
President.
FROM 1830 TO 1837.
The United States census of 1830 gave the Territory a population of
31,639, while in 1820 it was only 8,896. Emigrants came in like a flood.
The counties of Hillsdale, Branch, Berrien, Cass, Jackson, Calhoun,
Van Buren, St. Joseph, Ingham and Eaton, had been laid out prior to
this census, and some of them organized. In 1831 Governor Cass was
called to the cabinet of President Jackson, and resigned the position
of Governor, which he had so ably filled for eighteen years. The
people began to talk of the coming State. The emigration to the
Territory, every year from 1830 to 1836, probably exceeded the total
population in 1830.
The Black Hawk war, which broke out in 1832, and the cholera,




20


EARLY HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.


which committed such fearful ravages from 1832 to 1834, delayed any
attempt to form a State constitution. A census was ordered in 1834,
which gave a population of 87,273 white inhabitants. Under the
ordinance of 1787 Michigan was entitled to admission as a State when
it numbered 60,000 free white inhabitants.
The Legislative Council, by an act passed January 26, 1835, authorized the people to elect on the coming 4th of April eighty-nine delegates, who were to meet in Detroit on the second Monday of May, 1835.
This convention adopted a State constitution, and adjourned on the
24th of June. This constitution was adopted by the people, and State
officers were elected on the first Monday of October, 1835.
As provided in the State constitution, the first Legislature met on
the first Monday of November, 1835. On the tenth of November
Lucius Lyon and John Norvell were elected United States Senators.
After a short session, the Legislature adjourned until the first Monday of February, 1836, hoping that before that time Congress would
admit the State into the Union. In this they were disappointed. It
was not until June 15, 1836, that the bill passed Congress admitting
the States of Arkansas and Michigan, but with the proviso that Michigan was not to be received unless it accepted the northern boundary
of Ohio, as fixed by Congress. As a compensation for this loss of territory on the southern boundary, Michigan was to receive territory in
the Upper Peninsula, as far west as the Montreal river. On July 20,
1836, at a second adjourned session of the Legislature, the election of
delegates to meet in convention was provided for, to settle the question
of admission.
This convention met September 26, 1836, at Ann Arbor, and was
composed of fifty delegates, of whom twenty-nine were from the
counties of Wayne, Monroe, Lenawee, Oakland, Washtenaw and Livingston. They rejected the terms of admission proposed by Congress.
The Democratic county committee of Wayne county issued a circular
recommending another convention to be held at Ann Arbor, December 14, 1836. This convention was held, but there were no delegates
from Monroe county. It accepted the prescribed conditions'of admission, the validity of its action was recognized by Congress, and by an
act approved January 26, 1837, Michigan was admitted as the twentysixth State of the Union.
This brief history of Michigan, prior to its admission as a State, carries out the purpose contemplated. It seems eminently proper that
the people, who are so proud of the State in this day of wealth, prosperity and progress, should review the early history of Michigan, and
better understand some of the many obstacles that so long delayed
the coming of the hardy pioneer.




EARLY HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.


21


COUNTIES OF MICHIGAN,
When laid out, when organized, and when and to what counties
attached for judicial and municipal purposes, prior to organiza.
tion..0
Counties.             0 0
Uo
__________          g


Alcona. —., 1840


Alger --- —----
Allegan... —...
Alpena --- —----
Antrim --------
Arenac. ---....
Baraga-....
Barry-....
Bay..-.. ---Benzie_.....
Berrien.......
Branch-...
Calhoun.......
Cass ---.....- -
Charlevoix...
Cheboygan   - -.
Chippewa-....
Clare..........
Clinton........
Crawford-.. ---
Delta........ -.
Eaton-......
Emmet. —__
Genesee.......
Gladwin -------
Gr. Traverse_Gratiot —.. ---
Hillsdale —. —
Houghton —...
Huron.-......


1885
1831
1840
1840
1883
1875
1829
1831
1863
1829
1829
1829
1829
1840
1810
1826
1840
1831
1840
1843
1829
1840
1835
1831
1840
1831
1829
1S43
1840


To what Counties Attached, and when.   a 
B S
(heboygan, 1853; Alpena, 1857; Iosco, 1858; Alpena,
1859:-..................... -...-.. —.-....  1869
----—.~ ---..-. — -----. --- —---------   1883
Kalamazoo, 1833185 —.   ----—.......... 1835
Mackinac, 1840; Cheboygan, 1853 -..............-. 1837
Mackinac, 1840; Grand Traverse, 1853 -..... ---..... 1863
—... ---................ ---.. --- —---------------------  1883.. --- —--—. ---    ------—. --- —. ------------..1875
St. Joseph, 1829; Kalamazoo, 1830 -... —. --- —. — - 1839
Saginaw, 1840-... --- —- -. ----... --- —----------- 1857
Grand Traverse, 1863.. --- —---.. --- —--------- --- 1869
Cass, 1829 -1...................-..-..- ---...... --- —-   1831
St. Joseph, 1829.........., —.. —.... — ------------- 1833
St. Joseph, 1829; Kalamazoo, 1830. --- ——.-. ---- 1833
—............................. --- —-. --- —------------------- 1829
Mackinac, 1840; Emmet, 1853.... ---—. --- —----  1869
Mackinac, 1840-..... ---. -----—.... --- —-—.. —  1853.-.......... --- —---------—.. --- —------ 1826
Saginaw, 1840; Midland, 1858; Isabella, 1859; Ey
Midland, 1869; WX Mecosta, 1869.. --- —-—..-  1871
Kent, 1836; Shiawassee, 1837 -—.. — ------------  1839
Mackinac, 1840; Cheboygan, 1853; Iosco, 1858; Antrim, 1863; Kalkaska, 1871............. --------—..- --
Mackinac, 1843.................. --- —------- 1861
St. Joseph, 1829; Kalamazoo, 1830 -......... -..  1837
Mackinac, 1840-.................. ---—. --- —--  1853
Oakland, 1835............. - ----------- ------- 1836
Saginaw, 1840; Midland, 1855  ---—................. --- ----
Mackinac, 1840 —.......... --- ------------ ---- 1851
Saginaw, 1836..-............. --- —-... --- —------- 1855
Lenawee, 1829...-........ —...... -------—. --- 1835............-...-..................... —. —.  1846
Saginaw, 1840; -anilac, 18-~50.-.........- -.- -  1859
Saginaw, 1840; Sanilac, 1850.-....................1859




22            EARLY HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.
COUNTIES OF MICHIGAN —Continued.


Counties.    n             To what Counties Attached, and when.         a 
r                 *i0.0                                                        4 u 


Ingham ----    1829  Washtenaw, 1829.......... --- —--------       1838
Ionia --- — - 1831   Kent, 1836.. —........... -----.. ----—.   1837
Iosco ---- -.- 1840  Mackinac, 1840; Saginaw, 1853. --- —------- —. 1857
Iron ----------- 1885-......-.........-.............. --- —-      1885
Isabella....-. 1831  Saginaw, 1840; Midland, 1855. --- —........ --- — 1859
Jackson   -.   1829  Washtenaw, 1829.-.......... ----....... —. —. ---.. 1832
Kalamazoo --- 1829  St. Joseph, 189...................   -..       1830
Kalkaska --- 1840    Mackinac, 1840; Grand Traverse, 1853; Antrim, 1863. 1871
Kent. —...-..-    1831 ------.. --- ——....         --------—..  1836
Keweenaw —. 1861.. ----. ----. --        1861
Lake -. —. —.... 1840  Ottawa, '40; Mason, '55; Newaygo, '57; Mason, '58;
E 4 t's Mecosta, '67; E3 Osceola, '69. ---8 ---- 1871
Lapeer —. --- 1822  Oakland, 1822 —.. —...... -- ------—. --- —  1835
Leelanaw --- 1840   Mackinac, 1840; Grand Traverse, 1853 -----------—. 1863
Lenawee —. 1822    Monroe, 1822.. —2 -—.. --- —. --- —---- ------ 1826
Livingston-    1833  Washtenaw, 1833..................... —.-. 1836
Luce.-.-.-    1887 -  ---------- --------------------             1887
Mackinac —. 1818    By Proclamation of Governor Cass, Oct. 26th-...... 1818
Macomb —.     1818  By Proclamation of Governor Cass, Jan. 15th.... 1818
Manistee -. ---. 1840  Mackinac, 1840; Ottawa, 1846; Oceana, 1851; Grand
Traverse, 1853-..... --- —-- -. —. --- —---- 1855
Manitou ---. 1855.- --.......... —. --- —---—.............. 1855
Marquette —. 1843  Houghton, 18{6 -..... --- —---- ---.......... 1851
Mason....... 1840  Ottawa,1840; Oceana, 1851..... --- —-...... ----.. 1855
Mecosta-. — 1840    Kent, 1840; Newaygo, 1857-..... ----. — ------  1859
Menominee --- 1861  Marquette, 1861..... --- —----------—..... --- --  1863
Midland...... 1831 Saginaw, 1836... —..-............... ----.. ----—..- 1855
Missaukee.-   1840  Mackinac, 1840; Grand Traverse, 1853; Manistee,
1858; Wexford, 1869 -...... ---... --- —-----—... 1871
Monroe.. ----.. 1817  By Proclamation of Governor Cass, July 14th-  1817
Montcalm...... 1831 Ionia, 1840..................... 1850
Montmorency- 1840   Mackinac, 1840; Cheboygan, 1853; Alpena, 1857. — -----
Muskegon-.    1859....     —. —..    -...-...   —.. ----      1859
Newaygo.....-. 1840  Kent, 1840......-............ --- -. ---. --- —--....... 1851
Oakland...... 1819  By Proclamation of Gov. Cass, Jan. 12; Organized,
Proclamation of Gov. Cass, Mar. 28..-. —.... 1820




EARLY HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.
COUNTIES OF MICHIGAN-Continued.


23


I.
Counties.      a 0            To what Counties Attached, and when.              v. 
^~i~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- 




Oceana ----—..
Ogemaw -—.. —
Ontonagon ---Osceola -. ---..
Oscoda --- —..

1831
1840
1843
1840
1840


Otsego.... —.. 1840


Ottawa. ---. —
Presque Isle 
Roscommon -..
Saginaw —.....
Sanilac-...
Schoolcraft ---Shiawassee ----
St. Clair..-...
St. Joseph. --- —
Tuscola -.. —.Van Buren --- —
Washtenaw — 
Wayne --- ——.
Wexford......


1831
1810
1840
1822
1822
1843
1822
1820
1829
1840
1829
1822
1796


Ottawa, 1840 —...... --- —--------------—. ----.
Mackinac, '40; Cheboygan, '53; Midland, '59; losco,
'61; Incorporated with losco, '67. --- —----------
Houghton, 1846.,.. —   ---.... --- —------
Ottawa, 1840; Newaygo, 1857; Mecosta, 1859.... ---
Mackinac, 1840; Cheboygan, 1853; Alpena, 1857;
Iosco, 1858; Alpena, 1859; Alcona, 1869..... —..
Mackinac, 1840; Cheboygan, 1853; Alpena, 1858; Antrim, 1863.......-........... --- —..-.- ---—.
Kent, 1836..........
Mackinac, 1841; Cheboygan, 1853; Alpena, 1858-...
Mackinac, 1840; Cheboygan, 1853; Midland, 1859....
Oakland, 1822  -...... --- —- ----—. --- —.. —..
Oakland, 1822; St. Clair, 1827; Lapeer, 1836; St.
Clair, 1840.-......-. --- —Chippewa, Houghton, 1846; Marquette, 1851.....
Oakland, 1822; Genesee, 1836...-. ----. --- —----
By Proclamation of Gov. Cass, March 28; Organized by Proc. of Gov. Cass, May 8.-.. --- —-------
Saginaw, 1840 —......... —.. --- —-----—.. ---..Cass, 1829 -... ---     ---.. --- —..
Wayne, 1822....-.. —.-     --------
By General Wayne; in 1815 re-established by Proclamation of Gov. St. Clair, July 15, and organized
by Proclamation of Governor Cass, Nov. 2lst -.-.
Mackinac, 1840; Grand Traverse, 1853; Manistee,
1855 -,-.....-............ ----. —. --- —---


1855
1855
1869


1837
1871
1835
1848
1871
1837
1821
1829
1845
1837
1826
1815


1840


1869




I






BIOGRAPHIES
4




I




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
OLIVER C. ABELL
Was born at Augusta, Georgia, July 3, 1827, and was the son of a
wealthy cotton dealer and slaveholder. In 1830 he removed to
Detroit. Michigan, and the next year to Dearborn, Wayne county,
where he spent a portion of his time teaching until 1851, when he
went to California, and remained there until 1856. On his return he
was elected treasurer of Dearborn. He followed farming until 1862.
He held the office of enrolling officer of the draft department and
deputy provost marshal during the war. He was also deputy assessor
and collector of revenue, which office he held until removed by
Andrew Johnson. Exempted from the draft by disability, he furnished a substitute at a cost of eight hundred dollars. In 1867 he was
State Senator and chairman of the committee on railroads. He was
a director of the Detroit, Lansing & Northern Railroad. He removed
to Nankin, laid out a villag-, and was the first hardware merchant
there. He was postmaster five years, president of the village, and
trustee. From 1875 to 1878 he had charge of the Wayne county poorhouse. He removed to Detroit in 1884. In politics, a Republican.
SYLVESTER ABEL
Was an early member of the Ann Arbor bar, was an excellent man,
of fair abilities as a lawyer, and was honored with many public
offices. In politics, a Republican. He was State Senator from Washtenaw county in 1857-8. Deceased.
ADRIAN O. ABBOTT,
Representative from the Third District of Lenawee county in 1887,
was born at Munnsville, Madison county, N. Y., Aug. 26, 1842. Three
years later his parents moved to Oriskany Falls, Oneida county,




28


MICHIGAWN BIOGRAPHY.


where his boyhood was spent. In 1856, at the age of fourteen, he left
school and sold goods in a general store in the village where his parents resided. He remained in the store for about two years, after
which he was a schoolmaster. In 1860 he secured a position in a
dry goods store at Clinton, N. Y., where he remained until the summer of 1861, when he enlisted in Co. A, 1st N. Y. Artillery. In the
spring of 1862 he was discharged for physical disability. In 1863 he
secured a position in a dry goods house in Utica, N. Y., where he
remained until he came to Michigan. In 1866 Mr. Abbott located at
Adrian and opened a ladies' furnishing goods store, and the business
increasing, he finally went into the general dry goods business, which
he conducted until 1873. Since 1873 Mr. Abbott has been engaged in
the manufacturing and selling of his own inventions, some of which
have proved very useful and secured a reputation over the whole
country. For over three years he has held the position of president
of the village of Hudson. In politics, a Republican.
ISAAC C. ABBOTT,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1863-4, was born in the state
of New Hampshire, April 5, 1819. He came to Romeo, Michigan, in
1843. He was a Methodist Episcopal minister for seventeen years,
when he became a farmer in Leroy, Calhoun county. For the last four
years he has lived in Galesburg. In politics a Republican.
JOSHUA K. ABBOTT,
Representative in 1850 from Genesee county, was born in Concord,
N. H., in 1810. He came to Michigan in 1838. By trade a bookbinder. On coming to Michigan he became a merchant and farmer
at Grand Blanc. He was postmaster for twenty years. He went to
the war as sutler of the 30th Iowa, of which his brother was colonel.
He was taken sick in front of Vicksburg and died on his way home
at Cairo, February 4, 1863. His son, Charles H., is a State Senator in
Colorado, and a prominent miner.
ROBERT ABBOTT,
The first Auditor General of the state, the oldest of three sons of James
Abbott, an early settler, was born in Detroit in 1770. After reaching
maturity he became a partner with his father, James Abbott, who




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


29


was prominently connected with the fur trade of the northwest. Mr.
Abbott held the position of treasurer of the territorial funds, 1813 to
1836; auditor of public accounts, 1809 to 1836, and was a U. S. master
in chancery. His name also appears in local offices of all grades, and
in benevolent and church enterprises, especially in advancing the
interests of the Methodist church, to which he was devoted. Politics,
Democratic. He died in 1852.
WM. L. ABBOTT,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1877-9, was born in the county
of Beauharnois, Parish of Ste. Martine, Canada East, March 29, 1835.
He received a common school education, and resided in Canada until
the year 1856, when the family emigrated to the United States, with
the intention of settling in Kansas; but owing to the political disturbances in that state at the time, they retraced their steps and settled
in Goodland, Lapeer county, Michigan, where he engaged in lumbering and farming. His present occupation is farming. He has held
the office of township clerk, supervisor and other minor offices. In
politics, a Republican.
HENRY ACKER,
Representative from Jackson county in 1839 and 1840, was an early
settler in the town of Concord, and was supervisor in 1838. Politics
and occupation unknown.
FRANCIS ACKLEY,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1873-4, was born Dec. 16,
1826, in the town of Stowe, Portage county, Ohio. Mr. Ackley
received a common school education. In 1840 he emigrated to Michigan and settled in Shiawassee township, Shiawassee county. In 1863
he removed to the village of St. Charles, Saginaw county, where he
now resides. Mr. Ackley has been president of the village of St.
Charles, and has held other important offices in the town. His business is that of a merchant.
WILLIAM ADAIR
Was born near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1815. In 1834 he settled at
Detroit, Michigan. He worked as a carpenter until 1840, when he




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


began business as a gardener and horticulturist, in which he was very
successful. He held several local positions of honor in Detroit, among
them president of the Detroit Mechanics' Society and president of St.
Andrew's Society. He was State Senator in 1861-2-3-4-5-9-1870-5-7.
In politics, a Democrat. A quiet, unassuming gentleman, he became
one of the most influential members of the Senate, and probably exercised greater influence than any other democrat.
JOHN J. ADAM
Was born at Paisley, Scotland, October 30, 1807. He received a good
education, graduating at Glasgow college in 1826 with honor. The
same year he emigrated to this country and arrived at Baltimore July
4, 1826. He taught Latin, Greek and mathematics at an academy in
Meadville, Pa., for a year, and returned to Scotland. In 1831 he settled in Lenawee county, Michigan, where he still resides. He taught
school at Clinton, and in 1832 enlisted as a private in Captain Hickson's company to serve in the Black Hawk war, but the company
only went to Niles. He took part in the "'Toledo War " as a lieutenant. Afterwards he was appointed paymaster of the 5th Division
Michigan Militia, and in 1841 aid-de-camp of Gen. Davis Smith, same
command. In 1835 he was a delegate to the6 Constitutional Convention, and took an active part in framing the first State Constitution.
He was secretary of the State Senate for the first three legislative sessions. In 1839 he was a Representative from Lenawee county, and
State Senator in 1840 and 1841 from the second district, comprising
Monroe, Lenawee and Hillsdale counties. In January, 1842, he was
elected State Treasurer to fill an unexpired term, and was twice
re-elected, serving from January 13, 1842, to May 24, 1845, when he
resigned at the request of Gov. Barry to take the position of Auditor
General, which he held until Jan. 28, 1816. In 1847 he again served
as Representative, was chairman of the committee on ways and means,
and took an active part in locating the capital at Lansing. He was
again elected by the legislature Auditor General, May 9. 1848, and
served until 185. From that time until 1868 he was in the service of
the Michigan Southern road, and was their construction agent in
building the Air-line, the Jackson branch, the Three Rivers road and
the Detroit & Toledo road. From 1858 to 1868 he was auditor of the
company, when he resigned. He was again Representative in the
legislature in 1871-2.  For several years he was president of the
council of the village of Tecumseh, and was president of the State
Pioneer Society in 1878-9. He is still living at Tecumseh in the enjoy



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


31


ment of health, and honored by all who know him. Politically a
Democrat.
EZRA C. ADAMS,
Representative from the First District of Kalamazoo in 1861-2-85, was
born at Collins Centre, Erie county, N. Y., July 14, 1823. He is a
descendant of Samuel Adams of Revolutionary fame. At the age of
fourteen he moved with his parents to Wayne county, N. Y., and subsequently to Franklin, Portage (now Kent county), Ohio, where he
commenced the study of medicine. At the age of twenty-one he
graduated from the medical department of the Willoughby University. After practicing as a physician three years in Cuyahoga county,
Ohio, he returned to New York, where he was engaged in his profession seven years at Collins, the town of his birth.. In 1854 he removed
to Kalamazoo county. Mich., and since that time has resided in that
and Allegan county as a medical practitioner. Mr. Adams has been
president of the village of Plainwell, and was a Republican member
in the House from the First District of Kalamazoo county in 1871. In
1872 he was nominated as member of the legislature by the Democrats and Liberal Republicans of the Second District of Allegan,
which nomination was declined. In 1874 he was nominated by the
Democrats of his district and defeated by a small majority. In 1882
he was the Fusion candidate from the First Representative District of
Kalamazoo county, and was defeated. In 1884 he was again nominated and elected, receiving 2,034 votes, Alexander Cameron, the
Republican candidate, receiving 2,010, and the Prohibition candidate,
Paul T. Butler, 379.
ISAAC ADAMS,
Representative from Oakland county in 1838, was born at Andover,
Massachusetts, April 23, 1767, and was by profession a physician, in politics a free soil Democrat. As a resident of Michigan he first settled
in St. Joseph county in 1829, but removed from there to Oakland
county in 1835. When he first went to White Pigeon the nearest postoffice was at Tecumseh, and there was no flour mill in St. Joseph
county. Dr. Adams was a graduate of Harvard College. He was
one of the committee on education in the House, of which Alpheus
Felch was chairman, and assisted in preparing the bill to establish the
University of Michigan, and took an active interest in that institution
during his life. Died at Troy, Oakland county, in 1852.




32


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


JOHN Q. ADAMS,
Representative from Marquette county in 1883, was born in Cornwall,
Litchfield. county, Connecticut, November 2, 1837. He remained
with his parents until eighteen years of age, working upon the farm
except during the winter months, a portion of which were spent in
school. From 1856 to 1859 he was clerk in the drug store of J. M.
Gardner, in the village of West Cornwall, Connecticut. In 1863 he
commenced the study of law in the office of George Wheaton, of West
Cornwall. His studies were pursued during evening hours, while the
days were devoted to labor at such employments as he could engage
in. He was admitted to the bar at Litchfield in April, 1865, and immediately entered upon the practice of law as the partner of his tutor,
Mr. Wheaton, who died six months later, when Mr. Adams succeeded
to his practice, and continued the same until March, 1872, when he
removed to Negaunee, Marquette county, Mich., where he has since
resided, and continued in the practice of his profession. In 1874 he
was elected circuit court commissioner of Marquette county, serving
in that office until 1876, when he was elected prosecuting attorney of
that county, and re-elected in 1878, and again in 1880, thus serving six
consecutive years. In September, 1879, he formed a partnership with
James F. Foley, of Negaunee, for mining purposes, and in the following month the firm discovered what is now known as the Milwaukee
mine, in Negaunee, and which they sold in February, 1881. He is
interested largely in the New York Hematite Mine, and in other valuable mining properties in the mining districts of Lake Superior. Politically a Republican. He was elected by about 1,100 majority over S.
S. Curry, Democrat.
OSCAR ADAMS
Was born in Harpersfield, Delaware county, New York, April 16,
1827. At the age of twenty, he commenced the study of law at Buffalo, graduated from the Ballston Spa law school, and was admitted
to the bar in 1850. He began practice in Erie county, New York, then
removed to Wisconsin fortwo years. In 1855 he came to Flint, Michigan.- In 1860 he was elected circuit court commissioner of Genesee
county. During the war he was an army paymaster. In 1871-2 he
was Representative in the legislature. He was several years president of the school board at Flint and also its treasurer. It was while
he was a member that the fine high school building was erected in
Flint. He is a good lawyer. A Republican in politics.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


33


PETER R. ADAMS
Was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1825. He moved to Tecumseh, Mich., in 1830, where he
practiced his profession until 1842, when he retired with a competence,
and became a successful farmer. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1850, and held other positions. He died at Tecumseh in 1883.
WALES ADAMS
Was born at Medway, Norfolk county, Mass., March 2, 1804, and was
the son of a Revolutionary soldier. He received a common school education. From 1820 to 1828 he was engaged in mechanical work, most
of the time in machine shops. In 1828 he went to New York City,
and from there came to Bronson, Mich., in 1830, settling on a farm.
With Willard Pierce he built the second saw-mill in Branch county in
1831. He was for twenty years supervisor of the township, and was
for one term county treasurer. He was a Representative to the legislatures of 1844 and 1845, and was a delegate in the Constitutional Convention of 1850. Not living.
ALLEN C. ADSIT
Was born in Rutland, Jefferson county, New York, Feb. 20,1837. his
early life was spent upon his father's farm, receiving such education
as the district school and county institute afforded. He studied law
at Watertown, N. Y., and was admitted to the bar in 1859. Enlisted
in the 44th N. Y. Volunteers in 1861, and participated in the principal
battles in which the Army of the Potomac were engaged. At the
close of the war settled at Spring Lake, Ottawa county, Michigan, and
engaged in the mercantile business in company with Hon. J. B. Perham. Was supervisor of said town for six successive years, and Representative in the State legislature from Ottawa county in 1871 and
1872. In 1874, having resumed the practice of law, he was elected
prosecuting attorney for said county, and served during the years
1875 and 1876. Removed to Grand Rapids in 1877, where he has
since resided, engaged in the practice of the law. Politics
Democratic.
ROBERT P. AITKIN
Was born Feb. 15, 1819, in Perth, Fulton county, N. Y., and was of
Scotch parentage. He attended district schools winters until the age
5




34


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


of 17, when he became a clerk in a military store in the city of New
York. After six years' service in that place he emigrated in 1842 to
Genesee county, Michigan, and bought part of the farm now owned
by him in the township of Flint, paid for it out of his small earnings,
and commenced the task of clearing up a farm. He married Miss
Johnston in 1843. He still lives on the same farm, and in 1886 was
serving his 25th year as supervisor of the town of Flint. He cast his
first vote for Harrison, and remained a Whig until 1854, since a Republican. He was Representative in the Michigan legislature in the sessions of 1865 and 1867. Is a member of the Episcopal church. He was
the organizer and is director and secretary of the Genesee County
Mutual Fire Insurance Co. Has been the father of ten children, of
whom six are now living. The eldest son died in consequence of four
years' service in the late war.
HIRAM ALDEN,
Representative from Branch county in 1835, 1836 and 1837, was born
in Ashfield, Mass., in October, 1792, and was of the seventh generation from John Alden, of Mayflower fame. He moved with his
father's family to Rome, N. J., in 1800, where he passed his boyhood
days and acquired an education with the privations incident to these
early days. He studied medicine with Dr. Rathburn, of Camden,
N. J., completing his course in Cincinnati in 1824. and acquired an
enviable reputation in the profession. He came from Ripley, N. J.,
to Coldwater in 1834. In 1838 he was appointed by Governor Mason
Commissioner of Internal Improvements, and was acting Railroad
Commissioner at the time of the construction of the railroad from
Detroit to Pontiac. He died at Detroit, November 26, 1838, and was
followed to his grave by six hundred officials and laborers, who
insisted on paying the expenses as their tribute to a friend and an
honest man. He left a wife, four sons and five daughters. Among
those living are Judge Isaac Alden, of Montana; Rev. Willis Alden,
of Oregon; and the wives of the late Roland Root and H. C. Lewis,
and of Hon. H. Haynes, of Coldwater.
LEVI ALDRICH
Was born in Erie counts, N. Y., Jan. 27, 1820. His father, Levi Aldrich, was a pioneer farmer of Erie county. He received an academical education, studied medicine at the Albany Medical College and
Buffalo Medical University, and practiced medicine successfully in
Erie county until 1860, when his health failing him, he removed to
Cass county and settled on a farm, but soon resumed his practice at




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


35


Edwardsburg, which was extensive and lucrative. He was Representative from Cass county in 1863-4; Senator in 1865, and a member of
the Constitutional Convention in 1867. In politics an active Republican, and a Quaker in religion, but contributes to the support of various denominations.
LORENZO P. ALEXANDER
Was born in Angelica, Alleghany county, N. Y., August 10, 1820.
When twenty-one he came to Michigan, and settled at Buchanan,
where he still resides. In 1844 he was a militia captain, and in 1845
became colonel of the 28th Regiment, During his first six years he
was a carpenter; then for three years in the boot and shoe trade; and
then for more than twenty years in the general mercantile trade.
He was constable and town treasurer five years; school director
twenty-five years; town clerk; justice of the, peace; and many
years supervisor.  He was a Representative in the legislature
of 1841-42. In 1867 he was member of the Constitutional Convention; and in 1871-72, State Senator. He was a delegate to
the Republican National Convention at Baltimore in 1864, and
was a member of the committee that notified President Lincoln
of his renomination.  He was postmaster of Buchanan from 1862 to
1866, and again from 1877 to 1886. He is now supervisor and justice.
A Republican since 1854.
SYDNEY U. ALEXANDER
Was born in Westfield, Medina county, Ohio, May 22, 1835. His
father removed to Dewitt in 1837. In 1850 he entered the printing
office of the Clinton Express, at Dewitt, and learned the trade of a
printer, under the direction of Mark A. Childs. After five years'
service as printer he became a farmer, which is his present occupation. In 1860 he was elected supervisor of Olive, and held the position five years. In 1867 he served as Representative from the First
District of Clinton county to the legislature. Has since been supervisor of Watertown two years. In politics, a Democrat.
RUSSELL A. ALGER
Was born in Lafayette, Medina county, Ohio, February 27, 1836, and
was the son of Russell Alger, whose ancestors came from England to
Massachusetts about 1760. His great grandfather served in the Revolutionary war, and took part in many battles. His mother, Caroline
Moulton, was a descendant of Robert Moulton, who came to Massachusetts is 1627. His parents died when he was but eleven years of




36


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


age, and he was left to carve out his own career as well as to care for
a younger brother and sister. He found work on a farm in Richfield,
POhio, where he remained seven years, working by the month the
greater part of the year, saving his money and applying it in aid of
his brother and sister, and to pay his own tuition at the Richfield
academy in winter terms, working for his board. He thus obtained
a fair English education, and early began teaching winters, still
working on a farm summers. In March, 1857, he began the study of
the law in the office of Wolcott & Upson, at Akron, and in March,
1859, was admitted by the Supreme Court to the bar. After a few
months in the law business at Cleveland, he abandoned the law and
removed to Grand Rapids, where he engaged in the lumber business.
In August, 1861, he enlisted in the Second Michigan Cavalry and
in the autumn was mustered in as Captain. The formal record of his
service is: Captain Second Cavalry, Sept. 2, 1861, Major, April 2,1862,
wounded and taken prisoner at Boonesville, Mississippi, July 1, 1862,
escaped July 1, 1862, Lieutenant Colonel Sixth Michigan Cavalry,
October 16, 1862, Colonel Fifth Cavalry, Feb. 28, 1863, wounded in
action at Boonesboro, Maryland, July 8, 1863, resigned, Sept. 20, 1864,
and honorably discharged. Brevet Brigadier General United States
Volunteers, for gallant and meritorious services, to rank from battle
of Trevellion Station, Virginia, June 11, 1864, Brevet Major General
United States Volunteers, June 11, 1865, for gallant and meritorious
services during the war. He was a born soldier, took part in sixtysix battles and skirmishes all told, and gained by faithfulness and
bravery the rank which he obtained.
In 1865 he went to Detroit and engaged in dealing in pine lands and
the pine lumber business. The firm, first Moore & Alger, became R.
A. Alger & Co., and is now Alger, Smith & Co. He is president of
the Manistique Lumbering Co., and of the Detroit, Bay City & Alpena
Railroad Co., a director of the Detroit National Bank, the Peninsular
Car Co., and several other large corporations. In 1884 he received the
Republican nomination for Governor and was elected over Josiah W.
Begole by a plurality of 3,953 votes-David Preston, Prohibition candidate, receiving 22,207 votes. His administration compared favorably with those of his predecessors and was free from narrowness or
parsimony.
In 1861 he married Annette EI. Henry, daughter of W. H. Henry,
of Grand Rapids, and they have three daughters and three sons. He
has a fine home in Detroit and has the confidence and regard of the
people of Michigan. Gov. Alger was Inspector General from 1867 to
1873, and is now one of the Board of Managers of the Michigan Soldiers' Home at Grand Rapids. He gives large sums in charity.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


37


ABRAM ALLEN
Was born in Monroe county, N. Y., June 18, 1817. He came to
Michigan in 1835, and settled in Commerce, Oakland county. He
was supervisor of that town in 1860, 1861 and 1863. In 1865 he was
Representative in the legislature from Oakland county, as a Repub
lican. He removed to Lansing in 1867 and engaged in manufacturing sash, doors and blinds; also in the lumbering business. He still
resides in Lansing.
EDWARD P. ALLEN
Was born in Sharon, Washtenaw county, Michigan, October 28, 1839.
Worked on a farm till he was twenty years old, attending school and
teaching during winters; graduated from the State Normal School in
March, 1864; taught the Union School in Vassar, Michigan, for the
three months following, when he enlisted and helped to raise a company for the Twenty-ninth Michigan Infantry; was commissioned
First Lieutenant in that regiment in the following September, and
went with it southwest, where the regiment was engaged in active
campaigning until the 1st of April; in September, 1865, was mustered
out of the service with. his regiment as Captain; entered the law
school at Ann Arbor, graduating in March, 1867; formed a partnernership with Hon. S. M. Cutcheon; upon the removal of Mr.
Cutcheon to Detroit, in 1875, he continued the practice alone at Ypsilanti; was elected alderman of Ypsilanti in 1872 and 1874, and mayor
in 1880; was prosecuting attorney of Washtenaw county in 1872:
was elected to the lower house of the legislature in 1876, serving as
chairman of the committee on education; was again elected in
1878, at which time he was elected speaker pro ter; was appointed
assistant assessor of internal revenue in 1869; was United States
Indian agent in Michigan in August, 1882, which office he held until
December, 1885; ran for congress in 1884, and was defeated by
Colonel Eldridge, Democrat; and was elected in 1886 to the fiftieth
congress as a Republican, receiving, 16,518 votes against 15,486 votes
for Lester H. Salisbury, Democrat, and 2,448 votes for Crozier,
Prohibitionist.
GEORGE W. ALLEN,
Member of the House for the sessions of 1859 and 1865 from Grand
Rapids, was born in Enfield, Hartford county, Conn., Sept. 17, 1813.
When three years of age he was taken by his mother (his father being
dead) to the Connecticut western reserve, Ohio, where she settled in
the town of Painesville. Mr. Allen remained in Painesville until 1853.




38


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


when he, with his family, removed to Grand Rapids. Mich., where he
still resides. The session of 1859 was noted for the passage of three
important acts, viz: The act abolishing the grand jury system, the
swamp land road art, and the act to encourage and develop the salt
interest, by offering a bounty of ten cents per bushel on all salt manufactured in the state. Mr. Allen was chairman of the house select
committee on salt. In 1866 he was appointed U. S. pension agent
for Western Michigan. He has held several important positions connected with city affairs. Politically he was a Whig as long as the
Whig party existed, since which he has been a Republican of a pronounced type. He is now a retired merchant.
HARMON ALLEN,
Representative from Monroe county in 1857 and 1858, was born in the
state of Vermont in 1810. By occupation a farmer and civil engineer, in politics a Democrat until the Dred Scott decision, since a
Republican. Has several times been supervisor of Milan, town clerk,
and has filled the position of county surveyor several times. He settled
in Monroe county in 1832 and now lives in Milan.
HIRAM M. ALLEN,
Representative from the Second District of Eaton county in 1887, was
born in the township of Tecumseh, Lenawee county, November 16,
1834. His parents were pioneers, having moved from Vermont to
this state in 1829. In 1835 they moved to Marshall, Calhoun county.
His boyhood was spent on the farm, and he attended the district
school winters. At the age of seventeen he began teaching winters,
and working on his father's farm summers. At the age of twentyfive he married Mary L. Hewitt, and in the spring of 1860 he moved
on a new farm in Bellevue, Eaton county. In 1876 he sold his farm
and bought one of the finest in Central Michigan, known as the
" Captain Fitzgerald farm," on which he now resides, one-half of
which lies in the corporation of the village of Bellevue. He has held
the offices of township treasurer, school inspector, and village trustee, and for a number of years has been a member of the county
committee. He is a Republican and was elected Representative to
the House of 1887-8 by a vote of 1,862 to 1,443 for J. F. Dowing,
Democrat, and 302 for P. Parmenter, Prohibitionist.
JOHN ALLEN
Was born in Augusta county, Virginia, May 17, 1796. His parents
were James and Elizabeth (Tate) Allen, both native Virginians. Mr.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


39


Allen spent his early life in Virginia, where he received his education.
In January, 1824, he come to Michigan, and, in company with E. W.
Rumsey, located the site of Ann Arbor. He engaged in land speculation and at one time owned thousands of acres of land in the western part of the state, much of which was lost in the panic of 1837.
In company with Samuel W. Dexter, he published for a time the
Western Emigrant, the first paper in Washtenaw county. He studied
law with James Kingsley, and was admitted to the bar in 1832, but
gave little time to the profession. He was State Senator in 1845-6-7
and '8. He went to California in 1850 and died there March 11, 1851.
LEWIS ALLEN
Was born Aug. 19, 1797, at Morristown, N. J. His father moved
to Seneca county, N. Y., in 1803. The county was then a wilderness.
He lived in Seneca county until 1832, when he moved to Sharon,
Washtenaw county. On the organization of the township in 1834,
he was elected its first supervisor, which office he held repeatedly, as
also that of justice of the peace. He was elected Representative to
the legislature of 1839, but declined a re-nomination. He was one of
the founders of the Presbyterian church in the adjoining village of
Manchester, for many years was a ruling elder therein, and always
gave much time and attention to educational and religious matters in
his neighborhood. He died in Sharon on the farm where he first
settled, on the 14th day of October, 1854, aged 57 years. In politics
he was a Democrat.
LOVATUS C. ALLEN
Was born in 1816 at Huntington, Vermont. He received a common
school education and taught at eighteen. He worked summers and
taught winters in his native town until 1841. He then taught in the
vicinity of Deckertown, N. Y., continuously for five years. He then
took an interest in a woolen factory for three years at Branchville, N. J.
He came to Michigan about 1850 and settled on a farm in York, Washtenaw county. Held various town offices and was Representative in
the legislature of 1863-4. Democrat in politics.
MORRIS S. ALLEN
Was born April 10, 1809, in Richfield, Otsego county, N. Y. In 1836
he came to Clinton county, Michigan, and remained until 1838, when
he removed to Iowa; remained two years, then returned to New York,
and back to DeWitt, Michigan, in 1840. In 1844 he was.elected sheriff




40


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


of Clinton county, and in 1849 was a Representative in the legislature from Clinton county. In 1856 he removed to Sabula, Iowa, and
was clerk for P. S. Stiles in a grain and pork packing establishment.
In 1867 he was elected sheriff of Jackson county, Iowa, and held the
office six years. From 1875 to 1884 he was in business at Miles, Iowa.
In politics a Democrat. He died Jan. 13, 1886, at Sabula, Iowa.
WILLIAM ALLMAN,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1857-8-77, was born in
England, May 12, 1818. He completed his education at Asbury
University, Indiana, and in 1839 removed to Sturgis, Mich., where he
now resides. He was secretary of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Company at its organization and for years thereafter; has filled
many local offices; was trustee of Albion College for several terms;
is president of the First National Bank of Sturgis. In politics a
Republican.
JOHN ALMY
Was a native of Rhode Island, and was educated as a civil engineer.
He was for years a resident of Geneseo, N. Y., where he married
Eliza Pierce. He came to Detroit in 1834, where he had been appointed city engineer, remained there several years and laid out the
system of sewers and street grades for that city. In 1855 he laid out
the village of Kent, now Grand Rapids, for Lucius Lyon and N. O.
Sargeant. Mr. Lyon'sold out his interest to Charles H. Carroll of
Groveland, N. Y., and Mr. Almy was placed in charge. He built the
first stone dwelling in Grand Rapids. In 1837 he was elected Representative to the legislature, he was also judge of the county court,
city engineer, engineer of the Kalamazoo and other river improvements, and chief clerk in the office of the surveyor general. He was a
man of much learning, of fine physical form and a courteous, genial
gentleman. He was an Episcopalian. He died in 1863.
NATHAN ALVORD,
Representative from the First District of Hillsdale county, in 1881-2-3,
was born August 17,1834, in the town of Cancadea, Alleghany county,
New York, and removed with his father to Williams county, in northwestern Ohio, in the fall of 1882. His early life was spent on his parents' farm, attending district school whenever possible. When seventeen years of age, he attended a summer term of the union school at
West Unity, Ohio, and taught a district school the next winter near




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


41


that place. In the following spring, in company with an elder brother,
he went to Princeton, Illinois. There he worked on a farm during
the summer months, and the following winter attended Princeton
Academy. After spending about five years in Illinois, Minnesota, and
Iowa, he returned to Ohio. He was married to Miss Melinda Landon
in the fall of 1856. In the following spring he moved to Camden,
Hillsdale county, this State, and engaged in the mercantile business,
following that pursuit until the spring of 1869, when he bought a farm
in Camden. Since that time he has been engaged in farming and
dealing in live sto-k. In politics he is a Republican.
WILLIAM E. AMBLER,
Senator from the Twenty-seventh District, 1879, 1881 and 1882, comprising the counties of Newaygo, Oceana, Mecosta, Osceola, Lake,
Mason, and Manistee, was born at Medina, Ohio, December 18, 1845,
and resided there until his parents removed to Hillsdale, Michigan, in
1859. He entered Hillsdale College, but in 1865 left that institution,
going to Albion College, where he graduated in the scientific course.
In 1866 he entered the Law School at Albany, graduated, and was
admitted to practice. In 1867 he finished the classical course at Adrian
College, graduating with the degree of A. B. The same fall he established himself as a lawyer at Minneapolis, Minnesota, but in 1868
returned to Michigan and began the practice of law at Pentwater,
where he continues to reside. He has been president of the village,
and is a member of the firm of Neilsen & Co., bankers. In 1870
Adrian College conferred on him the degree of A. M., and in 1875
Hillsdale College did likewise. Mr. Ambler was chosen a trustee of
the latter institution at the last commencement, and is not only the
youngest member of the present board but the youngest trustee ever
elected. He was elected a Senator in the State legislature in 1878,
and was re-elected in 1880, and was president pro ter of the Senate
during his last term.  He is now judge of probate for Oceana
county.
JOSEPH G. AMES,
Representative from Berrien county in 1844, was born in New Hampshire in 1808. He settled in the town of Weesaw, Berrien county
in 1837, and was the first supervisor of that town in 1839. He, with
three others, were owners of the village of New Troy, platted in
1837. In 1839 he removed to a farm in Bertrand, where he was supervisor in 1842. Afterwards he became a resident of Three Oaks
and was the first postmaster there in 1854. He died August 12, 1855
6




42


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


MICHAEL E. AMES,
A Representative from Wayne county, session of 1846, was a practicing attorney, and settled in Plymouth about three years prior to his
election. He was an Eastern man, but the time and place of his
nativity-are unknown. He removed to Detroit after his legislative
term, and soon thereafter went to Stillwater, Minn., and in 1850 was
elected a member of the second territorial legislature and was
speaker of the assembly Jan. 1 to March 31, 1851. He is supposed
to have been dead for some years. Politics presumably democratic.
DAVID ANDERSON,
Senator from Van Buren county in 1873-4, was born oov. 26, 1825, in
the town of Clarendon, Orleans county, New York, and received a
common school education. He emigrated to Michigan in 1854, and
settled in the town of Madison, Branch county. In 1865 he removed
to the town of Columbia, where he now resides. He has held various
offices of trust in his township. In 1862 he joined the 19th Michigan
Infantry, received the commission of First Lieutenant, and in the
same year was promoted to the rank of Captain. In 1864 he was
commissioned as Major, and at the close of the war received a
Colonel's commission. His occupation is that of a lumber manufacturer.
ROBERT H. ANDERSON
Was born in Ireland in 1810, and came to this country in 1817. He
settled in Tompkins, Michigan, in 1835, helped organize the town
and named it from Tompkinsville, N. J., where he had lived. He
was a judge in Jackson county in 1838, and in 1858 was a delegate in
the Constitutional Convention. A farmer and a Democrat.
SAMUEL F. ANDERSON
Was born in Ira, Rutland county, Vermont, February 19, 1803. His
father, John Anderson, served in the Revolution, and was for eleven
years a member of the Vermont legislature. The son, when a
young man, emigrated to Western New York and cleared up a farm.
In 1835 he removed to La Grange, Cass county, Michigan, and
bought a farm of 200 acres. In 1842 and 1843 he was a Representative in the legislature as a Democrat. He was associate county
judge in 1845-6. He became a Freesoiler in 1852, and a Republican
in 1854. He sent two sons to the army in 1861, of whom one was
killed, He died April 14, 1877.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


43


WILLIAM A. ANDERSON,
Representative from Newaygo county, in 1887, was born in Elgin
county, Ontario, in 1843. He is the son of a farmer. At a very early
age he acquired a thirst for knowledge which was gratified as well
as the public schools and academies of the province would permit.
At twenty years of age he was employed in one of the largest nurseries in the province, and he remained until 1863, when he came to
Newaygo county, where he has since resided. He built the AEtna
flouring mills, on White river, and operated them for many years; he
cleared up a large farm; he has been engaged in logging at various
times, and at one time in the manufacture of lumber and shingles,
and for six years represented the township of Denver on the board of
supervisors, holding tbat office at the time he removed from the
town. Mr. Anderson conceived the idea of building a flouring-mill
at Fremont, and in February, 1886, the " Crescent Mill" was in operation at Fremont. In politics Mr. Anderson is a consistent Republican, and has been recognized as a leader. He has served one term
as chairman of the Republican County Committee, and was unanimously re-elected to a second term. He has held the offices of supervisor and school director. Mr. Anderson was elected Representative
by a vote of 1,868 to 1,630 for John W. McNabb, and 287 for James
H. Edwards, Prohibitionist.
CHARLES ANDREWS
Was born at Putney, Vt., August 28, 1820. In 1828 he removed with
his father, Rev. Elisha D. Andrews, to West Bloomfield. Ontario
county, N. Y., from there to Mendon, Monroe county, in 1829, and in
1831 to Pittsford, same county. In 1841 the family removed to Armada,
Michigan, and settled upon land previously purchased of the government. His education was received principally at a private school,
and at the Rochester, N. Y., Collegiate Institute. In politics he was
a Whig until the organization of the Republican party, and has remained a Republican ever since. In business, a farmer. He still
owns his farm, but has retired from its active management, and lives
in Armada village. He has been sixteen times elected and appointed
supervisor of his township. Was Senator from Macomb county in
1867-69-70, where he*gained the reputation of a valuable committee
worker. Was Deputy U. S. Collector for Macomb county four years,
and was honorably discharged. Was nominated for judge of probate
in 1880, but failed of an election. Has been a member of the Congregational Church since 1841. Was two years president of the Macomb
County Agricultural Society, and six years president of the Armada




44


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Agricultural Society. For ten years has been a director and the vice
president of the Macomb County Mutual Insurance Co., and has held
various other positions of responsibility and trust. In point of ancestry his history is not without interest. His grandfather, Jonathan
Andrews, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His grandfather,
on his mother's side, was Dr. Seth Lathrop, of West Springfield, Mass.,
and his great grandfather, the Rev. Joseph Lathrop, D. D., of the
same place, an eminent divine in his day.
JOHN ANDREWS
Was born in Schuyler, Oneida county, N. Y., June 1, 1808, and removed from there to Cayuga county, N. Y., when young, where he
lived until 1840, when he removed to Van Buren county, Michigan,
first living at Paw Paw and later at Lawrence. He was a farmer and
was also engaged in lumbering. In politics a Democrat. He was a
Representative to the Michigan House in 1843, 1845 and 1849.
JOHN L. ANDREWS
Was born in Chili, Monroe county, N. Y., April 8, 1822. He resided
in that and the adjoining town of Wheatland until 1836, when his
father settled in Brighton, Michigan. In 1841 he went to Milford and
learned the miller's trade, at which he worked until 1859. He then
bought the Pettibone mills and ran them until 1872, when he sold
out, and established the Milford Exchange Bank, which he sold in 1876
to the Wilhelm Brothers, and bought a farm of 410 acres adjoining the
village of Milford, where he now resides. He married Delphia
Bartlett in 1846. She died in 1854, and he married Laura E. Fuller in
1859. He has five sons. He was a director of the Wayne & Monroe
R. R. Company from its organization until its sale to the F. & P.
M. Company. He has been a member of the school board for thirty
years and is still a member. He was Representative from the Third
District of Oakland county in the legislature of 1871-2. He was a
Whig but has been a Republican since the organization of that party.
JOSIAH ANDREWS
Was born at Metz, Cayuga county, N. Y., June 28, 1812, and received
his early education in the common sch)ols, and at Cazenovia. He
studied medicine and graduated with the highest honors from Fairfield Medical College in 1838, and settled at Paw Paw, Michigan. He
was surgeon of the Third Michigan Cavalry until 1864, when he was
made staff surgeon, and transferred to the army of the Potomac. In




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


45


1865 he returned home to a successful practice. He was a Representative in the legislature of 1846, and was a collector of internal revenue from 1869 to 1873. In politics he has been a Republican since the
organization of that party.
WESLEY P. ANDRUS,
Senator from Kent county, in 1877, was born February 19, 1834, in
the town of Potter, Yates county, N. Y. He followed farming until
attaining his majority; was educated at Franklin Academy and Genesee College, N. Y.; removed to Michigan in 1856, where, up to the
time of the breaking out of the war, he was principally engaged in
teaching school. In 1861 he entered the Forty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was commissioned first lieutenant about two
months after; was promoted to captaincy for meritorious service at
Stone River. At the battle of Missionary Ridge he was severely
wounded, and was discharged on account of disability in May, 1864.
At the close of the war he engaged in mercantile business in Michigan, and is now a hardware merchant at Cedar Springs, Kent
county. He has been four years a member of its common council
and a president of that village. In politics a Republican.
FERNANDO C. ANNABLE,
Representative from Van Buren county, in 1842, was born at Metz,
Cayuga county, New York, December 28, 1805. By occupation a
farmer, in politics a Democrat. He came to Michigan in 1836, and
settled on a farm in Almena, Van Buren county, where he resided
until his death, October 2, 1886. He was supervisor and treasurer of
the town a number of terms.
EMIL ANNEKE
Was born in Dartmund, Prussia, December 13, 1823. His father was
a royal counselor. The son was educated at the University of Berlin, and, taking part in the unsuccessful revolution of 1848, with
others came to this country in 1849. He taught school in Pennsylvania; was one of the editorial staff of the Staats Zeitung in New
York; then corresponding clerk in a New York house; in 1855 came
to Detroit and was editorial manager of a German paper; then a
clerk in the office of the Auditor General; was nominated and elected
Auditor-General of Michigan in 1862, and served two terms, from 1863
to 1867; was admitted to the bar and practiced at Grand Rapids; for
several years was United States Receiver at the land office at Trav



46


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


erse City; then he resided at East Saginaw; but since 1874 he has
lived at Bay City, and has been engaged in law, real estate and
abstract business.
HENRY H. APLIN
Was born on a farm in the township of Thetford, Genesee county,
Michigan, April 15, 1841. In 1848 his father moved to the city of
Flint where they remained until 1856, when the family again returned
to the farm where he remained until the breaking out of the rebellion
of 1861, when he enlisted as a private in Company C, 16th Michigan
Infantry, serving until the clbse of the war. He was made a Second
Lieutenant in 1865. Returning to Michigan at the close of the war he
entered into the mercantile business at Wenona, now West Bay City,
and has been identified with its growth and progress up to the present
time. He immediately took an active and prominent part in local
politics, and was appointed postmaster by President Grant in November, 1869, succeeding Newcomb Clark, which office he held until June,
1886. Always a staunch Republican as well as a strong advocate of
the rights of labor, he has represented his town and county in local
and state conventions for many years and his state in the National
convention which nominated Blaine and Logan at Chicago in June,
1884.
Mr. Aplin was nominated for Auditor General by the Republican
State convention at Grand Rapids, August 25, 1886, and was elected
by over 17,334 plurality (including misspelled votes), running 11,000
votes ahead of his ticket in the state and 1,908 ahead in his own
county.
WILLARD B. ARMS
Was born in Penfield, New York, February 12, 1827, the youngest of
six children. He came to Michigan with his parents in 1834, who
settled in Milford, Oakland county. He had limited school advantages,
only attending to the age of twelve, but became a self-educated man
by diligent study after working hours. He became apt in discussions and debate at an early age and often took part in them. In 1846 he
engagedin business for himself at White Lake, Oakland county, where
he remained until 1860, when he removed to Fenton, Genesee county.
He was Senator from Oakland county in 1855-57-8, and from Genesee
county in 1867. He devoted his energies entirely to his large mercantile business at Fenton for several years, and in 1872 removed to Mar.
quette, Michigan. After residing there four years he removed to
Chicago, where he lived until his death which occurred Nov. 8, 1878.
He was a Republican in politics, and a consistent church member.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


47


JOHN H. ARMSTRONG
Was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, August 30, 1815. Three
years after, his parents removed to Bethel, and in 1821 to Prattsburg, N. Y., where he lived until the death of his parents, receiving only a common school education. In 1831 he returned to
Poughkeepsie, and learned the machinist and other trades. In 1837
he came to Michigan and located at Grass Lake. His principal business from that time until 1857 was putting in running works of flouring mills in southeastern Michigan. In 1857 he removed to Hillsdale, where he has since resided, and engaged in the hide and leather
trade until 1883. Was trustee of the village of Hillsdale in 1862, and
its president in 1863-4 and a part of 1865; chairman of Republican
County Committee for two years, and for some years justice of the
peace. He was Representative from the Second District of Hillsdale
county in 1870. Has been director of Second National Bank of Hillsdale since 1865, and is also a director of the Hillsdale Savings Bank.
At first a Whig, but a Republican since 1854; has often been delegate
to state and other conventions.
SULLIVAN ARMSTRONG,
Representative from Newaygo county in 1873-4-5, was born March 3,
1821, in the town of Riga, Monroe county, New York. In 1826 he
emigrated to Michigan and settled in Oakland county. In 1852 he
removed to Ashland, Newaygo county, where he now resides. He
has been supervisor of his town, and county treasurer several times.
Mr. Armstrong's occupation is that of a farmer and lumberman.
DANIEL J. ARNOLD
Was born in Gun Plain, Allegan county, Michigan, November 17,
1838. He received a fair education and became a successful teacher.
He entered the law department of the State University in 1859, and
graduated in 1861. He became a law partner of E. B. Bassett at
Allegan, from 1862 to 1865, and from that time until 1873 was a partner of J. W. Stone. He was circuit court commissioner from 1863 to
1865, and judge of probate from 1865 to 1873. In 1874 he was ap_
pointed circuit judge to fill vacancy. In 1875 was elected to that
position for six years, and was re-elected in 1881 and 1887. He is an
able judge, and has several times received a large support from the
southwestern part of the state for a place in the supreme court. In
politics a Republican.




48


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


JOSEPH ARNOLD
Was a farmer in the town of Addison, Oakland county. He was a
Representative in the legislature of 1842, was supervisor in 1846,
and later a justice of the peace.
SEYMOUR ARNOLD
Was an early settler in the town of Addison, Oakland county. He
was supervisor from 1840 to 1844, and a school commissioner in 1837,
at the first organization of the town. He was Representative in the
legislature of 1845. By occupation, a farmer.
WILLIAM P. ARNOLD
Was born at Clarendon, Vt., August 23, 1806. He removed with his
parents to western New York in 1818. where he lived until 1833,
when he removed to Coldwater, Michigan, and bought a large farm.
He sold out in 1839 and purchased a farm in the township of Quincy,
now the site of the village of Quincy. He was supervisor of the
town for twenty years, held other official positions and was Representative in the legislature ot 1853. Not living.
ALEXANDER M. ARZENO,
Representative from Monroe county in 1847, and State Senator in
1853, was an early settler in Monroe county. By occupation a stave
and lumber dealer, politically a Democrat. He was supervisor, justice
of the peace, and a leading citizen for many years. He was called
"Black Hawk " from his complexion and characteristics as a leader.
JAMES ASHLEY
Was born in Toronto, Canada, November 18, 1815. In 1826 the
family removed to Huron county, Ohio, where his father followed
farming. Theson learned the trade of a blacksmith, which avocation he followed at intervals. In 1841 he commenced preaching as
a Free Will Baptist minister. He removed to Mason township, Cass
county, Michigan, in 1855, where he held a pastoral relation for more
than twenty-five years. He preached at Summerville for twelve years
and organized the church at Berrien Center and preached there nine
years. He also did much missionary work and was never idle,
working as a carpenter to supply his needs. Through his instrumentality the churches at Adamsville and Mason were built. He




I     w


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.                     49
was a man of positive character and decided opinions, which he had
the boldness to express on all suitable occasions. He was a Representative in the legislature of 1869-70 as a Republican. He died
March 23, 1882.
HENRY C. ASHMUN,
Representative from Midland county in 1855, 1857-8, was born at
Mackinaw and was by profession a lawyer and politically a Republican. He was a half blood Indian, and with the Indian type of eyes,
hair and complexion. He was an excellent legislator, and in
every sense of the word a gentleman. He died in 1858.
BENJAMIN D. ASHTON,
Representative from the Grand Traverse District in 1887, comprising
the counties of Grand Traverse and Kalkaska, was born in Claremont
county, Ohio, September 15, 1828. Mr. Ashton's early life was spent
on a farm. He is a physician, and has been a resident of Michigan
twenty-four years; has held the office of supervisor and is now president of the village of Traverse City. He was elected Representative
on the Republican ticket for 1887-S by a vote of 1,897 to 948 for John
Wilhelm, and 246 for Cyrel H. Tyler, Prohibitionist.
REUBEN ATWATER
Was secretary of the territory of Michigan, from 1808 to 1814 under
Governor Hull, and during the same period was collector of the port
of Detroit. Atwater street in Detroit was named in his honor. The
census of the territory in 1810 was taken under his direction.
HENRY P. ATWOOD
Was born in the state of New York in 1825. By profession a lawyer,
and has been prosecuting attorney of Tuscola county, and a supervisor.
He was a representative from Tuscola county in 1855. He is now a resident of Grand Traverse county, and is engaged in farming. In politics a Republican.
MARCUS M. ATWOOD,
Representative from Ingham county in 1861-2, and 1871-2, came with
his father's family from Cayuga county, New York, and settled in
the town of Ingham, Ingham county, in 1836. He has practiced law
in the township over 35 years and has resided in the village of Dansville since 1858. Has held the offices of supervisor, town clerk, justiv
7




50


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


of the peace, and from 1868 to 1879 was president of the village of
Dansville. In politics a Democrat.
WILLIAM A. ATWOOD,
Senator from the Thirteenth District in 1887, comprising Genesee
and Livingston counties, was born in the town of Newfane, Niagara
county, New York, April 11, 1835. He spent his early boyhood upon
a farm and had the educational advantages of a common school, and
one term at the Wilson Academy. At the age of seventeen he learned
the jeweler's trade and three years after went to Gait, Canada, where
he engaged in the stave, cooper and shingle business with his brother,
Jesse B. Atwood. In 1859 he sold out his interest and returned to
Niagara county and engaged in farming, and built a shingle mill
which was burned in 1863. He again went to Canada and was in the
lumber business. In 1866 he removed to Flint, with his brother, J. B.
Atwood, and B. W. Simington, and with them built a large saw mill
and began the lumber business on Flint river, and continued the same
up to 1879. He continued with his brother in the lumber business in
Clare county until 1883. In 1876 he associated himself with Orren
Stone, in the woolen manufacturing business,in the Flint Woolen
Mills, and still maintains his interest in that business. In 1883 he
purchased an interest in the hardware business and is now a member
of the firm of Wood & Atwood. For the past ten years he has been
a director and vice president of the Genesee County Savings Bank.
In 1881 he was elected mayor of Flint. He has been a Republican
since the formation of that party, and was elected to the Senate of
1887-8 by a vote of 7,334 to 5,436 for ex-Governor Josiah W. Begole,
Fusionist, and 1,590 for F. B. Clark, Prohibitionist.
CHARLES AUSTIN,
Senator from the Eighth District, Calhoun county, in 1883 and 1885,
and Representative in 1881-2, was born in London, England, April
19, 1834. He received his education in one of the schools of the Britishand Foreign School Society. He emigrated to Americain February,
1852, and resided in the state of New York until the spring of 1854
when he removed to Concord, Jackson county, Mich. There he made
the acquaintance of Miss Lucy D. Taylor, whom he married January
1, 1855. In the fall of the same year he removed to Homer, and two
years later to Bedford, Calhoun county. In 1872, he, as senior member, formed a co-partnership with Mr. Hoffmaster, and engaged in
the dry goods business in Battle Creek, where he still resides. In 1875
he was elected an alderman of his ward; was elected mayor in 1876




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


51


and re-elected in 1877. He is a Republican, and takes pride in having
attended the meeting held under the oaks at Jackson, for the organization of the Republican party. He was for several years president
of the Union Mutual Insurance Company.
JOHN AVERY
Was born at Watertown, New York, February 29, 1824, and was the
eldest son of John and Susan (Mitchell) Avery. His father served in
the war of 1812. He came with his father's family to Michigan, received
a common school and academical education, taught school winters,
and worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-one. He graduated at the Medical College in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1849, and commenced practice at Owosso. In 1854 he removed to Ionia, and practiced two years; thence to Otisco, where he remained until 1862. He
then became assistant surgeon of the 21st Michigan Infantry; was
made surgeon in 1863; marched with Sherman to the sea, and was
discharged in 1865. In 1867 he settled at Greenville, practiced eight
years, and then went into the drug business. Has been supervisor
and alderman and was Representative in the legislature of 1869-70.
In politics a Republican.
SAMUEL AXFORD
Was born in what was then known as the " Long Point" country in
Ontario, Canada. His parents were originally from New Jersey. His
mother, Rachael Morgan, was a niece of General Morgan of the Revolution. His parents settled in Shelby, Macomb county, where he lived
until 1833, when he settled on a farm in Oxford, Oakland county, and
was the third settler in that township. He held nearly all town
offices, and in 1839, 1840 and 1843 was Representative in the legislature; and in 1851 State Senator. In politics a Democrat.
WILLIAM AXFORD
Was born at Windom, Ontario, Canada, March 28, 1813. He came
with his parents to Michigan in 1822, who settled in Macomb county,
about three miles east of the village of Rochester. As a young man,
he was a teacher, and afterwards became a merchant at Avon. In
1842 he removed to Clarkston, where he was a successful merchant
for twenty-five years. He was Representative in the Michigan House
in 1850, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1850.
He was a Democrat in politics, and eminently a leader. As a business man he contributed largely to the prosperity of Clarkston. He
died September 16, 1886.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


ARTEMAS ALLEN,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1839, was born in the state
of New York, and before coming to Michigan was a contractor for
building an aqueduct for the Erie canal over Tonawanda creek, and
came to Michigan from Medina, N. Y., as early as 1836, settling at
Medina, Lenawee county, where he was engaged in milling and mercantile business. Later he was a resident of Coldwater, where he
died some ten years since at about the age of 73. In politics a Democrat.
WILLIAM W. ANDRUS,
Senator from Macomb county in 1881-2, was born in Wyoming
county, N. Y., July 24, 1821. He came with his father to Michigan
in 1822, and has been a resident of Macomb county since that time.
He is a druggist, in politics a Republican. Resides at Utica. He was
a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1867, and was assessor
of internal revenue under Grant in the old 5th Congressional District.
CHARLES V. BABCOCK
Was born in Orwell, Addison county, Vermont, June 4, 1823. He removed with his parents to Southfield, Oakland county, Michigan, in
1830, and was brought up on a farm. He received a common school
education, with three terms at the Ypsilanti Seminary. He taught
school several winters. He has been for twenty times supervisor of
Southfield, the last in 1I85; has held other township offices; been
clerk of Oakland county from 1859 to 1861; in 1863, 1864 and 1875 was
State Senator from Oakland county, and is now justice of the peace.
His occupation is farming; in politics a Democrat.
HENRY S. BABCOCK
Was born in Orwell, Vermont, August 23, 1798. He settled in Southfield, Michigan, in 1829, and purchased of the government four hundred acres of land. He was appointed a justice of the peace by Governor Cass in 1830. At the first township meeting in Southfield, held
April 4, 1881, he was elected supervisor. He held the office of justice
of the peace several terms. In 1842 he was Representative in the
state legislature. He died October 26, 1842. In politics a Democrat.
JONATHAN W. BABCOCK,
Senator from the Sixteenth District, in 1887, comprising the counties
of Lapeer and Sanilac, was born in Williams township Ontario,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


53


Canada, April 19, 1849. At the age of three years he removed with his
parents to Romeo, Macomb county, Mich. He resided with his parents in Macomb county until he was fourteen years of age, when he
removed with them to the township of Elk, Sanilac county. As soon
as he was large enough to do any work, he began making hoops and
staves. He attended school three months the winter that he was
fifteen years old. This, with a few months' schooling when a small
boy, is all the schooling he ever had. He continued at his former
business until he was nineteen years old, when he was appointed as
sub-agent for the purchase of hoops for the Salt Company at Onondaga, New York. which business he carried on in the Saginaw Valley
for three years, when he returned to Sanilac county. During these
years he had bought and read a great many books, and was considered a well-informed man on general topics. He has held the offices
of town clerk, supervisor, school inspector, and many minor offices,
and in 1872 was elected sheriff oi Sanilac county on the Republican
ticket; declined a second nomination and decided to be a lawyer,
and at the expiration of his term as sheriff purchased law books, removed to the township of Elmer, and being without means he worked
to support his family, studying nights and odd moments, until 1877,
when he was admitted to the bar as an attorney. In 1880 he was
elected prosecuting attorney; was re-elected ia 1882 and again in
1884, and discharged his duties very satisfactorily. He is certainly a
self-made man. Was elected to the Senate of 1887 —8 on the Republican ticket by a vote of 5,088 to 4,368 for Arthur M. Clark, and 725
for John Mitchell, Prohibitionist.
W. IRVING BABCOCK,
Senator from the Ninth District, Berrien and Cass counties, in 1887,
was born at Troy, New York, July 7, 1833. When he was but nine
years old his father died.  He attended school at Troy Until
sixteen years of age, when he entered the Collegiate Institute at
Charlotteville, New York, and finished his studies at Genesee College,
Lima, New York. He was engaged as teacher and contractor until
1858, when he married Ruth W. Hitchcock, at Havana, New York,
and removed to Keeler, Van Buren county, Michigan, and engaged
in farming until 1866, when he removed to Niles, where he has since
been engaged in the lumber trade. The Republican electoral ticket
has received his vote from t he organization of the party. His first
official position was that of township clerk and later he was elected
and re-elected alderman of Niles, and in 1885 was elected. mayor,
overcoming 4 democratic majority of 150. In 1886 he was again




54


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


elected by a majority of 177. In 1884 he was alternate delegate to
the Republican National Convention from the Fourth Congressional
District, and he was the earnest supporter of James G. Blaine for the
nomination. His father was vestryman of St. John's Church, Troy,
and Mr. Babcock was baptized in that church, and is now a member
of Trinity Church, Niles, of which for several years he has been a
vestryman. He is master of St. Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4, F. & A.
M., and past high priest of St. Joseph Chapter No. 2. Has been
eminent commander of Niles Commandery No. 12, Knights Templar, and grand senior warden of the Masonic Grand Lodge of
Michigan. As the Republican candidate for State Senator he received
6,806 votes to 6,290 for J. Boyd Thomas, and 921 for John B. Sweetland, Prohibitionist.
HENRY T. BACKUS
Represented Detroit in the lower House of the legislature, session
of 1840, and was Senator from the Third District, comprising a part
of Wayne county, sessions 1861-62, during the first session being
president pro tern. of the Senate. He was a native of Connecticut,
born in 1821, was a lawyer by profession, and was for some years a
leading practitioner in Detroit. He was alderman from the ninth
ward, 1860-61. He was appointed by President Grant a judge of the
territorial court of Arizona, and served as such for seven years.
He was a Whig and Republican in politics, and died in 1877.
WILLIAM BACKUS,
Representative from Montcalm county, in 1875, was born September
14, 1825, in the state of New York.  He received a common school
education, removed to Michigan in 1836 and settled in Oakland
county. In 1848 he removed to Montcalm county. Mr. Backus was
supervisor in Greenville four years, and served as county clerk of
Montcalm count) in 1861-2. His occupation is dealing in real estate
and lumbering. In politics a Democrat.
CYRUS BACON
Was born in Ballston, Saratoga county, New York. Representative
in the legislature of 1849.
DANIEL S. BACON,
Representative from Monroe county in 1839, was born in Onondaga
county, New York, in 1798, He came to Michigan at an early day,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


and taught school on the River Raisin in 1822, settled at Monroe, paid
considerable attention to farming, and became a partner of Levi S.
Humphrey in various kinds of business. He became a lawyer and
practiced his profession with great success.  He was a member of
the fifth and sixth territorial councils, serving from 1832 to 1835.
He was for many years judge of probate for Monroe county, was
president of the bank of Monroe and a director of the Michigan Southern Railroad Company. He held other positions, in all of which he
acquitted himself with ability. He was one of the most popular men
in the early history of Monroe county. Died at Monroe, May 18,
1866. In politics a Democrat.
JOHN BACON,
Representative from Keweenaw county in 1851, was a mining agent
in Keweenaw county as early as 1846, and is said to have gone from
Pontiac to the Upper Peninsula.  He went to Detroit, where he resided several years, and from there to one of the Western territories,
where he died several years ago.
LEVI BACON, JlL,
Representative from Oakland county in 1857-8, was born in Ellington,
Connecticut, in 1819. He emigrated to Michigan in 1838, and was a
resident of Pontiac from 1842 to 1875, engaged in mercantile business.
In 1875 he was appointed by Secretary Chandler cashier of the patent
office, which position he held until his death, June 22, 1887. He was
mayor of Pontiac in 1866-7, and a Republican in politics.
NATHANIEL BACON
Was born at Ballston, New York, July 14, 1802, and graduated at
Union College in 1824.  He studied law at Rochester, N. Y., and
practiced there several years. He came to Niles, Michigan, in 1833,
and held several offices, including that of prosecuting attorney. In October, 1855, he was appointed circuit judge and one of the judges of the
Supreme Court, in place of Judge Whipple, deceased. He acted in the
Supreme Court until January 1, 1858, when the present Supreme
Court was organized.  In 1857 he was elected circuit judge for six
years; was elected again in 1866 to fill vacancy caused by the death
of Perrin M. Smith, and was re-elected in 1869 for six years. He died
at Niles, September 9, 1869. In politics a Republican.
JOHN JUDSON BAGLEY
Was born in Medina, Orleans county, New York, July 24, 1832. His
father, John Bagley, was a native of New Hampshire, and his mother,




56


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Mary M. Bagley, a native of Connecticut. He attended district
school at Lockport, N. Y., and at Constantine, Michigan, where his
parents removed when he was eight years of age. At thirteen
years of age he became a clerk in a country store at Constantine,
where he remained one year. His father removed to Owosso, where
he again became a clerk. In 1847 he went to Detroit, and secured
employment in a tobacco factory, where he remained five years. In
1854 he began business as a manufacturer of tobacco, and the business
became very large and profitable. He also engaged in other enter.
prises, such as banking, mining and manufacturing. He was one of
the organizers of the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Co., and several
years its president; president for years of the Detroit Safe Co.; a
director for many years of the American National Bank, and stockholder and director in other corporations. He was for six years one
of the police commissioners of Detroit; was an alderman two years;
and two years a member of the board of education. He was an active
Republican from the organization of that party, and was chairman of
the State Republican Committee from 1868 to 1870. In 1872 he was
nominated and elected governor of Michigan, and was re-elected in
1874, serving four years, from 1873 to 1877. As governor he gave
careful attention to all duties and made many visits to the various
state institutions. Under his administration, the State Fish Commission was established, and a law was passed creating a State Board of
Health. The successful exhibition made by Michigan at the Centennial
Exhibition at Philadelphia in 1876. was largely due to him. He largely
changed the character of government of the Reform School, throwing
away bolts and bars, and trusting to the honor of the boys for government.
For many years before he died, the boys of that school received an
annual dinner from him, accompanied by appropriate gifts. In
everything where benevolence and kindness could avail in caring for
the wards of the state, his influence was exerted, and punishment was
tempered with incentives to reform. He was an Unitarian in belief,
but liberal in his views as to other creeds. His wife, Francis E. Newberry, was the daughter of Rev. Samuel Newberry, a pioneer missionary in Michigan. In 18S1, Governor Bagley was a candidate for
United States Senator, and came within one vote of receiving the
caucus republican nomination. He had accumulated a large fortune,
and among other bequests gave several thousand dollars for a public
fountain in Detroit. He made warm friends and retained them. He
aided many young men to get a start in the world, and is a bright
example of what determination and perseverance can do to lift a poor
boy to the highest position of trust and honor. He died in San




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


57


Francisco, California, December 27, 1881, leaving a wife and seven
children.
ALVIN W. BAILEY,
Representative from Barry county in 1853, was born in Cayuga
county, N. Y., September 29, 1814. He came to Michigan soon after
its organization as a state, and settled at Marshall. He soon after
removed to Barry county, and settled at Hastings. He was the first
president of the village of Hastings. He was a merchant and farmer.
Politically a Democrat. Died March 6, 1887.
FREDERICK G. BAILEY,
Representative from Shiawassee county in 1873-4-5, was born in Bath,
England, May 29, 1828. In 1t32 he emigrated to the United States
and settled in the city of New York. In 1845 he came to Michigan
and settled in the town of Hadley, Lapeer county. Mr. Bailey received an academic education. In 1861 he removed to the town of
Venice, Shiawassee county, and in 1863 removed to Keweenaw county,
where he resided four years. In 1868 he returned to the town of
Venice, Shiawassee county, where he now resides. Mr. Bailey has
been chairman of the Republican county committee of Shiawassee
county, and has held other offices of trust in his township. His occupation is that of a farmer. Politics Republican.
NORMAN BAILEY,
State Senator in 1861 and 1862, from Barry and other counties, was
born in Cayuga county, N. Y., January 1, 1822. He came to Michigan, in 1853, and has since resided at Hastings, except when absent
at headquarters in Grand Rapids during the war, and two years at
Ionia. He was a Captain in the service during the war, and was
provost marshal of the 4th congressional district, and held several
minor offices. He made a splendid record as provost marshal, his
district taking in the Upper Peninsula and the lower, north of Barry
county. For correct reports, strict discipline, and just decisions he
especially distinguished himself. As a legislator he was a Republican,
now a Democrat. His business has been that of a merchant.
FRANCIS BAKER
Was born at Sheffield, Massachusetts, October 9, 1804. He came to
Michigan from Caro, near Catskill, N. Y., in 1838, and settled in
Holly, Genesee county, where he always resided with the exception
8




58


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


of four or five years in business at Flint. Has been supervisor, town
clerk, and held other offices, and is a justice of the peace. In politics
a Democrat. He was Representative in the session of 1848. He died
December 6, 1887.
FREDERICK A. BAKER,
Representative from Wayne county, in 1877, was born at Holly, Oakland county, Michigan, June 14, 1846. He received a good common
school education at the public schools in Holly, Clarkston and Flint,
and was a member of the freshman class in the State Agricultural
College in 1863. He commenced the study of the law in 1865, was
admitted to the bar in 1867, and has been in active practice ever since.
Democrat in politics.
MILO S. BAIER,
Representative from lonia county in 1861-2, was born in Morganville,
Genesee county, N. Y., March 20, 1828. He removed with his parents
to Oneida, Eaton county, Mich., in 1836. Their teams made the first
wagon track from a point nine miles west of Howell, through Williamston and Lansing, to Grand Ledge. Tlhe Indians had a corn field
at the mouth of Cedar river, now in the city of Lansing, but there
were no white inhabitants along the river for many miles. In 1848-9
he helped organize the first Masonic lodge in Lansing. The same
year he crossed the plains to California, returning to Michigan in
1853. He was in the foundry business in Lansing from 1864 to 1875,
when he removed to Los Angeles, Cal., where he owns and runs an
extensive foundry and machine shop.
NEWTON BAKER,
Representative from Clinton county in 1877, was born in Walworth,
Wayne county, N. Y., July 13, 1833. He received a common
school education. In 1865 he removed to Michigan, and settled in
the township of Bengal, Clinton county, where he now resides. He
has held the offices of justice of the peace and supervisor. He is by
occupation a farmer and fruit grower. In politics a Democrat.
SEWARD BAKER.
Representative from the Second District of Monroe county, in 1885 and
1887, was born in the township of Ash, in that county, October 11,
1858. He lived on a farm until twenty-one years of age, attending
school during the winter terms. Mr. Baker then entered the Northern




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


59


Indiana Normal School and graduated in the teachers' department in
1882. He taught select school in Canandaigua, Lenawee county, the
winter of 1882. He was a meniber of the House of 1885-6, and entered
the law department of the University in October, 1885, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1886. Since that time he has practiced law
in Carlton, Monroe county; is a Democrat and was elected Representative for 1887-8 by a vote of 1,508 to 1,414 for T. C. Howard, Republican, and 151 for Bragg, Prohibitionist.
WILLIAM BAKER, JR.,
Senator from Lenawee county in 1861-2, was born in Fort Ann, Washington county, N. Y., October 21, 1818. He came to Michigan in 1838,
stopped one year at Adrian, settling in 1839 at Hudson. He was a
merchant and general produce dealer, politically first Whig then
Republican. A man of energy and enterprise in business, generous
in the social relations of life, an active political worker, and a firm adherent to party principles. He was postmaster of Hudson in 1841,
and a member of the board of control of railroads. Died several
years since.
WILLIAM A. BAKER,
Representative from the First District of Berrien county in 1887, was
born at New Pittsburg, Wayne county, Ohio, March 17, 1845. When
Mr. Baker was five years old his father died and he was bound out to
a farmer named Livingston, in Ashland county. Here he resided
until a short time before the war. During the war he served in Company K, 178th Ohio Volunteers. After his return from the army he
attended school at an academy at Canaan, Ohio, and acquired his
medical education at the University of Michigan, being a graduate of
the class of 1870. He is also a graduate of Rush Medical College,
Chicago. In 1868 he was married to Miss Alice M. Clark at Coloma,
Michigan, his present place of residence, where he has held the offices
of township clerk, justice of the peace and supervisor. Dr. Baker
has been commander of Garfield Post, G. A. R., four years. He was
elected to the House of 1887-8 on the Republican ticket by a vote of,432 to 1,918 for Roman I. Jarvis and 2)8 for Capt. John H. Lee,
Prohibitionist.
NATHANIEL A. BALCH
Was born at Athens, Vt., January 22,1808, and was one of the twelve
children of Nathaniel and Sarah Balch. He was possessed of a remarkable memory, and after receiving an academical education, he




*


60                MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
graduated from Middlebury College with high honor. He took the
position of principal of an academy in Bennington, Vt., and was very
successful'as a teacher. In 1837 he came to Kalamazoo and opened
and organized the school now known as Kalamazoo College. In 1838
he accepted a professorship of mathematics in Michigan College
established in Marshall.  The endowment of the institution being
only wild lands, for which there was no sale, it closed, and Mr. Balch
returned to Kalamazoo, and resumed the study of the law which he
had commenced before coming to Michigan. He was admitted in
1840, and has continued in practice until this time. He was prosecuting attorney for Barry county in 1840 by appointment, and the next
year of Kalamazoo county. He was a State Senator in 1847 and 1848.
This was at the time of the removal of the capital from Detroit to
Lansing, and Mr. Balch gave efficient aid in the passage of general
railroad, plank road, homestead and telegraph laws. Under Buchanan he was postmaster of Kalamazoo for four years. In 1860 he
was the democratic nominee for congress but was defeated. After
that he was a candidate for no office. He is a professing Christian,
a devoted Bible student, a strong temperance advocate, and a highly
liberal and benevolent man. He is a Democrat in politics.
AUGUSTUS C. BALDWIN
Was born at Salina, Onondaga county, N. Y., December 24, 1817.
He is the seventh in lineal descent from Henry Baldwin, who came
from England and settled in Woburn, Massachusetts, shortly before
1650. He is the son of Jonathan and Mary (Carpenter) Baldwin. His
father was a merchant, but (lied when his son was five, leaving
little for the support of the family. The son went to live with an
uncle at Canterbury, Conn., where he went to school and at the age
of nineteen engaged in teaching. The next year he attended the
Academy at Plainfield, Conn. In 1837 he came to Oakland county,
Michigan, and taught school in Southfield. For the next five years
he taught and studied by turns. He began reading law with John P.
Richardson, of Pontiac, in 1839. He was admitted in 1842, and
opened an office at Milford. For nearly seven years he practiced at
that place, but in 1849, removed to Pontiac which has since been his
home. He has appeared as counsel in more leading cases than any
other lawyer of Oakland county, and for thirty-five years has been an
acknowledged leader at the bar.
He was school inspector in Bloomfield in 1840; Representative in
the legislative sessions of 1844 and 1846; speaker pro tern in 1846;
brigadier general of the state militia from 1846 to 1862; prosecuting
attorney in 1853-54; member of congress from 1863 to 1865; mayor




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


61


of Pontiac in 1874; for eighteen years member of the board of education of Pontiac; trustee of the Eastern Insane Asylum and trustee
of the Michigan Military Academy; president of the Oakland county
agricultural society; president of the county pioneer association; judge
of the 6th judicial circuit from 1875 to 1879, when he resigned from
insufficient salary; delegate to the democratic national conventions
of 1860 and 1864; member of the peace convention at Philadelphia in
1866; member of the democratic national and state committee, and
a prominent Mason and Knight Templar.    He married Isabella
Churchhill in 1842. He is still in the prime of life, has a private
library of 12,000 volumes, and takes great enjoyment in books. In
politics, a Democrat; in religion, a Presbyterian. He has amassed a
competency and enjoys the farm, stock, poultry, fruits and flowers.
CHARLES BALDWIN,
Representative from the Third District of Oakland county in 1846 -79-81-2, was born October 9, 1803, in New Haven county, Conn., and
removed to western New York, then almost a wilderness, in 1814.
Iie received his education in the common schools, and taught school
six terms.  He spent the summer of 1825 in Michigan, but did not
remove to this state permanently until 1830. He is a farmer, and
has held the office of school inspector, highway commissioner, justice
of the peace for several terms; has been supervisor some fifteen
years, and many years one of the board of trustees of the Pontiac
union school. In his election the vote stood: for M. Baldwin,
Republican, 1,661; Gray, Democrat, 1,643; Hill, National, 38. Mr.
Baldwin is a Republican and senior member of the legislature. He was a democratic member of the House in 1846. He has
the autographs of all his colleagues. Isaac E. Crary was speaker,
and among the names are: Austin Blair, Whitney Jones, Augustus C.
Baldwin, Gen. A. S. Williams, J. M. Edmunds.
ELIAS J. BALDWIN,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1851, came from Berkshire
county, Mass., to Morenci, Mich., about 1834. Lived at Morenci until
he died, being over eighty years of age. In politics, first a Whig, then
a Republican.
JOHN BARBER,
Senator from Lenawee county in 1851, was born in Perham, Mass.,
in 1792. He emigrated first to Vermont, and then to Walworth
9




62


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Wayne county, N. Y. Afterwards lived at Marion, same county,
where he was a justice of the peace; also clerk of Wayne county for
six years, and was an associate judge of the county court. He then
became a resident of Clyde, N. Y., and was there a merchant.  He
settled in Adrian, Mich., in 1836, and held, among other offices, those
of county clerk, register of deeds and justice of the peace. In politics a Democrat, and later a Republican. Died April 15, 1867.
EZRA P. BALDWIN,
Representative from Oakland county in 1848, was born at Claremont,
N. H., December 22, 1800.  He received only a district school educacation, but by extensive reading later in life became an authority
upon history, law, and the current news of passing events. He came
to Detroit in 1817, and in 1819 settlei upon a farm in Bloomfield,
Oakland county, near Birmingham. A few years later he went to
Buffalo, N. Y., and remained several years and was deputy sheriff
of Erie county. He returned to Birmingham and was justice of the
peace in 1845-6-9. He removed to Iowa in 1853, and subsequently to
Martinsville, Mo., where he died in October, 1883. In politics a
Democrat.
FRANK A. BALDWIN,
Representative in 1887 from the district comprising Alpena, Montmorency, and Otsego counties, was born at Fremont, Ohio, August 14,
1853. By his own personal efforts he maintained himself and paid
his expenses through a scientific course in the Northwestern Normal
School, at Republic, Ohio, graduating in 1873. He was admitted to
the bar in Fremont, Ohio, in 1876. He also earned, by school teaching, sufficient funds to defray all of his expenses while taking a course
at the law department of the Michigan University, from which he
graduated in the class of 1877. He located at Gaylord, Michigan, in
1879, since which time he has been engaged in law and real estate
business. He was married to Miss Nellie E. Osband, daughter of M.
D. Osband, formerly of Lansing, Mich., March 12, 1885. Mr. Baldwin has held several offices of trust, among them, assessor of Gaylord
schools, township clerk, and treasurer, and during the past two years
was deputy county treasurer under Chas. S. Brink, treasurer, performing all the work and assuming the responsibility of that office
acceptably. Has also been county school examiner. In politics he is
Democrat, has been chairman of the Otsego county democratic
committee during the past four years, and without in any way seeking it, he received the nomination as Representative, by a joint con



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


63


vention of the democratic and greenback parties and was elected by
a vote of 1,865 to 1,713 for Dr. N. L. Parmater, Republican, and 207
for W. S. Fillmore, Prohibitionist.
HENRY P. BALDWIN,
Ex-Governor of Michigan, was born at Coventry, Rhode Island, February 22, 1814. He is a descendant of Nathaniel Balcwin, a puritan
from Buckinghamshire, England, who settled at Milford, Conn., in
1639. His father, John Baldwin, was a graduate of Dartmouth College. and his grandfather, Rev. Moses Baldwin, who preached for
more than fifty years at Palmer, Mass., graduated at Princeton College in 1757.
Governor Baldwin received a common school education, and became
a clerk in a store at the age of twelve, and remained there until
twenty years of age, devoting his leisure hours to study. He visited
the West in 1837 and removed to Detroit in 1838, where he established
a mercantile house which has been successful until the present time.
He was for several years a director and president of the Young Men's
Society, and has always taken an interest in all matters affecting the
prosperity of the city and state. In religious belief an Episcopalian,
he has been prominent in that denomination-St. John's church in
Detroit was built through his liberality, and he has generously aided
churches throughout the state. He was a director of the Michigan
State Bank during its existence, and has been president of the Second
National Bank since its organization in 1863, resigning in 1887.
He was State Senator in 1861 and 1862, and was chairman of the
finance committee, of the select joint committee for the investigation of the state treasury and the official acts of that officer, and was
a member of other important committees. He was elected governor
of Michigan in 1868, and was re-elected in 1870, serving four years
from 1869 to 1873, and was an able executive. During his administration the State School for dependent children was founded at Coldwater; the first steps taken towards building the Eastern Insane
Asylum at Pontiac, and many improvements were made in the management of charitable and reformatory institutions. The appropriations for the present state capitol were recommended by him, and
the contract was let under his administration. On the death of Senator Chandler in 1879, he was appointed by Governor Croswell to fill
that position for the unexpired term, and was elected by the legislature of 1881. He was a strong candidate for re-election in 1883. He
was one of the delegates at large to the Republican National Convention in 1876; was two years chairman of the state republican committee, and was for many years a trustee of the Eastern Asylum at




64


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Pontiac. In his old age he has the respect and regard of the citizens
of Michigan without distinction of party. In integrity, capacity and
public spirit he has honored the state of his adoption.
SIMEON L. BALDWIN,
Representative from Kent county, in 1877, was born in Canterbury,
Connecticut, April 4, 1821. He was educated at the common schools
and in 1840 he removed to Norwich, and for several terms attended
the academy at that place, removing to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in
August, 1844. He has been alderman of Grand Rapids for eight
years. His occupation is brick making. In politics a Republican.
BYRON D. BALL
Was born in Rochester, New York, July 19, 1844, His father, David
Ball, came to Michigan in 1835 and founded the city of Owosso.
In 1840 he removed with his family to Grand Rapids.  In 1851
the son was apprenticed to learn the machinist trade with Ball &
McRay of Grand Rapids. He served two years at the trade. He
married in 1854, and in 1855 bought a half interest in the shop in
which he had been employed, and carried on the business two years.
In 1857 he commenced the study of law and in 1859 entered the law
department of the State University, and graduated in the class of
1861. He commenced practice in Grand Rapids, and was prosecuting
attorney of Kent county nearly four years.
In 1871-2 he was State Senator and was chairman of the committee
on railroads. He was elected Attorney General of Michigan in 1872
and served in 1873 and up to April 1, 1874, when he resigned on account of ill health. He built a block of stores at Grand Rapids and
was interested with his father in other enterprises. He was a man of
large stature, compactly built, of immense strength, and one of the
best amateur boxers ever seen on the University grounds. He was
genial, jovial, kind hearted and popular, and had many warm friends.
In politics, a Republican. He died in February, 1876, having resigned
as Attorney General in 1874, because of ill health.
JOHN BALL
Was born at Hebron, N. Y., Nov. 12, 1794. He had a common
school and academical education, obtained by his own exertions. He
graduated from Dartmouth College in 1820. He studied law two
years at Lansingburg, N. Y., and then went to Darien, Ga., where he
taught school five years. He then returned to Lansingburg, N. Y.,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


65


completed his law studies and was admitted to the bar in 1824. He
continued in practice several years and then abandoned it to take
charge of an oilcloth factory for his sister, and placed it in a flourishing condition. In 1832 he traveled across the continent, 'went to
Fort Vancouver, and tought the first school ever opened in Oregon. He returned via the Sandwich Islands and Cape Horn in
1833-4. In 1837 he settled at Grand Rapids, Michigan, and represented eastern capitalists in locating lands. He also opened a
law office and had as partners at various times, Hon. George
Martin, formerly Chief Justice of Michigan, and Solomon L. Withey,
late United States District Judge. From 1852 until the death
of Mr. Ball, Feb. 5, 1884, he was the senior member of the firm of
Ball & McKee. In 1838, as a Denocrat, he was a Representative in
the legislature from a district then comprising Clinton, Iona, Kent
and Ottawa counties. In 1842 he was appointed by Governor Barry,
to select 300,000 of the 500,000 acres of land granted to Michigan by
congress for internal improvements. These were mainly selected
about Grand Rapids, and were mostly taken up with internal improvement warrants, and as these warrants could be- bought for about
forty cents on the dollar, it resulted in a speedy settlement of the
Grand River Valley. Mr. Ball was largely identified with Grand
Rapids interests. He was interested in schools, geology. lyceums and
all local enterprises. In politics he was aconservative Democrat.
WILLIAM BALL,
Representative from Livingston county, Michigan, in 1865-7, 1881-2,
was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., April 7,1830. He came to Michigan
with his parents in the year 1836, and settled on a farm in Webster,
Washtenaw county, where he remained until 1858. He then removed
to Hamburg, Livingston county, his present home. He received a
collegiate education, spent several years in teaching, and has since
been engaged in agricultural pursuits. 3He is, and has been for a
number of years, extensively engaged in breeding Short-horn cattle,
thorough-bred American Merino sheep, and Poland China swine. He
has been supervisor of the township of Hamburg. In the year 1864
lie was elected a member of the Michigan House of Representatives.
and was re-elected in 1866. He was county superintendent of schools
in Livingston county when the law creating that office was repealed.
He was elected a member of the House again in 1880, and was speaker
pro ter. He has been a Republican since the formation of the party.
Has been a trustee of the State Reform School, a member of the State
and Central Michigan Agricultural societies, and is a leading exhibitor
of stock at fairs. He has also been county superintendent of schools




66


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


WILLIAM H. BALLENTINE,
Representative from the Third District of St. Clair county in 1881-2,
was born in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, July 11, 1832. He received
a common school education, and at sixteen years of age removed to
Calais, Maine, where he became an apprentice to the hatter's trade.
He lived in Calais until October, 1856, when he removed to Brockway,
St. Clair county, Michigan. Having purchased a farm, he followed
farming until the fall of 1864. He then engaged in mercantile busidess in the village of Brockway. As Republican candidate for the
House of Representatives he received 1,684 votes and William
O'Connor, Fusionist, 1,416.
EDWARD C. BANCROFT,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1845, was born in Westfield,
Massachusetts, in 1808. Came to Detroit in 1835, and moved to St.
Clair county in 1842. In later years was extensively identified with
lake marine interests and lived in Detroit. Politically a Democrat.
Merchant and vessel owner. Died at Syracuse, N. Y., in 1873.
WM. L. BANCROFT
Was born at Martinsburg, Lewis county, N. Y., August 12, 1825.
His father removed to Michigan when he was seven years of age, and
he received his education at Detroit in the high school kept by D. B.
Crane. His father removed to Milwaukee, and in 1842 Mr. Bancroft
was in the office of the Courier, a newspaper of that thriving village.
In 1844 he returned to Michigan and became editor and proprietor of
the Observer at Port Huron, where he remained until 1848. He then
studied law with Hon. W. F. Allen, of Oswego, N. Y., later judge of
the court of appeals. He returned to Port Huron in 1851, and entered
into a lucrative practice. This he was obliged to abandon in 1857
from an affection of the eyes, which threatened total blindness. He
then established in Port Huron its first banking office, although his
name did not appear in the firm of John Miller & Son, now merged
in the First National Bank of that city. He also engaged in lumbering.
In 1859 he was Representative, and in 1865 Senator to the state
legislature. He was secretary of the State Senate in 1849. He has
been democratic nominee for congress and for Secretary of State.
He was the first mayor of Port Huron, and has been postmaster of
that city. For eight years he was collector of the port, and after
many years was again appointed collector of the Port Huron District
in 1885 but failed to be confirmed by the Senate. He has been a mem



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


67


ber of both state and national democratic committees, and several
times delegate to national conventions. He labored for many years
to secure railroad connection between Port Huron and Chicago, and
after every kind of opposition, in 1876 saw the final completion of the
Chicago & Grand Trunk Railroad. He has always been a Democrat,
is a fine writer, a good speaker, and of prepossessing personal appearance.
DANIEL BARBER,
Representative from Eaton county in 1840, was born in Benson, Vermont, in 1799. He was one of the original colony from that state
that came to Michigan in 1836, and founded Vermontville, and he
still resides there, hale and active. A farmer by occupation, a Republican in politics.
HOMER G. BARBER
Was born in Benson, Otutland county, Vt., in 1830, and came with
his parents to Vermontville, Michigan, in 1839. He was educated at
the Vermontville Academy, and after serving one year as clerk in the
postoffice at Kalamazoo, sailed around Cape Horn in 1850, engaged
in mining in California for two years and was successful. He returned to Vermontville, and became a merchant and in 1871 engaged
in banking. In 1871-2 he he was State Senator from Eaton and Barry
counties. In 1861 he was appointed postmaster of Vermontville, and
held that position eleven years. In politics a Republican. He is a
man of liberal views in religion, and has a choice library.
JULIUS S. BARBER
Was born in Rutland county, Vt., April 6, 1824. He removed with
his father's family to Vermontville, Mich., in 1836. He received a
fair education and became a teacher at the age of twenty-three. From
1847 to 1849 he clerked in a store at Whitehall, N. Y. In 1849 he
went to California and was engaged as a farmer, miner and trader for
five years. He then located at Coldwater, where he engaged in mercantile business. He is a Republican in politics. He was alderman
of Coldwater four years; Representative in the legislature in 1867;
member constitutional convention, 1867; was appointed by President
Grant assessor of internal revenue for the second district, and held
it until the office was abolished; two years commissioner of the State
Public School; eight years postmaster of Coldwater, where he still
resides.




68


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


JOHN BARBOUR,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1846, was born in Eaton,
Madison county, N. Y., September 15, 1807. He settled at Monroe
in 1837, removed to Battle Creek in 1841, and to Detroit in 1867, where
he died October 17, 1867. By occupation a farmer; in politics, first a
Democrat, then a Republican.
JONATHAN S. BARCLAY,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1855, was born in Northumberland county, Pa., August 18, 1807. He came to Michigan and
settled at Albion in 1835. He lived in Detroit from 1846 to 1849,
when he removed to Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, where he was
prominent in the business circles of that thriving city until age and
infirmities unfitted him for the active duties of life. In business a
millwright, politically a Democrat. Died August 4, 1887, leaving a
widow, two sons and a daughter, all residing at Bay City. He was
sheriff of Bay county in 1861-2.
HIRAM H. BARDWELL,
Representative from the Second District of Genesee county in 1885
and 1887, was born in the township of Burton, of that county, April
2, 1839. Spent his early years on a farm, received a good education,
enlisted in Company K, 23d Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry.
At the expiration of his term of service returned homeand began the
study of medicine, entering the medical department of the State
University in 1865, remaining there until 1866, when he went to the
Rush Medical College at Chicago, from whence he graduated in 1869,
since which year he has been engaged in the practice of his profession, having built up a large practice and gained a fine reputation as
a physician and surgeon. Mr. Bardwell is also a practical farmer,
and is the owner of a valuable farm of one hundred and twenty
acres about one and a half miles east of the village of Mt. Morris,
where he now resides. He has filled the office of township superintendent of schools, justice of the peace, president of the village two
terms, councilman for five terms, and township and village health
officer. He was elected as a Republican to the House of 1885-6 and
reelected to the House of 1887-8 by a vote of 2,321 to 1,327 for Henry
R. Bodine, and 419 for Andrew M. Felt, Prohibitionist.
RICHARD P. BARKER,
Representative from Berrien county in 1847, was born in New York
city in September, 1805. He settled at Niles in 1838 and was a merchant. Politically a Democrat. Died in 1871.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


69


NATHAN BARLOW,
Representative from Barry countyin 1841 and 1848, was born in the
state of Vermont, in 1785, came to Michigan in 1837, and settled in
the township of Yankee Springs, Barry county. By occupation a
merchant and farmer, in politics a Whig. He served as associate
judge, and in company with his son, Nathan jr., erected a saw mill
at the outlet of Barlow lake in 1840. Died at Hastings, in October,
1834.
NATHAN BARLOW, JR.,
Representative from Barry county in 1850, was born in Canandaigua,
N. Y., January 1, 1818. He left his home in New York and first
went to St. Louis, Mo., but came to Barry county in 1840, and was
one of the early pioneers —engaged in active business, built the first
frame hotel in Hastings, was early in mercantile and milling business, which he followed until declining health compelled him to
retire. Various county offices were filled by him, and he always
filled the place to the satisfaction of the people. No man is more
missed since his retirement from business and none is better known.
Politically a Democrat. Still resides at Hastings.
HORACE T. BARNABY,
Representative from Gratiot county in 1869-70-71-72, was born at
Angelica, N. Y., April 26, 1823. By profession a clergyman, politically a Republican. He was county clerk of Gratiot county in 1861 -2, and filled all town offices from constable to supervisor. Came to
Hillsdale county in 1842, removed to Gratiot county in 1854, and to
Gaines, Kent county, his present residence, in 1875.
ELY BARNARD
Was born in Madison county, N. Y., September 9, 1887. Came to
Michigan in 1834 and settled on a farm in Genoa, Livingston county,
where he died Sept. 9, 1871. He was a Democrat. He was a Representative in 1843-4, and a member of the constitutional convention in
1850. He was a good farmer, and held in high esteem.
NEWELL BARNARD,
Representative from the First District of Saginaw county in 1883,
was born at Thornton, Grafton county, New Hampshire, March 19,
1825. The family removed to Oldtown, Maine, in September, 1830,




70


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


remaining there until 1853. Mr. Barnard was married at Boston,
Mass., September 12, 1854, and soon after moved to Michigan, settling
in Saginaw the following spring. On his arrival in Saginaw he commenced the business of lumbering, handling about 15,000,000 feet of
lumber annually. Being a man of superior organizing ability and
executive force, he largely aided in the advancement which the lumber and salt interests of the state have reached. He was active in organizing, and he was president of the second salt manufacturing company on Saginaw river, which commenced operations in 1861. In
1872 the firm of Barnard & Binder built the iron front block, corner
of Franklin and Hamilton streets, Saginaw, one of the finest business
blocks in the Saginaw valley. Mr. Barnard was one of the most active and influential in securing the building of the J., L. & S. R. R.
to and through Saginaw; was one of the directors and one of the
executive committee of the Saginaw Valley & St. Louis R. R. Company, and foremost in aiding every church and public improvement.
He was one of the first to recognize the practicability of utilizing the
farm districts in the vicinity of lumber operations, by starting many
years since a six hundred acre farm. and which has proved entirely
successful. In politics a Republican, and was elected by about 275
majority in a strong democratic district. Deceased.
ELEAZ R B RN ES,
Representative from Monroe county in 1851, was born in Pittsford,
Vt., June 10, 1807. By occupation a farmer, politically a Republican.
Came to Michigan in 1833, and resides in London, Monroe county.
Has held the office of supervisor several times from 1838 to 1865.
HENRY BARNES,
State Senator from the Second District, comprising a portion of the
city of Detroit and Wayne county, session 1859, was a native of
England, born in 1816. He was a printer by trade, and came to this
country at quite an early age. In the early days of the state he published a paper for a time at Niles. He was associated with the
publication of the Detroit Free Press in 1837, and subsequently with
some minor publications in Detroit. His principal newspaper venture,
however, was as one of the originators of the Detroit Tribune in
1849, with which he remained connected under various auspices until
about 1863. He was clerk of the House of Representatives under the
first republican ascendancy in 1855. Under authority of the secretary of war in 1862, he recruited the first regiment of colored troops
mustered into the service of the United States. In 1866 he was ap



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


71


pointed by President Johnson postmaster at Detroit, and served for
some time, but the refusal of the Senate to confirm his appointment
(by reason of its disagreement with the president), threw him out of
this position. He was subsequently appointed and served as pension
agent at Detroit, 1867-9. He died in 1871. Previous to his death he
was interested in brick manufacturing. Mr. Barnes was a man of
aspiring ambition, not so much from a desire for power as from an impulse to be striving for something. He was a man of pronounced
opinions, earnest and emphatic. Both in business and politics, he
was more earnest than successful, and his ambitions being greater
than his means to achieve, he worked continually at a disadvantage,
which may suggest an explanation of the manner of his death. He
was Whig and Republican in politics, although sympathizing with
the Johnson defection, as implied by official positions mentioned
foregoing.
ORLANDU M. BARNES,
Son of John and Anna Barnes, was born at Cato, N. Y., November
21. 1824, and is a descendant of John Barnes, one of the early pilgrims. His parents removed to Aurelius, Ingham county, Mich., in
1837, where he was brought up upon a farm. IIe received a fine
education, and was a graduate of the University of Michigan in 1850.
He studied law and settled down to the practice at Mason. He soon
stood among the leaders of the bar in central Michigan. In 1853 he
was appointed prosecuting attorney to fill a vacancy, and in 1854 was
elected to that office. He continued in practice with great success until
1867, when he became secretary of the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw
Railroad Company and its general counsel and attorney. He was
general manager of the road from 1869 to 1871, when it was leased to
the Michigan Central. He has since been the land commissioner of
the J., L. & S. and had charge of the large land grant received from
congress to aid in building the road. He was elected Representative
to the legislature of 1863-4. In 1877 he was elected mayor of Lansing,
and in 1878 was the democratic candidate for governor. He served
as chairman of the democratic state central committee from 1880 to
1884, and was a delegate to the democratic national convention in
1880 and 1884. He has always been a Democrat. In religion a Presbyterian. In 1852 he married Amanda W. Fleming, and has two
sons and a daughter. He has accumulated a fine fortune, and is president of the Lansing National Bank and the Lansing Gas Company.
ORSAMUS S. BARNES,
Representative from Eaton county in 1879, was born in Broome
county, N. Y., Aug. 7, 1830. In 1839 he removed to Oberlin, Ohio.




MICHIGAN,BIOGRAPHY.


In 1846 he removed to Wisconsin. He enlisted in the Mexican war
Aug. 16, 1847. Returning at the close of the war, he spent the next
seven years in Wisconsin, attending school, teaching and working in
wagon shops. He received a common school education, and in 1855
returned to Oberlin, Ohio, where he married and removed to Lena
wee county, Mich., and from thence to Eaton county, in 1863. He
is a farmer and minister by occupation. He has held nearly every
town office from constable to supervisor. In politics a Republican.
HIRAM BARRITT,
Representative from Oakland county in 1846, was born in Alford,
Berkshire county, Mass., February 10, 1799. By occupation a farmer
and surveyor, in politics a Democrat. He settled in Commerce, Oakland county, in 1833, and built the first frame house, and the first
frame school-house, in that township.  He was supervisor several
terms, justice many years, town clerk and served as county surveyor.
He removed to Ovid in 1864, and later resided at Muskegon, where he
died April 5, 1878.  A man of excellent character and highly
respected.
JOHN E. BARRINGER,
Senator from the Fifteenth District in 1887, comprising the counties
of Macomb and St. Clair, was born in Bristol, Ontario county, New
York, July 16, 1841. He received a common school education in the
district schools of his native township and at the academy of Canandaigua, New York. His early life (when he was not in school) was
passed upon a farm until he was eighteen years of age, when he commenced teaching in the public schools. In the mean time he studied
medicine and attended the medical department of the Michigan University. In the fall of 1863 he located at Armada, Macomb county,
and,commenced the practice of medicine, which he followed with
success until the spring of 1878, when, on account of ill health, he
was obliged to give up practice. He has been more or less identified
with public affairs of his township and county and held several official
positions. Was president of his village two terms, director of the
union school for many years, township treasurer two terms, and
treasurer of Macomb county two terms. He was one of the charter
members of the Armada Agricultural Society, was its secretary for
twelve years, and at present is its president. He is a farmer; owning
a fine farm in Armada township, over which he has personal supervision. In politics he has always been a Democrat, but has never
sought the nomination to any office. He was elected to the Senate




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


73


of 1887-8 by a vote of 7,395 to 6,505 for Robert McKay, Republican,
and 731 for Lewis Granger, Prohibitionist.
JOHN STEWART BARRY
Was born at Amherst, N. H., January 29, 1802. His parents, John and
Ellen (Stewart) Barry, early removed to Rockingham, Vt., where he
remained until of age, working on his fathers' farm, and pursuing
his studies at the same time. He married Mary Kidder, of Grafton,
Vt., and in 1824 went to Georgia, Vt., where he had charge of an
academy for two years, meanwhile studying law. He afterwards
practiced in that state. He was also a member of the governor's
staff with the title of governor's aid, and was also captain in the state
militia.
He removed to Michigan in 1831 and settled at White Pigeon, where
he engaged in mercantile business with I. W. Willard. In 1834 he
removed to Constantine and engaged in mercantile business. He was
justice of the peace from 1831 to 1835. He was elected State Senator
in 1835-6-7-8 and 1841, and president pro tern. in 1835-6-8. He was
also a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1835 from the
Thirteenth District, comprising St. Joseph county.
In 1841 he was elected Governor by the Democrats, receiving a
large majority over Philo C. Fuller, the Whig candidate. At this
time the state indebtedness was very large, amounting to over six
and a quarter millions. Most of it was incurred in the attempt to
build canals and railroads. Over two millions was due from parties
who had contracted to buy state bonds, but who had obtained the
bonds without paying for them. On his recommendation, provision
was made for the payment of all indebtedness for which the state had
received money, and notice was given to parties who had defrauded
the state, that the state would not pay debts for which no value had
been received. The charters of suspended banks were repealed, and
the currency was restored to a specie basis.
In 1843 he was again elected governor, and before the close of his
term recommended the sale of the Michigan Central & Southern Railroads, which sale was made in 1846. The constitution did not permit
a governor to hold but two successive terms, and it was not until
1849 that he was again elected governor over Flavius J. Littlejohn,
being the only governor who has served three terms in Michigan.
He continued in office until 1852.
He was a man of incorruptible integrity, tenacious in his opinions,
after thorough investigation. He was not a brilliant speaker, but
was versed in ancient and modern languages, and thoroughly posted
10




74


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


in historical matters. After his retirement to private life in 1852, he
held no public office, but continued his mercantile business at Constantine until his death, which occurred January 14, 1870. His wife
had died in 1869, and as they had no children, the large property
went to relatives. He was always a Democrat of the old Jeffersonian
school.
THOMAS B. BARRY,
Representative from the Second District of Saginaw county in 1885,
was born at Cohoes, Albany county, New York, July 17, 1852, of Irish
parentage. At an early age he entered the employ of J. H. Parsons
& Co., manufacturers of knitting goods, in his native city, in whose
employ he remained until he went to learn the trade of ax-making.
He afterwards worked at his trade in Pennsylvania, and Ontario,
where he married Miss Maggie Delaney, daughter of a respected
farmer, of Copetown, Ontario. He moved from the latter place to
Cleveland, Ohio, where he lived a number of years. Moving with
his family to east Saginaw in October, 1882, he entered the employ of
the " Michigan Ax and Tool Co." He entered the political arena as
the candidate of the labor party, afterwards receiving the nomina 
tion of the greenback and democratic conventions, and was elected
by a vote of 2,390 to 2,337 for E. R. Phinney, Republican, and 86 for
James W. Twaits, Prohibitionist. He is now a prominent officer of
the board who control the Knights of Labor.
IRA H. BARTHOLOMEW,
Representative from Ingham county in 1873-4, was born in the town
of Waddington, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., Jan. 4, 1828. He received his education in the common schools of his town and the academies at Canton and Ogdensburg. He commenced the study of
medicine in the latter village, and graduated in the college of medicine and surgery of the University of Michigan, in the spring of 1853.
He commenced the practice of his profession in his native town, but
in the fall of 1854 removed to Lansing, Michigan, where he has since
resided, and where he still continues the practice of his profession.
In 1863 he was elected mayor of the city of Lansing, and was twice
re-elected, an honor which so far no one shares with him. He was
president of the state medical society in 1870-1, and has been physician to the Reform School.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


75


WALLACE R. BARTLETT,
Representative from Tuscola county in 1857, was born in Greensburgh, Trumbull county, Ohio, July 10, 1828. He came to Tuscola
county, Michigan, in 1855; established the Tuscola County Pioneer in
1857; was in the mercantile business at Vassar; also postmaster there
under Lincoln; held various town and county offices; removed to
Omaha in 1866; was member of the Nebraska legislature in 1872 and
1874; deputy collector of internal revenue at Omaha for five years;
removed to St. Paul, Minn., in 1882; now the head of the firm of
Bartlett, Ridgway & Co., real estate brokers at Minneapolis; resides
at Merriam Park; politically, a Republican.
WALTER W. BARTON,
Representative in 1881-2 and Senator in 1887 from the Twenty-ninth
District, comprising the counties of Antrim, Charlevoix, Grand Traverse, Leelanaw, and Manitou, was born in Wyoming county, N. Y.,
June 22, 1834. When two years old he removed with his parents to the
village of Tonawanda, Erie county, where he remained until 1852.
Here he received a common school education. In the fall of 1852 he
removed to St. Louis, Mo., and engaged in the construction of railroads
and continued in that business in and about that city until the spring of
1858, when he went to Northport, Leelanaw county, Mich. There he
engaged in the wooding of lake steamers and selling goods until the
spring of 1863, when he removed to the village of Leland, Leelanaw
county, where he has since resided. He is now engaged in the drug
business and the cultivation of cranberries. He has been supervisor
of Leland twice, justice of the peace eight years, and postmaster five
years. He was elected Senator on the Republican ticket for 1887-8
by the following vote: 3,634 against 2,783 for Walter S. Johnson,
Democrat, and 204 for Shubael P. Hewett, Prohibitionist.
JOHN BARTON,
Senator from Genesee county in 1838, was by profession a lawyer; in
politics a Democrat. He removed to Washington, D. C., and died
while in the public service. He was a man of fine talent, and would
have become a leading man except for his love of drink. In spite of
that he was held in high regard by those who knew him.
MOSES BARTOW
Was born in Niagara county, N. Y., June 10, 1822, and received his
education at Youngstown Academy. He removed to Michigan in




76


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


1831 and first lived at Lyon, Oakland county, but settled at Westphalia, Clinton county, in 1841. He was supervisor of that town
eighteen years, justice of the peace thirty years, and two years circuit court commissioner. By profession a lawyer, in politics a Democrat. He was Representative in the legislature of 1865 and 1875.
ALFRED G. BATES,
Representative from Monroe county in 1853, was a farmer, andsheriff
of Monroe county for a number of years.
ERASTUS N. BATES,
Representative from the Second District of Allegan county in 1885
and 1887, was born in Chester, Geauga county, Ohio, March 1, 1845.
His parents moved to Fulton county in 1853, thence to Michigan in
1855, since which time he has resided in this state. Owing to his
father's blindness he is acquainted with the severest rigors connected
with early pioneer life. Was married to Flora I. Gilbert when twenty-six years old. His wife was the daughter of Bradley Gilbert, one
of the earliest settlers, and one of the most successful farmers in the
township of Dorr, Allegan county, where they all now reside. Mr.
Bates is a farmer; his father is blind, and with a large family, who
have had to encounter the privations incident to pioneer life. Two
brothers were in the service. E. N. Bates enlisted in his eighteenth
year, 1864, and served until the close of the war in Co. C, 21st Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry; was then transferred to the 14th
Infantry, and honorably discharged in August, 1865; was with Sherman in his march through Georgia, in the engagements around
Savannah and at the grand review in Washington. He bought his
first piece of land in Dorr, and has added to it from time to time until
he now controls between 300 and 400 acres of splendid farming land.
He has been elected superintendent of schools once on the republican
ticket in a strong democratic township, and supervisor four buccessive terms, which last office he held at the time of his election to the
legislature of 1885. Mr. Bates was educated in the common schools,
and taught for nearly ten years. He was elected as a Republican to
the House of Representatives for 1885-6, was re-elected to the House
of 1887-8 by a vote of 1,716 to 1,252 for Antone Webber, Fusionist,
and 281 for Abel Angel, Prohibitionist. He was elected speaker pro
tem.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


77


FREDERICK BATES
Was born in Belmont, Virginia, June 23, 1777, and died August 21,
1825. He was the son of a Quaker, Thomas Fleming Bates, and one
of seven sons and five daughters. He was well taught in the rudiments and disciplined to study and work by his father, and at the
age of sixteen was apprenticed to a court clerk to study law and do
sufficient work for self-support. In 1795 he obtained employment in
the quartermaster's department of the army of the northeast and left
home for the frontier, Detroit being his home, often visiting Mackinaw
and other outposts. In a few years he made a little capital, and
went into trade as a storekeeper in Detroit, studying law in spare
hours. At that time Jefferson was President and Madison was Secretary of State, both friends of his father's family, and he was appointed territorial judge and a land commissioner. He held that
position only a short time. On a visit to Washington to make a
report as land commissioner, he was appointed, against his wish,
secretary of the territory of Louisiana and U. S. reporter of land
titles, and located at St. Louis. He held the office of secretary until
Missouri became a state in 1820. The other office was held by him
until 1824, when he was elected the second governor of Missouri. He
died while in office, leaving a widow and several children, and a
reputation without a stain. Edward Bates, secretary of the interior,
under Lincoln, was a younger brother.
GEORGE C. BATES,
United States District Attorney for Michigan from 1841 to 1845, and
from 1849 to 1852, was born in Canandaigua, New York. He received
an academic education, entered Hobart College at Geneva, N. Y.,
and graduated in 1831. In 1833 he commenced the study of law in
the office of John C. Spencer, at Canandaigua. Among his fellow
students was Stephen A. Douglas, of whom he was always a warm
personal friend. In 1833 he came to Michigan and studied for a time
at Monroe and Detroit, and was admitted to the bar of Detroit in
1834. He practiced law until 1841, when he was appointed United
States District Attorney by President Harrison. After successfully
filling that office until 1845, he resumed practice which was very
lucrative for several years. He was the Whig candidate for congress
from the First District in 1848, but was defeated by A. W. Buell.
After again filling the position of district attorney from 1849 to
1852, he resigned and went into practice in California, where he remained until 1856, having a large and remunerative practice. He




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


was in practice in Chicago from 1861 to 1871 when he became district attorney in Utah, which he held for less than two years. He
then became attorney of the Mormon church which he held several
years, He returned to Detroit in 1877 to practice his profession. He
then went to Leadville and was there in practice some years, then
removed to Denver, where he died. He was a leading Whig, then a
Republican. As a stump political speaker he had no superior in his
day, In eloquence, wit, humor, and all the graces of speech and person, he had no superior, and from 1840 to 1860he was known throughout the West and on the Pacific coast, and was always welcome at
great party demonstrations.
3IORGAN BATES
Was born near Glens Falls, New York, July 12, 1806. When young
he was apprenticed as a printer at Sandy Hill, N. Y. He worked as a
journeyman printer at Albany, and other places. In 1826 he published the Warren Gazette, at Warren, Pa, and Horace Greeley
worked for him as a journeyman printer, and the friendship thus
formed was lasting. In 1828 he took charge of the Chatauqua Republican, at Jamestown, N. Y. In 1830 he went to New York city
and planned the New Yorker, published by Greeley and McElrath. In
1833 he was foreman in the office of the Detroit Advertiser, with
George Dawson. He bought that paper in 1839, and published it until
1844 as a Whig paper. Between 1819 and 1856 he made two trips to
California via Cape Horn, and started the Alta California at San
Francisco, the first daily west of the Rocky Mountains. In 1856 he
bceame a clerk in the office of the Auditor General at Lansing, where
he remained until 1858. He then removed to Traverse City and
started the Grand Traverse Herald, which he published for sixteen
years. He was treasurer of Grand Traverse county for eight years.
register of the United States land office at Traverse City from the
inauguration of Lincoln, except a short interval under Johnson, until
his death in 1874. In 1863 he was elected lieutenant governor of
Michigan and was re-elected in 1870. He died March 2, 1874. He
was a man of originality, wit and shrewdness, and his quaint remarks
were greatly relished by those who best knew him. He was first a
Whig, then a Republican, and always an intense anti-slavery man.
Kind to the poor, of earnest sympathy, decisive in speech, he will be
long remembered.
WILLIAM R. BATES,
Representative from Bay county in 1871. was born at Cazenovia, N.
Y., June 28, 1845. He was appointed register U. S. land office at




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


79


East Saginaw in 1871. He resigned in 1876, and served as special
agent of the U. S. pension bureau until 1879 when he resigned. He
was secretary of the republican state central committee in 1880 and
1886, and now holds that position. In 1881 was appointed special
agent of the treasury department, but was removed in 1885. By
profession a lawyer; resides at Flint.
WILLI AM G. BAUMGARDNER,
Representative from Manistee county in 1887, was born in Centre
county, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1850; has been a resident of Michigan
eight years; is by occupation a saw-filer and millwright. Mr. Baumgardner has held the office of township clerk and school director.
He was elected on the Greenback-Labor ticket by a vote of 1,069 to
878 for Robert R. Blacker, Democrat, 202 for Bodwell, Prohibitionist,
and 1,018 for Dunke, Republican.
BENJAMIN L. BAXTER
Was born at Sidney Plains, Delaware county, N. Y., April 7, 1815. He
came to Tecumseh in 1831 with his father, Hon. Levi Baxter. He
received a good education and was three years in college at Dartmouth, N. H. In 1843 he took charge of the Tecumseh branch of
the University of Michigan for three years, and at the same time
studied law with Hon. Perley Bills, and became his law partner for
twenty-five years. He was regent of the State University from 1858
to 1864, and was Representative in the legislature of 1869 and 1870.
He still resides at Tecumseh, and is one of the most genial and companionable men in the state. In politics a Republican.
LEVI BAXTER
Was born at East Windsor, Conn., October 5, 1788, and was the son
of Levi Baxter, a captain in the revolution. When a boy he removed
with his father to western New York, where he was engaged in farming,
lumbering and merchandise at Sidney Plains. He settled at Tecumseh, Mich., in 1831, and built the ' Red Mills," the first of any size
west of Monroe, settlers coming fifty miles to this mill. Governor
Cass made him chief justice of the Lenawee county court, hence the
title of judge. He built a mill at Jonesville in 1834, the first west of
Tecumseh. He removed to White Pigeon in 1836 and built large




80


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


mills. In 1840 he made large additions to his mills at Jonesville.
In 1848 he made Jonesville his home. He was a Whig, then a Free
Soiler in 1848, and was elected Senator to the legislature of 1849
and 1850 by a coalition of Whigs and Free Soilers. Through his influence Jonesville was made a point on the Michigan Southern Railroad. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and an elder.
He died at Jonesville in 1862.
WITTER J. BAXTER
Was born at Sidney Plains. Delaware county, N. Y., June 18, 1816,
and was the son of Levi and Lois (Johnston) Baxter. His grandfather,
Levi Baxter, was a Captain in the Revolution, and his maternal grandfather was Colonel Witter Johnston, a Colonel in the Revolution. Mr.
Baxter came with his father to Tecumseh in 1831, remaining there
until 1836, then removing to White Pigeon until 1848, when he came
to Jonesville. He received a common school and academical education at the State University branches at Tecumseh, White Pigeon and
Detroit, and received the honorary degree of A. M. from the University. In 1836 he commenced teaching and continued in that profession until 1H41, when he studied law in Detroit, was admitted in
1844 and practiced until 1848, in partnership with Andrew Hervie, of
Detroit, when he removed to Jonesville and became a partner of W.
W. Murphy, of the firm of Murphy & Baxter, which continued until
1874. After that time he practiced alone. While in Detroit he was
director and president of the Young Men's Society. He was also a
member of the firm of Grosvenor & Co., bankers, and a member of
the Jonesville school board for twenty-six years; supervisor and president of the board; a member of the state board of education for over
a quarter of a century; president of the state agricultural society and
member of the executive board; an active Odd Fellow and Mason, in
the first holding high offices. He always took an active interest in
the state pioneer society, was its president and a member of the historical committee for many years. He was also president of the
county pioneer society. He was State Senator in 1877. For several
years prior to 1886 he was secretary of the state board of charities,
and an efficient officer. From the age of fifteen he was a member of
the Presbyterian church and the greater part of the time Sundayschool superintendent. He was first a Whig, but a Republican after
1854. He died suddenly February 6, 1888.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


81


JAMES BAYLEY,
Representative from Oakland county in 1865, was born in Scipio,
New York, July 1, 1802, and died at Birmingham, Mich., May 1, 1867.
As a boy, he was engaged in harness making, and when older in the
tanner and currier's trade. In 1825 he settled on a farm in Troy,
Oakland county. In 1830 he went to Detroit and had charge of a
tannery for some years. He was supervisor in 1849, and farm superntendent at the Agricultural College from 1860 to 1863.  He was
president of the Oakland county and state agricultural societies, and
stood high in the estimation of the farmers of Michigan.
JOSEPH P. BEACH,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1865, was born in Jay, Essex
county, N. Y., May 21, 1822.  He settled in Penfield in 1836, as a
farmer, and was supervisor and held other township offices. He now
resides at Battle Creek, and is not engaged in business. Politically,
a Republican.
NOAH BEACH,
Democratic Representative from the Saginaw District in 1843-4, and
Senator from the senatorial district comprising the counties of Oakland, Lapeer, Genesee, Shiawassee and Saginaw, in 1850-51, was born
at Whiting, Vt., October 17, 1788. When young he moved with his
parents to central New York, where he spent his early boyhood until
1798, when the family moved to Lewiston, Niagara county, N. Y.,
where young Beach witnessed the border trouble growing out of the war
of 1812. On reaching manhood he became an active participant in
the struggle, and as a reward of merit for services rendered, was appointed captain. Being a prominent Mason in the Morgan excitement, he becameinvolved in the anti-Masonic complication to the extent, in the prosecution, of the loss of a good deal of property. While
living at Lewiston he returned to Vermont. and married Eunice
Cooley, of Rutland county. His father and mother died at Lewiston.
In 1838 with his family, a wife and six children, he moved to Michigan, settling on a farm in Springfield, Oakland county, where he
resided two years, filling the office of justice of the peace. In February,
1841, he moved to Bridgeport, Saginaw county, and from a heavy
forest, improved the farm upon which he died. By force of character
he held some offices, but his main occupation was that of a farmer.
He was supervisor and justice of the peace in Bridgeport several years




82


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


and postmaster for fifteen years. He was a man of practical common
sense and abundant energy, and demonstrated by his many acts of
charity, hospitality and kindness, the precepts of christianity. These
traits of character were recognized by all, and many impoverished and
needy pioneers received and enjoyed his limited means, kind ministration, counsel and advice. He died at Bridgeport, on the 23d day
of May, 1866.
HIRAM J. BEAKES,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1863-4, was born at
Middletown, N. Y., in 1827. He received his education there, studied
law and was admitted to the bar in 1851. The same year he settled
in Ann Arbor, and commenced the practice of law. He was circuit
court commissioner from 1855 to 1857, and judge of probate from 1875
to 1883. Of late years he has been a member of the law firm of
Beakes & Cutcheon of Detroit. Still resides at Ann Arbor.
ISAAC D. BEAL
Was born at Clarendon, Rutland county, Vt, May 21, 1812, and died
at Sherwood, Michigan, Sept. 3, 1880. He married in 1837 and
moved to Sherwood the same year, locating on a farm where he lived
until his death. He was for twelve years supervisor of the township
and was justice of the peace five terms. He was a Representative in
the legislature from the third district of Branch county in 1867. 1869
and 1870. He had some knowledge of medicine and was often called
upon to prescribe in cases of sickness. His benevolence, kindness,
good will and ripe judgment endeared him to all with whom he came
in contact. In politics a Republican.
FERNANDO C. BEAMAN
Was born at Chester, Vt., June 28, 1814. His ancestors were early
settlers in Massachusetts, Gamaliel Beaman having been an original
founder of Lancaster. He was the twelfth of a family of fourteen
children, thirteen of whom lived to maturity. His father was a farmer.  In 1819 the family removed to Franklin, N. Y., where the
parents died in 1834. At sixteen, Mr. Beaman began life as a teacher
and taught seven winters and three summers, and in that time
fitted himself for college at the Malone Academy. In 1837 he studied
law for one year in Rochester, and in 1838 emigrated to Michigan,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


83


and was admitted to the Lenawee county bar in 1839. He practiced
in Manchester, Tecumseh and Clinton and in 1843, having been appointed prosecuting attorney, he removed to Adrian, and held that
office for six years. He was for a time associated with Judge
Tiffany, and afterwards with Judge T. M. Cooley and R. R. Beecher
in the firm of Beaman, Beecher & Cooley, which had a large practice.
At this time Mr. Beaman was attorney of the city of Adrian.
He was a warm Democrat until 1848, when he joined the Free-soil
party, and stumped Lenawee county for Van Buren and Adams. In
1854 he was one of the leaders in the organization of the republican party and was vice president of the great convention at
Jackson. He was a delegate to the first national republican convention at Pittsburg in 1856. He took an active part in that campaign. In 1856 he was elected mayor of Adrian, and was one of the
presidential electors of that year, and was also elected judge of probate. In 1860 he was elected to congress and was re-elected four
times, serving from 1861 to 1871. He was an able member and his
speech on reconstruction received warm commendation from such
men as Sumner, Stevens and Chase. In 1871 he was again appointed
judge of probate to fill a vacancy, and was elected to that office in
1872 and 1876.
In May, 1841, he married Mary Goodrich. On the death of Senator
Chandler he was appointed by Governor Croswell to fill the vacancy,
but he declined on account of ill health, and Governor Baldwin received the appointment. Judge Beaman was a high-minded, honorable man and politician, and always was held in great esteem by men
of all parties. He had a logical mind, was a clear reasoner, hated
shams and falsehoods and had a lofty sense of rectitude and honor.
Deceased.
GEORGE K. BEAMER,
Representative session of 1861-2, was born October 26, 1816, in Niagara county, N. Y. He first came to Michigan in 1835 and returned.
He settled in Barry county in 1846. A farmer by occupation, politically a Republican. As a member, he presented the bill providing
for a record of the soldiers of Michigan, subsequently compiled by
Adjutant General Robertson. He now resides at Hastings.
ADAM BEATTIE,
Senator from Clinton and Ingham counties in 1873-4, was born November 26, 1834, in Seneca, Ontario county, N. Y. He received an




84


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


academic education at the Canandaigua Academy, N. Y. In 1866 he
emigrated to Michigan and settled in the village of Ovid, Clinton
county, where he now resides. In 1862 he enlisted in the Twentysixth New York Independent Battery, and served in the department
of the Gulf and Southwest under Butler, Banks, Canby and Sheridan.
Mr. Beattie's occupation is that of general merchant. In politics a
Republican.
LOUIS BEAUFAIT
Held a prominent position in the public councils of Detroit and of
the state for over fifty years. He was of French extraction, his father,
it is believed, having emigrated here contemporaneously with Cadillac. The best data fixes the time of his birth about 1760. He was
born in the township of Hamtramck, on theBeaufait farm, on which
the old house built by his father is still standing on the bank of the
Detroit river. His early education was such as the frontier settlement afforded, and he spent some time as an Indian trader, was proficient in the Indian tongue, and was employed on many occasions as
an official interpreter. The name of Louis Beaufait occurs as early
as 1788, and from that time to the close of the century, as presiding
justice of the common pleas court, but whether this was the father
or the son spoken of, is uncertain. The son, however, was captain of
a company of militia in the war of 1812, and subsequently was appointed a colonel of militia by General Cass. His civil service comprised many local positions of trust, and he was a member of the
constitutional convention of 1835, and the first convention of assent
in 1836, and was a Representative in the legislature in 18;8-9, and a
presidential elector in 1844. He died in 1854. Politics, democratic.
A son, Louis Beaufait, still lives at an advanced age on the homestead where his father was born.
JEFFERSON H. BECKWITH,
Senator from Ionia county in 1855, was born in Ontario county, New
York, in 1813. He studied law at Ellicottville, N. Y., and was admitted to the New York bar. Came to Michigan in 1830 and settled
near Ann Arbor, and removed from there to East Plains, Ionia county,
now part of the town of Lyons, where he resided until his death in
1865. He was postmaster at Pitt, Mich., and for several terms supervisor of the town of Lyons. He became a farmer, and was a Republican in politics. He was a positive man, tenacious of his opinions




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


85


and always ready to defend them. He was respected for his honesty,
and his word was as good as his note. He left a fine property, but
was never married.
JACOB BEDTELYON,
Representative from Genesee county in 1879, was born in Erie county,
New York, July 11, 1836. He there received a liberal education, and
in the spring of 1854, then seventeen years of age, removed with his
parents to Atlas, Genesee county, Mich. At the commencement of
the rebellion he enlisted as a private in the Fourth Michigan Cavalry,
Company K. Soon after the battle of Stone River, he was commissioned as captain, and placed in command of the company; but was
compelled to resign on account of ill health in January, 1865, just
before the close of the war. He has held various township offices,
and was supervisor for five years. Republican in politics.
JOSEPH E. BEEBE
Was born at Sand Lake, N. Y., February 18, 1810. He removed from
Whitestown, N. Y., to Jackson, Mich., in 1842. He was by trade a
wagon maker, and commenced their manufacture on a State prison
contract, and continued in that business for nine years, the " Beebe
wagon" becoming well known throughout the West. In 1855 he
was Representative, and in 1857-8 State Senator. In 1860 he was
elected judge of probate of Jackson county and served from 1861 to
1865. He held all these positions as Republican. He was an active
member of the Congregational church, and was of great value to
moral and religious enterprises in the early days of Jackson. He
died March 15, 1872.
URIAH BEEBE,
Representative from Oakland county in 1859, was born in Poultney,
Vt., April 3, 1812. A farmer by occupation, Republican in politics.
Came to Michigan in 1845, and settled on wild land in the township
of Oakland, Oakland county. A man of sterling integrity, temperate, charitable, and in religion a free thinker. Died May 7, 1865.
CHARLES N. BEECHER
Was born in Livonia, Livingston county, N. Y., May 7, 1806. By
occupation a farmer; in politics, first a Whig, then a Republican. He
11




86


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


came to Michigan in May, 1836, and settled on a farm in the town of
Genesee, Genesee county, where he lived uutil 1854, when he removed
to Flint, and there died November 2, 1864. He was postmaster seventeen years; nine successive years supervisor; two years county commissioner; associate county judge, and Representative in the legislature in 1851 and 1857.
NORMAN A. BEECHER,
Representative from the First District of Genesee county, Mich., in
1885 and 187, was born April 22, 1830, in Rensselaerville, Albany
county, N. Y.; moved with his parents to Oswego, Tioga county,
when he was four years old. Was brought up on a farm and received
a common school and academic education. At the age of twenty-one
removed to Orleans county, N. Y. Was married September 19, 1855,
and moved to Michigan the fall of 1857, and settled on his farm in
the township of Clayton, spring of 1858. Is a farmer and fruitgrower. The better instincts of his nature tended strongly to the
interests of education. Was very successful as a teacher, having
taught some twelve years. Has held the office of superintendent of
schools for years, and been elected to other township offices. Mr.
Beecher was reared a Democrat and voted for James Buchanan. In
1860 he voted for Abraham Lincoln and has been a staunch Republican ever since. He was elected Representative of the First District
of Genesee county on the Republican ticket for 1885-6 and reelected
for 1887-S by a vote of 2,541 to 1,978 for Wilfred M. Kellogg on the
Prohibition and Fusion tickets combined.
ROBERT R. BEECHER,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1855, was a leading lawyer
at Adrian, and was a law partner of Judge Cooley and of Hon. F. C.
Beeman. He was a leading Republican in the early history of the
party. He was a good lawyer, and was honored with various county
offices. He held the office of judge of probate from 1861 until his
death in 1871. He died in the prime of manhood.
BENJAMIN F. BEEKMAN,
Representative from the Second District of Eaton county in 1885, was
born at Chester, Eaton county, in 1848, where he still resides, engaged
in the pursuit of his chosen vocation as a farmer. He has heretofore
held the offices of township superintendent of schools and supervisor.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


87


He was elected as a Republican, receiving 2,037 votes to 1,592 votes
for Edwin R. Martin, Fusionist; 167 for W. Parmenter, Prohibitionist, and 1 scattering.
PHILO BEERS
Was born in Ithaca, N. Y., February 8, 1801. He settled as a farmer
in the township of Courtland, Kent county, Michigan, in 1840. Politically a Democrat. He was supervisor of Courtland for twelve years,
and was postmaster eight years, and was Representative from Kent
county in 1850, and from Grand Traverse county in 1859. He was
Deputy United States Marshal under Buchanan for four years and
keeper of the Traverse light-house four years.  Died at Charlevoix, April 3, 1872. A Mason for fifty years.
JACOB BEESON
Was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, September 7, 1807, and died
at Detroit, Michigan, April 19, 1885. His early youth was spent with
an uncle in Hardy county, Virginia, and in early manhood he was
engaged in mercantile business with the same uncle in Georgia and
New Orleans. In 1829 he journeyed on horseback from his native
town to Michigan, purchased a business site at Niles, and returned to
Pennsylvania. In 1830, with his mother and three brothers, he came
back to Niles and settled permanently, establishing himself in the
mercantile business in which he was successful, and also engaging in
the forwarding and commission business, and established a line of
boats on the St. Joseph river.
He was a paymaster in the Black Hawk war, from which he derived
the title of Colonel. He aided in organizing the State government and
was a warm supporter of Gov. Mason. He was a member of the
democratic national committee in 1856, and was appointed receiver
of the land office at Detroit in 1857, when he removed to that city.
He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1867. In 1876
and 1877 he was president of the Detroit Board of Trade. He was
president and principal stockholder of the Merchants' Bank of Detroit,
and director in other banks. He was a man of great energy and rare
business tact. In politics a Democrat.
JESSE G. BEESON
Was born December 10, 1807, in Wayne county, Indiana, where his
parents, natives of North Carolina, settled at an early day. In 1830




88


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


he made a trip to southwestern Michigan, and in 1833 settled in La
Grange, Cass county.  He was a successful farmer, widely known
and universally respected. In politics a Republican. He was State
Senator in the legislature of 1853. Died February 19, 1889.
WILLIAM B. BEESON
Was born in Uniontown, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1809. He
moved to Niles, Michigan, in 1831, and became one of the leading
men of Michigan. He was elected to various minor offices, and in
1841 became president of the village of Niles. In 1858 he was nominated on the democratic ticket and elected Representative to the
legislature of 1859, from Berrien county. He died at Niles in December, 1872.
JOSIAH W. BEGOLE
Was born in Livingston county, N. Y., January 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 officer in the American army during the war of the Revolution.
About the beginning of the present century both his grandparents,
having become dissatisfied with the institution of slavery, although
slaveholders themselves, emigrated to Livingston county, N. Y., then
a new country, taking with them a number of their former slaves,
who volunteered to accompany them. His father was an officer in
the American army, and served during the war of 1812.
He received his early education in a log school-house, and subsequently attended the Temple Hill Academy at Geneseo, N. Y. Being
the eldest of a family of ten children, he was early taught habits of
industry, and when twenty-one years of age he left the parental roof
to seek a home in the territory of Michigan, then an almost unbroken
wilderness. He settled in Genesee county, and aided with his own
hands in building some of the early residences in what is now known
as the city of Flint. Where this flourishing city now stands, there
were but four or five houses when he selected it as his home.
In the spring of 1839 he married Miss Harriet A. Miles. Immediately after his marriage he commenced work on an unimproved farm,
where, by his perseverance and energy, he soon established a good
home, and at the end of eighteen years was the owner of a farm of
five hundred acres well improved.
Mr. Begole being an anti-slavery man, became a member of the
republican party at its organization. He served his townsmen in




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPAY.


89


various offices, and was in 1856 elected county treasurer, which
office he held for eight years. In 1870 he was nominated by acclamation for State Senator, and elected by a large majority. In the
Senate he was known as an industrious and painstaking legislator.
He was a member of the National Republican Convention held at
Philadelphia in 1872. He was elected a member of congress in 1872
and served on several important committees. In the gubernatorial
election of 1883, Mr. Begole was the candidate of both the greenback
and democratic parties, and was elected by a vote of 154,269, the
Republican candidate, Hon. David H. Jerome, receiving 149,697 votes.
He made a good record as governor, and refused to be a candidate in
1885. He still resides at Flint where he has large property interests.
EUGENE H. BELDEN,
Representative from the Third District of Jackson county in 1881-2,
was born in the township of Spring Arbor, Jackson county, Mich.,
December 14, 1840. He attended the district school of the neighborhood and the graded school in Jackson until he was fifteen years of
age. Then he attended Michigan Central College, located in Spring
Arbor, until, at the age of twenty, he attended the law department
of the University at Ann Arbor, also studying in the office of Governor Blair. He never practiced law, but has been connected with
farming and real estate transactions. He has held the office of justice of the peace and notary public three terms. As Republican candidate he received 1,442 votes; S. A. Strong (National), 1,032; and
Samuel Chapel (Democrat), 894.
FRIEND BELDING
Was born in Fabius, Onondaga county, New York, November 3, 1799.
He removed to Birmingham, Oakland county, Michigan, in 1830. By
occupation a farmer. Representative in the legislature of 1849.
JAMES W. BELKNAP,
Senator from the Twenty-first District, comprising the counties of
Ionia and Montcalm, in 1883-5, was born in Masena, St. Lawrence
county, New York, January 6, 1842. In 1855 he came to Michigan
with his parents, and settled in Grand Rapids. While living in Grand
Rapids he learned the printers' trade, in the office of the Grand Rapids
Herald, and in October, 1860, removed to Greenville, Montcalm
county, his present home, and engaged at his trade in the office of the




90


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Greenville Independent (republican). May, 1862, he became editor
and proprietor of the Independent, which he conducted successfully
until 1865, when he sold out and engaged in mercantile pursuits. In
1872 he also became interested in the lumber business, running a saw
mill in the township of Sidney, in Montcalm county, and a planing
mill, door, sash, and blind factory in Greenville. In 1874 he went
out of trade and gave his attention to the lumber branch of his business, which he has followed since. He has always been more or less
identified with the public affairs at his home, and has held several
official positions. Has twice been elected mayor of the city of Greenville, and for thirteen years was a member of the board of education. He received the nomination for State Senator in 1882 by acclamation, and was elected by 1,138 majority, over his Democrat-Greenback opponent, running about 500 ahead of his party ticket in his own
county. In 1884 he was re-nominated and elected to the Senate of
1885-6 by a vote of 7,637 to 7,473 for Joseph P. Shoemaker, Fusionist,
and 537 for Henry H. Moore, Prohibitionist, and was chosen presi
dent pro tempore of that body.
ALEXANDER F. BELL
Was born in Charlton, Saratoga county, New York, August 5, 1812,
and was of Scotch descent. He graduated from Union college in
1836 and the same year came to Lyons, Michigan, with Adam L.
Roof, with whom he studied law. He was admitted in 1840, and
removed to Ionia, where he has since been engaged in practice. In
1847 he was a Representative in the State legislature. From 1853 to
1857 he was register of the United States lana office at Ionia. He
has been a prominent lawyer, and for many years was a recognized
leader in the democratic party. Has been interested in railroads and
other improvements, and in social qualities stands high. One of the
ablest of the Michigan pioneers.
DIGBY V. BELL
Was born November 10, 1884, on the Island of St. Christopher, British
West Indies. His father, a retired British naval officer and merchant,
died when he was five years old. Under the care of an accomplished
mother, he received every educational advantage the island afforded.
At the age of thirteen, from choice, he became a sailor, and followed
that life for six years. Abandoning that occupation, he acted as
agent of a mining company in New York city; afterwards of the
New York Gas Light Company. Following the tide of emigration




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


91


he came to Michigan in 1834, settling in St. Joseph county as a
farmer. In a few months he was discharging the functions of seven
officers, took an active part in the organization of a state government, and issued the first address to the citizens of St. Joseph county.
He was elected judge of probate, and held other important offices.
During the "wild cat" period he was state bank commissioner,
and in that capacity helped to protect the people from frauds. Having removed to Ada, he was elected Senator to the legislature of 1842
and 1843, and was Representative in 1~40 from Kent county. As
chairman of the finance committee, he made an exhaustive report
on the indebtedness of the state, its credits, revenues, and expenditures, which had great weight in preventing repudiation. He
was Commissioner of the State land office from 1844 to 1846, and
Auditor General from 1846 to 1848. Afterwards, for several years,
he was cashier of the Michigan Central Railroad Company.
In 1850, he established in Chicago the first commercial college in
Illinois, which he continued for several years. Then going to New
York city, he became interested in a banking house which suspended
in the crash of 1857, but resumed and paid off all liabilities. He returned to Chicago in 1858, and was there interested with Bryant and
Stratton in the Chicago Commercial College, which became one of
the first in the country. He was soon appointed by the legislature of
Illinois commissioner of claims, and charged with the duty of investigating the finances of the city of Chicago. He was also special agent
of the postoffice department, and discharged its duties with great
fidelity. He sent four sons to the war during the rebellion, three of
whom served until peace was declared. He removed to Battle Creek,
Mich., and died while serving as postmaster, October 28, 1871.
He was a man of great ability, and discharged the many varied
trusts committed to his hands with signal success. His sense of justice in life, both public and private, was shown when, coming into
possession of his father's property at the age of twenty-one, he gave
fourteen slaves their freedom, and divided the estate into small farms,
giving each a deed to a part of the estate. In politics he was a Democrat until 1854, then a Republican.
GEORGE W. BELL,
Senator from Missaukee, Cheboygan, and several other counties
in 1879, was born December 25, 1844, in Penobscot county, Me., but
soon after removed to Dover, Piscataquis county. He received an
academic education, taught school, and was admitted to the bar in
1868. In 1869 he removed to Cheboygan, Mich., and began the prac



92


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


tice of his profession. He has held the office of judge of probate of
Cheboygan county for six years. He has also held the office of circuit court commissioner; also several minor township and village
offices. In politics a Republican.
ALEXANDER H. BENEDICT,
Representative from Livingston county in 1867, was a Democrat in
politics, and as a merchant was in business at Fowlerville from 1863
to 1873, when he removed. Present residence unknown. He was a
justice of the peace in 1866.
JACOB M. BENEDICT,
Representative from Ionia county in 1875, was born in Warwick,
Orange county, N. Y., Jul) 26, 1832, and removed to Michigan in
1853, taking up his residence in lonia county in 1857. He received a
common school education, has been a supervisor, and held other
township offices, and been engaged in farming and manufacturing.
A Democrat in politics.
PETER H. BENEDICT,
Representative in 1853 from Sanilac county, was born at Rensselaerville, N. Y., November 25, 1811. He came to Michigan in 1837, and
in 1842 bought a farm in Worth, Sanilac county, where he now resides.
Has been supervisor five terms, and held other town offices. Politically a Democrat.
WILLIAM H. P. BENJAMIN,
Senator from Saginaw county, in 1879, was born in the village of
Saline, Onondaga county, N. Y., Sept 2, 1839. He received his education at the Syracuse Institute, and graduated in medicine in 1861.
He removed to Saginaw county, Michigan, in 1866. He was elected
to the House of Representatives in 1875. In politics a Democrat.
ALONZO BENN ETT
Was born in Addison county, Vermont, September 22, 1807. When
young his father removed to Erie county, where the son remained
until 1833, when he removed with his family to Berrien county,
Michigan. In 1838 he was elected county clerk, and was reelected




MICHIGAN BIOGRA PHY.


93


in 1840 and in 1842. He was Representative in the legislative session
of 1842. Returned to New Buffalo in 1845 where he now resides, His
occupation has been merchandizing, and since 1870 he has been a
druggist. In politics a Democrat. He was the first president of New
Buffalo. Has been postmaster and supervisor.
DAVIS D. BENNETT
Was born in Catherine, Chemung county, N. Y., March 25, 1808. He
left home when sixteen and worked on a farm and at lumbering until
1828, when he came to Michigan and remained one year. In 1830 he
located a farm in Adrian township, Lenawee county. In 1837 he
removed to a farm in Fairfield, same county. He was four times
supervisor of Fairfield, four terms justice, and fifteen years town
clerk. He was Representative in the legislature of 1848.
JOHN H. BENNETT,
Representative from the First District of Branch county, in 1881-2-3,
was born in the township of Chenango, Broome county, N. Y.,
December 6, 1826, where his paternal and maternal grandparents
settled soon after the Revolution, both of his grandfathers having
served under Washington. In 1833 his father and family moved to
Licking county, Ohio, and from there to Michigan, reaching Adrian
in March, 1834, and settled on a farm in Dover. In 1839, the family
removed to Branch county, settled in the township of Quincy, six
miles from Coldwater, where he labored on a new farm until 1845,
when he entered the employment of Dr. Wm. H. Hanchett, of Coldwater. Here he entered the village and also a select school, studying
geometry and trigonometry in the latter. In 1847 he commenced the
study of medicine. He graduated in Berkshire Medical College in
1854. In October he returned to Branch county and settled in the
township of Algansee, where he practiced medicine ten years. In
1856 he married Miss Hannah M. Thompson. In 1862 he served as
examining surgeon of his county, and in 1864 removed to the city of
Coldwater, where he has been in active practice as a physician and
surgeon ever since. He is a member of several medical associations.
He has always been an active politician, casting his first ballot as a
Whig. In 1854 he spoke for and rallied with the republican party.
He was elected coroner in 1858, and held that office twelve years. He
has held the office of county surveyor twelve years, and county drain
commissioner four years; has been alderman of the fourth ward of
the city of Coldwater four years.




94


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


STILLMAN W. BENNETT,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1879, was born in Fairfield,
Lenawee county, Mich. He has held several minor offices in his
township; was supervisor in 1876 and 1877. He is a farmer by occupation. In politics a Republican.
THEODORE G. BENNETT
Was born at Jackson, Mich., February 27, 1845. Has always been a
Republican. Is engaged in the manufacture of sewer pipe and drain
tile. He was Senator from Jackson county in 1871 and 1872.
JOHN W. BENTLEY,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1883, 1885 and 1887, was born
in Rhode Island, January 30, 1833. At the age of ten years he removed
with his parents to the township of Byron, Genesee county, N. Y. He
received a scientific and literary education at Cary Collegiate Seminary. At the age of twenty he commenced active business, tilling
the soil in summer and teaching school in winter. In 1863 he removed
to Leonidas, St. Joseph county, Mich., where he bought a farm and
commenced farming. In 1869 he was engaged as principal of the
Mendon union school, which position he retained eleven years. lieturning to his farm he was elected supervisor of his township, serving
two years on the county board of examiners. In 1885 removed to the
township of Mendon and was elected supervisor there in 1886, and was
reelected in 1887 on the Fusion ticket by a vote of 3,209 to 3,040 for
John W. Harrison, Republican, and 183 for David Handshaw, Prohibitionist.
JOHN BERK,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1875, was born in Germany,
January 28, 1822. In 1836 he emigrated and settled in Lorain county,
Ohio. He removed to Michigan in 1866, and settled in Washtenaw
county, and thence to St. Clair county in 1870. He has held several
township offices. By occupation a farmer, but for several years was
engaged in the ministry. In politics a Republican.
FRANCIS H. BERRICK,
Senator from Berrien county in 1875, was born September 18, 1823,
in Clemsford, Middlesex county, Mass. His father was a soldier un



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


95


der Napoleon. Mr. Berrick received a common school education, and
acquired the trade of a machinist. During the nine years he worked
at his trade, down to 1852, he employed all his leisure time in the
study of theology.  In 1859 he entered Harvard Law School and
graduated therefrom in 1861, and further continued his legal studies
under Judge Perkins, of Salem, Mass., and was admitted to the bar
in 1864. In 1865 he began the study of medicine. He graduated
at the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago. In 1868 he removed
to Buchanan, Mich., where he has since continued to reside and follow the practice of medicine. A Democrat in politics.
ENOS G. BERRY
Was born in the state of New York, September 5, 1814. He studied
medicine in Chautauqua county, N. Y., and settled in Quincy, Mich.,
in 1836, where he practiced medicine successfully for over thirty
years. He was Representative in 1842, and State Senator ifi 1848 and
1849. He secured the passage of the bill for the building of the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Railroad, over the veto of the
governor, and his speech on that occasion is said to have been " one
of the most intensely interesting and soul-stirring speeches" ever
delivered in the Senate. He was an intimate friend of the leading
men in Michigan, and died in the prime of life in January, 1877.
JONATHAN BERRY,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1844, was born in 1790. His
parents came from Rhode Island to Renssalaer county, N. Y., where
it is thought he was born. He removed with them first to Orleans
county, N. Y., then to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, in 1835, and to Adrian,
Mich., in 1836. He was a soldier of the war of 1812. He finally
settled on a farm in Rome, Lenawee county, where he died October
20, 1851. He was for one term an associate judge of the circuit court.
In politics a Democrat.
LANGFORD G. BERRY,
Auditor General from  1861 to 1863, was born in Berlin, N. Y.,
June 19, 1812. He settled in Adrian, Mich., in October, 1835. He
was a real estate dealer, then went into the banking business, and
became one of the most prominent private bankers in the state. He
was a Representative, session of 1857. He was elected Auditor General in 1860 as the Republican candidate. He was appointed collector
of the First District of Michigan, with headquarters at Detroit, prior




96


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


to the expiration of his term Os Auditor General. He held the position some time and resigned. The later years of his life were spent
in Arkansas, where he died June 3, 1878.
CONRAD BETTINGER,
Representative from the First District of Wayne county, in 1883 and
1887, city of Detroit, was born in Doerrnbach, on the Rhine, Germany, September 5, 1845. When about three years of age he came,
with his parents, to the United States, landing in New York. He
received a common school education by the Redemptorist Fathers of
New York city. When about fourteen years of age he learned the
trade of cigar-making. In 1863. when General Lee, with his army,
entered Pennsylvania, he enlisted as a private in the Fifth New York
National Guards. When they reached Harrisburg they were recalled
on account of the riot which prevailed in New York city, doing duty
there until the 22d of July, 1863. Re-enlisted in 1864 as private in
the Third New York Cavalry, and served with it till the close of the
war; was mustered out at Richmond, Va., January 13,1867. He was
married to Miss Louise Platz, of New York city, and remained there
until 1873, when he started for the West and finally settled in Detroit,
with his family. He was nominated for the legislature in 1879 by the
republicans, but declined in order to afford a fair test of the workingmen's party strength. He was elected Representative by the republicans for the term of 1883-4, and again elected to the House of
1887-8 by 13,145 votes.
CHARLES BETTS,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1863-4, was born in Port
Hope, Ontario, August 1, 1822. Came to Detroit in 1833. Settled in
Redford, Wayne county. Moved to St. Joseph county in 1848, and
to Detroit in 1851, where for five years he was connected with the
agricultural press, when he returned to Burr Oak, his present residence. By occupation a farmer, politically a Republican.
JOHN BIDDLE.
Michigan is indebted for much of the tone which marks her intellectual and social development, to the officials, civil and military,
who were accredited here during the territorial regime. Of those to
whom she is thus indebted, Major John Biddle deserves mention.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


97


Major Biddle was born in Philadelphia in 1792, of Revolutionary
stock. He graduated at Princeton college, entered the United States
army, served with distinction during most of the war of 1812 as a
Captain of artillery, and was promoted to be Major. He was stationed at Detroit (which thereafter became his home) at the close
of the war, resigning, however, after a few years to engage in civil
pursuits. His principal official positions during his life were: Register
of the land office at Detroit-the district including the whole territory
-from the time the public lands were placed in market until 1832;
delegate in congress from the territory, 1829 to 1831; member and
president of the first Constitutional Convention (1835); and member
and speaker of the House of Representatives in 1841. A Whig in politics, he was made president of the Constitutional Convention (a democratic body), and later on a democratic Senate gave him its majority
vote for United States Senator, although he failed of election through
the adverse vote of the House. Among other responsible trusts, while
register of the land office, he acted as one of the commissioners for
adjusting land claims growing out of French and Indian titles at the
various settlements on the lakes, and was connected in various ways
with the conduct of Indian affairs; was named one of the regents of
the University as it was projected by the territorial government,
and was commissioned to attend to the sale of certain University lands
then subject to sale. He was the whig candidate for governor at the
first state election. Major Biddle was active in municipal and societary affairs, and being a fine scholar and elegant writer he contributed
to the instruction of the people of Detroit in the way of lectures, in connection with Gen. Cass, Gen. Henry Whiting and Mr. Schoolcraft, at
a time when the means of local instruction and amusement were
necessarily limited. These papers are preserved in the "Historical
Sketches of Michigan." He was a vestryman and liberal patron of
of St. Paul's (Episcopal) church, of Detroit, the pioneer church of that
denomination in the Northwest, outside of Ohio. He died at White
Sulphur Springs, Virginia, in 1859. He raised a large family, several
of his children surviving him.
SAMUEL J. BIDELMAN,
Representative from the First District of Barry county in 1881-2, was
born June 6, 1825, in the township of Shelby, Orleans county, N. Y.
He received a common school education, was reared on a farm, and,
when twenty years of age, went to work at the carpenter and joiner's trade. In 1855 he moved to Branch county, Mich., and in 1860
he moved to the township of Hastings, Barry county, where he still
12




98


8MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


resides. His occupation is farming. He has held the offices of supervisor and county superintendent of the poor: has been chairman of
the republican county committee, president of the agricultural society, and has been vice president of the Barry and Eaton County Insurance company for the past twelve years, and a part of the time
acting president.  He was elected to the legislature in 1880 over
Richard Jones, by 256 majority, the district having the name of being
national and democratic, electing a national candidate in 1878, with
three tickets in the field.
SIMEON R. BILLINGS,
Senator from the Nineteenth District, Genesee county, in 1879-81-2,
was born March 17, 1835, in Orleans county, N. Y.  He received an
academic education and removed to Michigan in May, 1867. He has
held various offices in New York and Michigan; has been supervisor
of the township of Richfield four years; county surveyor six years;
was Representative in the legislatures of 1875-6, 1877-8, and Senator
in 1879-80. Reelected in 1880, he was appointed chairman of the
committee on state affairs and supplies and miscellaneous expenses
of the Senate, and a member of the committees on agricultural college, agricultural interests, and saline interests. He is a farmer. In
1871 his farm was awarded the first premium by the agricultural
society.
PERLEY BILLS
Was born in Wilmington, Vt., June 5, 1810. He was brought up on
a farm, and at the age of nineteen embarked in trade at Honesdale,
Pa., but soon abandoned it, and returned home. The next year he went
to Ohio and engaged in teaching, then spent two years in a preparatory class at the Western Reserve College, and for two years was
pupil and tutor at a seminary in Bennington, Vt. In 1835 he entered
the second year at Oberlin College, Ohio, and in 1837 settled at
Tecumseh, Mich. Taught school three years, was admitted to the bar
in 1842, and engaged in practice. In 1855-7-8 he was State Senator,
was president pro tent.; and was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1867. He organized the first school district in Tecumseh
in 1838, and was continuously a member of the school board for forty
years. In 1861 he engaged in the banking business, and in 1865
became a director and vice president of the National Bank of Tecumseh. In 1874 he became the head of the banking firm of Bills, Lilly &
Co., and was its president until his death, Nov. 7, 1880. He married
Miss Caroline Brown, of Mass., in 1838, and they had three sons and




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


99


three daughters, all but one living in 186. In religion a Presbyterian,
in politics, first Whig, then Republican. An upright man, and he
left a name without reproach.
HENRY H. BINGHAM,
Born at Camillus, Onondaga county, N. Y. His parents, Calvin and
Betsey (Scott) Bingham, were pioneers from Bennington, Vt. Mr.
Bingham came to Michigan in 1838, and settled in Leoni, Jackson
county, as a merchant. He soon removed to Grass Lake and built
the first store in that village and did a large business. He was a
democratic Representative in the legislature of 1848. He became a
Republican at the organization of that party in 1854. He was connected with the management of the State prison at Jackson for many
years, first as keeper, was its clerk for eleven years, and warden from
1866 to 1871. Under his administration the prison became a source of
income to the state.  Since his retirement as warden he has been
engaged in farming, dealer in produce and real estate. Has been secretary and president of the county pioneer society and one of its most
efficient members.
KINSLEY S. BINGHAM
Was born in Camillus, Onondaga county, N. Y., December 16, 1808.
He was the son of Calvin and Betsey (Scott) Bingham. His father
was a farmer and emigrated from Bennington, Vt. His ancestor,
Thomas Bingham, was one of the seventeen original proprietors of
Norwich, Conn., purchased from the Indians in 1640. After receiving
an academical education, he studied law with Gen. James R. Lawrence, of Syracuse, N. Y. He married a Miss Warden and in 1833
emigrated in company with his brother-in-law, Robert Warden, and
settled at Green Oak, Livingston county, Mich. He at once as a
Democrat took part in politics, and was first justice of the peace, then
postmaster, judge of probate, and was elected to the legislature of
1837. He was reelected in 1838, 1839, 1841, 1842, and was speaker of
the House for three terms, in 1838, 1839, and 1842, no other person
ever having held it more than two terms. In 1846 he was elected as
a Democrat to congress and was reelected in 1848, and was the only
farmer in that body. To his efforts were the farmers indebted for the
failure of the inventor of the Wood plow to get his patent renewed,
worth millions to the farmers of the country.
During his service as Representative in congress he spoke and voted
for the Wilmot proviso in accordance with the first instructions of
the Michigan legislature, which instructions were afterwards re



100


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


versed. From 1850 to 1854 he was a Free Soil Democrat and held no
office. In 1854 he was nominated as the candidate of the free soilers
for governor. At the great union mass convention at Jackson, June
6, 1854, the whigs and free soilers united on a state ticket and he
was placed at the head of it for governor, as the nominee of the new
Republican party, which then and there sprang into existence, and
received its name. Sanguine of success, he stumped the state and the
entire ticket was elected. He was sworn into office January 3, 1855,
and was again elected governor in 1856 by a largely increased
majority.
During his term of office the State Agricultural College and the
State Reform School were both placed in successful operation. At
the close of his second term of office, in 1859, he was elected United
States Senator, serving until 1861. He was stricken down with apoplexy and died at his home in Green Oak, October 5, 1861.
Gov. Bingham had great influence as a public speaker, especially
among the farmers of the state, and perhaps was as effective in
making converts to the principles he advocated as any man that ever
took the stump in Michigan. He was also possessed of rare political
intuition, and could foresee the result of an election with absolute certainty. Of commanding presence, he was a highly populargovernor;
a successful farmer, skilled in public affairs, and happy in the power
to control public feeling to act in harmony with his own convictions.
He was known as the " farmer governor," and the only one who filled
that position from the first organization of the territory up to 1886.
During his brief senatorial career he stood by the Union, as he had
stood against the extension of slavery, and his death was received
with profound sorrow by the people of the state.
LEVI BISHOP
Was born in Russell, Hampden county Mass., October 15, 1815; received a good common school education; at fifteen became an apprentice in a leather manufactory, where he remained until 1836, when
he emigrated to Detroit, and followed his trade for four years. In
1839 he lost an arm while engaged in firing a salute. He then studied
law for three years; was admitted to the bar; in 1842 was elected a
justice: in 1846 became a member of the board of education, serving
twelve years, much of the time as president. In 1857 he was elected
a regent of the State University, holding the position for six years.
In 1860 he visited Europe; published several poems, among them one
entitled "' The Dignity of Labor," and "Teuchsa Grondie," a book of
Indian legends, etc., in twenty-eight cantos. Mr. Bishop was a strong




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


101


advocate of capital punishment, and gave much time and effort in
attempting to secure the repeal of the present law in Michigan. He
died at Detroit.
ROSWELL P. BISHOP,
Representative from Mason county in 1883, was born January 7, 1843,
in Delaware county, N. Y. Fnlisted private "C" Company, 43d Infantry Volunteers, August 3, 1861; suffered loss of right arm by gunshot wound May 1, 1862; remained with his regiment and participated
in its battles until discharged in the field near Fredericksburg, Va.,
December, 1862. Subsequently attended school at Unadilla Academy,
and Cooperstown Seminary, Otsego county, and Walton Academy,
Delaware county, N. Y., at which last named place he completed his
preparatory course for college. Entered Michigan University, September, 1868. Accepted an appointment under the sergeant-at-arms
of the National House of Representatives at Washington, D. C., January, 1872. Was elected alderman of Fifth ward of Ann Arbor city,
April, 1875. Admitted to the bar at Ann Arbor, May, 1875, and com_
menced practice at Ludington, Mich., May, 1876. Elected prosecuting attorney, Mason county, November, 1876; re-elected November
1878.
NATHAN H. BITELY
Was born in Moran, Saratoga county, New York, January 22, 1822.
He removed to Paw Paw in 1851, and the next year went to Lawton,
where he was engaged many years in the manufacture of lumber.
He was educated to the law at Ballston Springs law school. In politics he was a Republican, and for many years was a member of the
state committee, and was a very forcible and able speaker in the
early days of the republican party.  He never sought office and
when elected prosecuting attorney of Van Buren county refused to
serve. Later he consented to serve as State Senator in 1867 and was
again elected in 1868. In later years he had a fruit farm and was
president of the Lawton Pomological Society. He died in March,
1884.
DAVID A. BIXBY,
Representative from the Second District of Lenawee county, in 1883,
was born in the city of Adrian, in that county, September 24, 1854.
He graduated from the Adrian high school in 1870, and in the autumn
of 1871 entered the literary department of the University of Michi



102


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


gan, from which he received his diploma in 1875. He has held the
office of city recorder of Adrian four terms, and that of supervisor,
two terms. He has also filled other minor official positions. As candidate for Representative he was elected over B. F. Graves, his republican opponent, by 150 plurality, the district being strongly republican. Mr. Bixby was the second Democrat ever elected from his
district.
CYRENIUS P. BLACK,
Representative from the Second District of Tuscola county, in 1833-5,
was born at Alfred, Alleghany county, New York, April 16, 1843. His
early education was obtained from an old school district library, and
in common schools, supplemented by a two years' course at Alfred
University. After devoting some time to teaching school and clerking in a store, he began the study of law in the office of the Hon.
Martin Grover, and then with Hon. Marshall B. Champlain, where he
remained until 1866, when he came to Tuscola county, was soon after
appointed United States internal revenue assessor for Tuscola county,
which office he resigned at the end of one year. He was admitted to the bar in February, 1867, and at once commenced practice. In
1873 he entered into partnership with D. H., Ball, of Marquette, continuing until 1877; was elected prosecuting attorney of Marquette
county. The firm of Ball & Black was interested and successful in
many important mining suits. When the twenty-fourth judicial
circuit was organized Mr. Black was nominated by the bar of the
circuit for judge. He was defeated by the Hon. Levi L. Wixson. In
1880 he was the democratic candidate for congress. He is a Democrat, and was elected to the legislature of 1883-4, and reelected on the
Fusion ticket, receiving 1,563 votes to 1,207 for John F. Wilmot, Republican, and 105 for C. D. Petershaw, Prohibition. In 1885 he was
appointed United States attorney for the eastern district of Michigan,
which office he now holds.
ROBERT R. BLACKER,
Representative from Manistee county in 1883-5, was born in Brantford, Ontario, October 31, 1845. Leaving home at the age of nineteen,
he emigrated to Michigan, spent two years at Buchanan, after which
he permanently located at Manistee, following the business of lumber inspecting until 1877, when he built a mill and engaged in the
manufacture of shingles. In 1879 he helped build what is known as
the Davies, Blacker & Co. mill, which is one of the largest, if not the




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


103


largest, lumber and shingle mill in the state. He assisted in organizing and is a director of the First National Bank of Manistee. Mr.
Blacker was elected in the spring of 1880, alderman of the ninth ward
of Manistee, with but one dissenting vote. He is a Democrat, and
received 1,440 votes, to 1,148 for Cyrus B. Lewis, Republican; 155 for
Daniel Bemiss, Prohibition, and 637 for John Tonans, Labor ticket.
JOHN M. BIRD
Was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, January 3, 1810. By occupation
a farmer. Was a Whig and as such a member of the legislature in
1840 from Lenawee county. Was twelve years justice of the peace,
and has held other township offices. Resides in Dover, Lenawee
county.
JAMES BIRNEY
Was born in Dansville, Ky., and was the son of Hon. James G. Birney,
the abolition candidate for president in 1844. He obtained his education at Centre College, Ky., and at Miami University, Ohio, graduating at the latter in 1836. In 1837-8 he was professor of Greek and
Latin in Miami University. He attended the law school of Yale college for two years, and commenced practice at Cincinnati, Ohio,
which he continued eleven years. He was an early settler at Bay
City, and was State Senator in 1859. Hte was elected lieutenant governor in 1860, and served from January 1, 1861, to April 3,1861, when
he resigned to accept a position as circuit judge to fill a vacancy,
where he acted for four years. He was renominated for judge but
was defeated. In 1871 he established the Bay City Chronicle, and the
daily in 1873. In 1876 he was a centennial commissioner for Michigan
at the centennial exposition at Philadelphia. Later he was appointed
United States Minister at the Hague where he remained several years.
He now resides at Bay City, where he has large real estate interests.
His only son died while an officer in the United States army.
JAMES C. BISHOP,
Representative from the First District of St. Joseph county, in 1881-2,
was born in Franklinville, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., April 1, 1828.
He removed with his parents to what is now the township of Burr
Oak, St. Joseph county, Michigan, in the year 1836, where he has
since resided. His occupation has always been farming. He has held
the offices of highway commissioner, justice of the peace, and super



104


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPH Y.


visor,-the latter office thirteen years —being chairman of the board
three years. He took the state census in 1874, also the United States
census of 1880. As Republican candidate for Representative he
received 1,632 votes; Edward W. Freeman (Democrat), received 878,
and John M. Lockwood (National), 827.
DANIEL BLACKMAN
Was born in Newtown, Conn., December 31, 1821. He received an
academical education; taught school; studied law, and was admitted
to the bar in 1845; practiced at Danbury, Conn., until 1851, when he
settled at Cassopolis, Mich., and engaged in his profession. In 1869
he was elected judge of the second circuit on a people's ticket. He
resigned in November, 1872, and removed to Chicago, where he became a member of the law firm of Fairchild & Blackman. In politics a Democrat.
HENRY E. BLACKMAN,
Representative from Allegan county in 1879, was born in Aurora,
Portage county, 0., January 6, 1820. He came to Michigan in 1839,
and settledin the township of Trowbridge, Allegan county, in 1841.
He received a common school education, and follows the occupation
of a farmer. He has held the offices of county superintendent of the
poor, county drain commissioner, supervisor, and justice of the peace.
In politics a National.
SAMUEL H. BLACKMAN
Was born in Aurora, Ohio, April 6, 1814. Received a common school
education. Came to Michigan in 1842, first settling in Allegan
county, but in 1844 removed to Paw Paw. He studied law and was
admitted to the bar in 1841. He was State Senator from Van Buren
county in 1863-4, delegate in the Constitutional Convention of 1867,
and Representative in the Michigan House in 1873-4. He has also
been treasurer, register of deeds, and prosecuting attorney of Van
Buren county. In politics a Republican. He still resides at Paw
Paw.
WILLIAM BLADES
Was born in Worcester county, Maryland, September 27, 1798.  He
learned the trade of a hatter. He left Maryland in 1828, on account
of his aversion to slavery, and lived first at Newark, N. J., then at




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


105


East Avon, N. Y. He came to Michigan in 1834, settled and lived in
Genesee county until his death, March 14, 1877. He lived in Grand
Blanc first ten years, afterwards at Flint. He was justice of the
peace from 1835 to 1844; sheriff from 1844 to 1846; Representative in
the legislature of 1848, and the first Whig elected from Genesee
county. He was an old time Whig, later a Republican. He was a
farmer at first in Genesee county, but a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church for the last twenty-five years of his life, and is
said to have buried and married more people than any other man in
Genesee county. He was also a superintendent of the poor in later
years.
AUSTIN BLAIR
Was born at Caroline, Tompkins county, N. Y., February 8, 1818.
His father, George Blair, felled the first tree, built the first log cabin,
and burned the first log heap in Tompkins county. He settled there
in 1809, and lived sixty years on the same spot until his death, at the
age of eighty-four. He was a sagacious. conscientious, benevolent,
upright, and religious man, and one of the first to advocate the abolition of slavery. His mother. Rhoda Beekman, was a worthy companion. Joseph Blair, his great grandfather, came from Scotland in
1756, and settled on land now forming a part of Worcester, Mass.
With a thorough primary education, the son, at the age of sixteen,
commenced the study of Latin, and prepared for college at Cazenovia
Seminary. He first entered Hamilton College, but in his junior year
changed to Union College, then famous under the direction of President Nott.  He graduated in 1837. He was admitted to practice as
a lawyer in the courts of Tioga county in 1841, and the same year
removed to Michigan.
He first located at Jackson, but during a temporary stay at Eaton
Rapids, was elected clerk of Eaton county. On his return to Jackson in 1844, as a Whig he earnestly supported Henry Clay for president. He was sent as a Representative to the state legislature in 1846;
was a member of the judiciary committee; and rendered efficient service in connection with the revision of the general statutes at that
session. He made an earnest report in favor of abolishing the color
distinction as related to the elective franchise, the same ground he
has ever since held. This displeased a portion of the whig party, and
caused his defeat at the next election. As a member he was also
active in securing the abolition of capital punishment, which was
effected by a close vote.
In 1848, the whig national convention having tabled all resolutions




106


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


of an anti-slavery character, Mr. Blair joined the free soil movement
and was a member of the convention at Buffalo which nominated
Van Buren and Adams. lHe continued to act with them until the
formation of the Republican party at Jackson in 1854. He was a member of the committee on platform, of which the late Senator Jacob
M. Howard was chairman. The result of that movement is a matter
of political history.
He was elected prosecuting attorney of Jackson county in 1852;
and in 1854 was elected to the State Senate; taking his seat in January, 1855, and becoming at once a recognized leader of that body.
From this time until 1860 he was a leader of the republican party and
he visited all portions of the state as a stump speaker. He was a
member of the national convention of 1860 that nominated Abraham
Lincoln, although, as chairman of the state delegation he cast the
vote of Michigan in favor of William H. Seward. He was nominated
and elected governor in 1860 and again in 1862. His term embraced
the four years from January 1, 1861, to January 1, 1865, almost the
entire period of the war, during which he won the popular sobriquet
of " The War Governor." His labors during those four years were
very great. He was confident of the success of the Union cause,
never lost heart or faltered, and kept up the spirits of the people at
home and of the soldiers in the field, of which Michigan furnished
over 90,000. The merely nominal salary did not furnish any equivalent for the burdensome expenses and he retired from office impoverished and worn out.
In 1867 he was elected to congress from the Third District, and was
reelected in 1869 and 1871.  As a congressman he supported the
impeachment of President Johnson. He was a member of the committee on foreign affairs during his first term. During his second
term he became a member of the committee of ways and means, and
gave hearty support to the bill known as " The act to support the
public credit," and favored generally all legislation calculated to
hasten a return to specie payments. He also served on the committee for the revision of the laws. During his last term he was
chairman of the committee on claims, then having charge of all
claims, including war claims. On this committee he became somewhat antagonized with the administration, and in 1872 took the stump
in favor of Horace Greeley for president. He was the candidate of
the democrats for governor in 1874, but was defeated. He acted with
the democracy for a few years, but always stood by the republican
platform of 1860 as his creed.
In 1883 he was nominated by the republicans as regent of the State
University and was elected, his term expiring in 1890. He was also




MICHIGAN BIOGRA PHY.


1 07


the republican candidate for judge of the supreme court in 1884 but
was defeated. For the last few years he has devoted himself assiduously to the duties of his profession, and from 1885 to 1887 was prosecuting attorney of Jackson county, having been elected on a people's
ticket. He has several times received strong support for United.States Senator in the legislature.  He is the oldest living governor
except Governor Felch. He made a fine address at the dedication of
the state capitol in 1879. In religion he is liberal, and supports the
Unitarian doctrine.
GEORGE BLAKESLEE
Was born in Oakland county, Michigan, in 1826. He lived on a farm
until about the age of fifteen when he went to Detroit and shipped
for the ocean under the noted Captain Blake, on the steamer Illinois.
The next year he apprenticed himself to learn the carpenter and
joiners' trade, at which he worked for four years under master builders, mostly at Detroit, attending select school four months in the year.
He then taught school one winter. In 1848 he married, and lived in
Detroit several years, working as a builder and contractor. In 1850
he was elected assessor of the first district, comprising the first, second and eighth wards, and was appointed fire warden in 1851. The
same year he purchased a farm and saw mill at Birmingham, and
moved his family there in 1854, and built a residence now occupied
by him. He was two years supervisor of Bloomfield township, and
was a Representative in the legislature of 1861-2. He was a Democrat
in early life but became a Republican in 1856. He was in 1863 special
agent of the provost marshal of the Fifth District, and afterwards
became deputy.   He has carried on a mercantile business in Birmingham the last fifteen years and'also deals in real estate.
JOHN BLINDBURY
Was born February 22,1806, in Lyons, New York, emigrated to Michigan in 1825 and purchased a farm in Southfield, Oakland county,
erected a log house, and sent for his father's family. He hired out to
chop at four and a half dollars per acre, paying his father for his
time until he was 21. In 1837 he removed to Greenfield, eight miles
from Detroit, and began keeping hotel. He was supervisor of Green_
field thirteen successive years, and held other local offices. In 1844
he was elected Representative to the legislature. In 1852 he removed
to Detroit and built the Blindbury hotel, later known as the Antisdel
house. He died March 1, 1867. In politics he was a Democrat, in
religion a Methodist.




1(t8


1MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


AARON T. BLISS,
Senator from the Twenty-fifth District, Saginaw county, in 1883, was
born May 22, 1837, in Smithfield, Madison county, New York. In his
boyhood he learned farming thoroughly, getting his education at the
district school. He left home at 17, embarked in the mercantile business, first as clerk, and at the age of 20 became the junior member of
the firm of Burhans & Bliss, merchants, in Bauckville, Madison
county, New York. He enlisted as a private in Co. D, 10th N. Y.
Vol. Cavalry, October 1, 1861, and recruited a company for the service. From a private he was promoted to sergeant, first lieutenant,
and captain. He spent four years and five months in the service, six
months of the time being in the prison pens of Andersonville, Macon,
Charleston, and Columbia, S. C., from which later place he escaped
on the 29th of November, 1864, and after eighteen nights of wearisome travel through the woods and swamps, he reached the Union
lines, near Savannah, on the morning of the 16th of December. He
was in a nearly famished condition, as his only food for seventy-six
hours consisted of three ears of raw corn. A few months after leaving the army he came to Saginaw, Michigan, and engaged in the
lumber business as a jobber.  He was married in March, 1868, to
Allaseba M. Phelps, and in the following April formed a copartnership with two of his brothers, under the firm name of A. T. Bliss &
Bros., and purchased the Jerome & Atwater saw mill, near Carrolton,
since which time his business career has been successful. In politics
a Republican. He served four years as alderman, and a member of
the board of supervisors, also a member of the board of education
since March, 18 77. He is a stockholder and director of the Citizens'
National Bank since its organization in October, 1880. He was
elected State Senator by a majority of 1,320 over Mr. Jeffers, his
democratic opponent.
SOLOMON B. BLISS
Was born at Bsnnfield, Mass., April 17, 1828, and died at East Sagi
naw November 12, 1884. The oldest of a family of five children, he had
a limited education, and at the age of twelve years went to work,
being employed in Springfield and Boston for four years, then went
to Ohio, returning to Massachusetts on horseback when seventeen.
He returned to Ohio in 1845, settling first at Wellington, and then at
Elyria, where he married a daughter of Dr. 0. L. Mason in 1850. He
reside I in Cleveland until 1854 when he removed to East Saginaw and
engaged in the grocery trade with Curtis Bros. for some years, finally
buying out the business. He also engaged in the banking and the




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


109


lumber business, and built the Bliss block in East Saginaw. He was
elected Representative and served in the legislature in 1863 and 1864.
He was also postmaster under President Johnson. He was a Republican, a Knight Templar, an Odd Fellow, and a charter member of the
Unitarian church. He was a genial, pleasant gentleman, and highly
esteemed.
AMOS C. BLODGET,
Now of Detroit, was a member of the House, session 1857, from
Washtenaw county (Ypsilanti). He was born in Vermont, January
30, 1822, coming with his parents to Michigan in 1836, and settling in
Ypsilanti in 1840. His education was academic, and his first occupation that of teaching. He was admitted to practice as an attorney at
Ann Arbor in 1847. He held the office of justice of the peace and
other local offices at Ypsilanti, and in 1864 was elected prosecuting
attorney of the county. Mr. Blodgec has always been a Democrat,
but was nominated for the legislature on the Republican ticket by
reason of local considerations, and elected. He removed to Philadelphia in 1872, taking a position with an insurance company, and
came to Detroit in 1883. Hle has for some years made a special study
of insurance law.
JOHN T. BLOIS,
Publisher of the Michigan Gazetteer in 1837, was born in New Haven,
Conn, in 1809, and was graduated as a civil engineer from the Military academy at Middletown. Conn. After visiting the South, he
took up his residence at Detroit in 1836. The Gazetteer, published
under the patronage of the legislature, has preserved important statistics, including the figures of several censuses of the territory, which
would have otherwise been lost, and in this sense his labors were of
a value beyond estimation. He moved to Jonesville, Mich., in 1839,
and opened with Salem T. King the second law office in Hillsdale
county. Was register of deeds two years, circuit court commissioner
eight years, and justice of the peace twenty five years. He was a
scientific man and of high literary attainments. Died at Jonesville,
June 9, 1886.
CALVIN A. BLOOD,
Representative from the First District of St. Clair county in 1881-2,
Michigan, was born in Vermont in 1823. He received a common
school education, and in 1845 came to the state of Michigan and set13




110


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


tled in St. Clair county, where he followed the occupation of carpenpenter and joiner eight years. In 1853 he engaged successfully in
mercantile business. He has held the office of collector of customs
fifteen years, postmaster eight years, express agent and telegraph
operator five years, and steamboat agent twenty-five years. In politics he was a Democrat previous to 1856. In 1860 he commenced
active labors with the republican party.
ADAM E. BLOOM,
Representative from the First District of Wayne county in 1881-2,
city of Detroit, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 5, 1849. He
is a graduate of the public schools of that city. At an early age he
engaged in the mercantile business with his brothers at Fayetteville,
Tenn. In the spring of 1868 he returned to Cincinnati, where he remained until the fall of 1870, when he located at El Dorado, Kansas.
While there he began to read law with Judge William P. Campbell,
and in the spring of 1872, was admitted to practice in the Supreme
Court of Kansas. Having returned to Cincinnati in the summer of
1872, he entered the law office of Lincoln, Smith & Stephens. While
there he attended law lectures in the law department of the Cincinnati University, graduating in May, 1873. In June he came to Detroit,
~where he has since resided, and having succeeded in buildi'lg up
quite a lucrative and extensive law practice, is considered one of the
promising attorneys of the Detroit bar. He is known as an ardent
and active Republican. In every campaign hisservices are in much
demand by the party. He has been a member of the Detroit board
of education for two years. He was elected to the legislature by
11,507 votes to 10,336 for his democratic opponent.
HENRY M. BOIES
Was born in Blandford, Mass., January 12, 1818. lie came to Michigan in 1840, settling at Hudson, Lenawee county. He was a pioneer
merchant of that town. He was president of the village of Hudson
in 1854 and 1855. Was State Senator from Lenawee county in 1855,
1857-58. He was appointed one of the inspectors of the state prison
by Governor Blair in 1860. He removed to New York city in 1862,
and was in mercantile business there several years, and in 1873 he
changed his residence to Chicago, where he established the wholesale
grocery house of Boies, Fay & Conkey, continuing at the head of that
concern until his death from pulmonary disease, which occurred at
Chicago on the 5th day of November, 1880.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


111


JOHN K. BOIES
Was born in Blandford, Mass., December 6, 1828. He came to Michigan in 1845. settling at Hudson, Lenawee county. He engaged in
mercantile business, and also in banking. He was president of the
village of Hudson in 1863 and 1867. Was Representative in the state
legislature, 1865-7. Was State Senator from Lenawee county in
1869-70-75. Was a member of the State board of control of railroads from 1871-4, and again from 1878-86. Was president pro ter
of the State Senate, 1875-6. Was several times chosen president of
state republican conventions. Was appointed by President Garfield
in 1881, a member of the United States Board of Indian commissioners, holding that position until he resigned it, January 15, 1886.
ROBERT E. BOLGER,
Representative from the Fifth District of Wayne county in 1881-2-3,
was born in Wexford, Ireland. When a child he came with his parents
to Detroit, where he received a common school education.  When
the war broke out he enlisted in the 24th Michigan Infantry; served
during the war. He was twice wounded in action, once at Gettysburg,
and once at the Wilderness, Va. Was taken prisoner at the battle of
Weldon Road. He remained a prisoner six months and a half, when
he was paroled and returned to his regiment, and was mustered out
with the same at Detroit, July 1, 1865. He has served on the lakes
and rivers surrounding Michigan for eighteen years as pilot, clerk,
etc. He was a Representative in the legislature of 1881-2, and was
re-elected by a majority of about 1,500.
ABRAHAM F. BOLTON
Settled in Napoleon, Jackson county, Mich., in 1832. The town was
so named at his request. He was the first settler in the town. He
was supervisor in 1835, and a Representative in the legislature of
1836. He became a general of state militia. Deceased.
WILLIAM S. BOND,
A Representative from Detroit, session 1865, was born in Massachusetts in 1831, and came to Michigan when a boy. He was a printer
by trade, with a fondness for politics, being of the democratic school.
In 1856 he was interested for a short time in the publication of a daily
paper called the Evening News, and in 1862 in an agricultural paper.




112


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


He was alderman from his ward 1862-5, and 1868-9, the latter year
being president of the council. He left Detroit several years ago,
and is understood to have died soon after leaving the city.
ASHER BONHAM,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1850, was born in Flemington, N. J., October 27, 1808. By occupation a carriage maker, in
politics a Democrat. He settled in Nottawa, Michigan, in 1835, where
he still resides. He was four years county clerk, justice of the peace
sixteen years, master in chancery four years, and town clerk. Since
becoming a resident of Michigan has been a farmer, but from 1851 to
1877 was in railroad business in Indiana.
EVAN J. BONINE
Was born at Richmond, Indiana, September 10, 1821, and is of Quaker
descent. Until seventeen years of age he worked on his father's farm,
attending school winters.  After one year as clerk in a store he
studied medicine and graduated at the Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati in 1843. In 1844 he settled at Niles, where he has always had
a large medical practice, and has also been prominent in politics. He
has been a Representative in the legislatures of 1853, 1865, 1867 and
1878, and was State Senator in 1869 and 1870. He went into the army
as surgeon of the Second Michigan Infantry, and became surgeon-inchief of the third division of the army corps. In this capacity he
acquired a great reputation as a surgeon. He has been twice mayor
of Niles, and was postmaster from 1870 to 1885. He has for a quarter
of a century been division surgeon of the Michigan Central Railroad.
In politics a Republican.
BENJAMIN C. BONNELL,
Representative from the district consisting of Lake, Wexford, Kalkaska, and Missaukee counties in 1883, was born in Elizabeth City,
N. J., in 1841. His opportunities for education were those of free
schools. He removed with the family to Westchester county, New
York, and five years later to Pike county, Pennsylvania, where he
was married in 1861. He enlisted in the 151st Pennsylvania Volunteers, in 1862; was engaged in the battle of Chancellorsville, May 2
and 3, 1863, and at the battle of Gettysburg, July 1, where he was
taken prisoner, but paroled on the 3d of that month, after which he
was discharged. He then joined a construction corps, serving until




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


113


Gen. Sherman started for the sea, when he returned to Pennsylvania.
Since the war he has lived two years in Jersey City, New Jersey, and
two years in Minnesota, engaging there in farming. In 1870 he came
to Michigan, settling upon a homestead claim in Missaukee county,
where he still resides, and has been elected supervisor seven times;
twice elected county treasurer. He was elected county surveyor in
1872, continuing in that office ten years. In politics a Republican.
MARTIN V. BORGMAN.
Representative from the First District of Wayne county in 1881-2,
was born in Auglaize county, Ohio, December 1, 1839. Having been
educated in the common schools of Cincinnati, Ohio, he commenced
to learn the printer's trade, but failing health caused him to abandon
that and seek employment not so confining. He, therefore, in 1859,
removed to Detroit, Mich., where he found employment more suited
to his taste and health. At the breaking out of the war he entered
the army in the 16th Michigan Infantry and served nearly three years.
At the close of the war, in 1865, he was appointed on the Detroit
police force, then just organizing, and obtained the superintendency
of the force in 1867. He remained with the police force until 1873,
when he resigned to accept the position of superintendent of the
Detroit House of Correction. He has been an alderman, and is now
assistant superintendent of the Detroit police.
ALFRED J. BOSS
Was a resident of Pontiac, Oakland county, and the first Republican
Senator from that county in 1855. He kept a livery stable there. He
was a man of fine personal appearance, a warm partisan, and took
an active part in the legislature.
EZRA BOSTWICK
Was born in Otisco, Onondaga county, N. Y., February 27,1826. He
was brought up a farmer, and received a common school education.
He came to the town of Union, Branch county, in 1846, and settled
on a farm of two thousand acres, purchased by his father in 1835, of
which he has improved over one thousand acres. He became prominent at Union City. Was several years president of the village, a
director of the Union City National Bank, and in 1869-70 was Representative in the legislature. He has a fine fortune, and it is said will
leave a large amount to a Michigan college.




114


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


THOMAS BOTTOMLEY,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1873-4, was born in the town
of Southouram, Yorkshire, England. October 5, 1837. Mr. Bottomley
was educated at the Saltrauble Academy, Yorkshire, England. In
1854 he emigrated to the United States, and settled in the city of
Buffalo. In 1856 he emigrated to Michigan, and settled in New Baltimore, Macomb county. He removed to Romeo in 1865, and in 1872
removed to the town of Capac, St. Clair county, where he now resides. Mr. Bottomley has held various offices of trust in the different
places where he has resided. His occupation is that of a merchant.
JESSE BOWEN
Was born in Greenfield, Saratoga county, N. Y., February 27, 1805,
and spent his boyhood days upon a farm. In 1837 he married Lucy
Morehouse, and the same year settled on a farm in Butler, Branch
county, Mich. He was supervisor of the township for many years.
In 1863-4 he was Representative from the Third District of Branch
county as a Republican, and died during the extra session, February
7, 1864. Three of his sons served in the war of 1861-5.
OZRO A. BOWEN,
Representative from Ingham county in 1879, was born in Butler
township, Branch county, where he lived on a farm until 1861. He
enlisted as a private in the Eleventh Michigan Infantry, and served
three years. After being mustered out of service he entered Hillsdale College, where he remained three years. He then purchased an
interest in the Coldwater Republican, and there remained for some
time. He was deputy commissioner of the state land office for five
years, and a member of the firm of Dart, Bowen & Co., of Lansing.
In politics a Republican. Has since been a resident of the Upper
Peninsula and of Chicago.
JOHN H. BOWMAN,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1838 and 1845, was born in
Columbia county, Penn., in 1797. He settled at Three Rivers, Mich.,
in 1832, named the village, and owned a part of the land on which it
stands. In i836, in connection with the Smiths, he built what is
known as the Three Rivers mill. He built a flouring mill at Colon in
1838, and in 1848 purchased an interest in what is now known as the
Hoffman mill, and ran the business with Phillip Hoffman up to the




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


115


time of his death, May 2, 1855. He died of cholera at Lexington, Mo.,
while traveling in the West. He brought about $10,000 to Michigan
and left an estate of $50,000. He started the village of Three Rivers
by giving every man a lot who would build a house upon it; and was
noted for public spirit and great benevolence. A miller and farmer,
in politics a Whig.
JOHN BOWNE
Was born in Cold Springs, N. Y., January 14, 1796, and died May 17,
1861. He lived in and around New York city for some years, and at
the age of twenty-one moved to Courtland county, N. Y., where he
married Sarah P. Owen, and resided until he moved to Barry county,
Michigan, in 1837. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Democrat.
He was a Representative in 1849, and State Senator in 1850 and 1851.
DANIEL BOYNTON,
Representative from Jackson county in 1885, was born in Grass Lake,
Michigan, September 9, 1842. He lived at home, working on the
farm summers, and attending district schools winters until he was
seventeen years of age; he then went to school at the Michigan Collegiate Institute, located at Leoni village, for a couple of years. He
canvassed one summer as agent for the Michigan state fire insurance
company, of Adrian, and taught school the next winter. He then
worked his father's farm two summers, and taught school winters.
Was married July 3, 1864, to Mary A. Burkhart, of Leoni. Bought a
farm in the township of Leoni, in the spring of 1865, and removed
there May 11, upon which place he now resides. In the year 1874 he,
with his partner, Wi. A. Watts, built the grist mill now known as
the Boynton mills. He bought out his partner in the spring of 1877.
Was elected township treasurer, served three years; was elected
supervisor in 1881. Was elected Representative as the candidate of
the Fusion party, receiving 2,351 votes, to 2,223 for Alonzo M. Cain,
Republican, and 523 for S. V. Smalley, Prohibitionist.
NATHAN S. BOYTON
Was born at Port Huron, Mich., June 23, 1837. His father settled at
Port Huron in 1827. When the son was nine years old his father died,
and two years after his mother marrying again, he removed with the
family to Marine City, where he was brought up on a farm until the
age of nineteen, attending school winters.  In 1852 he went to




116


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Waukegan, Ills., and passed through the high school of that city. In
1856-7 he was engaged in mercantile business in Port Huron. From
1857 to 1862 he was absent from this state. In 1862 he returned and
enlisted as a private in Company C, 8th Michigan Cavalry. He soon
became lieutenant, and in 1863 captain of Company L. In 1865 he
became major of his regiment. He made an honorable record, and
was mustered out at the close of the war. He then engaged in general business in Marine City, and was also postmaster, and assessor of
internal revenue'. He was elected Ropresentative, and served in the
session of 1869. He has also held the offices of president, clerk and
supervisor in Marine City, and mayor of Port Huron in 1074 and 1875.
From 1869 to 1871 he was editor and proprietor of the Port Huron
Press. He was first a Republican, supported Greeley in 1872, and in
1878 joined the Greenback party. He has aided largely in building
up the order of the Knights of the Maccabees.
THOMAS D. BRADFIELD,
Representative from Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties in 1875-9,
was born January 12, 1843. He received an academic education, and
prosecuted his medical studies at the University of Michigan during
the years 1867-8, and graduated at the Detroit Medical College in 1869.
He has since practiced his profession in Keweenaw county.
VINCENT L. BRADFORD
Came from Philadelphia to Niles in 1835, and engaged in the practice
of the law. He was a ripe scholar, and a man of eminent ability,
and immediately took rank among the first lawyers of the state, and
acquired a state reputation. He was State Senator from Berrien
county in 1838 and 1839. He returned to Philadelphia in 1843, became
one of the first lawyers of that city, and afterwards a judge. He
died some years since.
EDWARD BRADLEY
Was born at East Bloomfield, N. Y., in 1808, brought up on a farm,
and received a fair common school and academical education. In
1836 he was judge of the common pleas court in Ontario county, N.
Y. He came to Michigan in 1839 and studied law, first at Detroit and
then at Marshall, and engaged there in practice with Gibbs & Sanford. In 1843 he was State Senator; and in 1847 was elected to congress, but never qualified, dying at New York while on his way to




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


117


Washington, and Charles E. Stuart was elected to fill the vacancy.
He was a fine lawyer and a great orator. In height, five feet ten;
fine eyes, light complexion, curly, bushy head of brown hair; easy
in manner, fluent in speech, a master of wit and ridicule, logical,
argumentative, enthusiastic and inspiring, he was by many considered the ablest democratic speaker in those early days of Michigan.
He gloried in the life of a pioneer.
HARMON BRADLEY,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1879, was born in Vermont in
1817. He received a common school education, and in 1835 came to
Michigan and settled in Calhoun county, where he followed the occupation of a farmer. He has held the office of supervisor and other
minor offices. In politics a Republican.
NATHAN B. BRADLEY
Was born in Lee, Massachusetts, May 28, 1831, He moved with his
father's family to Ohio in 1835. He received a common school education and came to Michigan in 1852. Settled at Bay City in 1858.
Served in the village and city council and was elected mayor in 1865.
Was elected State Senator and served in the session of 1867. In 1872
and 1874 was elected to congress and served in the 43d and 44th
sessions. In that position he made a good record. He is engaged in
the manufacture of lumber and salt.
ELIAS BRADSHAW,
A Representative from Wayne county (residence Van Buren township), sessions 1835-6, and a member of the first and second conventions of assent, 1836, was a native of Canada, and of Quaker extraction.
The dates of his birth and death are unknown. By reason of his
religious tendencies, or from some other cause, he refused to bear
arms in the British service in the war of 1812, and was imprisoned
for a time as an American sympathizer. After regaining his liberty
he came to Michigan, though at what time is unknown. He is first
mentioned as a justice of the peace in 1831, and was subsequently
supervisor of the then township of Huron, and of Van Buren after it
was set off from Huron. He was a man of intelligence and education, numbered surveying among his pursuits, and was county surveyor in 1837-41, and associate judge in the last named year. The
period of his public service would define his politics as presumably
Democratic.




118


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


CALVIN K. BRAND(N,
Representative from Wayne county in 1885, was born in New Carlisle, Ohio, September 6, 1841.  When one year old his parents
removed to Indianapolis, Indiana, where they both died within five
years. He was then taken to Pennsylvania, the home of his parents.
In the common schools he received a limited education, At the age
of nineteen he removed to Illinois. Seven days after the siege of Fort
Sumpter he enlisted in the Sixteenth Illinois Infantry for three
months, but on the 26th of April, 1861, he was mustered into the
three years' service. At the expiration of that time he spent a short
time in Quincy, Illinois, but soon re-enlisted in the Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, and was chosen Captain of Company E of said regiment; was detailed as commissary of subsistence and general ordnance officer of General Stolbrand's brigade, seventeenth army corps,
and served in this capacity until he was mustered out of the service
September, 1865. He settled in Saline county, Missouri, in 1866, as a
stock farmer. Removed in July, 1872, to Hamtramck, Mich., where
he has since lived. Has been engaged in manufacturing cooperage
materials and dealing in real estate. Is a Republican. Was elected
by a vote of 1,741 to 1,475 for John M. Lee, Democrat, and 166 for
Charles A. Frisbee, Prohibition.
LYMAN A. BRANT,
Representative from Wayne county in 1883-5, was born at Great
Bend, Pa., January 20, 1848, and is descended from the early Dutch
settlers of New Jersey. He received his primary instruction in the
village school, and pursued advanced studies in the graded schools of
Binghampton, N. Y., and the Susquehanna Seminary. In 1861 he
began an apprenticeship in the printers' trade in the office of the
Binghampton Republican. Having learned his trade, he made an
extended tour through the southwestern and western states, which
terminated in October, 1868, when he took up his permanent abode
in Detroit. Since that date a large portion of his time has been employed in the job rooms of the Free Press of that city. Mr. Brant
has taken an active interest in political affairs for a number of years,
and his first aspirations in that direction were rewarded by his election as Representative by the democrats and workingmen of Detroit,
to the legislature of 1883-4. At the last election he was nominated
by the Labor party, endorsed by the democrats, and elected by the
unprecedented vote of about 16,000. Has of late been a state fish
commissioner.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


119


BARTLEY BREEN,
Representative from Menominee county in 1887, was born in the
province of New Brunswick, January 22, 1834. His business is buying and selling pine and mineral lands. During the civil war he was
a member of Battery L, 1st Illinois light artillery, three years and
seven months, has been supervisor of the 4th ward of Menominee city, and was elected Representative on the Fusion ticket by a
vote of 2,077 to 1.782 for Joseph Flesheim, on the Republican and
Prohibition tickets. He was defeated for congress in February, 1888.
EDWARD BREITUNG,
Representative in congress from 1883 to 1885, was born November 10,
1831, in the city of Schalkan, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, and was the
son of a Lutheran clergyman. He graduated from the college of
mining at Meiningen in 1849, and came to Michigan the same year,
making his home in Kalamazoo county.   He attended school at
Richland several monchs to acquire a knowledge of the English language. Then became a clerk in a store at Kalamazoo. In 1851 went
to Detroit, where he remained four years, and removed to Marquette
in 1855. There engaged in mercantile business, also in exploring and
buying and selling mineral lands. Removed to Negaunee in 1859
and continued his mercantile business until 1864, when he gave
his entire attention to mining and mining interests. He was
engaged in running the Pioneer furnace at Negaunee; was superintendent of the Washington and Republic iron companies; located iron
mines in the Menominee and Vermillion ranges; and was interested
in gold and silver mining in Colorado. In 1873 he was a Representative in the state legislature, and a Senator in 1877. He was mayor
of Negaunee in 1880, 1882 and 1883, and held other positions. In
politics an ardent and leading Republican. He was a delegate to the
national republican convention of 1876. After serving one term in
congress he declined a second term. He acquired a large fortune
and was a leading operator in mining property. In religion a Lutheran. A man of decision of character, of a highly social nature, and
liberal in charity. He died March 3, 1887.
MARK S. BREWER,
Of Pontiac, was born in Addison, Oakland county, Michigan, ()ctober 22, 1837; received an academic education; worked on his father's
farm until nineteen years of age; read law with ex-Governor Moses




120


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Wisner and Hon. M. E. Crofoot, at Pontiac, Michigan; was admitted
to the bar at Pontiac, in 1864, where he has since practiced, except
when employed in the public service; was circuit court commissioner
for Oakland county, 1866-9; was city attorney for the city of Pontiac,
1866-7; was elected to the Michigan State Senate in 1873-4, serving
two years; was elected to the forty-fifth and forty-sixth congresses;
was Consul-General at Berlin, Germany, from June 30, 1881, till June
8, 1885, and was elected to the fiftieth congress as a Republican,
receiving 19,034 votes, against 17,148 votes for John H. Fedewa,
Democrat and Greenbacker, and 3,427 votes for Azariah S. Partridge,
Prohibitionist.
WILLIAM W. BREWSTER
Was born in Waterloo, N. Y., April 11, 1820, and was a lineal descendant of Elder William Brewster, of the Mayflower. His childhood
and youth were spent in different localities in New York state until
1837, when he moved to Medina, Michigan. Later he resided in Hillsdale county, and in Detroit, removing to Hudson in 1870, where he
resided until his death, November 28, 1886. He was a scholarly man,
a close student and constant reader. Leaving school from ill health
at the age of fourteen he ultimately gained a fund of information
seldom equalled by those who complete a college course. He was
clerk of Hillsdale county, Representative in the legislature of 1859,
deputy internal revenue collector at Detroit for three years, and for
a considerable period recorder of Hudson. In politics a Republican,
in religion a Presbyterian. Tolerant of opinions differing from his
own, he was a self-reliant man and a consistent christian.
HENRY P. BRIDGE
Was born at Littleton, Massachusetts, in 1808. He came to Michigan
in 1836 and settled at Grand Rapids, then called Kent. He was
elected State Senator and served in that capacity in 1840-1. Meeting
with pecuniary reverses, he went to Detroit in 1845, and formed the
commission house of Bridge & Lewis, with Alexander Lewis for partner. This house became the leading one in that line of business in
the state. He was the first president of the Detroit board of trade in
1856, and held that position three years, and on his retirement was
elected a life member of the board. He was for several years collector of Detroit, and was so universally esteemed by all that he
received the nomination of mayor, both from    democratic and




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


121


republican parties. He was in politics a Democrat. He died January
20, 1884.
CHARLES BRIGGS,
Representative from Houghton county in 1879, was born at Cincinnatus, Cortland county, N. Y., November, 1837. He received an
academic education, and came to Michigan from Wisconsin, August,
1864. Occupation, merchant. Politics, Republican.
DANIEL B. BRIGGS,
Of Romeo, ex-superintendent of public instruction, was born at
Adams, Massachusetts, February 13, 1829. His parents were natives
of that state. He received an academical education, and entered
Williams College in 1844, graduating in 1848. He' studied law and
was admitted to practice in 1850. For three years he was principal of
the high school in his native town, and also a member of the school
committee. He removed to Romeo, Mchigan, in March, 1854, and
entered upon the practice of law. In 1855 he became principal of the
Dickinson Institute, formerly a branch of the State University, where
he remained three years. In 1858-9-60 he was principal of the high
school at Ann Arbor; then for five years held the same position at
Jackson. In 1867 he returned to Macomb county and engaged in
farming. In April, 1867, he was elected superintendent of schools
for Macomb county, which position he held for four years. During
his last official term he was president of the state association of county
superintendents. He was director of the Romeo union school district
for eight years; and was for many years secretary of the county agricultural society. In November, 1872, he was elected state superintendent of public instruction on the republican ticket, and was
re-elected in 1874, retiring from the office January 1, 1877. In 1879
he became deputy secretary of state and held that position until 1883.
He is a Republican in politics, a high minded, honorable man, and
won for himself the regard of the people as a state officer. He is now
a resident of Romeo.
EDWARD L. BRIGGS,
Representative from Kent county in 1878-4-5, was born in the town
of Skaneateles, Onondaga county, N. Y., July 30, 1830. Mr. Briggs
was educated in a common school. In 1834 his parents removed to
Michigan and settled in Washtenaw county. In 1850 he removed to
Grand Rapids, where he now resides. He was timber agent for the
14




122


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


state land office from 1859 to 1865. Mr. Briggs' occupation is that of
a farmer.
GEORGE G. BRIGGS
Was born in Wayne county, Mich., January 25, 1838. When young
he became a clerk in a store at Battle Creek where he remained three
years, afterwards for a time attending Olivet college. in 1862 he
enlisted in the 7th Michigan Cavalry and served with his regiment in
the army of the Potomac during the war, the regiment forming part
of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade under General Custer and taking
part in sixty-three battles. He was promoted from grade to grade,
and became colonel of the regiment in 1864. At the close of the
war his regiment was sent West and remained in Utah until late in
1865. He has since been a merchant and manufacturer. In 1868 he
was a delegate to the Republican National Convention, and in 1869 -70 was Representative in the legislature from Grand Rapids.
HENRY C. BRIGGS
Was born June 29, 1831, at West Haven, Rutland county, Vt. His
parents, Noah and Sarah (Kenyon) Briggs, removed to Michigan in
1836, and settled on a farm in Allegan county. He attended district
school, and as a student first entered Kalamazoo College, and afterwards the State University. In 1856 he was elected clerk of Allegan
county, and held the office four years. He was State Senator in 1861-2
and served one regular and one special session, when he resigned,
was admitted to the bar, and removed to Kalamazoo, where he served
as prosecuting attorney for four years. In 1868 he was elected judge
of probate of Kalamazoo county, and held the position for eight
years. He has always taken a strong interest in religious and temperance questions, and has aided in educational matters, especially
those relating to Kalamazoo College. He is a Republican, is a member of the Baptist church, and for many years was a Sabbath school
superintendent.
ROBERT V. BRIGGS
Was born at Potter, Yates county, N. Y., August 12, 1837. He received an academic education, and at the age of nineteen commenced
the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1858. In 1859 he
came to Michigan, and commenced the practice of the law at St.
Johns, and the next spring was elected village clerk. In the fall he
went to Mississippi and remained until the fall of 1861 when he re



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


123


turned and settled at Wayne. In 1864 he removed to Wyandotte,
where he engaged in practice. He has been justice of the peace, and
many years city attorney. In 1869-70 he was a member of the House,
and in 1871 and in 1872 was State Senator. In 1872 he was a delegate
to the convention at Louisville, which nominated Charles O'Connor
for president. Always a Democrat.
ELI H. BRISTOL,
Representative from Oakland county in 1853, was born in Livingston
county, N. Y., April 27, 1803. By occupation a farmer, in politics a
Whig. Came to St. Joseph county, Mich., in 1835, removed to Commerce, Oakland county, in 1846, died at Pontiac, July 29, 1871. For
several terms a Supervisor.
ROSWELL BRITTON,
Representative from Kent county in 1835-6, was born in the State of
Vermont, June 16, 1789, and died June 2, 1850. He came to Michigan in 1824, and settled in Kent county in 1834, where he built a sawmill and operated it for a number of years, when he engaged in
farming. Politically a Democrat.
CALVIN BRITAIN
Was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., in 1800, came to Michigan in
1827, and was the first settler in the town of St. Joseph, Berrien
county. He was for a short time connected with the Carey mission.
He preempted land in 1827 and 1829, but the survey was not made by
government until 1830. He remained a citizen of the town from
1829 until his death, January 18, 1862. He was one of the prominent
men of Michigan in the pioneer days, and a member of the Legislative Council from 1832 to 1835; State Senator in 1835, 1836 and 1837;
Representative in the legislature in 1847, 1850 and 1851; and member of the Constitutional Convention of 1850. In 1852 he was Lieutenant Governor, during the first administration of Gov. McClelland.
In politics a Democrat. Never married. He laid out the village of
St. Joseph, first known as Newberry.
MARTIN W. BROCK,
Representative from the Second District of Bay county, in 1887, was
born in Danby, Tompkins county, New York, July 21, 1838. His




124


1   MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


early life was.passed partly in New York and partly in Pennsylvania.
He came to Michigan in 1856, remaining in Oakland county until
October, 1865, when he removed to Bay county. Was elected alderman of what was Lake City, afterwards Wenona, now West Bay
City, and continued to hold that office for four years; he was supervisor from 1871 to 1874. lie was elected sheriff of Bay county and
held that office four years, was manager of the West Bay City Manufacturing Company. He is also a farmer. In 1885 he was elected
treasurer of the township of Monitor. He was married April 5, 1860,
to Miss Sarah J. Armstrong, of New York. Mr. Brock was elected
on the Republican ticket by a. vote of 1,470 to 795 for McDouga],
Democrat; 337 for Flynn, Greenbacker, and 66 for John Todd, Prohibitionist.
WILLIAM H. BROCKWAY
Was born in Morristown, Orleans county, Vermont, February 24,
1813. In 1820 he removed with his parents to Malone, N. Y., where
he worked with his father, who was a blacksmith, and had little
opportunity for an education.  He came to Detroit in 1831, and
worked as a blacksmith in Dexter and Ypsilanti. Taught the first
school in Dexter, then taught the Wyandot Indians at Flat Rock.
Was licensed as a Methodist preacher in 1833, and had many locations, including the Indian mission at Lake Superior. Was chaplain
at Fort Brady for eight years. From 1848 to 1855 was financial agent
of what is now Albion College, and its first success is largely due to
his exertions. Since 1858 he has been largely engaged in real estate
and general business. Was the contractor in building the division of
the Lake Shore railroad from Jonesville to Lansing. He was State
Senator in 1855; Representative in 1865, 1871-2; sergeant-at-arms of
the senate in 1863; trustee of the village of Albion for many years
and several years its president; trustee of Albion College for a long
period and many years its treasurer; for sixteen months chaplain of
the 16th Michigan Infantry; and is a member of many societies. His
life has been one of unusual activity. At first a Democrat, he has
been a Republican since 1854. Resides at Albion.
THORNTON F. BRODHEAD
Was a member of the State Senate from the senatorial district of
which the county of Oakland then formed a part (residence Pontiac),
session of 1850 and from the fourth district, comprising a part of the
county of Wayne, session of 1859. He was a native of New Hamp



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


125


shire, born 1822, and came to Pontiac when a stripling, residing with
a brother there. In 1845 he was secretary of the State Senate, having
previously served a year or two as assistant secretary of state. In
the summer of 1846 he took a commission as lieutenant in a company
formed at Pontiac for service in the Mexican war, and soon after
reaching the field he was assigned to duty on the staff of Gen. Pierce,
where he served until the close of the war. He subsequently removed
to Detroit and was connected with the management of a daily paper
there 1849-52. In 1853 he was commissioned by President Pierce as
postmaster at Detroit, it may be presumed in recognition of the intercourse and acquaintance established during the Mexican campaign.
He held the office during the Pierce administration, and at the close
of his term took up his residence on Grosse Isle. Upon the breaking
out of the civil war he sought service and was commissioned to raise
the first regiment of Michigan Cavalry, of which he became Colonel.
The regiment was assigned to duty in Gen. Bank's corps, and on
entering upon active duty Col. Brodhead was appointed to the chief
command of the cavalry of that corps. The gallant service of the
regiment and of its commander are of record in the history of the
war, and cannot of necessity be repeated here. Col. Brodhead was
mortally wounded at the second battle of Manassas (or Bull Run),
August 30, 1863, and died September 5. His remains were brought
to Detroit for burial, and the funeral services, with military honors,
were held at St. Paul's Episcopal church, September 10. A meeting
of citizens had previously appointed a committee to receive the
remains on their arrival in Detroit, and the bar of the city (of which
the deceased was a member) passed feeling resolutions of regret and
condolence, as did also the Detroit board of trade. Col. Brodhead
was a Democrat in politics.
JOHN A. BROOKS,
Representative from Newaygo and other counties in 1857-9, was born
in Haverill, N. H., May 14, 1803. He settled at Newaygo in 1841, and
founded the village of Newaygo in 1852. He constructed a canal
across the Muskegon flats, planning the work, and made it a success.
Previously, he had obtained an appropriation of internal improvement lands for the purpose. He engaged in lumbering, and by his
energy built up the village, established the county seat, erected a
first-class hotel, built a church, procured capital to dam the river,
followed by the building of mills, and the manufacture of lumber on
a large scale. He was originally a Whig, but became a Republican
-n 1854. During the war he was in the pay-master deparment in




126


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Missouri. He was a born leader, and had by his suavity of manner
and fine address, great control over men. He was a man of great intelligence and energy, and did more for the place of his adoption
than any other man. He died May 20, 1866. Two of his brothers
are distinguished lawyers, and he was related to many of the best
families of New England. His wife was a sister of George W. Nesmith, a judge of the supreme court of New Hampshire.
NATHANIEL W. BROOKS,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1847, was born in Castine,
Me., August 27, 1808, and died at Detroit, September 30, 1872. He
moved with his father's family from Maine to Columbus, Ohio, in
1S28, came to Detroit in 1836, and was in the grocery business there
until 1843; then engaged in lumbering at Algonac, St. Clair county,
where he resided thirteen years, when he returned to Detroit. Was
an active Republican, and served as alderman of the first ward, and
received the nomination for mayor, but declined to run.
P. C. H. BROTHERSON,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1846, was born in the
state of New York, in 1811. He was a miller by occupation, and in
politics a Whig. Died in Manchester, September 16, 1852.
ALVARADO BROWN
Was born in Newport, Herkimer county, N. Y., January 15, 1809.
He received a common school and academical education. He went
at an early day to York, Ind., and took up several lots, which he
afterwards exchanged for a farm in Quincy, Mich. He was town
clerk from 1841 to 1847, and was Representative in the legislature in
1847 and 1848. Not living.
AMMON BROWN
Held an influential position in the politics of Wayne county for more
than forty years. He was born in Duchess county, N. Y., January
15, 1798, subsequently removed to Wayne county, that state, and to
Wayne county, Michigan, in 1824, settling in the township of Nankin
as a farmer, his early occupation having been that of a teacher. His
services were always in demand in his township in local offices of all
grades. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1835,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


127


of the first convention of assent in 1836, and of the constitutional
convention of 1850, and was Representative in the legislature,
sessions 1835-6-7. He also held the position of County Auditor of
Wayne county, for a number of years, and of County Superintendent
of the Poor. He enjoyed in a marked degree, throughout his life, the
confidence of his fellow citizens. He became a resident of the village
of Wayne, in 1854, and died there May 19, 1882. Was Democratic in
politics.
AMOS S. BROWN,
Representative from Van Buren county in 1867, was born in Essex,
Chittenden county, Vermont, in 1819. He settled in Michigan in 1835,
and the present village of Breedsville, Van Buren county, occupies
the farm which was his first Michigan home. Commencing life
with little, by industry and superior financial ability, he accumulated
a large property, being alike successful in farming, lumbering and
milling. He aided liberally in all public improvements, and never
forgot the needy.' He was for twenty-five years supervisor of the
town of Columbia. In politics a Republican. He died at St. Paul,
Minnesota, where he had gone for health, September 4, 1872.
ASAHEL BROWN
Was born in Stafford, N. J., April 9, 1803. He removed with his
parents to Western New York when young, where he was brought
up to farming and received a common school education. In 1833
he came to Michigan, first settling on a farm in Palmyra, but in 1836
removing to a farm in Algansee, Branch county. The first town
meeting was held in his log cabin in 1838, and he was elected the
first supervisor, which he held consecutively until 1851, also in 1853,
1856, 1857 and from 1861 to 1865. He was also for several years
justice of the peace. He was a strong Whig until 1854, then a Republican. He was a delegate in the Constitutional convention of
1850, also that of 1867, and was State Senator in 1857-8-9. He owned
a large farm, and for several years was president of the Branch
County Farmer's Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He died June 8,
1874.
BENJAMIN BROWN
Was born in Yarmouth, England, November 1, 1818, and came to
America with his father in 1827. His father purchased a farm near
Rochester, N. Y., where they lived five years. His father removed




128


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


to Novi, Mich., in 1832, and located a farm, where the family encountered all the hardships of the first pioneers. The son worked on the
farm until 1844, receiving a common school education, and then went
into mercantile business at Walled Lake, which he continued until
1871, when he removed to Ann Arbor, his present home. He was
Representative in the legislature of 1859.  He was postmaster at
Walled, Lake ten years, justice fourteen years. Has been three terms
supervisor at Ann Arbor, and a candidate for mayor. A Republican
since 1854.
CHARLES BROWN,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1875, was born in the town of
Scipio, county of Cayuga, N. Y., January 8, 1808. He received a
common school education and engaged in teaching for several years.
He removed to Medina, Lenawee county, in 1852, where he still
resides. He has held the offices of township clerk, postmaster, and
county superintendent of the poor. His business is that of a merchant. In politics a Republican.
CHARLES BROWN,
Representative from the Second District of Kalamazoo county in
1883-5, was born in the township of Brady, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, in 1847, He was reared upon a farm. After attaining manhood
he engaged in teaching school for several years. His present occupation is farming, residing on the farm his father located in 1835. Mr.
Brown has held at different times several official positions in his
township; was elected a Representative to legislature of 1883-4 by a
majority of 403 over Owen P. Martin, and was reflected as a Republican, receiving 2,107 votes; the Fusion candidate, Delamore Duncan,
receiving 1,823, and William W. Baldwin, Prohibition, 174.
CHARLES R. BROWN
Was born in Columbia, Lorain county, Ohio, in 1836; was educated
at the Baldwin University; was for a time principal of the Fredonia
Academy in Portage county; and in 1855 published a paper in Cuyahoga county. He studied law and in 1860 removed to St. Joseph,
Michigan. He was circuit court commissioner of Berrien county
and was a Representative in the legislature of 1867, He removed to
Kalamazoo in 1867, and in 1869 was elected judge of the 9th circuit.
He edited and published two volumes of " Michigan Nisi Prius Cases."




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


129


Since retiring from the bench he has been engaged in law practice at
Port Huron, and at St. Ignace, where he now resides.
DAVID E. BROWN,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1839-40, was b6rn in Loudon county, Va., June 20, 1795. He was a graduate of the medical
department of the University of Pennsylvania, and was a remarkably well educated physician for that time. He settled at Schoolcraft,
Mich., in 1830. He was a Whig until that party ceased to exist, then
a Democrat. For sometime he was professor of a medical school
established at La Porte. Ind. In 1852 he moved upon a farm in Pavillion, which he made his home until about the time of his death,
which occurred May 13, 1871, at Boone, Ia. He was buried at Schoolcraft. He was a man of clear perceptions, sound reason and general
good sense, and universally respected. He was highly entertaining
and attractive in social life.
ETHAN A. BROWN,
Representative from Berrien county in 1874-5, was born August 22,
1820, at Willoughby, Ohio. He received a common school education.
He removed to Michigan in the spring 1830, stopping at the mouth of
the St. Joseph river. Mr. Brown has held the office of supervisor,
treasurer, and other minor offices. In politics a Democrat.
EBENEZER L. BROWN
Was born at Plymouth, Vt., April 16, 1809, and was the son of Thomas
and Sally Brown. His ancestors came over about 1640. He received
a fair academical education, and at the age of twenty-one came to
Ann Arbor, thence to Kalamazoo county.   At Prairie Ronde he
found employment in a store, and afterwards became a partner, and
continued in the mercantile business until 1848, when he retired to a
farm near Schoolcraft. As a Whig, he was Representative in the
legislature of 1841, and as a Republican was State Senator in 1855,
again, 1879. He was active in 1855 in securing a prohibitory law, and
was a strong anti-slavery man. In 1856 he was elected regent of the
State University, serving six years. For six years he was president
of the Schoolcraft and Three Rivers Railroad, and pushed it through
to success. In religious persuasion he is a Baptist. He has perfected
an incomplete education by hard study, and as a classical scholar
has translated the Greek odes of Horace, and written fine, original,
descriptive poems.




130


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


GEORGE BROWN,
Representative from Barry county in 1855, was an early settler in
that county, and was a farmer. He was a member of the forces
that turned out in the Toledo war. Died many years ago.
GEORGE I. BROWN,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1871-2, was born in Dutchess
county, N. Y., in 1816. A Republican in politics, and a farmer by
occupation. He came to Michigan in 1866, was a wealthy farmer,
and a prominent officer and member of the Methodist church. He
died in 1883.
GEORGE W. BROWN
Was born in Litchfield county, Conn., May 5, 1825. Learned the
trade of a miller. He came to Michigan in 1833, resided in Concord
and Jackson up to 1850. Went to Branch county, studied law and
was admitted at Coldwater in 1852. Returned to Jackson in 1853,
and resided there until 1861, when he removed to Sault Ste Marie,
which has since been his home, except two years at Albion. As a
Republican he was Representative in the Michigan House of 1859.
In 1861 was appointed superintendent of the St. Mary's Falls Ship
Canal, and held that position until 1865. Has been prosecuting
attorney and circuit court commissioner of Chippewa county from
1868 to 1876; register of deeds and county clerk from 1876 to 1887.
In politics now a Democrat.
GILES W. BROWN,
Senator from the Twenty-eighth District in 1881-2, comprised of Midland, Gratiot, Clare, Gladwin and Roscommon counties, was born at
Green Oak, Livingston county, Mich., January 28, 1837. Having
received an academic education at the Seminary and the Normal
School at Ypsilanti, he engaged in teaching for several years. He
graduated from the Law Department of the Michigan University in
the spring of 1865, and was admitted to the bar in the same year, by
the Supreme Court, in session at Detroit. He removed to Ithaca,
Gratiot county, in 1866, where he has since resided, practicing law a
portion of the time. He held the office of County Superintendent of
Schools from 1867 and 1871, and again from 1873 to 1875. He was
renominated for the same office, when it was abolished. He has
held several minor local offices, such as President of the village of




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


131


Ithaca, and Justice of the Peace. From 1876 to 1881 he was Judge
of Probate of Gratiot county. As the Republican candidate for Representative, he was elected over Theron A. Johnson, National, and
Mortimer H. Stanford, Jemocrat.
HENRY B. BROWN
Was born at Lee, Massachusetts, March 2, 1836. His father, Billings
Brown, was a manufacturer, and his mother was a woman possessed
of marked strength of character and clearness of perception. He
graduated at Yale College in 1856, and devoted a year to study and
travel in Europe. He entered Harvard law school and finished his
law studies in the office of Walker & Russell, of Detroit. He was
admitted to practice in 1860.  He served for years as assistant
United States district attorney, when he was appointed by Governor
Crapo judge of the Wayne circuit, at that time the highest court of
general law and chancery jurisdiction in Detroit. He gave general
satisfaction in that position and in 1868 resumed his practice. In 1875
he was appointed United States circuit judge for the eastern district
of Michigan, where he still remains. As judge he has met every
expectation, and proved himself worthy of the position held by Ross
Wilkins and John W. Longyear. In 1864 he married Caroline Pitts,
daughter of Samuel Pitts.
JOHN S. BROWN,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1813, was born in Livingston
county, N. Y., about 1810, and came to Michigan in 1838. He was a
farmer and a Democrat. He removed from Michigan to the West in
1845. Nothing further is known of him.
JOSEPH W. BROWN
Was born in Falls township, Bucks county, Pa., November 26, 1793,
was.of Quaker descent and the youngest of eleven children. In 1824
he removed to Tecumseh, Michigan, the village site having been
bought by Brown, Evans & Wing. They erected the first saw mill
in the county in 1825 and the first grist mill in 1826. In 1832 he was
General in the Black Hawk war. From 1833 to 1837 he was largely
engaged in the staging route between Detroit and Chicago. He was
Regent of the University of Michigan in 1839 Among positions held
by him were the following: Adjutant in regular cavalry of New York




132


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


veterans in 1847; Captain in 1818 and Lieutenant Colonel in 1819 of
the 108th New York; first judge of Lenawee county, 1826; Colonel
8th Michigan militia, 1829; Commander of Michigan troops in the
Toledo war; register of land office at Ionia, 1836; Brigadier General,
1839. He died at Tecumseh, Mich., December 9, 1880.
SAMUEL B. BROWN,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1877-9, was born in Pittstown, Rensselaer county, N. Y., October 23, 1820. He was educated
in the common schools, and removed to Michigan in 1862. In April,
1864, he settled in Ransom, Hillsdale county; in 1865 was elected justice of the peace and held the office ten years. In 1873 and 1874 he
was chosen supervisor of the town. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Republican.
STEPHEN F. BROWN,
Senator from the Tenth District, consisting of Kalamazoo and St.
Joseph counties, was born in Loudon county, Va., December 31, 1819.
When a lad of eleven years of age, he came with his parents to the
township of Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo county, where he still resides.
He was elected Representative in the State legislatures of 1857 and
1859. He was elected Senator in the State legislatures of 1861 and
1865. In 1885, after the lapse of twenty years, he was again in his
seat in the Senate, having been elected thereto by a vote of 7,621, to
7,523 for Wm. Kirby. Fusionist, and 554 for John S. Kibbee, Prohibtionist. Mr. Brown has been a farmer all his life-time and was
elected the first Master of the State Grange, upon its organization,
and then held the office of treasurer of that body continuously from
the expiration of his term as master, until the annual meeting in
December, 1884, when he declined another re-election. In politics a
Republican.
WILLIAM    BROWN,
A member of the Third and Fourth legislative councils from Wayne
county, 1828-1832, was a physician by profession, but no information
is obtainable as to his nativity or the time of his death. The records,
however, show him to have been a man of marked prominence in
the local councils.  He was a trustee of the corporation of Detroit in
1805, was one of the signers of the protest against the British General Proctor's order of expulsion in 1813, a director of the newly




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


133


organized bank of Michigan in 1818, county commissioner in 1820,
and trustee of the University in 1821. Politically he was doubtless
in sympathy with the prevailing sentiment of the time.
WILLIAM G. BROWN
Was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., March 9, 1821. In 1836 he
came with his father and settled at Parma. He received most of his
education in the State of New York. He has been supervisor of his
town many years, and in 1867 was Representative in the legislature.
Has been successful in business and owns one of the largest farms in
Jackson county. In religion a Methodist, in politics a Republican.
ELLERY A. BROWNELL,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1867-9-70, was born in Genesee
county, N. Y., March 7, 1816. By occupation a farmer, in politics a
Republican. He settled in Metamora, Lapeer county, in 1838, and
moved to Hadley, same county, in 1872, where he now resides.
GEORGE BROWNELL,
Representative from Oakland county in 1835-6, was born at New Lisbon, N. Y., in May, 1802. He married Clarissa Grant and emigrated
to Michigan in 1825, settling at Farmington, where he resided 31 years.
Held the office of postmaster many years, was a Captain in the "Toledo
war," and filled many minor positions. In 1856 he removed to Utica,
Macomb county. He was appointed justice of the peace in 1833, and
he held that position over forty years. Politically a Democrat. Died
August 15, 1879.
SEYMOUR BROWNELL,
Senator from Macomb county in 1872, was born at Farmington,
Michigan, February 27, 1837. He received a common school education a-ld in 1856 became a merchant at Utica, Mich. He married
Helen A. Lawrence in 1857. He was deputy postmaster four years,
and postmaster from 1858 to 1861, at Utica, when he resigned, raised
company "H" of the 2d Michigan cavalry, went into the field, was commissary of subsistence, with the rank of captain, served on the staffs
of several generals, and in 1864 became chief of subsistence on the
staff of General Hunter. He resigned in 1864 and was brevetted
colonel for meritorious services. Has been a supervisor, was one of
15




134


MIOHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


the directors of the Detroit & Bay City Railroad, and in 1872 built the
first thirty miles of that road. In 1873 he removed to Lake Superior,
and was manager of the Munising furnace and the Marquette brown
stone quarry. In 1879 he was one of the purchasers of the Duluth
blast furnace, the company purchasing another furnace and an iron
mine in 1882. He sold out in 1884, removed to Detroit and engaged
in the mercantile business. He was a delegate to the democratic
national convention in 1868, and has been a member of the democratic state committee.
WILLIAM BROWNELL,
Representative from Macomb county in 1857, 1861-2, was born at
Farmington, Michigan, November 16, 1830. He was educated in district and select schools. He studied medicine and graduated in the
class of 1852 at the Michigan University. He settled at Utica,
Macomb county, and except three years in the army, was in practice
there until his death, May 22, 1844. He married Jane E. Scudder in
1856, and they had three children, two now living. He was a prominent physician and surgeon, and had a large practice. He was for
sixteen years a director of the Utica schools. He went out in 1861 as
surgeon of the 2d Michigan cavalry, and served until the regiment
was mustered out in the fall of 1864. In politics a Democrat.
JOHN C. BRUNSON,
Representative from Clinton county in 1873-4, was born in the town:of East Bloomfield, Ontario county, N. Y., July 20, 1822. He received
an academic education. In 1845 he removed to Michigan and settled
in the town of Victor, Clinton county, where he still resides. He has
held several offices of public trust in his township. Mr. Brunson is a
farmer by occupation. Was long postmaster at Victor.
ELIJAH BRUSH,
The first Attorney General of Michigan, was born in Bennington, Vt.,
in 1772. He graduated at Dartmouth college, studied -law and settled in Detroit at an early day. He was Attorney General until 1809.
He served in the war of 1812 as colonel, and was counsel in the first
case to test the right to hold slaves in Michigan. He died Dec. 14,
1814.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


1351


PHILIP H. BUCK
Was born in Amherst, Erie county, N. Y., January 7, 1811.
Removed to Sturgis Prairie, Michigan, in December, 1828. Bred a,
farmer, but became a merchant. He was several times a Whig candidate for the legislature, and was elected to the House in 1849.
WALTER A. BUCKBEE,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1838, was born in the
state of Vermont, in 1807. He was educated in his native state, at
an early age commenced the study of law, and was admitted to the
bar prior to his coming to Ypsilanti in 1837, where he had purchased
a fine residence property. He devoted himself to his profession. He
died in 1850, leaving a wife and four children.
PHILO H. BUDLONG,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1875, was born in Herkimer
county, N. Y., May 28, 1821. He removed to Michigan in 1835, and
settled in the town of Eckford, Calhoun county, where he has since
resided. He received a common school education. Mr. Budlong has
filled two or three township offices, and that of supervisor for several
years.  By occupation a farmer and lumbermah.: In politics a
Democrat.
AHASUERUS W. BUELL,
Representative from Oakland county in 1863, was born at Northampton, Fulton county, N. Y., November 25, 1819. He settled in Rose,.
Oakland county, in 1846, built the Buckhorn hotel and kept it for
nearly two years, when he sold out. He built a store, was successful
as a dealer in general merchandise, and also ran a small tannery;
where buckskins were tanned and mittens made. He removedl to
Holly in 1854, opened the first store there, shipped the first car loald of
wheat over the Detroit & Milwaukee road to Detroit, and became a
leader in business. Held various offices, including those of school
director and supervisor. Politically a Republican. An ardent supporter of the Union during the war, he allowed a son under fourteen
to enlist, and, being chided for it, said, "If I had a hundred sons
old enough to carry a sword they should all fight for the American
flag."' While serving as a member of the House he died at Lansing,
March 80, 1863. The eulogies of brother members testified to his
excellent character,




136


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


ALEXANDER W. BUEL.
Mr. Buel's representative positions were as a member and speaker
pro tern of the House of Representatives, session 1838, member and
speaker pro ter 1848, again a member in 1859, and Representative in
Congress 1849-50, having been elected in 1848. He was born in Poultney, Vt., in 1813, early manifested an aptness for study, and took
the bachelor's degree in college at the age of sixteen, spending, thereafter, some three years in teaching, in literary pursuits, and in legal
studies. Coming to Detroit in 1834. he completed his law course in
the office of the late Judge Witherell, ana was admitted to practice in
the spring of 1835. His official career, except as above sketched,
was confined to a term or two as prosecuting attorney of Wayne
county (then by appointment), 1843-46, a further appointment having
been declined. He also served as president of the Detroit Young
Men's Society (1836) and as a member of the school board of the
city. That he was so early and repeatedly honored with public
trusts is evidence of his attainments and of the estimation in which
he was held. He was defeated for a re-election to congress in 1850
by reason of the then rising anti-slavery feeling, he being a democrat and having supported in congress the so-called compromise
'measures of that year. He died in 1868. A very full biography of
Mr. Buel, up to the year 1850, is found in the " United States Magazine and Democratic Review," for December of that year.
EMMONS BUELL
Was born m Newport, Sullivan county, N. H., February 15, 1821.
Moved to Genesee county, N. Y., in 1850. Educated at the common
schools and at Lima Seminary. By occupation a farmer. Read law
for a time with Judge Hastings, of Rochester, N. Y., but ill health
compelled him to return to the farm. Was colonel of the 62d New
York regiment in 1852. He moved to Cass county, Michigan, in 1854,
and was state Senator from that county in 1863-4. Politics Republican. Now resides at Kalamazoo.
HENRY S. BUELL,
Representative from Oakland county in 1859, was born in Castleton,
Vt., in 1821. A physician and surgeon by profession, in politics a
Democrat. He first came to Michigan in 1836, went back to Vt. in
1840 and graduated at the medical college of Vermont in 1843, returning to Michigan the same year. He resides at Franklin, Oakland
county, and is engaged in the practice of his profession.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


137


JOHN L. BUELL,
Representative from Menominee, Delta, Schoolcraft and Chippewa
counties, in 1873-4, was born at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Oct. 12,
1836; was reared a farmer, served in the Union army three years,
removed to Michigan in 1T66, studied law, and was admitted to the
bar in Indiana and practiced at Menominee.
HORACE E. BUNCE,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1861-2, was born in Windsor,
Vt., June 18, 1820. He removed with his father's family to Desmond,
now Port Huron, in 1825. In 1830 his father removed to Brownsville,
N. Y., where the son worked on a farm until 1839. He attended the
Black River Institute and was a teacher. In 1844 came back
to Michigan and was in the employ of Z. W. Bunce and James
Abbott at Clyde, St. Clair county, until 1849, when he with a brother
bought out the firm, including a saw mill, grist mill and pine lands,
and has since been engaged in lumbering and farming. Since 1863
has resided on a farm in Port Huron township. Has held many town
offices. In politics, first a Whig, then a Republican.
ZEPHANIAH W. BUNCE
Was born at Hartford, Conn., in 1787. Both of his grandfathers,
Bunce and Drake, were sea captains, owning their own vessels, and
among the earliest settlers of Hartford. The famous Charter Oak
was on the Bunce farm. His father while a student in Yale College
enlisted on a privateer, aided in taking several prizes from the British,
was taken prisoner and confined at Halifax, from which he escaped,
and was disinherited. His father died when he was young, and he
went to live with his grandmother Drake on the farm where the Connecticut State house now stands. At the age of seventeen he went to
work as a hatter, and earned money to send him to school. He went
into the hatting business at Claremont, N. H., for three years, then
went to Chester, Vt., for four years, then was in the dry goods trade
at Albany, N. Y. In 1817 he came to Michigan, settled in St. Clair
county, and was a member of the first legislative councils from 1824
to 1828. For many years he was judge of the county court of St.
Clair county. When he first settled there were but nineteen families
in St. Clair county. He lived on the same place at St. Clair for more
than sixty years. He is still living at the age of a century of years,
honored and respected.




138


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


WILLIAM BURBANK,
Representative from Oakland county, session of 188f, was born in the
state of Maine in 1792. He was by occupation a furniture dealer; in
politics, first Whig then Republican. He removed from Maine to
New York in 1806, from that state to Missouri in 1820, and from
Missouri to Michigan in 1822. He was for several years justice of the
peace in the village of Rochester, where he died Jan'y 29, 1878.
JOHN BURCH,
Senator from Monroe county in 1842 and 1843, was a native of Jefferson county, New York. He came to Monroe in 1834, where he
followed the business of a warehouse man, and was in politics a
Democrat. He was a supervisor, and treasurer of the city of Monroe.
Died at Monroe.
MARSDEN C. BURCH,
Senator from Osceola, Lake, Mason, Manistee, Oceana, Newaygo and
Mecosta counties in 1877, was born at Canoga, Seneca county, New
York, June 25, 1847. While he was quite young his parents removed
to Waterloo in the same county.  His education was obtained at
Waterloo Academy, Falley Seminary, Fulton, New York, and Hobart
College, Geneva, New York. He studied law in New York, attended
one session of the law department of the Michigan University, and
commenced the practice of his profession at I ochester, Oakland
county, at the age of twenty-one. Two years afterward he removed
to Hersey, Osceola county, was soon after appointed judge of probate
by Gov. Baldwin to fill a vacancy, and was subsequently elected to
the same office for the full term. He is a Republican in politics and
was the youngest member of the Senate of the legislature of 1877.
Since leaving the legislature he has been U. S. District Attorney of
Western Michigan for several years, and is now in the practice of his
profession at Grand Rapids.
ANDREW L. BURK
Was born in Giles county, Virginia, September 6, 1810. He removed
to Preble county, Ohio, in 1824, and in 1828 emigrated to Cass county,
Michigan. In 1836 he removed to a farm in Berrien, Berrien county.
By occupation, a farmer; in politics, a Democrat. He was a Representative in the legislature of 1849.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


139


WILLIAM BURKE,
Representative in 1837 and 1838, was an associate county judge of
Cass county from 1831 to 1836 and was a prominent citizen.
JOHN L. BURLEIGH,
Senator from Washtenaw county in 1877, was born in Middlesex
county, Massachusetts, Oct. 15, 1842. He received a common school
education, supplemented by instructions from a private tutor, and is
a graduate of the law department of the Michigan University, He
removed to Michigan in 1874. By profession a lawyer. Immediately
after the attack on Sumter he entered the service as second lieutenant
in a New York regiment. Within a year he was promoted to first
lieutenant for general good conduct, and captain for bravery on the
field at Hanover Court House, May 27, 1862. He received several
wounds; was brevetted major, lieutenant colonel and colonel, was
appointed lieutenant colonel of a new regiment, but on account of his
wounds left the service, and commenced business in the West Indies.
In consequence of impaired health he returned to New York, where
he was engaged for several years in the commission business. He
studied law. In politics a Democrat. Of late years has been an
actor.
WILLIAM BURNETT,
Was born in Phelps, Ontario county, New York, December 21, 1809.
His father was Gen. William Burnett, and his mother was a daughter
of Gen. Granger, of Revolutionary fame. He was a farmer and settled with his family in Washtenaw county in 1833. Held all town
offices. Was a justice of the peace, and in 1848 was Representative
in the legislature. He died in Scio, October 8, 1856. He was treasurer of the Washtenaw county agricultural society at the time of
his death. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Whig. He was one
of the best and most influential members ever sent from Washtenaw
county.
JAMES BURNS,
Representative from Wayne county in 1873-4, was born in northern
New York Nov. 10, 1810. Mr. Burns received a common school education. In 1834 he emigrated to Michigan, settling in Detroit. Mr.
Burns was engaged from 1836 in the mercantile business and accumulated a fortune. Died several years since.




140


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY,


HENRY BURR,
Representative from Isabella county in 1887, son of Ambrose and
Mary Jones Burr, was born in Plymouth, Wayne county, Michigan,
August 31, 1837. He assisted his father on the farm and received the
advantages afforded by the common schools, until the breaking out
of the late war, when he enlisted in Co. H, 1st Michigan Cavalry. He
participated in three general engagements, the second battle of Bull
Run, Gettysburg, and Winchester; was wounded at Gettysburg.
Early in 1863 he was promoted to commissary sergeant and on Dec.
31, 1863, re-enlisted, and at Winchester was again wounded. In June,
1865, was discharged for disability, at St. Louis, Missouri, when he
returned to this State. In 1866 he was married to Alice D. Jones, of
Dexter, Washtenaw county. One year after this he removed to Jackson county, remained two years, then moved to Pontiac. In 1869 he
purchased 80 acres of heavily timbered land in Lincoln township'
Isabella county. Here he experienced the trials and difficulties incident
to pioneer life. Mr. Burr has held the offices of justice of the peace
and supervisor and other minor offices. He is a Republican and was
elected Representative for 1887-8 by a vote of 1,617 to 1,617 for F. W.
Ralph, fusionist, and 126 for 0. N. Stahlman, Prohibitionist. The tie
vote was settled in his favor by lot.
DELABOR BURROWS
Was born in Montgomery, Orange county, New York, January 24,
1813. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Democrat. He settled in
1836 in Independence, but bought land in Rose, Oakland county,
Michigan, where he farmed it for thirty-three years. He was a Representative in the legislature of 1850. Now resides at Fenton.
JULIUS C. BURROWS,
Of Kalamazoo, was born at North East. Erie county, Pennsylvania,
January 9, 1837; received a common school and academic education;
studied law, was admitted to the bar, and has since practiced; was
an officer in the Union army, 1862-1864; was prosecuting attorney of
Kalamazoo county, 1865-1867; was appointed supervisor of internal
revenue for the States of Michigan and Missouri in 1867, but declined
the office; was elected a Representative in the forty-third, forty-sixth
and forty-seventh congresses; was appointed solicitor of the United
States treasury department by President Arthur in 1884, but declined
the office; was elected a delegate at large from Michigan to the




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


141


national republican convention at Chicago in 1884; was elected to
the forty-ninth and re-elected to the fiftieth congress as a Republican, receiving 18,257 votes against 15,744 votes for Sherwood, Fusionist, and 1,999 votes for Boyden, Prohibitionist. lie has a state and
national reputation as one of the most eloquent and effective Republican speakers in the West. He is a member of the committee of
ways and means in the House.
WILLIAM A. BURT,
Prominently identified with the early history of the State, was the
son of Alvin Burt and Wealthy (Austin) Burt, and was born at Worcester, Mass., June 13, 1792. His parents in 1798 removed to Montgomery county, N. Y., where in the absence of schools, he had great
difficulty in obtaining an education. Through the 'aid of a neighbor
who had been a teacher, he learned surveying and astronomy at an
early age. He served for a time in the war of 1812, and at the age of
twenty-one married Phoebe Cole. After a few years of mercantile
business, not a success, he came to Michigan in 1822, settled in Washington, Macomb county, in 1824, and from the time of his arrival
until 1833 was engaged in mill-building and local surveying. He was
a member of the territorial council of 1826 and 1827. He was appointed district surveyor by Gov. Porter in 1832, and was county surveyor of Macomb county from 1831 to 1834. He was also postmaster
of Mt. Vernon, a position he held for 24 years. In 1833 he was also
associate judge of the Macomb circuit.
In the autumn of 1833 he was appointed United States surveyor and
left for the field north of Fort Gratiot, on the shore of Lake Huron.
At this time he had conceived the idea of the solar compass-the
crowning achievement of his life. He exhibited the model before the
Franklin Institute at Philadelphia in 1835, and was unanimously
awarded a Scott's legacy medal.. He became engaged in the land
surveys in Wisconsin and Iowa for some time. In 1838 he was elected
one of the commissioners of public improvements for the state of
Michigan, and his sound common sense saved millions of dollars that
would have been thrown away on internal improvements. In 1840
he exhibited a perfect solar compass, for which he received the high"
est commendation as to the value of his invention. From 1840 to 1847
he was occupied in land surveys in the Upper Peninsula, but published a manual for the use of his compass. He was with Douglass
Houghton in 1845, when that gentleman was drowned, and had the
geological reports to make out. He discovered more than twenty beds


4




142


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


of iron ore from 1844 to 1846, thus turning public attention to the vast
mineral wealth of Northern Michigan. He visited Europein 1851 and
received a prize medal at the world's fair in London. In 1852 he returned, and in 1853 was a Representative from Macomb county in the
legislature, and was chairman of the committee on the Sault Ste.
Marie ship canal. In 1856 he secured letters patent on an equatorial
sextant, both in this country and in Europe, but died before it was
perfected. He was a member of the Baptist church and a Democrat
in politics.
PORTER BURTON,
Representative from Barry county in 1879, was born in Perryville,
Madison county, N. Y., July 22, 1821. He received a common school
education. In 1844 he moved to Napoleon, Jackson county, and
engaged in farming. In 1856 he removed to Barry county. He has
held the office of justice of the peace. In politics a National.
CHARLES P. BUSH
Was born March 18, 1809, at Ithaca, Tompkins county, N. Y. He
came to Michigan in 1836, and was one of the first settlers in Handy,
Livingston county. He was a self-made, reliant man, and a natural
political leader. An earnest advocate of the doctrines and policy of
the Democratic party, he was elected in 1840 as a Representative in
the legislature, and at once took high rank as a public man. He was
again elected in 1841, 1842, 1843, and in 1846 became a state Senator,
and the next year was elected President pro tern. of the Senate. In
that position he cast in 1847, the deciding vote that removed the state
capital from Detroit to Lansing. Soon after, he became a resident of
Lansing, and in 1850 was elected to the constitutional convention,
and in 1852 was a delegate to the democratic national convention at
Baltimore. In 1855 he was again a state Senator from the counties
of Shiawassee and Ingham. He drafted and supported the bill by
which capital punishment was abolished in Michigan. He was a
successful business man, and his farm of 1,700 acres in Livingston
county, was one of the best in the state. On the stump he was an
effective and forcible speaker, and was possessed of a memory that
was never at fault. In the prime of life he suffered years of illness,
and died at Lansing about 1856.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


143


DAVID BUSH
Was born in Danby, Tompkins county, N. Y., June 12, 1822, and
come to Michigan in 1837. He lived in Handy until 1845, but became a farmer in Conway, Livingston county. He held a number of
local offices and in 1859 was Representative in the legislature as a
Democrat.
DANIEL P. BUSHNELL,
Representative from Detroit, session 1859, was a native of Albany,
N. Y., born in 1810. At the age of sixteen he entered the employ of
the American Fur Company, working in the northwest. In 1834
he was appointed by President Jackson, deputy Indian agent for
the northwest territory, serving in that capacity seven years. He
settled in Detroit in 1843. He interested himself in politics, and was
clerk of the House of Representatives, sessions 1851-2, and a member
of the House as above stated. He was city treasurer of Detroit at
the time of his death, May 4, 1862. Was Democratic in politics.
EDWARD H. BUTLER
Was born in Detroit in 1841. Prepared in the public schools of his
native city for the University at Ann Arbor, entering there in 1857;
abandoned his college course in 1859 by reason of ill-health, returned
to Detroit, became clerk in the banking office of Wm. A. Butler &
Co., and was admitted to the firm in 1863. In 1870 the Mechanics'
Bank of Detroit was organized, and he was made cashier, a position
he has held ever since. He carried a torch in the first republican
procession ever had in Detroit (in 1856), was a member and treasurer
of the republican city committee, of Detroit, for the years 1877-8-9,
and chairman during the campaign of 1880. Also, a member of the
Wayne county republican committee for the years 1880-'81. Was
one of the presidential electors in 1880. In 1882 he received the solid
vote of the Wayne delegation in the republican convention at Kalamazoo, where he was nominated for the office of state treasurer. At
the election in November, he was the only republican candidate on
the state ticket given a majority in Wayne county, and was elected
by a vote of 158,348, to 149,068 votes for Lucien S. Coman, Democrat
and Greenback, and 4,684 for the Prohibition candidate. In 3884
he was renominated and re-elected on the Republican ticket by a
vote of 192,830, to 188,480 for James Blair, Fusionist, and 18,558 for
Amherst B. Cheney, Prohibitionist.




144


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


ORANGE BUTLER,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1837, was born in Pompey,
Onondaga county, N. Y., March 5, 1794. He graduated at Union
college, studied law with Victor Birdseye, at the same time teaching
classics. Commenced practice at Vienna, N. Y., then at Gaines, N.
Y., where he had a large practice and was prominent in the famous
Morgan trials, during the Anti-Masonic excitement, and was prosecuting attorney. Came to Adrian, Mich., in 1835. Removed to
Delta, Eaton county, in 1847, and purchased the Ingersoll mills. Sold
the property in 1849 and removed to Lansing, where he died July 11,
1870. He practiced law and was justice of the peace for many years.
In politics a Democrat.
RICHARD BUTLER
Was born on Grosse Isle, Wayne county, Michigan, April 1, 1797, but
removed with his parents to Gosfield, Canada. His father died when
he was young and he was apprenticed to a Pennsylvania farmer,
until he attained his majority. He had no chance for education,
and commenced a course of self instruction in 1821, removing the
same year to Detroit. Hethere continued his studies, and subsequently taught school for a term of years, numbering the children of
Gen. Cass and other prominent Detroit citizens among his pupils.
He also taught at Mt. Clemens and other places in Macomb county.
He engaged in mercantile business for a short time at Detroit, and
removed to Mt. Clemens in 1828. In 1829 he was commissioned as
county clerk of Macomb county by Gen. Cass, also justice of the
peace. He was appointed register of the land office at Sault Ste.
Marie and held that office during one term. He studied law and was
admitted to the Macomb county bar in 1834, and practiced successfully until 1865; was prosecuting attorney in 1857-8; started the
Macomb Statesman in 1837; and was a Representative in the legislature of 1838. He married Abagail Hayes in 1827, and they had four
children, of whom Milton H. Butler, a Detroit banker, is one. He
is still living at Mt. Clemens.
ARCHIBALD BUTTARS
Was born in Manchester, England, November 21. 1838, and has been
a resident of Michigan since 1852. He received but a limited education, then followed the occupation of wood-cutter, lumberman, and
land looker, and as such endured all the privations of frontier life.
He is now a merchant. He was elected Senator in the state legislature in 1880, and re-elected in 1882. He was chosen president pro




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


145


ter. of the Senate of 1883. Having received the nomination for
lieutenant governor, from the republican state convention in 1884,
over several prominent and capable candidates, he was elected by a
vote of 191,614 to 189,241 for Matthew H. Maynard, Fusionist; and
19,205 for Alonzo Sherwood, Prohibitionist. He was not a candidate
for re-election in 1886. Residence, Charlevoix.
IRA H. BUTTERFIELD
Was born December 6, 1812, in Gainesville, Wyoming county, N. Y.
He received a common school education. He came to Michigan in
1838 and settled at Shelby, Macomb county.  He was a leading
farmer and largely interested in agricultural matters in the county
of Macomb and the state. He helped to organize the Macomb county
agricultural society, and was for many years one of its officers.
He was one of the executive committee of the state agricultural
society in 1853, 1854 and 1861. He was one of the first to introduce
merino sheep in Eastern Michigan, and brought to Macomb county
the first herd of Devon cattle. He was State Senator from Macomb
county in 1861 and 1862. In 1866 he removed to Lapeer and was
again State Senator from that county and served in 1873-4. He was
engaged in milling as well as farming, both in Macomb and Lapeer
counties. He was an active Whig but was a Republican after 1854.
He died at Lapeer, May 10, 1884.
JOHN W. BUTTERFIELD,
Representative from Berrien county in 1851, came to Michigan in
1840, and was a manufacturer at Niles.    Politics Democratic.
Deceased.
JOHN H. BUTTON,
Representative from Oakland county in 1840, was born near Springfield, Mass., October 14, 1805. He came to Michigan in 1831, and
settled with his family on a farm in Farmington, Oakland county
having located the land in 1828. He was supervisor of the town from
1845 to 1854, for eight years was one of the county superintendents of
the poor, and for four years was a justice of the peace. He affiliated
with the Republican party. He was for several years postmaster at
North Farmington. Died at Fentonville, December 1, 1876.
16




146


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


CHARLES H. CADY,
Representative from the third district of Wayne county in 1887, was
born in Nankin, of that county, July 20, 1842, and has been a resident of Michigan since that time. Mr. Cady is a farmer and
a Democrat, has held the offices of school inspector, township treasurer, justice of the peace, and supervisor for seven years. He was
elected Representative by a vote of 950, to 866 for Charles Ranspach,
Republican; and 76 for William Lathers, Prohibitionist.
CHARLES T. CADY,
Representative from Monroe county in 1855, was born at Putney, Vt.,
May 11, 1811. By occupation a hotel keeper and farmer, in politics a
Republican. He came to Dundee, Monroe county, in 1843. Was
sheriff of Monroe county.  In religion a Congregationalist. Expended money liberally for the building of churches, establishing
schools, and in the cause of temperance. Was a prime mover in
building a plank road from Tecumseh to Monroe. Died March 11,
1886.
CHAUNCEY G. CADY,
Representative from Macomb county in 1849, was born in Otsego
county, N. Y., August 20, 1803. Received a common school education, and came to Mt. Clemens, Mich., in 1820. In 1833 settled on a
farm in the towns of Clinton and Sterling, same county. Held the
offices of supervisor, town clerk, justice, and drain commissioner. He
was pay-master, with the rank of major, in the territorial militia
from 1826 to 1829. A Democrat until 1854, since a Republican. He
was the first president of the Macomb county pioneer society.
HORACE H. CADY
Was born in Hadley, Windham county, Conn., February 20, 1801,
and received a common school education. He emigrated to Michigan in 1821, and settled in Mt. Clemens, where he remained until
1837, when he removed to Macomb, Macomb county. He was supervisor of that town fifteen years, justice of the peace, and treasurer
of Macomb county. He was a Representative in the legislature of
1843, 1865 and 1873-4. By occupation a farmer.




* MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY. 


147


NORMAN CALHOUN,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1851, was born in Coventry,
Conn., February 13, 1807, and died August 15, 1876. A farmer, and
politically a Republican. He settled in the town of Bridgewater in
1837, and lived there until 1865, then was a resident of the village of
Clinton until his death.
ALANSON CALKINS,
Representative from Tuscola county in 1851, was born in Scipio, N.
Y., September 19, 1815. By occupation a farmer, politically a Whig.
He settled in Oakland county, Michigan, in 1836, but removed to
Tuscola county in 1847. Died May 13, 1854.
EPHRAIM CALKINS,
Representative from Macomb county in 1837, was born in Greenbush,
N. Y., October 7, 1792. By occupation millwright, surveyor and
farmer, in politics first a Democrat, then a Free Soiler. He came to
Michigan in 1831, was a member of the constitutional convention of
1835; county, surveyor of Macomb county, and three years county
commissioner. Helped to organize the free soil party in Michigan in
1848, and was their candidate for congress in that 3 ear. A man of
sound judgment, and noted as an arbitrator and peace-maker. Died
at Grattan, Kent county, March 8, 1853.
LEVI CAMBURN,
Representative from Montcalm county in 1865 and 1867, was born in
Lockport, N. Y., February 7, 1898. Occupation farming, politics
Republican. He came to Michigan in 1832, first living at Tecumseh.
Removed to Montcalm county in 1856, and was county treasurer
from 1861 to 1865. Present residence, Clarion, Charlevoix county.
ALEXANDER CAMERON
Was born in Deerfield, Oneida county, N. Y., September 29, 1813,
and is of Scotch descent. He was brought up to farm work and had
a limited education. He acquired a skillful use of tools and in 1834
settled at Kalamazoo, Michigan, working as a carpenter, also dealing
in real estate and buying and selling live stock. In 1849 he went to
California and engaged in gold mining. He has held many local




148


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


offices and from 1869 to 1873 was Representative in the legislature
and a leading member. He was first a Whig, a Republican from
1854.
THEODORE J. CAMPAU,
A member of the house, session 1859, was the son of Joseph Campau.
He was born April 26, 1825, and was educated at Notre Dame college,
Ind. Although an active Democrat, he was not an aspirant for
political honors, his official life being comprehended by his term in
the legislature and by one or two nominal appointments under the
city government. Died March 10, 1875.
ABNER E. CAMPBELL,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1848, was born at Camillus,
N. Y., in 1811. By profession a lawyer, in politics a Democrat. He
located at Battle Creek in 1842, and established a large and lucrative
law business. Was an able lawyer, and a genial, cultivated gentleman. Died August 2, 1856.
ALLEN CAMPBELL,
Representative from Oakland county in 1875, was born in Scotland
in 1817, removed to this country in 1827, taking up his residence first
at Paterson, N. J., and afterwards at Stockport, N. Y. He received
a common school education. In 1834 he went to sea from New Bedford, Mass., and filled all positions on shipboard from boy to master.
He was master of a United States transport during the Mexican war.
He came to Michigan in 1847, and purchased and improved the farm
in Groveland, Oakland county, upon which he now resides. He has
held various township offices. In politics a Democrat.
BRADFORD CAMPBELL
Was born in Campbell, N. Y., in 1803. He emigrated to Canton,
Michigan, in 1827, lived there two years, removed to Nankin, Wayne
county, where he kept hotel on the old Chicago road for six years.
He then removed to Hamburg, Livingston county, where he engaged
in milling, wool carding, cloth dressing, and farming. Representa.
tive in the legislature of 1849.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPH Y.


149


DANIEL CAMPBELl
Senator from the twenty-fifth district, Arenac and Bay counties, in
1887, was born in Caithness-shire, Scotland, in 1836, has been a resident of Michigan since 1861.  By occupation a builder.  He has
been a member of the city council. Was elected to the Senate of
1887-8 on the Greenback and Republican ticket by a vote of 4,615 to
3,518 for H. M. Wright, Democrat, and 154 for Brent Harding, Prohibitionist.
JAMES H. CAMPBELL,
Representative from the second district of Calhoun county in 1879-81 -2, was born November 12, 1850, in the township of Lee, Mich. His
education was received in the common schools. Mr. Campbell is by
profession a lawyer, and was admitted to the bar in 1872. He was
city recorder of Marshall five years, from 1866, to 1870, inclusive; city
attorney in 1873, in 1876, and 1879. As Republican candidate in 1878
he was elected Representative. He was re-elected in 1880 by a vote
of 1,425, to 1,077 for David Furlong (Democrat), and 160 for Win. S.
Simons (National).
JAMES VALENTINE CAMPBELL
Was born in Buffalo, N. Y., February 25, 1823. His father, Henry
Campbell, was a merchant who brought his family to Detroit in 1826,
and who held in New York, and afterwards in Michigan, the position
of county judge. The son was educated at Flushing, L I., and graduated at St. Paul's college in July, 1841. He was admitted to the bar
at Detroit in October, 1844. In 1857, upon the establishment of the
present Supreme Court, he was elected one of the judges, and has
held the office ever since. He has ever been closely identified with
the advancement of educational and refining influences, especially in
Detroit, where he was president of the young men's society in 1848,
and a member of the board of education for several years. In 1859
he was chosen Marshall professor of law in the law department
established that year in the University of Michigan, and he held the
chair for many years. He received the degree of doctor of laws from
that University in 1866, being the first of a very few eminent men
upon whom the University has conferred the degree. In 1876 he published his " Outlines of the Political History of Michigan." He was a
Whig so long as the whig party maintained a political existence, and
has since been a Republican. In 1886 he was again elected for eight
years, and should he serve out his term will have been a judge of the




150


1IICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Supreme Court continuously for thirty-eight years. No man is more
universally loved and respected by the people of Michigan.
MILO D. CAMPBELL,
Representative from the first district of Branch county in 1885, was
born at Quincy, Branch county, Michigan, on the 25th day of October, 1851. Is a graduate of the high school at Coldwater, Michigan,
and of the state normal school at Ypsilanti. At twenty-one years of
age he was elected to the office of superintendent of the schools of
Branch county. Has since been twice elected a member of the board
of school examiners of said county, and three times elected secretary
of such board. He has also held the office of circuit court commissioner two terms. Studied law with I.overidge & Barlow, of Coldwater,
Michigan, and was admitted to practice in 1877. Since his admission
to the bar he has been in the active practice of his profession. Is a
Republican, and was elected to the legislature by a vote of 1,898,
against 1,721 votes received by his opponent, Eli Wakeman, who was
the fusion nominee of the democrats, greenbackers and prohibitionists. Mr. Campbell was appointed private secretary to Governor Luce
January 1, 1887, and now fills that position.
ISRAEL CANBY,
Representative from Cheboygan, Emmet, and Charlevoix counties in
1883, was born in Logan county, Ohio. Was raised on a farm and
received a common school education.  Soon after he became of age
he took charge of a railroad freight and ticket office, continuing in
that occupation three years. He then engaged in the milling business
until the war of the rebellion. In April, 1861, he enlisted, and was
elected captain of his company; the company was assigned to the 23d
Ohio volunteer infantry. After serving three years and four months
was mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service. He
then engaged in various occupations with varied success, until the
year 1872. In the spring of 1875 moved to Emmet county and took a
homestead, where he resided three years. Was elected three times
supervisor, also two terms county treasurer. Was elected on the
republican ticket member of the legislature from his district.
Deceased.
LUCIUS H. CANFIELD,
Representative from Macomb county in 1877, was born in Chester,
Conn. In 1838 he came with his parents to Chesterfield, Macomb




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


151


county, Michigan, where he remained, working on a farm and
receiving a common school education. Afterwards worked at the
mason trade ten years, and after his father's death resumed farming,
which he still pursues. In 1868 he removed to the village of New
Haven and was chosen supervisor for six successive terms. In politics a Democrat.
WILLIAM CANFIELD,
Senator from Macomb county in 1857-8-9, was born in Saybrook,
Conn., May 26, 1809. Educated in the schools of Hartford and
became a clerk at the age of sixteen. He settled as a merchant at
Mt. Clemens, Mich., in 1829, and married Ann, daughter of Judge
Clemens, in 1830. He was appointed sheriff of Macomb county in
1832, and was a brigadier general of state militia. In 1835 he settled
on a farm near Mt. Clemens, where he died in 1877. He was an officer in both county and state agricultural societies, and from 1862 to
1865 assistant assessor of internal revenue. In politics a Republican.
STEPHEN CANIFF
Was born in Knollsville, N. Y., May 30, 1816. When a young man
he taught winters and worked at farming summers. He settled on a
farm in Pittsford, Hllsdale county, in 1836. In 1843 he sold out and
bought a farm in Litchfield, where he resided until his death,
November 23,1876. He was a Republican. In 1867 a Representative
in the legislature.
ELLERY C. CANNON,
Representative from the Osceola district, comprising the counties of
Missaukee and Osceola, was born in Macomb county, Mich., December 28, 1842. 1 le obtained his education in district schools. He has
been an active citizen of Osceola county since the fall of 1871, and is
at presentoengaged in the mercantile business at Evart. He served
his country three years in the late war, being a member of Company
B, twenty-second Michigan infantry. He has represented his township on the board of supervisors, and for three consecutive years was
the chairman of that honorable body. Has held many minor offices.
He was elected Representative for 1885-6, and re-elected for 1887-8,
receiving 1,801 votes-to 1,102 for G. R. Andrew, Democrat, and 333
for M. L. Stevans, Prohibitionist.




152


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


JAMES CAPLIS,
Representative from Wayne county in 1873-4, and Senator in 1881-2,
was born in Burncourt, Ireland, March 28, 1841. He received a common school education. He emigrated to the United States in 1854,
and subsequently settled in Detroit. In 1857 he was station master
for the Great Western railroad. He was also employed in the same
capacity in 1858-9, for the Detroit & Milwaukee railroad. He studied
law and was admitted to the bar in 1862. He still continues in the
practice of his profession and deals in real estate. Has been prosecuting attorney of Wayne county.
EZRA C. CARLETON,
Of Port Huron, was born at St. Clair, Michigan, September 6, 1838.
He remained upon his father's farm and attended the district school
until 1856, when he entered a more advanced school at Port Huron.
In 1859 he began as clerk in mercantile business. He engaged with
Wm. Stewart, hardware merchant, in 1863, and four years later
became partner with Mr. Stewart and Peter B. Sanborn. After ten
years of successful business the firm was changed to Sanborn, Carleton & Co. In 1881, Mr. Carleton became the head of the firm. He
was elected mayor of Port Huron in 1881, and was chairman of the
Port Huron fire relief committee in the same year. He was elected
to the United States congress in 1882 on the fusion ticket. In 1884 he
was elected on the fusion ticket over three opposing candidates, by
the following vote: Carleton; 14,535; Edgar Weeks, republican,
12,316; O'Brien J. Atkinson, anti-monopolist, 1,096; John Russell,
prohibitionist, 1,008. Served from 1883 to 1887.
PALMER S. CARLETON,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1879, was born in Hoosick,
N. Y., November 29, 1831. He removed to St. Clair, Michigan, in
1866. He received an academic education, and spent ten winters
teaching school. Has held the office of supervisor in his township
for nine years, and has been chairman of the board three years. Was
appointed delegate to represent his county on the board of state
equalization in 1866. Occupation farmer. Politics democratic.
AUBERN D. CARLTON,
Representative from Eaton county in 1885, was born in Pittsfield,
Michigan, February 18, 1846. Remained with his parents on a farm




MICHIGAN BIOGRA PHY.


153


until he was fourteen years of age. In 1864 he enlisted in the tenth
Michigan cavalry, company D. Remained in the regiment until the
close of the war. Upon being discharged he came to Windsor, Eaton
county, where he worked on a farm summers and attended school
winters until 1869. He engaged in farming for himself where he
resides, in Windsor. He has held the office of supervisor for six
successive years.
ISRAEL E. CARLTON,
Representative in 1865 and Senator in 1867 from Oceana county, and
Senator from Muskegon county in 1869 and 1870, was born in New
Hampshire, March 26, 1819, and died March 28, 1871. By occupation a lumberman, politically a Republican. The exact date of his
first residence in Michigan is unknown. He was a practical business
man, and as a legislator was a man of tact and influence.
SHERLOCK H. CARMER,
Representative from the first district of Ingham county in 1881-2, was
born January 29, 1842, in Portage county, Ohio. His parents were
formerly from New Jersey. He was in active business from his youth
up, and held many positions of trust, both public and private. He
came to Lansing, Mich., in 1869, engaged in mercantile business, and
went from that into milling. He was senior member of the firm of
Carmer, Parmelee & Co., "Capital Mills," Lansing. A Democrat.
Deceased.
CHARLES K. CARPENTER
Was born in Hornellsville, N. Y., January 23, 1826. In 1837 he came
with his parents to Orion, Oakland county, and worked clearing land
and in a saw mill, receiving only six months schooling after he was
ten years of age. By occupation a farmer. He helped organize the
Oakland county agricultural society, was president two years, and a
director twenty years. He was also director of the Detroit & Bay
City railroad. He, as a Democrat, was Representative in the legislature of 1859. Since 1861 he has not acted with the democrats, but has
been a leader in the prohibition party, and has been a candidate at
various times for governor, auditor general and presidential elector
on that ticket,




154


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


DAVID CARPENTER
Was born at Potsdam, N. Y., April 19, 1815. He received an academical education, taught school two winters, and in 1836 came to
Toledo, Ohio, and was first a clerk, then engaged in the grocery and
baking business. In 1833 he removed to Blissfield, Michigan, and
became the junior member of the firm of G. & D. Carpenter, merchants.
He also owned a large farm. He was engaged in mercantile business
until 1852. In 1867 he became a member of the state hoard of agriculture, and held the position several years. In 1867 he again went
into mercantile business as the head of the firm of Carpenter &
Brown, and with Mr. Furnam built the first brick block at Blissfield.
He has also been interested in " Bay View," the summer resort near
Petoskey; has built a residence there, purchased a large farm, and
invested largely in real estate.
GUY CARPENTER,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1843, was born in Potsdam,
N. Y., December 13, 1809. Received an academical education,
studied higher mathematics and civil engineering, and came to
Michigan in 1830. Taught school, and from 1832 to 1835 was a
farmer, then became a merchant at Blissfield, continuing in that
business until his death in 1849. Held the office of supervisor, justice
and county commissioner. An anti-slavery Democrat. As a legislator drafted the first law for the drainage of swamps, marshes, and
other low lands.
JOEL CARPENTER,
Senator from Lenawee county in 1859, '61-2, was born in Potsdam,
N. Y., September 3, 1818. Graduated from St. Lawrence academy
in 1837. Came to Adrian, Mich., in 1838, read law and was admitted
to the bar in 1842. Was a Whig, but in 1841 with others, organized
the anti-slavery party in Lenawee county. He was a delegate to the
free soil convention at Buffalo in 1848. Became a Republican in
1854. Has been supervisor and postmaster of Blissfield, deputy U.
S. assessor, enrolling officer during the war, census enumerator, and
was an alternate delegate to the Chicago republican convention in
1880.
MANSON CARPENTER,
Senator from the sixth district, Lenawee county, in 1885, and Representrtive in 1879, 1881-2, was born in the township of Greenfield,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


155


Saratoga county, N. Y., 'October 2, 1830. With his parents he came
to Woodstock, Lenawee county, in 1836, and has resided there ever
since. His education was principally obtained in the common
schools. He has held various township offices, including that of
supervisor for two years. His occupation is that of a farmer. He
was elected to the senate on the republican ticket, by a vote of 5,794,
to 5,454 for Charles H. Dewey, Fusionist, 1,159 for Z. Cook, Prohibitionist.
WILLIAM E. CARPENTER,
Representative from the second district of Oakland county in 1883,
was born August 18, 1849, in the township of Waterford, Oakland
county, Michigan. He attended district school winters until 1869,
when he entered the state normal school at Ypsilanti, continuing
there two terms. Since then he has taught school ten terms. Mr.
Carpenter is now engaged in farming. He was elected to the house
of representatives as a Democrat.
NATHAN T. CARR
Was by trade a printer and a Republican in politics. He published
a republican paper at Midland City for some years, and was a member of the legislature from Midland county in 1859. He removed
from Midland City in 1862 or 1863, went into the army, and afterwards resided in Indiana. Reported deceased.
WILLIAM S. CARR
Was born in Columbia county, N. Y., in 1808, came to Michigan in
1833, and settled in Manchester, Washtenaw county. In 1840, as a
Whig, was a Representative in the legislature. Since that time has
been a Democrat. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1850. Has been justice of the peace, supervisor and councilman. He still resides at Manchester, Michigan.
HARLEIGH CARTER,
Representative from Macomb county in 1845 and 1850, was an attorney and was admitted to the Macomb county bar in 1837. His residence was at Utica, Macomb county. He was appointed United
States judge in one of the western territories, and died there. He
was long a justice of the peace at Utica, and was prosecuting
attorney of Macomb county from 1842 to 1844.




156


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


JOHN CARTER,
Representative from Livingston county in 1873-4, was born in
Queen's county, Ireland, October 10, 1820, and recived a common
school education. In 1845 he emigrated to the United States and
settled at Amboy, N. Y. In 1848 he emigrated to Michigan and
settled in Milford, Oakland county. In 1856 he removed to Brighton,
where he now resides. He has held the position of justice of the
peace 18 years, and has been supervisor four years. By occupation
a farmer.
RICHARD B. CARUSS,
Representative from Clinton county in 1831-2, was born in Stafford,
N. Y., February 3, 1828. In May, 1833, he moved with his parents
to Commerce, Oakland county, and worked on his father's farm
until March, 1858. Having married in 1857, he removed to Farmington.  In 1861 he enlisted in company "D," second Michigan
infantry, and participated in many battles.  He was prostrated by
sun-stroke, and was discharged on account of disability. He re_
turned in 1864, and removed to Clinton county, where he now resides.
His business is farming and stock-raising.
JOHN CARVETH,
Senator from the thirteenth district in 1885, consisting of Barry and
Eaton counties, was born at Saranac, Ionia county, Michigan, March
12, 1841. He was formerly a teacher, but is now a lawyer, the
senior member of Carveth & HIendrick, of Middleville, Barry county.
He was elected to the senate by a vote of 6,849, to 6,549 for John
Dawson, Fusionist, and 886 for Chas. G. Bentley, Prohibitionist.
ARTHUR T. CASE,
Representative from the Leelanaw district in 1885-'87, comprising the
counties of Benzie and Leelanaw, was born at Andover, Ohio, October 6, 1835. He had been a resident of Michigan twenty-five years.
Held the offices of couhty superintendent of schools four years, county
clerk and register six years, supervisor fifteen years, and justice of
the peace seventeen years. He was elected Representative as a Republican by a vote of 1,169 to 1,001 for Lawrence W. Crane, and 5 for
Cyrel Tyler, Prohibitionist. Died April, 1888.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


157


BARNABAS CASE,
State Senator in 1851 from Washtenaw county, was born November
19, 1799, in Livingston county, New York. He came to Michigan in
1832, and settled at Manchester, Washtenaw county. He was a farmer and distiller, and in politics a Democrat. He was supervisor of
Manchester in 1843 and 1849, and was postmaster.
DANIEL L. CASE,
Auditor General in 1859-60, was born in 1811, near Three Rivers,
Canada. where his father was stopping for a time. He studied law
with Wi. J. Moody at Penfield, N. Y., and came with Mr. Moody to
Jackson, Mich., in 1834. In 1836 he went to Louisiana and Texas,
practicing law in both states. In 1843 he settled in practice at Mason,
Mich., and was prosecuting attorney of Ingham county for three
terms. In 1845 engaged in mercantile business which he removed to
Lansing in 1847, where he now resides. In. 1851 he was elected a
Representative from Ionia county, while temporarily living at Portland. He was a Democrat until 1856, then wrote a powerful address,
giving his adhesion to the republican party, and became a party
leader, and a most effective stump speaker. In 1864 he was appointed
paymaster in the army with the rank of major, which he held until
after the close of the war. Since has been a merchant, but now
resides on a farm. Has held many honorary positions, and is now a
trustee of the institute for the blind, at Lansing, and resident manager.
GEORGE F. CASE
Was born in Franklin county, Vt., January 20, 1880. He removed
with his father's family to Jackson, Michigan, in 1846; and in i850
engaged in the lumber business at Greenville. He went to Stanton
in 1863 and continued the same business. He has been twelve years
a supervisor, was two years clerk of Montcalm county, and has filled
other local offices. He was a member of the constitutional convention
of 1867. In politics a Republican.
JAMES A. CASE,
Representative from the district comprising the counties of Alpena,
Montmorency, and Presque Isle, in 1885, was born at Farmersville,
Ontario, July 29, 1832. Came to Michigan in 1852, and resided for a
number of years in Shiawassee county. Removed to Alpena in 1864,
17




158


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Resides in the township of Alpena, where he follows the occupation of
a farmer. At one time edited the Alpena County Pioneer, of which
paper he was the first editor. He has held the offices of justice of the
peace, township treasurer, member of the board of education, and
superintendent of the county poor. Was elected supervisor of the
township of Alpena five years in succession, during which time he
was twice chosen chairman of the board of supervisors. He was
appointed by the board a delegate to represent his county at the meeting of the state board of equalization in 1881. As a Republican candidate for Representative he received 1,518 votes, and his opponent,
George J. Robinson, Fusionist, received 1,471 votes.
OVID N. CASE,
Elected to the legislature of 1887, never took the oath of office. He
died on the 26th December, 1886. He undoubtedly would have
received the union nomination for speaker and have been one of the
foremost members of this House, as he had been of preceding ones,
had he lived to participate in its deliberations. He was thirty-three
years old at the time of his death. He was born at Windsor, Ashtabula county, Ohio, November 13, 1853. After receiving a common
school education he removed to Lenawee county, Michigan, where
for some years he worked on his father's farm. He was married in
1872. In 1875 he graduated froui Adrian college. The same year he
became superintendent of schools for Cambridge, and later he entered
upon the study of law in the office of Stacy & Underwood at Adrian.
He began the practice of his profession at Vermontville, Eaton
county, in 1877. The following year he came to Detroit, where he
rose to a high place at the bar, and to a commanding political position. He was elected successively to the legislatures of 1883, 1885,
and 1887, serving with distinction in those of 1883 and 1885.
SPALDING M. CASE,
Representative from Livingston county in 1851, was born in Oswego
county, N. Y., November 7, 1813. By occupation a merchant, in
politics first a Democrat then a Republican. He came to Michigan in
1837. He was four terms supervisor of the town of Brighton. Died
June 18, 1867.
LEWIS CASS
Was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, October 9, 1782. His ancestors were early settlers in New England. His father was a commis



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


159


sioned officer in the revolutionary army, participated in the battles of
Bunker Hill, Saratoga, Trenton, Princeton, Monmouth and Germantown, and was afterwards a major in Wayne's army. In 1799 he
removed to Marietta, Ohio, finally settling in the vicinity of Zanesville, where he died in 1830.
General Cass was educated at an academy in Exeter, N. H., and
studied law at Marietta, under Governor Meigs. In 1806 he was
elected to the Ohio legislature, was one of a committee to investigate
the enterprise of Colonel Burr, and drafted a law which enabled the
authorities to arrest his force on their passage down the Ohio. He
also drafted an address to President Jefferson which unfolded the
views of the legislature on the subject.
In 1807 he was appointed U. S. Marshal of Ohio, which office he
resigned in 1813. In 1812 he volunteered his services to the force
called out to join the army under General William Hull, and was
elected colonel of the 3d regiment of Ohio volunteers. He marched
with his regiment through the trackless wilderness to Detroit, where
he urged an immediate invasion of Canada, headed the advanced
detachment and wrote the proclamation of Gen. Hull to the inhabitants. History proves that he was in no way responsible for the vacillating course of Hull, nor was he present at the capitulation. After
the surrender he went to Washington and made a report to the government. The next spring he was appointed colonel of tile 27th infantry, and was soon after promoted to brigadier general. He joined the
army of Gen. Harrison, was present in the pursuit of Proctor, and
participated in the triumph at the Moravian towns. At the end of
the campaign he was left in command of Michigan, with headquarters
at Detroit.
On the ninth of October, 1813, he was appointed governor of the
territory of Michigan, which he held until July, 1831, when he became secretary of war under President Jackson. During these eighteen years he stamped the impress of his mind on the institutions of
Michigan. He negotiated many Indian treaties by which settlers
were enabled to become possessors of the soil. He found a small
population struggling with poverty, and without resources. He left
it with a well spread population in a state of peace and prosperity.
He filled the cabinet position to which he had been called with tact
and skill, and when a contest arose between the civil and military
power, always placed civil authority above the military. In October,
1836, he was appointed minister to France, which he held until
December, 1842. By the force of argument and the weight of character he was able to break the treaty, already partly signed, between
England, France, Russia, Austria and Prussia, which would have




160


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


made England mistress of the seas by giving her the right of search.
In 1844 he was the leading democratic candidate for president, at
the Baltimore convention, and received 125 votes, but was defeated
by Polk. The same year he was elected United States Senator from
Michigan, took his seat in 1845, and was chairman of the military
committee. In the settlement of the Oregon boundary, he to the last
adhered to the lin- of fifty-four degrees and forty minutes, finally
settled at forty-nine degrees,
In 1848 he was nominated as the Democratic candidate for president, but was defeated by General Taylor. The free soilers, under
the lead of Martin Van Buren, largely contributed to this result. In
the democratic national convention of 1852 he at first received the
most votes, but the choice ultimately fell on General Pierce. He was
re-elected Senator in 1849 to fill balance of term, also in 1851 and
served until 1857.
By the natural rise of real estate owned by him in Detroit, he became
possessed of a large fortune in those days, and was hospitable and
highly esteemed in social as well as political life. He was secretary
of state under President Buchanan from March 4, 1857, to December,
1860, when he resigned, not agreeing with Buchanan and a portion of
the cabinet, in their failure to make efforts to avert civil war and the
division of the federal republic. He resided thereafter at Detroit
until his death in July, 1866. It is just to his memory to say that he
was devoted to the interests of the territory and state, and will always
hold a leading place in the hearts of her people.
LEMUEL CASTLE,
Representative from Shiawassee county in 1840-41, was born in Genesee county, N. Y., May 2, 1793. He received a common school
education, enlisted as a sergeant in the war of 1812, took part
in several battles and became a captain. In 1820 he settled on a
farm in Bloomfield, Mich., and was seven terms supervisor, also
many terms a justice. He was a lieutenant in the militia in 1827.
In 1837 he settled on a large farm in Shiawassee, Mich., and was
again supervisor and justice. Died October 28, 1882.
JOHN G. CATHCART,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1840, was born in Watsonstown, Pa., January 1, 1799. His father and grandfather were both
soldiers in the revolution. He settled on a farm in Constantine'
Michigan, in 1831, and was the first supervisor of the township,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


161


serving in 1837-8 and 9. He was a county commissioner in 1839. In
politics a Democrat.
VOLNEY W. CAUKIN,
Representative from Kent county in 1857, was born in the state of
New York, June 25, 1819. By occupation a farmer and land surveyor, in politics a Democrat up to 1848, a free soiler until 1854, since
a Republican. Has held nearly all township offices and those of
county surveyor and deputy U. S. surveyor. He came to Macomb
county, Mich., in 1831, and from 1844 to 1884 was a resident of Kent
county. In 1884 he became a resident of Jordan, Antrim county
where he still resides.
MERRIT N. CHAFEY,
Representative from the counties of Manistee and Mason in 1873, was
born in Attica, N. Y. He received an academic education. In 1861
he enlisted as a private in the 5th New York cavalry, and participated in many battles. In 1864 he received a first lieutenant's commission. Was mustered out of service June, 1865. In 1866 he
emigrated to Michigan, and settled in Free Soil, Mason county, and
now resides in Grant. He is a farmer, and has held various offices of
trust in both town and county.
ELI B. CHAMBERLAIN,
Representative from the Chippewa district, comprising the counties
of Alger, Chippewa, Mackinac and Schoolcraft, in 1887, was born in
Oxford county, Ontario, in 1834. He has been a resident of Michigan
thirty-two years. He is at present engaged in the real estate business, and was formerly county surveyor. As republican candidate for
the legislature, he received 2,060 votes, to 1,976 for J. W. Thomson.
HENRY CHAMBERLAIN
Was born at Pembroke, N. H., March 17, 1824. He received an
academical education. In 1836 he became a clerk at Concord, N. H.
He removed with his father to Three Oaks, Mich., in 1843, and in
1854 became a merchant, but was also engaged in farming. He was
supervisor from 1845 to 1851, and has often held that office since that
time. He was Representative in 1849. In politics a Democrat. He
has been several times a democratic candidate for congress and for
other offices, and in 1872 was a candidate for elector, and in 1874




162


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


was the democratic nominee for governor, and the result was very
close. As a Mason, he was grand master of the grand lodge in 1872.
He was a member of the semi-centennial commission in 1886, and
presided at the meetings held in the hall of representatives, June 15,
1886. In 1883 he was appointed a member of the state board of
agriculture for six years, and gives much time to the interests of the
state agricultural college. He has often been a delegate to state and
national conventions.  A man of fine presence, practical ability,
energy, and of strict integrity.
WILLIAM CHAMBERLAIN,
Representative in 1871-2-3-5, and Senator from Berrien county in
1877-'79, was born in Pembroke, N. H., February 7, 1834. Educated
at Concord, and came to Michigan with his father in 1843, and now
resides at Three Oaks. In business, for many years, a merchant, in
politics a Republican. Has been postmaster, and was superintendent
of the poor for twenty years, and has held other local offices. He
was president pro ter. of the Senate in 1879, and has been president
of the state agricultural society. Is an authority in agricultural
matters.
SAMUEL CHAMBERLIN
Was born in Amherstburg, Canada West, September 15, 1820. He
came to Michigan in 1821, where he made his home until 1863. He
now resides at Waupun, Wisconsin. He was long a resident of
Pontiac, Michigan, and was a Representative from Oakland county in
1855. By occupation a merchant, in politics a Democrat. Was in
the service of government for eight years. Has been a hardware
merchant since 1863. Is now postmaster of Waupun, Wisconsin.
FITZWILLIAMS H. CHAMBERS
Was born in 1832, and' was educated partly in New York and partly
in Canada. He commenced the study of law in 1849, and was admitted to the law society of Upper Canada after undergoing a classical examination at Osgoode hall. Having completed the five years'
service required in an attorney's office, in 1855, after examination by
the benchers of the law society, he was duly enrolled as a barrister at
law. In the same year he married Margaret Hervey, at Ogdensburg,
N. Y. In 1863 he was elected by the liberal party, to a seat in the
Canadian parliament, which he held four years. He is a member of
the New York and Chicago bars. In 1872 he was elected prosecuting




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


163


attorney for Wayne cou ity by 2,800 majority, and was renominated
by acclamation in 1874. In 1879 he was appointed by Governor
Croswell, on recommendation of the bar, irrespective of party, to fill
the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Reilly. In 1880 he
was elected to the same office by a majority of 1,400. Term expired
December 31, 1887.
ELISHA P. CHAMPLIN
Came to Michigan in 1824, and located at Tecumseh, where he stayed
two years and returned to New York. He again came to Tecumseh
in 1830, and remained there until 1834, when he sold out and removed
to Jonesville, engaging in the mercantile business with George C.
Munro, and built a block of stores. He retired from business in
1851. He owned a farm east of the village. He was postmaster
from 1840 to 1844. He was Representative in 1838 and 1840, and
State Senator in 1841 and 1842. In politics a Whig. Died in 1855.
JOHN W. CHAMPLIN
Was born at Kingston, Ulster county, N. Y., February 7, 1831. He
was the son of Geoffrey and Ellis Champlin, and a descendant of
Geoffrey Champlin, who came from England to Rhode Island in 1768.
His father was a farmer and he lived at home until twenty-one. He
received an academical education, took a course of civil engineering
and commenced the practice of that profession. In 1854 he came to
Grand Rapids, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1855. In
1857 he drew up the city charter of Grand Rapids, and has been
recorder, attorney and mayor of that city.  As a practitioner he
attained high standing, and enjoyed a large and lucrative practice.
In 1883 he received the democratic nomination for Justice of the
Supreme Court, was elected, and became a member of that court on
the 1st of January 1884, having been elected for eight years. He
brought to that position a high character for integrity, a wide
knowledge of the law and the difficulties attending the administration of justice. He enjoys the confidence of the people of the state.
In 1856 he married Ellen Moore, and is the father of three children.
In religion an Episcopalian and a member of that church. In 1887
the degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him by the University of
Michigan.
GEORGE CHANDLER,
Representative, session of 1851, was born in Granville, N. Y., May 16,
1800. By occupation a wagon maker, in politics a Democrat. He




164


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


came to Romeo in 1845, and held the positions of postmaster and
justice of the peace.  He died February 18, 1867. His three sons
graduated at the state University.
JOSEPH H. CHANDLER,
Senator from the thirty-second district in 1881-2, consisting of
Houghton, Ontonagon, Keweenaw, and Isle Royal counties, was born
at Niles, Cayuga county, N. Y., July 30, 1842. He came to Michigan
in 1857, and resided in Washtenaw county until 1868; then went to
Houghton county. In 1862 he went into the army and served until
1866. He was admitted to the bar in 1869, at Houghton. He held
the office of prosecuting attorney for Houghton county for two terms,
and was collector of customs for the district of Superior for three
years. Now in Chicago,
ZACHARIAH CHANDLER
Was born in Bedford, N. H., Dec. 10, 1813, and with the advantages
of a common school education, became a resident of Detroit in 1833.
He engaged in trade ana in a few years the firm of which he was the
head became the leading wholesale dry goods house in Michigan. In
politics a Whig, and strongly anti-slavery in his sentiments, he soon
became a leading politician, more through the action of his friends
than from personal ambition. He was elected mayor of Detroit in
1851, and was the whig candidate for governor in 1852, when he
stumped the state vigorously, and made as strong a fight as possible
with a minority party, personally running ahead of the ticket. On
the organization of the republican party in 1854, he stumped the
state, making nearly one hundred speeches which carried conviction
to the whigs, who formed the larger element in the new party, composed as it was of whigs, free soilers and anti-slavery democrats. At
the election the success of the new party was complete.
In 1857 he was elected the first republican United States Senator
from Michigan. He was re-elected in 1863, and in 1869, serving continuously eighteen years, from March 4, 1857, to March 4, 1875.
From the first he strongly opposed all attempted encroachments of
slavery, especially in the territories, and was soon recognized as a
man of nerve and strong will, feared and hated of political opponents, and admired and trusted by political friends. In 1862 he secured
the passage of a resolution on the conduct of the war, and declining
to be chairman, was an active member of that committee during the
war. He had the full confidence of President Lincoln, and made his




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


165


influence felt, especially at the time when disaster and defeat followed our armies in the field.
In 1875 he was defeated as a candidate for Senator by several members who refused to go into republican caucus, their votes combining
wich the democrats to defeat him, and to elect Judge Christiancy,
also a leading Republican. He was soon appointed secretary of the
interior by President Grant, and became a most efficient and able
cabinet officer, serving until the close of the second term of Grant.
From 1876 to 1880 he was chairman of the national republican committee, and in 1878 was chairman of the republican state committee.
As a political leader and a forcible, convincing speaker he was in the
front rank, and especially before the people of the rural districts he
was always in demand, and always welcome.
Senator Christiancy having resigned in 1879, to accept the position
of minister to Peru, Mr. Chandler was elected March 18, 1879, to fill
the vacancy. Soon after he made the short and thrilling speech in
the senate that defeated the attempt to place Jefferson Davis on the
Mexican pension roll, which gave him a host of friends in the Northern states. The same year, on invitation, he made many speeches to
large meetings, but died suddenly at Chicago, November 1, 1879, after
addressing the young republicans of that city.
As a business man he was successful, leaving a property of two
millions. Not a man of classical education and by no means an eloquent speaker, in the common acceptation of that term, he was the
most powerful political organizer the state has ever had, and his
qualities of will were such that he stamped his impress on national
legislation, and, perhaps, except General Cass, takes the highest rank
among Michigan legislators.
WORDEN R. CHAPELL,
Representative from the first district of Shiawassee county in 1887,
was born in the township of Dexter, Washtenaw county, in 1848.
Has all his life been a resident of Michigan. March 9, 1883, he
received the appointment by President Arthur of postmaster at Corunna, which office he held until August 1, 1886. Mr. Chapell has
been treasurer of his city two terms, and supervisor of the 3d ward of
Corunna four years, and was elected Representative on the republican
ticket by a vote of 1,706 to 1,214 for F. H. Potter, Fusionist, and 348
for Edward Judd, Prohibitionist.




166


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


ADELBERT R. CHAPMAN,
Representative from the first district of Hillsdale county in 1885 and
1887, was born in the township of Ash, Monroe county, Mich., February 24, 1846, and one year later with his parents removed to Reading, where he has since resided. Was brought up on a farm. Left
college early in 1864 to join the army as a private in Co. L, eleventh
regiment Michigan cavalry, which was then at the front. Was afterwards promoted to quarter master sergeant, remaining in the army
until the close of the war. The two years next following were spent
in college and teaching school. From 1867 to 1879 was engaged in
mercantile pursuits (retail hardware and agricultural implements),
and a general banking business. Has been extensively engaged in
manufacturing buffalo robes, coats and mittens, and dealing in real
estate, lumber, wood, etc. He has contributed his full share of time
to public service,-for years as trustee and director of the union
school, township superintendent of schools, school inspector, and justice of the peace. Was elected to the House of 1885-6 on the republican ticket, and re-elected for 1887-8 by a vote of 2,227 to 1,301 for
John Sprowls, and 350 for Archibald C. Betts, Prohibitionist.
LEANDER CHAPMAN
Was born in Oswego county, N. Y. Came to Jackson, Michigan,
in 1835, and commenced the practice of law. He was judge of
probate from 1836 to 1840, also prosecuting attorney during a portion
of that time. He was Representative in the legislature of 1849, and
was elected speaker. He was county treasurer from 1842 to 1846. A
man of high standing both as a lawyer and a citizen. In politics a
Democrat. In 1846 or 1847 he was appointed commissioner of the
state land office. He finally removed to Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he
died in 1863 or '64.
WARREN CHAPMAN
Was born at New Market, N. H., July 24, 1812. He was educated at
Bracket academy, Greenland, and at the age of twenty-one engaged
in the mercantile business at New Market. In 1836 he lost his means
in land speculations. and learned the trade of a machinist, at which
he worked five years. He emigrated to St. Joseph, Mich., in 1843,
where he was a lumber merchant for eight years. From 1855 to 1859
he was county register of deeds; from 1859 to 1867 was in the real
estate business; in 1865 and 1867 State Senator, and since 1864 has
been the owner of a large farm. First a Whig, a Republican since
1854.




MICHI GAN BIOGRAPHY.


167


ALEXANDER CHAPOTON
Was one of the Representatives from Detroit in the legislative sessions 1863-4. He is descended from the early French stock as is his
brother William, elsewhere mentioned.  He is by profession an
architect, contractor and builder, and has filled many places of trust,
both under the city and state governments. His politics have been
Whig and Republican. He is a native of Detroit, where he has
always resided, and was born in 1817.
WILLIAM CHAPOTON,
A member of the House of Representatives from Detroit, sessions
1861-2, is a descendant of one of the earliest French families by
whom Detroit was settled, and was born in 1825. He is a contractor
and builder, and is still in active life. His political faith was first to
the whig party, and afterwards to its successor, the republican
party.
EUGENE V. CHASE,
Representative from Clinton county in 1877-9, was born in Trumbull
county, Ohio, September 6, 1833. He graduated as a physician from
the State University, first practicing at Ovid, Michigan, since at
Elsie, where he now resides. In 1861 he enlisted in the 1st Michigan
cavalry and served through the war, rising to the rank of first lieutenant. Has been several times supervisor of Duplain, and chairman
of the county board. In politics a Republican.
JONATHAN CHASE
Was born in Richfield, N. Y., in June, 1795, and died March 8, 1882,
in Royal Oak, Michigan. He came to Michigan in 1825 and settled
at Royal Oak. He was a mason by trade, in politics a Democrat.
He was town clerk, supervisor, justice of the peace, Representative
in the legislature of 1839, and member of the constitutional convention of 1835.
MARCUS A. CHASE,
A member of the House from Wayne county (Detroit), session 1857,
was born in Ontario county, N. Y., May 24, 1832, and came with his
parents to Detroit in 1841. His education was academic, including
three years at the University of Michigan. His legal education was




168


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


acquired by private study and by attendance at the state and
national law school at Poughkeepsie, N. y. He was admitted to
the bar in Detroit in 1854, and has been continuously in practice in
Detroit. A Democrat in politics.
WILLIAM CHASE
Was born in Westford, N. Y.. November 12, 1815. He received a
common school education and learned the trade of a carpenter. He
settled on a farm in Kinderhook, Branch county, in 1841. He
was the first justice of the town, was supervisor eight years, and
chairman of the county board and filled other local positions. He
was Representative in the legislature of 1861-2. Not living.
CHESTER C. CHATFIELD,
Representative from Eaton county in 1855, was the first attorney in
Eaton county, and was admitted to the bar in 1845, and practiced
law at Eaton Rapids. He was prosecuting attorney from 1850 to
1852. He attained good standing as an attorney, held an influential position in the democratic party, and was an able political
writer and speaker. He published a know nothing paper in 1854.
He died about 1856.
CHARLES B. CHAUVIN,
Representative from Wayne county, session of 1867, was born in
Grosse Pointe, November 11, 1832, and still resides there. His official career is confined to several years' service as township clerk and
school inspector. He is a lineal descendant of M. Chauvin, governor
of New France, of which Michigan and the Northwest formed a part,
1603 to 1612. He is a farmer, and was formerly a Democrat in politics, but latterly has taken a prominent part in the greenback or
national party.
AMHERST B. CHENEY,
Representative from Kent county in 1877-9, was born in Ripley,
Ohio, October 27, 1841. Removed with his father to Homer, Mich..
in 1845. In 1862 enlisted as a private in the 21st Michigan infantry,
took part in many battles, was promoted to first lieutenant and was
mustered out in 1865. Taught school two years, and engaged in a
general collection, insurance and real estate business, and has been
justice and town treasurer at Sparta. In politics a Republican.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


169


HENRY P. CHERRY,
Representative from Barry county in 1871-2, was born in Bethany,
N. Y., May 21, 1823, and removed with his father to Ohio in 1831,
and to -Johnstown, Mich., in 1838, where he was postmaster. In
politics a Whig, since 1854 a Republican. He was a county clerk in
1863-4, and book-keeper in the state land office for eight years. Now
resides at Bedford, Mich., where he has been for several years town
clerk, also a justice of the peace.
EASTON T. CHESTER
Was born at Mexico, N. Y., March 3, 1807. In 1837 he removed to
Camden, Michigan, and took up a farm. He built the first barn and
the second saw-mill in the town. He also built a carding mill. He
increased his farm until he owned 1,400 acres. The carding mill was
converted into a grist-mill, and is one of the best mills in southern
Michigan. He dealt extensively in black walnut lumber, and has
shipped over $200,000 worth from Camden. He was supervisor ten
years, justice of the peace nine years, and always a prominent man.
He was Representative in the legislature of 1844.
AARON CHILDS,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1871-2, was born in Henniker, N. H., Dec. 1, 1806. In early life worked in a woolen factory,
and became foreman. He settled on a farm in Augusta, Mich., in
1833, and was the first town clerk, which office he held six years, and
was supervisor for eighteen years. In politics a Democrat. Died
March 4, 1881.
AUGUSTUS W. CHILDS,
Representative, session of 1851, was born in the state of New York in
1814. He came to Michigan in 1836, and now resides at Hudson,
Lenawee county. Has been supervisor, town clerk, and held other
offices. By occupation a farmer, politically a Republican.
J. WEBSTER CHILDS,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1859, '61-2, and Senator in
1865-7, '73-4-9, was born in Henniker, N. H., in 1826. He received
an academic education and settled as a farmer in Augusta, Mich., in
1848. Held the office of supervisor several terms, school inspector
18




170


MLICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


twenty years, and drain commissioner. He was a man of force and
character, and made his mark as a legislator. Died Nov. 9, 1882.
HENRY C. CHIPMAN
Was born in the state of Vermont July 25, 1784, and was the son of
Nathaniel Chipman, judge, U. S. Senator and legal writer. The son
was a graduate of Middlebury college in 1803, was admitted to the
bar, practiced law in South Carolina, and removed to Detroit in 1823
and engaged in practice. He was chief justice of the court of Wayne
county, and from 1827 to 1832 was a judge of the territorial Supreme
Court. From 1841 to 1843 was judge of the criminal court of Wayne
county. Continued in practice until his death, March 31, 1867. A
Whig in politics, a conservative after 1854. In religion an Episcopalian.
J. LOGAN CHIPMAN,
Of Detroit, was born in Detroit, Michigan, June 5, 1830; was educated
in the schools of that city and at the University of Michigan; in 1846
was engaged in the Lake Superior region as an explorer for the Montreal Mining Company; in 1854 was admitted to the bar, and in that
year aided in the payment of the Chippewas of Lake Superior, and
participated in making the treaty of Detroit with the Ottawas and
Chippewas of Michigan; in 1853 was assistant clerk of the state house
of representatives of Michigan; in 1856 was elected city attorney of
Detroit, and held that position until 1861; in 1865 was elected to the
Michigan legislature; in 1865 was appointed attorney of the police
board of Detroit; in 1866 ran for congress on the democratic ticket,
but was defeated; retained the office of attorney of police till May 1,
1879, when he was elected judge of the superior court of Detroit, to
which position he was re-elected at the end of six years, and was
elected to the fiftieth congress as a Democrat, receiving 17,367 votes
against 15,801 votes for Robinson, Republican, and 876 votes for Frisbie, Prohibitionist.
JOHN S. CHIPMAN
Was born about 1801 in Vermont, where he received his education,
graduating at Middlebury college in 1823. He came to Michigan in
1838, and settled at Centerville, St. Joseph county. Was a Representative in the legislature of 1842, and Representative in congress
from 1845 to 1847. At the expiration of his term he settled at Niles.
In 1849-'50 he removed to San Francisco, California, where he died




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


171


some twelve years later. He was a lawyer, a natural orator, and
listening to one of his speeches was like reading one of Cooper's novels. He was over six feet in height, slender, large head, dark complexion, hair black, straight and thick, forehead low and broad; his
eye dark and piercing; his appearance that of an Indian Sachem. He
was universally called "Black Chip."  He was a Democrat. His
expression in congress that ' education was at war with democracy,"
gave him notoriety in the old world.
JOSEPH N. CHIPMAN
Was born in Shoreham, Vt., in September, 1803, and was a descendant of a family which contained some of the most distinguished lawyers of that state. He graduated from Middlebury college in 1828,
was admitted to the Vermont bar in 1833, and practiced law at Middlebury for several years. He settled in Niles, Michigan, in 1836,
and practiced his profession there. He died at Niles in 1870. He was
State Senator in 1845 and 1846.
WILLIAM F. CHITTENDEN
Was born March 28, 1812, in Kent county, England. He emigrated
to this country in 1825, and worked in Utica, N. Y., learning the trade
of a blacksmith, from 1826 to 1832. Came to Detroit, Michigan, in
1835, and was alderman of that city in 1839, 1841, and 1846. He was
a Representative in the legislature of 1849 and again in 1853. Served
in the war with Mexico as quartermaster and commissary. In politics a Democrat.
EMERSON CHOATE,
Representative from Monroe county in 1861-2, was a Democrat, and
was supervisor, and justice of the peace in his town for some twenty
consecutive years.
ISAAC P. CHRISTIANCY
Was born at Johnstown, N. Y., in March, 1812. His education was
that of common schools, an I he was early a teacher. He studied law,
came to Monroe, Mich., in 1836, and completed his studies. He took
high rank as a lawyer and from 1838 to 1857 was in practice at Monroe. From 1841 to 1846 was proscuting attorney; in 1848 was a delegate and leader at the national free soil convention at Buffalo; was
Senator in 1850-1; and free soil candidate for governor in 1852. He




172


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


was the leader and prime mover in the political combination of the
whig and free soil parties in 1854, from which sprang the republican
party. He was a delegate to the first national republican convention
at Philadelphia in 1856. He purchased and edited the Monroe Commercial. In 1857 he was elected associate justice of the Supreme
Court of Michigan, and was re-elected in 1865 and 1873. serving part
of the time as chief justice. In 1875 he was elected United States
Senator, and after a service of two years was appointed minister to
Peru, and resigned. He remained at Lima, Peru, several years.
Since his return he has been for a part of the time engaged in practice before the courts. He was an able judge and a courteous and
honorable man in every position. Resides in Lansing.
THOMAS B. CHURCH
Was born in Dighton, Bristol county, Mass., in September, 1821,
His grandfather, Thomas Church, was a colonel in the war of the
revolution, and he is a direct descendant of Benjamin Church who
commanded in the Indian war which resulted in the death of King
Philip. As a boy he was a sailor for several years, then entered
Washington, now Trinity college, and graduated. He went south
and engaged some years in teaching; spent one year in Cambridge
law school, then finished his studies at Marshall and commenced
practice in Grand Rapids in 1843, which has since been his home. He
was prosecuting attorney of Kent county two years; member of the
constitutional convention of 1850; in 1851 and 1855 Representative in
the legislature; and in 1852 mayor of Grand Rapids. He has three
times been the Democratic candidate for congress in the Grand
Rapids district He married Mary E. Stuart, and his only son, Frederick J. Church, is a distinguished New York artist.
WORTHY L. CHURCHILL,
Representative from Alpena county in 1875, was born in Batavia,
Ill., December 14, 1840. He was educated in the schools at Geneva,
New York. He came to Michigan in 1872, resides at Alpena, and is
largely engaged in manufacturing lumber. In politics a Democrat.
LEVERETT A. CLAPP,
Commissioner of the State Land Office from 1873 to 1877, was born in
Mottville, Michigan, June 24, 1837. He received an academic education. In 1856 he was appointed deputy register of deeds of St.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.                   173
Joseph county, a position he held until 1872, except two years when
he was register. In politics a Republican.  Now in business at
White Pigeon.
ALBERT K. CLARK,
Representative from Washtenaw county, in 1875, was born in New
Jersey, November 1, 1810. He removed with his father's family to
Seneca county, New York, and in 1836 came to Michigan, settling in
Saline, where he has since resided. He received a common school
education, and is a farmer. In politics a Democrat.
BENJAMIN CLARK
Was born in Eaton, N. Y., May 3, 1811. He resided in western New
York until 1836, when he went to Indiana. He removed to Albion,
Michigan, in 1852. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Whig until
1854, since a Republican. He was a Representative in the legislature
of 1869-70.
DARIUS CLARK
Was born in Ovid, Seneca county, N. Y., in 1814. Came to Michigan
and settled in Marshall in 1836, where he continued to live until 1852.
Was a contractor on the M. C. R. R. and other railroads. Representative in the legislature of 1851. Went to N. Y. city in same year as
general ticket agent of the M. C. R. R. in N. Y. city, and remained
there until he died in 1872 or 3. He was a Whig in politics, and subsequently a Republican.
DAVID CLARK
Was born in Castleton, Vt., June 13, 1817. His parents removed to
New York in 1822, where they resided until 1833, when they came to
Pontiac, Michigan. In 1835 they settled in Eagle, Clinton county,
where the son has since lived, following the occupation of a farmer.
He was a Democrat until 1856, since that time a Republican. Has
been five years supervisor and held other town offices. He was Representative from Clinton county in 1851.
EDWIN G. CLARK,
Representative from Oakland county in 1877, was born April 8, 1815,
in the town of Manlius (now called DeWitt), Onondaga county, N.




174


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Y. He received a common school education. He came to Michigan
in 1831, first settling in Detroit. He removed to Independence, Oakland county, in 1836. He was the first school inspector elected in his
township, was constable nine years, justice of the peace twelve years,
and supervisor four years. Occupation farming. Politics democratic.
ELIHU L. CLARK
Was born in Walworth, N. Y., July 18, 1811. He commenced business as a clerk in a dry goods store at Palmyra, N. Y., in 1830. In
1832 he began business for himself. In 1835 he removed to Adrian,
Mich., and opened a store, selling only for cash. From 1838 to 1842
he invested in state warrants and state scrip, which he bought at a
discount and held until he received par value. He continued in the
dry goods trade until 1847. After that time engaged in loaning
money. In 1848 he was Representative in the legislature. He was
several years president of the Lenawee county savings bank. He
died several years since, leaving the largest fortune in Lenawee
county.
ELIJAH B. CLARK
Was born in Groton, Conn., Nov. 23, 1792, and died July 10, 1884. He
came from Pennsylvania in 1830 and purchased a farm in Orion, Oakland county, settling upon it in 1831. He was supervisor in 1837 and
1838, and was several times assessor and treasurer. In politics first
Whig, then Republican. Was originally a millwright, but followed
farming in Michigan. He was Representative in the session of 1847.
FREDERICK O. CLARK,
Representative from Delta and other counties in 1875, was born at
Girard, Pa., in 1842, and received an academic education. He
removed to Michigan in 1862, and took up his residence in the upper
peninsula. For four years engaged as a civil engineer on the northwestern railroad, and also in the iron mines. He was admitted to the
bar in 1870. In 1871 he was elected president of the village of Escanaba, and served one term. In 1872 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Delta county. In politics a Republican. He is now in practice
at Marquette.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


175


JEREMIAH CLARK,
Representative from Oakland county in 1839 and 1841, was born in
the state of Vermont, Sept. 19, 1790. When young he removed with
his father to Madison county, N. Y. As a young man he was interested in the manufacture of salt for several years in Onondaga county,
then, at Albany, filled contracts on public works for the state. He
came to Detroit in 1831, where he controlled a bakery and grocery
for several years. He removed to a farm in Independence, Oakland
county. In 1838 he built a grist mill at Clarkston. Served as supervisor, justice, and county judge. Died Aug. 29, 1847.
JOHN CLARK
Was born at Bath, Me., July 29, 1797. He was a clerk from 1812 to
1818, then became a merchant. Opened a store in Detroit in 1830,
and in 1832 purchased large tracts of land on the St. Clair river and
removed to Port Huron. In 1835 he removed to a farm in China,
which remained his home through life. He was a delegate to the
constitutional convention of 1850; Senator in 1835-6-7-8; Representative in 1857; and commissioner to settle Indian claims in Michigan.
A Democrat until 1856, then a Republican. A prominent Mason and
a leading pioneer.
JOhiN R. CLARK
Was born in Ontario (now Walworth), N. Y., September 4, 1822. He
received a common and select school education. Came to Adrian
with his father in 1836, and has always resided there. Was a clerk
from 1840 to 1845, then a merchant. Has also been a farmer and
stock dealer. Was for five years supervisor of Madison, and in 1859
was Representative in the legislature, and chairman of the committee
on mines and minerals. Has been several times- an alderman and
always a prominent business man.
NEWCOMB CLARK,
Representative from the second district of Bay county, in 1885, was
born in the state of New York. He was a member of the legislature
in 1883. Resides in West Bay City, and is a Republican. Upon the
organization of the house of representatives was chosen to fill the
office of speaker. He was elected as a Republican, receiving 1,760
votes, to 1,747 for Levi Willard, and 181 for John Todd, Prohibitionist, and 4 scattering. Was the first president of the village of




176


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Wenona, now West Bay City. Served as major and lieutenant
colonel of the 102d U. S. C. T., and was for some time in command
of the regiment.
ORMAN CLARK
Was born at Batavia, N. Y., March 9, 1809. In 1831 he married
Sarah A. Pierson, and removed in 1836 to Lyndon, Washtenaw
county, Michigan, near Chelsea, and purchased a farm where he
has since resided. The farm is one of the best in that part of the
county, and he has made the raising of fine horses and Durham
cattle a specialty. He has been supervisor and held other local
offices, and was Representative in the legislature of 1869-'70. In
politics a Democrat.
ROBERT E. CLARK,
A Representative from Wayne county, sessions 1863-4, was born in
New Hampshire, January 10, 1810, and came to Michigan in 1835.
He is a farmer, a Democrat in politics, and is still living at Belleville.
SAMUEL CLARK
Was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., in January, 1800. He was
brought up on a farm, graduated at Hamilton college, read law
with Judge Hulburt, of Auburn, and commenced practice at Waterloo, N. Y., in 1828. In 1833 he' was elected to congress and served
one term, resuming practice at Waterloo until 1842, when he removed to Kalamazoo. He immediately took high rank in his profession, and was recognized as one of the leading lawyers of the state.
He was a prominent member of the constitutional convention of
1850, and favored the organization of an independent Supreme Court.
He was elected to congress in 1852, serving from 1853 to 1855. He
died at Kalamazoo, October 2, 1870.
VWILLIAM A. CLARK
Was born at Ballston Spa, N. Y., September 9, 1823. Moved with
his father to Brighton, Mich., in 1837. He worked on his father's
farm until 1841, ran the Brighton Mills two years, studied law and
began practice in 1844. He was supervisor of Brighton in 1849-'50;
prosecuting attorney 1851-5; and Senator in 1863-4. Removed to
Saginaw in 1864, was city attorney in 1879-'80, and has been a democratic candidate for regent and lieutenant governor. From 1856 to
1862 a Republican, since a Democrat.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


177


HOVEY K. CLARKE
Was born July 11, 1812. in Sterling, Mass., where he lived until
1816; then in Utica, N. Y., till 1831; then in Canandaigua, N. Y.,
till 1836; then in Allegan, Mich., till 1843; then in Marshall, Mich.,
till 1852; and from that time in Detroit. In politics he voted with
the democratic party till 1848; then with the free soil party till 1854;
and ever since with the Republican party. He was admitted to the
bar in 1839. He has held the offices of prosecuting attorney of
Allegan and Calhoun counties, Representative of Calhoun county in
the legislature of 1850, commissioner to examine the compilation of
laws, (1857) appointed by Gov. Bingham, member of the board of
control of railroad land grants, appointed by Gov. Blair, state
reporter, and register in bankruptcy for the eastern district of
Michigan.
LUTHER W. CLARKE,
Senator from the upper peninsula in 1853, was born in Marietta, Ohio,
in 1825. By profession a physician, politically a Democrat. He
settled in Michigan in 1847, and was a resident of Eagle River,
Keweenaw county. Died in 1869.
CHRISTIAN CLEMENS
Was born in Pennsylvania, January 30, 1768, and was bred a farmer.
He came to Detroit in 1795, and engaged in the manufacture of
leather. In 1798 he removed to the present site of Mt. Clemens, and
carried on a trading store at an early day. He was also a tanner,
farmer and hotel keeper. He platted the village of Mt. Clemens in
1818 and built the first dwelling house in 1817. He was chief justice
of the county court from 1818 to 1833; was colonel of militia, probate
judge 1818 to 1836: county treasurer from 1818 to 1827, and held
other positions. He served in the war of 1812. His home was a
favorite resort for Gen. Cass, Gen. Brown, Judge Woodward and
other eminent citizens of Detroit. Died August 25, 1844.
JOSHUA CLEMENT
Was born in Orange county, N. Y., September 3, 1818. He was
brought up on a farm, taught school several years, came to Michigan
'in 1843, and is now a farmer in Leoni, Jackson county. He has been
supervisor ten years, and filled minor town offices. He was a member of the legislature in 1871-2.




178


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


ANDREW    CLIMIE
Was born in Whitestown, N. Y., February 4, 1834. He was educated
at Vernon academy, N. Y., and in 1860 removed to Leonidas, St. Joseph county, where he engaged in milling and lumbering. He was
Representative in the legislatures of 1871-2-3-4. He also held several
local offices. He was elected regent of the University in 1873 and
filled that position six years. In politics a Republican.
WILLIAM M. CLINE,
Senator from the seventeenth district, St. Clair county, in 1885, a resident of Port Huron, was born in Ontario, July 31, 1851. He lived
with his parents on a farm and began life as a teacher in the public
schools of Sanilac and St. Clair counties. He is now a lawyer. He
was elected on the fusion ticket by a vote of 4,573 to 4,117 for Henry
Howard, Republican, and 323 for Thos. S. Skinner, Prohibitionist.
CHARLES W. CLISBEE,
Senator from Cass county in 1867, was born at Cleveland, Ohio, July
24, 1833. He came to Cassopolis, Mich., in 1838, where he now resides.
He was at Oberlin college from 1846 to 1851, and a graduate of Williams college in 1856. Studied law and was admitted in 1858. Has
been circuit court commissioner four years; two terms prosecuting
attorney; delegate at large to the republican national convention of
1864, and secretary of the national conventions of 1880 and 1884; circuit judge in 1878; presidential elector in 1868; and for many years
secretary of the Cass county pioneer society. Is now in practice.
HENRY S. CLUBB,
Senator from Ottawa and Muskegon counties in 1873-4, was born in
Colchester, England, June 21, 1827. He came to this country in 1853
and became a shorthand reporter on the New York Tribune; was then
a congressional reporter, and also reported for the South Carolina
legislature. Settled at Grand Haven in 1856 and published the Clarion
from 1857 to 1862; was assistant quartermaster with the rank of captain in the army, and became chief quartermaster of the 17th army
corps. Was wounded, and served until 1866. Founded the Grand
Haven Herald in 1869, which he published several years. A Republican, Now resides in Philadelphia.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


179


JOSEPH COATES,
Representative from Oakland county in 1841, was born in England,
December 6, 1791. He came to Michigan in 1832, and settled at Pine
Lake, Oakland.county, where he died March 12, 1876. By occupation
a farmer, in politics at first a Democrat, then a Republican. He was
reporter for the first Michigan legislature that met at Detroit, and for
many subsequent years reported the legislative debates for state and
Detroit papers.  He also reported the proceedings of the constitutional convention of 1850. He was a man of liberal education; was
master of several languages. For years he was the only man in
Michigan who could write shorthand, and was frequently called
upon to report arguments in the courts at Detroit.
LINTSFORD B. COATES,
Representative from Allegan county in 1847, was born in Elkland,
Pa., July 22, 1806. He came to Allegan county in 1835, and practiced
as a physician at Otsego. In politics a Democrat. Died August 15,
1879.
GEORGE P. COBB,
Representative from the first district of Bay county in 1881-2, was
born April 13, 1841, in York, Livingston county, N. Y., and shortly
afterwards his parents removed to Rochester. In 1855 he removed to
Macon, Michigan, and lived a farmer's life for several years, sometimes attending district school in the winter. In the winter of 1859-60
he attended the union school at Ypsilanti. He served one year in the
5th Michigan volunteer cavalry. Having entered the law department of the University of Michigan in October, 1866, he graduated in
1868. IHe settled in Bay City, his present home. He was supervisor
of the third ward in 1873. He is a Republican. He was elected to
the legislature by a vote of 1,779 to 1,516 for Fenton (Democrat), and
1,111 for Mussey (National).
JAMES B. COBB
Was born at Orwell, Vt., May 13, 1823. Moved with his father in
1834 to Brighton, N. Y., where he was educated, and taught several
terms. He lived in Vermont several years. He settled on a farm
near Kalamazoo in 1854, and has been also engaged in commercial
business. He was a Representative in 1863-4-5; has been county
treasurer, and held other positions, including supervisor. In politics




180                MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
a Republican. Has been a large wool buyer for many years, and has
taken great interest in state and county fairs.
THOMAS S. COBB,
Senator from Kalamazoo county in 1875, was born in Springfield, Vt.,
Oct. 4, 1819. He removed to Boston in 1835, where he remained
until 1855, when he came to Michigan and settled at Kalamazoo. He
finished his education at the Kimball union academy, Meriden, N. H.
He has been a member of the school board of Kalamazoo, and held
other positions of trust. In 1873-4 he was a Representative.  By
occupation a merchant. In politics a Democrat.
VARNUM B. COCHRAN
Was born in Argentine, Genesee county, in 1845. He received his
early instruction in the schools of Linden and Fenton, completing
his studies preparatory to the University, at the high school at Ann
Arbor. Meantime he taught three terms in the schools of his native
town, and for somewhat more than a year was in charge of the
schools of Marquette. In the fall of 1866 he entered the literary
department of the University, where, however, he was unable, on
account of ill health, to complete the full college course. Returning
to the Upper Peninsula he again became superintendent of the city
schools at Marquette. Thereafter he was for some years engaged in
the drug business, during part of the time holding the office of county
superintendent of schools for Marquette county. Subsequently he
was at the head of the public schools of Negaunee, whence, in the
spring of 1881, he was called to the office of superintendent of public
instruction, upon appointment by Governor Jerome to the vacancy
caused by the resignation of Hon. C. A. Gower. At the commencement in 1882 the University conferred on him the honorary degree of
master of arts. Nominated by the republican state convention in
1882, he was elected in November by a vote of 162,594, to 148,560 for
David Parsons, democrat and greenback, and 1,009 for the prohibition candidate. He resigned during his term of office, to become
register of the U. S. land office at Marquette, which he held several
years, and now resides there.
JAMES W. COCHRANE,
Senator from Midland and other counties in 1879, was born at Attica,
N. Y., June 1,'1840. He received an academic education and was
admitted to the bar in 1862, and commenced practice at Warsaw. He




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHt.


18i


Came to Midland, Mich., in 1864 and continued in his profession till
1871, when he began the lumbering and land business. He has held
important local offices, such as supervisor and justice of the peace.
In politics a Republican.
I YMAN COCHRANE
Was born in New Hampshire, August 6, 1825, and died at Detroit
February 5, 1879. He was educated at the University of Michigan
and graduated in 1849. He studied law and graduated at the Ballston, N. Y., law school in 1852. He engaged in practice in Detroit,
became well skilled as a special pleader, and his opinion on intricate
matters of law was held in high regard by the Detroit bar. In 1871-2
he was Representative in the Michigan house, was a member of the
judiciary committee, and acquired great influence in that body. In
1873 he was elected judge of the superior court of Detroit. He was a
Democrat in politics.
GEORGE ALONZO COE,
Lieutenant Governor of Michigan from 1855 to 1859, was born in
Rush, N. Y., August 16, 1811. When young he became a resident of
Illinois, and was brought up on his father's farm until fourteen, then
attended or taught school until of age. Then studied law with
Judge Pratt, at Rochester, N. Y., and began practice at Coldwater,
Mich., in 1839. He was a good lawyer, a Whig in politics, and was
Representative in 1840, and Senator in 1846-7. He was the first
republican lieutenant governor, and one of the best officers who ever
presided over the Senate. He filled many local positions of trust and
honor, among them prosecuting attorney and justice. Died October
21, 1869.
BELA COGSHALL
Was born at Glenville, N. Y., February 16, 1816. He received a common school education; became clerk in a store; in 1836 removed to a
farm in Groveland, Oakland county, where he remained until 1867,
when he sold his farm, removed to Holly and commenced legal practice and insurance business. In 1853 he was sergeant-at-arms of the
House, and in 1869 was Representative.  In 1867 and 1871 he was
president of the village of Holly, and was president of the board of
education from 1867 to 1873. He is a distinguished Mason and has
held high offices in that order. In politics a Democrat.
19




182


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


LEMUEL COLBATH                '
Was born in Maine, December 27, 1788, where he lived until twentyone, when he removed to Sodus, Wayne county, N. Y., and settled
on a farm. In 1832 he removed to Erie, Monroe county, Michigan,
where he purchased a farm and resided until his death, July 22, 1837.
He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1835, and a
Representative in the legislature of 1837.
EZRA COLE,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1846, was born in Yates
county, N. Y., November 17, 1799, and died at Three Rivers, Mich.,
July 30, 1884. He came to Michigan in 1839, bought land near Three
Rivers, and farmed it for several years. Sold his farm about 1850,
and with his son opened a produce store in Three Rivers, which he
continued until about 1860, when he retired from business. Was for
several years justice. Politically a Democrat.
HENRY S. COLE,
Attorney General of the territory of Michigan from 1833 to 1836, was
a native of Canandaigua, N. Y., and became a resident of Detroit
about 1828, and was an able lawyer. He died in 1836.
MINER T. COLE,
Representative from the first district of Lenawee county in 1887, was
born at Spencer, Lucas county, Ohio, July 3, 1839. His parents were
pioneers from Seneca county, New York. His education was acquired
at Maumee City, Ohio, and Kalamazoo, Mich. He enlisted in the
fourteenth Ohio infantry under Col. Steedman, at Toledo, August 26,
1861, serving in nearly every rank from eighth corporal to first lieutenant. He re-enlisted December 14, 1863, and had charge of a forage
party from "Atlanta to the sea," and was mustered out October 16,
1865. He settled in Palmyra, Lenawee county, in 1868. He has
resided in Palmyra since that time, and has one of the finest farms in
Lenawee county. He has been an officer in Lenawee county agricultural society more than fifteen years. Mr. Cole has been a regular
correspondent for several agricultural as well as other journals. He
is a Republican and was elected Representative for 1887-8 by a vote
of 1,994 to 1,724 for Horace Holridge, Fusionist, and 430 for Millard
P. Brown, Prohibitionist.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


183


WILLIAM B. COLE,
Representative from Mason and Manistee counties in 1875, was born
in Ellisburgh, N. Y., December 22, 1822. He became a physician in
1846, and began practice at Pottsville, Pa. In 1848 he removed to
Fenton, Mich., engaged in practice, and was elected censor of the
Genesee county medical society. He remained in practice until 1871,
then purchased the Pontiac Jacksonian, and removed to Pontiac. In
1873 he removed to Ludington, and started the Ludington weekly
Appeal. Held the office of justice several years. A Democrat in
politics.
GEORGE COLEMAN,
Representative from Livingston county in 1883-5, was born in Minisink, N. Y., September 7, 1833. He removed to Livingston county,
Michigan, with his parents in the fall of 1843, and they settled on a
farm in Marion township. His early life was divided between the
active duties of the farm and a regular attendance of the common
school. His business is farming and stock raising; in politics a
Democrat, and has held the office of justice of the peace four terms,
supervisor of his township four years, and president of the Livingston
county mutual fire insurance company. Was elected to the legislature of 1883-4 by a majority of six votes, and was re-elected, receiving 3,039 votes, to 2,502 for J. D. Smith, Republican, and 252 for
Kilpatrick, Prohibition.
VICTORY P. COLLIER
Was born in Victor, N. Y., April 25, 1820, and received a common
school education. While a boy, worked at fifty dollars a year in a
country store. In 1835 removed to Battle Creek, Mich., with his
parents, and from there in 1837 to Johnstown, Mich., the first white
family in that town. Became a teacher at twenty and taught for
three winters. - In 1842 was elected sheriff of Barry county; in 1847
became a clerk at Battle Creek; then became a partner, and for
many years was a leading merchant; in 1865-7 was Senator; alderman four years; mayor in 1875; member of the state republican
committee several years; state treasurer from 1871 to 1875; offered
the position of minister to the Netherlands in 1875, but declined; also
declined the position of consul at Frankfort in 1876; was a United
States centennial commissioner at Philadelphia in 1876; in 1877 was
appointed a Regent of the state university, and was elected to the
same position, but soon resigned; has been an inspector of the state




184


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


prison; and has been president of the first national bank of Battle
Creek since 1867. A Whig until 1854, since, a Republican. In public
and private life a man of integrity and ability.
ALPHEUS COLLINS
Was born near Rutland, Vt., September 24, 1790. His parents in
1799 moved to Phelps, N. Y., where he remained until 1811, when he
married Betsey Hall, and purchased a farm in Rose, Wayne county
N. Y. He resided there until 1829, when he came to Michigan and
settled on a farm in Pittsfield, Washtenaw county. He was elected
to the constitutional convention of 1835 as a Democrat. He afterwards settled on a large farm in Lyndon, same county, and was
several years supervisor and justice of the peace. He was generally
a Democrat, but sometimes a Republican at general elections. He
died May 16, 1862.
FREDERICK W. COLLINS,
Representative from Barry county in 1873-4, was born in Rose, N. Y.,
Feb. 16, 1828. He received a common school education. In 1837 he
came to Pittsfield, Mich. He removed to Barry county in 1869, and settled in Thornapple, where he still resides. He has served in several
local positions of trust. By occupation a farmer.
LUCIUS H. COLLINS,
Representative from the first district of Wayne county in 1885, was
born at Romeo, Mich., July 17, 1855, where his early education
was obtained, graduating from the high school of that village
in 1873. fe entered the class of 1877 in the literary department of
the State University, remaining through the freshman year. In the
fall of 1874 he began the study of law and was admitted in 1876. He
was elected as the candidate of the democratic party, receiving 13,587 votes.
OLIVER D. COLVIN,
Representative from Branch county in 1850, was a farmer. He was
supervisor of Kinderhook from 1842 to 1847, and six years justice of
he peace. Died about 1858.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


185


DAVID G. COLWELL
Was born in Seneca, N. Y., March 14, 1825. He came to Michigan in
1838, and settled at Tyrone, Livingston county, where he lived for
twenty-nine years. He was a Representative in the legislature of
1865. He now resides at Fenton, Michigan.
WILLAM M. COLWELL,
Representative from the district consisting of Chippewa, Delta,
Mackinac, and Schoolcraft counties in 1883, was born in Chenango
county, N. Y., May 17, 1839. In 1841, moved with his parents to
Addison, Steuben county, New York, where he remained until he
reached his majority, receiving a common school and academic education. Worked about three years in the printing business, then
engaged in sash and door making. In 1860 he removed to northern
Pennsylvania, where he embarked in the the lumbering trade. In
1863 he volunteered, joining the 21st Pennsylvania cavalry, and was
mustered out at the close of the war as a member of the 210th (re-enlisted) regiment Pennsylvania infantry; was twice wounded in action.
He returned to lumbering in the employ of Messrs. Weston Brothers,
of Olean, New York. In 1872 he came to Manistique, this state, having taken an interest in and management of the Chicago lumbering
company. The business of his company has been very prosperous,
manufacturing annually from thirty to fifty million feet of lumber.
He is a Republican.
RUSSELL COMAN,
Was born in 1802, in Eaton, Madison county, N. Y., and was brought
up on a farm, living with his parents until 1825, when he removed
to Dearborn county, Indiana, where he lived ten years principally
engaged in trading down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. He married in 1829, and removed to Wright, Hillsdale county, Michigan, in
1835, and settled on a farm. Representative in the legislature of
1849.
HENRY P. COMBES,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1857, 1863 and 1864, was
born in the state of New York in 1820. By profession a physician, in
politics a Republican. Came to Michigan in 1838, and now resides at
Rome, Lenawee county.




186


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


HENRY COMPTON
Was born in Deposit, N. Y., October 22, 1803, and died in Ypsilanti,
May 2, 1863. He had an excellent English education, and when
young engaged in teaching. Later, he was a merchant in western
N. Y. In 1833 he came to Ypsilanti, where he was engaged in the
dry goods trade.  He held various offices: associate judge of the
county court, supervisor, and was State Senator in 1843 and 1844, and
Representative in 1845. In politics a Democrat.
ADDISON J. COMSTOCK
Was born in Palmyra, N. Y., October 17, 1802. He received a good
business education and moved with his parents to Lockport, N. Y., in
1820, where he worked for his father, who had the contract for building the locks at that place on the Erie canal. In 1825 he came with
his father to Michigan and purchased a section of land where now
stands the city of Adrian. In 1826 he built a log house, the first in
the city, and a saw-mill. In 1828 he laid out and platted the village
of Adrian. In 1829 he was appointed postmaster, was town clerk,
and built a grist-mill. In 1832, with his father, Darius Comstock,
he projected the Erie and Kalamazoo railroad, which was completed
from Toledo to Adrian in 1836, he being secretary and treasurer of
the road. He was a member of the second convention of assent in
1836, and of the constitutional convention in 1850, and in 1853 mayor
of Adrian. He was the prime mover in the early prosperity of
Adrian. He died January 20, 1867. He was a leading member of
the Methodist church, and largely interested in the early banking
houses of Adrian.
CHARLES C. COMSTOCK
Was born at Sullivan, New Hampshire, March 5, 1818, and was
brought up on a farm, receiving a common school education. In
1842 he engaged in the lumber business and soon owned several saw
mills; in 1853 he removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and engaged in
the same business. In 1857 he bought a furniture factory, failed, but
in the next four years paid his debts, and in 1862 inaugurated the first
successful wholesale furniture business in Grand Rapids. He sold out
to his sons in 1865, but has continued the lumber business and the manufacture of pails, sashes, blinds and doors. He has also several farms,
and has always been a leading business man of Grand Rapids. In
1863-4 he was mayor of Grand Rapids; in 1870 democratic candidate




MICHIGA JitOE4RAPHY.


187


for governor; in 1872 and 1878 democratic candidate for congress.
He served as member of congress from the 5th district in 1886-7, but
declined a renomination in 1886. He received 20,406 votes to 20,050
for Fitzgerald, Republican, and 2,449 for Wilson C. Edsell, Prohibitionist.
DARIUS COMSTOCK
Was born in Cumberland, R. I., July 12, 1768. He removed to western New York with his father in 1790. In 1820 he took and completed
a large contract on the Erie canal, which included the locks at Lockport. In 1826 he removed to Logan (now Raisin), Lenawee county,
and settled on lands purchased the previous year. In 1827 he was the
first supervisor, and in 1835 was a member of the constitutional convention. He was a Quaker and remained a member of that sect. He
was prominently identified with the early history'of Michigan and
Lenawee county, and did much to secure the building of the railroads
through southern Michigan. He died June 2, 1845.
HORACE H. COMSTOCK
Cane from Cooperstown, N. Y., in 1831, and founded the village of
Comstock, Kalamazoo county, which for a time was a rival of Kalamazoo. Possessed of ample means, he built mills, and gave a schoolhouse to the people. His wife was a niece of James Fenimore
Cooper, the novelist.  He was the first Senator from Kalamazoo
county, serving in 1835-6-7-8. He was a Representative in 1849, and
supervisor of Comstock from 1840 to 1845. In 1844 he removed to
Kalamazoo, having bought a one-fourth interest in the village plat
for $17,000. His wife died in 1846. He removed to Otsego, Mich.,
and afterwards to New York city, where he died many years since.
A Democrat in politics.
OLIVER C. COMSTOCK,
Son of Adam Comstock, was born in Warwick, R. I., March 1, 1781.
His father was a lieutenant colonel in the revolution. After the war
he removed to Schenectady, N. Y. Mr. Comstock studied medicine
and practiced near Cayuga Bridge. He there married Lydia Smith,
daughter of Judge Grover Smith, and removed to Trumansburg, N.
Y. He was the first judge of Seneca county, and first postmaster of
Trumansburg. He was three times elected to congress from that
district, where he was an able member. He was one of the com



188


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


missioners to settle the claims of war sufferers on the Niagara frontier. He was ordained to the Baptist ministry, declined a re-nomination to congress, and continued the practice of medicine until 1825.
For several years he was pastor of the First Baptist church in
Rochester, N. Y., then became chaplain to congress. He afterward
preached in Norfoll, Va., but ultimately emigrated to Michigan, and
settled in Detroit. He was the able superintendent of public instruction in this state from May 8, 1843, to April 17, 1845. As a young
man he was a member of the New York assembly and was a Representative from Branch county, in the Michigan legislature of 1849.
He died at Marshall in the seventy-ninth year of his age. He was a
Democrat in politics. As a man he was courteous, kind, affectionate
and true, of intellectual countenance, tall and well proportioned.
HARRY A. CONANT
Was born at Monroe, Michigan, May 5. 1844. He prepared for college at Monroe and entered the'Michigan University class of '65. Mr.
Conant was admitted to the bar in February, 1878. After leaving
college he engaged in mercantile and manufacturing pursuits for
some years. He has always been a Republican, and has been mayor,
alderman, supervisor, and State Senator in 1879, he being elected to
the three latter offices in a strong democratic section. In 1880 he
received the appointment of consul at Naples, which he resigned
after a residence abroad of seven months. Mr. Conant was elected
secretary of state in 1882, over William Shakespeare, Fusionist, and
Martin V. Rork, Prohibitionist, and in 1884 was again elected to the
same office by vote of 192,929 to 188,546 for Shakespeare, Fusionist,
and 19,107 for Zacheus Chase, Prohibitionist. He is identified in
most of the affairs of a public nature in his section.
EDWIN F. CONELY,
Representative from Wayne county in 1877, and democratic nominee
for speaker of the House, was born in the city of New York, September 7, 1847. In 1853 he came with his parents to Brighton, Michigan.
He received a common school education, and graduated from the law
department of the University of Michigan. By profession a lawyer,
in politics Democratic.  Has been superintendent of police in
Detroit.
ELISHA CONGDON
Was born at Norwich, Conn., in 1799. In 1832 he came to Michigan
and settled in Sylvan, Washtenaw county. He was a man of great




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


189


energy and untiring activity, and was know n as an upright, earnest,
capable man. The village of Chelsea owed its origin, name and
largely its prosperity to his energy and enterprise. A large part of
his life was spent in mercantile business. He held many minor offices,
was president of the village of Chelsea, postmaster eight years; as a
Democrat, supported the union and sent three sons to serve through
the rebellion. He died May 20, 1867. He was Representative in the
legislature of 1863-4.
JAMES M. CONGDON
Was born March 23, 1805, at the city of Norwich, Conn., and removed to Michigan in 1834. He settled in Sylvan, Washtenaw county,
upon land whereon part of the village of Chelsea is now located, and
where he still resides. Occupation, machinist and farmer. Politics,
democratic. Was Representative in 1871 and 1872.
OMER D. CONGER,
of Port Huron, was born in 1818, at Cooperstown, N. Y. He removed
with his father to Huron county, O., in 1824. He pursued his academic studies at Huron institute, Milan, Ohio, and graduated in 1842
at Western Reserve college; was employed in the geological survey
and mineral explorations of the Lake Superior copper and iron regions
in 1845-'46-'47; and, in 1848. engaged in the practice of law at Port
Huron, long his home. He was elected judge of St. Clair county
court in 1850, and State Senator in 1855, '57, '58 and '59; was elected
president pro tem. in the last session; was elected presidential elector
on the republican ticket in 1864; was a member of the constitutional
convention in 1867; has been a Representative in the forty-first, fortysecond, forty-third, forty-fourth, forty-fifth and forty-sixth congresses. Was re-elected to the forty-seventh by a majority of 2,248
over all opponents. Mr. Conger was elected United States Senator
January 19, 1881, for the full term of six years from March 4, 1881.
His term expired March 4, 1887. He now resides in Washington. He.was long a party leader in congress. He was an excellent parliamentarian and a skillful tactician. In the use of wit and sarcasm he
had few equals.
JAMES L. CONGER
Settled at Belvidere, Macomb county, Michigan, as early as 1836,
where he built a large house and purchased several hundred acres of
land, His home was a favorite place of resort for the young people




190


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


of Mt. Clemens. He was a man of fine personal appearance, a good
lawyer, a brilliant debater and orator, and few equaled him as a
stump speaker. In 1850 he was nominated and elected Representative to congress, receiving 9,263 votes against 8,427 votes for Hascall,
Democrat. He served from December 1, 1851, to March 3, 1853. In
later years he was a resident of St. Clair, where he died many years
since. He was a brilliant writer, and wrote works on religion, and
extracts from these written works caused great excitement from the
liberal views of the writer. He was averse to their publication while
living.
EBENEZER H. CONKLIN
Was born in Rutland, Vt., May 4, 1790. He was by occupation a
physician, and in politics a Whig. He came to Michigan at an early
day, settled in practice at Sharon, Washtenaw county, and was the
second supervisor of that town. He was a member of the first convention of assent, which met at Ann Arbor in September, 1836, and
refused to accept the conditions prescribed by congress for the admission of Michigan as a state. He died June 11, 1851.
HENRY C. CONKLING
Was born at Middletown, N. Y., January 26, 1824. He came to
Michigan with his parents in 1833, and was brought up on a farm
until nineteen years of age. He was clerk in a store in Tecumseh for
three years. Went to New York city in 1846, and was employed
seven years in a wholesale grocery house. Returned to Tecumseh,
Michigan, in 1854, where he still resides. From 1862 to 1869 was
engaged in general grocery and produce business. NOw a railroad
transportation agent. Politics, republican. He was county clerk
of Lenawee county from 1872 to 1876, and State Senator in 1869-'70.
Has been county superintendent of poor since 1879.
HENRY CONNOR,
Member of the territorial council in 1828, was born in Ohio in 1780.
When an infant, he was brought to Michigan with his father's family,
who came with a party of Moravian missionaries and Indian converts, taken captives near Sandusky, Ohio, in 1782, by the British.
These captives formed a settlement near the present site of Mt.
Clemens, their only subsistence the first winter being venison, of
which they obtained an abundance, by reason of a deep crusted




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


191


snow. His acquaintance with the Indian language gave him position as an interpreter, and secured him the appointment of subIndian agent for the state, which he held many years, visiting different points, and supervising the payment of annuities. He was with
Gen. Cass at the making of the first treaty with the Indians at Fonddu-Lac. Mr. Connor became possessed of six hundred acres of land
on the river above Detroit, which has become valuable. Through it
passes Connor's creek, named after him. He was supervisor in 1818.
In politics a Democrat. Died in 1840.
RICHARD H. CONNOR,
A Representative from Wayne county, session of 1859, was born July
26, 1814, in Grosse Point. He has always lived, and still lives, on the
farm where he was born. He has served his township as supervisor
and justice of the peace at various times, and in 1849 was sergeant-atarms of the House of Representatives at Lansing. Has always been
a Democrat.
LUTHER F. CONRAD,
Representative from second district of Clinton county in 1885, was
born at Sharon. Medina county, Ohio, May 23,1829. He was engaged
in the late war, his regiment being the 180th Ohio. He moved to
Michigan in 1868, where he has since lived. Mr. Conrad was formerly a teacher, and at present is engaged in farming. He has held
various township and county offices and was elected to the legislature,
receiving 1,576 votes to 1,333 for R, M. Swigart, Republican, and 91
for C. E. Knapp, Prohibition.
EZRA CONVIS,
Speaker of the first legislature of Michigan, was born in Vermont.
When young his parents removed to Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
where he received a common school education, and taught several
terms. He came to Michigan in 1832 and was so well pleased that in 1834
he settled in Calhoun county, where he aided in building up Verona,
for several years a rival of Battle Creek. While a resident of New
York he served as justice, was brigadier general of state troops, and
was considered an able officer. In 1835 Gen. Convis was elected a
member of the first legislature of Michigan and became speaker of
the House. In 1836 and 1837 he was again elected to the House, and
was again speaker in 1836. He was a Democrat, and a supporter of
the administration of Jackson. He was also a Mason, and a member




192


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPEHY.


of the Baptist church. In the winter of 1837-38, while on his way
home from a wedding, he received injuries which resulted in his
death at Detroit, in the spring of 1838. He was a man of great ability
and public enterprise, successful in everything he undertook to do;
fond of society, honest and energetic in his dealings.
ASA B. COOK
Was born in Joy, N. Y., May 30, 1809. In 1826 he went to Keesville,
N. Y., and learned the wagon maker's trade. In 1832 he emigrated to
Marshall, Michigan, and began the making of wagons in 1833, making
the first in Calhoun county. In 1837 in company with others he built
the first stone flouring mill, and the first merchant mill at Perrinville.
The company operated the mill until 1842, then sold it. He then
became a merchant and remained in that business until 1875. He was
originally a Whig, and later a Republican. He was Representative
from Calhoun county in 1857.
DAVID R. COOK,
Senator from Barry and Eaton counties in 1877-81-82, was born in the
town of Canajoharie, N. Y., Sept. 1, 1830. He was reared a farmer;
received a common school education and came to Michigan in 1854,
where he settled on a farm in Prairieville, Barry county. In 1863 he
removed to Hastings, and served as deputy register of deeds six years,
since which time he has been engaged in the abstract and real estate
business. He served several terms as supervisor, also as mayor and
alderman of Hastings. In politics a Republican.
ELIJAH F. COOK,
Senator from Oakland county in 1838-9, was born in Montgomery
county, N. Y., in 1805. By occupation a lawyer, in politics a Democrat. He settled in Rochester, Michigan, in 1831. Died in 1886.
FRANCIS W. COOK,
Representative from the first district of Muskegon county in 1883,
was born in the village of Chemung, N. Y., October 30, 1848. At
the age of eight years he came to Commerce, Oakland county. From
there removed to Victor, Clinton county, residing there until 1867,
working at farm labor summers and attending district school winters.
Having acquired a common school education he entered the law




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


193


office of John Q. Patterson, at Ovid, in 1867, and was admitted to the
bar in 1870. In the winter of 1870 he located in Muskegon and commenced the practice of his profession, where he has since resided. In
politics a Greenback-Democrat. Mr. Cook was the first Representative ever elected in Michigan by a purely workingman's party.
HERVEY COOK,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1840, was born in Palestine,
N. Y., February 16, 1788. He came to Saline, Michigan, in 1831,
moved in 1832 to Homer, and settled on a farm near the village of
Homer, in the present town of Eckford, where he lived until his
death, September 4, 1874. He was moderator of the first town meeting in Homer, and afterwards held several offices. He was an elder
of the Presbyterian church. Politically a Republican.
JACOB COOK
Was born in Morris county, N. J., December 24, 1800. He removed
to Wayne county, N. Y., while young, and emigrated to York, Michi'
gan, in 1831. He held the office of justice of the peace while Michi
gan was a territory. In politics a Whig, and as such, was elected
Representative in the legislature of 1841. By occupation a farmer.
Died January 18, 1884.
JOHN P. COOK,
Representative in 1846, and Senator in 1847-8 and 1874, was born in
Plymouth, N. Y., January 27, 1812. When young was engaged in
farming, teaching and carpentry.  Educated in common schools.
Built a foundry at Detroit in 1832, removed to Jonesville in 1834, and
was the first merchant in Hillsdale county. Settled at Hillsdale in
1837, built a flour mill, and was a merchant until 1862. He was a
large contractor in the building of the Lake Shore railroad; engaged
in banking from 1855 to 1863; has since been in the hardware
and lumber trade, and is a large land owner; was the first treasurer
of Hillsdale county; the first postmaster of Hillsdale; long a member
of the board of education, and trustee of Hillsdale college; and was a
delegate to the constitutional convention of 1850. In politics a
Democrat.
20




194 ~


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


LEVI COOK,
Secretary of the territory of Michigan from January 30, 1830, to February 19, 1836, was born in Norfolk county, Mass., in 1792. He was
for many years a leading merchant of Detroit, and closely identified
with its interests. A Representative in the legislature of 1838. He
was county commissioner, 1824 to 1837; trustee of Detroit, 1821-2;
mayor in 1832, 1835 and 1836; alderman at large in 1828, and alderman of the second ward in 1840-41; city treasurer in 1822; chief
engineer of the fire deparment, 1833 to 1835, and held other offices of
trust. He was a director and president of the Farmers and Mechanics' Bank for many years. He was prominent in educational interests
and railroad enterprises, was liberal in church and society affairs,
and was grand master of the Masonic fraternity for several years.
He was orginally a Whig and afterwards a Republican. He retired
from active business some twenty years before his death, Dec. 2,1866.
PETER COOK,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1873-4, was born in Phelps,
N. Y., June 5, 1827. In 1831 he settled in York, Mich., where he now
resides. He received a common school education, has been supervisor, and held other places of trust. By occupation a farmer.
PETER J. COOK
Was a member of the Michigan House from Allegan county in 1845.
He came to Saugatuck in 1843 as an agent of a lumbering company,
which was not very prosperous, made no permanent home there and
stayed but a few years.
WILLIAM COOK,
Senator from Calhoun county in 1875-7, was born in Rome, N. Y., in
1819. He received a common school education; removed to Michigan
in 1831; and was elected a member of the House in 1861-2-3-4. He
has been a supervisor for many years. Now a farmer and grain
dealer. A Republican in politics.
ANTHONY COOLEY,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1838, was born in Hampshire county, Mass., in 1794. Came to Prairie Ronde, Kalamazoo




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


195


county, in 1829, and was a farmer and amateur painter. Politically,
first a Whig, then a Democrat. Died at Paw Paw in 1860.
SLOAN COOLEY
Was born November 24, 1816, in Cheshire, Mass. His parents removed
to Galen, N. Y., in 1818, and in 1836 he came to White Lake, Mich.,
where he now resides.  Representative in the legislature of 1861-2.
By profession a farmer and surveyor. He was county surveyor in
1849, and is now holding a fifth term of that office. Now a Prohibitionist and claims that in 1884 he was the first Prohibitionist ever
elected to office.
THOMAS McINTYRE COOLEY
Was born in Attica, N. Y., January 6, 1824. His father was a farmer,
descended from an early family of New England farmers. After a
good academic education he taught school three terms and in 1842
began the study of the law with Hon. Theron R. Strong, of Palmyra,
N. Y., afterwards one of the Supreme Judges of that state. He came
to Adrian, Michigan, in September, 1843, and completed his law
studies with Tiffany & Beaman. He was admitted to the bar in
January, 1846, and for a while was a partner of Judge C. A. Stacy, of
Tecumseh, but returned to Adrian in 1848. There he became one of
the firm of Beaman, Beecher & Cooley, and afterward of Cooley &
Croswell. In 1857 he was elected by the legislature to compile the
laws of the state, and completed the work within a year. In January, 1858, he was appointed reporter of the Supreme Court, and
while in that position published eight volumes of reports. In 1859,
with Judge J. V. Campbell and C. I. Walker, he was appointed a
professor of the law department of the State University, and removing to Ann Arbor became the dean of the faculty. In 1864 he was
elected a justice of the Supreme Court, and was re-elected in 1869and
in 1877, continuing in that position until October 1, 1885, when he
resigned. During two years of each term he was chief justice. In
1868 he published a treatise on constitutional limitations which has
passed through many editi6ns, and is recognized authority wherever
the English language is spoken. He has also written works on the
law of taxation, also on the law of torts, which take high rank. Ile
also edited editions of Blackstone's commentaries, and Story on
the constitution, to which works he has added many valuable notes
and citations. He was the author of the legal articles in the American Encyclopedia. He has also written largely for reviews, and in




196


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


1885 wrote a valuable contribution to history, entitled " Michigan, a
History of Governments," especially commenting upon constitutional
questions that have arisen in the progress of the territory and state.
He some years since resigned his position as professor of law, but
accepted and ably filled the position of professor of history in the
literary department of the University at Ann Arbor. For two seasons, in 1877 and 1878, he delivered courses of lectures at the John
Hopkins University at Baltimore. As a law writer he takes high
rank. In 1846 he married Mary E. Horton, of Tecumseh. She is now
one of the governing board of the Industrial Home for girls at
Adrian. He served a few months as receiver of the Wabash, and is
now chairman of the interstate commission at Washington.
HENRY H. COOLIDGE
Was born at Leomister, Massachusetts, August 9, 1811. He was
educated at Amherst college in 1836, emigrated to Cass county, Michigan, and was admitted to the bar in 1844. He was successful in law
practice, and in 1872 was appointed judge of the circuit court, and in
1876 was elected to that position.  Held other local offices.  In
religion a Presbyterian, in politics a Republican since 1854. He died
some years since.
GEORGE W. COOMER,
Representative from the second district of Wayne county in 1885, was
born November 3, 1843, in Troy, Mich. His education was received
in the common schools and Birmingham academy. Mr. Coomer is by
profession a lawyer, having graduated from the law department of
the Michigan University'in the class of 1871; and was admitted to the
bar of the Supreme Court in April, 1871, located in Wyandotte in
September following, where he has since resided. He has been city
attorney eight years, and was nine years connected with the customs
service. As the Republican candidate he received 1,793 votes to 1,617
for Mathew Markey, Democrat, and 193 for F. Amos, People's candidate.
MYRON COON,
Representative from Wayne county in 1877, was born in Ontario
county, N. Y., May 26, 1822. He removed to Redford, Michigan, in
1831, and to Greenfield, same county, in 1857. He was educated in
the district schools. He has served as deputy sheriff, and has held
the office of commissioner of highways. His occupation is farming.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


197


GEORGE B. COOPER,
Representative from Jackson county in 1842, was born at Longhill,
N. J., in 1807. Came to Michigan in 1829, settled at Jackson and was
a merchant. Was State Senator in 1837 and 1838. Was appointed
state treasurer March 17, 1846, and served in that position until March
13, 1850. In politics a Democrat. Went into the banking business
at Jackson in 1851. In 1859 ran for congress against William A.
Howard, of Detroit, and took his seat as a member, but finally was
ousteI and Mr. Howard was declared by the House entitled to the
seat. Later removed to New Jersey and died at Shark River, in that
state, in 1866. HIe was postmaster of Jackson in the early history of
that city.
GEORGE H. COOPER,
Representative from the first district of Shiawassee county in 1881-2,
was born in Sterling, N. Y., July 12, 1840. He came to Michigan in
1856, and began the study of dentistry in the city of Detroit, January
1, 1861. Having completed his studies in 1864, he began the practice
of his profession, which he continued to follow until the autumn of
1872, when he abandoned it and engaged in the drug business in Vernon, Shiawassee county, his present residence. Mr. Cooper was
elected to the House by a vote of 1,683 to 1,053 for Thompson Reeves
(Dem.), and 796 for George R. Hoyt (National).
WALTER H. COOTS,
Representative from the first district, Wayne county, in 1883, was
born in Braintree, Essex county, England, in 1833. He came with
his parents to this country in 1844, and resided in Brooklyn, N. Y.,
where he received a common school education. He spent six years
in a provision house, and in 1854 settled in Detroit. Then established
himself in the city hall market, and carried on a successful business
until the 10th of January, 1877, when he assumed the duties of sheriff
of Wayne county. ie is a Republican. As the republican nominee
for sheriff, in the election of 1876, he was elected, and was re-elected
in 1878. Mr. Coots has three times become a member of the common
council of Detroit (representing the old fifth ward), and has served in
that capacity five years. He also served a term of three years as
member of the board of sewer commissioners of the city of Detroit,
and remained on duty until the board was replaced by the board of
public works. As candidate for Representative he was chosen by
8,758 to 8,757 for his opponent.




198


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


BENJAMIN COPELAND,
Representative from Jackson county in 1839 and 1841, was born in
Norton, Mass., May 14, 1791, and graduated at Brown University, R.
I., in 1815. He engaged in teaching and had a son of Audubon for a
pupil while teaching near Natchez, Miss. He settled in Brooklyn,
Mich., in 1835, built a large flouring mill, and for years was a prominent and enterprising citizen. In 1843 he removed to Clarendon, N.
Y., and engaged in trade. Died January 15, 1879. 
JOSEPH T. COPELAND,
Senator from St. Clair county in 1850-'51, was born in New Castle,
Maine, May 6, 1813. By profession a lawyer, in politics a Democrat.
He settled at St. Clair, Mich., in 1844, and was judge of the county
court from 1846 to 1849. In 1851 was elected circuit judge, which
made him also a judge of the Supreme Court, and served from 1851
to 1857. Removed to Pontiac in 1851 and resided there until 1878,
when he removed to Florida, and now resides at Orange Park. Is
county judge of Clay county. He enlisted in 1862, was made lieutenant colonel of 1st cavalry, August 22, 1861; colonel 5th cavalry,
August 14, 1862; brigadier general volunteers, November 29, 1862.
Resigned November 8, 1865, and was honorably discharged.
ALEXANDER B. COPLEY,
Representative from the first district of Van Buren county, in 1865 -'71-2-5-'81-2, was born in Champion, N. Y., March 11, 1822. He subsequently resided with his parents at several manufacturing villages
in that state, removing in 1,29 to Dayton, Ohio, and from there to
Little Prairie Ronde, Michigan. His education was limited to the
common schools of Mi. higan. His occupation was farming until
1874, when he removed to Decatur. His time is partly occupied in
the first national bank of that place, of which hank he is president.
He has been supervisor ox Volinia township, Cass county, for six
terms, and represented the first J'strict of that county in the legislatures of 1865 and 1871, and the first distr,'l: -f Van Buren county in
1875. He is a Republican.
SANFORD H. CORBIN,
Representative from Macomb county in 1851, settled in Armada,
Michigan, in 1831. He was a house builder, and built the grist-mill
in that town in 1834.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


199


WILLIAM CORBIN,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1881-2, was born in Nichols,
N. Y., July 30, 1825. Received a common school education, and
came to Michigan in 1843. In 1847 became a merchant at Petersburg and remained in that business fifteen years.  Has held the
offices of town clerk, supervisor and justice, was Senator in 1863, and
a delegate in the constitutional convention of 1867.  Has been
engaged in farming. real estate, insurance, hardware and other
business, and held other local positions.
JEREMIAH D. COREY
Was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., April 17, 1816. He was educated at the Onondaga academy, camle to Michigan in 1833, settled in
Washtenaw county, and now resides at Manchester. He is a farmer,
and a Democrat.  Has been supervisor, justice of the peace, town
clerk, school inspector, and a member of the school board and
village council for many years. He has also been a railroad and bank
director, and vice president of the People's bank at Manchester. IHe
was Representative in 1867, and State Senator in 1875.
PATRICK CORRIGAN,
Representative from Monroe county in 1851, was born in Ireland,
January 7, 1815. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Democrat.
He settled in Exeter, Monroe county in 1835, held the offices of
supervisor, town clerk, jnstice of the peace, and filled other town
offices. Now resides at Monroe.
CHARLES II. COSSITT,
Representative from Shiawassee county in 1885, was born in Oconomowoc, Wis., July 10, 1848  At an early age he removed with his
parents to Michigan, settling at Detroit, afterwards removing to
Wayne, and from there to Lansing. He enlisted in the sixth Michigan cavalry, and served in the army of the Potomac, and in Utah
territory, where lie was mustered out of the service. Returning to
Michigan, lie located at Owosso, where he has been engaged in the
foundry and machine business for the last fourteen years. In the
year 1881 he waselected mayor and re-elected the following year. In
politics a Democrat.




200


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


EBER W. COTTRELL,
Representative from the third district of Wayne county in 1879-81-2,
was born February 17, 1841, in Cottrellville, St. Clair county, Michigan, where his father and grandfather were also born and reared.
He was educated at the Newport (now Marine City) academy, and,
at an early age, commenced a maritime life upon the great lakes,
where he became proficient in all branches of that profession. He
made several sea voyages, and spent some time upon the Mississippi
and other Southern rivers.  In 1868 he married and removed to
Greenfield, Wayne county. He there entered upon agricultural pursuits, successfully managing one of the finest stock farms in the state.
He has devoted considerable time to the interests of stock-breeding,
and has written extensively upon agricultural topics for the press.
He wrote a series of letters from the West Indies for the Detroit
Tribune, while making a tour among those islands in 1866-7. He has
filled the offices of justice of the peace, supervisor, and superintendent of schools for the township of Greenfield, and member of the
republican state central committee.
JOHN F. COULTER,
Representative from Berrien county in 1871-2, is by occupation a
farmer and stock raiser, in politics a Republican. In 1874 he removed
to Fillmore county, Nebraska, and in 1878 represented the 23d senatorial district, comprising the counties of Fillmore and Clay, in the
senate of Nebraska, and was also a member of the capitol building
board, which commenced the building of a new capitol at Lincoln.
In 1882 he removed to Kansas, and in 1884 was elected Representative from the 40th district to the Kansas legislature. Now resides at
Kinsley, Kansas.
LEWIS M. COVERT
Was born at Romulus, N. Y., April 5, 1818. He was by occupation a
teacher and farmer. He came to Michigan in 1832, and settled in
Oakland county. In politics a Democrat. He was treasurer of Troy;
Representative in the legislature of 1851; and supervisor of Waterford township in 1854 and 1856. Died January 11, 1857.
GEORGE Y. COWAN,
Representative from Eaton county in 1863-4, was born in Cayuga
county, N. Y., December 25, 1812. He came to Michigan in 1836, is




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


201


a farmer by occupation, and politically a Republican. He resides at
Eaton Rapids.
ROBERT COX,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1861-2, was born in North
Branch, N. J., April 30, 1813. When young was a resident of the
state of New York, and came to Lenawee county, Michigan, in 1829.
In 1834 he located a farm in Wheatland, Hillsdale county. In politics
a Whig until 1854, since, a Republican. Has held several local
offices and is still a resident of Wheatland.
JAMES CRAIG,
Representative from Wayne county in 1875, was born in Ticonderoga,
N. Y., December 2, 1823. He received an academic education. He
removed to Detroit in 1847, where he has continued to reside, pursuing the business of a merchant. In politics a Democrat.
GEORGE W. CRANDALL,
Representative from Wayne county in 1877, was born in Dearborn
Michigan, in 1834. Was a student at Adrian college, but enlisted,
serving through the rebellion. Now a farmer in Dearborn. In
politics a Republican.
ALEXANDER D. CRANE,
Judge of the 4th circuit from 1873 to 1876, was born at Metz, N. Y.,
October 5, 1809. He came to Michigan in 1827, and was the first
blacksmith at Dexter. He was admitted to the bar in 1843, having
previously served ten years as deputy sheriff and tax collector. He
has been postmaster of Dexter and prosecuting attorney. He went
into the service as a captain in 1861, but soon resigned from ill health.
Is now a justice, and in law practice at Dexter.
ARCHER H. CRANE,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1869, 1870-1-2, was born in
Onondaga county, N. Y., March 30, 1821. By occupation a farmer,
in politics a Republican. Has held the office of supervisor ten years.
He settled in Freedom, Washtenaw county, in 1834, but for the last
twenty years has lived in Lenawee county. Now living at Hudson.




202


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


FLAVIUS J. B. CRANE,
Representative from Livingston county in 1838, was born in Canandaigua, N. Y., in 1812; with a common school education, he was for
years a clerk, and came to Detroit in 1835. He, with Edward Brooks,
owned and platted the village of Howell, and was the first postmaster
in 1836, also the same year was county clerk. Later resided at Ann
Arbor, where he was postmaster and a real estate dealer. From 1851
to 1872 was a resident of Detroit, and acquired a fortune in real estate.
From 1872 until his death, in 1886, was a resident of Denver, Colorado, where he was largely interested in Sunday school work.
GEORGE CRANE
Was born in Norton, Mass., March 30, 1783. He removed to Wayne
county, N. Y., in 1804, and lived in Macedon until 1833, when he settled in Palmyra, Michigan, where he took up 2,500 acres of land. He
built the first frame house in the town in 1833. He was a stockholder
and director of the Erie & Kalamazoo railroad company, organized in
1834 to construct a railroad from Toledo to Adrian. He was one of
three commisioners to locate the road. At a later date he was president of the road, holding that position several years, during which
time he executed a lease of the road for ninety-nine years to the
Michigan Southern railroad company. He was the first supervisor of
Palmyra, and was several times re-elected; was for several years a
county commissioner; and was a Representative in 1851. He was one
of the most prominent men of Lenawee county in its early history'
In religion a Quaker. He was generous, honest, pure and unselfish,
and had the respect and confidence of all classes of people. He died
at Palmyra, April 17, 1856.
GEORGE L. CRANE
Was born in Palmyra (now Macedon), N. Y., November 20, 1810. He
came to Palmyra, Michigan, in 1833, where his father located 2,500
acres of land, and took an active part in building the railroad
from Toledo to Adrian, of which he was a leading stockholder
and director. The son settled on a farm in Madison, Lenawee county,
in 1835, and for many years followed surveying. He was supervisor,
and held many other town offices, and was a Representative in 1863-4,
as a Republican.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


203


HENRY HOWLAND CRAPO,
Governor of Michigan from 1865 to 1869, was born at Dartmouth,
Bristol county, Massachusetts, May 22, 1804, and died at Flint, Michigan, July 22, 1869. His father was of French descent, and was very
poor, cultivating a farm which yielded little. His early life was one
of toil, but an eager desire for an education led him to endure sacrifices that required great energy and perseverance to overcome. He
fitted himself for teaching and took charge of the village school at
Dartmouth. When this was changed to a high school he became its
principal.
In 1832 he removed to New Bedford, where he followed the occupation of a land surveyor. He was soon elected town clerk, collector
of taxes, and treasurer, which office he held for many years. He was
also alderman; police justice for many years; chairman of the council
committee on education, and in that capacity made a report that led
to the establishment of a free public library in New Bedford, the first
in Massachusetts. He interested himself to a large extent in horticulture, and started a nursery which he filled with fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs, flowers, etc. At horticultural fairs in Boston
and elsewhere he exhibited 150 varieties of pears, and 120 varieties of
roses, all of his own raising. He was also a regular contributor to the
New England Horticultural Journal, while he lived in Massachusetts. He was also engaged in the whaling business, and took an
active interest in the state militia, of which he was a colonel. He
was president of the Bedford county mutual fire insurance, and secretary of the Bedford commercial insurance companies.
He removed to Flint, Michigan, in 1856, to care for large pine interests, in which he had invested in 1837 and 1856. He engaged largely
in the manufacture and sale of lumber in Flint, Fentonville, Holly
and Detroit, and was one of the largest and most successful dealers
in the state. He was instrumental in securing the building of the
Flint & Holly railroad, and was its president until it was merged in
the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad Co. He was early elected mayor
of Flint, and took an active part in its educational and municipal
affairs. He was elected State Senator from Genesee county in 1863-4,
and was chairman of the committee on banks and incorporations, and
a member of the committee on bounties to soldiers.
In 1864 he was elected governor of Michigan and was re-elected in
1866. He served the state with great energy, zeal and ability. The
striking features of his administration were his veto of bills granting
railway aid legislation, and his refusal to pardon convicts, except
upon the clearest proofs of their innocence, or of extreme sentence.




204


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


He interested himself in farming and reclaimed from the swamp
eleven hundred acres in the town of Gaines, now one of the best farms
in the state. He also imported Hereford, Shorthorn and Devon cattle, and Southdown, Cotswold and Leicester sheep. He was for one
year president of the Genesee county agricultural society. During
the last years of his life he was a regular contributor to the Albany
Country Gentleman. He was a member of the Christian, sometimes
called the Disciples church. In 1825 he married Mary Ann Slocum,
of Dartmouth, Massachusetts. They had ten children-one son and
nine daughters. His son, William W. Crapo, for many years was
member of congress from New Bedford, Massachusetts. Mr. Crapo
in early life was a Whig, but was an active member of the republican
party from its organization.
ISAAC E. CRARY
Was born October 2, 1804, at Preston, Conn.  He received a good
education, and graduated at Trinity college. In 1833 he came to
Marshall, and engaged in a successful law practice. He was a member of the first constitutional convention of 1835; a Representative in
the legislature of 1842, and again in 1846, when he was elected
speaker. He was elected the first and then the only member of congress from Michigan in 1835, and was re-elected in 1837 and in 1839,
serving six years as the sole Representative.  In this position he
secured the passage of the first law of the kind, giving section sixteen
in every township of the state for the benefit of common schools. All
previous grants had been given to townships and effected little good.
It was by his advice that John D. Pierce was appointed the first superintendent of public instruction in this state. He was early and closely
connected with the educational interests of the state. He always
acted with the democratic party. He was a member of the state constitutional convention of 1850. He died May 8, 1854.
ISAAC M. CRAVATH,
Senator from Ingham and Clinton counties in 1871-2, was born February 14, 1826, and died May 4, 1872. He was brought up on a farm,
and was in politics first free soil, then a Republican. In 1855 he became a clerk in the auditor general's office, where he held a place
many years. He also was for a time editor of the Lansing Republican. He went to the war as captain in the 12th Michigan infantry,
was engaged in the battle of Shiloh, but resigned from ill health. His
wife, Mira E. Fiske, was a sister of President Fiske, of Albion
college.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


205


ROBERT E. CRAVEN
Was born in Kingwood, N. J., April 13, 1811. He removed to the
state of New York in 1830, and in 1835 came to Michigan. In 1841 he
settled in Duplain, Clinton county, where he resided until his death,
November 16, 1855. He was three terms county commissioner and
for many years a supervisor. By occupation a farmer, and for twelve
years a lumberman. In politics a Republican. He was a Representative in the legislature of 1853.
JAMES CRAWFORD,
Elected Representative from Keweenaw county in 1869-'70, was born
in Washington, D. C., November 20, 1820., He spent most of his early
life in New York city, from whence he came to the Upper Peninsula
in 1846. He was an explorer and surveyor, and a Democrat in politics. He was an energetic political worker. Died at Eagle River,
August 18, 1882.
JOIHN G. CRAWFORD,
Senator from Oakland county in 1865, was born in Massachusetts,
April 21, 1834. By profession a lawyer, in politics Republican. He
came to Michigan in 1861, resided in Holly until 1867, in Fenton from
1867 to 1870, in the state of New Hampshire from 1870 to 1881, and is
now engaged in the practice of law at Clinton, Mass. He enlisted
August 2, 1861, as sergeant major in the 2nd Michigan cavalry, was
promoted to lieutenant in September, 1862, and became actingdjutant. Resigned in April, 1863. Was recorder of Holly in!8f6,
town clerk of Lancaster, N. H., in 1877, was appointed a consul to
Canada in 1881 and served until July, 1884.
RICHARD J. CREGO,
Representative from Jackson county in 1861-2-3-4, and Senator in
1865, was born in Newsteed, N. Y., March 19, 1819. By occupation a
farmer, in politics first a Whig then Republican. He came to Michigan with his father in 1834, who settled on a farm in Columbia,
Jackson county. The son took up a farm in Liberty, where he lived
until 1864, when he removed to Columbia and lived on the farm
taken up by his father, until his death, October 8, 1872. He was
supervisor of Liberty for eight terms.
21




206


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


ALONZO CRESSY
Was born in Scipio, N. Y., in 1808. He received a fair education,
studied medicine, and began practice at Lima, N. Y. There he married a daughter of Dr. Justin Smith, and emigrated to Clinton,
Michigan, in 1831. In 1832 he accompanied a detachment of troops
sent to the Black Hawk war as far as ChiCago, treating many at_
tacked with cholera and studying the malady in hospital. In 1836
he was elected Representative as an Independent. He removed to
Hillsdale, in 1855 was Senator from Hillsdale county, and toward the
close of the session was president pro tent. He was first an Antislavery Whig, later a Republican, and the latter portion of his life a
Democrat. He took high rank as a physician. He was presiding
officer of the Sons of Temperance for two years.  He died many
years since.
MARTIN CROCKER,
Representative from the first district of Macomb county in 1887, was
born at New Baltimore, Michigan, February, 1858. He is a son of
Judge Thomas M. Crocker, who is well known throughout the
eastern portion of the state as an able lawyer and prominent Democrat. In 1876 Martin Crocker entered his father's office and began
the study of law. In 1880 he was admitted to the bar and has since
been engaged in active practice. In 1881 he was elected alderman of
the first ward of Mt. Clemens, and alderman-at large in 1886; at
present he is city attorney.  He was elected on the Democratic
ticket to the House of 1887 8 by a vote of 1,514 to 1,293 for Louis A.
Allor, Republican and Knight of Labor candidate, and 149 for Gass
Lyons, Prohibitionist.
THOMAS M. CROCKER
Was born at Pawlet, Vt., November 23, 1825. His education was
received at public and private schools in Granville, N. Y. At the age
of eighteen he came to Macomb county, Michigan, and for several
years worked upon a farm summers and taught school winters. In
1852 he removed to New Baltimore, where he was postmaster for
seven years. While in that position he studied law. In 1862 he was
elected prosecuting attorney of MIacomb county, removed to Mt.
Clemens, and became a law partner of Hon. Giles Hubbard, which
continued until the death of Mr. Hubbard in 1876. He then formed
a partnership with H. B. Hutchins until 1884. From 1864 to 1868 he
was probate judge of Macomb county. In 1867 he was delegate to
the constitutional convention. He is a Democrat.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


207


GEORGE W. CROFOOT
Was born at Pavillion, N. Y., March 21, 1834. His early life was
passed on a farm and attending common schools. At the age of
eighteen he came to Pinckney, Michigan, and engaged in teaching
for two years. Has also been engaged in farming and mercantile
business, the larger portion of his life in farming. Has always been
a Republican, and was supervisor of Putnam fourteen years. He
was a Representative in 1871 and 1872, and was judge of probate of
Livingston county from 1881 to 1885.
CALVIN B. CROSBY,
Senator from the second district, Wayne county, in 1887, was born in
Pompey, Onondaga county, N. Y., August 29, 1829. He has been a
resident of Michigan forty-five years. During the late civil war he
served in the 24th Michigan infantry. He has been made president
of Plymouth village twice, and treasurer of Wayne county twice.
He was elected on the republican ticket to the State Senate by a vote
of 6,134 to 6,092 for Lyman A. Brant, and 409 for Lewis Briggs,
prohibition candidate.
HALE E. CROSBY,
Representative from Berrien county in 1857, was born in Ashburnham, Mass., October 15, 1810. Occupation, a farmer; politics, first
anti-slavery and republican, now independent. Came to Michigan
in 1844, and resided at New Buffalo about forty years. Published an
anti-slavery paper in New Hampshire, when anti-slavery mobs were
of frequent occurrence. Supervisor five terms and chairman of board.
Now resides at Three Oaks, Michigan.
MOREAU S. CROSBY
Was born in the town of Manchester, Ontario county, New York,
December 2, 1839. He graduated from the University of Rochester in
1863. He first came to Michigan in 1857, and settled in Grand
Rapids. He was a member of the board of education of that city for
four years; was for several years trustee of the Kalamazoo college;
has been president of the young men's christian association of Grand
Rapids for five years, and of the young men's state christian association for two years, and was for some years a member of the state
board of charities. He is engaged in the real estate and insurance
business, as a member of the long established firm of J, S. Crosby &




208


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Co. He was elected to the State Senate for 1873-4. Mr. Crosby was
elected lieutenant governor in 1880, and re-elected to the same office
in 1882, having been nominated in both instances by acclamation.
He received in the election 157,925 votes to 149,443 for Eugene Pringle,
Democrat and Greenback, and 4,440 for the prohibition candidate.
JOHN S. CROSS,
Representative from the second district of Van Buren county in 1885-7,
was born at Bangor, Michigan, May 4, 1849. He received his education in the district and village schools, with the exception of one term
at Hillsdale college. In 1870 he entered the service of the C. & M. L.
S. R. R. as assistant in the surveys and construction of that road, and
for four years was engaged in similar work, filling various positions.
In April, 1884, he resigned his position as civil and mining engineer
for the Lehigh coal and navigation company of Pennsylvania, and
engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Bangor, where
he has since resided. He is a Republican and was elected Representative for 1887-8 by a vote of 1,967 to 1,340 for William Killefer,
Fusionist, and 139 for Augustus Haren, Prohibitionist.
ALANSON CROSSMAN
Was born at St. Johnsbury, Vt. He was educated at Montpelier, Vt.
He came to Michigan in 1831, settling at Dexter, and was at first
engaged in the " wagon and blacksmith " business. He built the first
storehouse for the Michigan Central railroad at Dexter. He held
office of some kind until his death, in 1853. He was a Democrat in
politics and was elected Representative in 1835 and 1836.
DANIEL L. CROSSMAN
Was born in Brutus, Cayuga county, N. Y., Nov. 4, 1836, the youngest of five children. His father, a native of Conn., was a farmer
until 1844, when, his older children being married, his wife dead, he
married a second wife, and with this son removed to Michigan, and
settled on land he had taken up from the government in 1836, in the
town of Ingham, Ingham county, where he commenced the business
of selling goods; thus the son when not in school had the education
of a country and village store, supplemented by two years at Michigan Central college, then located at Spring Arbor, Jackson county,
Michigan. In 1855 the father moved to Ann Arbor, and the son suc



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


209


ceeded to the business, which he continued till 1871. He was always
familiarly known as " Dan," so when in 1856 the village was platted by
him, it was named "Dans" ville. He was married in 1859; was one
of Lincoln's postmasters from 1861 to '65; corresponding clerk of
House of Representatives in 1865; several times supervisor, both of
Ingham and Williamston townships; chairman of the board of supervisors; member of the House of Representatives from the second district of Ingham county for 1867 and 1869; member of the board of
control of the state reform school from 1869 to 1875; treasurer of
that board. 1873 to '75; chief clerk of the House of Representatives
continuously since 1873-seven terms-several times elected to that
position by the unanimous vote of 100 members (all parties); served
1876 as one of the Hayes electors, and was secretary of the special
tax commission of 1882. Politics republican. In 1871 removed to
Williamston, Mich., and engaged in the business of grain buying and
milling, opening in connection therewith a private exchange bank.
JOHN S. CROSSMAN
Was born at Elbridge, N. Y., August 19, 1820. He came to Michigan in 1839 and settled in Ingham, Ingham county, and for two
years was supervisor of that town. He was Representative in the
legislature of 1851. He went to the Pacific coast, and in November,
1852, was elected a delegate to the constitutional convention at Carson, Nevada. In 1864 he was elected lieutenant governor of Nevada,
which office he held for two years and one month, and was ex-officio
warden of the Nevada state prison. He returned to Michigan in 1875.
He was postmaster of Williamston, Michigan, from 1878 until his
death, September 17, 1884. He was also one of the county superintendents of the poor for several years. A Republican in politics.
CHARLES M. CROSWELL,
Governor of Michigan from 1877 to 1881, was born at Newbury, New
York, October 31, 1825, and was the son of John and Lottie (Hicks)
Croswell. His father, of Scotch-Irish extraction, was a paper maker,
and carried on business in New York city. The family were conspicuous in New York history, and included Harry Croswell, who was
prosecuted for an alleged libel on President Jefferson, and was
defended by Alexander Hamilton, also Rev. William Croswell,
divine and poet, and Edwin Croswell, editor of the Albany Argus.
When seven years of age his mother and sister died, and three




210


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


months later, he lost his father. An orphan, his uncle, James Berry,
a house builder and contractor, took charge of him. He came with
him to Adrian in 1837, and until the age of twenty was a portion of
the time working at the trade with his uncle, and the balance in
school.
In 1846 he was appointed deputy clerk of Lenawee county, and
during the four years he held that office he pursued the study of the
law. In 1850 he was elected register of deeds on the whig ticket,
and was re-elected in 1852. He was a delegate in 1854, to the convention at Jackson which organized the republican party, and was
its secretary. In 1855 he became a partner of Judge T. M. Cooley in
the law business, which continued until Judge Cooley became law
professor at Ann Arbor, and removed there. In 1862 he was appointed city attorney of Adrian, and the same year was elected
mayor. In the fall of that year he was elected State Senator, and at
the session of 1863 was appointed chairman of the judiciary committee, a position he held three times successively as Senator. He was
active in legislative matters and strongly supported President Lincoln in his emancipation proclamation, and vigorously opposed legislation in favor of municipal aid to railways. He was a member of
the constitutional convention of 1867, and its president. He was a
presidential elector in 1868; in 1873-4 a Representative to the House,
and was elected speaker. He was an able presiding officer, and no
appeal was ever taken from his decisions. After the session he became secretary of the state board of charities, serving until 1877.
In 1876 he was nominated for governor at the state republican
convention by acclamation, and was elected by a large majority. He
was renominated by acclamation in 1878 and was re-elected, serving
from 1877 to 1881. He was a careful and able executive. He vetoed
many bills, none of which were passed over his veto. Both in public
and private life his career was exemplary, useful and successful. He
was an attendant of the Presbyterian church at Adrian, and enjoyed
in private life the respect and esteem of the people of Michigan.
He died suddenly at Adrian, December 13, 1886.
ROBERT CROUSE,
Representative from Livingston county in 1848, was born in Avon,
N. Y., October 2, 1813. He came to Michigan in 1832, and from 1834
to 1841 was a merchant at Kensington, then became a mill owner and
farmer in Hartland. In 1860 he became interested in real estate and
the manufacture of salt at East Saginaw, and in 1862 built the
Crouse block and the Everett house. He was a delegate in the con



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


211


stitutional convention of 1850, and was Senator in 1859. Died in
February, 1869.
JAMES A. CROZER,
Representative from Menominee county in 1885, was born in Hillsboro, Ohio, in 1844, and went to Ontonagon, in 1857. He belonged to
Co. A, 27th Michigan infantry, and was color sergeant of that regiment. He was wounded three times. He was raised a printer, and
has occupied editorial positions on several papers in this state, but
for several years has been in the lumber business, and president of
the Menominee Bay Shore lumber company, the Wancedah lumber
and cedar company, a director in the first national bank and electric
light company of Menominee, and member of the common council of
that city. He was elected to the legislature on the republican ticket,
without opposition.
JONATHAN H. CULVER,
Representative from Branch county in 1847, was born in Canandaigua,
N. Y., February 1, 1819, and died January 20, 1873. Came to Michigan in 1836, settled as a farmer in Matteson, Branch county, where
he always lived. Was for many years supervisor of the town.
JAMES L. CURRY
Was born December 30, 1825, in Enfield, N. Y., and received a common school education. He went to New Haven, Ohio, in 1847, and in
1856 to Bath, Ill., for four years. He returned to Tontogany, Ohio,
in 1860, where he remained until 1865, when he settled in Clio, Michigan. He served from 1861 to 1864 in an Ohio regiment, rising to the
rank of colonel.  By occupation a lumber merchant.  He was a
Representative from Genesee county in 1869-70, and State Senator in
1873-4. In politics a Republican.
SOLOMON S. CURRY,
Representative from  Marquette in 1875, was born in Lancaster,
Canada, June 12, 1840; received a common school education; removed
to Michigan in 1861, and settled in Houghton county. In 1862 he
went to Marquette, where he has since resided. He was a mining
superintendent for several years; has followed the business of a contractor. In politics a Democrat.




212


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


FREDERICK W. CURTENIUS
Was born in the city of New York, September 30, 1806. His father,
Peter Curtenius, was a general in the war of 1812, marshal of the
state of New York, and for many years member of the New York
legislature. Mr. Curtenius graduated at Hamilton college in 1823,
studied law, then went to South America, enlisted as a lieutenant,
and helped free them from the yoke of Spain. In 1831 he was
colonel of N. Y. militia. In 1835 he removed to Michigan, and commenced farming at Grand Prairie. In 1847 he raised a company for
the first Michigan infantry, was captain, and under Colonel Stockton
served through the war with Mexico. In 1855 he was appointed
adjutant general of Michigan, and held that position until 1861. He
then became colonel of the 6th Michigan infantry, served in Louisiana,
but being under arrest for refusing to surrender slaves to their
masters, he indignantly resigned.
He was Senator in 1853 and 1867; collector of internal revenue two
years; president of Kalamazoo; for many years treasurer of the
Michigan asylum; president of the Kalamazoo city bank; and an
ardent friend and strong financial supporter of the female seminary.
First a Whig, then a Republican. A Presbyterian, and leading Odd
Fellow. Died at Kalamazoo, July 13, 1883.
ISRAEL CURTIS,
Representative from Macomb county in 1849, was an early settler in
the town of Erin, where he was justice of the peace as early as 1838.
He was supervisor of that town in 1844 and 1845.
JOHN L. CURTIS,
Senator from Kent county in 1885, was born at Brooklyn, Conn., in
1835. He received a liberal education at Lima seminary, and at the
age of nineteen taught school. The money he thus realized he expended in a thorough course of instruction at Bryant & Stratton's
commercial college, Buffalo. He came West to Milwaukee,Wis., where
he was married in 1865. Leaving there soon after he took a position
as traveling salesman for a Chicago wholesale house, where he
remained five years. In 1871 he started a paper and oil house in
Grand Rapids. He is to-day at the head of the extensive wholesale
house of Curtis, Dunton & Co., of that city. Mr. Curtis was elected
to the office of alderman for the first ward in 1878, and served two
years. He was elected Senator on the Fusion ticket by a vote of 10,007




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


213


to 8,854 for Horace T. Barnaby, Republican, and 1,097 for J. H. Maynard, Prohibitionist.
LESTER CURTIS,
Representative from Marquette county in 1877, was born in Yates
county, N. Y., January 29, 1829. He removed to Michigan in 1842,
and settled in Northfield, Washtenaw county. In 1867 he removed to
Rio, Wisconsin, and engaged in mercantile pursuits, and from thence
to Ishpeming, Michigan, in 1874, where he has since been in mercantile business. He received a common school education. In politics a
Republican.
NORMAN D. CURTIS,
Senator from Monroe county in 1838-9, was born in Madison county,
N. Y., in 1803. He came to Michigan in 1827, and practiced as a physician until his death in December, 1860. He was several times
supervisor of the town and city of Monroe. In politics a Democrat.
THOMAS CURTIS,
Representative from Oakland county in 1841, settled as a regular physician on a farm, the present site of New Hudson, Oakland county, in
1832. He built the first hotel in Kensington, and was the first postmaster of New Hudson in 1834.
WILLIAM H. CURTIS,
Representative from Ottawa county in 1873-4-9, was born in Lysander, N. Y., July 15, 1828. He received a common school education.
In 1853 he settled in Waterloo, Michigan. In 1856 he removed to
Georgetown, Ottawa county, and in 1866 to Jamestown, where he
now resides. He has held several responsible offices of trust. By
occupation a farmer, in politics a Republican.
EDWIN M. CUST
Was born in Devonshire, England, September 25, 1800. He was the
son of wealthy parents, attended college at Eton and Cambridge,
studied. law, was admitted to the bar, but never practiced on account
of ill health. He traveled extensively in Europe and India. He married Marianna Ward in 1828 and came to Hamburg, Mich., in 1837,




214


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


and settled on a farm, now occupied by his only daughter, Mary, the
wife of Adolph Buck. Mr. Cust was a Democrat and was State Senator in 1842. 1843,1844 and 1845, and an influential member. He was
president pro tern. of the Senate in 1844. He was a thoroughly educated English gentleman, and received an annuity from England which
made him independent as to means. He greatly enjoyed society,
spending much of his time in Detroit, where he numbered many
friends. He died at Detroit, January 9, 1852, and was buried at Elmwood.
BYRON M. CUTCHEON,
Of Manistee, was born at Pembroke, N. H., May 11, 1836; pursued
his preparatory studies at Pembroke, and completed them at Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he removed in 1855, graduated from the
University of Michigan,' classical course, in 1861; became principal
of the high school at Ypsilanti, in 1861; was captain, major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel of the twentieth Michigan infantry 1862-64;
was brevet colonel, and colonel of the twenty-seventh Michigan
infantry, and brevet brigadier-general " for conspicuous gallantry,"
1864-65; was twice wounded at Spottsylvania court house; was
assigned to the command of the second brigade, first division, army
of the Potomac, in 1864; was mustered out in 1865; studied law,
graduated from Michigan University law school, in 1866, and commenced the practice at Manistee, in 1867, where he has since resided;
was a member of the board of control of railroads of Michigan, 1866 -'83; was presidential elector, 1868; was city attorney, 1870 and '71;
was prosecuting attorney, 1873-'74; regent of the Michigan University, 1875-'83; postmaster at Manistee city, 1877-'83; was elected
to the forth-eighth and forty-ninth congresses, and was elected to
the fiftieth congress as a Republican, receiving 17,226 votes against
14,198 for Mason, Fusionist, and 2,393 for Ellis, Prohibitionist.
OTIS E. M. CUTCHEON,
Representative from the Midland county district, in 1879-81-2, was
born in Dryden, N. Y., August 8, 1845. His parents moved to Albion,
Michigan, in 1846, and settled upon a farm. He received his education at Albion college, and for a time followed teaching. Having
pursued the study of law at Charlotte, Mich., he was admitted to the
bar in 1872. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Iosco county,
in 1872; was re-elected in 1874; was appointed county superintendent




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


215


of schools in February, 1873; was elected to the same office in April
following, and was elected circuit court commissioner in 1874.
SULLIVAN M. CUTCHEON,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1861-2-3-4, and speaker in
1863-4, was born in Pembroke, N. H., October 4, 1843. He graduated
at Dartmouth college in 1856, and the same year became a resident of Ypsilanti, there taught until 1858, when he became superintendent of schools at Springfield, Ill., for two years, and was admitted
to the Illinois bar. He practiced law at Ypsilanti until 1875, since at
Detroit. He was chairman of the constitutional commission of 1873,
and from 1877 to 1885 was U. S. district attorney of eastern Michigan.
Is president of the dime savings bank, trustee of Harper hospital and
Olivet college, and director in several corporations.' In politics a
lrepublican. He was chairman of the Michigan delegation at the
republican national convention in 1868. Is the head of the law firm
of Cutcheon, Crane & Stellwagen. During many campaigns was a
leading republican speaker. In religion a Presbyterian. He married
Josephine Moore in 1859.
MILO H. DAKIN,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1885-7, was born in the town
of Ingham, Mich., Oct. 1, 1848. His parents both dying when he was
but thirteen years of age, he was thrown upon his own resources. At
fifteen he enlisted in company C, ninth regiment Michigan cavalry,
and served until the close of the war, eighteen months in all, when he
went to Ionia county, where he was engaged in work upon a farm for
nearly four years; he then went to Montcalm county, obtained a place
in a saw mill, remaining there four years and then removed to Saginaw county, where he has since resided, being employed in the mills
during the summer and in the woods in winter as a shingle inspector
and packer. Politics, labor.
JAMES DALY,
Representative from Wayne county in 1875, was born in Roscommon
county, Ireland, Jan. 25, 1830. In 1836 he emigrated to America with
his father's family, settling in Alleghany county, N. Y., where he
received a common school education. In 1847 the family removed to
Michigan, near Detroit, in which city he has since resided. He has
held several ward offices, including that of school inspector, and has




216


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


served two terms as alderman. He is by occupation a merchant, in
politics a Democrat.
JOHN A. DAMON,
Representative from Tuscola county in 1887, was born in Madison,
Ohio, June 4, 1850. In 1855 he removed with his parents to Dane
county, Wisconsin, where his time was spent on a farm until he
entered the Wisconsin state university, at Madison, taking the preparatory and regular classical course for four years. After teaching
two terms he went to Beloit, Wisconsin, and engaged as clerk in the
drug business. In March, 1876, he removed to Millington, Michigan,
where he has since carried on the drug trade. He has held the office
of village treasurer and township superintendent of schools. He was
elected Representative on the republican ticket, receiving 1,662 votes
to 1,137 for John Q. A. Burrington, Fusionist.
EPHRAIM B. DANFORTH,
Of Orange county, N. Y., settled at Mason, Mich., in 1837, as agent
of Noble & Co., who owned the site of that city. He was one of the
firm. He named the place after Gov. Mason. He was the first postmaster, and associate county judge in 1838 and 1842; Senator in 1847 -8; and delegate in the constitutional convention of 1850. He was a
leader in locating the capital at Lansing. Removed to Lansing in
1850 and died in 1853.
GEORGE DANFORTH,
Senator from Washtenaw county in 1851, was a lawyer, and settled
in practice at Ann Arbor about 1835. He was a man of wit and
genial qualities, and kept everybody around him in good humor. In
politics a Democrat. Died about 1856.
DAVID I. DANIELS,
Representative from Clinton county in 1859, was born in Scipio, N.
Y., April 16, 1817. He came to Watertown, Mich., at an early day.
He studied law late in life, was admitted to the bar in 1852, and practiced until his death, April 11, 1874. He was supervisor, and for four
years circuit court commissioner. In politics a Republican.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


217


EBENEZER DANIELS,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1841, was born in 1803. By
occupation a merchant, in politics a Whig. He settled at Medina,
Michigan, in 1803. Died June 1, 1862.
HENRY DARLING,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1851, emigrated from the
state of New York to Macon, Mich., where he died. In politics a
Whig.
ARCHIBALD B. DARRAGH,
Representative from Gratiot county in 1883, was born in Monroe
county, Michigan, December 23, 1840. He prepared for college at
the Monroe academy, and graduated at the Michigan University in
1868. While a student enlisted in 1862 as a private soldier in the 18th
Michigan volunteer infantry; was transferred in January, 1863, to
the 9th Michigan volunteer cavalry, in which regiment he served
until the close of the war. He became principal of the union schools
at Jackson, Mich., for two years, resigning to accept the office of
county superintendent of schools for Jackson county. He removed
to Gratiot county, Mich,, in 1870, and established the first banking
office in that county at St. Louis, where he now resides, engaged in
the same business. He has held the offices of county treasurer, and
president of St. Louis, also several minor local offices. In politics a
Republican.
LEWIS DARRAGH,
Representative from Monroe county in 1847, was born in McConnellsburg, Pa., April 29, 1809. He came to LaSalle, Monroe county, in
1833. His occupation was that of justice of the peace, his politics
democratic. He died July 5, 1887.
GEORGE DAVENPORT,
Representative from Lapeer county Michigan, in 1881-2-3, was born
in the city of New York, March 23, 1833. In 1837 he removed, with
his parents, to Hadley. Michigan. He has since resided there, except
in the years 1857-8, which he spent in New York. He afterwards
returned to Hadley and engaged in farming. He has held various
township offices, having been elected township treasurer in 1861, and
22




218                MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
again in 1862, which position he resigned. August 9, 1862, he enlisted
as a private in company K, fourth Michigan cavalry.  When discharged, at the close of the war, he was first sergeant. He participated in the capture of Jefferson Davis. He has filled the office of
supervisor several terms. A farmer by occupation. In politics a
Republican.
GEORGE DAVENPORT,
Senator from the twenty-fifth district, Saginaw county, in 1885, was
born in Saginaw City, Michigan, January 11, 1840, his parents having
moved to Saginaw June 2, 1835. Senator Davenport received a comnmon school education, and at the age of twenty years commenced
teaching. Taught thirteen years. Was successfully engaged for
eight years in the manufacture of lumber and shingles; was engaged
in farming; served six years as alderman; was twice appointed to fill
a vacancy on the board of supervisors. In politics a Democrat.
JAMES I. DAVID.
Representative from Wayne county in 1859 and Senator in 1875, was
born in Catskill, N. Y., August 20, 1820. His early business life was
as a contractor in canal and bridge work. He settled on Grosse Isle
in 1848, and his general business has since been lumbering. He is
known as Col. David, and has a flattering war record. He was a
lieutenant in Broadhead's cavalry in 1861, and subsequently captain
and commissary; was colonel of the ninth Michigan cavalry in 1862,
and in 1863 commanded a division in Burnside's corps, Shackleford's
division, mustered out in 1864, having resigned by reason of disability.
He was appointed by President Cleveland, in 1886, Indian agent at
the Osage agency, which position he now holds. Has always been a
Democrat.
ORRIN DAVID,:Representative from Wayne county in 1849, was born in Catskill, N.
Y., in 1822, and moved to Grosse Isle in 1843. He was a lumberman:and haa flour mill interests at Trenton. He held local offices in the
township of Monguagon, of which Grosse Isle forms a part. He was
a Democrat in politics. Died in 1851.




MICHIGAN BIIOGRIA'HY. 


2190


ALEXANDER P. DAVIS,
Senator in 1859 and 1865 from Genesee county, was born in Cayuga
county, N. Y., about 1814. He came to Michigan in 1837, and first
settled in Livingston county, removing to Flint in 1842. He was by
profession a lawyer, and was also engaged in milling. In both occupations his reputation was that of a thoroughly honest man. He
was an able lawyer and successful advocate before a jury. He was
prosecuting attorney from 1852 to 1858. He removed to Fentonville
about 1870, and died March 4, 1871.
ALEXANDER W. DAVIS
Was born in Westerloo, N. Y., October 30, 1824. In 1836 he removed
with his parents and settled in Tuscola, Mich, He removed to Grand
Blanc, in 1844. In 1847 he enlisted and served eighteen months in
the war with Mexico, and was severely wounded at Churubusco. He
returned to Grand Blanc, and was justice for many years, and
Representative in the legislature in 1861-2.
ALONZO C. DAVIS,
Representative from the district comprising Ontonagon, Isle Royal,
Baraga, and Keweenaw counties, in 1877, '85, was born September 4,
1823, in Genesee county, New York. He removed to Michigan in
1827. Since 1846 he had been engaged much of the time as superintenlent of copper mines in Ontonagon, Keweenaw, Houghton, and
Isle Royal counties. In politics a Republican. He died in 1886.
AMMOS DAVIS,
Representative in 1839-40, from Oakland county, was born at Ware,
Mass., Dec. 15, 1799, and died at Birmingham, Mich., Dec. 20, 1884.
At the age of nine he moved with his parents to Bennington, Vt.,
where he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a woolen manufacturer. When a young man he removed to Truxton, N. Y. In 1825
he removed to Chillicothe and ran a woolen mill owned by Gen.
Worthington. On account of malaria was compelled to return East
in 1826. The next year returned to Ohio and ran a woolen mill at
Xenia. In 1829 he settled on a farm in Southfield, Oakland county,
Mich., where he lived until 1851. In 1849 he established a branch
store at Birmingham, having one at Southfield, and removed there in
1851, continuing in business until 1880. In politics, first Whig then
Republican.




220


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


CALVIN DAVIS,
Representative from Macomb county in 1845, was born in Hubbardston, Mass., April 27, 1793. He settled on a farm in Shelby, Mich.,
in 1824. He was associate county judge in 1826, and filled that place
until the court was abolished. He removed to the town of Macomb
in 1832, and in 1838 was sheriff of Macomb county. He was for
twenty-three years postmaster of Macomb, and twenty-four years a
justice. A Democrat until 1856, then a Republican. Died Feb. 10,
1870.
CHAUNCEY DAVIS,
Representative from Muskegon county in 1861-2-3-4, was born in
Jefferson county, N. Y., March 15, 1812, and died February 9, 1888.
He received a common school and academical education, and taught
school several terms. In 1835 he went to Kenosha, Wisconsin, and
was engaged in house building for twelve years. Removed to Muskegon, Mich., in 1848, where he became a leading business man, especially in the lumber business. He was the first mayor of Muskegon in
1860 and again in 1871. He filled important positions in business corporations, and was liberal in aiding schools, churches, railroads, etc.
In politics a Democrat until 1854, then a Republican.
HENRY DAVIS,
Representative in 1853 from Branch county, was born in Pennsylvania in 1812, studied medicine and commenced the practice of his
profession in his native state. He came to Michigan in 1840, settling
in the town of Bronson, and was soon after m rried to Miss Helen
Wheeler. He practiced his profession there until 1861, when he removed to California. In politics a Democrat. He was an industrious legislator and served well his constituents. He was in personal
appearance tall and slim, grave almost to melancholy, and was a
close, hard-working student. Died in California.
IRA DAVIS,
Representative from Wayne county in 1861-2, was a native of Canada,
born in 1818. He was by profession a lake captain, and was interested with John Owen, of Detroit, in the Cleveland line of steamers,
and had other vessel interests, and was also interested in lumbering.
Had also considerable real estate interests in and about Detroit,
where he died December 4. 1873. Was republican in politics.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


221


JOHN M. DAVIS,
Representative from Detroit in 1857, was a native of New Hampshire
born in 1806. The time of his coming to Detroit is not known,
although he was a road district supervisor in the city in 1838. He
was alderman in 1850, superintendent of sewers in 1854, city assessor
in 1856, and a member of the board of education 1853-'57. He was
a teacher and a wood-working mechanic, democratic in politics.
Died in 1861.
JONATHAN D. DAVIS,
A member of the constitutional convention of 1835, a Senator in
1835-6-7, and president pro tern, of the Senate in 1837, was born at
Hanover, N. Y., June 29, 1795. He acquired by his own efforts an
academic and medical education, paying his way as teacher, clerk
in store, etc. After residing in the state of New York, he came to
Michigan in 1828, located land in Plymouth, and began life as farmer
and doctor. He was a justice under the territorial regime, was postmaster at Plymouth for some years, and president of the Wayne
county (wild-cat) bank there. He removed to Jackson in 1842, where
he held the position of prison physician, but subsequently removed
to Albion for its educational advantages, and died there May 15,
1853. In politics a Democrat.
LEWIS C. DAVIS,
Senator from Tuscola and Bay counties in 1885, and a resident of
Vassar, was born at Amsterdam, N. Y., in 1832. He was formerly
engaged in farm and mechanical work, but is now a physician and
surgeon. He has held the offices of township clerk, health officer
school inspector and village trustee. Having been in the south at
the outbreak of the rebellion, he was conscripted into the confederate
army, but soon made his escape and took the oath of allegiance to
the United States. In politics Fusion.
ROBERT W. DAVIS
Was born in Boston, Mass., February 20, 1816, and lived in that state
until 1837, when he removed to Detroit, and from there to Oxford,
Oakland county, in 1842. He was by trade a carriage maker, but
owned a foundry at Oxford. He was a Representative in 1849. Under
Buchanan he was United States marshal of Michigan. Still living in
Muskegon. A Democrat in politics.




2~2


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


WILLARD DAVIS,
Representative from Eaton county in 1857, was born in Worcester,
Mass., December 23, 1805. When four years of age, his parents
removed to Chenango county, N. Y., where he resided until of age.
He was a student in Hamilton college, but was forced to leave from
ill health. Came to Michigan in 1844 and was engaged two years
teaching. From 1838 to 1844 he was in mercantile business at Honesdale, Pa. He returned to Vermontville in 1844. In early life a
Whig, then a Free Soiler, after 1854 a Republican. He held many
local offices. Died December 19, 1873.
NORMAN DAVISON
Emigrated from Avon, N. Y., and settled with his family in 1831, in
Atlas, Mich., where now stands the village of Davisonville. He built
a saw-mill in 1833 and a grist-mill in 1836. The first town meeting
was held at the Davison mills in 1836, and there was established the
first postoffice. Mr. Davison was the first postmaster. He was a
member of the constitutional convention of 1835. He was the first
supervisor of Grand Blanc, in 1833, and at an early day, when Atlas
formed a part of Lapeer county, was a county judge. He was a
delegate from Lapeer county to the second convention of assent at
Ann Arbor, in 1836. He held other offices and was a man highly
respected and esteemed. He was a Democrat. Died in March. 1841'
OLIVER P. DAVISON,
Representative from Oakland county in 1847, came with his father's
family to Davisonville, Mich., in 1831, but subsequently settled in the
town of Highland, where he owned a fine water power. He was in
1845 the first postmaster at Highland Corners, and served two terms.
He was also a justice of the peace.
DANIEL DAYTON,
Representative from Genesee county in 1849 in Michigan, and of 1860
in Minnesota, was born in Sandgate, Vt., in 1800. He came to Michigan in 1839, and settled in Genesee county. Held various offices, and
was judge of the Genesee county court, and during his term sent two
persons, a man and woman, to state prison for life for murder. He
removed to Harmony, Fillmore county, Minnesota, in 1854, where he
now resides in good health at the age of 87. By occupation a farmer.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


223;


HENRY W. DEARE
Was a Representative from Wayne county in 1863-4; also judge of
probate of the county in 1864, serving the four years' term, and also
represented Hamtramck in the board of supervisors. He was born in
England in 1825, is by profession a teacher, and is still living. Democratic in politics.
JESSE DECKER,
Representative from Oakland county in 1838 and 1839, was born in
the state of New Jersey and settled as a farmer in Orion, Oakland
county, in 1825. He was accompanied by several other settlers from
the same state, was the leader, and the place was known as the
"'Decker settlement." Ile became a leading man of the town, and
was the first postmaster in 1832.
ANSON H. DELAMATER
Was born in Pompey, N. Y., April 13, 1811. He was educated at
Cazenovia seminary, and at the age of sixteen commenced teaching,
and was engaged in teaching and farming until 1834, when he came
to Columbia, Michigan, and located a farm. In 1837 he was elected
surveyor of Jackson county, and held that position twelve years. In
1844 he was Representative in the legislature. He was the first supervisor of Columbia township, and filled that position several times. In
1880 and 1881 he was president of the Jackson county pioneer society.
CHARLES V. DELAND
Was born in North Brookfield, Mass., July 25, 1826, and is of French
Huguenot descent, his ancestors coming to New England in 1636. His
father was in the war of 1812, and coming from northern New York,
settled with his family on land now forming part of Jackson, in 1830.
His family and two other families were the first permanent settlers in
Jackson county. The son in 1836 began the trade of a printer and
followed it until 1861. He established the Jackson Citizen in 1848,
owned and edited it until 1861; was clerk of the Michigan House in
1857; alderman and supervisor several years; Senator from Jackson
county in 1861-2; Senator from Saginaw county in 1873-4; entered
the service in 1861 as captain of company "C," 9th Michigan infantry,
served until the close of the war, and was promoted as colonel of the
1st Michigan Sharpshooters, and brevet brigadier general " for faithful and meritorious services;" in 1865 removed to East Saginaw, and




224


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


was connected with the Enterprise, the first daily in the valley; held
there the offices of street commissioner, marshal, city controller, chief
engineer, supervisor, and tax collector; was for six years collector of
internal revenue; started the Saginaw Morning Herald in 1872 and
published it until 1882; then removed to his old home near Jackson,
and is now a farmer. A Whig until 1854, since a Republican.
DANIEL H. DEMING
Was born in Sharon, Conn., September 25,1804. He was brought up
as a farmer. At the age of twenty-four removed to Poughkeepsie,
N. Y. After one year there was four years at Penn Yan, N. Y., in a
drug store. Emigrated to Michigan in 1834 and became a farmer in
Dover, Lenawee county. In politics a Democrat. Was a Representative in 1847-9, and held several local offices. Died April 7, 1871.
DAVID E. DEMINO,
Senator from Kalamazoo county in 1841-2, was born in Cornish, N.
H., June 14, 1796. A physician by profession, in politics a Whig. He
was the first settler in the town of Cooper, Mich., in 1833, and the
first supervisor, holding that office several terms. Had a large practice, but in later years was a farmer. Died Sept. 5, 1879.
DAVID B. DENNIS,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1848, '50, was born in Farmington, N. Y., June 12, 1817. By occupation an attorney and banker,
politically a Democrat. He came to Michigan with his father's
family in 1827, and settled at Adrian. Resided at Adrian for twentyfive years, and has been a resident of Coldwater for thirty-four years.
Has been a leader in the democratic party, and repeatedly its candidate for state and other offices.
SAMUEL DENTON
Was born at Wallkill, N. Y., July 2, 1803. In 1826 he came to Ann
Arbor, where he practiced his profession as a physician, until his
death, August 17, 1860. He was president of the state medical association; State Senator from Washtenaw county in 1845-6-7-8, and was
president pro ter. of that body in 1848. He was also one term regent.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


225


of the State University, and was professor in the medical department of "theory and practice," from its organization until his death.
He was a man of remarkable depth and vigor of intellect, a profound thinker, and in the lecture room was noted for his originality:and felicity of expression. In politics a Whig.
PETER DESNOYER,
State Treasurer in 1835-6, was born in Detroit, April 21, 1800, and
died March 6, 1880. He received a good education, principally at
Clinton, N. Y. He became a Detroit merchant in 1821, and was
successful. He was treasurer of Wayne county in 1826, serving two
terms; alderman in 1827; U. S. marshal from 1831 to 1836; again
county treasurer in 1838, also in 1843 and 1851; and delegate in the
constitutional conventions of 1850 and 1867. For the last twenty
years of his life was not in business, but resided in Hamtramck. A
Democrat in politics, in religion a Catholic. A man of kindly nature.and charitable deeds, and of proverbial hospitality.
JOHN DEVLIN,
Representative from Wayne county in 1883, was born in Minersville,
Pa., June 10, 1846. He spent his boyhood on a farm. On the 12th of
August, 1861, he enlisted in "F" company, 48th regiment Pennsyl-vania volunteers, and served with his regiment up to the close of the
war, participating in nearly all the engagements and marches of the
command. He was seriously wounded in the right hand and arm by
a canister shot at the storming of Petersburg, Va. He received a,common school education at the Dickenson seminary, Williamsport,
Pa., afterwards taking a course in book-keeping at the union business
college, Philadelphia, Pa. He started in the mercantile business at
Shenandoah City, Pa., and continued in it for a number of years.
Afterwards he removed to Philadelphia, Pa., and again started the
mercantile business, but in 1879 removed with his family to Detroit,
Mich., where he was employed at the finishing trade in the Pullman
palace car works. Is now consul at Windsor, Canada. In politics a,Labor Democrat.
GEORGE M. DEWEY,
'Senator from Barry and Eaton counties in 1873-4, was born in
Lebanon, N. H., February 14, 1832. He became a resident of Lowell,
-Mass., and graduated from the state normal school in 1848. In 1851




226


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


was principal of the Mann school at Lowell, removed to Wisconsin in,
1852 and taught in union schools of that state until 1856, and then
for a year was principal of the union school at Buchanan, Mich. In
1857-8 was deputy superintendent of public instruction.  He was
editor and publisher of the Niles Enquirer from 1858 to 1866, then
owned and edited the Hastings Banner for several years. Was in
the postal service six years, and has several times been clerk of important legislative committees. Now owns and edits the Owosso
Times. In politics a Republican.
JOHN W. DEWEY,
Representative from Shiawassee county in 1881-2, was born June 3,
1818, in Erie county, N. Y. He moved to Michigan with his parents
in 1823, and settled on a farm in Bloomfield, Oakland county, where
he received a common school education. In 1839 he removed to
Shiawassee county and settled on a farm in Owosso, where he has
since resided. He has held the office of highway commissioner for
several terms, and been a member of the school board over twenty
years, beside holding other minor offices. As the republican candidate for representative, he received 1,565 votes, L. Van Dusen
(National, Prohibitionist and Democrat combined) receiving 1,483.
JAMES S. DEWEY
Was born in Broome county, N. Y., in 1831, removing with his father's family to Lapeer county, this state, in 1838. Mainly through his
own exertions he secured means to take a college course, graduating
from Miami university at Oxford, Ohio, in 1858. In the fall of that
year he became assistant principal of the high school at Pontiac, and
studied law with Judge M. E. Crofoot, with whom he formed a partnership after his admission to the bar in 1860. He served as justice of
the peace in Pontiac for nearly four years, and in 1867 was elected
judge of the sixth judicial circuit to fill a vacancy, and re-elected in
1869 for the full term, resigning, however, in 1873 on account of
insufficient salary. He has since resided in Detroit, attending to his
profession. In 1871 he was chosen by the legislature to make a recompilation of the general laws of the state, which compilation was
subsequently printed in two volumes, and is known as the compiled
laws of 1871. He is a Republican in politics.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


227


CHARLES I. DEYO,
"Senator from Oakland county in 1887, was born in Parma, N. Y.,
July 10, 1839. When he was fourteen years of age his parents
removed to Michigan, locating at Richland, Kalamazoo county. He
spent his early life on a farm, attending the public school during the
fall and winter terms. At the age of twenty he commenced his public life as a minister of the gospel, uniting with the Christian church.
For a few years he devoted nearly all his time to preaching and study,
thoroughly preparing himself for his profession. With the exception
of two years in Illinois, and one year in Naples, New York, his work
has been confined to Michigan, including various localities. Since
1880 he has lectured in several states on labor and other economic
questions. He was appointed chaplain of the state house of correction under Governor Begole in 1883. In politics he is a National
Greenbacker, and was elected by a vote of 4,771 to 4,742 for Robert W.
Malcolm, Republican, and 663 for James P. Whitney, Prohibitionist.
SAMUEL DEXTER,
Member of the second convention of assent, was born in Rhode
Island, Dec. 5, 1787. He removed from Herkimer county, N. Y., and
settled on the present site of Ionia, Mich., in 1832. He had been a
member of the N. Y. assembly. Built the first saw and grist mills at
Ionia. He held the offices of justice, councy judge, and receiver of
the U. S. land office. In politics a Whig. He was a leading pioneer
~of the Grand River valley. Died in 1856.
SAMUEL W. DEXTER
Was born in Boston, Mass., in 1792. His father, Samuel Dexter, was
a distinguished lawyer, and a member of the cabinet of John Adams.
The son settled at Dexter, Mich., in 1824, and was the founder of that
village. He was chief justice of Washtenaw county from 1827 to
1833, and was the anti-masonic candidate for congress in 1831, and
later of the free soil party. Located Byron, Saginaw City, and Elk
Rapids. An orthodox Unitarian, he preached at country stations
without pay, and was a man of strong convictions, a graduate of Harvard, and a powerful reasoner. With ample means he was a leading
pioneer, and his charities were numberless. Died Feb. 6, 1863.




228


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


ALBERT DICKERMAN,
Senator from Hillsdale county in 1831-2, was born in Masonville, N.
Y., March 26, 1840. He received an academic education, and for a
few months attended Oberlin college. Taught in Missouri and Ohio.
In 1862 enlisted in the 105th Ohio volunteers, and rising to the rank
of adjutant served until the close of the war. He graduated from
the union law college at Cleveland in 1865, and the next year
commenced practice at Hillsdale, Mich. He has been circuit court
commissioner four years, judge of probate four years, and has held
other offices. In politics a Republican.
CHARLES DICKEY,
Representative from Calhoun county, and speaker pro tern. in 1859,
and Senator in 1850-1-3, was born in Londonderry, N. H., April 13,
1813. When young he became a resident of Livingston county, N.
Y., and was there engaged in business. Moved to Marshall Mich., in
1836, engaged in the manufacture of fanning mills, and in 1838 bought
the first wool sold in southern Michigan. He was sheriff of Calhoun
county from 1845 to 1849. He was a colonel on the staff of Gov.
Mason; was U. S. marshal of Michigan from 1861 to 1866, and judge
of probate from 1873 until his death, January 13, 1879. Took an
active part in the organization of agricultural societies, and was
president of the state society in 1858-9,and a member of the executive
committee from 1845 during life. Politically a Whig until 1854, then
a Republican.
WILLIAM E. DICKINSON
Was born in the city of New York, May 31, 1824. Attended school
at New Haven and Litchfield, Conn., and was admitted to the bar at
Litchfield in 1846. For the next three years was traveling in foreign
lands. Returned in 1850 and engaged in study as a mining engineer.
Went to the upper. peninsula in 1851 and resided in Ontonagon and
Houghton counties. In j1856 moved to Eagle River, Keweenaw
county, and in 1859 was Senator. In 1870 removed to Marquette, and
in 1881 to Commonwealth, Wisconsin, and now resides there. First
a Whig, since a Republican. Has held town and county offices in
every countylwhere he has lived.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


229


ROBINSON J. DICKSON,
Representative from Cass county in 1883-5-7, was born in Wayne
county, Indiana, April 3, 1823. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother a native of New York. Mr. Dickson was the
second son of a family of nine children, eight of whom are still living.
His parents settled on McKinney's Prairie, in La Grange township,
Cass county, Michigan, in the year 1828, engaging in farming. By
occupation he is a farmer, now owning a farm in Pokagon township.
Has been a resident of Michigan fifty-nine years. He has held
various township offices. Is a Republican, and was elected in 1887
by 2,599 votes to 2,453 for John Manning, Fusionist, and 377 for
Hamilton S. McMasters, Prohibitionist.
GERRIT J. DIEKEMA,
Representative from Ottawa county in 1885-7, was born in Holland,
Michigan, on the 27th of March, 1859. His parents removed from
the Netherlands and settled in Holland in 1848. He received his
education at Hope college and graduated in 1881. In 1881 he began
the study of law at the Michigan University and graduated in 1883,
settled in Holland and commenced the practice of law. In 1884 he
delivered the oration before the law alumni association of the University. On October 27, 1885, he was married to Miss Mary E. Alcott,
of Holland, Michigan. He has held the office of school inspector and
city attorney for Holland.  He is a Republican.   Elected for
1887-8 by a vote of 1,523 to 1,286 for John A. Roost, Fusionist, and 89
for Marshall, Prohibitionist. He was chairman of the judiciary
committee in 1887.
HENRY B. DILLER,
Representative from Genesee county in 1881-2-3, was born in Clarence, New York, August 15, 1840. Having received a liberal education there, in the spring of 1874 he removed to Genesee, Michigan,
where he has since resided, engaged in farming. He is a Republican.
He has held the office of supervisor several terms.
LOUIS DILLMAN,
Representative from Detroit in 1877, '83, was born Dec. 25, 1830, in
the city of Friedrichshalen, Wurtemberg, Germany. In 1849 he emigrated to the United States, and after working some time at his trade
23




230


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


(tanner) in Buffalo, he came to Detroit in 1853, and started a leather
and finding store. At the outbreak of the rebellion he enlisted as
captain of company A of the second Michigan infantry, under the
command of Col. Richardson. Captain Dillman was promoted to
be major in March, 1862, and was made lieutenant colonel July 26
1862. He participated in many battles, also in the Morgan raid in
Kentucky. In 1863 he resigned and came to Detroit, where he became
proprietor of the Hotel Mauch. Has been engaged in the wine trade.
He has been a candidate for state land commissioner and for auditor
general. In politics a Democrat.
JOSEPH DILLON,
Representative from Kent county in 1887, was born in Lowell, Mass.,
in 1850. When twelve years old he entered a woolen factory. At
fifteen he was apprenticed at the carver's trade at Wilson, N. H., but
afterwards went to Greenville, N. H., where he worked at his trade
until he was twenty-three. In 1873 he moved to Washington, D. C.,
where he worked at carving and picture-frame making for a year,
and then for six years carried on the business as an employer. In
1880 he moved to Grand Rapids, where he has since resided and
worked at the carver's trade in the various shops and factories. He
was elected Representative on the republican and labor ticket by a
vote of 4,254.
DANIEL W. DINTURFF,
Representative from Livingston county in 1873-4, was born July 24,
1830, in the town of Potter, N. Y. He received a common school
education. In 1855 he emigrated to Michigan and settled in Pittsfield.
In 1856 he removed to Handy, Livingston county, where he now
resides. By occupation a farmer.
JOSEPH DIVINE,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1885, was born in Cayuga
county, N. Y., in 1820. He received a common school education and
settled in Hillsdale county, Mich., in 1842. In politics first a Whig,
then a Republican. Has held the office of justice.
WESTBROOK DIVINE
Was born in Ulster county, N. Y., August 4, 1822. By occupation a
farmer, politically a Republican. He settled on a farm in Montcalm




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


231


county, Michigan, in 1843, which he occupied until 1883, when he sold
out and removed to Belding, Mich., where he now resides. Among
other offices held by him are the following: State Senator in 1863-4-5,
register of deeds for four years, justice of the peace, town clerk,
supervisor of Eureka for 28 years, assessor of internal revenue six
years, and president of a fire insurance company for fourteen years.
A man of energy and a good legislator.
ROSCOE D. DIX
Was born in Jefferson county, New York, June 11, 1839, and removed
to Berrien county, Michigan, with his parents in April, 1852. He
lived on a farm until he was 17 years old, taught district school and
attended Albion college. He enlisted at Kalamazoo, April 26, 1861,
in Co. K, 2d Michigan infantry.  Served with his company in every
engagement in which it participated, as private, corporal, and sergeant, until he was severely wounded at Knoxville, Nov. 24, 1863,
and was then in hospital until discharged, May 25, 1864, permanently
disabled. In 1864 he was nominated and elected by the republicans
register of deeds of Berrien county, and was re-elected in 1866-68 and
1874. In 1869 he engaged in the abstract and real estate business,
and is a member of the firm of Dix & Wilkinson. He was a member
of the school board twelve years, village trustee eight years, and
president of the village of Berrien Springs two terms. He is a Republican, and has actively engaged in every campaign since 1864;
has served on the republican county committee, and in nearly
every campaign as president of the local republican club.  He
was elected commissioner of the state land office in 1886 by a vote of
181,995 to 172,104 for Alonzo T. Frisbee, Fusionist, and 25,516 for
Charles L. Fraser, Prohibitionist.
JOHN S. DIXON,
Representative in 1863-4 from Charlevoix and other counties, was
born in Mexico, N. Y., August 24, 1818. By occupation a farmer, in
politics a Republican. He graduated at Oneida Institute, N. Y., in
1837. Came to Lenawee county, Michigan, in 1838, and followed
teaching until 1854.  Removed to Charlevoix in 1855. Has been
justice, county clerk, county surveyor, and superintendent of schools.
He platted Charlevoix, and suffered greatly from the depredations of
Mormons from Beaver Island at an early day.




232


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


JAMES DOCKERAY
Was born in Westmoreland county, England, May 1, 1815, came to
this country in 1838, and settled at Albion, N. Y., where he worked
at day labor and studied and practiced surveying. In 1846 he
removed to Cannon, Michigan, and settled on a farm. He was
supervisor sixteen years and held other offices. He was a Representative in 1863-4. In 1874 he removed to Rockford, and is now the
proprietor of the Exchange bank in that place. He served one term
as county surveyor. In politics a Democrat, up to 1856, since a
Republican.
FRANK L. DODGE,
Representative from Ingham county in 1883-5, was born at Oberlin,
Ohio, October 22, 1854. Attended school until fourteen, was engaged
in railroading and traveling severalyears, for two years in the hotel
business at Eaton Rapids, then studied law, and became a partner
of I. M. Crane, at Eaton Rapids, until 1881. Is now a resident of
Lansing, engaged in law practice, and has been U. S. C. C.
commissioner. In politics a Democrat.
SIDNEY DOLE
Was born in Troy, N. Y., in 1787, and died at Pontiac, Mich., in 1827.
In 1816 he owned and improved land on which is now the site of
Syracuse, N. Y. He came to Detroit in 1818, and the next year
removed to Pontiac. He was the first clerk and register of deeds of
Oakland county from 1820 to 1827. He was a member of the territorial council in 1826-7, and a justice of the peace.
LEVI E. DOLSON,
Representative from Detroit in 1841, was a native of Canada, born
1813. He came to Detroit while a boy, where he acquired a business
and social standing and raised a family. He served for a number of
years as a member of the board of education of the city. His occupation was that of a tanner, and he was a Republican in politics.
Died Jan. 22, 1887.
JOHN C. DONNELLY,
Representative from Wayne county in 1879, was born in Plympton,
Ontario, November 27, 1851. Received a common school education,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


233


and removed to Michigan in 1870. In 1873 commenced the practice
of law in Detroit. Was second lieutenant of company C, first regiment Michigan state troops, and was elected captain of the Montgomery rifles in 1877. He was the youngest member of the House.
ANDREW DORSEY,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1838, was born in Frederick,
Md., April 25, 1786. He located at Lyons, N. Y., in 1800. He was a
captain in the war of 1812. By occupation a farmer, in politics a
Democrat. He settled in Homer, Michigan, in 1836. Was a justice
in New York and Michigan for eighteen years. Died April 12, 1842.
TITUS DORT,
Representative from Wayne county in 1839, '42 and '65, and Senator
in 1849, '50-51, was born at Bridgeport, Vt., June 17, 1806, and
removed with his father to Ohio in 1811. He settled at Detroit in
1826, and was engaged in the manufacture of brick. He was a delegate to the first convention of assent, justice, several times supervisor,
and superintendent of the poor. In politics a Democrat. Died Oct.
7, 1879.
PIIILO DOTY
Was born in Sweden, N. Y., in 1817. He received a common school
education. He removed to Eagle, Clinton county, Michigan, in 1839,
cleared up a large farm and has lived there ever since. He was a
Democrat until Gen. Cass wrote the Nicholson letter, since a Republican. He has been supervisor and treasurer, each five years, and held
other town offices.  He was Representative in 1869, 1870-71-2,
and was the Republican candidate for State Senator in 1872.
SAMUEL DOTY
Was born in Rensselaer county, N. Y., May 10, 1795. He emigrated
to Ann Arbor in 1832. In 1838 he was a Representative in the legislature from Washtenaw county. He removed to Manchester, same
county, in 1839, where he was a justice of the peace and a merchant.
He retired from business on account of poor health about 1848, and
lived at Tecumseh with his son, A. S. Doty. until his death, September 3, 1878.




234


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


ARCHIBALD K. DOUGHERTY,
Representative from the counties of Antrim, Charlevoix, and Manitou in 1887, was born in St. John, New Brunswick, June 26, 1835.
His education was limited. He became apprenticed to learn the
trade of a ship-builder, and has followed it as his principal occupation
since. In 1868 removed to Charlevoix, Michigan. In 1876 he located
at Elk Rapids, where he has during the past ten years been foreman
in the shipyard of the Elk Rapids iron company. He held the office
of supervisor three years, and has been eight times in succession
elected township clerk of Elk Rapids. As the republican candidate
he received 1,098 votes to 769 for Horatio B. Lewis, Fusionist.
COLUMBUS C. DOUGLAS,
Representative from Houghton county in 1861-2, was born in Springville, N. Y., August 22, 1812. He came to Michigan in 1825 and
assisted Dr. Houghton in the geological survey of the upper peninsula, and settled at Houghton, where he was largely interested in
mining and real estate. He died at London, England, December 17,
1874.
FRANK A. DOUGLASS,
Representative from Houghton county in 1887, was born in Tennessee, July 16, 1851. Has been a resident of Michigan thirty years.
His business is that of general insurance agent, but for thirteen years
has been postmaster at Houghton. He was elected on the Republican ticket a Representative for 1887-8 by a vote of 2,394 to 1,769 for
David Haas.
SAMUEL T. DOUGLASS,
Of Detroit, was elected presiding judge of the Wayne circuit court
(the circuit judges then also constituting the Supreme Court of the
state), in April, 1851, resigning the position in 1857. He was born in
Rutland county, Vt., in 1814, but was raised in Fredonia, N. Y.,
where his parents removed, and was educated at the Fredonia
academy. He came to Detroit in 1837, and was admitted to practice
as an attorney the following year, having previously studied in New
York. He was appointed reporter of the Supreme Court in 1845,
serving until 1849, when he resigned, having, during his service,
published the two first volumes of Michigan reports. His election to
the judgeship was by an independent movement outside of both




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


235


parties, the whig candidate, however, ultimately withdrawing in his
favor. Judge Douglass' official life is comprised as above, and in
part of a term as city attorney and several terms on the board of
education. He also served a year as president of the Detroit young
men's society. For twenty-five years he has lived on a farm on
Grosse Isle, giving little attention to law business. Politically he has
always been a Democrat.
ANDREW J. DOVEL,
Representative from Manistee county in 1874, to fill vacancy, was
born in Pickerington, Ohio, June 19, 1850. By profession a lawyer,
politically a Democrat. He has been city attorney of Manistee four
terms, mayor, and prosecuting attorney of Manistee county three
terms. After graduating at the Michigan University in 1871, he
became a resident of this state.
JOHN DOW,
Representative from Eaton county in 1863-4, was born in Somerset
county, N. J., Jan. 5, 180l. He settled as the first pioneer in Roxand,
Eaton county, Mich., in 1837. He was supervisor of Roxand thirteen
years, removed to Sunfield, and was supervisor there for thirty-two
years-in all forty-five years. He for five times represented the
county before the state board of equalization. Died September 30,
1885.
PETER DOW,
Senator from Oakland county in 1863 4, 1879, 1881-2, and Representative in 1875, was born February 27, 1821, in the parish of Ballingray,
Scotland. He settled at Orchard Lake, Michigan, in 1830. He was
educated in the common schools, and held several township offices. He was twice town treasurer and three times supervisor. He
was a member of the Senate in 1863, and of the House in 1875. He
was again elected to the Senate in 1878 and re-elected in 1880. Died
in the fall of 1887. A farmer and a Republican.
MICHAEL A. DOWLING,
Representative from  Bay county in 1877, was born at Toronto,
Ontario, in 1834. He received a fair education in the common schools
and seminary. He came to Michigan in 1867. He was justice of the
peace and village attorney of Wenona. He lived eight years in Min



236


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


nesota previous to coming to Michigan. He was admitted to the
practice of law in that state. In politics a Democrat.
PETER DOX,
Representative from Oakland county in 1850, was born in Albany, N.
Y., in October, 1813. When young he went with his mother to
Geneva, N. Y., where he lived until of age. In 1838 he removed to
Birmingham, Oakland county, where he was elected supervisor in
1846. In 1847 he was elected supervisor of Bloomfield, also in 1848-9 -52-3. In 1853 he was appointed agent of the state prison at Jackson,
and held that position until 1855, when he removed to Chicago, where
he now resides. In 1860 he was appointed to a position in the custom
house at Chicago, which he resigned, and became assistant keeper of
the Bridewell prison, which he filled for seventeen years, and resigned
from ill health. He was always a Democrat.
THOMAS J. DRAKE
Was born in Scipio, N. Y., April 18, 1799. He settled at Pontiac,
Mich., in 1822, and was a leading lawyer for more than fifty years.
He was a member of the territorial council from 1828 to 1831, was the
author of our liberal exemption laws, and the only member who at
first dared to vote for them.  He was Senator in 1839, '40-41, president pro ter. in 1840-1, and acting governor in 1841-2, by the election
of Gov. Woodbridge to the United States Senate. He was prosecuting attorney; register of probate; presidential elector in 1840 and 1856;
chief justice of Utah from 1862 to 1869; and publisher of a paper,
first at Flint, then at Pontiac. At first a Whig, then a Republican.
A good lawyer and a remarkable man, and especially strong in the
use of sarcasm. Died April 20,1875.
WILLIAM DRAKE,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1873-4, was born in the town
of Lyons, N. Y., March 22, 1828. He received his education in a common school. In 1838 emigrated to Michigan, and settled in Amboy,
Hillsdale county, where he now resides. He has held various official
positions. By occupation a farmer.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


237


CHARLES DRAPER,
Senator from Oakland county in 1867, is the oldest practitioner at the
bar in Oakland county, having been admitted in 1838. He was the
first clerk of the courts under the state constitution of 1835, and held
that position until 1838. He was a law partner of his father, Hon.
William Draper, for many years. He has held the position of prosecuting attorney, ranks high in his profession, and in politics is a
Republican.
WILLIAM DRAPER,
President of the first convention of assent, which met at Ann Arbor
in 1836, was an early resident of Pontiac, and was admitted to the
Oakland county bar in 1833. He was a good lawyer, well read, and
had an extensive practice. He had been in law practice in Massachusetts prior to his coming to Michigan. He died in July, 1858.
JOHN F. DREW,
Representative from Jackson county in 1873-4, was born in the town
of Shelby, N. Y., December 3, 1828. He received a common school
education. In 1866 he emigrated to the township of Rives, Jackson
county, where he now resides. He has also borne his share of town
offices. While a resident of the state of New York, he served his
district in the assembly of that state. By occupation a drover.
ALFRED L. DRIGGS,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1847, was born in Albany
county, N. Y., August 25, 1807. By occupation a farmer and lumberman, politically a Democrat. Came to Michigan in 1831 and bought
land in Constantine, but went to Branch county and built a saw-mill,
where he remained until 1836, when he returned to Constantine and
cleared up and cultivated his farm. Was supervisor of Constantine
for many years, and still resides there.
JOHN F. DRIGGS,
Representative in Congress from 1863 to 1869, was born at Kinderhook, N. Y., March 8, 1813, and received a good common school
education. He was a master mechanic and builder, and also dealt in
lands. He was superintendent of the New York penitentiary in 1844,




238


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


and came to Michigan in 1850. He was president of the village of
East Saginaw in 1858, and Representative in the legislature of 1859'
In 1872 he was an independent candidate for congress. Died Dec
17, 1877.
ANTHONY DUDGEON
Was born January 8, 1818, at Stewartstown Island, and died at Grosse
Isle, December 22, 1875. He came to Detroit at the age of eighteen,
and for several years was attached to the American fur company.
He was afterwards the head of the firm of Dudgeon, Lewis & Graves,
in the forwarding and commission business, and was successful. He
was alderman of Detroit in 1854, president of the board of aldermen
in 1855, and State Senator in 1859. He retired from active life in
1855, and purchased an estate and erected a beautiful residence on
Grosse Isle. In 1869 he became auditor and afterwards president of
the Republic insurance company of Chicago, which went down with
the great fire of 1871.
GEORGE DUFFIELD
Was born in Strasburg, Pa., July 4, 1794. He graduated at the
University of Pennsylvania in 1811. Studied theology in New York,
and became pastor of the Presbyterian church of Carlisle, Pa., in 1815,
where he remained several years. He was two years pastor of Fifth
Presbyterian church of Philadelphia, and one year of the Broadway
Tabernacle, New York, and in 1838 he became pastor of the First
Presbyterian church of Detroit, which he retained until his death,
June 26, 1868. He was regent of the State University from 1844 to
1852, and always took a great interest in its welfare. A full review
of his life would embrace a large share of the history of the Presbyterian church for thirty years. He was a devoted Christian, an
industrious student, master of nine languages besides his own, a true
patriot, sending two sons to the battle field, and fully identified with
the educational and religious interests of Detroit and of Michigan.
WILLIAM W. DUFFIELD,
Senator from Wayne county in 1879, was born at Carlisle, Pa., Nov.
19, 1823. He graduated at Columbia college in 1842. He became a
resident of Detroit in 1836. By profession a civil engineer, also a
member of the Detroit bar. He was adjutant of the 2d Tennessee in
the Mexican war; was engineer and superintendent of railroads in




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


239


New York; surveyed the Detroit & Milwaukee railroad in 1852 from
Pontiac to Grand Haven; also the road from Detroit to Port Huron,
and from Mendota to Galesburg, Ill.; went out in 1861 as lieutenant
colonel of the 4th Michigan infantry, and became colonel of the 9th
infantry; commanded 23d brigade, was military governor of
Kentucky, and was wounded and compelled to resign; had charge of
coal mines in Pennsylvania and iron mines in Kentu, ky, and was
chief engineer of the Kentucky union railroad. Was a Whig until
1854, then a Democrat.
DANIEL DUNAKIN
Was born in Niagara county, N. Y., April 19, 1810, and in 1834 settled on a farm in Eckford, Calhoun county. He was several years
supervisor, and in 1855 was Representative in the legislature.
Through his influence a bill was passed giving a charter to Hillsdale
college. He died May 16, 1875. In politics a Republican, in religion
a Free Will Baptist.
ADDISON E. DUNBAR,
Representative from the first district of Monroe in 1885-7, was born in
Bedford, Monroe county, in 1834. He follows the business of farming
and settling of estates; has been a resident of Michigan all his life.
Has been justice of the peace, school inspector, and drain commissioner; was county surveyor four years, superintendent of poor six
years, and township clerk twenty-two years. Mr. Dunbar was elected
Representative for 1887-8 on the democratic ticket by a vote of 1,617
to 1,059 for Burton Parker, Republican, and 119 for George C. Candee,
Prohibitionist.
WILLIAM DUNBAR,
Representative from Monroe county in 1857 and 1859, was born in
West Stockbridge, Mass., February 22, 1807. A Democrat in politics,
a farmer by occupation. Settled in Bedford, Monroe county, in 1832.
Was the first supervisor of the town; seven years town clerk; supertendent of the poor two terms; and was elected sheriff of the county
for two terms. Died August 27, 1870.
DELAMORE DUNCAN,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1850, was born at Lyman,
N. H. Nov. 24, 1805. Received a common school education and




240


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


worked in his father's mill at wool carding and cloth dressing. Was
a lumberman in Vermont, and settled on a farm in Prairie Ronde,
Mich., in 1829. He was the first sheriff of Kalamazoo county from
1830 to 1834; was nine years supervisor; was assessor and justice; a
merchant from 1855 to 1865; president of the Schoolcraft & Three
Rivers railroad, giving liberally of time and means to secure its completion; and a director of the national bank at Three Rivers from 1864
until his death, May 1, 1870.
LAWSON A. DUNCAN,
Senator from Berrien and Cass counties in 1883, was born at Columbus, Indiana, January 21, 1832; entered the volunteer service of his
country at the time of its struggle with the southern rebellion, serving three years, and to the close of the war, as adjutant and major of
the fortieth Iowa infantry, gaining the highest rank in his regiment
in which there was a vacancy; was presidential elector for the fourth
district Michigan in 1872. Mr. Duncan has been editor of the Niles
Republican for the last twenty-one years.
ROBERT r. DUNCAN,
Representative from Ottawa county in 1855, was born in Rutland,
Vt., February 24, 1824. He came to Grand Haven in 1851, where he
now resides. By profession a lawyer, politically a Democrat. He
has been circuit court commissioner six terms; prosecuting attorney
two terms; ma) or in 1868; supervisor several times; and has repeatedly been the democratic candidate for circuit judge.
WILLIAM C. DUNCAN,
Senator from Wayne county in 1863-4, was born in Lyons, N. Y., in
1820, and acquired a business education at Rochester, N. Y. Began
business for himself in 1821. Came to Detroit in 1849, and went into business as a brewer and malster. He was alderman from 1854 to
1858, and mayor of Detroit in 1862-3. He was a member of the board
of estimates in 1873, and was tendered the nomination for mayor but
declined. He retired from business about i865, and died December
19, 1877.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


~     241


CHARLES DUNCOMBE
Was born at Ancaster, Canada, May 30, 1822. He settled with his
father's family at Keeler, Van Buren county, in 1844. In politics
first a Whig, later a Republican. He went to California in 1849 and
engaged in mercantile trade, returning in 1852. He was a delegate
in the constitutional convention of 1867. He owned several farms,
was for several years cashier of the Decatur national bank, owned
the mills at Decatur, also several stores and a hotel.
ROBERT F. DUNDASS,
Representative from the counties of Mason and Lake in 1881-2, was
born December 12, 1847. He is a Republican, and a physician. He
was elected over Hon. Charles E. Resigue, Democrat, by 405 majority.
NELSON DUNHAM,
Representative from Monroe county in 1840-44-46, and State Senator
in 1848-9, was born in Madison, N. Y., in 1803. By profession a
physician, politically a Democrat. He settled in Dundee, Monroe
county, in 1836. where he resided until 1856, when he removed to
Petersburg, where he remained until his death, April 30, 1866.
ABIJAH B. DUNLAP
Was born in Ovid, N. Y., August 29, 1810. Ie graduated at Yale
college in 1833. He taught, then farmed it for several years. In
185.3 he married May A. Wright, of Le Roy seminary, and served
several years as a missionary in the Levant. He was several years
professor of ancient languages and literature at the Michigan University, then principal of the high school at Jonesville, then taught
the languages and literature at Elmira female college, N. Y. He
removed to a farm in Leelanaw county, near Traverse City, where
he now resides. First a Whig, then an Abolitionist, later a Republican. Was a Representative in 1865-7. Now a Democrat. Has been
prosecuting attorney of Leelanaw county. In religion a Presbyterian.
THOMAS B. DUNSTAN,
Representative from the district composed of Keweenaw, Ontonagon,
Isle Royal, and Baraga counties in 1883, was born at Camborne, England, January 4, 1850. His parents emigrated to this country in 1854,
24




242      i


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


and settled in Ontonagon county, Michigan.  He graduated at Lawrence university, Appleton, Wisconsin, June, 1871; attended the law
department of Michigan University during the winter of 1871-2, and
was admitted in 1872. In November he was elected to the offices of
judge of probate and prosecuting attorney for the county of Keweenaw. He held these offices until July 1, 1879, at which time he
removed to Pontiac, Michigan. He resided in Pontiac until 1882,
when he removed to his former home at Central Mine, Keweenaw
county. In politics a Republican.
JAMES DU PUY,
Representative from Jackson county in 1855, was born in Pompey, N.
Y., Oct. 20, 1815. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Republican.
Has held the positions of town clerk, several times supervisor, trustee
of Michigan Central college, and other offices.
GEORGE H. DURAND
Was born at Cobleskill, N. Y., February 21, 1838. He removed to
Flint, Michigan, in 1858, where he still resides. Is by profession a
lawyer He was elected mayor of Flint in 1873 and again in 1874. In
1874 he was elected to congress, receiving 17,758 votes against 16,122
votes for J. W. Begole, Republican. He served from December 6,
1875, to March 3, 1877. He was defeated as a candidate for congress
in 1876 by Mark S. Brewer. He is now engaged in the practice of his
profession at Flint. In politics a Democrat.
LEWIS DURKEE,
Senator from Barry and Eaton counties in 1881, was born at Farmersville, N. Y., May 29, 1834, and died April 11, 1881. Received an
academical education, studied law, and in 1864 went into business as
a merchant at Hickory Corners, Barry county. He was admitted to
the bar in 1877, and engaged in practice. He was four terms a supervisor. In politics a Republican.
LAURENT DUROCHER
Was born at St. Genevieve Mission, Missouri, in 1786. He received a
collegiate education at Montreal, Canada, and settled at Frenchtown,
Michigan, in 1805. In the war of 1812 he served in the army of Gen.
Hull, and after his surrender of Detroit, rendered important services




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


243


to the government. He was made county clerk on the organization
of Monroe county in 1818, and held that office many years. He was
a member of all the territorial councils, except the first, serving from
1826 to 1835. He was also a member of the first constitutional convention in 1835; State Senator in 1835 and 1886; and Representative
in 1839. He also held the offices of justice of the peace, probate
judge, circuit clerk, and clerk of the city of Monroe, where he died
September 21,,1861. He was an accomplished gentleman and the
great legal authority among the French population on the River
Raisin.
JOEL J. DUSSEAU,
Representative from Monroe county in 1867, was born at Erie, Mon.
roe county, Michigan. By occupation a merchant, in politics a
Democrat. Now in mercantile business at Toledo, Ohio.
VICTOR A. DUSSEAU,
Representative from Monroe county in 1865-9-'70, was born in Erie,
Mich., November 20, 1835. He was a farmer until 1862, and was a
teacher, the first child of French descent to engage in teaching in
that locality. He was town clerk from 1863 to 1873. Was in the
nursery business from 1876 to 1882, teaching winters, and is still a
teacher. Has held many town offices.
GEORGE W. DEXTER,
Representative from Ionia county in 1842, was born in Herkimer
county, N. Y., August 4, 1795. He came to Michigan in 1844, and
was sergeant-at-arms of the first Senate in 1835. He was a farmer,
politically a Democrat. Died August 4, 1848.
EVERT B. DYCKMAN,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1847, was born at Greenbush, N. Y., September 25, 1800. He had a limited education. He
became a resident of Onondaga county, N. Y., assisted in the construction of the Oswego canal, established a boat yard, and carried
on an extensive coopering business. He purchased one thousand
acres of land and settled at Paw Paw, Mich., in 1838, and built the
Dyckman House and a grist-mill and store. He removed to School



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


244


craft in 1842. In 1853 he purchased the present site of South Haven,
and built a pier, saw-mill, store and several houses. He was engaged
in important enterprises at Schoolcraft, and was also engaged in
banking.
JAMES EAKINS,
Representative from Huron county in 1881-2, was born in Toronto,
Ontario, Nov. 13, 1846, and was educated in Toronto University College, and took the degree of bachelor of medicine from that college in
1870. He engaged in practice at Port Crescent, Michigan, and is also
engaged in salt manufacture there. Has held various local and
county offices. In politics a Republican.
BARNEY EARL
Was born in Providence, N. Y., Jan. 29, 1803. He lived there twenty
years, then worked in a woolen factory four years, then moved to
New Jersey. From 1826 to 1835 was in the grocery business in the
city of New York. He removed to Cooper, Michigan, and became a
farmer. In politics a Whig. He was Representative in 1849-51.
NATHANIEL A. EARLE,
Representative from Kent county in 1881-2, was born in Allegan
county, Mich.; was educated in common and high schools; from 1870
to 1874 was teacher and principal of Paw Paw schools; studied law at
Grand Rapids and was admitted in 1875; went into practice, in which
he is still engaged, at Grand Rapids. Has been an alderman, and was
long one of the law firm of Stone & Earle, and lacer of Taggart,
Stone & Earle.
AHIRA G. EASTMAN,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1845, was a practicing lawyer at Adrian and came there from the state of New York in 1835.
He held the position of master in chancery. During the Mexican
war he volunteered and received a lieutenant's commission, but
resigned from ill health before reaching Mexico. Later he removed
to Breedsville, Mich., where he died.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


245


DAVID J. EASTON,
Representative from Branch county in 1881-2, was born in Castile, N.
Y., June 5, 1842. Came with his parents to Algansee, Mich., in 1846,
removing to Coldwater in 1855. Learned the trade of a printer and
became one of the publishers of the Sturgis Journal. Enlisted in the
19th Michigan infantry, served from 1862 to the close of the war, was
three times wounded and rose to the rank of major. Established the
Coldwater Republican in 1866, and in 1867 was clerk of Coldwater.
In 1869 established the Union City Register, which he still owns.
CROSBY EATON,
Representative from Allegan county in 1877-9-81-2, was born in
Franklin county, Maine, in 1823. He received a high school education
and went to Massachusetts in 1845. He was overseer in a cotton mill
for seven years, and superintendent of Dr. J. C. Ayers & Co.'s patent
medicine manufactory seven years. He came to Michigan in 1858,
and settled in Casco, Allegan county, where he now resides. He has
been superintendent of schools several years, and supervisor of the
town twelve years in succession. His occupation is farming and
fruit growing.
JEROME B. EATON
Was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., Jan. 29, 1811, and was reared
on a farm, working summers and attending school winters. At the
age of thirteen he commenced teaching and followed it for seven successive winters. From twenty to twenty-two he was engaged in peddling. He came to Adrian, Michigan, in 1833 and engaged in the dry
goods trade. In 1842 he removed to Jackson and engaged in a prison
contract, making barrels. In 1858 he engaged in the wholesale grocery
trade. He was president of the Air Line railroad and was a prime
mover in the removal of the Michigan Central railroad shops from
Marshall to Jackson. He has held several local offices of trust, and
been identified with the interests of Jackson for many years. He
was a Representative in 1851, 1869 and 1870. In politics a Democrat.
WILLIAM R. ECK,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1867-9-70, was born at
Briar Creek, Pa., August 31, 1809. By occupation a miller, in politics
a Republican. He came to Michigan in 1833, and located at what




246                 MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
was then called Bucks, now Three Rivers, Mich., where he remained
until 1845, when he removed to Colon, where he now resides, retired
from business. Has been supervisor of Colon six years.
HIRAM S. EDDY
Was born in Clarendon, Vt., June 6, 1812. He received a common
school education. Was brought up a farmer and learned the trade of
a carpenter. Came to Michigan in 1832, settled on a farm in Palmyra and afterwards in Fairfield, Lenawee county. He was eight
times supervisor of Fairfield, and in 1855 was a Representative. He
administered on many estates in Lenawee county. In 1867 he purchased large farms in Iowa, which he managed profitably.
JAMES M. EDMUNDS,
Senator from Washtenaw county in 1840-1, and Representative in
1846-7, was born in Niagara county, N. Y., Aug. 23, 1810. He settled
in Ypsilanti, Mich., in 1831, where he was a teacher and merchant.
He was a delegate in the constitutional convention of 1850. In 1853
moved to Detroit, engaged in the lumber business, and was several
years comptroller. In 1861, under Lincoln, he was appointed commissioner of the general land office, and held it until 1866, when he
became postmaster of the Senate. In 1859 he was appointed postmaster
of Washington, and held it until his death, Dec. 14, 1879. He was
chairman of the state republican committee from 1855 to 1861; president of the national council of the union league from 1862 to 1869;
and for a number of years published the Republic, a Washington
magazine. He was a man of great ability, familiar with men and
events, well informed in state and national affairs, had a judicial
mind, great political sagacity, and his opinion was always received
with great consideration by the leading men of the nation. First a
Whig, a Republican from 1854.
CHARLES A. EDMONDS,
Commissioner of the state land office from 1871 to 1873, was a resident of Quincy, Branch county, when he enlisted and became 1st
lieutenant of battery "A," first light artillery. In 1862 he became
captain in the 17th Michigan infantry. He was wounded at the
battle of South Mountain, lost an arm, and was discharged in 1863
on account of wounds. Held the office of register in Branch county.
Now resides at Milwaukee. While in Michigan was a Republican.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


247


WILSON C. EDSELL,
Senator from Allegan county in 1865, '77, '81-2, was born in Pike, Pa.,
July 8, 1814. Brought up on a farm, attended common schools, and
learned the carpenter's trade. In 1835 went to Ohio and worked as a
millwright; in 1835 took a four years' course at Oberlin college; and in
1843 was one of the Oberlin colony which founded Olivet college, of
which he was trustee, secretary and treasurer for six years. He
removed to Otsego in 1849, where he now resides. Has been a lawyer, justice, trustee of the Michigan asylum, and held other positions.
A Republican, but now a Prohibitionist. In the banking business.
ABRAHAM EDWARDS,
President of the territorial council of Michigan from 1824 to 1832,
was born at Springfield, N. Y., November 17, 1781, and became a
physician in 1803. He became an army surgeon in 1804; served as
such in Indiana and Ohio until 1812; was a meunber of the Ohio
legislature in 1811; was ordered to Detroit in 1812 and took charge of
the medical department of the army; in 1813-14 had charge of the
quartermaster stores at Pittsburg, Pa., with the rank of major;
returned to Detroit in 1815, and was president of the board of trustees
in 1816-17; was aid of Gov. Cass in 1823, with the rank of colonel; in
1831 became U. S. register of the land office of western Michigan,
and held it until 1849. He died at Kalamazoo in 1'60.
ARTHUR EDWARDS,
Representative from Wayne county in 1855, was born in Fort Wayne,
Ind., in 1805, and came to Michigan about 1815. He was a vessel
builder and master mariner, by profession, and holding the rank of
quartermaster during the rebellion he did notable service in building
steamers to facilitate the operations of Sherman and Grant, for which
he was formally thanked in the official reports and given the honorary rank of brevet-colonel. Col. Edwards was devoted to the Methodist Episcopal church. Died in 1885. Politics republican.
EDWARD E. EDWARDS,
Representative from Newaygo county in 1881-2, and Senator from
the twenty-second district in 1885-7, was born in Broome county, N
Y., February 20, 1845. Came to Greenville in 1854, and after residing




248                MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
at several places located at Fremont in 1875. He became a lawyer in
1870, and is now in practice. Previously was in various employments,
and has held many local and federal offices. A Republican in politics. At his last election he received 5,363 votes to 4,581 democratic
and 913 prohibition.
GEORGE F. EDWARDS,
Representative from Berrien county, in 1877, was born in 1843, at
Ypsilanti, Michigan. He is by profession a lawyer, having been
admitted to practice in 1873.
HENRY D. EDWARDS,
Representative from Wayne county in 1873-4, was born in Nantucket,
Mass., Dec. 1, 1838. He received his education in a high school. He
was 16 years at sea. He was in command of the gunboat Albatross
and other vessels four years, and was especially distinguished as having fired the last hostile shot in the Federal navy during the late war,
destroying the last blockade runner at Galveston, Texas. In 1865 he
emigrated to Michigan and engaged in dealing in mill supplies in
Detroit. Deceased.
WILLIAM J. EDWARDS,
Representative from Berrien county in 1871-2, was born at Limerick,
N. Y., March 17. 1830. He came to Niles, Mich., in 1855, and was
deputy postmaster until 1858. He enlisted as a private in company
"K," 6th Michigan infantry, in 1T64, and was gradually promoted to
captain, going out of service in August, 1865, From 1870 to 1872 was
a supervisor; chairman democratic committee. 187-8; city treasurer
three years; postmaster under Johnson and present postmaster of
Niles, and member congressional committee 1876-80.
FRANCIS B. EGAN,
Representative from Detroit in 1885, was born at St. Johns, Newfoundland, Oct. 13, 1846. Received a common school education at
London, Ontario, and learned the printing business at Sarnia, Ontario. Settled in Detroit in 1877, and has been an active worker in
labor organizations, and held prominent positions in that connection.
He was deputy commissioner of labor in 1885-6, and is now deputy
secretary of state. In politics a Republican.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


249


EBENEZER S. EGGLESTON,
Representative from Kent county in 1873-4, was born in Batavia, N.
Y., May 12, 1825. He received a common school education. In 1837
he settled in Litchfield, Hlillsdale county. In 1851 he removed to
Grand Rapids. In 1861 he was appointed consul to Cadiz, Spain, and
remained there four years. He studied law with Lieutenant Governor Gordon, and was admitted to the bar in 1852. He still continues to practice law at Grand Rapids.
JAMES EGGLESTON,
Representative from Allegan county in 1875, was born in Strongsville, Ohio, Sept 1, 1836. He received a common school education.
He removed to Michigan in 1856 and settled in Allegan county. He
has been four terms supervisor of Monterey. By occupation a carpenter and joiner. In politics a Republican.
JOHN C. EISENMANN,
Representative from'Monroe county in 18"1-2, was born in Bedford,
Mich., March 30, 1847. He received a common school education. By
occupation a farmer, in politics a Democrat.
ALVAH D. ELDRED,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1885-7, was born at Canadice,
N. Y.. February 29, 1832. He came to Michigan in 1852. He went to
Macomb county to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade. In 1885 he
removed to Tekonsha, where he began working at his trade as a
builder, but for sometime past, though still carrying on his trade, he
has been a partner in a firm dealing in agricultural implements. Mr.
Eldred has been justice of the peace two years, highway commissioner thirteen years, and twice president of the village of Tekonsha.
He was elected to the House as a Republican, receiving 2,033 votes
to 1,528 for Andrew M. Kane, and 505 for Luther M. Batt, prohibition candidate.
CALEB ELDRED,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1837, was born in Pownal,
Vt., April 6, 1781. With a common school education became a
teacher, and a resident of Otsego county, N. Y., in 1803, where he




250


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


was a farmer, justice, president of the county agricultural society
several years, and a member of the New York assembly. Settled at
Comstock, Mich., in 1830, and later removed to a large farm on
Climax prairie. He was the first supervisor in Kalamazoo and Comstock; county judge; and for more than thirty years president of the
board of trustees of Kalamazoo college, A Democrat until 1854, then
a Republican.
JAMES B. ELDREDGE
Was born at Mt. Clemens, Michigan, November 25, 1836. He graduated at the Michigan University in 1855. Studied law and was
admitted to practice in 1858. He was Representative in 1863-4. He
has been prosecuting attorney of Macomb county four terms. He
was judge of probate from 1877 to 1885. As a member of the firm of
Eldredge & Spier he is engaged in law practice at Mt. Clemens. In
politics a Democrat.
NATHANIEL B. ELDREDGE,
Born at Auburn, N. Y., March 28, 1813, has been a resident of Michigan forty-nine years. He received an academic education; studied
and practiced medicine fifteen years; then studied and practiced law
thirty years; and finally settled down to farming. While a resident
of Lapeer county, he was elected engrossing and enrolling clerk of
the State Senate in 1845; Representative in 1847; and judge of probate
in 1852. Having entered the union army, June 18, 1861, he served as
captain and major of the seventh regiment, and lieutenant-colonel of
the eleventh regiment, Michigan infantry, in the war of the rebellion.
Having removed to Adrian, his present home, in 1865, he was elected
sheriff of Lenawee county in 1874. In 1882 he was elected Representative to the forty-eighth congress on the union ticket. He was
re-elected in 1884 by 17,710 votes, to 17,656 for Edward P. Allen,
Republican; and 2,418 for Charles Mosher, Prohibitionist, and served
until March 4, 1887.
ROBERT P. ELDREDGE
Was born at Greenwich, N. Y., in 1866. With an ordinary education
at the age of seventeen he commenced the study of law at Hamilton,
N. Y. In 1826 he came to Michigan, taught school a short time in
Detroit, studied law at Pontiac, and taught school. Then was a clerk
at Mt. Clemens, devoting leisure time to his studies, and in 1828 was




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


251


admitted, then the only lawyer in Macomb county. He soon had a
lucrative practice. In 1842 he was appointed secretary of state and
held that position until 1846. In 1847 and 1848 he was Senator. After
that he devoted himself strictly to his profession, refusing all offers
of public office. He was a prominent Mason from 1847.
JOHN ELLENWOOD
Was born in New Hampshire, September 17, 1777, and died May 9,
1856. He came to West Bloomfield, Michigan, in 1823.  He was
appointed a justice in 1827, and held that position through life. He
was Representative in 1835-36 from Oakland county and was a member of the first constitutional convention in 1835. By occupation a
surveyor, in politics a Democrat. He was postmaster from 1831
to 1856, and supervisor nine years.
ADAM ELLIOTT
Was born in England, October 31, 1815; came to New York in 1836,
and to Barry county, Michigan, in 1843. By occupation a farmer, in
politics a Republican. He was supervisor of Barry township nine
years, a member of the constitutional convention of 1867, and a Representative in 1869-70.
MARCUS D. ELLIOTT,
Representative from Oakland county in 1877, was born in Montgomery
county, N. Y., Jan 19, 1827. With a common school education he
came to Holly, Mich., in 1846 and the next year settled on a farm in
Rose township, still his home. In 1861 he enlisted in the 8th Michigan
battery, 1st artillery volunteers, was promoted through the grades to
captain, and took part in many pitched battles. In politics a Republican.
EDWARD D. ELLIS,
Senator from Monroe country in 1835-6-7, emigrated from New England to Monroe, Michigan, at an early day, where he resided many
years, and published and edited a newspaper. He was a delegate in
the constitutional convention of 1835. A man of culture and foresight, and to him as a legislator is given the credit of providing for
the establishment of libraries, by appropriating money received from
fines for non-performance of military duty.




252


MICHIGAN BIOGR'APHY.


MYRON H.,ELLIS,
Representative from Wayne county in 1883, was born at Saline,
Mich., Nov. 24, 1841. In 1862 he enlisted in the 5th Michigan cavalry
and rose to the rank of captain. After leaving the service kept livery
stable at Ypsilanti, and was deputy sheriff. Engaged then in farming in Huron, Wayne county, and also in the manufacture of lumber
and charcoal. A Democrat in politics.
CHARLES C. ELLSWORTH
Was born in West Berkshire, Vt., January 29, 1824. He was educated at the Bakersfield academy, came to Michigan at an early day,
and read law with his uncle, Josiah Turner, at Howell, teaching
school winters. In 1849 he was appointed prosecuting attorney of
Livingston county. In 1851 removed to Greenville which has since
been his home. In 1863 he was appointed paymaster of volunteers,
and held that position until the close of the war. In 1853 he was
Representative in the legislature; was four years prosecuting attorney
of Montcalm county; and Representative in congress from 1877 to
1879. He was a Democrat until 1856, then a Republican. He is still
in the active practice of his profession at Greenville.
ELISHA ELY,
Representative from Allegan county in 1835-6-7, was born in West
Springfield, Mass., April 27, 1784. He removed to Allegan, Mich., in
1833 from Rochester, N. Y., and founded the village of Allegan. He
made an honorable record in the war of 1812, and as a resident of
Michigan occupied many public positions of trust and honor, including those of judge, legislator, and regent of the State University,
holding the last position from an early date until his death at Allegan, November 3, 1854.
HEMAN B. ELY,
Representative from Marquette county in 1853, was born in Rochester, N. Y., March 15, 1815, and was the son of Judge Elisha Ely
who founded Allegan, Mich., in 1833. He was a graduate of Hamilton college, N. Y. He studied law and commenced practice, but in
1849 left the profession to enter upon the construction of the telegraph line from Buffalo westward, and between Pittsburg and Philadelphia. He organized and began the construction of the Cleveland,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


253


Painesville & Ashtabula railroad, the first section of the present L.
S. & M. S. railroad. In 1852, with his brothers, S. P., G. H. and
John F. Ely, he engaged in building a railroad from Marquette to the
iron ore mines, then undeveloped. The county was an unbroken
wilderness, the Sault Ste Marie lock and canal not built, and great
obstacles were encountered. The project was then deemed almost
impracticable and somewhat visionary, but he persevered until, just
on the eve of its completion, he died suddenly at Marquette, October
14, 1856, and was buried at Rochester, N. Y. In politics a Democrat.
RALPH ELY
Was born in Marshall, N. Y., July 10, 1820, and died at Redmond,
Mich., April 12, 1883. He was brought up on a farm in Stockton, N.
Y., receiving a district school education. At the age of twenty-one
removed to Indiana, and remained two years, and then returned to
his father's home for three years. He came to Michigan in 1846,
settling at Ronald, Ionia county. In 1854 he removed to Alma,
Gratiot county, and until 1860 was engaged in farming, lumbering
and mercantile business. He built the first saw and grist-mills in
Alma, and was very liberal in aiding destitute settlers. He entered
the service as captain of company C, 8th Michigan infantry, and was
promoted to major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel of his regiment.
In 1865 he was commissioned brigadier-general, and with his brigade
was the first to enter Petersburgh, and received its surrender, by
order of General Grant. He took part in more than thirty battles,
and was not mustered out until June, 1866. He returned to Alma
and engaged in lumbering and farming. He was Senator in 1873-4.
Was elected auditor general in 1674, and re-elected in 1876, serving
four years, 1877-81. In 1881 he engaged in lumbering and farming
in Emmet county, near Cross Village, where he died. In early life a
Democrat, but became a Republican in 1854.
FRANK EMERICK,
Of Alpena, was born at Ypsilanti, Michigan, now forty years of
age; educated at the public schools at Ypsilanti, and the State University; volunteered his services to his country at the age of 16, in
the spring of 1864, and served until the close of the war. He was
admitted to the bar in March, 1874, at Ann Arbor, and afterwards
held the offices of circuit court commissioner and prosecuting attorney of Washtenaw county. He formed a law partnership with Hon.
25




254


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


John F. Lawrence, and practiced law at Ann Arbor until the spring
of 1881, when he removed to Alpena. He was elected judge of the
twenty-sixth judicial circuit in 1882.
PHILIP H. EMERSON,
Senator from Calhoun county in 1871-2-3, and president pro tem. in
'72-3, was born in Danby, Vt., February 15, 1834. He was educated
at the Troy conference academy, at Poultney, Vt. He studied law
and was admitted to the bar in 1862. The same year he located at
Battle Creek, Mich., and commenced practice. He was city attorney
from 1865 to 1873; trustee and president of school board from 1868 to
1873; and U. S. associate justice of the Supreme Court of Utah from
March 16, 1873, to March 17, 1885.  His present residence is at
Ogden, Utah, where he is engaged in the practice of law.
JED P. C. EMMONS,
A Representative from Detroit in 1848, was born in Washington
county, N. Y., in 1818. His early education was partly academic.
He came to Detroit as a merchant's clerk about 1836, studied law,
and was admitted to practice in 1840. He was a man of marked
brilliancy, and a personal favorite with the men of the time, especially
with Gov. Mason. He served as prosecuting attorney of the county
of Wayne, 1855-57, and member of the school board 1853-4. Was
also clerk of the house of representatives in 1838. He was in early
life a Democrat, but subsequently a Republican. He became a resident of Florida after the war, and was for a time attorney general
of that state, and died there in 1877, his remains being interred at
Detroit.
HIERONYMUS ENGLEMANN,
Representative from Macomb county in 1885-7, was born at Baden,
Germany, September 29, 1844. He has been a resident of Michigan
since 1847, and served in the late war as member of company I, third
Michigan infantry. He was four years in college at Milwaukee,
Wisconsin. In 1875 he was appointed postmaster at Center Line,
which office he resigned to become eligible as member of the House.
He was elected by a vote of 1,428 to 1,230 for Alex. Grant, Republican, and 106 for the prohibition candidate.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


255


JEHIEL ENOS,
Was born in Norwich, N. Y., October 24, 1799. He received a common school education and at the age of eighteen became a teacher.
In 1825 he came to Ann Arbor, Mich., where he remained and followed surveying as a deputy to Lucius Lyon. He helped survey
Berrien county and settled there soon after 1830. He was a Representative in 1848 as a Democrat, and in 1857 as a Republican. He
was also for years a supervisor and county surveyor.
MORGAN ENOS
Was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., April 26, 1804. He came to
Pipestone, Berrien county, Mich., in 1836, bought a farm, and engaged in the practice of medicine. He was successful. He was
Representative in 1859. In politics a Whig until 1854, then a Republican. Died September 26, 1868.
JAMES ERSKINE,
Representative from Sanilac county in 1857, '63-4, was born in Aroostook county, Maine, January 21,1824. He came to Michigan in 1854,
and was a merchant and lumberman. Lived in Sanilac county many
years but is now a resident of Rogers City, Presque Isle county, and
judge of probate of that county. A Democrat in politics.
JOHN S. ESTABROOK,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1879, '81-2, was born at
Alden, N. Y., Jan. 22, 1826. A descendant on his mother's side of
John Alden of pilgrim fame. Received a common school education
at Alden, N. Y., settled at St. Clair. Mich., in 1845, and removed to
East Saginaw in 1852, where he now resides. At first a farmer, but
since largely interested in lumber, salt, and lake commerce. Has
held many local offices, including mayor, and is an enterprising, able
man.
JOSEPH ESTABROOK
Was born in Bath, N. H. July 3, 1820. In 1834 his parents moved to
western New York, where they resided four years, moving to Michigan in 1838. He prepared for college at Tecumseh, then a branch of


f




256


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


the Michigan University, took his college course in Oberlin, Ohio, and
taught winters and worked vacations to obtain the necessary means
to pursue his studies.  He spent seven winters teaching district
schools in and near Clinton, Lenawee county, taught select school
two years and a half in Clinton, and was three years in charge of the
Tecumseh institute. In the spring of 1853 he took charge of the
public schools of Ypsilanti, and remained there fourteen years and a
halt; then went to East Saginaw, organized the public schools in that
city and remained in charge five years; was then appointed principal
of the Normal school at Ypsilanti, of which he was the honored and
successful head nine years. In 1880 Olivet college was fortunate
enough to secure his services as a professor in that institution, the
position he now occupies. The republicans in 1870 elected him regent
of the University, which position he filled creditably for eight years.
For forty-seven years he has been connected with the schools of this
state, from the district school through every grade of school work.
Prof. Estabrook was the first teacher in Michigan to use the wordmethod of teaching reading, and his love of study has kept him
abreast of the times in all the methods of school work. He is also a
minister of the gospel. During the civil war he was connected with
the Christian commission. He was elected superintendent of public
instruction in 1866, receiving 181,011 votes to 173,188 for David Parsons, Fusionist. and 26,090 for the prohibition candidate.
FREE ESTEE,
Representative from the counties of Isabella and Clare in 1885, was
born on a farm in Coe, Michigan, December 12, 1856. His early education was obtained at a log school-house. At the age of sixteen he
began teaching school, which profession he followed four years,
teaching winters and summers, and attending school during the
spring and fall terms. He graduatad from the law department of the
State University in 1879. Practiced law at Greenville, Ohio, for one
and a half years. Returned to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, in 1881, where
he has since resided. Has held the office of justice, school inspector,
and secretary of board of school examiners. Is one of the directors
of the First National bank of Mt. Pleasant.
SAMUEL ETHERIDGE
Was born at Williamston, Mass., April 15, 1788, and died at Quincy,
Mich., Feb. 18, 1864. He received a common school education and
excelled in mathematics. He taught school for a time, then learned




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


257


the trade of a millwright and machinist. He came to Michigan in
1885, and settled at Coldwater. In 1844 he removed to a farm in
Quincy. As a millwright he employed sometimes seventy-five men,
and built large mills at Ypsilanti, Saline, Leonidas, Marshall and
Allegan. He was elected to various offices, and in 1839-40 was Senator from the district comprising the counties of Branch, St. Joseph,
Berrien, Van Buren and Cass. He was a Democrat.
PHILANDER EWELL,
Representative in 1855 from Macomb county, was born in Middlebury, N. Y., March 3, 1809. Brought up a farmer and received a
common school and academical education. In 1820 he settled on a
farm in Shelby, Mich., where he served as supervisor in 1849-50. In
politics a Democrat. In 1869 he sold his farm and removed to
Rochester, Mich., where he now resides, and owns and runs the Stony
Creek woolen mills.
CHARLES EWERS,
Representative from Wayne county in 1881-2, was born in Detroit,
October 17, 1843. He enlisted in the first Michigan infantry in 1861,
was captured at the battle of Bull Run and held as a prisoner one
year, when he was paroled. He began the study of medicine, graduating at the Detroit medical college in 1873. He has since practiced
in Detroit. He was city physician two years, was alderman of the
second ward in 1876; re-elected in 1877-9, and has been president of
the common council.
ALEXANDER EWING,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1853, was born in Ireland,
April 5, 1819. He came to America in 1833, and graduated as a physician at Geneva, N. Y., medical college. He settled at Lima, Mich.,
in 1840, but soon removed to Dexter. During the war he was surgeon of the 13th Michigan infantry, and was in charge of hospitals at
Nashville and Lookout Mountain. Died September 17, 1879.
EBENEZER W. FAIRFIELD
Was born at Pittsfield, Mass., in 1812. By profession a lawyer, in
politics a Democrat. He came to Ann Arbor in 1835, but shortly
removed to Adrian, where he practiced his profession until his death
in August, 1845. He was a Representative in 1844.




258


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


EDMUND B. FAIRFIELD,
Lieutenant governor, 1859-61, was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, August 7, 1821. By occupation a teacher and minister, in
politics a Republican. Was a resident of several states up to 1848,
when he became president of Hillsdale college, which he filled for
twenty-one years. Among other positions, he was Senator from
Hillsdale county in 1857-8; principal of the state normal school at
Indiana, Pa.; chancellor of the University of Nebraska for six years;
pastor of the Congregational church at Mansfield, Ohio, 1870-5; and
pastor of the Congregational church at Manistee, Mich., since 1882.
In all positions, he has held a high place in public estimation, and in
the early days of the republican party, was an eloquent and effective
speaker. He received the degrees of A. B. and A. M. from Oberlin
LL. D. from Madison university N. Y., and D. D. from Denison
university. He has also been distinguished as a writer and lecturer.
SILAS S. FALLASS,
Of Cadillac, judge of the twenty-eighth judicial circuit, is a son of
Michigan. He located in the county of Wexford in 1872, soon after
his admission to the bar, and the same year was elected prosecuting
attorney which office he held two years. He was a supervisor for
five years. In April, 1882, he relinquished a lucrative practice to
accept the position of circuit judge of the twenty-eighth judicial
circuit by appointment from Gov. Jerome. He was unanimously
nominated for election as his own successor by the bar convention of
the circuit, and was elected in the following November by 628
majority over George L. Alexander, the republican candidate.
JOHN D. FARGO,
Representative from Montcalm county in 1857, was born in Chautauqua county, N.Y., November 14, 1817. A farmer by occupation, a
Republican in politics. Now resides at Groton, Brown county,
Dakota. He was supervisor in Montcalm county. Came to Michigan
in 1838.
ISAAC A. FANCHER,
Representative from Midland, Isabella, and Clare, in 1873-4, and
Senator in 1875, was born in Florida, N. Y., Sept. 30, 1833. He was
educated at Amsterdam academy, N. Y.; studied law at the law uni



MICHIGA N BIOGRAPHY.


25'9


versity at Albany, and was admitted in 1860. In 1863 he emigrated to
Michigan and settled in Mt. Pleasant. He has been prosecuting
attorney of Isabella county six years, and chairman of the republican county committee six years. He is one of the board of control of
the state school at Coldwater.
JOHN FARMER,
Representative from Ingham county in 1883, was born February 14,
1827, at Redmond's Corners, N. Y. Removed to Ann Arbor in 1836,
and from there to Stockbridge, Ingham county, in 1839. Worked at
manual labor from his youth up to the present time. Received a
common school education. Principal business, farming.
WILLIAM S. FARMER
Was born in Montgomery county, N. Y., May 24, 1815. He attended
common schools, and for eight years was clerk until 1839. He
opened a store at Fultonville, N. Y., and carried on the business nine
years. In 1848 removed to Berrien county, purchased a farm of two
thousand acres, and also acted as a land broker. He was a member
of the constitutional convention of 1867. In religion a Methodist, in
politics a Republican.
ELON FARNSWORTH
Was born at Woodstock, Vt., Feb. 2, 1799, and died at Detroit, March
24, 1877. He was well educated in New England schools, came to
Detroit in 1822, studied law with Judge Sibley, went into practice,
and was a member of the territorial council in 1834-5. In company
with Judge Goodwin had a large professional business. From 1836 to
1842 was chancellor of the state, and resigned from ill health. Chancellor Kent said of him: " The administration of justice in equity in
Michigan under Chancellor Farnsworth was enlightened and correct
and does distinguished honor to the state." He held the position of
attorney general from 1843 to 1845; was the democratic candidate for
governor in 1839; for nineteen years was a regent of the University;
was a director of the Michigan Central railroad for twenty years, and
president of the Detroit savings bank from 1849 to 1877. A prominent Episcopalian. Closely identified with the interests of Michigan
at an early day, conscientious in the performance of every duty, he
is entitled to a high place among Michigan pioneers.




260


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


AUGUSTINE W. FARR,
Representative from Manistee county in 1877, was born in Essex
county, N. Y., July 29, 1847. He removed with his parents to Grand
Rapids in 1854, went to Ohio in 1859, and returned to Michigan in
1864. He received an academical education. In January, 1867, he
went to New York city, and was cashier for a banking house for
about two years. He returned to Michigan and engaged in lumbering, which, together with farming, he now conducts at Portage
Lake, Manistee county. Has been president of the Manistee county
agricultural society, and held many minor offices. In politics a
Republican.
GEORGE A. FARR,
Senator from Ottawa and Muskegon counties in 1879-81-2, was born
July 27, 1842, in Niagara county, N. Y. In 1851 he removed with
his parents to Monroe county, Mich. In 1861-19 years of age-he
enlisted in the Adrian cadets, and was in the first battle of Bull Run.
He then enlisted in the fourth U. S. artillery, and served through the
war, leaving the service as first sergeant of artillery. He graduated
from the agricultural college in 1870. Having been admitted to the
bar soon afterwards, he removed to Ottawa county, where he now
resides. Mr. Farr was elected to the Senate as a Republican in 1878
and re-elected in 1880. Now in practice at Grand Haven.
ORLANDO J. FAST,
Senator from St. Joseph and Kalamazoo counties in 1883, was born
December 10, 1838, in Jefferson county, Ohio. Brought up a farmer,
graduating at Mt. Union college, Ohio, in 1861. In 1862 enlisted in
100th Indiana volunteers, and became lieutenant, captain and assistant adjutant general.  Six times wounded, never a prisoner.
Located in the hardware trade at Mendon, Mich.; sold out in 1866,
studied law at Kalamazoo and was admitted in 1867. Graduated
from law department of the University in 1868, and went into practice at Mendon. Has been prosecuting attorney, circuit court and
U. S. commissioner. In politics a Republican.
JONATHAN P. FAY,
Representative from Detroit in 1835-6, was a physician by profession.
He died March 12, 1836, during the session of the legislature, and his




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


261


funeral was attended by the two Houses in a body. A brief obituary
in the Detroit Free Press, March 14, says: " Dr. Fay was an old and
respected inhabitant of this city, and his loss will be deeply lamented."
He is supposed to have shared the prevailing political sentiment of
his time, which was of course democratic.
THOMAS J. FAXON,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1847, came from the state of
New York, about 1836, to Tecumseh, Mich., where he followed the
trade of a carpenter, and built the Michigan Exchange hotel at
Brownsville, adjoining Tecumseh. Afterwards became a resident of
Raisin township and was supervisor for several terms. For the last
ten years of his life was a resident of Adrian. In politics, Whig and
Republican. Deceased.
ALPHEUS FELCH,
LL. D., the oldest living governor of Michigan, was born in Limerick,
Maine, September 28, 1806. His grandfather, Abijah Felch, was a
soldier of the revolution, and having with others received a grant of
land between the Great and Little Ossipee rivers, settled in the
wilderness. His father was the first merchant in Limerick, a business he followed through life. By the death of both father and
mother he was left an orphan at the early age of three, and found a
home with his paternal grandfather, where he remained until his
death.
In 1821 he became a student at Phillips Exeter academy, subsequently entered Bowdoin college, and graduated in the class of 1827.
He at once began the study of law and was admitted to practice at
Bangor, Maine, in 1830. He began the practice at Houlton, Maine,
but in 1833, owing to poor health and the severity of the climate, was
obliged to seek a new home. He disposed of his library and started
to join his friend, Sargent S. Prentiss, at Vicksburg, Mississippi, but
on arriving at Cincinnati was attacked with cholera, and on his
recovery, finding his health too much impaired to risk a journey
down the Mississippi, he determined to come to Michigan. He first
began practice at Monroe, where he remained until 1843, when he
removed to Ann Arbor, which since has always been his home.
He was elected to the first legislature in 1835, and is one of five
living members of that body. He was re-elected in 1836 and 1837.
As a member he was opposed to the wild-cat banking law, and voted
against it. Early in 1838 he was appointed one of the bank commis



262


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


sioners, and in that capacity brought to light and exposed frauds,
had the guilty parties prosecuted, and in many cases the banks were
closed. In 1842 he was appointed auditor general of the state, but
held the position only a few weeks, when he was appointed one of
the judges of the Supreme Court, in place of Judge Fletcher resigned.
In 1845 he was elected by the Democrats, governor of Michigan,
and served through the year 1846. In 1847 he was elected United
States Senator, and resigned as governor, March 4, 1847, when his
senatorial term commenced. He served six years as United States
Senator, acting on the committee on public lands, and was four
years its chairman. In 1853 he was appointed one of the commissioners to adjust the Spanish and Mexico land claims in California,
and was made president of the commission. In March, 1856, the
labors of the commission were satisfactorily finished. In June he
returned to Ann Arbor and engaged once more in law practice. He
has since been twice the democratic nominee for judge of the
Supreme Court, and once for governor. For many years he was one
of the regents of the State University. In the spring of 1879 he was
appointed Tappan law professor in the University, a position he held
several years with honor, and voluntarily resigned on account of
feeble health and old age.
Governor Felch is the only surviving bank commissioner, the
oldest surviving auditor general, the oldest surviving supreme judge,
and the oldest surviving United States Senator. No man is more
universally respected and loved by the people of Michigan, who
delight to do him honor. His life record is without spot or blemish,
and he is a fit representative of that noble class of men who were the
pioneers of Michigan.
ORVILLE H. FELLOWS
Was born in Huntington, Pa., July 24,1820. Came to Prairie Ronde,
Kalamazoo county, at an early day, where he still resides. He is a
farmer, in politics a Republican. Has been several times supervisor
and was Representative in 1863-4-5-7.
GEORGE H. FENNER,
Representative from Sanilac county in 1869-70, was born in Monroe
county, N. Y., March 21, 1821. By profession a Baptist minister,
politically, first Whig, then Republican, now Prohibitionist. As a
Whig took the stump for Clay in 1844. Came to Michigan in 1824.
Resides at Marlette, Sanilac county.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


263


DORMAN FELT
Was long a resident farmer in Bunker Hill, Ingham county. He was
postmaster of what was known as Felt's postoffice in that township.
He settled there in 1847. He was Representative in 1859. Later he
removed to Jackson, where he died several years ago. He was a
native of New Hampshire but passed his early life in Oswego county,
N. Y. Politically a Republican.
CHARLES B. FENTON,
Representative from Mackinac county in 1867, '71-2, was born in
Brooklyn, N. Y., February 1, 1836. He received a good education,
and it was the desire of his mother that he should become an Episcopal minister, but, declining to enter that profession, he took a position
in the store of A. T. Stewart. of New York. In 1858 he came west
and married Eliza J. Wendell, of Mackinaw. In 1862 he settled at
that place, of which he is now a resident, and where he is a successful merchant. He was, in his absence, elected president of Mackinaw Island for 1888. He is a Democrat, a gentleman of refined and
cultivated mind, and has done much to advance the interests and to
make his home a widely known popular resort.
JOSEPH S. FENTON,
Representative from Genesee county in 1851, was born in Washington, Mass., January 21, 1781. He lived in Norwich, N. Y., for 21
years, then in Palmyra, N. Y., until 1840, when he came to Michigan
and made his home at Fenton, which was laid out and named by his
son, the late Wm. M. Fenton. Mr. Fenton was a banker, and a Whig
in politics. He died at Flint, November 14, 1851.
WILLIAM M. FENTON,
Lieutenant Governor of Michigan from 1848 to 1852, was born in Norwich, N. Y., Dec, 19, 1808. He graduated at Hamilton college, N. Y.,
in 1826, at the head of his class. For health in 1827 he shipped as a
common sailor and served four years on the ocean, becoming mate of
a merchant vessel. In 1835 he married a daughter of Judge Birdsall,
of Norwich, N. Y., and the same year became a merchant at Pontiac,
Mich. In 1837 he purchased a large tract of land where now is the
town of Fenton and village of Fentonville, both named after him, and
was in mercantile, milling and real estate business. He commenced




264


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


the study of law in 1839 and was admitted in 1842. In 1847 he was
Senator from Genesee, Oakland, Macomb and Livingston counties.
He removed to Flint in 1847. He held the position of register of the
U. S. land office at Flint from 1852 until it was removed to East Saginaw, and was mayor of Flint in 1858.
On the breaking out of the war in 1861, he tendered $5,000 to Gov.
Blair to help equip the first regiments sent out. He became major
of the 7th Michigan infantry early in 1861, but was commissioned
colonel of the 8th Michigan, and led the regiment to the front, and
took part in many battles, resigning in 1863 from ill health.
He was the democratic candidate for governor in 1864. He erected
the large block and public hall in Flint that bear his name. As chief
of the fire department of Flint, while on duty, he received an injury
which resulted in his death, Nov. 12, 1871. He was an able presiding
officer, a ripe scholar, a good lawyer and able counselor.
DANIEL FERGUSON, JR.,
Was born in Cortland county, N. Y., March 18, 1794. He moved to
Michigan in 1838, settling in Olive, Clinton county, in 1839, where he
lived until his death, February 28, 1864. He served as a soldier in
the war of 1812. He was supervisor of Olive several terms, and
treasurer of Clinton county from 1847 to 1851. He for several terms
held the position of justice of the peace. He was a Representative in
1844. In politics a Democrat, by occupation a farmer.
FENNER FERGUSON
Was born in Nassau, N. Y., April 25, 1814. He worked on a farm
until seventeen, then attended school at the Nassau academy. He
read law, was admitted, and practiced at Albany for five years. He
came to Michigan an invalid in 1844, settled at Albion, and resumed
practice. In politics a Democrat. A member of the Michigan House
in 1849.
JAMES E. FERGUSON,
Representative from Van Buren county in 1877-9, was born in Oneida
county, N. Y., in 1824, and came to Michigan in 1866. He received
a common school education, supplemented by one year at the Goveneur academy, N. Y. He studied medicine and graduated from the
Jefferson medical college, Philadelphia. He was for one year town



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


265


ship superintendent of schools, and two years postmaster in Bangor,
Michigan. Now practicing medicine. In politics a Republican.
THOMAS A. FERGUSON,
Representative from Grand Traverse district in 1873-4-5, was born at
Iosco, Mich., Sept. 2, 1839. He subsequently removed to Wexford
councy. He was a graduate of the State University in 1869. He has
been prosecuting attorney of Wexford county. He enlisted as a private in the fourth Michigan infantry in 1864, and soon afterward
received a first lieutenant's commission. He participated in the capture of Atlanta, and also took part in the battles of Franklin and
Nashville. He accompanied the fourth corps to Texas in 1865, and
was mustered out of service at New Orleans the following September.
By profession a lawyer, politically a Republican.
GEORGE W. FERRINGTON
Was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1790. He was a carpenter and farmer by occupation, and settled in Redford in 1828. He
was appointed justice of the peace under the territorial regime in 1830
and held the office by appointment and election until his death, April
6, 1854.  He also served some thirteen years as supervisor, town
clerk and treasurer. He was a member of the contitutional convention of 1835, and a Representative in 1835-6-7 and 1847. He was
a Democrat.
JACOB FERRIS,
Representative from Montcalm county in 1859, was born in Glenn's
Falls, N. Y.. February 10, 1822. He came to Michigan in 1837, and
and is by profession a lawyer. Has held the positions of prosecuting attorney, delegate in the constitutional convention of 1867, and
was captain of company D, 21st Michi-gan infantry, during the rebellion.  In politics, was for many years a Republican, and an
effective stump speaker, but is now an antimonopolist. He resides
at Spring Lake, but is engaged in practice at Grand Rapids.
ASA P. FERRY,
Representative from Kent county in 1871-2, was born in Spafford, N.
Y., January 20, 1821. Brought up a farmer, and educated in common and select schools. Settled in Courtland, Mich., and farmed it
26




266


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


from 1849 to 1865, then moved to Cannon until 1879, and from that
time was engaged in milling at Rockford. Three years supervisor of
Courtland and five years of Cannon. In politics a Republican.
THOMAS W. FERRY,
Of Grand Haven, was born at Mackinaw, Michigan, June 1, 1827,
and received his education in the public schools. In the Michigan
legislature he was a Representative in 1 ~ 50, and a Senator in 1857-8,
was one of the vice-presidents of the Chicago national convention of
1860; was appointed a member of the board of managers of the Get
tysburgh national cemetery in 1864, and re-appointed in 1867; was a
Representative in the thirty-ninth, fortieth and forty-first congresses
and was re-elected to the forty-second, but was afterwards elected
United States Senator, to succeed Jacob M. Howard. While in the
house, he was chairman of the sub comm ittee on the New York postoffice building, and the erection of that magnificent structure is
largely due to his exertions.
He took his seat in the Senate March 4, 1871; was elected president
pro tem. March 9 and 19, and December 20, 1875; became acting
vice-president upon the death of Vice-President Wilson, serving as
such until March 4, 1877. In the absence of the president, he presided and delivered an address at the centennial exposition, July 4,
1876. Re elected Senator January 17, 1877, he was also re-elected
president pro ter., March 5, 1877, February 26, 1878, April 17, 1878,
and March 3, 1879, so that but two of the fifty-one presidents pro
tem. of the Senate have served longer than he. In the Senate he was
for many years chairman of the committees on rules, and postoffices
and post-roads, and a member of the committee on finance. His
ability as presiding officer was tested in the impeachment trial of
Secretary ~of War Belknap, and at the joint convention on the electoral count of 1877. He was a leading candidate for re-election in
1883, but after a long and heated contest his name was withdrawn.
C. B. H. FESSENDEN,
Representative from Macomb county in 1842, was born at Sandwich,
Mass., July 17, 1813. By profession a lawyer, in politics a Democrat
until 1861, since a Republican. He settled in Utica, Mich., in 1838,
where he engaged in practice. He was engrossing clerk of the
Senate in 1839. After 1842 he removed to New Bedford, Mass., where
he still resides. He was collector of customs at New Bedford, from




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


267


1853 to 1861, sheriff of Bristol county, Mass., from 1862 to 1869, and
has held other public positions.
CONRAD FEY,
Representative from Saginaw county, in 1873-4, was born in Hesse,
Prussia, June 17, 1831. He received his education in a common
school. In 1847 he emigrated to the United States, and settled in
Detroit. In 1862 he removed to East Saginaw, where he now resides.
Has been a member of the board of water commissioners of East
Saginaw. His business is insurance and dealer in foreign exchange.
JAMES FIELD,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1837, came from the state of
New York, settled at Palmyra, Michigan, at an early day, and afterwards removed to Adrian, where he was in business as a warehouse
man. His mother was a Quaker preacher at Scipio, N. Y. While
living at Palmyra he was a justice of the peace. Died at Adrian,
March 16, 1863.
MOSES W. FIELD,
Representative in congress from the first district in 1873-4-5, was
born at Watertown, N. Y., Feb. 10, 1828, and received an academic
education at Victor academy, N. Y. He came to Detroit in 1844, was
at first a clerk, later a partner in the firm of Stephens & Field, then
alone in business as a merchant. Has also been engaged in manufacturing and real estate. He has given Linden park to Detroit, a
tract of fifty acres. A Whig, then a Republican, later a Greenbacker.
Has been alderman, trustee of the asylum at Pontiac, and is now a
regent of the University. In congress was a Republican.  Has been
a member of the state republican committee and chairman of the
state greenback committee. Was the republican candidate for congress in 1874, but was defeated b) Gen. Williams.
FRANCIS W. FIFIELD,
Representative from Oakland county in 1863-4, was born in Ogden,
N. Y., April 10, 1821. By occupation a farmer and stock raiser, in
politics a Democrat. Settled in Waterford, Mich., in 1838 and lived
there until 1880, since then a resident of Decatur, Mich. Was school




268


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


inspector of Waterford 23 years; justice of the peace twelve years;
supervisor nine years; town clerk four years, and master of the
Masonic lodge for 22 years.
ASAHEL FINCH, JR.,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1837, came to Adrian, Mich.,
from the state of New York as early as 1832, and started a dry goods
store in company with Nelson D. Skeels. He remained in business at
Adrian for several years, and then engaged in banking at Homer,
Mich. Later he removed to Milwaukee, Wis., where he engaged in
law practice. While in Adrian he served as a justice of the peace
under the territorial government. Deceased.
WILLIAM FINLEY, JR.,
Senator from Washtenaw county in 1849-50, was born in Geneseo, N.
Y., Dec. 15, 1810. He was educated at Temple Hill academy, and
became a land surveyor and civil engineer. He came to Michigan in
1832 to survey lands for J. S. Wadsworth, of Geneseo, N. Y., and followed that business until 1838. He returned to New York and
became judge of the Livingston county court in 1840. He settled at
Ann Arbor in 1845..At first a Democrat, he became a Free Soiler;
was a delegate to the Buffalo convention in 1848. He was the first
president of the Washtenaw county agricultural society. Outside of
official duties followed farming. Died June 12, 1858.
GEORGE W. FISH,
Senator from Genesee county in 1875, was born at Kortright, N. Y.,
July 16, 1816, and graduated as a physician at Castleton, Vt., in 1837.
He became a resident of Michigan in 1838. Served as consul at
Ningpo, Japan; was surgeon-of the 4th Michigan cavalry, and afterwards of the first and second cavalry brigades during the war; was
a trustee of the institution for the deaf, dumb and blind at Flint; collector of internal revenue, and from 1868 to 1872 was editor of the
Saginaw Enterprise. In politics a Republican, in later years a Democrat. Deceased.
DELOS FISHER,
Representative from Jackson county in 1865, was born in Scohairie
county, N. Y., August 20, 1812. By occupation a cooper, in politics




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


269


a Republican. He became a resident of Michigan at an early day.
He was marshal of Jackson in 1855, and afterwards held the offices of
alderman and mayor. Died at Jackson, November 22, 1875.
SPENCER O. FISHER,
Representative in congress from the tenth district, was born in Camden, Mich., Feb, 3, 1843, is a resident of West Bay City, by occupation a lumberman and banker, and politically a Democrat. Has been
an alderman, twice mayor, and a delegate to the democratic national
convention of 1884. Is serving his second term in congress, and has
secured a government building and a U. S. court at Bay City.
FERRIS S. FITCH,
Representative from Ingham county in 1853-5, was born in Shelden,
N. Y., Dec. 28, 1815. He received a fair education, and was by trade
a mason, working on the Croton aqueduct. He settled on a large farm
in Bunker Hill, Mich., in 1848, where he resided until his death,
March 27, 1883. He was several terms supervisor of his town, and
often a delegate to state and other conventions. In politics a Democrat.
LYMAN A. FITCH,
Senator from Van Buren county in 1855, was born in Rutland, N. Y.,
Oct. 21, 1814. Came to Michigan in the fall of 1837, and located a
farm a short distance from Paw Paw. For the last eight years of his
life resided in Paw Paw. Politically first a Whig then a Republican.
Died June 19, 1887.
MORGAN L. FITCH,
Representative from Van Buren county in 1851, was born in the state
of New York, February 2, 1810. By occupation a farmer, in politics
a Democrat. He removed to Van Buren county in 1837, and resided
there until his death, April 6, 1887.
NATHAN FITCH,
Representative from Berrien county in 1863-4, was born in Urbana,
Ohio, October 12, 1810. He learned the trade of a plasterer, and




2t0


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


came with his family to Michigan in 1835, locating a farm eight
miles from Niles. He was sheriff of Berrien county from 1857 to
1861. In politics first Whig then Republican. Now resides at Niles.
JEROME B. FITZGERALD,
Was born in southern Indiana, in September, 1822. He came with
his father, Gen. Thomas Fitzgerald, to Berrien county, Michigan, in
1832. He received a collegiate education, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1844. He was State Senator, sessions of 1847 and
1848. He practiced his profession in New York city from 1850 to
1864, when he returned to Berrien county. He was a good counselor
and a reliable friend. He died at Niles, June 5, 1878. In politics a
Democrat.
JOHN C. FITZGERALD
Was born in Berlin, Ohio. His father was a pioneer in Springport,
Michigan. The son attended Albion college, studied law with
Governor Blair at Jackson; was admitted in 1858; in 1860 removed to
Marshall, where he practiced until 1873; was prosecuting attorney of
Calhoun county from 1861 to 1865; and Senator in 1869-70. He went
to Grand Rapids in 1873, became a partner of John W. Champlin and
has become a leading member of the Grand Rapids bar, having a
large practice in both state and federal courts. He was the republican candidate for congress in the 5th district in 1884.
THOMAS FITZGERALD
Was born in Germantown, N. Y., April 10, 1796. His father was a
soldier of the revolution. The son enlisted in the war of 1812, had
his arm shattered by a bullet, and for life was an invalid pensioner.
He taught school, married Mary Baldwin in 1818, and removed to
Indiana, taught school, studied law, and was admitted in 1821. He
became a democratic leader and was elected to the Indiana legislature. In 1832 President Jackson appointed him light-house keeper at
St. Joseph, Michigan, and he soon became a prominent man in the
territory of Michigan, and held many offices. He was clerk of Berrien county in 1834; regent of the University of Michigan; bank commissioner in 1837; Representative in the legislature of 1839; democratic candidate for lieutenant governor on the ticket headed by
Chancellor Farnsworth; and in 1848 was appointed United States
Senator by Governor Ransom, to fill vacancy caused by the resigna



MICItIGAiN BIOGRAPHY.


271'


tion of Gen. Cass. He served two sessions and won the respect of
political friends and opponents. He declined the tender of judge
in a territory. While serving as probate judge of Berrien county he
died at Niles, March 25, 1855.
GEORGE FITZSIMMONS
Came from Rose, N. Y., and settled in Reading, Mich., in 1837. In
1839-40 he was town treasurer, and served as justice sixteen years.
In 1853 he was a Representative. He aided largely by his time, influence and means in securing a railroad through the town. He was
a farmer and prosperous. Died October 9, 1870.
JOHN W. FLETCHER.
Representative from Calhoun county in 1877, was born in Marshall,
March 4, 1844. He received a common school education in his native
city, and began business for himself in 1866 as a clothing merchant.
Subsequently he inaugurated a branch clothing store at Charlotte,
Eaton county, and one at Albion, Calhoun county. In politics he is
a Democrat. He now resides at Battle Creek and is postmaster of
that city.
NIRAM A. FLETCHER,
Representative from Kent county in 1883, was born at Oakland,
Ontario, February 13, 1850. Educated at a common school and
became a teacher. Came to Michigan in 1870. Studied law and
engaged in practice at Grand Rapids. Politically a Democrat.
WILLIAM A. FLETCHER,
The first chief justice of Michigan, was born in New Hampshire, and
as a young man was engaged in mercantile business at Salem, Mass.
He removed to Scoharie county, N. Y., studied law, and in 1821 commenced practice at Detroit. In 1823 he was appointed chief justice
of the county court of Wayne county. He held that position three
years, and was several years attorney general. In 1833 a judicial circuit was established, including all the counties of the state except
Wayne, and Judge Fletcher was appointed judge. He removed to
Ann Arbor to comply with the law as to residence. In 1836 he was
appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court, and held that position




272


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


until 1842, when he resigned. In 1837 he made a revision of the laws
of the state. He died at Ann Arbor in August, 1853.
MARTIN P. FOLLETT,
Representative from Montcalm county in 1861-2, was born in the state
of Ohio, May 20, 1820. He came to Michigan about 1855, and settled
in Fairplains, Montcalm county, as a farmer and lumberman. He
was supervisor of that town. During the war he was a sutler in the
army. Now resides at Chicago, Ill.
DAN P. FOOTE,
Senator from Saginaw county in 1877, was born in Deerfield, N. Y.,
Aug. 18, 1831. As a citizen of New York state served in the Mexican
war. He was a sailor several years. He settled in Saginaw county,
Mich., in 1854, became a lawyer, was prosecuting attorney, justice,
supervisor, city attorney of Saginaw, and held other offices. In politics a Democrat.
HENRY K. FOOTE,
Representative from Oakland county in 1837, 1840, 1861-2, located a
farm in Commerce in 1831-2, and was the first physician there. He
removed to Milford in 1838, and took high rank as a physician. He
went into the service and was made lieutenant, August 14, 1862, and
died at l'oolesville, Maryland, February 9, 1863.
JOHN FORBES,
Representative from Wayne county in 1840, was born in Vermont in
1800, and came to Michigan in 1819, settling at Flat Rock, Wayne
county, removing to Van Buren township in 1865, where he died
June 19, 1876. He held the offices of supervisor and justice. Was
a farmer, and Whig and Republican in politics.
JOSHUA FORBES
Was born in Buckland, Mass., February, 1808. In 1817, with his parents, he removed to Leicester, Genesee county. In 1837 he removed
to Saline, Mich., where he died February 10, 1880. He was several
times supervisor and held other town offices. A farmer and a Democrat. He was Representative in 1865.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


273


HENRY FORD,
Senator from the twelfth district, comprising Van Buren and Cass
counties, in 1881-2, was born in Monroe, N. Y., February 11, 1825,
and received a common school education. Having become, at the
age of seventeen, a clerk in the store of the Southfield furnace company, at the age of twenty-one he was promoted to superintendent.
He has held the office of superintendent of the poor, and justice. He
removed to Michigan in 1867 to take charge of the erection of the
Lawton iron works. He is a Republican.
MELBOURNE H. FORD,
Of Grand Rapids, was born in Saline, Michigan, June 30, 1849; was
educated at the Michigan agricultural college, and at the United
States naval academy at Annapolis, Maryland; served in the navy
during the latter part of the war of the rebellion; studied law and
was admitted to the bar in 1878, but never engaged in the practice.
has been official stenographer of several Michigan courts since 1874;
was a member of the Michigan legislature in 1885-86, and was elected
to the fiftieth congress as a Democrat, receiving 18,567 votes against
18,120 votes for George W. McBride, Republican, 3,086 votes for Edward L. Briggs, Prohibitionist, and 3 votes scattering.
JOHN H. FORSTER,
Senator from the upper peninsula in 1865, was born at Erie, Pa., May
29, 182'. When young, a law student and schoolmaster, later, civil
and mining engineer, explorer, geologist, and now a farmer. Assistant engineer U. S. survey of lakes, river and harbor improvements;
on the Mexican boundary survey, 1848-9; six years special engineer
of Michigan for construction of Portage Lake and Lake Superior ship
canal; several years superintendent of copper mines; judge of probate in California; justice, postmaster, member of board of control of
Michigan mining school. In politics a Democrat, and now resides at
Meridian, Mich., and is extensively engaged in the breeding of Jersey and other choice stock.
WILDER D. FOSTER,
Member of congress from 1871 to 1873, was born in Monroe, N. Y.,
January 8, 1821. Became a blacksmith and a resident of Marshall,
Mich., and then of Grand Rapids, In 1845 entered into the hardware




274


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


trade at Grand Rapids, and was ultimately the largest dealer in that
line in the Grand river valley. Served as alderman, treasurer and
mayor of Grand Rapids, and was Senator in 1855. A Republican in
politics. He had the respect and esteem of everybody. Die4 September 20, 1873.
JAMES FOWLE
Was born in Monroe county, N. Y., in 1807. In 1831 he came to
Michigan, settling in Blissfield, and in 1835 removed to Camden,
Hillsdale county. He was postmaster from 1837 to 1844; the first
supervisor, and held that position, and justice several terms. He
was a volunteer in the Black Hawk and Toledo wars, and a Representative in 1850, 1861-2-3-4. Died May 18, 1865.
FREDERICK FOWLER,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1859, and Senator in 1865,
was born at Perry, Ohio, February 5, 1815. Had a fair education and
was brought up a farmer. He filled large contracts on the Lake
Shore railroad east of Hillsdale, and in 1837, with his brother, platted
seventy-six acres, known as Fowler's addition to Hillsdale, and was a
merchant there. He moved upon a farm in Reading in 1846, and
owned several other farms. In 1861 he went into service as captain
of a company in the 2d Michigan cavalry, resigning in 1863, with
the rank of lieutenant colonel. In politics a Republican.
RALPH FOWLER,
Representative from Livingston county in 1845-51, was born in
Trenton, N. Y., October 8, 1808. He settled in 1836 on a farm in
Handy, Michigan, and was the founder of the village of Fowlerville.
He was the first supervisor in 1838, and several terms thereafter, was
a justice for twenty-five years, and was liberal in giving aid to
settlers, and in charity. Died September 26, 1887.
SMITH W. FOWLER,
Senator from Eaton county in 1863-4, was born at New Berlin, N. Y.,
April 5, 1829. He was educated at Cooperstown, N. Y., and at
Albion college. He became a resident of Michigan in 1841, was
admitted to the bar in 1853, and commenced practice at Charlotte.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


275


He was circuit court commissioner six years, and prosecuting attorney. At the beginning of the war he raised and commanded a
company, said to have been the first uniformed company in the state,
and served in the 6th Michigan infantry, taking part in many battles.
Disabled, he returned home in 1863. He was a draft commissioner,
and in the legislature was effective in securing the passage of the
soldiers' voting bill, providing for a roll of honor, and the employ.
ment of colored troops. He removed to Manistee in 1867, where he
engaged in practice and published and edited the Manistee Times,
afterwards Standard, until 1885. A Republican at first, a Democrat
since 1876. Has three times been a democratic candidate for Senator,
and was a colonel on the staff of Gov. Begole.
BENJAMIN F. FOX
Was born at Whitesboro, N. Y., April 4, 1804, and removed to
Buffalo, N. Y., in 1812. He was bred to farming and was a natural
mechanic. He came to Michigan in 1826, and was elected Representative from Jackson connty in 1849. In politics a Democrat. Residence, Waterloo.
EDWIN G. FOX,
Senator from Huron and Tuscola counties in 1887, was born in the
province of Ontario in 1848, and came to this state in 1855. Education
that of common schools. Has been a clerk and merchant, town
clerk, and register of deeds of Tuscola county, four years. Resides
at Caro. In politics a Republican.
HENRY FRALICK,
Representative from Wayne county in 1847, and Senator in 1853, was
born at Minden, N. Y., Feb. 9, 1812. His father was a captain in the
war of 1812, and his grandfather one of eleven brothers who served
in the revolution. He received a fair education and came with his
father to Michigan in 1824. He in early life was a sailor; was
a clerk at the Michigan Exchange in 1836, and then in a store at
Plymouth, and was in trade there from 1838 to 1860, also owned
mills. Removed to Grand Rapids in 1862 and became a banker, in
which he is still interested, being a director of the city national bank;
has also been a merchant, real estate dealer, and manufacturer. Has
been justice, supervisor, editor, county auditor, president of school
board, delegate in constitutional convention of 1850, a manager to




276


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


represent Michigan at the Philadelphia exposition, member of the
semi-centennial exposition in 1886, and has held other positions of
trust and honor.
WILLIAM H. FRANCIS,.Senator from Benzie and several other counties in 1885, was born in
Ingham county, Mich., Jan 29, 1843. He was educated at common
schools; was a clerk; served from 1861 to 1864 in the 2d Michigan
cavalry; studied law and was admitted in 1882; and went into practice at Frankfort, Mich. Has held several positions, including justice,
prosecuting attorney, supervisor, and circuit court commissioner. In
politics a Republican.
CHARLES L. FRASER,
Representative in 1881-2 from Emmet and other counties, was born
in Wyoming county, N. Y., in 1833, and came with his parents to
Oakland county, Mich., in 1834. Has been a farmer, sailor, mechanic,
teacher, and real estate dealer. He graduated at the State University in 1864.  Has held several offices at Petoskey.  In politics a
Republican.
MURDOCH FRASER,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1848, was born in Inverness,
Scotland, Dec. 25, 1812. A farmer and a Democrat. He settled at
Saginaw in 1835, and was supervisor in 1844 and 1846. Died March
15, 1876.
CHANDLER FREEMAN.
Representative in 1863-4 from Clinton county, was born in Hebron,
Maine, January 18, 1814. He was a graduate of Dartmouth college,
came to Michigan in 1855, and was a manufacturer at Maple Rapids.
Took great interest in public schools and education. Died in
August, 1865, at Central City, Colorado.
FRANKLIN S. FREEMAN,
Senator from Ionia and Montcalm counties in 1877, was born at Sutton, Mass., February 14, 1829. He removed to Adrian, Michigan, in
1839, and in 1843 to Ionia county. He was engaged in mercantile
and agricultural pursuits until 1869, since then resided in Ionia,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


277


engaged in insurance and money loaning business. He has been
treasurer of the people's fire insurance company of Ionia and Montcalm counties. In politics a Republican.
ALFRED FRENCH
Was a Senator from southern Michigan in 1850 and 1851. He came
from the state of New York and settled in Branch county while it
was a wilderness. He was a pioneer Democrat, and held almost
undisputed political sway in that vicinity for many years. He was
an active legislator. In 1849 he removed to Oregon.
GEORGE H. FRENCH,
Senator from Calhoun county in 1861-2-3-4, was born in Junius, N.
Y., January 18, 1820.  Received a fair education and became a
teacher. In 1841 settled on a farm in Tekonsha, Mich., but has been
a merchant at Homer since 1848. Has filled local offices, and in the
Senate introduced the first resolution to free the slaves as a war
measure. Also introduced the resolution which resulted in the " roll
of honor," a lasting record of the soldiers who died for the Union. In
politics a Republican.
JOHN M. FRENCH,
Representative from Ingham county in 1842, was born in New Brunswick, N. J., July 11, 1798, and removed to western New York in 1806,
there learned the trade of a tanner, and was in that business in several
places. He settled in Aurelius, Mich., as a farmer in 1838, and held
several offices, including that of supervisor. Has resided at Lansing
since 1866. At the legislative reunion in 1886, he was the oldest
person present. In politics a Democrat.
WILLIAM A. FRENCH,
Representative from Monroe county in 1883, was born at Pelham,
Canada, March 2, 1849. He came to the United States in 1867, and
resides in the township ot Dundee. He owns and operates several
large farms in the township of Dundee; is largely engaged in sawmilling, and is an extensive railroad contractor.  In politics a
Republican.
27




278


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


JOHN W. FREY,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1853, was born in Canajoharie, N. Y., July 24, 1804. By occupation a blacksmith and farmer,
in politics first Whig then Republican. He came to Michigan in
1843, settled at Three Rivers and engaged in business as a blacksmith.
About 1854 opened a general store in Three Rivers, which he carried
on several years, retiring during the late war. Died in November,
1872.
ALONZO T. FRISBEE,
Senator from Livingston and Shiawassee counties in 1885, was born
Oct. 12, 1840, near Howell, Mich. Received a high school education
and worked at home until twenty-eight years of age. Settled as a
farmer in Isabella county in 1872 and was also a merchant. Afterwards returned to Livingston county. Supervisor many terms. In
politics a Greenbacker.
PHILIP S. FRISBEE,
Representative from Oakland county in 1859. was born near Seneca
Lake, N! Y. He removed from Chautauqua county to Lapeer county
in 1833, and in 1840 purchased land in Springfield, Oakland county,
and removed to that town. He was a justice. Died December 21,
1866.
ALMON B. FROST
Was born September 17, 1826, in Covington, N. Y. A farmer by
occupation, a Democrat in politics. Came to Michigan with his parents in 1841. They settled in Orion, Oakland county, since his home.
He has been supervisor sixteen years, township clerk four years,
school inspector twenty-five years and held other town offices. Representative in the sessions of 1871-2.
CEYLON C. FULLER
Was born at Chardon, Ohio, June 25,1832; in 1845 removed to Grand
Rapids, Mich., where he was educated, and at Hiram college, Ohio,
a classmate and room mate of President Garfield. Studied law and
was admitted in 1860. Practiced at Big Rapids, his present home.
Representative in 1869-70. Been postmaster, prosecuting attorney,
judge of probate, and circuit court commissioner. In 1882 elected
judge of 27th judicial circuit and served one term.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


279


EDWARD L. FULLER,
Representative from  Washtenaw county in 1840, and Senator in
1841-2, was born at Sempronius, N. Y., May 22, 1810, and died at
San Francisco, Cal., April 6, 1851. Graduated at Union college in
1830, and studied law. Settled in Washtenaw county at an early
day and was a distinguished orator of the Whig party. When on the
stump he was followed from place to place by crowds. Every art of
the speaker was at his command: mythology, classic story, fable,
anecdote, history, poetry, biography, scripture, personal observation
and experience, vivid imagination, fervid enthusiasm, apt and ready
wit, magnetized his hearers, and they laughed, cried, shouted, and
were completely under his control.
PHILO C. FULLER,
Representative and speaker of the House in 1841, was born in New
Marlborough, Mass., Aug. 13, 1787. By profession a lawyer, politically a Whig. He was a member of the New York assembly, and
also Senator. He settled in Adrian in 1837, and had charge of the
Erie & Kalamazoo railroad, and bank. He was assistant postmaster
general under Harrison, and again became a resident of New York,
and was comptroller of that state. Died at Geneva, N. Y., Aug. 16,
1855.
LAWRENCE C. FYFE,
Representative from Berrien county in 1881-2-3, was born at Isle Aux
Noix, Lake Champlain, May 18, 1850. He was educated in Scotland.
He settled at St. Joseph, Mich., in 1870, studied law, was admitted in
1873, and is now in practice at St. Joseph. A Republican in politics.
CHAUNCEY H. GAGE,
Of East Saginaw, was born at Detroit, June 17, 1840, removed to
Saginaw with his parents in 1849, residing at Saginaw City and East
Saginaw since. Studied law, admitted to the bar in 1862, and practiced at East Saginaw. He was enrolling clerk of the Senate for
1857-8; member of board of education 1862; prosecuting attorney
Saginaw county 1863 to 1867; recorder East Saginaw 1871 and 1872,
city attorney 1878. He was elected judge of the tenth circuit in the
spring of 1881 on non-partisan ticket for six years from January 1,
1882.




280


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


DE WITT C. GAGE,
Was born in the village of Bellona, N. Y., August 28, 1820; received a
common school education and attended Lima (N. Y.) seminary; was
for several years clerk and afterwards principal, in a country mercantile business and also in farming. He studied law with Judge
Folger, and was admitted to the bar in 1855. In that year he removed to East Saginaw, Mich., where he has since remained in the
practice of his profession. He was private secretary to Gov. Bingham two years; was postmaster under President Lincoln; was
removed by President Johnson; was appointed circuit judge in
April, 1880, and, as the republican candidate, was elected to fill the
vacancy, in November of that year. Since 1855 he has been a
Republican.
JOHN L. GAGE,
Representative from Genesee county in 1843, was born in New London, N. H., October 5, 1805. He removed with his parents to Ontario
county, N. Y., in 1817, and lived with them until of age. He then
taught school winters and worked as a carpenter summers. He
came to Michigan in 1830 and settled near Tecumseh. In 1836
settled on a farm in the town of Flint, where he lived until 1887.
Held various offices, including justice and supervisor. Now resides
in Burton, Genesee county. In politics a Democrat.
JUSTUS GAGE
Was born in in De Ruyter, N. Y., March 13, 1805. He received an
academical education, and became a Universalist minister. In 1837
he settled in Wayne, Cass county, was one of the first presidents of
the county agricultural society, and in 1852 delivered the address
before the state agricultural society at Detroit. For eight years a
member of the state board of agriculture, and was director of
schools at Dowagiac. He took great interest in the early development of the state agricultural college. Died January 21, 1875.
SENECA H. GAGE,
Representative from Eaton county in 1859, was born in Bellona, N. Y.,
October 3, 1813. By profession a physician, politically, first Whig,
then Republican. He settled in Bellevue, Eaton county, in 1834,
and in practice was more than once compelled to wait for daylight
in a tree, when pursued by wild beasts. He was a member of the




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


281


first nominating convention of Eaton county in 1838. Died December 30, 1882.
WILLIAM GAGE,
Representative from Oakland county in 1843, was an early pioneer
from the state of New York, and was the first settler in the township
of Holly, Oakland county, and built the first house there. In 1838 he
was a justice of the peace.
ELBRIDGE E. GALE,
Representative from Genesee county in 1853, and member of the constitutional convention of 1850, was born in Norwich, Mass., Feb. 2,
1811, and removed with his parents to Shoreham, Vt., in 1818. He
was a teacher at sixteen, was educated at the Shoreham academy,
studied medicine and graduated at Castleton in 1834. He practiced
in Niagara county, N. Y., but in 1844 settled at Atlas, Mich., continuing in practice. He was Senator in 1861-2; surgeon of the provost
board of the 6th district until the close of the war; and collector of
internal revenue for two years, same district. Later returned to Vermont. In politics a Republican.
MARTIN P. GALE,
Representative from Mecosta county in 1881-2, was born November
20, 1847, in Barre, Vt. He received an academical education, and in
1867 removed to Chicago and engaged in mercantile business. In
1872 removed to Big Rapids, Mich. He was elected mayor of Big
Rapids in 1877 and re-elected in 1878 and 1879. By occupation a lumberman. In politics a Republican.
JOHN H. GALLOWAY
Was born at Gorham, Ontario county, N. Y., Oct. 2, 1817. His grandfather was a scout and messenger for General Washington during the
revolutionary war. He came to Howell in 1844 and established a
foundry. In 1861-2 he was Senator, as a Republican. He has filled
minor offices and is a successful business man.
CALEB H. GALLUP,
Representative from Huron county in 1867, was born in Norwalk,
Ohio, May 10, 1834. He was the first student to receive a degree from




282


MICHIGA N BIOGRAPHY.


Madison University, N. Y. He graduated from the Cincinnati law
school in 1858. In 1859 removed to St. Johns, Mich., and in 1860 to
Port Austin.  He was ten years prosecuting attorney of Huron
county. held other county and town offices, and was deputy U. S.
marshal. He opposed municipal aid to railroads in the legislature,
and took the first steps to secure a harbor of refuge at Sand Beach.
Now resides at Norwalk, Ohio.
SAMUEL N. GANTT,
Representative from Oakland county in 1838, came from central New
York to Pontiac, Michigan, in 1837 and established the Pontiac Herald, which he published as a Democratic paper until 1839. He
removed to Paw Paw and started the Paw Paw Free Press in 1845,
which he published less than a year and a half. He afterwards
removed to Detroit. Nothing farther can be learned of him.
MILTON J. GARD
Was born in Union county, Indiana, March 11, 1824. He settled on a
farm in Volinia, Cass county, in 1829. He became greatly interested
in the education of the early settlers, and established a grammar
school which he taught for four years, and it became the germ of the
farmers' club of that township. He filled every township office
except one, was president of the Cass county agricultural society for
six years, and was for six years a member of the state board of agriculture.
AMOS GARDNER,
Representative from Branch county in 1885, was born in Otsego
county, N. Y., March 18, 1833. Mr. Gardner is a farmer, and has
been a resident of Michigan forty-nine years  He is a Republican, and
has held the office of supervisor nine terms, and was elected to the
legislature by a vote of 1,667 to 1,515 for John D. Ackerman, fusion,
and 202 for E. E. Bostwick, prohibition candidate.
EARL P. GARDENER,
Was born in Bosrah, Conn., in 1807. In 1827 he enlisted in company
A, second regiment, U. S. infantry, and was stationed at Fort
Gratiot, Michigan territory. On his discharge he married, settled in
Ann Arbor, and went into business as publisher of the Michigan




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


283


Argus. He was also justice. He was a member of the constitutional
convention of 1850. By trade a printer, in politics a Democrat.
Died some years since.
RANSOM    GARDNER
Was born at Fort Ann, N. Y., in 1813. He came to Jonesville, Mich.,
in 1837, and engaged in mercantile business. His first connection with
railroads was the building of the station house at Jonesville, the next
a contract to grade the Michigan Southern railroad to Chicago. This
was followed by track laying on the same road. He also built the
Detroit & Toledo branch of the Lake Shore road; the road from Jackson to Adrian; the Cincinnati,Wabash & Michigan, and several others.
He was emphatically a leader and projector in the early days of railroad building. In 1853 he was Senator from Hillsdale county. He was
first a Whig and then a Republican. He resided at Jonesville until
1866, when he became a resident of Kalamazoo. He married Olivia
A. Smith in 1839, and was the father of three sons and two daughters.
He was a man of great energy and indomitable will, active, industrious, honorable and benevolent. He died at Kalamazoo, June 9,
1876.
CHARLES W. GARFIELD,
Representative from Kent county in 1881-2, was born in Wauwatosa,
Wis., March 14, 1848. Removed to Grand Rapids in 1858, attended
school, and was a teacher at seventeen. Graduated at the agricultural college in 1870. Engaged in the nursery business; from 1873
to 1877 was connected with the horticultural department of the agricultural college; for four years conducted the farm department of
the Detroit Free Press; and has been secretary of the state horticultural society since 1876.  A  Republican.  Resides at Grand
Rapids.
SAMUEL M. GARFIELD
Was born in Pembroke, N. Y., June 23, 1816. He received a common
school education, and in 1841 settled in Milwaukee county, Wisconsin.
In 1858 he settled on a farm near Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was
supervisor and held other local offices. In 1871-2-34-5 he was Representative in the legislature from Kent county. By occupation a
farmer, in politics a Republican.




284


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


JAMES GARGETT,
Representative from Gratiot county in 1863-4, was born in Godmanchester. Canada, July 15, 1825. Removed to Ohio in 1835; received a
common school education; became a teacher and farmer; was a commission merchant in Cleveland; then in the hardware trade at Frederickstown, Ohio; removed to Alma, Mich., in 1858, and became a
merchant and manufacturer, and dealer in real estate. Has been a
supervisor and held other local offices. In politics a Republican.
WILLIAM D. GARRISON
Was born August 9, 1835, in Farmer, N. Y., and came with his parents to Michigan in 1837. He worked on a farm and attended winter
school until twenty, then learned the trade of a carpenter, but finally
went into mercantile business at Vernon, and is now a leading merchant of Shiawassee county. He was Representative in 1871-2, and is
a Republican in politics.  Has been director and stockholder in the
national bank at Corunna since its organization.
JAN W. GARVELINK,
Representative from Allegan county in 1873-4, '83, was born Dec. 5,
1833, in Gelderland, Netherlands. In 1847 settled in Fillmore, Mich.,
as a farmer. Many terms a supervisor and school director, and has
held other local offices. Politically a Republican.
MATTHEW T. GARVEY,
Senator from Cass and St. Joseph counties in 1875, was born in Clark
county, Ohio, May 13, 1821. He received a common school education,
removed to Cass county, Mich., in 1846, and has continued to reside
there. He was five terms supervisor; served two terms as justice,
and four years as judge of probate for Cass county. He was postmaster at Dowagiab under Taylor.  His occupation is farming. In
politics a Republican.
ALONZO GARWOOD
Was born October 15, 1824, in Logan county, Ohio. After studying
medicine he graduated at Starling medical college at Columbus, Ohio
He located at Cassopolis, Mich, in 1850, and has been engaged there
in practice since that date. He was one of the organizers of the




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


285


Republican party at Jackson and is still a member. He was Senator
from Cass county in 1857-8. In 1864 was mustered into the service as
surgeon of the 28th Michigan infantry and served until 1866. From
1874 to 1884 was one of the county superintendents of the poor.
SILAS B. GASKILL
Was born in Gainesville, N. Y., April 18, 1828. Received a common
school and academical education; studied law and settled in practice
in Lapeer, Mich., was prosecuting attorney; in 1880 was appointed
circuit judge, and the same year was elected to that office, serving
until the close of 1887. Politically a Democrat.
HERSCHEL R. GASS
Was born in Ray, Mich., March 7, 1844. Graduated from the University of Michigan in 1873; from 1874 to 1877 was professor of
sciences and mathematics, Vincennes (Ind.) University; principal
of Vernon, Mich., and Jonesville high schools from 1877 to 1883;
appointed superintendent of public instruction to fill vacancy, March
1, 1883. In 1884 was elected to that office as the Republican candidate, but resigned in 1885, after serving a short time.
MYLO L. GAY,
Representative from Livingston county in 1869, '70, and Senator in
1871-2, was born in Salisbury, Conn., June 20, 1825. Lived at Ann
Arbor, Mich., from 1831 to 1837, then came to Howell. He graduated at Oberlin college in 1848, studied law and was admitted in 1853.
Held several town and county offices, and became a banker at Fowlerville in 1873, still residing at Howell. Died March 21, 1884.
AUGUSTINE S. GAYLORD,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1863-4, was born in Jefferson,
Ohio, February 9, 1831. He was liberally educated in the best institutions of Ohio. He removed from Ohio to Saginaw in 1851, and
entered upon the study of the law. In 1852 he was appointed deputy
county clerk, and was clerk of the county in following years. Politically a Whig until 1854, then a Republican. About 1854 he became a
law partner of Hon. John Moore, and as a lawyer was a success




280


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


from the start. He married Emeline E. Warner, of Ripon, Wis., in
1856, and of a large family, two sons and two daughters survive. He
was U. S. commissioner in 1864-5-6, and as Representative was a leading member of the House and of the judiciary committee. He was
appointed assistant attorney general of the United States by President Grant, and was solicitor of the interior department under Secretary Chandler until his death, June 21, 1877. He wrought many
important changes in the methods of business with great advantage
to the service.
JOHN GEDDES
Was born in Londonderry, Pa., March 19, 1801, and was brought up
on a farm. In 1824 he located land three miles south of Ann Arbor,
in Pittsfield. In 1825, with his brother, bought more land and settled
on a farm in Ann Arbor township. He ran a saw-mill for forty
years, up to 1868. In 1829 he was an anti-Mason, then a Whig and
later a Republican. The whigs elected him Representative in 1841.
He has also been supervisor, assessor and justice for more than
twenty years. He still lives in Ann Arbor.
GEORGE W. GERMAIN,
Representative from Ionia county in 1857, was born in Marcellus, N.
Y., June 4, 1818. He came to Michigan in 1843 and purchased a
farm in North Plains, Ionia county, where he now resides. Was a
Whig of the Seward-Greeley type, became a Republican and was
the first of that party sent to the legislature from Ionia county. Was
a delegate in the constitutional convention of 1867.
NATHANIEL L. GERRISH,
Representative from Mecosta, Osceola and Lake counties in 1875,
was born in Durham, Maine, February 16, 1820. He came to Michigan in 1861, and settled at Croton, Newaygo county. He has held
the office of supervisor, and is by occupation a lumberman.
ADONIRAM J. GIBBS,
Representative from Ionia county in 1881-2, was born in Nelson
Ohio, January 18, 1840. Removed with his father to Ionia county,
Mich., in 1854, received an academical education and became a farmer




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


287


in Orange. Has been justice several terms and school superintendent. In politics a Republican.
GEORGE C. GIBBS.
Representative from Calhoun county in 1839, was born in Herkimer
county, N. Y., in 1812, settled in Marshall, Mich., in 1836, and commenced the practice of law. He was supervisor, justice, prosecuting
attorney, and reporter of the Supreme Court. His reports cover most
of the opinions given from 1851 to 1857. In 1858 he established a
general mercantile collection agency in New York city, which he
closed in 1870, removing to San Diego, Cal., where he resumed the
practice of law. Died there in 1886.
JAMES L. GIBBS,
Representative from Grand Traverse and Manitou counties in 1877
and 1885, was born in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, February 16,
1848. Educated at common schools with a few terms at Ripon college. Resided in Michigan since 1873. In the lumber and mercantile business. Has been supervisor and hell other local offices.
Politically a Republican.
CHARLES F. GIBSON,
Senator from Bay and other counties in 1881-2, was born at Grand
Blanc, Mich., July 22, 1836. Graduated from the law department of
the University in 1868, settled at Bay City, and became a merchant.
In politics a Republican.  He was the republican candidate for
congress in the tenth district in 1885, but was defeated.
JOHN GIBSON,
Representative from Detroit in 1871-2, is a native of Devonshire, England, born in 1830. He came to the United States when nineteen
years of age, reaching Detroit with a single sovereign in his pocket.
He entered upon his trade, that of carpenter and builder, which has
been the active business of his life, he having built over four hundred
and fifty houses in Detroit.  For many years past he has been
engaged in building cottages upon city property of his own, which
he has held for sale on the instalment plan. His business enterprises
have yielded him an ample competence. He was for many years a




288


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


member of the board for reviewing the assessments, and was two
years president of the mechanics' society of the city.  Still living in
Detroit. Politics republican.
AUGUSTINE H. GIDDINGS
Was born at Sherman, Conn., March 19, 1834, and died in Michigan,
December 10, 1876. He studied law in New York city with Truman
Smith, formerly United States Senator from Connecticut, and the
manager of the Fremont campaign in 1856. Judge Giddings came to
Michigan in 1857, settled at Newaygo, and engaged in the practice of
his profession. He was prosecuting attorney and judge of probate of
Newaygo county, and was judge of the 14th judicial circuit from
December 8, 1869, until his death. He was a man of fine personal
presence and an able judge.
J. WIGHT GIDDINGS,
Senator from the counties of Benzie, Manistee, Osceola, and Wexford, in 1887, was born at Romeo, Michigan, September 27, 1858. He
has been law clerk at Chicago, in the law department of the C. & N.
W. R. R., and with the exception of five years has been a resident of
Michigan all his life. He is editor of the Cadillac News. He was
elected to the Senate of 1887-8 on the republican ticket by a vote of
4,180 to 3,395 for S. W. Fowler, and 753 for E. S. Richardson, Prohibitionist.
MARSH GIDDINGS
Was born in Sherman, Conn., Nov. 19, 1816; became early a resident
of Richland, Mich.; for some time was a student in Western
Reserve college, Ohio; was Representative in 1849; was delegate to
the republican national convention of 1860, and a presidential elector
the same year; was eight. years probate judge of Kalamazoo county;
member of the constitutional convention of 1867; nominated consul
general to Calcutta, but declined; and was governor of New Mexico
until his death at Santa Fe, June 3, 1875. He was several years a
member of the republican national committee, was an able lawyer,
good debater and cultured man.
ORRIN N. GIDDINGS,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1846, was born in Beekman, N. Y., Feb. 21, 1814. Received a fine business education, and




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


289


from fifteen until twenty-two was a clerk. Settled as a farmer in
Charleston, Mich., in 1836, was a justice and several terms a supervisor. From 1847 to 1852 was a merchant and produce dealer at
Augusta, Mich., also supervisor. He was treasurer of Kalamazoo
county eight years; quartermaster general of Michigan several years;
several years a trustee of Kalamazoo, where he now resides, engaged
in farming and buying and selling real estate. A Whig until 1854,
since a Republican.
TOWNSEND E. GIDLEY,
Representative from Jackson county in 1835-6-8, '50, and Senator in
1839, '40-1-2, '63-4, was born at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in 1805. He
received a good business education, was four years a clerk, and
became a merchant. He settled as a farmer on a fifteen hundred acre
farm in Jackson county, and put in three hundred acres of wheat in
1833. He became at once a leading farmer and horticulturist. He
was a delegate in the constitutional convention of 1835, and the only
one now living. He was a leading Whig, and was their candidate
for governor in 1851, but was defeated by Gov. McClelland. For the
last few years he has been a resident of Grand Haven. At the legislative reunion in 1836 he was the oldest member present. No man
has had a larger acquaintance with the men and happenings of the
first fifty years of Michigan as a state.
PAUL GIES,
Representative from Detroit in 1859, '65 and '77, was born in Germany in 1827, coming to Detroit in 1831. With a common school
education he has been a merchant, now a manufacturer. He has
been alderman nine years, and president of the council, was county
treasurer from 1869 to 1873, and has held other local offices. He was
captain of a company in the 27th Michigan for one year, when he
resigned.
MILO E. GIFFORD,
Representative from Allegan county in 1869-70, was born in Lorain,
N. Y., August 19, 1832. By occupation a merchant, in politics a
Republican. He served as captain of a New York artillery regiment
from 1862 to 1865. Died November 6, 1878.
28




290


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


LINUS S. GILBERT,
Representative from Macomb county in 1837, was born in Vermont,
January 24, 1804. He came to Michigan in 1832, settled in Romeo,
and engaged in mercantile business for some years. In 1839 he purchased wild land in Richmond, Macomb county (a portion of which
is now a part of the village of Memphis), and is one of the best farms
in Macomb county, where he lived until his death, September 7,1866.
He held various town and village offices.
THOMAS D. GILBERT,
Representative from Kent county in 1861-2, and regent of the University for twelve years, was born at Greenfield, Mass., December 13,
1815, and was there educated. After five years' service as a clerk, he
engaged in the lumber business at Grand Haven, Mich., in 1835, and
was a pioneer in that business. He served as sheriff of Ottawa
county. He removed to Grand Rapids in 1858, where he now resides.
Has served several years on the board of education, was five years
president of the board of public works, and is now president of the
national city bank, a position he has held since 1865.
GEORGE F. GILLAM
Was born November 7, 1836, at Middlesex, N. Y., and received a
common school education. He removed to Hillsdale county, Mich.,
in 1854. He lived in Bronson, Branch county, from 1858 to 1872,
where he was town clerk, supervisor, justice and Representative in
1871-2. Removed to Lansing in 1872, and was justice from 1877 to
1881, and probate judge of Ingham county from 1881 to 1885. Is now
practicing law at Lansing. Has always been a Republican.
AMASA GILLETT
Was born in Litchfield, Conn., June 23, 1779, moved to western N.
Y., when 12 years of age; came to Michigan and located his land in
what is now called Sharon. From early manhood a leading member of the M. E. church, very prominent in the temperance cause,
and as an anti-slavery man. His house was known as a station on
the " under-ground railroad." He held many positions of honor and
trust, such as member of the legislature in 1849, supervisor and
justice. In politics a Whig. Died December 22, 1854.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


291


MARTIN S. GILLETT
Was born at Hartford, Vermont. He had a limited education and
came to Port Huron, Michigan, in 1839, engaged in lumbering and
mercantile business, and built several stores and a fine residence. He
was first a Whig, then a Republican. He was gifted in music, and
for many years was leader of the choir in the Congregational church,
of which he was a member. He was justice of the peace; for a long
time chairman of the board of supervisors; postmaster under Lincoln;
and in 1849 was a Representative. Died in 1865.
SHADRACH GILLETT,
Representative from Detroit in 1841, was born in Lyme, Conn., Jan.
22, 1801, and died February 15, 1876. He settled in Detroit in 1815,
and resided there through life, except seven years in the upper
peninsula. He was first a clerk, but became a leading forwarding
and commission merchant. He was interested in fisheries, owned a
steamer and several vessels and mills. He retired in 1858. From
1865 until his death he was a clerk in the office of the comptroller of
Detroit.
JOHN GILLULY,
Representative from Livingston county in 1859, was born in Boston,
Mass., in 1826. He was a graduate of the law school at Ann Arbor
in 1861, and went into practice at Brighton. In June, 1861, he went
into the service as captain of company I, 5th Michigan infantry. He
served in many battles and was made lieutenant colonel July 18, 1862.
On the 13th of December, 1862, he was killed at the battle of Fredericksburg, while leading the regiment to a charge. He was a brave
officer and his death was greatly felt by his regiment.
JOSEPH GILMAN,
Representative from Van Buren county in 1855, was born April 24,
1816, at Woodstock, Vt. He was a farmer, politically a Republican.
He removed from the state of New York to Michigan in 1837, and settled upon a farm in Paw Paw, where he resided until his death, September 18, 1884,




292


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


ARTHUR D. GILMORE,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1873-4, was born March 3,
1847, in Blissfield, Mich. He attended Adrian college from 1863 to
1866, and entered the Michigan University in 1868, graduating from
the law department in 1870. He was appointed clerk of the judiciary
committee of the Senate of Michigan in 1871.
JOSEPH E. GIRARDIN,
Representative from Wayne county in 1879, was born April 6, 1838,
at Berthier, Ontario. He received a common school education, and
moved to Detroit in 1856. He was engaged for many years in the
mercantile line, but retired from active business on account of ill
health. In politics a Democrat.
JOHN M. GLAVIN,
Representative from Berrien county in 1867, was born in Ireland,
March 25, 1822, and is by occupation a surveyor and civil engineer,
in politics a Republican. He came to America in 1850, lived in
Chicago until 1854, then went to Owosso, Mich., and was engaged in
the construction of the Detroit & Milwaukee railway from that place
to St. Johns and Grand Rapids, until 1857, when he removed to Berrien county, and now resides at New Buffalo. Was county surveyor
of Berrien county from 1877 to 1883; postmaster 9f New Buffalo from
1881 to 1885; and for nine years has been supervisor of New Buffalo.
Has been a Republican since 1854.
DANIEL G. GLEASON,
Representative from Macomb county in 1883-5, was born at Friendship, N. Y., September 26, 1824. He received a common school and
academical education, came to Birmingham, Mich., in 1845, studied
medicine, and in 1848 commenced practice at Chesterfield. Now
resides at Richmond engaged in practice, and is also interested in
other business pursuits. In politics a Democrat.
JAMES GLEASON,
Representative from Livingston county in 1853, came from Orleans
county, N. Y., in 1837, and settled on a farm in the town of Hartland,
and became a prosperous farmer. In religion a Catholic, politically
a Democrat.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


293


JAMES L. GLENN
Was a native of Pennsylvania, and when young lived in Philadelphia. He acquired a good education and became a civil engineer,
which he followed successfully until he came west in 1834. He first
located at Niles, but finally settled upon a farm on Beardsley's
Prairie, Cass county. He was sheriff of Cass county from 1842 to
1844, and Representative in 1846-7, and was speaker pro tem. in 1847.
He made the plan and survey of Lansing when it was selected as the
capital, and had charge of the building of the old state house. He
was also state engineer of the Sault canal. He died January 1, 1876.
AUGUSTUS S. GLESSNER
Was Representative from Branch county in 1859. Up to the time of
the rebellion he had been a Democrat, but then became a Republican.
He is a carpenter and joiner by trade, but for many years has been
loaning money. He is distinguished for his fairness and integrity as
a citizen and as a business man.
JAMES J. GODFROY,
Representative from Monroe county in 1835 and 1836, was born in
Detroit. Mich., in 1804. He was educated at Beardstown, Ky., and
studied law. When quite young married Miss Victoire, daughter of
Col. Francois Navarre of Monroe, and soon after removed to Monroe.
He early abandoned practice from ill health.  He became a member
of the firm of Indian traders, P. & J. J. Godfroy. He was very
popular with the Indians and with the French, and exercised a greater
influence over the French population of M nroe county than any other
man. In politics a Democrat. The French confided in him and called
him " Father Jaques," although he was still a young man. He died
in 1847.
JOSEPH GODFROY,
Senator from Wayne county in 1865,was born in Cortland county, N.
Y., in Sept., 1822. He was a painter, and came to Michigan in 1847,
and went into business at Ann Arbor, where he remained until 1854.
He was the first city marshal there. Removing to Detroit in 1854 he
prosecuted a successful business until the time of his death, Jan. 7,
1875. He was an alderman, an active member of the old fire department, and a member of the fire commission at the time of his death.
Politics, democratic.
4




294


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


PETER GODFROY,
Representative from Detroit in 1843, was born in Detroit in 1797. His
ancestor, James Godfroy, settled there in 1716, and was a fur dealer,
which his descendants followed for more than a century. With his
brother, Jacques, was in this business during the first half of the
present century. The family had trading posts from Detroit to the
Mississippi. He was a Democrat and a Catholic.  He owned the
Peter and Jacques Godfroy farms, now occupied by fine residences.
Died May 26, 1848.
AUGUST GOEBEL,
Representative from Wayne county in 1879, was born in Munstermaifeld, Rhenish Prussia, Sept. 2, 1839. He received a common
school education. In 1855 he emigrated to Detroit, where he worked
at book-binding seven years. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in Co.
A, second Michigan infantry, and was promoted gradually to the
rank of captain. After participating in many pitched battles he
resigned on account of loss of hearing. Returning to Detroit he was
appointed superintendent of public parks in 1870.  He engaged
extensively in the brewing business. In politics a Democrat.
SEWELL S. GOFF,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1853, was born in Royalston,
Mass., January 29, 1811. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Democrat until 1854, then a Republican. He came to Michigan in 1829
and settled at Blissfield, where he was supervisor five years and justice of the peace twelve years. He was a lieutenant in the Black
Hawk war. Died January 23, 1865.
DANIEL GOODEIL,
Representative from Wayne county in 1843, was born in Vermont,
May 11, 1795. He settled in Ecorse at an early day, and married into
a French family. He was supervisor as early as 1829 and held the
office of justice, and other local offices.  He was a farmer, and a
Democrat in politics. Died April 28, 1882.
JAMES M. GOODELL,
Senator from Shiawassee and Livingston counties in 1873-4, was
born October 1, 1841, in Leroy. N. Y. He received a common school




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


295


education. In 1855 he came to Michigan, and settled in Corunna,
where he now resides. He was admitted to the bar in 1863. He has
been prosecuting attorney four years, and circuit court commissioner
two years.
ALONZO A. GOODMAN,
Representative in 1857 from Macomb county, was born in Pittsfield,
Mass., January 2d, 1813. By occupation a farmer, in politics, first a
Whig, then a Republican. He came to Detroit in 1835, and settled at
Harrison, near Mt. Clemens, in 1842. Removed to Missouri in 1865
and now lives at Kansas City.
FRANCIS GOODMAN,
Representative from Allegan county in 1881-2-3, was born in Hesse
Darmstadt, Germany, March 3, 1827. Came to Baltimore in 1830,
lived in Pennsylvania and then in Ohio, where he was educated. He
settled in Salem, Allegan county, Mich., in 1855. Has been supervisor nine years, justice four years, and held other local offices.
Served ten months in the 9th Michigan infantry. In politics a
Republican.
LOWELL GOODMAN
Was born in Hadley, Mass., August 17, 1789, and died at Mt. Clemens,
Michigan, March 18, 1842. He was a farmer and in politics a Whig.
He came from Willoughby, Ohio, to Detroit in 1835, settled on a farm
in Greenfield, and was Representative from Wayne countv in 1838.
CHAUNCEY B. GOODRICH,
Representative from Allegan county in 1857, was born in the state of
New York in 1818. By profession a physician, in politics a Republican. He settled in Allegan county in 1843, and practiced medicine
until a year or two prior to his death, which occurred in 1879.
ENOS GOODRICH,
Senator from Genesee county in 1853, was born at Clarence, N. Y.,
August 11, 1813. He settled in Atlas, Genesee county, in 1836. He
was a Representative in 1847, and voted to remove the capital to
Lansing. With his brother Reuben, he built the Goodrich flouring




296


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


mills, and gave life and business to that section for many years. Now
resides at Fostoria, Mich. In politics a Democrat, while a legislator.
JOHN S. GOODRICH
Was born at Clarence, N. Y., October 7. 1815. He was an earnest
student, especially excelling in mathematics, and had a limited
academical education. Studied law in Buffalo, came to Michigan in
1836, and worked at civil engineering on the line of the Port Huron
& Lake Michigan railroad. Finished his law studies at Pontiac and
was admitted to the bar in 1840, and became a member of the firm of
Hanscom & Goodrich, and a leading lawyer of Oakland county. In
1851 he was elected judge of the 7th circuit, by which he would have
also been a supreme judge, but died October 15, 1851, at Detroit.
JOHN V. GOODRICH,
Representative from Ottawa county in 1887, was born in Pompey, N.
Y., Oct. 10, 1839, and settled in Michigan in 1861. At first a
mechanic, now a lawyer. Served in the 4th Michigan infantry during the war, and has been president of the village of Coopersville. As
a Republican received 1,964 votes to 1,494 for opposing candidate.
LEVI N. GOODRICH
Was born in Fairhaven, Vt., Sept. 9, 1820. He received a common
school education. He removed to Concord, Jackson county, in 1844.
He held several local offices and was Representative in 1869-70-3-4.
By occupation a farmer, in politics a Republican.
REUBEN GOODRICH,
Senator from Genesee county in 1855, and Representative in 1857, was
born in Clarence, N. Y., June 28, 1819, and settled in Atlas, Mich.,
in 1836. He engaged in milling and mercantile business for many
years, was twelve years postmaster at Goodrich, and held other
offices. He removed to Traverse City and was receiver of the government land office there for eight years. Has been trustee of Traverse City, and held other positions. In politics a Republican.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


297


DANIEL GOODWIN,
President of the constitutional convention of 1850, was born in
Geneva, N. Y., November 24, 1799, and died at Detroit, Aug. 24, 1887.
He was the son of Dr. Daniel Goodwin and was the seventh in descent
from Ozias Goodwin, who settled at Hartford, Conn., in 1635. His
mother, Lucretia Collins, was granddaughter of Timothy Collins, the
first pastor of Litchfield, Conn. He graduated at Union college in
1819, and was a classmate of Wm. H. Seward and of Bishops Doane
and Potter. He took one of the honors of the class, and studied law
with John C. Spencer, at Canandaigua, N. Y. After practicing a
short time at Geneva, N. Y., he removed to Indiana, where he was
stricken with consumption, and entirely lost the use of one lung. On
account of the death of his father at Detroit in 1825, he removed to
that city, entered into practice, and acquired so high a standing as a
lawyer that he was endorsed by the Michigan bar.for United States
district judge when the state was admitted to the union. This was
declined on account of small salary, but he accepted the position of
district attorney and held it several years. In 1843 he was judge of
the Supreme Court of Michigan, which he resigned in 1846. In 1851
he was judge of the circuit comprising the upper peninsula, and held
it until 1881, residing at Detroit and practicing law in court vacations,
also officiating at times in other circuits, and in the recorder's court
of Detroit. In two elections he was the only Democrat holding a
state office. Twice he lacked bnt one or two votes of being elected
United States Senator. He was a model judge and lived a spotless
life. He was a delegate in the constitutional convention of 1867 and
of the second convention of assent in 1836.
JUSTIN GOODWIN
Was a native of Lenox, Mass., afterwards a resident of Oneida
county, New York. He graduated at Hamilton college in 1821, read
law and entered into practice. In 1831 he emigrated to Ann Arbor,
where he remained two years. In 1833 he purchased 568 acres of
land in what is now Union township, Branch county, the purchase
including the present site of Union City, and was the first settler
there. He was the first postmaster at Union City, then called Goodwinsville, and somewhere about 1852 to '54 was agent of the state
prison at Jackson. He was a delegate from Calhoun county to the
second convention of assent at Ann Arbor in 1836, and was a Representative in 1839. He was the first supervisor of Burlington, Calhoun
county, and served eight years; also eight years justice. After




298


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


leaving his position as agent of the prison he removed to Coldwater, entered into the practice of the law and afterwards removed
to Texas, where he died. In politics a Democrat.
WILLIAM F. GOODWIN,
Senator from Jackson county in 1881-2, was born in Canandaigua, N.
Y., March 25, 1812. In 1816 he removed with his parents to Monroe
county, N. Y., where he lived on a farm and received a common
school education. He came to Michigan in 1842, and settled at Concord in 1845, where he has since resided, being engaged in milling,
mercantile business and farming. He has been postmaster, supervisor two terms, Representative in 1857-9; and a member of the constitutional convention of 1867.
HENRY A. GOODYEAR
Was born in York county, Pa., June 30, 1818, and became a citizen
of Michigan in 1838. He received a common school education and
has been a merchant at Hastings for more than forty years. He was
a Representative from Barry county in 1847 and 1875, and State
Senator in 1855. Has also been president and mayor of Hastings and
filled other positions of trust. In politics a Democrat.
HENRY GORDON,
Representative from Wayne county in 1873-4, was born in Geneseo,
Ill., March 15, 1837. He received a common school education. In
1856 he removed to Michigan and settled in Detroit. In 1861 he
enlisted in the 1st Michigan infantry and participated in the first
battle of Bull Run. He returned to Detroit, was mustered out of
service, and soon after removed to Flat Rock, Wayne county. His
occupation is that of a teacher of vocal music.
JAMES WRIGHT GORDON
Was born at Plainfield, Conn., in 1809. His father was a noted politician and gentleman of culture, and gave his son every educational
advantage. He graduated at Harvard college, and for a time was
professor at Geneva, N. Y., where his father had removed. While
there he studied law and was admitted to the Supreme Court of New
York. In 1835 he settled as a lawyer at Marshall, Calhoun county.
In 1839, as a Whig, he was elected to the Senate, and in 1840 became




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


299


the second lieutenant governor, running on the Whig ticket. On the
election of Gov. William Woodbridge to the United States Senate, he
became acting governor. He was also a candidate for the U. S. Senate, and was the Whig caucus nominee against Gov. Woodbridge.
The contest of the two state officers created great excitement. Mr.
Gordon accepted a consulship to South America under Gen. Taylor,
hoping to restore failing health by a change of climate, but died at
his official post in 1849. He was a man of great natural ability and
force of character, and acquired distinction as a lawyer, public
speaker and politician.
CHARLES T. GORHAM
Was born in Danbury, Conn., May 29, 1812. He prepared for college
but became a clerk. He settled in Marshall, Mich., in 1836, and was
a merchant until 1840, was then a private banker until 1865, since
president of a national bank. He is the oldest Michigan banker outside of Detroit. He was Senator in 1859; has been major general of
state militia; was minister to the Hague from 1870 to 1875; assistant
secretary of the interior, 1875-7; delegate to national republican conventions several times, and has declined several high positions. A
Democrat until 1845, a Whig until 1854, since a Republican.
JAMES S. GORMAN,
Senator from Washtenaw and Monroe counties in 1887, was born at
Lyndon, Washtenaw county, on the farm on which he now resides,
December 28, 1850, and has been a resident of Michigan all his life.
He was educated in the union school of Chelsea, graduated from the
law department of the University in 1876, and immediately began the
practice of law in the city of Jackson with James A. Parkinson.
Was assistant prosecuting attorney for two years under Mr. Parkinson. He removed to Dexter in the fall of 1879. In the spring of 1880
lie was elected justice of the peace, and in the fall was elected to the
House of Representatives by his fellow Democrats. In the House of
1881-2 he rose to the front rank of his colleagues as an orator and
debater, and was recognized as one of its leaders. He now manages
his own large farm of 280 acres. In 1886 he was elected on the democratic ticket to the State Senate by a vote of 7,745 to 6,215 for
Andrew Campbell, Republican, and 1,048 for C. R. Pattison, Prohibitionist.




300


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


AMOS GOULD
Was born in Aurelius, N. Y., December 3, 1808. He received a fair
education and for a time was a student in Hamilton college. On the
temporary suspension of that institution he engaged in teaching at
Auburn, N. Y., at the same time entering the office of William H.
Seward as a student. He was admitted to the bar in 1832, practiced
law with ability in western New York for several years, and came to
Owosso, Michigan, in 1843, where he practiced his profession until
1865. In 1844 he was elected probate judge of Shiawassee county.
He was also prosecuting attorney of the county, and supervisor of
Owosso from 1844 to 1850. In 1853 he was Senator. In 1855 he was
the democratic candidate for attorney general but was defeated.
After the rebellion he was a Republican. In 1865 he organized the
first national bank of Owosso, and was its president, owning a majority of the stock. He also managed a farm of twelve hundred acres.
He was engaged in extensive land and lumber speculations and was
a wealthy man. He died many years since.
JAMES GOULD,
Representative from Jackson county in 1879, was born in De Peyster,
N. Y., Nov. 24, 1831. In 1836 he removed to Moscow, Michigan. In
1850 he removed to Jonesville. He received a common school education. In 1854 he commenced the study of law. He removed to
Litchfield and from thence to Jackson in 1861, where he entered into
the real estate, insurance and loan business. In 1870 he was admitted
to the bar. He has been prosecuting attorney, school inspector and
alderman. In politics a Republican.
JAMES J. GOULD,
Representative from Eaton county in 1877, was born in Hector, N.
Y., September 1, 1823. He received a common school education. In
1854 he removed to Michigan and settled in Reading, where he held
the office of township treasurer. In 1866 he removed to Kalamo,
where he is engaged in farming and has held the office of justice.
In politics a Republican.
CORNELIUS A. GOWER
Was born at Abbott, Maine, in 1845..He entered Waterville college
in 1863, but coming to Michigan before graduation, he entered the




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


301


senior class of the University in 1867. Graduating from the classical
course in that year, he entered the law department in 1868. His
tastes, however, inclined him to the profession of teacher, and he
taught four seasons in Maine and one year in Ann Arbor; he was
superintendent of schools at Fenton three years; was county superintendent of schools in Genesee county three and a half years; was
superintendent of schools in Saginaw City four years; and was president of the Michigan City school superintendents' association in 1878.
He was appointed superintendent of public instruction, September 1,
1878, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Hon. H. S. Tarbell. He was also nominated to fill the vacancy on the republican
state ticket for that office, caused by Mr. Tarbell's declination. He
was elected, with the rest of the republican ticket, and was re-elected
in 1880. He was appointed superintendent of the reform school by
Gov. Jerome, and resigned the office he held. He is still in charge of
the reform school, and has a state and national reputation as an able
and efficient superintendent.
BENJAMIN GRACE
Was born in Lyons, N. Y., November 19, 1820. By occupation a
merchant, in politics a Democrat. He came to Michigan in 1831,
settled at Livonia, moved to Fentonville in 1851, and now resides at
Deerfield, Livingston county. He was Representative from Genesee
county in 1859.
JAMES GRAHAM
Was born in Stoyestown, Pa., March 5, 1831. He removed with his
parents to Berrien Springs, Mich., in 1846. He received a common
school education and for a time was a student at Albion seminary,
In private business he was a lumber dealer, merchant and farmer.
He was deputy sheriff of Berrien county, and was sheriff for two
years. In 1865 he was Representative. He was also deputy revenue
collector, and filled other minor offices. In politics a Republican.
Died June 5, 1877.
JONATHAN B. GRAHAM,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1846, was born at Windsor,
Conn., February 26, 1811. He was bred to farming, received a common school education, and at twenty-one became a traveling agent.
He employed other agents and speculated in horses and cattle. He
settled at Jonesville in 1837, became a farmer and dealt in live stock.
29




302


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


He was a delegate in the constitutional convention of 1850, and held
prominent local offices. Politically a Democrat.
BRADLEY F. GRANGER
Was born in the state of New York; received a public school education; removed to Ann Arbor and engaged in the practice of law; was
elected Representative to congress in 1860 and served from July 4,
1861, to March 3, 1863. Deceased.
ELIHU GRANGER,
Representative in 1848 from St. Clair county, was born in Phelps, N.
Y., September 17, 1803. In early life he worked at wool carding and
cloth dressing. In 1832 he married Maria L. Perkins, in 1834 removed
to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, worked at his trade until 1836, when he
settled on a farm in Columbus, Michigan, which he exchanged for a
farm in Berlin in 1839, where he died December 8, 1886. In politics
a Democrat. He was the first clerk of Berlin, and was several times
supervisor.
GEORGE H. GRANGER,
Representative from Tuscola county in 1879-81-2, was born in Wayland, N. Y. He received his education at the Dansville seminary,
and the Genesee, Wesleyan, seminary at Livonia, N.Y. At Wayland
he studied medicine, graduating in the Michigan University in 1867.
He was an assistant surgeon of a New York regiment in the war of
the rebellion. He located at Unionville, Mich., in 1865, where he
continues to reside. He is a Republican in politics.
ALEXANDER GRANT,
Representative from Macomb county in 1881-2 3, was born at Ypsilanti, Mich., March 24, 1838. In 1849 he removed with his parents to
Livonia, N. Y., where he received a common school education. In
1855 he returned to Michigan, working in a store, and teaching
school at Birmingham, removing to Utica in 1858, where he has since
resided. He has held the office of postmaster at Utica; justice of the
peace; trustee of the village of Utica; member of the school board,
and oi the Macomb county republican committee. In politics a
Republican.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


303


CLAUDIUS B. GRANT,
of Houghton, was born at Lebanon, Maine, October 25. 1835. Prepared for college at Lebanon, and in 185.5, entered the University of
Michigan, graduating in the classical course in 1859. Teacher in the
Ann Arbor high school one year and principal two years. In the
summer of 1862 he volunteered his services to his country, and
entered the U. S. service as captain of company D, 20th Michigan
infantry. Major November 21, 1863. Lieutenant colonel December
20, 1864, and on the same day received a commission as colonel, but
did not muster for want of the required number of men in his regiment. Resigned as lieutenant colonel March 11, 1865, returned to
Ann Arbor and at once commenced the study of law in the law
department of the University of Michigan. Admitted to the bar in
June, 1866, and began practice in Ann Arbor with Hon. Alpheus
Felch.  Elected recorder of Ann Arbor in 1866.  Appointed postmaster in 1867. In the fall of 1870 he was elected Representative to
the state legislature, and was re-elected in 1872, and in 1873 was
chosen speaker pro tempore of the House of Representatives. Elected
regent of the University in 1871.  In 1872 appointed by President
Grant alternate commissioner for the state of Michigan under the law
authorizing the centennial commission. In 1873 removed to Houghton, and since that time has been engaged in the practice of law.
Elected prosecuting attorney of Houghton county in 1876. Mr. Grant
was elected judge of the twenty-fifth judicial circuit in April, 1881,
but still continues the practice of law with his other duties. He is a
Republican in politics. He was re-elected in 1887.
ROBERT J. GRANT,
Representative from Barry county in 1869-70-1-2, was born at Ballston, N. Y., Feb. 17, 1822. He came to Michigan with his parents in
1836, living at Marshall one year, and settling at Bellevue in 1837. He
removed to Hastings in 1849 and became a merchant. Treasurer of
Hastings eight years, mayor three terms, and member of the board of
education nine years. In religion a Methodist, in politics a Republican.
BENJAMIN F. GRAVES
Was born at Rochester, N. Y., October 18,1817, of New England parents. He worked on his father's farm when a boy, but at the age of
twenty was disabled by dangerous illness from physical labor. Hav



304


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


ing commenced the study of law in 1837, he was admitted to the bar
at Rochester in October, 1841. During the following winter he was
journal clerk of the New York Senate. In 1843 he went to Battle
Creek, where he now lives, and practiced law there until 1857, being
meanwhile made a master in chancery, and three times elected magistrate. In 1857 he was appointed judge of the fifch circuit to fill a
vacancy, and was therefore for a short time a member of the Supreme
Court under the old system. When his term expired under his
appointment he continued in the circuit judgeship by regular election.
He held sixteen circuits a year, kept full and accurate minutes, in his
own hand, of the work of his court, wrote out his charges, and held
evening sessions, until, in 1866, he was threatened with an attack of
paralysis. He then resigned.  In 1867, however, he was elected to
the present Supreme Court, over Sanford M. Green (Dem.) who had
been a member of the court under the old system. He was re-elected
in 1875 as the candidate of both political parties, and received their
joint vote. He was originally a Democrat, was a Free Soiler in 1848'
and at the repeal of the Missouri compromise and the attempt to force
slavery into the territories, he became a Republican.  He refused to
be a candidate for judge in 1884, and now resides at Battle Creek,
universally respected by the citizens of Michigan.
WILLIAM GRAVES,
Secretary of State from 1853 to 1855, was born at Southampton, N.
H., July 19, 1809. He became a resident of Michigan in 1835, and for
many years was agent of the great stage line from Albany to Chicago,
residing at Niles. He was commissioned major by Gov. Mason in
1836. He was twice mayor of Niles and four times its treasurer. He
held the last office at the time of his death, April 26, 1881. In politics
a Democrat. He was a prominent Mason, often master of the lodge
at Niles, and was several years deputy grand master. A gentleman
of the old school, courteous, of fine sensibilities, wise in counsel, and
unfaltering in friendship.
EDGAR L. GRAY
Was born in Troy, N. Y., October 10, 1832. He received an academical education. In 1839 he emigrated to Michigan and settled on
Goguac prairie, Calhoun county. He removed to Grand Rapids in
1844, and in 1854 to Newaygo, where he now resides. He was
admitted toithe bar in 1854, and is still in the practice of law. He




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


305


has been prosecuting attorney and county treasurer, and was Representative in 1871-2, and Senator in 1873-4-5. He especially distinguished himself by securing the taxation of lands, belonging to railroads holding grants of land by act of congress, which had long been
held without taxation. This just act was carried against a bitter and
determined opposition. In politics a Republican.
JAMES S. GRAY,
Representative from Oakland county in 1883, was born in Troy, Oakland county, December 2, 1851. Received a common school education, and has been engaged in farming and teaching in the primary
schools of his county. Is a Democrat, but was supported by the
nationals of his district, and was elected by a majority of about 360
over Hon. Charles Baldwin, Republican.
NEIL GRAY
Was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, January 2, 1803. He worked on his
father's farm until eighteen, when he entered Glasgow college, where
he studied five years, two of them for the ministry. He abandoned
this idea, and studied medicine three years, graduating in 1830 from
Glasgow medical college. In 1831 he came to America, and in 1837
he married Mrs. Maria Webster, and settled on two hundred acres of
land in Bruce township, near Romeo. After marriage he gave up
the practice of medicine and went into the milling business, buying
and operating a flouring mill near Romeo. In 1851, in company with
his brother, he built a flouring mill at Clifton, Macomb county. He
was one of the founders of the first national bank of Romeo, of which
he was president until his death. He was a Scotch Presbyterian. In
1843 and 1844 he was Senator. In politics a Republican. He died
December 14, 1868, having accumulated a large fortune, and leaving
four sons, all engaged in milling.
ALBERTUS L. GREEN,
Representative from Eaton county in 1861-2-5-70, and Senator in 1867,
was born in 1824, in Herkimer county, N. Y., and was educated at
Lima seminary and Oberlin college. In 1840 he came to Olivet,
Mich., with the colony that founded Olivet college, and was one of
its first students. He was for many years a merchant, was also
engaged in milling, manufacturing, and building of railroads. He




306


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


was a trustee of Olivet college, also a justice and supervisor. In
politics a Republican, in religion,a Congregationalist. A man of
ability, energy and charity. Died October 21, 1875.
EDWARD H. GREEN,
Representative from Mackinac, Emmet, Charlevoix, Antrim and
Otsego counties in 1873-4-5, was born in Reamstown, Pa., October 31,
1834. He was educated at the state normal school at Lancaster, Pa.
In 1866 he removed to Michigan, entered the law department of the
State University, graduating in the class of '68. He entered the
tenth Pennsylvania regiment of infantry in April, 1861, as private,
and served three months. He immediately re-enlisted at the expiration of that time in the one hundred and seventh Pennsylvania
infantry as private, and, for gallant and meritorious service, was promoted to major. At the battle of Spottsylvania court house, he was
captured and held prisoner for ten months. He long held the office
of prosecuting attorney of Charlevoix county.
ISAAC GREEN,
Representative from Sanilac county in 1875, was born in England,
April 5, 1824. He was educated at Quaker seminary, Prospect Hill,
Ireland. He removed to Michigan in 1852. By occupation a merchant. He has been postmaster eighteen years and supervisor ten
years, treasurer four years, and township clerk four years. In politics a Republican.
JAMES A. GREEN,
Representative from Bay county in 1887, was born at Fort Edwards,
N. Y., Jan. 4, 1836. Received a fair education, was in California
three years, two years in Virginia, building and repairing saw mills,
and in the same business in Minnesota, where he also engaged in
reading law. He served in the 3d Minnesota regiment a year, was
discharged from ill health, removed to Iowa, and was admitted to the
bar. In 1864 again enlisted, in the 8th Iowa, and served until the
close of the war. Soon after came to Michigan and is now a member of the firm of Green & Stevens. Has been a supervisor and member of the board of education. In politics a Republican, and received
2,7C6 votes to 2,019 for all others.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


307


NELSON GREEN,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1853, Senator from Muskegon
county in 1861-2, and from Oceana county in 1863-4, was born in
Wayne county, N. Y., May 29, 1803. He was married in 1826, and
lived in Otto, N. Y., from 1826 to 1847, when he settled in Rollin,
Lenawee county. He was a member of New York legislature of 1838.
Was a member of the Michigan constitutional convention of 1850.
By occupation a farmer and surveyor, politically first Whig, then
Republican. He removed to Oceana county in 1856, was for many
years county surveyor and did a large amount of surveying in Oceana
and Muskegon counties. Was judge of probate for Oceana county.
He removed to Addison, Lenawee county, in 1879, where he now
resides.
NOAH K. GREEN
Was born in Windsor, Mass., December 24, 1808. He received a common school education, was brought up a farmer, and taught school.
He settled on a farm in Medina, Lenawee county in 1835, where he
lived until his death in 1886. He aided in organizing the town in
1837; was supervisor for ten years, and Representative in 1850, 1861 -2-3-4. In politics a Republican.
ORSON GREEN
Was born in Palmyra (now Macedon), N. Y., March 5,' 1812. His
father was a captain in the war of 1812. The son received a limited
education. In 1883 he traveled afoot to Adrian, Michigan. In 1834
he located a farm in Rollin. He was a justice in 1837 and held that
office for eighteen years. He was supervisor for twelve years, and
Representative in 1859, 1871 and 1872.
SANFORD M. GREEN
Was born in Grafton, N. Y.. May 30,1807, his ancestors settling in R.
I., in 1673. He received a fair education, became a teacher, ant
worked alternately at farming and teaching until 1828. Studied law
five years, was admitted, commenced practice first at Brownville,
then at Rochester, N. Y., but in 1837 settled at Owosso, Mich., in
practice. He was prosecuting attorney of Shiawassee county; Senator in 1843-4-6-7, and chairman of judiciary committee. By appointment he made a revision of the laws of the state, known as the revised
statutes of 1846. In 1848 he was appointed a judge of the Supreme




308


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Court and assigned to the 4th circuit, to succeed Judge Whipple, and
then to the 3d, in place of Ransom. He held that position until 1858,
when the present Supreme Court was organized. He continued to act
as circuit judge until 1867, when he resigned, removed to Bay City
and engaged in practice; In 1872 he became judge of the 18th circuit which he held until the close of 1887. In 1860 he published his
well known work, "Practice in the Circuit Courts;" in 1866-7 his
work in two volumes on practice in the courts of common law jurisdiction; and in 1879 his work on "Township and the Powers and
Duties of Township Officers," of which the state ordered 10,000 copies
in 1882. Now engaged in writing a dissertation on the nature, causes,
treatment and prevention of crime.
DANIEL C. GREENE,
Representative from Macomb county in 1879, was born in Berlin, N.
Y., June 8, 1821. He graduated at Williams college in 1843. For a
time was a teacher in the South, but from 1846, for many years, was
book-keeper in a wholesale commission house in New York city. He
removed to Romeo, Mich., in 1866. and engaged in the hardware
trade. In politics a Democrat.
ALSON GREENFIELD,
Representative from Tuscola county in 1867, was born in Ohio, and
became a resident of Michigan about 1855. He held the offices of
supervisor and county treasurer. Now resides at Unionville, Tuscola
county. Has been a Republican, now a Greenbacker and Democrat.
JOHN GREENFIELD,
Representative from Ontonagon county in 1859, was born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, March 10, 1810. By occupation an engineer,
politically a Democrat. He came to Michigan in 1832, was deputy
sheriff of Wayne county in 1836; collector of customs at Ontonagon
in 1858; and sheriff of Ontonagon county in 1860. Died March 6,
1861.
WILLIAM L. GREENLY,
'Son of Thomas and Nancy Greenly, was born at Hamilton, N. Y.,
September 18, 1813. He attended school at the Hamilton academy,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


309


entered Union college and graduated in 1831, at the age of eighteen.
He studied law with Stoner & Gridley, at Hamilton, where he
remained three years. He was admitted to the bar at Albany in
1833, and practiced law at Eaton, Madison county, until October,
1836. He came to Adrian, Michigan, October 20, 1836, and commenced the practice of law. The next year he was a candidate for
the legislature but was defeated. He was State Senator in 1839, 1840,
1842 and 1843, and was president pro tern. in 1840 and 1842. His
district comprised Monroe, Lenawee and Hillsdale counties. In 1846
he was nominated by the democratic state convention for lieutenant
governor, Alpheus Felch heading the ticket for governor, and was
elected. He served as lieutenant governor until March 1, 1847, two
months, when by the election of Governor Felch to the office of
United States Senator, he became ex-officio governor, and filled that
position until January 1, 1848. During his administration the bill
was passed removing the capital from Detroit to Lansing, and the
bill abolishing the court of chancery, and the office of chancellor, and
transferring its duties to the Supreme Court. Gov. Greenly was
mayor of Adrian in 1858, and was justice of the peace twelve years.
He took part in the dedication of the new capitol at Lansing in 1879.
He was a scholarly, cultivated and genial man. He died at Adrian
some years ago.
CHARLES GREGORY,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1851, was born in Danbury,
Conn., Aug. 12, 1810. He came to Jonesville in 1834 with a stock of
general merchandise, and continued in business several years. In
politics a Democrat. Was justice for eight years, and postmaster at
Jonesville during the term of Buchanan, and held various offices.
He removed to Chicago in 1863. Died July 23, 1879.
CHARLES S. GREGORY
Was born near Auburn, N. Y., Aug. 16, 1817. He came with his parents to Washtenaw county in 1834, and settled on a farm in Scio.
His occupation was farming until 1840, when he became a merchant
for fifteen years. He has been a banker for many years, and has
secured a competency. He was always a Democrat, and was Representative in 1861-2 and 1883. He has held nearly all town offices
from supervisor down, and for 21 years was a trustee of Dexter union
schools. He was president of the village for five years, and president
30




310


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


of the Washtenaw county agricultural and horticultural society for
four years. He resides at Dexter.
JOHN M. GREGOlRY
Was born in Sand Lake, N. Y., July 6, 1822. With a common school
education at seventeen he became a teacher. In 1842 he entered
union college and graduated in 1846. He studied law two years, but
finally became a Baptist minister. In 1852 he became the head of a
classical school in Detroit. He became conspicuous in the cause of
education, and in 1854 established the Michigan Journal of Education,
of which he was sole editor for five years.  In 1858 he was elected
superintendent of public instruction, and was twice re-elected, holding that position from January 1, 1859, to January 1, 1865. He then
became president of Kalamazoo college for two years, and then
regent of the Illinois industrial university, which he held many years.
He was appointed one of the three civil service commissioners and
held it until 1885. He has been a distinguished educator, and was an
earnest worker, a man of broad views, of trained thought, and a careful, successful officer in all educational positions.
WILLIAM H. GREGORY,
Representative from Wayne county in 1853-5-7, and speaker pro tern.
in 1857, was born at Perrinton, N. Y., June 8, 1824, and came to
Plymouth, Mich., in 1830. With a common school education he
became a teacher, and was ordained a Baptist minister. He was for
a time associated editor of the Michigan Christian Herald, and was
also pastor of the Baptist church at Northville. A fluent speaker,
ready debater, and strong anti-slavery and temperance man. In politics a Republican. Died Nov. 2, 1858.
WILLIAM S. GREGORY,
Representative from Wayne county in 1840, was born in Fairfield
county, Conn., Feb. 9, 1790, and removed to Plymouth, Mich., in 1830.
He was a farmer, and is presumed to have been a Whig in politics
from the political revolution of 1839-40, when he was chosen to the
legislature. He was also one of the superintendents of the poor for
Wayne county, 1841-43. Died Feb. 6, 1863.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


311


MICHAEL GREINER,
Senator from Wayne county in 1875-6, '85, was born in Alsace,
France, Nov. 1, 1830, and in 1831 came with his parents to Grosse
Point, Mich., where he has resided, except three years at Eagle River.
He was postmaster fourteen years at Connor's Creek, justice for eight,
and has held other public positions. By occupation a farmer and
merchant, in politics a Democrat.
JUDSON GRENELL,
Representative of the first district of Wayne in 1887, was born in
Elmira, N. Y., April 21, 1847. He resided in Honesdale, Pa., Patterson, N. J., and Port Jervis, N. Y., and at the latter place entered a
printing office to learn the printer's trade.  Before attaining his
majority he removed to NPw York city, thence in.1868 to New Haven,
Conn., where, while working at his trade, he continued his education
by attending the Yale college scientific lectures. Here in 1874 he
married, and in 1877 he removed with his family to Detroit, where he
has since resided. In the spring of 1884 he left the printer's case to
accept a position on the staff of the Detroit Evening News. He
resigned a year later to accept the office of deputy state oil inspector.
During all these years he was a close student of what is known as
" The Labor Question." He became identified with the Union, the
Knights of Labor, and similar organizations and held prominent
positions in all. He was also a constant writer for the labor press in
this and other states, his subjects embracing the entire range of labor
questions. He was nominated by the independent labor party,
endorsed by the republicans, and elected Representative by a vote of
12,841.
JOHN GREUSEL,
Representative from Wayne county in 1871-2-3-4, and Senator in 1875,
'81-2-3, was born at Bliescastel, Bavaria, Dec. 4, 1809, and with a common school education learned the trade of a shoemaker. He held a
position as forester for two years, and came to America in 1833. He
lived at Brooklyn, Newburgh, Haverstraw, Glasgow, N. Y., and
worked at brick making, and was foreman of large brick yards. He
married an American lady, and in 1848 removed to Detroit and established a large brick yard in Springwells, in which he continued until
his death in Nov., 1886. He held several local offices, was a delegate
to the republican national convention in 1872, and several terms a
member of the Detroit board of estimates.




312


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


G. THOMPSON GRIDLEY
Was born in Vernon, N. Y., June 1, 1816. He received an academic
education and began early the study of law. Settled at Ypsilanti,
Mich., in 1837, and was admitted to the bar. He removed to Jackson
in 1844, where he still resides. Has been engaged in the practice of
law until 18S1, when he was elected judge of the 4th circuit and
served until the close of 1887. He has been prosecuting attorney;
injunction master and county judge; assessor of internal revenue
from 1867 to 1873; and a school director twelve years.  In politics a
Republican.
THEOPHILUS C. GRIER
Was born at Ravenna, Ohio, Jan. 2, 1834, and was a descendant of
Rev. John Cotton of Pilgrim fame. At fifteen he was apprenticed to
learn the printer's trade. Studied law in Ohio, commenced practice
at Pine Run, Mich., removed to Bay City in 1859, where he secured a
lucrative practice. In 1860 he was prosecuting attorney and circuit
court commissioner of Bay county; in 1865 city attorney; and in
1867 a Representative in the legislature. In 1870, without opposition,
he was elected judge of the 18th circuit. Died June 5, 1872. In politics a Democrat.
CLINTON G. GRIFFEY,
Representative from Marquette county in 1879, was born in Erie
county, Pa., Sept. 2, 1845, and received an academic education;
removed to Negaunee, Mich., in 1873, where he became editor and
publisher of the Iron Herald. He has held the office of supervisor.
In politics a Republican.
THOMPSON GRIMES,
Representative from Livingston county in 1879, was born in Courtland
county, N. Y., Nov. 10, 1825. He received a common school education and removed to Michigan in 1846, locating in Pinckney, where
he engaged in carriage making, afterwards in mercantile business,
and finally in general collecting and farming. He has held the office
of township clerk and justice. In politics a Republican.
JOHN GRINNELL,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1863-4, was born in Killingsworth, Conn., in August, 1809. He removed to Putnam, N. Y., in




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


313


1819, remaining there until 1837, when he came to Riley, Mich., and
settled on a farm, and was justice in 1841, and also in 1845. He removed to Brockway, Michigan, in 1847, and engaged in farming and
lumbering. Several times held the office of supervisor, was justice 22
years and postmaster 8 years. Now retired from business. Politically a Republican.
AUGUSTUS D. GRISWOLD,
Representative from Kent county in 1863-4-5, was born in Oneida
county, N. Y., October 11, 1823. By profession a lawyer, in politics
a Republican. He came from Rome, N. Y., to Michigan in 1856. He
was U. S. district attorney for western Michigan from 1865 to 1869.
except six months, when he was removed by Johnson and re-appointed
by him. He was speaker pro tern. in 1865, and chairman of the
judiciary committee. Now engaged in the practice of law at Ovid,
Michigan.
GEORGE R. GRISWOLD,
Senator from Detroit in 1848-9 and '53, was born in the state of New
York. By profession a lawyer. He settled in Detroit at an early
day, and was clerk of the first Michigan House in 1835. In 1839 he
was owner and publisher of the Detroit Morning Post, a daily paper.
He was register of deeds 1837-41, and clerk of Wayne county, 1843-7.
He was president pro tern. of the Senate in 1853. He was appointed
a purser in the navy September 16, 1~53, and died on board the U. S.
brig, Dolphin, at sea off the African coast, April 5,1857.
HARRISON W. GRISWOLD,
Representative in 1853, from Berrien county, came to Michigan
about 1835, and was a grocer at Niles. In politics a Democrat.
Died in 1885.
CHARLES C. GROESBECK
Was born in Warren, Mich., November 3, 1833. His father was a
farmer. The son attended the public schools of Detroit. He was
supervisor of Warren several years; Representative in 1863-4; county
clerk from 1871 to 1879; and justice for more than twenty years. He
moved to Mt. Clemens in 1871, owns two farms in Warren, deals in
real estate and has been a manufacturer of lumber and staves. In
politics a Democrat.




314


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


EBENEZER 0. GROSVENOR,
Lieutenant Governor 1865-7, and state treasurer 1867-71, was born at
Stillwater, N. Y., January 26, 1820. He received a common school
and academical education, and from fifteen to seventeen was clerk in
Chittenango, N. Y., and from 1837 to 1839 was a clerk for his brother
at Albion, Mich. He was in 1839-40 a clerk in the state commissioner's office at Monroe, and from 1840-44 a clerk at Jonesville. In
1844 he married Sally Ann Champlin, and became a merchant at
Jonesville. In 1854 he established the banking house of Grosvenor &
Co., of which he has always been president and manager. He has
held all important town offices; was Senator in 1859 and 1863-4;
president of the military contract board in 1861, and afterwards
president of the state military board; member and president of the
board of state building commissioners from 1871 to 1879; long vice
president of the Jackson & Fort Wayne railroad company, and was
effective in completing the road; and a director in insurance companies and other corporations. A Whig until 1854, since a Republican. A regent of the University from 1879 to 1888.
IRA R. GROSVENOR
Is by profession a lawyer. and has long been a resident of Monroe,
and engaged in practice there. He was a Representative in 1871-2.
He went into the service during the late war, was made colonel of
the 7th Michigan infantry June 10, 1861, and served in the field until
July 7, 1862, when he resigned.
JOHN GROVES
Was a native of Maine. He removed to Buchanan from New Albany,
Indiana, in 1844, and was the first attorney in that village, commencing practice in 1848. He was a Representative in 1845 and 1846.
He died in 1852.
ISAAC J. GROVIER,
Representative from Macomb county in 1839, was born in Ballston,
N. Y., February 15, 1797. A manufacturer of glass by occupation,
politically a Democrat. He came to Michigan in 1935, and in company with Dr. E. Hall organized the Clinton glass works company at
Mt. Clemens, and erected a large glass factory, ashery, blacksmith
shop, lime kiln and store, all of which they operated until failing
health compelled him to stop. He died July 26, 1850.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


315


NICHOLAS GULICK
Was born in Orion, N. Y., May 13, 1818. He received a common
school education and taught five winters. In 1842 he settled in
Byron, Shiawassee county, Michigan. In 1846 he became a merchant
there, held various town offices, and served as Representative in the
session of 1853. He was eight years postmaster at Byron. In
politics a Democrat.
ALFRED GULLEY,
Representative from Wayne county in 1857, was a native of Rhode
Island, born in 1793. He resided subsequently in Vermont and New
York, and came to Michigan in 1835, settling at Dearborn, where he
first engaged in keeping a public house, and afterwards bought a
farm west of the village, where he died in 1862. Politics, democratic.
ALFRED B. GULLEY,
Representative from Wayne county in 1851, was born at Potsdanm,
N. Y., December 22, 1819. His education was academic. He was
reared a farmer in his father's family, which he accompanied to
Michigan in 1835. He has ever since resided in Dearborn. except
from 1875 to 1878, when he was connected with the state agricultural
college at Lansing, as professor and superintendent of the farm. He
has had business connections at various times in Detroit. He was a
Democrat up to 1856, since a Republican.
FREEMAN O. GULLIFER,
Senator from Al pena and eleven other counties, 29th district, in 1883,
was born in Oldtown, Me., April 7, 1847. He received a common
school education, served in 20th Maine infantry from August, 1864, to
close of the war, and came to Bay City in 1867, and soon engage in
lumbering. He was supervisor, and held other offices. Later was
chief cTerk in the office of the commissioner of labor. In politics a
Republican.
JAMES GUNNING,
Representative from Wayne county in 1842, was born in New York,
December 22, 1801. He was self educated, worked in a glass factory
as a boy, and later for three years had charge of a gang of men in




316


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


the building of the Erie canal. Settled in Southfield, Mich., in 1825,
removed to a farm in Livonia in 1831, and lived there until his death,
April 14, 1874. He was postmaster, justice twelve years, deputy
sheriff, and coroner, and was also a merchant, attorney and Methodist minister. In politics a Democrat.
BERNARD HAACK,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1871-2, was born in Wesel,
Rhenish Prussia, emigrated to this country in 1849, and settled in
Michigan in 1850. Occupation, farmer; politics, republican. Has
been supervisor of Blumfield, Saginaw county, for thirty years, first
term in 1856; and justice since 1860.
WALTER HACKETT,
Representative from Monroe county in 1881-2, was born in Ida, Mich.,
July 5, 1845. His parents removed to Raisinville, Monroe county, in
April, 1850, where he has since resided..He received a common
school education, and has held the office of township treasurer six
years. His occupation is farming. In politics a Democrat.
FRANCIS H. HAGAMAN,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1843, settled as a farmer in
Medina, Mich., about 1834.  He came from the state of New York.
In politics a Democrat. Died at Medina about 1845.
SALMON L. HAIGHT
Was born in Leyden, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1805. In 1813 removed to Steuben county, N. Y. At the age of thirteen was left a penniless orphan.
Married in 1826 and removed to Saline, Michigan, in 1833, and became
a farmer. Held various local offices. In politics a Whig. He was a
Representative in 1849-53.
ROBERT A. HAIRE,
Representative from Ottawa county in 1873-4, was born July 20, 1836.
at Bombay, N. Y. He came with his father to Marshall, and in 1846
to Grand Rapids. Received a common school and commercial education. Engaged in the lumber business near Grandville in 1852. He
enlisted in 1862 in the 5th Michigan cavalry, and rose to the rank of




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPH Y.


317


captain and took part in many battles, serving until the close of the
war, being in command of the regiment in the winter of 1864. In 1865
settled near Spring Lake and engaged in the lumber business as head
of the firm of Haire, Savidge & Cutler.
HORACE HALBERT,
Senator from Livingston and Shiawassee counties in 1879, was born
in Yates county, N. Y., March 1, 1827. Received an academical education, graduated at the State University in 1858, and became a
teacher at Kalamazoo for four ) ears. He purchased a farm in Conway in 1867, and in 1867-8 was professor of mathematics in Kalamazoo college.  Has been supervisor several terms and treasurer of
Livingston county. In politics a Republican.
DAVID B. HALE.
Representative from Eaton county in 1875, was born in West Windsor, Vt, Feb. 14, 1820. He settled in Eaton connty in 1844, and has
held many local offices in Eaton Rapids, including supervisor five
terms. A farmer, in politics a Republican; has served several years
as member of the board of control of the state reform school.
WILLIAM HALE,
Attorney General of Michigan from 1851 to 1855, and Senator from
Wayne county in 1845-6, was born in Oneida county, N. Y., in 1809.
He became a lawyer in New York and removed to Detroit in 1837, and
early acquired legal and political prominence. He was prosecuting
attorney of Wayne county two terms; was alderman in 1859-60; was
reporter of the Supreme Court in 1847; and in 1857 purchased the
National hotel in Detroit, rebuilt it and named it the Russell house.
He removed to California in 1862 and took high rank there as a
sound and able lawyer. He died at San Francisco, Feb. 4, 1874.
ALFRED D. HALL,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1877-9, was born at Byron,
N. Y., Jan. 6, 1824; with a fair education he settled at Tecumseh in
1845; has held various local offices, including supervisor four terms.
For many years president or secretary of farmers' mutual insurance
company of Lenawee county, also president of the county agricultural society. A farmer and a Republican.
31




318


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


FREDERICK HALL,
Representative from Ionia county in 1850. was born in Shelburn, Vt.,
March 24, 1816. With a common school education he came West in
1835 and in 1836 was clerk in a store at Lyons. He settled in Ionia in
1841, where he died in 1883. He held many offices, including justice,
register of deeds, receiver of the U. S. land office eight years, mayor
of Ionia, president of the national bank, director in the Ionia & Lansing railroad, etc. He was a democratic candidate for congress in 1864,
and a candidate for elector in 1876. In politics a Democrat. A large
dealer in pine lands, he left a fortune. He was a man of fine personal appearance, genial manner, and was widely known and numbered many friends.
HENRY HALL,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1844, and Senator in 1853,
was born in Sterling, Conn., May 2, 1800. With a common school
education he was clerk six years, then taught school at Charleston,
S. C., one year, then a merchant in Connecticut for ten years. He
settled on a farm in Dexter, Mich., in 1833, on which he remained
until 1867, after that time residing in the village of Dexter until his
death, Oct. 28, 1873. He was town clerk sixteen years, many years a
justice, and several times supervisor. In politics a Democrat.
HORATIO HALL
Was born in Byron, N. Y., Aug. 7, 1816. He settled in Bellevue,
Michigan, in 1844. He was a volunteer in the patriot war of 1837.
tie was a farmer, and held various town offices, including town clerk
and supervisor, and was a Representative in 1851.
MOSES HALL
Came from Vermont to Battle Creek in 1832 and settled on a farm.
He held various local offices and in 1844 was a Representative in the
legislature. He was one of the founders of the Presbyterian church
at Battle Creek, of which he was an active member. He was a justice
for many years and was acting in that capacity at the time of his
death, May 12, 1860.
SALMON C. HALL,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1851, was born in Litchfield, Conn., Nov. 9, 1809. Ry occupation a surveyor, in politics a




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


319


Democrat. He came to Michigan in 1835. He was register of deeds
and treasurer of Barry county, afterwards recorder of Vernon county,
Mo., and corresponding clerk in contract office of postoffice department at Washington. Now resides at Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
TALMAN W. HALL
Was born at Sudbury, Vt., Sept. 1, 1805. He was educated at an
academy and for several years was a teacher. Settled as a farmer in
Battle Creek in 1834, and became a merchant in 1842. He held local
offices, both territorial and state, and was associate circuit judge of
Calhoun county from 1836 to 1845. He was admitted to the bar but
never practiced. He was a Representative in 1855; mayor, postmaster
and alderman of Battle Creek; and has always taken great interest in
education. Until 1854 a Democrat, since a Republican.
JOHN HAMILTON,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1879, was born in Wayne
county, Ohio, Sept. 1, 1812. He received a common school education;
came to Michigan in 1832 and engaged in farming. He has been
commissioner of highways a number of times. In politics a National.
NATHANIEL A. HAMILTON,
Representative and speaker pro tern. from Berrien county in 1877,
was born in Lansing, N. Y., March 1, 1836. He was a resident of
Whitewater, Wisconsin, from 1842 to 1859, and there received an
academical education, studied law, and was admitted to the bar.
From 1859 to 1868 was in practice at Placerville, Cal., then returned
to Wisconsin, and in 1870 became a resident of St. Joseph, Michigan,
and still resides there engaged in his profession. Has been prosecuting attorney, and in 1876 was a delegate to the Cincinnati convention. In politics a Republican.
ANDREW G. HAMMOND,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1839, was born in Wyoming county, N. Y. He settled at Kalamazoo, in 1836, and was cashier
of a branch of the Michigan state bank. He removed to Greenfield,
Mass., in 1840, and afterwards resided in Hartford, Conn., where he
died in 1856. In politics a Whig.




320


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


CHARLES G. HAMMOND
Settled in Union City, Mich., as a lawyer in 1836, has father being
formerly of Smyrna, N. Y. He purchased the village site and sold it
to a company. He was a Representative in 1840, and auditor general
of Michigan, 1842-5. He removed to Chicago, became prominent in
railroads and a leading citizen. He died a few years since, and left a
fine record as a christian and business man.
HORACE N. HAMMOND,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1885, was born in Bolton, N.
Y., November 18, 1832. He came with his parents to St. Clair
county in 1833. He was a teacher for twenty years, then a bookkeeper, and in 1871 settled on a farm in East China. He has been
town clerk eighteen years, justice several years, and held other local
offices. In politics a Democrat.
WILLIAM HAMMOND
Was born in Deerfield, N. Y., in 18 5, and removed to Genesee
county, N. Y., when young. Came to Michigan in 1838, and engaged
in the mercantile business until 1844. Afterwards a farmer in Eaton,
Eaton county. In politics a Whig. Was a Representative in 1849.
CHARLES S. HAMPTON,
Representative from Emmet and other counties in 1885, was born in
Medina, Mich., Sept. 10, 1856. Lived in Texas from 1858 to 1862, then
at Hudson and Muir, Mich., settling at Harbor Springs in 1875. He
is a graduate of Adrian college, for several years published the Independent, a greenback paper, and was long a leading Greenbacker.
Now publishes a democratic paper at Petoskey.
JOHN W. HANCE,
Senator from the counties of Gratiot, Isabella, Clare and Midland in
1883, was born at Marengo, Ohio, in 1848, of German and Welsh
parentage. Came to Michigan in 1865, and has since resided in Isabella county, being engaged in farming and real estate business. Republican in politics.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


321


GEORGE E. HAND,
A member of the House from Wayne county in 1846, was born in
Connecticut in 1809, graduated at Yale college in 1829, and came to
Detroit, where he studied law and was admitted to practice. In 1835
he was appointed judge of probate of the county. As member of the
legislature he was chairman of the committee for the sale of the public works, and prepared the bills providing for the sale of the Central
and Southern railroads and the incorporation of the companies for
their purchase. Judge Hand held the office of United States district
attorney under President Pierce. He was a Democrat in politics.
During his later years he has held no office and has not been an active
practitioner, but has handled landed property as buyer and seller.
He is a man of vigorous physical build, cultivated by exercise, being
known as an athlete. He was never married, and declining faculties
some years ago threw the management of his large estate into the
hands of his friends.
MICHAEL HAND,
Representative from Berrien county in 1853, was born in Butler
county, Ohio, Jan. 18, 1806, and died Jan. 29, 1877. He arrived in
the town of Berrien, Berrien county, in 1831, and cleared a large
farm, which became his home for life. Held several positions of
trust, including those of supervisor and justice. Was a man of public
spirit, a leader in, politics, and a Democrat.
PATRICK HANKERD,
Representative from Jackson county in 1877-83-5, was born in Dexter, Mich., March 22, 1845. In the year 1850 he removed with his
parents to Henrietta, Jackson county, where he has since resided.
He received a common school education; taught school seven years.
He has held the office of township clerk one year, and the office of
supervisor fourteen years. He was the democratic candidate for
Congress in the third district in 18S6..
PERRY HANNAH
Was born in Erie, Pa., Sept. 22, 1824. He removed to Port Huron,
Mich., in 1837, where he remained ten years, much of the time employed in rafting saw logs from Port Huron to Detroit. In 1846 he
went to Chicago, landing in that city without a cent in his pocket.
For four years he was employed as clerk in a lumber yard. In 1850




322


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


he formed a partnership with A. T. Lay and James Morgan in the
well known firm of Hannah, Lay & Co. They commenced the lumber business with a borrowed capital of $6,000. In 1851 the firm purchased the present site of Traverse City, where they built a steam
saw mill and opened a store. This business has increased to immense
proportions, and the firm own linesof steamers which run to Chicago
and up the shore to Mackinac, and have the largest mercantile establishment, outside of Detroit, in the state. Mr. Hannah was Representative in 1857, for 27 years a school officer, many years supervisor,
four years a member of the state republican committee, and was a
presidential elector in 1864.
GEORGE HANNAHS,
Senator from Van Buren county in 1871-2, was born at Cobleskill, N.
Y., March 17, 1823. In 1831 he removed to Utica, N. Y., and
received a fair education. Came with his father to Albion, Mich., in
1837, where they were engaged in merchandise and milling. He also
was in the salt manufacture at East Saginaw. He moved to South
Haven in 1864, and built up a large lumber business and dealt in
real estate. He served several times as president of Albion village
and of South Haven; has been a trustee of Pontiac and Kalamazoo
asylums, and now resides in California. In politics a Republican.
ALFRED H. HANSCOM,
Representative from Oakland county in 1842-5, was a native of
Rochester, N. Y., and was admitted to the Oakland county bar in
1838. He was an eloquent advocate, and an able political speaker.
He was speaker of the House in 1845, and district attorney of Oakland county for several years. He removed to Ontonagon county
about 1850, and died thirty years since. He was a Democrat, and
one of the greatest political orators in that party in the early days of
Michigan.
DAVID E. HARBAUGH,
A member of the House of Representatives from Detroit, in
1840, was born in Lisbon, Ohio, in 1807, was educated at Washington
college, Pennsylvania, was admitted to practice as an attorney in
Ohio, in 1832, and became a resident of Detroit in 1834. He was
elected justice of the peace and was president of the Detroit young
men's society in 1837; was city attorney 1844-5; member of the board




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


323


of education 1848; city recorder 1850; prosecuting attorney 1861-3;
collector of internal revenue 1865-69, and police justice 1873-78. He
was in active practice, except as interrupted by official duties, until
his death, May, 1884. He was a Whig and Republican, but sympathized with the Greenbackers when they developed their greatest
strength in 1878. He was a gentleman of broad views, generous and
'public spirited.
WILLIAM F. HARDEN,
Representative from Allegan county, in 1874-5, was born July, 1831,
in Wayne county, N. Y. He was educated in the common schools,
in 1858 removed to Michigan, and has ever since lived in Martin,
Allegan county, and has been many years supervisor. He was elected
to fill a vacancy in the legislature of 1874. In politics a Republican.
FISHER A. HARDING,
Representative from Detroit in 1841, was a native of Massachusetts,
born 1811. He was a graduate of Harvard, and a law student under
Daniel Webster. He spent two years in practice in Chicago, 1835-7,
and in the latter year removed to Detroit, forming a law partnership
with Fletcher Webster, who subsequently returned to Boston. He
was appointed a master in chancery in 1840. Mr. Harding became
connected editorially with the Detroit Advertiser in 1841, and so
continued, with the exception of an intermission of about a year,
until the time of his death, August 4, 1846. He is described as a man
peculiarly gentle in manner and pure and classical in thought. In
politics a Whig.
WILLIAM M. HARFORD,
Representative from Muskegon county in 1881-2, was born in Holmes
county, Ohio, February 15, 1842. He worked at farming, attending
district school. He graduated at the Ohio Wesleyan University in
1868. He was successively superintendent of schools at West Jefferson, Waynesville and London, Ohio. In 1875 was part proprietor and
editor of the Fremont Journal. In 1878 he removed to Muskegon,
Mich., and soon became editor and proprietor of the Muskegon,Chronicle.




324


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


SEELEY HARGER
Was born in Ballston, N. Y., in 1801. In 1817 removed to western
New York. He came to Oakland county, Michigan, in 1837, and
resided in West Bloomfield. He was a Representative in 1849.
JOHN U. HARKNESS,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1883, was born in Raisin,
Michigan, May 12, 1840. In 1848 he settled with his parents in
Rollin, same county, where he has resided most of the time since.
He received a common school education, with two or three terms at
Friend's seminary, near Adrian, Michigan. He learned the carriagemaker's trade, which business he carried on several years. Since 1879
he has been engaged in farming. He has filled various township
offices, having been supervisor three years. In politics a Republican.
HENRY H. HARMON,
Representative from Livingston county in 1863-4, was born in Manchester, N. Y., June 2, 1823. He came to Oakland county with his
parents in 1838. Received a common school education; taught school
in Howell in 1847; commenced the study of law and was admitted to
the bar in 1849. He began practice at Howell. Has held the offices
of town clerk, circuit court commissioner, prosecuting attorney and
judge of probate. Also for some years edited a paper. A Democrat
in politics.
EGBERT P. HARPER,
Representative from the second district of Washtenaw county in 1885
and 1887, was born October 24, 1832, in Wayne county, N. Y. He
has been a resident of Michigan fifty years; has held the office of
supervisor fifteen years. He was elected to the legislature of 1885-6,
and re-elected to the House on the fusion ticket by a vote of 2,339 to
1,781 for Matthew Seeger, Republican, and 445 for Charles M. Fellows,
Prohibitionist.
CHARLES F. HARRINGTON,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1877, was born at Port
Huron, Mich., Sept. 20 1842. He received a classical education at
Canandaigua academy, N. Y., and in 1861 commenced the study of
law. In 1864 he commenced practice at Port Huron. He was circuit




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


325


court commissioner for St. Clair county one term, and prosecuting
attorney two terms. In 1873 he abandoned practice and was instrumental in organizing the Port Huron savings bank, with which he
has since been connected as cashier and director, and has also been
interested in railroads.
DANIEL B. HARRINGTON,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1847, and Senator in 1853,
was born in Ontario county, N. Y., April 23, 1807. He settled with
his father on Black River, St. Clair county, in 1824, attended school,
was a clerk in Detroit, and in 1833 went into business at Black River.
In 1835, with Judge White, he bought eighty acres of land, now part
of the site of Port Huron, purchased other lands, and engaged in lumbering and real estate.  He was postmaster, president of the first
national bank, and of the Port Huron savings bank. In 1874 built
the city opera house. Deceased.
EBENEZER B. HARRINGTON,
Senator from St. Clair county in 1839, was born in Lyons, N. Y. By
occupation a lawyer, in politics a Democrat. He came to Michigan
in 1831. He studied law in Whitesboro. N. Y., and was admitted to
practice law in Michigan in 1837. Edited and published the Lake
Huron Observer at Port Huron. From 1838 to 1844 practiced law in
Detroit, being associated with James A. Van Dyke. Governor Mason
appointed him master in chancery in 1838. In 1839 he was appointed
to superintend the publication of the revised statutes of Michigan.
The same year he was appointed reporter of the court of chancery,
and in 1844 he also became reporter of the Supreme Court. He died
in August, 1844, the volume known as Harrington's Chancery Reports being published in November, 1884, by Henry N. Walker, his
successor in office.,
EDWARD W. HARRIS
Was born May 4, 1831, at Bradford, Vt. In 1837 he came to Michigan
with his parents, who settled at Rochester, Oakland county. He attended the academy at that place for several years. In 1854 he gradated at the state and national law school at Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and
located at Port Huron. In 1855 he formed a co-partnership with the
Hon. 0. D. Conger, in the law business, under the firm name of Conger & Harris. In 1862 he was appointed judge of probate of St. Clair
county, in the place of Major Scarritt, resigned, and served as such




326


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


for three years. In 1866 he was elected prosecuting attorney, and
served two years, in 1868 he was elected judge of probate and
served four years. In 1873 he was appointed judge of the sixteenth
circuit, in place of Judge Mitchell, resigned, and in 1875 was elected
to the same place without opposition.
ISRAEL V. HARRIS,
Senator from Ottawa county in 1853, was born in Pine Plains, N. Y.,
April 2, 1815. He received an academical education, and was engaged
in farming until he came to Michigan in 1836. In 1837 he settled in
Tallmadge, was a merchant with his brother at Grand Rapids, then
engaged in lumbering and real estate. Was six times supervisor of
Tallmadge. Later lived at Grand Haven.
MYRON HARRIS,
Representative from Ottawa county in 1875, was born at Pine Plains,
N. Y., in 1820. At the age of 19 he came to Michigan and located at
Tallmadge, Ottawa county, where he still resides. In 1844 he built a
saw mill, and lumbered for about twenty years, building up a most
successful business. At the present time he is engaged in farming.
In politics a Democrat.
THOMAS W. HARRIS,
Representative from Detroit in 1869-70, was a carpenter by trade.
born in New Jersey in 1817. He resided in Newark, N. J., up to 1852,
when he located in Detroit. He was a Democrat in politics, nominated for the legislature in 1869 by his party as a representative workingman, he being at the time president of the Trades Assembly, an
organization composed of delegates from the various labor unions of
the city. He died in 1884.
WILLIAM HARRIS
Was born in Cornwall, England, March 17, 1819. In 1847 he came to
the United States and settled in Ontonagon county. He received an
ordinary public school education, and is by occupation a mining
superintendent. He was Representative from Keewenaw county in
1871-2-3 and 4. In politics a Republican.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


327


ANDREW HARSHAW,
Senator from Alpena and other counties in 1887, was born in Ireland,
Feb. 4, 1830, and settled in Oakland county, Mich., in 1849. Learned
the trade of a tinner, worked many years at Pontiac, was in business
there, and an alderman. In 1872 opened a hardware store at Alpena,
in which he is now engaged. Has been mayor and alderman and
held other local offices. In politics a fusionist. Was a Butler presidential elector on the fusion ticket in 1884.
ALVIN N. HART,
Representative in 1835-6 and 1871-2, and Senator in 1844-5-8-9-50, was
born in Cornwall. Conn., Feb. 11, 1804. Graduated at Amherst college, came to Lapeer, Michigan, in 1831; was justice, and sheriff of
Lapeer county. He was a member of the constitutional convention
of 1835, and chief judge of the Lapeer county court, 1846-50. Became
a resident and merchant in Lansing in 1860, and was many years an
alderman. He was interested in real estate, milling, and the building
of railroads. In politics a Democrat. Died Aug. 22, 1874.
HENRY HART
Was born May 13, 1840, in China, Michigan.  He was raised on a
farm, and received a common school education. He graduated from
the law department of the University in 1865, and commenced practice at Midland the same year, where he has since resided. He was
justice of the peace one year, prosecuting attorney of Midland county
four years, circuit court commissioner four years, supervisor three
years, a member of the Midland school board five years, and Representative in the legislature in 1875, and in that year he was elected
judge of the 21st judicial circuit.
WILLIAM W. HARTSON
Was born in Madison county, N. Y., Feb. 27, 1835. By occupation a
farmer. He was elected as a Republican to the legislature of 1869-70.
Was supervisor several years; deputy marshal to take census of 1870;
register of deeds for St. Clair county from 1873 to 1879; supervisor of
Wales, St. Clair county, and represented the county at the meeting of
state board of equalization in June, 1886.




328


MIICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


JONATHAN HART
Was born in the state of New York, October 25, 1795. He settled in
Battle Creek, in 1836, and built a flour mill, continuing in that
business until his death in 1858. He also engaged in the manufacture
of lard oil. He was a Representative in 1840. He was president of
the village of Battle Creek and mayor of the city. In politics a Whig
and one of the first seven of that party in Calhoun county.  In
religion a Friend. He was a public spirited citizen and a successful
business man.
NOAH H. HART,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1851, was born in Litchfield,
Conn., October 30, 1813. By profession a lawyer, in politics a Democrat. He settled in Lapeer, Mich., in 1832, held various local offices,
and was justice for thirty years. He raised a company and entered
the army in 1861, as first lieutenant in the 10th Michigan infantry,
was promoted to captain March 31, 1863, and was mustered out
February 6, 1865. Now resides with a daughter at Toledo, Ohio.
JOSEPH L. HARTSUFF
Was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., May 1, 1810. His early life
was spent in farming, boating on the Erie canal, and later teaching
school. He came to Michigan in 1835 and settled on a farm near
Coldwater. He soon removed to Unadilla, Livingston county, where
he was a farmer until his death, November 14, 1867. He was a Representative in 1849, and for several years a justice of the peace. In
politics a Democrat.
ANDREW HARVIE,
Representative from Detroit in 1845, and Senator in 1850-1, was born
in Scotland before 1810, came to Michigan in 1837, and was principal
of the Tecumseh branch of the University in 1839-40. In 1840 became
a lawyer at Detroit. He was master of chancery in 1848. Later,
removed to Chicago. He was a Democrat in politics. In behalf of
Michigan, he presented the copper block to be placed in the Washington monument. A man of ability and thorough culture.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


329


BARZILLA J. HARVEY
Was born in Ontario county, N. Y., September 29, 1808. He came
to Michigan in 1832, and purchased lands in Adrian, which he occupied until his death, September 25, 1863. In politics a Republican.
He was Representative in the legislature of 1857.
CHARLES C. HASCALL,
Senator in 1835-6, was born in Cayuga county, N: Y., Nov. 6, 1799.
He came to Michigan in 1819, settled in Pontiac, built a woolen mill,
and owned the first printing press brought to Pontiac. He was one
of the first justices of the peace and was town clerk of Pontiac in
1829-30. He kept in 1825 the first hotel in the village of Auburn,
three and a half miles east of Pontiac. He built there another woolen
mill, a hotel, dwelling and store, and embarked in the dry goods
business. Removed to Flint in 1836, having been appointed U. S.
receiver for the district of Michigan which office he held 1836-40. He
was a commissioned general of state militia and went to the " Toledo
war." He was the democratic candidate for congress in 1850. Had a
contract from government to construct a portion of the "Northern railroad," and had done considerable work when the project was
abandoned. Traded in lumber and was partner in a general store.
Established the " Flint Republican," a democratic paper conducted
for him by the late Royal W. Jenney, which was discontinued in
1853. Always a Democrat. Died October 5, 1862.
VOLNEY Hi SCALL
Was born Feb. 2, 1820, in Leroy, N. Y. He came with his father to
Kalamazoo in 1830, was educated at the Kalamazoo branch of the
University and became a finished scholar in Latin, English literature
and mathematics. He read law and was admitted to the bar in 1843.
He had mastered the art of printing while a minor.  He practiced
law three years, and in 1846 became owner and editor of the Kalamazoo Gazette, to which he gave his time for sixteen years. He sold out
from failing health in 1862. Died February 21, 1879. He was in
politics a Democrat, v as a delegate in the constitutional convention
of 1850, and register of the United States land office at Kalamazoo in
1857-8, and held several local offices. He was an able and convincing
editorial writer, and made his paper a political power.




330


MICHI GAN BIOGRAPHY.


HARAN HASKINS
Was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., in February, 1806. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Republican. He settled in West Bloomfield, Oakland county, in 1832. He was town clerk for eight years,
and a Representative from Oakland county in 1837. He was a captain in the " Toledo war," a deacon in the Baptist church, and superintendent of a Sunday school. He died in November, 1858.
NELSON HASKIN,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1887, was born in Ontario
county, Ontario, October 20, 1849, and became an acknowledged citizen of the United States, April 10, 1874. He has been a resident of
Michigan fifteen years, and held the office of village trustee in Imlay
City. As Republican candidate for Representative to the legislature
of 1887-8 he received a vote of 1,329 to 1,328 for James P. Smith, and
117 for S. R. Ferguson, Prohibitionist.
EUROTAS P. HASTINGS
Served a term as auditor general of the state, 1840-1842, having been
appointed by Gov. Woodbridge, and being, of course, a Whig in politics. His nativity is not accurately known, although he was born in
the state of New York, and was past middle age in 1840. He was
trained as a business man and banker under the Dwights, of Geneva,
N. Y., and was the first president of the bank of Michigan, organized
in 1825. He held the office of recorder of Detroit for a term, was a
U. S. commissioner, and pension agent from 1837 to 1854. He took
an active interest in public affairs, was earnest and zealous in his
religious connections, which were Presbyterian, and was a man of
refinement and character, but inclined to be over confiding in his disposition. Died in 1866.
BARNABAS C. HATCH
Was born in August, 1809, and emigrated from Steuben county, N.
Y., about 1837. He was self-educated. He was a farmer and settled
in Spring Arbor. He was Supervisor several years; justice twenty
years; county judge, and Representative in 1849. He acquired a
valuable estate, and was a man of public spirit, fine intellectual endowments and was deservedly popular. Died Feb. 22, 1874.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


331


HERSCHEL H. HATCH,
Of Bay City, was born at Morrisville, N. Y., Feb. 17, 1837. Received
common school training until 1856, when he entered the law school at
Hamilton college, New York. le graduated in 1859, and was at once
admitted to the bar. He practiced law in his native county until
1863, when he removed to Bay City, where he has since resided, and
actively followed the practice of his profession. He was elected a
member of the first board of aldermen of Bay City; elected judge of
probate of Bay county in 1868; appointed a member of the constitutional commission of Michigan in 1873, and of the law commission of
Michigan in 1881. In 1882 he was elected Representative to the fortyeighth congress upon the republican ticket, by a vote of 11,326, to
7,749 votes for Andrew C. Maxwell, Democrat, and 2,384 for J. M.
Miller, Greenbacker. Served one term, and declined a second.
REUBEN HATCH
Was born at Alstead, N. H., Oct. 11, 1847. He received a good education, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1871. In 1875 he
was elected judge of the thirteenth judicial circuit, and at the end of
his term resumed practice at Traverse City. He is head of a leading
law firm, and has held various local offices.
HIRON HATHAWAY
Was born in Massachusetts June 5, 1799. He settled in Richmond,
Mich., in 1826. He was Representative in 1842 and 1855, and a member of the constitutional convention of 1850. He also served as associate judge of Macomb county, was supervisor of Richmond, and
president of Armada village.
GILBERT HATHEWAY
Was born in Plymouth county, Mass., in 1812. He came to Michigan
in 1846, and inaugurated extensive business enterprises at New Baltimore, Macomb county. During his early life in Massachusetts he was
well known, and was colonel in the state militia. His life in Macomb
county was characterized by deeds of charity and benevolence. He
was Senator from Macomb county 'n 1871, but died Oct. 21, 1871, before the close of his term. He gave $15,000 to erect a building for the
school known as the Hatheway institute at New Baltimore. He left
a large property.




332


MIICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


MARTIN HAVEN,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1867, was born in Livingston
county, N. Y., July 21, 1823. He came to Albion in 1851. By occupation a builder, farmer and drover, in politics Republican. He was
postmaster of Albion from June 20, 1875, to December 31, 1886, when
he was suspended by President Cleveland. He was a member of the
Albion common council for two years, and was elected supervisor of
the third ward in 1887.
JOSIAH L. HAWES
Was born in Carlisle, N. Y., October 12, 1823. His early education
was mainly in the common schools. He commenced the study of
law in 1843, and was admitted to the bar in 1847. He practiced law
at Unadilla two years; then at Cobleskill, N. Y., till 1852, when he
removed to Kalamazoo, Mich., where he distinguished himself
chiefly as trial counsel in cases at the circuit. In April, 1875, he was
elected circuit judge, his term to commence in January following,
but a vacancy in the office having occurred, he entered at once upon
the office by appointment from Governor Bagley. He left an extensive and lucrative practice in the state and United States Courts, to
take the unsought office of circuit judge. In politics a Democrat.
DUANE HAWKINS,
Representative from Eaton county in 1881-2, was born February 17,
1840, in Vermontville, Mich. His parents moved from the state of
Vermont in 1838. His education was received in common schools.
His life has been spent on a farm, except a period of nine months.
That was spent in the army during the civil war, he having enlisted
August 30, 1864, in the second Michigan cavalry, and having been
discharged June 2, 1865. He has been twice elected justice of the
peace; has been president of the Eaton county agricultural society,
and held many other minor offices within the gift of the community
in which he lived. He received 1,969 votes; Wells R. Martin, Democrat, 1,253; Charles G. Bale, National, 296.
LUCIUS D. HAWKINS,
Senator from Jackson county in 1875, was born in Oswego county,
N. Y., in 1824. Bis education was attained in common schools. He




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


333


removed to Michigan in 1835, and settled in Spring Arbor, Jackson
county. He is a farmer and machinist by occupation.
CHAUNCEY HAWLEY,
Representative from Jackson county in 1842, was born in Granby,
Conn., September 26, 1797. He settled at Napoleon, Jackson county,
Mich., in 1834, and died March 31, 1880. Probably a farmer.
ELIJAH HAWLEY, JR.,
Was born in Arlington, Vt., April 17, 1812. He studied law in that
state and was admitted to the bar in Illinois, but never engaged in
practice. He became a resident of Wayne county, Michigan, in 1835.
Held various town and county offices for twelve years, and 'was
Representative in the legislatures of 1844-6-9.
THOMAS D. HAWLEY,
Senator from Wayne county in 1885, was born at Erie, Pa., February 27, 1843, and the same year came with his parents to Detroit.
Received a classical and collegiate education at Toronto, Canada. He
became a lawyer in 1879, and was a Representative in 1867. Has
been a member and secretary of the democratic state committee,
delegate to the democratic national convention, member and president of the Detroit common council, and held many other official and
honorary offices.
RICHARD HAWLEY,
Representative from Detroit in 1865 and 1877, was born at Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, Dec. 10, 1815. He came to this country
with his parents in 1818, and resided successively in Pennsylvania,
Massachusetts,West Virginia and Ohio. He received a good common
school education. He came to Detroit in 1840 and was engaged in
the brewing business until 1875 with the exception of two years. He
was for many years an active member of the Detroit board of trade,
and several times represented it at the national and dominion boards.
He was also an alderman and a member of the board of estimates.
He was a Whig until 1854, after that a Democrat.
33




334


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


HENRY A. HAYDEN,
Representative from Jackson county in 1863-4, was born in Otsego
county, N. Y, March 28, 1817. He received a common school education, was a clerk in Buffalo from 1829 to 1834, then served as sailor.
Studied civil engineering, and in 1837 helped survey the line of the
Michigan Central railroad, and remained in service of the road until
1844, and was general superintendent of repairs and paymaster. Has
resided at Jackson since 1838. Has been in the milling business since
1845. Has been county surveyor, supervisor, mayor, etc. For many
years was president of the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw railroad colmpany. In politics a Democrat.
HENRY HAYDEN,
Representative from Bay county in 1855, was born in Essex, Conn.,
Feb. 8, 1819, and was educated at Hill's academy in that town. He
settled at Portsmouth, now a part of Bay City, in 1855, and was a salt
and lumber manufacturer for fourteen years, and for several years
supervisor. He returned to Essex, Conn., in 1869, where he lived a
retired life. Died Sept. 18, 1875.
PHILOTUS HAYDEN
Was born in Montgomery county, N. Y., in 1810. When young
went to Brandon, Vt., and engaged in mercantile business. In 1836
he located one thousand acres of land in Hamilton, Van Buren
county, Mich., and owned and occupied a farm of seven hundred
acres at the time of his death, March 10, 1866. He was a prominent
Republican. He was ten times supervisor, Representative in 1844 -7-50, and Senator in 1851-9.
ELEAZAR B. HAYES,
Representative from Tuscola county in 1883-5, was born in Geneseo,
N. Y., May 31, 1832. Came to Michigan in 1841. Settled in Tuscola
county in 1855. His occupation is farming. Supervisor fourteen
years, and secretary of the Tuscola county agricultural society for
seven years. In politics a Republican.
NATHAN B. HAYES,
Representative from Ionia county in 1877, was born at Bristol, N. Y.,
Dec. 13, 1835. In 1836 he removed with his parents and settled in




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


335


North Plains, Ionia county.  He has been president of the first
national bank of Muir since its organization. He is extensively
engaged in farming, also in lumbering and manufacturing. In politics a Republican.
HARVEY HAYNES
Was born in Ulster county, N. Y., Jan. 24, 1817. He came to Michigan in 1836, and settled in Coldwater, where he now resides. In
early life studied law and was engaged in teaching. His taste, however, was farming which he has pursued as an occupation. He was
supervisor and assessor for many years, and Representative in 1865
and 1871-2, and was efficient in securing the location of the state
public school at Coldwater.
ANDREW L. HAYS,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1845, was born in Sanborton,
N. H., Aug. 27, 1803. He came to Michigan in 1829, and settled at
Marshall in 1831, where he resided until his death, Dec. 9,1864. The
first physician in Calhoun county. He was made a brigadier general
by Gov. Mason and took part in the Black Hawk and Toledo wars.
In politics a Democrat. He married Clarissa S. Hunt in 1830, and his
son, Luther, was the first white boy born in Calhoun county. His
son, Walter I., is judge of the 7th Iowa circuit.
JAMES E. HAYWOOD
Was born in Haverhill, N. H., May 23, 1834. He received a common
school education and attended Haverhill academy one term. He settled in Rubicon, Huron county, Michigan, in 1857. He filled various
town offices and was Representative from Huron county in 1871-2-3-4.
By occupation a merchant, in politics a Republican.
CHESTER HAZARD
Was born in Arlington, Vt., June 23, 1796; came to Michigan in 1836
and located 320 acres of land in Genoa. In 1842 he was elected treasurer of Livingston county and served two terms. In 1847 was a Representative. He was for many years supervisor, and was a justice for
forty years. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Democrat.




336


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


CHARLES W. HAZE,
Representative from Livingston county in 1853, was born at Wilson,
N. Y., Aug. 14, 1820. He removed with his parents to Farmington
Mich., in 1837. Received a common school and classical education.
Studied medicine and graduated from the medical department of the
Western Reserve college, and located at Pinckney, Mich., in 1845,
where he still resides. Has held several offices in village and town,
and during the war was examining surgeon for Livingston county.
Is a Democrat and has been a member of the state committee.
Besides his practice is a farmer on a large scale.
WILLIAM H. HAZE,
Representative from Oakland county in 1863-4, was born at Port Hope,
Canada, of American parentage, April 13, 1816. His parents soon
removed to Wilson, N. Y., and he was educated at Genesee college,
Lima, N. Y. In 1838 settled at Farmington, Mich., and became a
farmer and teacher. In 1840 married Lydia Emrich, of Wooster,
Ohio. He became a Methodist minister in 1843, but failure of voice
compelled him to give up preaching, and he graduated as a physician
from a medical college in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1852, and practiced in
Oakland county. He removed to Lansing in 1864, and has been
alderman, mayor and city assessor; lay delegate to the general Methodist conference at Philadelphia; and one of the board of control of
Albion college. A Republican until 1872, then an Independent, now
a Prohibitionist.
EZRA HAZEN,
Senator from St. Clair county in 1861-2, and Representative in 1865,
'71-2, was born at Byron, N. Y., June 1, 1817. Settled near Romeo,
Mich., in 1834, removed to Almont in 1839, and to Memphis in 1854,
where he now resides. A justice forty years, supervisor of Riley
twelve years, deputy collector of customs from 1872 to 1885. A delegate in the constitutional convention of 1867. A Republican since
1854.
LUKE HAZEN,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1848, was born in Vienna, N.
Y., Dec. 2, 1812. Attended district and high schools and was a
teacher. He came to Michigan in 1835, and settled on a farm in the




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


337


town of Allen in 1839. Supervisor three terms, held other offices, was
a farmer and merchant. Moved to Litchfield in 1853. A Whig until
1854, then a Republican. Town clerk of Litchfield three years, and
treasurer eleven years; county clerk 1875-9. Latterly lived in DeWitt, Mich.
GEORGE H. HAZLETON,
Representative from Genesee county in 1845-6, was b)rn in Morrisville, N. Y., Jan. 24, 1809. He came to Ann Arbor in 1836 and opened
a land office. Removed to Flint in 1839, and purchased a large portion of the land on which that city is built. He was a merchant and
lumberman, running two mills. He was one of seven whigs in the
legislature, and was the whig candidate for congress in 1845. In
1854 was appointed visitor to West Point. He was a whig candidate
for lieutenant-governor. Removed to Chicago in 1854 and engaged
in banking until 1860. Then was a manufacturer in Philadelphia
until 1877, afterwards in same business in Chicago and New York,
then five years at Baltimore running machinery by water motors.
Now resides at Hammonton, N. J.
WILLIAM P. HEALEY,
Representative from Marquette in 1867, was born in Ireland April 14,
1842, and came with his parents to America in 1846, who settled in
Michigan. He received a fair education, and became a resident of
Marquette county in 1863. He was supervisor of Negaunee six years,
chairman of the county board, and president of the village of Negaunee in 1865. He was admitted to the bar in 1870, and has since
been in practice at Marquette. A Democrat until 1884, since a Re
publican.
JOHN S. HEATH,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1835-6-7, was born in Hillsboro, N. H., in 1807, and was a schoolmate of President Pierce. He
studied medicine at Glenns Falls, N. Y., and took up his residence at
Port Huron, Mich., in 1832, which was then Desmond. He filled
many public positions, and was collector of customs and sheriff of
the county. He owned mills and manufactured lumber at a place
then called Point Au Barques. Deceased.




338


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


CHARLES A. HEBARD,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1844 and 1847, was born in
Leyden, Mass., July 5, 1805. By occupation a teacher and farmer,
politically a Democrat. Moved to Orleans county, N. Y., in 1834, and
from there to Attica, Lapeer county, in 1839. He was several years
supervisor of Attica. Moved to Kasota, Minn., in 1855, and died
there May 16, 1855.
CARL HEISTERMAN,
Senator from Sanilac and Huron counties in 1885, and a resident of
Bad Axe, was born in Germany Nov. 5, 1820. He has been a resident
of Michigan thirty-seven years.  lie was formerly a gardener by occupation, but is now a farmer. He has held the office of register of
deeds six years, and supervisor fifteen years. Politically a Democrat.
GEORGE F. HEMINGWAY,
Representative from Midland in 1861-2, was born in Monroe county,
N. Y., June 21, 1817. Came to Michigan in 1837 and has resided in
the state ever since. Now resides at Midland City. Has held the
offices of town clerk, school inspector, justice of the peace, supervisor, and prosecuting attorney three times. By profession a lawyer,
in politics, now a prohibitionist.
WILLIAM HEMINGWAY,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1863-4, was born in Chili, N
Y., November 10, 1815; was a lawyer by profession, and a Republican
in politics; settled in Lapeer county in 1835, and with the exception
of a few months, was a resident of that county until his death, Dec.
28, 1885. For twenty years a circuit court commissioner, and was
president of the Lapeer bar association. In politics a Republican.
EDEN F. HENDERSON
Was born in Royalton, N. Y., January 5, 1828, and came with his
father to Michigan in 1839. He purchased a farm near Battle Creek
in 1852. He was a Representative in 1861-2; a member of the constitutional convention in 1867; county treasurer and probate judge,
each for four years; and filled other offices. He was elected for a




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


339


second four years as probate judge but died September 29, 1873,
before the first year of his term had expired. He was a Republican,
an elder in the Presbyterian church, and a man very popular with
the people.
HENRY P. HENDERSON,
Representative from Ingham county in 1879, was born in Tully, N.
Y., September 23, 1842, and removed to Michigan in 1845, and settled
in Oakland county. In the fall of 1845 he removed to LeRoy, Ingham county, and in 1854 to Mason, same county. He received an
academical education. He has held the office of deputy county
clerk, county clerk, a member of the common council, prosecuting
attorney, a member of the school board of Mason, and a director in
the first national bank, and other minor offices. He was admitted to
the bar in 1867. In politics a Democrat. Is now United States territorial judge in Utah.
CHARLES R. HENRY,
Senator from the 29th district in 1885, was born in Macon, Michigan,
December 29, 1856.  He received a public school education and
taught for two years. He graduated at the law department of the
University in 1875, and began practice at Au Sable. Has held
various village and county offices, and been prosecuting attorney.
In politics a Republican.
CALEB HERRINGTON,
A member of the constitutional convention of 1835, and a Representative from Wayne county in 1837, was a native of the state of New
York, born 1783. He came to Michigan in 1833, and settled in the
township of Plymouth, two miles west of the village of Northville,
where he lived until his death, March 29,1849  The confidence of his
townsmen was manifested by his frequent election to local offices of
trust. He was captain of a volunteer company in the war of 1812,
and was engaged in the battle of Queenston and other battles of the
war. Was a farmer, and in politics a Democrat.
CASS E. HERRINGTON,
Representative from Oakland county in 1837,was born in that county,
at Four Towns, Dec. 23, 1856, and there resided until he was seventeen years of age, when. he attended the Michigan agricultural col



340


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


lege three years, teaching winters. He began the study of law in
1878, and was admitted to the bar of Oakland county the same year.
He graduated at the Michigan University in 1879 and has practiced
law at Pontiac since that time. He has held the office of city clerk of
Pontiac two terms, and circuit court commissioner from Jan. 1, 1883,
to Nov. 1. 1886, at which time he resigned the office. He was elected
Representative for 1887-8 on the Democratic ticket, receiving 2,470
votes, to 2,396 for Joseph S. Stockwell, Republican, and 257 for Wm.
E. Williams, Prohibitionist.
CHRISTIAN HERTZLER,
Senator from Monroe county in 1885, was born in Marietta, Lancaster
county, Pa., May 25, 1830. He came to Michigan with his parents in
1835, and settled in Vienna, and has since resided in the same place,
with the exception of twelve years, four years in Toledo, Ohio, and
eight years in Philadelphia, Pa. He received a common school education, and is a farmer by occupation. He held the office of supervisor twenty-one years in succession, and was chairman of the board
seven years. He was elected Representative in the legislature, in
1872 and 1874, as a Democrat.
ALEXANDER HEWITT,
Senator from Hillsdale county in 1879, was born in Edinburg, N. Y.,
March 25, 1818. He removed to Alleghany county in 1822, thence to
Ontario county. He received a common school education. He came
to Michigan in 1844, and settled in the township of Allen, on the farm
where he now resides, and is a farmer by occupation. He was elected
to the lower house of the state legislature in 1872 and again in 1874.
He has been two years president of the Hillsdale county agricultural
society. A Republican in politics.
CYRUS HEWITT
Was born in Saratoga county, New York, Feb. 19, 1805. He came to
Marshall, Mich., in 1836, and engaged in his profession as surveyor
and civil engineer, platting several towns along the Michigan Central
railroad and surveying for the United States a large portion of the
lands in Calhoun, Hillsdale, Jackson and other counties. He removed
to Lansing in 1858 and became a clerk in the state land office and
was deputy from 1861 to 1865. In 1864 he was elected state land commissioner and held the office from 1865 to 1867. He was also mayor




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


341


of Lansing. He engaged in banking business, which he conducted
successfully until 1877, when he retired from business. In politics a
Republican. He died Nov. 23, 1882.
HENRY HEWITT,
State Senator from Calhoun county in 1842, was born in Byron, N. Y.,
October 15, 1812. He was educated in common schools and at Middlebury academy, N. Y. He came to Marshall, Mich., in 1835, was a
merchant, and politically a Democrat. He was justice in 1837, and
associate county judge in 1840. Died March 7, 1842.
LAUREN K. HEWITT,
Senator from Ingham and Clinton counties in 1863-4, was born in
Palmyra, N. Y., June 14, 1816. By occupation a lawyer, in politics a
Democrat. He was educated at Mt. Morris academy. N. Y. He
came to Washtenaw county in 1836. He studied law, settled at
Howell in 1840 and commenced practice with his brother, Lewis H.
Hewitt. Continued in practice there until 1857, when he removed to
Lansing and was engaged in the banking business with J. C. Bailey
for several years, afterwards with Daniel L. Case, and then with
Cyrus Hewitt. He was also interested in insurance, and for many
years was U. S. circuit court commissioner. Died Jan. 11, 1877.
WALTER B. HEWITT
Was born at Stillwater, N. Y., Feb. 4, 1800. At the age of twentyfive he located near Walled Lake, Oakland county,where he remained
a year, and then engaged in the boot and shoe trade at Detroit for
four years. In 1831 he moved to Ypsilanti, where he was engaged in
business until a few years since, when he retired to private life. In
1850 he bought a farm near Ypsilanti. He was Representative in the
legislature of 1842 as a Democrat. Not living.
HARRIS H. HICKMAN
Was the second attorney general of the territory of Michigan, and
was appointed Sept. 22, 1809. Little is known of him. He was
appointed a captain in the war of 1812, and was included in the surrender of Detroit, and is supposed to have been killed before the close
of the war.
34




342


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


JAMES W. HICOCK
Was born in Lansingburg, N. Y., Dec. 2, 1798, and received an academical education. He studied law, then followed the life of a boatman for many years. He settled with his family at Walton, Eaton
county, Mich., in 1836, and ploughed the first furrow in that township. He farmed it until 1865, then removed to Charlotte. Has been
postmaster, supervisor and held other local offices. He was Senator
in 1853, as a Democrat.
MELANCTHON W. HICKS,
Representative from Oakland county in 1851, was born at Champlain,
N. Y., July 14, 1805. By occupation a merchant, in politics a Democrat. He married Sarah Fox, of Champlain, N. Y., in 1831 and set,
tled at Southfield, Oakland county, in 1844; was supervisor in 1847-9 -50; and town clerk in 1846. He moved to Wenona (now West Bay
City) in 1867, where he engaged in the flour and feed business. Died
Nov. 20, 1867.
SAMUEL HIGBY
Was born at New Hartford, N. Y., in 1813. Studied law, was ad,
mitted to the bar, and settled in practice at Jackson, Mich., in 1838.
He was recorder of Jackson; probate judge and prosecuting attorney
of Jackson county; president of the village of Jackson; and judge of
the circuit comprising Washtenaw, Jackson and Ingham counties
from 1869 to 1873, when he resigned. As counsel and in chancery
practice he stood for many years at the head of the Jackson county
bar. Died May 12, 1876.
HIRAM HIGLEY,
Representative from Oakland county in 1835-6, was born in East
Windsor, Conn., March 5, 1804. By occupation a tanner, in politics
a Democrat. He settled in Rochester, Michigan, in 1827, removed to
Leipsic, Ohio, in 1853, and died there January 8, 1860. He held
several local offices in the town of Avon.
OLIVER HIGH,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1857, was born in the state
of New York in 1811. He was an early pioneer in Washtenaw
county and a highly respected citizen. By occupation a farmer,
politically a Democrat. He died in Sharon, October 17, 1870.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


343


BENJAMIN L. HILL
Was born in Elkland, Pa., December 18, 1813. He studied law at
Norwalk, Ohio, in 1839-40, and studied medicine in 1842-3. He was
appointed demonstrator and assistant professor of anatomy in the
Eclectic Medical of Cleveland, Ohio, and after that became a professor
in the college. He became a resident of Michigan in 1860, and in
1861-2 was a Representative from Saginaw county. In 1863 he was
appointed consul to Nicaraugua, but resigned in 1865. He wrote
two large volumes on surgery, and several other medical works.
Died at Marysville, California, May 13, 1871.
E. PARKER HILL,
Representative from Van Buren county in 1877-79, was born in
Yates county, N. Y., May 11, 1819. In 1825 he removed to Waterville, N. Y., where he received a common school education. In 1856
he removed to Davenport, Iowa, and from thence, in 1858, to
Decatur, Michigan, where he has since resided. He has held the
office of supervisor for five years in succession. He was register of
deeds for Van Buren county, one term. At the organization of the
first national bank of Decatur, he was elected cashier. He is at
present engaged in the hardware business. In politics a Republican.
FREDERICK H. HILL,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1882, was born in Lyndonville,
N. Y., November 29, 1852. He removed to Kalamazoo, Michigan, in
1858, where he attended school until 1864, then moved upon a farm
in Calhoun county, where he remained until 1870, when he settled
at Attica, Lapeer county, and went into business as a dealer in lumber and grain. He removed to Council Bluffs, Iowa, wh"re he now
resides, and is a wholesale dealer in hardware. He was treasurer of
Attica three terms, and a member of the school board for five years.
Politically a Republican.
JAMES W. HILL
Was a native of New York, born about 1794. He located a farm in
Washtenaw county in 1831. As a Democrat he was a Representative
in 1835-6. He built the first house and barn in what is now the town
of Freedom, kept the first school, entertained the first minister, and
the first sermon was preached in his house. He lived many years at
Prescott, Wisconsin, and died in 1864, at Clinton, Michigan.




344


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


LOYAL W. HILL,
Representative from Clinton county in 1887, was born in Minerva, N.
Y., July 9, 1843. He came to Eagle, Michigan, in 1854, where he has
resided ever since. He had no school advantages until he was
twenty-three years of age, when he entered the Portland union
school. He afterwards taught school eight winters. He was a
student in the law department of the Michigan University in 1878-9,
and was admitted to the bar in 1879, and to practice in the United
States courts in 1885. He was elected township clerk in 1869, school
inspector in 1870, and justice of the peace in 1873. He has been
supervisor in Eagle for the past four years.
NICHOLAS R. HILL,
Representative from Kent county in 1871-2, was born in Monroe
county, N. Y. Lived in Ohio several years, but removed to Nelson,
Kent county, in 1856, and platted and named the village of Cedar
Springs. Held the office of supervisor several terms, and was for
many years a justice of the peace.
SAMUEL W. HILL,
Representative from the upper peninsula in 1867, '71-2, was born at
Starksboro, Vt., Nov. 6, 1815. He was well educated and taught
school several winters. He became a surveyor, and as a topographical engineer in the army, was engaged in the survey of lake harbors and internal improvements until 1845, then was associated
with Dr. Houghton in the geological and lineal survey of the upper
peninsula, and completed the work unfinished by Dr. Houghton, in
1846. Afterwards was in the employ of government in the same
work, and made the survey of Isle Royal. He was for many years
manager of the interests of mining corporations. He saw the first log
cabin built, and the first ton of copper and iron mined in the upper
peninsula. A Republican in politics. Lives at Marshall winters and
spends his summers in the upper peninsula.
EMANUEL HIMEBAUGH,
Representative from Branch county in 1883, was born in Columbia
county, Pa., Feb. 27, 1822. He moved with his parents to Niagara
county, N. Y., in 18 3, and to Michigan in 1836, settling in Bronson,
Branch county. He has since that time continued a Resident of




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


345


Branch county, engaged in farming, and of late years has also
engaged in raising, fatting, and shipping live stock. He was a
fusionist in politics.
THEODORE H. HINCHMAN,
Senator from Wayne county, in 1877, was born in Morris county, N.
J., March 6, 1818. He removed to New York city in 1825. Mr.
Hinchman received a common school education, and for five years
was employed as clerk there. In 1836, he removed to Detroit to
engage with Chapin & Owen in the drug and grocery business, and
in 1842 became a co-partner. He is President of the Merchants and
Manufacturers' Bank. He was for five years sewer commissioner,
and for ten years fire commissioner. In politics a Democrat. In
1886 he was a member of the semi-centennial commission. He has
lately written a valuable book on banking and bankers of Michigan.
HENRY H. HINDS,
Senator from Montcalm and Ionia counties in 1873-4, was born Oct.
9, 1840, near Montrose, Pa. He received an academic education. In
1861 he enlisted as sergeant in the 57th Pennsylvania infantry volunteers, and took part in many battles. He was a prisoner for 20
months, being confined at Libby, Dansville, Va., Macon, Ga., Charleston, Va., Columbia, So. Carolina, and Goldsboro, where he was
paroled and entered the union lines, March 1st, 1865.  He was mustered out of service July, 1865, as captain. He engaged in the dry
goods trade at Little Meadows, Pa., but came to Michigan in 1866,
settled at Stanton, and continued in the mercantile business. He is
also in the real estate and lumber business and fine stock raising. A
Republican in politics.
JAMES W. HINE,
Senator from Kent county in 1883, was born in West Meredith, N. Y.,
in 1846. He received an academical education, served in the army,
and settled at Lowell, Mich., in 1867. He was three years in the drug
trade, then purchased an interest in the Lowell Journal, became editor, and in 1873 sole proprietor.  He removed to Detroit after his
senatorial term and is now one of the editors of the Detroit Tribune.
MILTON B. HINE,
Senator from'Kent county in 1879, was born at Meredith, N. Y., Feb.
2, 1828, where he resided until 1847, when he removed to Cannon,




346


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Michigan, where he still resides. He received a common school and
academic education. He has always been a farmer and has held the
position of president and treasurer of the farmer's mutual fire insurance company of Kent county for many years. In politics a Green;
backer.
JAMES H. HITCHCOCK,
Representative from Cass county in 1881-2, was born in East Aurora,
N. Y., Jan. 5, 1826. Educated in common schools, he settled in Cass
county in 1831. He was in California, mining, 1852-5. Has been
supervisor and held many other local offices. A Republican in politics.
JOHN P. HITCHINGS
Was born in Onondaga, N. Y., May 20, 1810. By occupation a
farmer and teacher, politically a Democrat. He settled in Pulaski,
Jackson county, in 1837, serving there as supervisor several terms.
He was Representative in 1851. He removed to Illinois before 1861,
went to the war as captain of an Illinois company, and had a son
killed in the war. He now resides at Harrel, Montgomery county,
Illinois.
DANIEL HIXON,
Representative in 1843 and 1855, and Senator in 1853, was born in
Cayuga county, N. Y., October 17, 1801, and died February 3, 1870.
A farmer, and politically a Democrat. He located at Tecumseh in
1826, and in 1828 was the first settler in what is now the township of
Bridgewater, where he resided until his death. He was a colonel in
the Black Hawk war, a delegate in the constitutional convention of
1867, and a justice of the peace.
RICHARD M. HOAR,
Representative from Houghton county in 1873-4, was born in the
county of Cornwall, England, in 1830. He received a common school
education. In 1854 he emigrated to the United States and settled in
Houghton, Michigan.  He was formerly president of -loughton village. In business a merchant. Republican in politics.
NORTON P. HOBART,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1849, was born in Middlesex,
N. Y., in 1816. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Republican.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


347


He came to Athens, Calhoun county, in 1833, was supervisor in 1848,
and also held the position of postmaster. Still resides in Athens.
HIRAM C. HODGE,
Senator from Jackson county, in 1879, was born Feb. 22, 1821, at
Stamford, Vt. In 1822 he removed with his parents to Adams, Mass.,
and in 1836, to Pulaski, Michigan. He received a common school
education. He is a lawyer by profession and by occupation a farmer
and while located in Nevada county, Cal., was county treasurer
and prosecuting attorney. He was elected to the lower house in 1872
for a special session. He was a delegate from Michigan to the Baltimore convention in 1872. In politics a National.
ISRAEL S. HODGES,
Representative in Lenawee county in 1861-62, was born in Onondaga
county, N. Y., June 29, 1801. By occupation a farmer and lumberman, in politics a Republican. He came to Michigan in 1835, and is
now living at Blissfield.
BRADSHAW HODGKINSON,
Representative from Wayne county in 1863-4, was born in Stafford,
England, May 20, 1815. lie learned the trade of a hatter, came
to this country in 1837, and is a farmer in Canton. He was supervisor twelve years, and nine years a superintendent of the poor, later
clerk and book-keeper of that board. In politics a Democrat.
JOHN HOLBROOK,
Senator from the counties of Ingham and Shiawassee in 1887, was
born Oct. 1, 1848, in North Chili, Monroe county, New York. By
occupation he is a farmer. He was a school teacher twelve years; has
held the offices of supervisor, township clerk, township treasurer and
lecturer of the Michigan state grange two years, and for the same
years has been overseer of that organization. He was elected on the
republican ticket to the Senate of 1887-8 by a vote of 7,163 to 6,569
for Henry H. Pulver, and 1,649 for George W. Phelps, prohibitionist.
He is now a deputy oil inspector.
EBENEZER G. D. HOLDEN
Was born in Kirkland, Ohio, February 18, 1834. His father settled
in Byron, Kent county, Michigan, in 1845. The son at the age of




348


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


seventeen left home to care for himself. He learned the trade of a
carpenter, qualified himself for college, and was a student in Knox
college, Illinois, for two and a half years. He studied law and was
admitted to the Kent county bar in 1859. In 1862 he was elected
prosecuting attorney of Kent county and filled that position four
years. For six years he was chairman of the Kent countyrepublican
committee, and for many years a school officer and trustee of Grand
Rapids. In 1869 he, with his partner, organized the Grand Rapids
savings bank, the first in the city. In 1874 he was elected secretary
of state and was re-elected in 1876, serving four years. Has always
been a Republican. Is now engaged in law and insurance business.
CHARLES E. HOLLAND
Was born at Indianapolis, Ind., June 30, 1835. In 1853 he went to
Ontonagon, where he lived five years. He returned to Indianapolis
in 1858, and in 1862 settled at Hancock, Michigan, where he lived
until the fall of 1886. Hle now resides in Detroit. As a resident of
the upper peninsula he was a merchant, and actively engaged in
developing its resources. His energy and perseverance led to the
building of the railroad from Hancock to Calumet, of which he was
long president and manager. He also placed Ontonagon in telegraphic communication with the business world. As a Republican
he was Representative in 1871-2. He was a member of the state
republican committee some years.
ISAAC T. HOLLISTER,
Senator from Clinton and Ingham counties in 1857-8, was born in
Sharon, Conn., Nov. 29, 1801. He resided in that state until 1824, and
became a physician, and was in practice forty years. He settled in
Victor, Mich., in 1846.  He was a justice thirty years and has held
other local positions. A Whig, then a Democrat, a Republican since
1854. At the age of 85 attended the legislative reunion in 1886.
JOSEPH A. HOLLON,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1875, was born in Utica, N.
Y., Dec. 9, 1842. He removed with his parents to Michigan in 1843,
and settled in Calhoun county. He made abstracts of the records of
Jackson, Calhoun, Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties, was after



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


349


wards cashier of the first national bank of Paw Paw, and removed to
Saginaw in 1866. He was a banker and an alderman in East Saginaw, also controller. In 1872 was democratic candidate for state
treasurer. In politics a Democrat. Deceased.
JOSEPH H. HOLMAN,
Representative from Oakland county in 1885, was born at Greencastle,
Pa., July 28, 1843. He came to Michigan in 1866. Mr. Holmes served
in the late war, in the 126th Pennsylvania volunteers, and Mississippi
squadron. He is a lawyer at Rochester, Oakland county, and was
elected to the legislature on the fusion ticket. receiving 2,755 votes to
2,533 for Mark Walter, Republican, and 201 for Nathaniel J. Millard,
Prohibition.
ALFRED HOLMES
Was born in Charlton, N. Y., March 22, 1835. He removed to
Chautauqua county, N. Y., in 1834, and from there to Livingston
county, Michigan, where he remained six years, and from thence to
Tuscola, then in Saginaw county. He was a mechanic, and served
an apprenticeship at blacksmithing, made pails, tubs, boots, shoes,
wagons, framed buildings, and worked at joiner and mill-wright
business, and became a miller. In politics a Democrat. Fie was a
Representative in 1849.
CHARLES D. HOLMES
Was born in West Boylston. Mass, July 20, 1814, and received an
academical education. In 1833 his father and himself located the
farm in Albion, Mich., where he resides. He was a member of the
constitutional convention of 1867, and register of deeds of Calhoun
county from 1873 to 1877. In politics a Republican.
SILAS M. HOLMES
Was in the fifties a leading dry goods merchant in Detroit. He was
nominated in 1854 on the first republican state ticket, was elected
state treasurer, and was re-elected in 1856, serving from 1855 to 1859.
He removed from Detroit to San Francisco many years ago, and is
still engaged in business in that city.
35




350


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


HENRY H. HOLT
Was born at Camden, Oneida county, N. Y., March 27, 1831. He
received an academical education, studied law, and graduated from
union law college in Ohio; came to Michigan in 1857; was admitted to
practice and settled at Muskegon, which has remained his home. He
has been circuit court commissioner four years, prosecuting attorney
four years, Representative in the legislature for 1867-69-70-71-72-79,
and lieutenant governor from 1873 to 1877. While in the legislature
he was chairman of the committee of ways and means for four years.
He has always been a Republican, and is a gentleman of good address and fine ability. He is now engaged in the practice of the law
at Muskegon. He was again a member of the House in 1887, and
was chairman of the committee on railroads.
SAMUEL R. HOO1BLER,
Representative in 1887, from Alcona, Arenac and Iosco counties, was
born in Middleton, Ohio, October 24, 1844. Taught school in Ohio,
and came to Bay City in 1868, and has been engaged in schools, and
is a farmer near Worth, Arenac county. Has held local positions.
He was elected as a Fusionist.
JOHN G. HOOD,
Representative from Monroe county in 1861-2-3-4, was born in Seneca
county, N. Y., August 3, 1810. He came to Michigan in 1845, and
settled on a farm in Ash, Monroe county, which he had located in
1836, where he lived until his death, April 5, 1880. He was supervisor and town clerk several years, and held other town offices. In
politics a Republican.
AZEL HOOKER,
Representative from Monroe county in 1839, came to Petersburgh,
Michigan, from Penn Yan, N. Y., in 1832, and was then about
thirty years old. He was a merchant, and a Whig. Was a justice
for several years. Moved to Buffalo, N. Y., in 1840, engaged in the
transportation business, and nothing further is known of him.
CORTEZ P. HOOKER
Was born at Hampton, N. Y., in 1814, and was a descendant of Rev.
Thomas Hooker, who came to New England in 1632. He came to




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


351


Michigan in 1837, and located lands in Clinton, Macomb county, and
after three years went to Washington, same county. After 1851 he
lived at New Baltimore. He was Representative in 1850 and State
Senator in 1855. He was a leading merchant for a few years, later,
for many years one of the most prosperous farmers in the county.
FRANK A. HOOKER
was born at Hartford, Connecticut, January 16, 1844. In 1856 he
removed with his parents to Maumee City, Ohio, and continued there
and at Defiance until he entered the law department of Michigan
University, from which he graduated in 1865. He practiced law at
Byron, Ohio, one year, and in 1866 removed to Charlotte, Mich.,
where he has since resided. In 1867 he was elected superintendent of
schools for Eaton county. In 1872 he was elected prosecuting attoreny for that county, and re elected in 1874. After his second term
of that office expired he continued the practice of law until 1878,
when, upon the resignation of Circuit Judge VanZile, he was appointed
by Governor Croswell to fill the vacancy. In the fall of 1878 he was
elected to fill out the term of six years. He,has held various offices
of a municipal and local character. He was re-elected judge in 1886.
GEORGE H. HOPKINS,
Representative from Detroit, in 1879, 81-2-3, and speaker pro ten in
1883, was born in White Lake, Mich., Nov. 7, 1842. In 1862, while a
student at the state normal school, he enlisted in the 17th Michigan
infantry and served till the close of the war. He graduated at the
state normal school in 1867, from the law department of the
University in 1871, and is now in practice in Detroit. He was four
years private secretary to Gov. Bagley and Gov. Croswell, and has
served as chairman of the state republican committee.
HARVEY J. HOPKINS,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1881-2, was born in Oneida
county, N. Y., April 15, 1830, and was a resident of Oakland county,
Mich., in 1835, and after a residence in other parts of the state in 1871
in Saginaw county. With a common school education he was a teacher
from 1853 to 1861, and served as a soldier from 1861 to 1865. He was
several years in the hardware trade, butimost of the time a farmer.
Held many local offices, and is a Republican in politics.




352


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


MOSES B. HOPKINS,
Representative from Ottawa county in 1867, was born in Huron
county, Ohio, June 16, 1820. He was a descendant of Stephen Hopkins of the Mayflower, and of Stephen Hopkins, of Rhode Island, one
of the signers of the declaration of independence. By profession a
lawyer, politically a Republican. He was admitted to the bar at
Geneva, Ill., in 1849, and settled at Grand Haven in 1851. He held
the several positions of justice of the peace, circuit court commissioner,
prosecuting attorney, and circuit judge. He died at Grand Haven
October 24, 1869, while filling the position of circuit judge.
SAMUEL W. HOPKINS,
Representative from Isabella and Clare counties, in 1877 79, was born
in the town of Exeter, R. I., April 1, 1845. When eleven years of
age he moved to Connecticut and worked on a farm summers and
taught school winters, and acquired an academical education. In 1866
'he graduated from the union business college in Cleveland, Ohio, and
from the law department of the University of Michigan in 1872. He
was admitted to the bar in Grand Rapids, and removed to Mount
Pleasant and began practice, which he still continues. He has been
several times a member of the board of education, town clerk, and
justice; In 1874 he was elected prosecuting attorney. In politics a
Republican.
JOHN SCOTT HORNER
Was born at Warrenton, Va., December 5,1802. He was the third
son of Dr. Gustavus Brown Horner, assistant surgeon, and nephew
of Dr. Gustavus Brown, surgeon general of the revolutionary army.
He graduated from Washington college, Pa., in 1819, and practiced
law in Virginia until 1835. On the 9th of September, 1835, President
Jackson appointed him secretary and acting governor of the territory
of Michigan, inclusive of Wisconsin and Iowa. In November, 1835,
the people of Michigan elected a legislature and state officers, with
Stevens T. Mason as governor, although not admitted by congress as
a state, and hence refused to recognize the authority of Governor
Horner. He was subsequently secretary of Wisconsin, and was a man
of ability and integrity. Subsequently he became register of the
Green Bay land office, and held that position thirteen years. He
founded the city of Ripon, Wisconsin, naming it from the home of his
ancestors in England, and lived to old age respected and honored.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


353


ROSWELL G. HORR.
Representative in congress from 1879 to 1883, was born in Waitsfield,
Vt., Nov. 26, 1830. In 1834 removed with his parents to Lorain
county, Ohio, and worked on a farm until nineteen years of age;
graduated at Antioch college in 1857; was clerk of the court of common pleas for six years; practiced law two years; was six years in
charge of a lead mining company in Missouri; and has been a resident
of East Saginaw since 1872; for some years engaged in lumberingand
banking. He was defeated for congress in 1884 and 1886. A fine
speaker, logical and convincing, and has a national reputation as a
humorist. In politics a Republican.
DEXTER HORTON,
Representative from Genesee county in 1869-70, was born in Groveland, Mich., in 1837. With a common school and academical education, he settled at Fenton, Mich., in 1859, and was postmaster in 1861.
He enlisted in the 5th Michigan cavalry, and rose to the rank of
major, serving until 1865. Was again postmaster at Fentonville,
now in the agricultural implement business. Has been supervisor,
and held other local positions, and was a delegate in the republican
national convention of 1868.
FRANK H. HOSFORD,
Representative from Wayne county in 1887, was born at Henrietta,
Ohio. He removed to Michigan with his parents in 1868, settling at
Lowell, Kent county. He studied law at Lowell and Grand Rapids,
and then entered journalism on the now defunct Grand Rapids
Times, and served successfully in advancing positions on the Leader,
Eagle, and Democrat of that city. In 1882 he was interested in the
Kalamazoo Daily Commercial as editor and part owner. In 1883 he
went to Detroit and entered the service of the Free Press. He has
been city editor and assistant editorial writer of that journal. Mr.
Hosford received the complimentary vote of the union Senators in
1885 for secretary of the senate. As candidate for Representative he
received 12,208 votes.
ORAMEL HOSFORD
Was born in Thetford, Vt., May, 1820. His parents removed to Oberlin, Ohio, in 1834, and he was educated in Oberlin college. He came




354


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


to Olivet in 1844 as professor of mathematics and philosophy. In 1851
he was elected superintendent of public instruction, and held that
position eight years. He was an efficient officer, and had the full
confidence of the people of Michigan. In 1875 he was for some time
president of Olivet college. He has been a member of the state geological board and of the state board of agriculture. He helped organize the republican party and has always acted with that party. His
wife was Atta Heallen, of Oberlin, Ohio. He is still professor in
Olivet college.
ORCOTT V. HOSNER,
Representative from Leelanaw and Benzie counties in 1873-4, was
born July 26, 1849, in West Bloomfield, Michigan. He was mainly
educated at the state' normal school. In 1870 he removed to Frankfort, Benzie county, and purchased an interest in the Frankfort
Weekly Express. He held several official positions in Frankfort.
Deceased.
LAUREN HOTCHKISS,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1838, settled in Adrian, Mich.,
as early as 1833, and came from the state of New York. He built a
house in Adrian and lived there several years. He then became a
resident of Medina, where he died about 1855. He was a Baptist
preacher, and was also engaged in milling business.
THEODORE G. HOUK,
Representative from Oceana county in 1885 and 1887, was born in
Seneca county, Ohio, August 2, 1833. Removed to Kent county in
1850. He has followed various occupations, farming, ship and house
carpentering, brick making, and sailing. Enlisted as a private in
Co. A, old third Michigan volunteer infantry, in the spring of 1861;
re-enlisted in the fall of 1863; was promoted to the rank of corporal;
was wounded at Cold Harbor, Va., June, 1864, and honorably discharged in August, 1865. Returned to Kent county and engaged in
farming. Removed to Oceana county in the spring of 1873. Has
been elected supervisor seven years in succession. Has held the
office of justice of the peace and school inspector. He was elected
Representative by a vote of 1,289 to 1,120 for William E. Thorp,
Fusionist, and 496 for David L. Gower, Prohibitionist. A Republican.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


355


DOUGLASS HOUGHTON
Was born in Troy, N. Y., Sept. 21, 1809. He graduated at the Van
Renssalaer school in that city in 1828, and was appointed assistant
professor of chemistry and natural history in that institution at the
age of twenty. At the age of nineteen he had been admitted to practice medicine. In 1830, at the request of Gen. Cass, Major Biddle and
others, he came to Detroit to deliver a course of public lectures on
chemistry and geology, the commencement of his brilliant career in
Michigan. He soon received the appointment of physician and
botanist in the expedition organized by Henry R. Schoolcraft for the
discovery of the source of the Mississippi. His labors did much to
extend the knowledge of the flora of the northwest. From 1832 to
1836 he practiced as a physician and surgeon in Detroit, and made
great sacrifices to aid the sick and dying during the visitation of the
cholera in 1834. In 1837 he matured the scheme for the geological
survey of Michigan, and on the passage of the law, due to his individual exertions, he was appointed state geologist, and entered upon
his great work with enthusiasm. His researches and discoveries are
familiar to the public. Much of this work was done in the Lake
Superior region, and it was on that lake that he was unfortunately
drowned October 14, 1845.
ELISHA_ J. HOUSE.
Representative from Van Buren county in 1857, was born in Chesterfield, N. H., Nov. 29, 1813. A merchant and a Republican. He came
from Leroy, N. Y., to Paw Paw in 1842, and was intimately connected
with the growth of the village and surrounding country for many
years. Later he made his residence in Kalamazoo and Detroit.
JULIUS HOUSEMAN,
Of Grand Rapids, was born in Zeckendorf, Bavaria, Germany, on the
8th of December, 1832. He received a common school education and
commercial training in his native town. Mr. Houseman emigrated
to the United States in 1851, and engaged in mercantile pursuits until
1876 (twenty-four years in the city of Grand Rapids); since that time
he has been principally occupied in the manufacture of lumber. He
served eight years as alderman, and two terms as mayor of Grand
Rapids. He was a Representative in the legislature in 1871-72. He
was the candidate for lieutenant governor on the democratic ticket
in 1876. He was elected to the United States congress in 1882, on the




356


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


union ticket, receiving 16,725 votes, to 16,609 for his republican competitor, William O. Webster, and 336 for Wm. H. Taylor, greenback.
JOHN HOUSTON,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1875, was born May 16, 1824,
in Monroe county, N. Y., removed to Michigan in 1833, and settled in
Fredonia, Calhoun county. He is a farmer by occupation, and vice
president of the national city bank of Marshall, and was for four
years sheriff of Calhoun county, In politics a Republican.
CYRUS HOWARD,
Representative from Wayne county in 1848, was born in Massachusetts in 1791. He settled in Dearborn in 1I36, and died there in 1856.
He served as justice and supervisor at various times, was associate
judge of the county 1837-41, under the judicial system then prevailing, and second judge under the county court system, 1846-50. He
was a farmer by occupation, and a Democrat in politics.
HARVEY H. HOWARD,
Representative from Van Buren county in 1881-2-3, was born in
Monroe county, N. Y., September 6, 1825, received a common school
education, moved to Bloomingdale, Mich., in 1851, and still resides
there. He has been supervisor and justice several terms, and held
other local offices. Is a farmer and a Republican in politics.
HENRY HOWARD,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1873-4-5, was born March 8,
1833, in the city of Detroit, Mich. He received his education in common schools. He removed with his parents to Port Huron in 1834,
where he now resides. He has been alderman ten years, and vice
president of the first national bank of Port Huron. By occupation a
lumber merchant, in politics a Republican.
HENRY HOWARD,
The first state treasurer under the state government, 1836-9, and auditor general 1839-40, was born in Hinsdale, Mass., September 15, 1801.
He was by profession a banker and business man, and came to Detroit
in 1827 and engaged in the lumber business in company with Ralph




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


357


Wadhams. He served as alderman in Detroit 1833-4, and as mayor
in 1837. He removed to Buffalo, N. Y., in 1840, and was for nearly
thirty years treasurer of the Buffalo savings bank, and died in Buffalo
July 15, 1878. His political lot in Michigan was cast with the democratic party, but in later life he was a Republican.
JACOB M. HOWARD,
A distinguished lawyer and statesman, was born in Shaftsbury, Vt.,
July 10, 1805. His father was a farmer and the sixth in descent fromn
William Howard, who settled in Braintree, Mass., in 1635. In early
life Mr. Howard worked at farming, then fitted for college and graduated at Williams college in 1830. He studied law, removed to Detroit in 1832, and was admitted to the bar in 183.3. In 1835 he married Catherine A. Shaw, of Ware, Mass. As a lawyer Mr. Howard
was soon recognized as faithful, industrious, learned, sagacious and
logical. He strongly supported the claims of Michigan to the disputed
territory on the Ohio border, and enlisted in the Michigan troops that
mustered on the border line. In 1838 he was a leading member of the
Michigan House, took an active part in the revision of the laws, in
the railroad legislation of the state, and in the exhaustive examination of the " wild cat " banks that had been established under the
free banking law. In 1840 he was nominated by the whigs as their
candidate for congress, and was elected by 1,500 majority. Took
little part in debate as a member, but was a careful and attentive
observer. He took an active part in support of the whig candidates
in the campaigns of 1844-8-52. In 1854 he united with whigs and
free soilers to effect a union, which was accomplished at Jackson
July 6, 1854, the resolutions adopted being drawn by Mr. Howard,
and the party taking the name of republican. He was elected attorney general and held that position for three terms with great ability.
The registration law, effective in the prevention of election frauds,
was drawn by him.
In 1862 he was elected United States Senator to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Gov. Bingham, a position he filled
most ably until 1871, having been re-elected in 1865. He was
an active member of the judiciary committee and that on military
affairs. His speeches were logical and able, and attracted general
attention. He favored the constitutional amendment abolishing
slavery and drafted the first and principal clause as it now appears.
In an able argument he demonstrated the authority of congress to be
supreme and exclusive in the reconstruction of seceded states, and
was one of the joint committee on reconstruction in 1865-6. He was
36




358


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


chairman of the Senate committee on Pacific railroads, which he held
until the close of his term. In the winter of 1870-71 he refused the
presidency of the southern claims commission. He died of apoplexy
at Detroit, April 2, 1871. In 1847 he translated from the French the
secret memoirs of the Empress Josephine. His name will always
stand among the first in the roll of Michigan.
JOSHUA HOWARD,
Representative from Wayne county in 1838-40, was born in Easton,
Mass., April 13, 1793. He was a lieutenant in the 9th U. S. infantry
and served in the war of 1812. He came to Detroit in 1815, and was
lieutenant of ordnance, was promoted to captain, and served at
many posts in the states, coming back to Detroit in 1830, and superintended the building of the arsenal at Dearborn. Resigned in 1835,
and returned to Dearborn. He served as lieutenant colonel in the
Mexican war and was made a colonel. He was paymaster in the army
in 1861-5. He was supervisor several terms, marshal of Michigan in
1841-4, sheriff of Wayne county 1855-7. He removed to Detroit,
where he died July 12, 1868. In politics Whig, then a Republican.
MANLY D. HOWARD,
Representative from Ottawa county in 1863-4-5, was born in West
Winfield, N. Y., August 31, 1817. His father served in the war of
1812. The son received his early education at Fredonia academy, N.
Y. He came to Detroit in 1836, studied law, clerked in a commission
house, and served two years as deputy U. S. marshal. From 1842 to
1847 he was a member of a produce and commission house. He
removed to Ann Arbor and in 1854 to Holland and engaged in the
lumber business. In 1867 he opened a law office in connection with
land collections and insurance business. In politics a Democrat.
ORRIN H. HOWARD,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1865 and 1867, was born
in Bolton, Conn., July 13, 1812. A farmer, politically a Republican. Settled in Florence, Mich., in 1832, and was one of the first
assessors of the town, and for twelve years a justice of the peace.
Lived on his farm forty-five years. Died November 19, 1875.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


359


SUMNER HOWARD,
Representative from Genesee county in 1883, and speaker, was born
in Massachusetts in 1836; a farmer and lawyer; in politics a Republican; U. S. judge in Arizona several years; later engaged in practice
there. Has been prosecuting attorney and held other positions.
WILLIAM A. HOWARD
Was born at Hinesburg, Vt., April 8, 1813. His parents were poor,
and his early life was a protracted struggle. Physically not strong
enough for farm labor, he journeyed to Albion, N. Y., apprenticed
himself to a cabinet maker, and worked diligently at the trade until
nineteen. He then attended an academy at Wyoming, N. Y., for
three years, then entered Middlebury college in 1831, and graduatedI
in 1835. He taught school in Genesee county, N. Y., and came to
Michigan in 1840, making his home at Detroit. He was engaged as a
mathematical tutor in a branch of the state University, conmmenced reading law with Witherell & Buell, and was admitted to the
bar in 1842. From that time until 1854 he was in active legal practice,
a portion of the time as the partner of Alexander W. Buel.
In 1854 he was elected to congress, and in that campaign established
a reputation as a first class orator, and was constantly called for in
every campaign up to 1876. In 1856 he was again sent to congress,
and in 1858 received his seat for the third term, the certificate of election having been first given to Geo. B. Cooper, his competitor. As a
congressman from the first he took a leading position, and was second
on the committee of ways and means for two terms. He was, with
John Sherman and Mordecai Oliver, a special committee appointed
by the House to investigate the troubles in Kansas, which were then
the prominent topic of national discussion. Of this committee he was
chairman, and the investigation was full and complete, making a
volume of 1,200 pages, and was one of the ablest reports ever made
to congress.
In 1861 he was appointed postmaster of Detroit and held the position for five and a half years, until removed by Andrew Johnson. In
1869 he was appointed minister to China, but declined the position.
The same year he was appointed land commissioner of the Grand
Rapids & Indiana railroad, which he held until 1877. He was then
appointed governor of Dakota, and ably filled the position. Among
other positions filled by him was that of chairman of the republican
state central committee'from 1860 to 1866, and for several years
member of the national republican committee. He was originally a




360


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Whig. but strongly anti-slavery in his sentiments. He was delegate at large in several national conventions. He was a leading
Republican from the organization of that party until the day of his
death, which occurred at Washington, April 10, 1880. In 1841 he
married Ellen Lane Burchard, who survived him. He left four adult
children. In religion he was a member of the Presbyterian church.
He was perhaps the ablest Representative Michigan has had in the
House.
ABEL N. HOWE,
Representative from Jackson county in 1883, was born in Newstead,
N. Y., October 15, 1841. Received a common school education, and
settled in Jackson county, Mich., in 1854. He is a farmer. Held
several local offices, and served in the House as a National.
JOHN HOWE,
Representative from Livingston county in 1857, was born in Dalston,
England, April 9, 1814. He came to this country with his father in
1821. He lived in New York city and Yonkers, N. Y., until 1833,
when he settled in Deerfield with his father, on a farm of six hundred
acres. He received a good common school education and became a
prominent man. lie was supervisor many years and town clerk.
ORIN HOWE
Was born in Danbury, Conn., in 1786. He settled in Lodi, Michigan,
in 1824. He was a delegate to the first constitutional convention of
1835, and was Representative in 1835-6-7-43. He was speaker pro
tem. in 1835 and 1836. He was postmaster at Lodi from 1897 to 1848,
and from 1831 for many years was a justice. Democrat in politics,
a high Mason, and in religion a Universalist. Died February 12,
1848.
ANDREW HOWELL
Was born at Covert, New York, December 18, 1827. His father,
Joseph Howell, a member of the first constitutional convention of
this state, removed to Macon, Lenawee county, in 1831. Judge
Howell commenced the study of the law with F. C. Beaman, at
Adrian in 1850, and graduated at the law school of the Cincinnati
college in 1853, taking the first honors of his class. He was admitted
to the bar at Adrian in 1854, and practiced law there with Judge




MfICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


361


Beaman, and afterwards with R. R. Beecher. He was elected circuit
court commissioner of Lenawee county in 1858, and for two terms
thereafter. Was a member of the Senate in 1865, and again in 1867.
He has edited and published several editions of the justice's guide,
and of Tiffany's criminal law, and is the author of a compilation of
the general laws of the state, known as Howell's annotated statutes
of Michigan. He was elected circuit judge in 1881, entering upon the
duties of his office on the first of January, 1882. He resigned in 1887
as judge, and is now engaged in law practice in Detroit.
GEORGE HOWELL,
Of Tecumseh, Senator from Lenaweo county in 1887, was born at
Macon, Michigan, November 4, 1836. His early life was spent on the
farm. To the occupation of farming he added surveying. After a
preparatory course in the schools, he entered the State University
and graduated from the medical department in March, 1863. He
then commenced the practice of medicine in his native town. and
after twenty-three years of practice there moved to Tecumseh, where
he now resides. He was elected on the republican ticket a Representative for 1883-4, and re-elected for 1885-6, and was elected to the
Senate by a vote of 5,491 to 5,025 for Henry C. Hall, Fusionist, and
1,077 for Cornelius Quick, Prohibitionist.
WILLIAM T. HOWELL
Was born in the stace of New York in 1811. He came to Jonesville,
Mich., in 1836. He was by profession a lawyer, in politics, first a
Democrat, after 1854 a Republican. He was Representative in 1842,
and Senator from Hillsdale county in 1843-4-5 and 6. He was also
Representative from Newaygo county in 1861-2-3-4. After a few
years' practice at Jonesville, he removed to Hillsdale, thence to Jackson in 1853, and from there to Newaygo. He held the position of
United States judge in the territory of Arizona.  He was also county
judge of Hillsdale county in 1847. He was president pro tern. of the
Senate in 1845, and was speakerpro tent. in 1861-2-3 and 4. Died April
3, 1870. +
SIMPSON HOWLAND,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1875-7, was born May 18,
1822, at Stillwater, N. Y. His education was that of common schools.
He removed to Ross, Kalamazoo county. in 1836, and has since resided




362


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


there. He has held a number of township offices, including supervisor and justice. He is a farmer and the proprietor of a flouring
mill and a saw mill. In politics a Republican.
BIRNEY HOYT
Was born October 13, 1841, at Sinclairville, New York. In 1845 his
parents.moved to Farmington, Mich.; in 1852 to Detroit, and in 1857
to Grand Rapids. He attended the public schools. In 1862 he enlisted
in company A, sixth Michigan cavalry, and served to the end of the
war as sergeant and first lieutenant, taking part in the Gettysburg,
Shenandoah and Appomattox river campaigns; was twice wounded,
-once severely in the left shoulder,-and was a prisoner of war in
Libby prison. He attended the law department of the University
during the winter of 1865-6, and was admitted to the bar in 1866. He
practiced law at Grand Rapids up to 1871; held the office of city
recorder for four years; was elected circuit judge in 1871, upon the
creation of the seventeenth circuit, and in 1875 was re-elected for the
full term.
HERBERT HI. HOYT,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1877, was born in Ashville,
N. Y., Sept. 4, 1840. At an early age he removed to Panama, N. Y.
He received a liberal education and graduated at the Cleveland law
college in 1862. He was admitted to practice in Ohio. He came to
East Saginaw in 1862 and soon obtained a lucrative law practice. He
was elected judge of the recorder's court in 1866, alderman in 1869-71,
and mayor in 1874. He was delegate to the Cincinnati convention in
1876. In politics a Republican, but later a Greenbacker, and a candidate of that party for congress.
JAMES M. HOYT,
Senator from Oakland county in 1879, was born at East Aurora, N.
Y., Oct. 5, 1817. He received a fair education, studied medicine and
graduated at Geneva in 1839. Settled in practice at Commerce,
Mich., in 1840, removed to Walled Lake in 1842, where he still
resides. Is a Democrat.
JOHN P. HOYT,
Representative from Tuscola county in 1873-4-5, was born in Austinburgh, O., Oct. 6, 1843. He served during the war in the 87th Ohio




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPH Y.


363


infantry, and rose to the brevet rank of major. He was educated at
Oberlin college, and graduated at the law college at Cleveland, Ohio,
in 1867. In 1867 he engaged in practice at Caro, Mich., and was
prosecuting attorney. He was a federal judge in a western territory
for several years, where he still resides.
WILLIAM C. HOYT,
Representative from Detroit in 1871-2, was born in Montgomery
county, N. Y., Sept. 3, 1815. With an academical education he became
a teacher, then studied law and was admitted in 1838. He settled at
Milford, Mich., in 1842, and there practiced law until 1853, when he
removed to Detroit, his present residence.  He was for three years a
county judge of Oakland county. Retired from business in 1874. A
Democrat until 1854, since a Republican.
COLLINS B. HUBBARD,
Representative from Wayne county in 1881-2, was born Feb. 8, 1852,
in Detroit. He is the son of Bela Hubbard, who removed from Utica,
N. Y., and settled there in 1835. He received a liberal education in
Michigan and Massachusetts. He lives in Springwells, and is engaged
in real estate transactions and building, and also owns and operates a
large stock farm ten miles from Detroit. In politics a Democrat.
GILES HUBBARD,
Senator from Macomb county in 1865, was born in Marbletown, N.
Y., in 1817, and died at Mt. Clemens Nov. 6, 1876. Ie learned the
cooper's trade and followed it some years. Settled at Mt. Clemens in
1837, and became a leading lawyer there. He also dealt largely in real
estate. He was prosecuting attorney, collector of internal revenue,
and presidential elector in 1868. He was one of the founders of the
republican party.
JOHN H. HUBBARD
Was born in Waterloo, N. Y., Jan. 27, 1828. He was educated at
Lima seminary, and removed to Waterloo, Michigan, in 1850, where
he still resides. For many years he was engaged in milling and
farming, but now devotes his entire time to farming. He was supervisor six years, town clerk three years, and has held many minor
offices. He is a Democrat, and was a Representative in 1869-70.




364


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


LEONIDAS HUBBARD,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1875, was born in Portage
county, Ohio, in 1822. He acquired his education principally by his
own exertions, and for several years engaged in teaching school. In
1851 he removed to South Wright, Hillsdale county. In 1856, he
went to California, and engaged in mining and hunting. He returned
in 1859. He held the position of supervisor five years and treasurer
two terms. A farmer by occupation. In politics a Republican.
JAY A. HUBBELL,
State Senator from Houghton, Ontonagon, Baraga, Keweenaw,
and Isle Royal counties in 1887, was born at Avon, Michigan, Sep!
tember 15, 1829; graduated at the University of Michigan in 1853; was
admitted to the practice of law in 1855; removed to Ontonagon, Michigan, in November, 1855; was elected district attorney of the upper
peninsula in 1857, and again in 1859: removed to Houghton, Michigan,
in February, 1860; was elected prosecuting attorney of Houghton
county in 1861, in '63, and in'65; was engaged in the practice of law
until 1870, and has been identified with the development of the mineral interests of the upper peninsula; was appointed by the governor
of Michigan in 1876 state commissioner to the centennial exhibition,
and collected and prepared the state exhibits of minerals; was elected
to the 43d, 44th, 45th, 46th, and 47th congresses from the ninth congressional district of Michigan, and in 1884 was elected state Senator
and re-elected to the present Senate by a vote of 3,977 to 2,568 for C.
C. Palmer, fusionist. He has always been an active Republican in
politics.
SARDIS F. HUBBELL,
Representative from Oakland county in 1853, was born in Newburg,
Ohio, June 10, 1820. He attended common and select schools. Removed to Hartland, Mich., in 1835, where he assisted his father, who
was a hatter, until he was nineteen. He commenced the study of
medicine but abandoned it after one year. Studied law, and was
admitted to the bar in 1846. He commenced practice at Milford, but
removed in 1854 to Howell. He served as circuit court commissioner;
six years as prosecuting attorney; was five years president of the
village of Howell; and several terms director and moderator of school
board. He was a Democrat in politics. Died June 16, 1887.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


365


ISRAEL HUCKINS,
Representative from Sanilac county in 1867, was born in London,
Ontario, July 11, 1822. By occupation a farmer, politically a Republican. He came to Michigan in 1839, and settled at Lexington, where
he now resides. He was treasurer of Sanilac county from 1856 to
1860, and was captain in the 10th Michigan infantry from Oct. 1, 1861
to Sept. 25, 1864, when he resigned.
BRADLEY P. HUDSON,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1853, was born in Albany, N.
Y., April 28, 1826.  By profession a lawyer, in politics a Whig.
Came to Michigan in 1834; graduated at the Albany law school in
1848; located at Galena, Ill., in 1849; and at Marshall, Mich., in 1850.
Died April 22, 1853.
JONATHAN HUDSON,
Representative from Wayne county in 1850, was born in Reading,
Pa., January 10, 1813. His early education was academical, and his
profession at first that of a Methodist minister, although his subsequent occupation was mercantile.  He was chaplain of the first
Michigan cavalry (Col. Broadhead's), 1861-64, serving during the
time, however, a six months' captivity in Libby prison.  Was
mustered out of the service in 1864 with impaired health, and
resumed business at Newton, where he died Jan. 7, 1876. Was
republican in politics.
JAMES HUESTON,
Senator from Wayne county in 1893-5, was born near Newburg, N.
Y., February 22, 1833. When young lived in Connecticut, and at the
age of fifteen commenced the study of medicine. He lived in New
York and Ohio, was a student in 1865 of the medical department of
the University, and soon after commenced practice at Northville,
where he still resides. A Democrat in politics.
HENRY HUFF
Was born in New Jersey, July 29, 1817. At the age of seven he
removed with his parents to Ontario county, N. Y., and in 1834 settled on a farm in Fayette, Mich., where he lived until his death, Nov.
26, 1877. He was nine years supervisor, and in 1871-2 was a Representative in the legislature, as a Republican.
37


~




366


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


GEORGE HUGGETT,
Representative from Eaton county in 1875, was born at Pittsford, N.
Y., June 27, 1842. In 1854 he removed to Michigan, settling first in
Calhoun county, where he was educated in the common schools. He
enlisted in the first Michigan cavalry in 1865, and served one year.
In 1867 he began the study of law; in 1870 he was admitted to the bar.
He has held the office of circuit court commissioner, justice, and
trustee of Bellevue village, where he now resides. In politics a
Republican.
ROSSEL B. HUGHES,
Representative from Eaton county in 1871-2, was born in Camillus,
N. Y., October 4, 1828. He came to Michigan in 1840. From 1850 to
1852 was in California. Came back to Bellevue and was a merchant.
In 1861 became second lieutenant in the 2d Missouri cavalry, " Merrill's Horse," a regiment made up of a battalion from Michigan, one
from Ohio and one from Missouri. He retired at the close of the war
with the rank of captain, and engaged in mercantile business at
Bellevue. In 1875 removed to Big Rapids, and is the station agent of
the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad in that city.
EDWIN J. HULBERT,
Representative from Houghton county in 1875, was born at Fort Brady,
Michigan, April 30, 1829; educated at Michigan University, and
adopted the profession of mining engineer and explorer. During the
pursuit of his vocation he discovered in 1864 the celebrated Calumet
& Hecla vein of copper, organized the companies and opened the
mines.
TYLER HULL,
Representative from Eaton county in 1883, was born in Auburn, Ohio,
Oct. 10, 1840. Removed to Green Oak, Mich., with his parents in
1845, and to Windsor in 1850, where he now resides. Attended common schools and Olivet college. Taught school eleven terms, studied
medicine and is a graduate of the Detroit medical college. Has held
several local offices and been assistant U. S. marshal. In politics a
Republican.
WILLIAM HULL
Was born in Derby, Conn., June 24, 1753; graduated at Yale college
in 1772; was admitted to the bar in 1775, but soon after entered the




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


367


revolutionary army as a captain; was rapidly promoted and became
inspector of the army under Baron Steuben; participated in many
battles, and was thanked by Washington for his services at Morrisiana. On the organization of the territory of Michigan, he was
appointed its first governor, March 1, 1805, and held the position by
re-appointments until he was superseded by the appointment of Gen.
Cass in 1813. He surrendered Detroit in 1812 to the British without
firing a gun, was court martialed therefor in 1814, at Albany, N. Y.,
and sentenced to be shot, but the sentence was remitted by President
Madison. He published letters to vindicate his conduct in 1824. He
died at Newton, Massachusetts, November 29, 1825.
ELIJAH O. HUMPHREY,
Senator from Kalamazoo county in 1863-4, was born in Caledonia, N.
Y., August 1, 1821. By occupation a farmer, in politics Republican.
He has filled important positions such as president and treasurer of
the state agricultural society, and trustee of the insane asylum at
Kalamazoo. Resides at Kalamazoo.
JOHN HUMPHREY,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1845, was born in Hopewell,
N. J., May 21, 1798. He learned the trade of a blacksmith, and
worked at his trade in several places. In 1828 he established a
foundry at Canandaigua. N. Y., which he carried on ten years. In
1828 he married Jane Hall. In 1838 he settled as a farmer at Wheatland, Mich., where he died Oct. 15, 1870, survived by his wife, one
daughter and four sons. Held many local offices, and was in politics a Democrat.
LEVI S. HUMPHREY,
Representative from Monroe county in 1841-2, was a native of Vermont, and was a settler in Michigan at a very early day. He was
many years the stage coach king of the lake country, and did more to
improve the breed of horses than any other man in the northwest.
He was for years engaged with Daniel S. Bacon, in mercantile pursuits; was one of the commissioners to locate the Michigan Central
and Southern railroads; was register of the government land office at
Monroe, and United States marshal for Michigan. He was a large
contractor on the Great Western and Grand Trunk railroads in




368


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Canada. He was a man of large stature, imposing personal appearance, and of gentle manners and kind heart. He died at Monroe in
1869.
WILLIAM HUMPHREY
Was born in Ontario county, N. Y., June 12, 1828. He came to
Hillsdale county, Michigan, with his father in 1837. He worked on a
farm, received a common school education, and was a student at
Spring Arbor. When old enough he engaged in teaching winters.
Prior to 1861 he was for several years clerk in a store in Adrian. At
the beginning of the war he enlisted in the 2nd Michigan infantry,
was appointed captain in May, 1863, was promoted to colonel, and in
1864 was made brigadier-general, and was in command of a brigade
at the close of the war. He was engaged in many battles and was
always at the front. At the close of the war he purchased an interest
in the Adrian Watchtower, changing it to a republican paper. In
1866 he was elected auditor general, and held that office from 1867 to
1875, eight years. In October, 1875, he was appointed warden of the
state prison, and held that office until 1883. He is now in business
at Adrian, Mich. In politics a Republican.
CLEVELAND HUNT.
Representative from Wayne county in 1875, was born in Detroit in
1835. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1856, and has
since chiefly devoted himself to chancery and estate practice.  He
has been a member of the Detroit board of education, and a director
of the Detroit locomotive works and the Detroit ice company. In
politics a Democrat.
EDMUND W. HUNT,
Representative from Eaton county in 1869, was born in Lodi, Mich.,
Oct. 14, 1828. He was brought up to farming, afterwards worked as
a mechanic; settled on a farm in Benton, Mich., in 1863, enlisted as a
private in the 13th Michigan, and became a lieutenant in the 1st U.
S. engineers, and served until the close of the war.  Removed to
Dimondale in 1866, was the first postmaster there and a director of
the Lansing branch of the Lake Shore railroad. He owned and
operated flouring mills. In politics a Republican.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


369


JAMES B. HUNT
Was born in New York in 1799; received an academical education;
studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1824, commenced practice in
the city of New York, and was a partner of Michael Hoffman. He
removed to Michigan in 1836 and located at Pontiac. He was a delegate to the second convention of assent at Ann Arbor in 1836. He
was prosecuting attorney of Oakland county by appointment of Gov.
Barry from 1841 to 1843. In 1842 he was elected, as a Democrat, Representative to congress, and was re-elected in 1844, serving from Dec.
4, 1843, to March 3, 1847. His health failing, he returned to New
York, and died at Washington, D. C., August 15, 1857.
LEONARD H. HUNT,
Representative from Kent county in 1887, was born in Manchester,
Mich., Aug. 13. 1840. Removed with his parents to Lowell, Mich., in
1855, where he now resides. He received a common school education
and was a drug clerk until he entered the army as 2d lieutenant 26th
Michigan. He was wounded and promoted to be captain. Is now a
druggist at Lowell. Has been supervisor and held other local offices.
In politics a Republican.
GEORGE M. HUNTINGTON
Was born at Ludlowville, New York, March 20, 1836. In 1838 his
father removed to Michigan and settled in Aurelius, Ingham county.
At the age of fourteen he went to Rockford, Ill., where he received
an academical education. In 1855 he commenced the study of law at
Mason with Hon. O. M. Barnes. Having been admitted in 1857 he
formed a co-partnership with Mr. Barnes, which continued until 1866.
After this he was associated with J. Barnes Root, and later with
Hon. H. P. Henderson, of Mason. He continued the active practice
of his profession until 1876, when he entered upon the duties of circuit judge. He held the office of prosecuting attorney for Ingham
county in 1863 and 1864. He was Senator for Clinton and Ingham
counties in 1874. Having been elected circuit judge during the session of 1875, he resigned the Senatorship. He served as judge several
years, and is now in practice at Mason.
HOMER C. HURD
Was born at Roxbury, Conn., August 23, 1808. He came to Michigan and purchased a farm in 1832, and settled upon it in 1833, in the




370


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


township of Burlington, Calhoun county, where he resided until his
death, Feb. 12, 1873. He was a prominent citizen and was town clerk,
and supervisor from 1844 to 1853. He was Representative in 1855 and
1861-2. He was first a Whig and Free Soiler, but a Republican after
1854.
JOHN S. HURD,
Representative from Jackson county in 1857, was born at Gorham, N.
Y., June 2, 1815. He settled at Lima, Mich., in 1836, and removed to
Jackson in 1841. He held the offices of supervisor and alderman,
and was a leading business man, engaged in mercantile, live stock
and real estate business. Built the Hurd house at Jackson. IT politics a Whig until 1854, then a Republican. Died1 Aug. 7, 18d0.
WILLIAM H. HURLBUT
Was born August 25, 1819, at Richland, N. Y. At the age of sixteen
he went to work at Hamilton, N. Y., where he stayed five years. In
1840 he located a farm in Bangor, Van Buren county. He afterwards
exchanged for a large tract of land and became identified with all
improvements in that part of the county. He was register of deeds
from 1851 to 1853 and Representative in 1869-70-71-72. First a Democrat, then a Republican, then a member of the national or greenback party.
ERASTUS HUSSEY,
Representative in 1850, and Senator from Calhoun county in 1855, was
born in Scipio, N. Y., Dec. 5, 1800. Brought up a farmer and became
a teacher; removed to Plymouth, Mich., in 1824, and was a farmer
until 1836; removed to Battle Creek in 1838 and was a merchant until
1847; then editor of the Michigan Liberty Press, an anti-slaverypaper;
had charge of the "underground railroad" and made it a success,
sometimes taking forty slaves through in a body; was a delegate to
the Buffalo convention of 1848; was county clerk, and president of
the convention at Jackson in 1854, when the Republican party was
organized and named; was mayor of Battle Creek, and delegate to
the republican national convention in 1880. Deceased.
BENJAMIN W. HUSTON,
Representative from Tuscola county in 1869, 1870-1-2, and State Senator in 1879, was born in Rochester, N. Y., March 5, 1831. In 1836 he




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


371


came to Michigan with his father, who settled at Canton. As a young
man he worked at farming and taught school, and attended the
Ypsilanti seminary several terms. Studied law and was admitted to
the bar in 1854. In 1855 commenced practice at Vassar, where he
still resides. Was appointed prosecuting attorney and elected to that
office, and was circuit court commissioner on the democratic ticket.
In 1862 he went into the service as captain in 23d Michigan, saw
active service, became major, and served until January, 1865. In 1866
was elected circuit court commissioner and in 1867 was delegate in
the constitutional convention.  He was speaker pro tern. in 1869,
1871-2, and served as chairman of the judiciary committee. He was
delegate to the republican national convention in 1872, and has several times been actively supported for a nomination to congress.
A Democrat until 1860, since a Republican.
ALLEN HUTCHINS,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1835-6, came to Adrian, Mich.,
from Orleans county, N. Y., as early as 1832-3. He was a lawyer,
and probably the first who settled in Lenawee county. He was an
active, prominent business man. In politics a Democrat.
LOOMIS HUTCHINSON
Was born in Smyrna, N. Y., April 21, 1818. He worked on his
father's farm, receiving a common school education, and taught
school winters, working on the farm summers. In 1844 he came to
Michigan and bought a farm in Emmet, Calhoun county. He was
supervisor of Emmet ten years, and Representative in 1869-70. First
a Whig, since a Republican.
BENJAMIN F. HYDE,
Representative from Detroit in 1851, was born at Ferrisburg, Vermont, September 24, 1819. He was of the well known Hyde family
who gave their name to Hyde park in Vermont. He came to Detroit
in 1846, studied law, was admitted to practice, and was for a time a
law partner with Hon. Geo. Jerome. His tastes were more for
politics than law. Was a democratic alderman in 1856. His political
career terminated with his election as judge of the recorder's court,
November, 1863. He filled the office only from January 16, to May
16, 1864, when ill health compelled his retirement. He died July 8,
1865.




372


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


CHARLES W. INGALLS,
Representative from Ionia county in 1853, was born in Bristol, N. H.,
April 21, 1812. He came to Michigan in 1837. Most of the time a
resident of Ionia county, now resides at Harbor Springs. Has served
as supervisor and postmaster. By occupation a farmer, politically a
Democrat.
DANIEL F. INGALLS,
Representative from Oakland county in 1840, came to Michigan about
1835, and to Oxford, in 1837. Politically a Whig. He was supervisor of Oxford in 1838-9-41, and town clerk in 1844. He removed to
Ohio and died there. He built a foundry at Oxford with Benjamin
Knight, and a cannon cast at their foundry was used at many celebrations in Oxford.
JOHN N. INGERSOLL
Was born May 4, 1817, in Westchester county, N. Y. He moved to
New York city when young, and lived for a time with an uncle in
Connecticut. At the age of thirteen commenced to learn the printer's
trade in New York city, and worked with Horace Greeley,with whom
he was always on familiar terms. In 1837 he came to Detroit, was a
compositor in the Free Press office, and then foreman in the office of
the Advertiser. In 1839 he became editor of the Mt. Clemens Statesman, then published the St. Clair Banner from 1842 to 1846. He
then started the Lake Superior News. He was a clerk in the legislature, and in 1848 secretary of the Senate. In 1849 he was a Representative from Chippewa county. He then became editor of the
Detroit Daily Bulletin, and of the Hesperian, a monthly magazine,
organ of the Odd Fellows; was manager of the Detroit Daily Times;
editor and publisher of the Rochester, N. Y., Tribune; then from
1858 to 1862 editor and publisher of the Owosso American; then until
1866 publisher of the Shiawassee American at Corunna; then started
the Shiawassee Journal. In 1861.2 he was Senator. He was a
Democrat until 1858, then a Republican. He was four times mayor
of Corunna; was justice of the peace, postmaster, and United States
assessor. He was a Representative in 1869-70. He was a leading
Odd Fellow, and held the highest office in the grand lodge and the
grand encampment. For the last years of his life he was blind.
Died at Corunna, May 13, 1881.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


373


SILAS IRELAND,
Representative from Berrien county in 1877, was born November 10,
1818, in Concord, Ohio. He received his education mostly by his own
exertions, and came to Michigan in 1839. In 1842 he removed to a
farm near Berrien Springs. He held the office of supervisor in Berrien township five years. He was superintendent of the poor for
twelve years. By occupation a farmer and surveyor. In politics a
Republican.
WILLIAM W. IRWIN,
Representative from Wayne county in 1853, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1811, and was a farmer by occupation. He was
supervisor of Springwells, 1851-55. He died in 1855. Politics democratic.
NELSON G. ISBELL,
Secretary of State from 1859 to 1861, was born in Charleston, N. Y.,
February 18, 1820. Received an academical education and settled at
Howell, Mich., in 1844, engaging in mercantile business. He was
justice, soon became a farmer, and was supervisor, town clerk, and
Senator in 1848-9-50-51. He was one of the first board of control of
the state reform school. From 1861 to 1869, except a short interval,
he was collector of customs at Detroit. Died at Lansing in 1878. In
politics a Whig, a Republican after 1854. In 1848 he was the only
Whig in the Senate. He was a resident of Lansing for several years
prior to his death.
EDWIN B. ISHAM,
Senator from Menominee, Delta, Marquette, Houghton, Keweenaw,
Chippewa and Schoolcraft counties in 1873-4, was born May 9, 1819,
in the town of Canaan, Conn. He received a common school education. In 1868 he emigrated to Michigan, and settled in Negaunee,
Marquette county. Occupation mining and iron manufacture.
SAMUEL G. IVES,
Representative from Livingston county in 1857, was born in Lansing
N. Y., Dec. 21, 1812. Settled on a farm in Unadilla, Mich., in 1835.
He was a republican elector in 1872. He was a commissioner to
locate, and a trustee of the Pontiac asylum. Removed to Chelsea,




374


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Mich., in 1876, and has been president of that village. In politics a
Republican.
ANDREW JACKSON,
Representative from Cheboygan, Mackinac, Chippewa and Schoolcraft counties in 1879, was born Oct. 29, 1844, in Henry county, Ohio;
received a high school education at Toledo; entered the army in 1861;
was promoted gradually to the rank of 1st lieutenant and adjutant,
and resigned on account of wounds in Aug., 1863. He re-enlisted as
private in 1864, and served through the war, receiving the rank of
brevet major. In 1872 he removed from Louisville, Ky., to Sault Ste.
Marie, Mich. He was chairman of the board of supervisors in 1877.
Occupation, government and railroad contractor. Politics democratic.
WILLIAM JAY,
Senator in 1863-4-5, from Washtenaw county, was born at Pennington, N. J., July 22, 1820. He was a clerk two years in New York city,
then became one of the firm. He was a merchant at Trenton, N. J.,
filled several city offices, was a member of the New Jersey legislature
in 1855, and a delegate to the first republican national convention in
1856. He settled on a farm at Whitmore Lake, Mich., in 1859. In
1869 he removed to Emporia, Kansas, and has been twice mayor of
that city. He is president of the citizens' bank of Emporia, and a
prominent and successful business man.
HENRY H. JENISON,
Senator from Ingham and Clinton counties in 1883, was born in Eagle,
Clinton county, Michigan, September 25, 1842, where he has since
resided. Occupation, farming. He was elected to the Senate by
1,189 majority over his republican competitor.
WILLIAM F. JENISON,
Representative from Clinton county in 1863-4, was born in Byron, N.
Y., Dec. 12, 1812. Attended common schools, and the college at
Brockport, N. Y. Taught school seven years. Settled as a farmer in
Eagle, Mich., in 1837, where he still resides. He was supervisor ten
years, held many town offices, and was for four years sheriff of Clinton county. He kept a hotel for thirty years. He was a director of




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


375


the Ionia and Lansing railroad, secured $10,000 subscription, and gave
two years' time to secure the road. In politics a Democrat.
WILLIAM B. JENKINS
Was born in Greene county, Pa., Oct. 4, 1783. In 1799 he removed
with his parents to the Cumberland valley, Tennessee. In 1804 the
family emigrated to Greene county, Ohio. In 1825 he came to Niles.
The next year he settled in Pokagon, Cass county, and his was the
second white family in Cass county, the first being that of Uzziel
Putnam, sr. He was the first justice in Cass county, and one of the
first county judges under the territorial law. He was a member of
the constitutional convention of 1835. He was a man of remarkable
memory, and kept a complete diary of events in his mind. He owned
large tracts of land in Cass and Berrien counties. Died in 1847 at
Berrien Centre, Michigan.
BELA W. JENKS
Was born at Crown Point, N. Y., June 6, 1824. lie was educated at
Charlotte, Vt., and settled at St. Clair, Michigan, in 1848. He became a successful merchant, and dealt in lumber and real estate.
Has always been a Republican, has held several local offices, and in
1869, 1870-1-2 was Senator from St. Clair county.
JEREMIAH JENKS,
Senator from Lapeer, Sanilac and Huron counties in 1875, was born in
Sullivan county, N. H., December 13, 1810. He received a common
school education. He removed from Essex county, N. Y., to Michigan in 1854, and has ever since resided in this state. He was inspector of customs from 1861 to 1864, and was also deputy collector of
internal revenue two years. He has held various other offices of
public trust, and is by occupation a lumberman. In politics a Republican.
JOHN S. JENNESS,
Representative in 1865, and Senator in 1867 from Lapeer county, was
born at Newbury, Vt., April 27, L813. Was bred a farmer, then a
clerk, and for thirty years a merchant. He opposed railroad aid in
1867, none of the thirty bills passing over the veto of Gov. Crapo. He
was president of the village of Almont in 1866-7. Now resides in
Detroit. In politics Whig and Republican.




376


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


WILLIAM JENNEY,.Secretary of State from 1879 to 1883, was born at Poughkeepsie, N.
Y., June 18, 1837. In 1843 removed with his parents to Mt. Clemens,
Mich., his present residence. He graduated at Brown University in
1859. In 1861 went out as captain of a company in the 9th Michigan
infantry, served four years, and became a major. Became a lawyer
at Mt. Clemens, also engaged in farming. He was Senator from
Macomb county in 1877, also colonel of state militia and aid-de-camp.
A Republican in politics.
IRA JENNINGS,
Representative from.Livingston county in 1839 and 1847, was a
farmer and an early settler in the town of Green Oak, in 1836. He
was supervisor of the town in 1844, and served eight terms in that
capacity. Deceased.
HIRAM JENNISON,
Representative in 1853, from Ottawa county, was born in Canton, N.
Y., May 11, 1813. A lumberman and farmer by occupation, a Democrat in politics. He came to Michigan in 1834. He was the first
settler in Georgetown, Ottawa county, and for eleven years was
supervisor of the township. The village of Jenisonville, in Georgetown township, was named after him.
WILLIAM JENNISON,
Circuit judge of the third judicial circuit (Wayne county), was born
in Boston, Mass., Dec. 10, 1826. He prepared for college, but ill
health prevented him from pursuing a college course. The years
that would have been devoted to study were spent in contact with
the practical business of mining and manufacturing, in which his
father was engaged in Pennsylvania, his leisure hours, however,
being given to personal study and culture. His legal education was
acquired chiefly at the Harvard law school, from which he graduated in 1850, subsequently spending a year in the office of the late
Hon. A. D Fraser, of Detroit, From 1853 until his election as judge
in 1882 he was in continuous practice in Detroit. He was reporter of the
Supreme Court, 1865 to 1870, preparing for publication five volumes
of reports.  He served a year, 1869-70, as assistant U. S. district
attorney, and one term, 1872-3, as member of the board of education.




MICH[GANK BIOGRAPHY.


377


DAVID HOWELL JEROME,
Governor of Michigan, 1881 to 1883, was born at Detroit, Michigan,
November 17, 1829, and is the son of Horace and Elizabeth Rose (Hart)
Jerome. His father died when he was an infant, and his mother
removed to central New York, but in 1834 returned to Michigan and
settled in St. Clair county, where Governor Jerome was educated. In
1853 he went to California and engaged in mining. In 1854 he settled in Saginaw and engaged in merchandise, and is still in the hardware trade. In 1862, under appointment of Governor Blair, he raised
the 23d Michigan infantry in a short time, and was commandant of
camp with the rank of colonel, until the regiment went to the field.
In 1865 and 1866 he was military aid to Governor Crapo, and in 1865
was appointed on the state military board, of which he was member
and president until 1873. In 1862 he was elected to the State Senate,
and served six years, being chairman of the committee on state
affairs throughout that time. He opposed municipal railroad aid and
supported the vetoes of those measures. In 1873 he was appointed
on the committee to revise the state constitution. He served several
years on the board of Indian commissioners; was active in building
the railroad from Saginaw to St. Louis, and long its president; also
president of the Saginaw street railroad company; also trustee of the
Michigan military academy. In 1859 he married Lucy Peck, daughter of E. W. Peck, of Pontiac. In 1880 he received the republican
nomination for governor, and was elected by a large majority, serving
from 1881 to 1883. He is a Republican in politics, in religion an Episcopalian. He is still in the prime of life, and in active business at
Saginaw. He always takes active interest in all matters pertaining
to the intellectual and moral advancement of his fellow citizens.
GEORGE JEROME,
Senator from Detroit, 1855-7-8, was born in Tompkins county, N. Y.,
in 1824, coming with his parents to Michigan in 1827. His father,
Horace Jerome, in connection with Thos. Palmer, built the first lumber mill in the West on Pine River in St. Clair county. Except some
four years spent at the East in pursuing his education, he has lived
continuously in Michigan since 1827, and in Detroit since 1844, having
previously to that time lived in St. Clair county. He was admitted to
the bar in Detroit in 1848. During his senatorial term he was chairman of the judiciary committee. He has been the general attorney
of the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee railway under all changes
of management from 1859 to the present time. Was collector of cus



378                MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
toms at Detroit, 1869 to 1875, when he was relieved at his own request.  He was one of the commissioners on the plan of the city,
1857 to 1869, and has held other positions of trust.  Politically he
graduated from the whig into the republican party.
TIMOTHY JEROME,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1857, was born in Trumansburg, N. Y., Feb. 16, 1820. Occupation a lumberman, politics first
whig, then republican. He came to Detroit in 1828, was an active
business man and lumberman in St. Clair county until 1853, then
removed to Saginaw, where he has since been a manufacturer of lumber and salt, also engaged in steamboating, mining in the western
territories, and in cattle ranches.
EDWARD JEWELL,
Representative from Kent county in 1865-7, was born in Greene
county, N. Y., Dec. 13, 1818. By occupation a farmer, in politics a
Republican. Came to Michigan in 1855, and was four terms supervisor of Solon, Kent county. Present residence Petaluma, Cal.
JOSEPH B. JEWELL,
Representative from Newaygo county in 1877, was born in Grattan,
N. Y., in 1826. From 1836 to 1856 he lived in Allegany county, N. Y.,
working the last ten years as a carpenter and joiner. He settled on a
farm in Newaygo county in 1856, and has been also engaged in lumbering. Has twice served as president of the county agricultural
society, several years as supervisor of Dayton, and has held other
positions. In politics a Republican.
GEORGE W. JEWETT
Was born in Connecticut, and came to Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1830
from Ohio. In politics a Democrat, by profession a lawyer. He was
a member of the second convention of assent which met at Ann Arbor
December 14, 1836, and accepted the terms prescribed for the admission of Michigan as a state. He was also justice of the peace. Died
at Ann Arbor before 1860.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


379


DANIEL JOHNSON,
Senator from Saginaw county in 1853, was born in Haverstraw, N. Y.,
in 1821, and was a capitalist and lumberman. He came to Michigan
in 1846, founded Zilwaukie, Saginaw county; was an extensive ship
timber dealer in New York city, and also a leading lumberman in the
Saginaw valley from 1847 to 1858. Died August 6, 1860.
DANIEL F. JOHNSON
Was born in Canton (now Cairo), N. Y., Jan. 29, 1801. In 1834 he
settled on a farm in Groveland, Oakland county. He was supervisor
in 1836, and in 1851. In 1840 he was representative in the legislature,
elected by the whigs. He became a Republican in 1854.
DAVID JOHNSON
Was born in Sangerfield, N. Y., Oct. 20, 1809. Removed to Genesee
county, N. Y., in 1824, studied law, and was admitted to the bar.
He went to Painesville, O., in 1836, came to Michigan in 1837, and
settled in practice at Jackson in 1838, where he died Aug. 28, 1886.
He was in the first rank of lawyers; was prosecuting attorney; representative in 1845-7; judge of the Supreme Court 1852 to 1857; and
democratic candidate for that position in 1857. He practiced at Jackson 48 years. He had a strong constitution, an active temperament,
was decided in his convictions, well versed in law, and a leader at the
bar. He stamped his impress upon the early history of Michigan
as on e of the ablest of the pioneers.
FRANKLIN JOHNSON
Was a native of Vermont. He became a lawyer and settled at 3Ionroe, Mich., in 1835. He was city attorney of Monroe, prosecuting
attorney and judge of probate. He was judge of the first circuit
from 1863 to 1869. An able lawyer and judge. Died at Monroe, Oct.
11, 1870.
J. EASTMAN JOHNSON
Was admitted to the bar of St. Joseph county, Michigan, in 1837, and
practiced law until his death, which occurred at Niles, March 14, 1888,
at the age of 83. He had been a regent of the state University; probate judge of St. Joseph county; and was a presidential elector in




380


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


1884. Politically a Republican. He was a distinguished Mason, was
long secretary of the grand lodge, and had also been grand master.
JAMES JOHNSON,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1883-5, was born in Summerset, Ohio, February 22, 1814; removed to St. Joseph county, Michigan, April 18, 1832. Occupation, farmer, lumber manufacturer, and
dealer in real estate. In politics a Democrat.
SAMUEL JOHNSON,
Representative from Cass county in 1877-79, was born July 7, 1839, in
Springfield, N. Y. He received an academical education, and gradnated at Cazenovia seminary, N. Y. He removed to Michigan in
1864. He was elected township clerk six years; supervisor of Wayne
township three years; county superintendent of schools in 1873. He
was a teacher, but engaged in farming and the breeding of fine stock,
in which he is deeply interested. He is a Republican. For several
years past he has been a professor in the state agricultural college at
Lansing.
WELCOME W. JOHNSON,
Representative from Kent county in 1877, was born at Williamstown,
Mass., Oct. 26, 1817. His parents removed to Oneida county, N. Y.,
in 1819. He came to Michigan in 1835. He received a common school
education. He served several years as town treasurer in Dundee,
Monroe county. In 1849 he united with the Michigan conference as
a preacher, of which conference he is still a member and holds a
supernumerary relation. }He resides near Grand Rapids, where he
has a farm, and preaches occasionally. In politics a Republican.
DE GARMO JONES,
Senator from Wayne and other counties in 1840-1, was born in
Albany, N. Y., in 1787, and came to Detroit as a sutler in the army
under Gen. Harrison in 1813, and subsequently settled there. He
established a store and became a leading business man, and at a later
date was prominent in the development of the ]lake Superior copper
mines. He was mayor of the city in 1839, several times alderman,
and took an active interest in business, church and educational
affairs, and left a valuable estate. He was a Whig in politics. Died
in 1846.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


381


EDWARD L. JONES,
Representative from Jackson county in 1850, was born at Chesterfield,
Mass., January 1, 1814. Removed to the state of New York and
became a clerk. In 1833 became clerk in the commercial bank of
Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1838 cashier of the merchants and mechanics'
bank of Monroe, Mich., which failed in 1840. Removed to Jackson,
became a druggist, and sold out in 1849. From 1852 to 1859 was in
the banking business at Cleveland, Ohio, then in same business at
Milwaukee, Wis., until 1863, then in the sanitary commission at Atlanta and Chattanooga until the close of the war; organized national
banks at Atlanta and Columbus, Ga., but retired from business in
1879. Resides at Atlanta. First a Whig, since a Republican.
GEORGE C. JONES,
Representative from Ontonagon county in 1865, was born in Orleans
county, N. Y., October 1, 1829. By occupation a lawyer, politically a
Republican. He came with his father in 1843 to Springfield, Mich.,
where he lived until 1853. He studied law and settled in Ontonagon
in 1854. Removed to Appleton, Wisconsin, in 1869, where he now
resides.
GEORGE JONES,
Representative from Eaton county in 1853, was born in Manchester,
N. Y., August 18, 1816. He came with his father's family to Novi,
Mich., in 1831. He was captain of militia in 1838. He removed to
Oneida, Mich., in 1843, and settled near Grand Ledge. where he now
resides. He has served nine years as supervisor, four years as town
clerk and been a justice two terms. In politics a Democrat, by occupation a farmer.
GILMAN C. JONES,
Senator from Cass county in 1861-2, was born at Hopkinton, N. H.,
July 26, 1820, was brought up on a farm and became a teacher. He
settled on a farm in Cass county in 1844, taught school, was a clerk,
in 1850 became a merchant at Dowagiac, where he now resides. Has
been president of the village several times, repeatedly a supervisor.
He was a Republican, but since the war has affiliated with no
political party. Is a dealer in wool.
39




382


11 CH 1GAN BIOGRAPHY.


JOHN D. JONES,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1877, was born in London,
Ontario, January 17, 1825. He removed to DeKalb county, Ill., in
1838, thence to St. Clair county, Mich., in 1843, and resides in Brockway. He is engaged in lumbering and farming. He received a
common school education. He has been supervisor for six terms,
justice twenty-six years, school director twenty-three years, and held
all town offices, except treasurer and clerk, for a number of terms.
He has also been postmaster at Merrillsville twenty-three years. In
politics a Republican.
JOHN H. JONES
Was born at Hopewell, N. Y., April 27, 1828, and was educated at
the Genesee Wesleyan seminary at Lima, N. Y. He afterwards
became a teacher. In 1854 he settled on a farm at Quincy, Michigan.
For several years he was supervisor. In 1865-7 he was a Representative, and Senator in 1869-70-75. He voted to sustain Gov. Crapo's
position on railroad aid bills, and was one of five Senators who voted
against the passage of the railroad law. He still resides at Quincy.
RICHARD JONES,
Representative from Barry county in 1867, was born in Otsego county,
N. Y. He came to Michigan in 1848, and now lives at Battle Creek.
By occupation a farmer, in politics a Republican. Has been supervisor and town clerk.
WHITNEY JONES,
Auditor General, 1855 to 1859, was born ill Chautauqua county, N. Y.,
May 2, 1812. He moved from New York to Michigan in 1839. He
was a country merchant, and took up his residence in Delta,
Eaton county.  He was supervisor and postmaster; Representative
for the counties of Eaton and Ingham in 1845-6; postmaster of Lansing, 1849 to 1853; auditor general two terms, from 1855 to 1859; state
senator from Clinton and Ingham counties in 1859; United States
assessor for the third district, comprising the counties of Washtenaw,
Jackson, Calhoun, Eaton and Ingham, 1862 to 1866; postmaster of
Lansing, 1868 to 1871; and treasurer of Ingham county 1883 to 1887.
He was a leading Whig until 1854, when he helped organize the
republican party at Jackson, and was the first nominee of that party




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


383


for auditor general. He supported Greeley in 1872, and eventually
became a member of the greenback party. In 1887 he removed to
Alameda, California.
WILLIAM T. JONES,
Representative from Mecosta county in 1885-7, was born in Watertown, Ontario, March 10, 1846, and has been a resident of Michigan
since 1873. By occupation a lumberman. Mr. Jones has held various
offices of public trust, among which are township and village treasurer,
supervisor, superintendent of poor, village president, and president of
the Mecosta county agricultural society. He was elected Representative on the republican ticket by a vote of 2,141 to 1,366 for Joseph H.
Kilbourne, and 271 for John S. Weidman, Prohibitionist.
CHAUNCEY JOSLYN
Was born at Throopsville, New York, June 28, 1813. Educated at
Temple Hill, Livingston county. After leaving school he engaged in
teaching for five years, when he began the study of law. In 1837 he
removed to Ypsilanti. He was elected a Representative in 1843, a
member of the state board of education in 1851, and judge of probate,
Washtenaw county, in 1852. In 1853 he was appointed one of the
commissioners to construct the St. Mary's falls ship canal. Was mayor
of Ypsilanti in 1858. Mr. Joslyn was elected judge of the 22d judicial circuit in April. 1881. on the democratic ticket, and served until
the close of 1887.
JAMES F. JOY
Was born at Durham, N. H., Dec. 20, 1810. He graduated at Dartmouth in 1835, and subsequently at the Cambridge law school. In
his junior years he was a teacher, and instructed classes at Dartmouth, after graduating. He settled at Detroit in 1836, studied law,
and became a partner of Geo. F. Porter, under the firm name of Joy
& Porter. As a lawyer he was eminently successful. He early gave
attention to banking, land and railroad interests, and his law practice
was largely in those directions. In 1846 he was a principal agent in
organizing the Michigan Central railroad company, and he was many
years connected as attorney, counselor, director and president. He
built the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and the Hannibal & St.
Joseph railroads, and in connection purchased for those companies
800,000 acres of valuable lands. The building of the Chicago & West




384


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Michigan; the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw; Detroit, Lansing &
Northern; and Detroit & Bay City railroads, were greatly indebted to
him for aid. Later he directed his attention to the Wabash, opening
up a new route between Detroit and St. Louis. His success was largely
due to the confidence eastern and foreign capitalists had in his sagacity and financial ability. He is still in the enjoyment of full physical
and mental vigor. Formerly a Whig, later a Republican. A Representative in 1861-2, a regent of the University since 1881.
ETHEL JUDD,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1855-7, was born in Herkimer
county, N. Y., April 27, 1807. By occupation a farmer, in politics a
Republican. He settled on a farm in Adams, Mich., in 1837, and
built the first church and school-house in the town, also the first six
frame dwelling houses. He was five years supervisor. He raised a company for the 10th Michigan infantry in 1861, and went south with
them, but returned in 1862 from ill health. He died Feb. 11, 1883.
J. BYRON JUDKINS,
Of Hersey, was born at Coldwater, Ohio, January 18, 1851; was educated at the Celina union school and Liber college, Ind.; moved to
Michigan in 1870; studied law at Big Rapids; was admitted to the bar
in 1874; settled in Hersey, September, 1875; was appointed judge of
the nineteenth judicial circuit in March, 1880, to fill the vacancy
caused by the death of Hon. Samuel D. Haight, and was elected without opposition for the unexpired term, in November, 1880. In the
spring of 1881 he was re-elected, without opposition, to the same office
for the full term.
MARTIN KALLANDER,
Representative from the Ontonagan district in 1887, comprising the
counties of Baraga, Isle Royal, Keweenaw and Ontonagon, was born
in Sweden, September 28, 1852. He landed in this country in 1872 and
went direct to Eau Clare, Wisconsin, and continued a resident of that
state until July, 1885, when he located at Bessemer, Michfgan. His
principal occupation has been that of railroad and timber contractor.
He is running the largest boarding house at Bessemer, and is a
leader of his fellow countrymen in that region. Mr. Kallander was




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


385


nominated for Representative by the labor party and then endorsed
by the Democrats, the vote being 1,503 to 1,325 for George A. Royce,
Republican, and 60 for Ole Michaelsen, Prohibitionist.
JACOB KANOUSE
Was born in Morris county, N. J., August 23, 1817. He came to
Michigan at an early day and settled in Livingston county as a
farmer. He is a resident of Cohoctah township; has held many
offices, among them, justice, judge of probate four years, and was a
special commissioner to take the vote of several Michigan regiments
during the war. He was a Representative in 1861-2, as a Republican.
EDWARD KANTER,
Representative from Detroit in 1857, was born in Breslau, Germany,
in 1824, and came to this state in 1842. From 1847 to 1867 was in
active mercantile life, since has been at the head of a banking house,
now the German-American bank, of which he is president. He was
for five years an inspector of the Detroit house of correction, four
years a member of the poor commission, and was a member and
treasurer of the state commission to the New Orleans exposition in
1885. In politics a Democrat, four years a member of the state corn.
mittee and eight years of the national, twice on the electoral ticket,
twice a candidate for state treasurer, and delegate to the national
convention in 1876. He is president of a number of German societies.
JONATHAN KEARSLEY
Was born in Virginia in 1786, and graduated at Washington college
in 1811. In 1812 he was appointed 1st lieutenant of the 2d artillery
corps, and during the war held the positions of captain, major and
assistant adjutant general. He was engaged in many battles, and
lost a leg at Fort Erie. In 1817 was appointed receiver of taxes in
Virginia, and in 1819 became receiver of the U. S. land office in
Detroit, which he held for thirty years. He was also regent of the
University of Michigan, mayor of Detroit, and judge of the recorder's
court. A Democrat in politics. Died at Detroit in 1859.
ROBERT C. KEDZIE
Was born in Delhi, N. Y., January 28, 1823. He graduated at Oberlin
college in 1847, and from the medical department of the Michigan




386


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


University in 1851. He settled at Kalamazoo, but in 1852 removed to
Vermontville, where he remained until 1861, when he entered the
army as surgeon of the 12th Michigan infantry. On his return he
settled at Lansing, and has been professor of chemistry in the state
agricultural college since 1863. He was for many years a member of
the state board of health, and its president. Ele was president of the
state medical society in 1874, is a member of various societies,
and has a national reputation as the author of valuable papers on
health, hygiene and agriculture. He was Representative in 1867 as a
Republican.
WILLIAM KEDZIE
Was born in Scotland in 1771; came to America in 1795; made the
first entry of public lands in Blissfield (now Deerfield), Mich., in 1824,
and settled upon it with his family in 1826. He was the first supervisor and postmaster, and assisted in organizing Lenawee county.
He was appointed associate judge of Lenawee county November 27,
1827, and was re-appointed November 28, 1828. He died in 1828.
RICHARD KEELER,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1877, was born in Ridgefield,
Conn., March 1, 1825. He moved to New York in 1834, and thence
to Michigan in 1847. He received a common school education, and
has been town clerk of Pennfield for twelve years. He is a farmer,
in politics a Republican.
ANDREW J. KEENEY,
Representative in 1863-4, from Monroe county, was born in the state
of Pennsylvania February 26, 1819. By occupation a farmer and
stock raiser, and has been largely engaged in lake fisheries. Politically a Democrat. Has been supervisor, justice, and held other
positions. Came to Michigan with his father's family in 1828, and
now lives in Erie, Mich.
SALMON KEENEY
Was born July 24, 1794, in Wyoming county, Pa. Came to Michigan,
and settled on a farm in Erie, Monroe county, in 1828. Was appointed a judge of the county court the same year, and held that
position until the organization of the state government. Was the




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


387


first justice of the peace in Erie, and held that position nearly all the
time until his death in 1847. He was a Democrat, and prominent in
all matters of public interest in the early history of the county and
state.
EDWIN W. KEIGHTLY
Was born in Van Buren, Ind., Aug. 7,1843. He received an academical education and graduated at the law department of the University
in 1865. He engaged in law practice in St. Joseph county, and in 1872
was elected prosecuting attorney. He was appointed judge of the
15th circuit to fill a vacancy, and in 1875 was elected to that position
for six years. In 1876 he was elected Representative to congress from
the fourth district and served one term. He is now engaged in the
practice of his profession.
WILLIAM    A. KEITH,
Representative from Berrien county in 1883, was born in Indiana Feb.
26, 1843, and was educated in that state and in Illinois. Served in the
tenth Illinois cavalry from Sept., 1861, to Jan., 1866, rising from private
to captain. Then settled as a farmer in Berrien county, Mich. Politically a Greenbacker.
EDWIN KELLOGG,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1850, was born in Sheffield,
Mass., Feb. 17,1803. He settled at White Pigeon in 1830. He was a
merchant at Schoolcraft and Sturgis, and one of the firm of Kellogg
& Brothers at White Pigeon engaged in merchandise and flour milling. He removed to Kansas in 1854, where he was a farmer until his
death, Jan. 6, 1876.
FRANCIS W. KELLOGG;
Was born in Worthington, Mass., May 30, 1810; received a limited
education, and removing to Michigan, entered into the business of
lumbering at Kelloggsville, Kent county. As a Republican he was
elected to the legislature of 1857. In 1858 he was elected to the
thirty-sixth congress as Representative from the third district of Michigan, and was re elected in 1860 and 1862, serving from 1859 to 1865.
During the rebellion he raised six cavalry regiments for the service.
In 1865 President Johnson appointed him collector of internal revenue,
for Alabama, and he was afterwards elected to congress from that
state.




388


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


JOHN R. KELLOGG
Was born in New Hartford, N. Y., in 1793, was a clerk as a young
man, and from 1818 to 1836, a successful merchant at Marcellus, N.
Y. Settled at Allegan, Mich., in 1836, where he resided until his
death in 1868. He was a Representative in 1838, and for six years a
member of the state board of education. He was an intimate friend
of Seward and Cass, and kept up a friendly correspondence with
them through life. He was largely interested in lands and acquired
a competence. Often a delegate to state conventions, he had great
weight in party counsels. A Republican in politics. A man of
remarkably fine appearance, of genial nature, and greatly respected.
OLIVER KIELLOGG
Was born in Sharon, Conn., Oct. 2, 1797. He came to Detroit, July
4th, 1832, and with an ox team conveyed his family to the western
part of Washtenaw county. He purchased a large tract of land in
Sharon. Held various positions of public trust, was associate judge
under the county court system, postmaster, member of the legislature
of 1837, justice, etc. He sold his farm and moved to Ann Arbor in
1856, where he died Feb. 24, 1859. In politics a Democrat.
SHIVERICK KELLOGG
Was born in Murray, N. Y., Sept. 9. 1817. He was educated at Potsdam academy, and settled as a farmer in Easton, Ionia county, in
1849. He held several local offices and was a Representative in 1871 -2-3 and 4. In politics a Republican.
HARRISON KELLY,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1859, was born in Jefferson
county, Va., Nov. 28, 1797. A farmer, in politics a Whig, Abolitionist, Republican, and now a Greenback Prohibitionist. He came to
Michigan in 1833, and purchased a farm in Burr Oak, on which he
still resides.
MARK N. KELLEY,
Representative first district of Lapeer in 1885-7, was born at Pontiac,
Oakland county, October 17, 1831. Mr. Kelley removed with his parents, in 1844, to Lapeer county, where he has since resided.  He
received a common school education, and at an early age began




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPH Y.


389


farming, which he followed until 1868, when he engaged in mercantile business. In 1873 he built an elevator at Metamora, still continuing farming, and is also engaged in the produce business. He has
held the office of supervisor, township treasurer, and Representative
in 1885-6, and was re-elected on the republican ticket member of the
House of 1887-8, by a vote of 1,329 to 1,187 for J. M. Wattles, and 233
for Peter Hagle, Prohibitionist.
ROBERT J. KELLEY,
Representative from Alpena and other counties in 1877, was born in
Monroe county, Mich., Sept. 3, 1844.  He received an academical
education, and in Sept., 1862, enlisted in company K, 5th Michigan
cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He took a commercial college course in Detroit, graduated from the law department of
the University in 1868, and commenced practice at Bay City, but since
1869 has been in practice at Alpena.
NEWELL J. KELSEY,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1883,was born at LeRoy, Mich.,
June 20, 1843, received a high school education, and was a teacher at
sixteen. He served in the war from Aug., 1861, to Sept., 1865, first
in the 2d Michigan infantry, then " Merrill's Horse," 2d Missouri cavalry, and rose to the rank of lieutenant. Now a farmer, in politics a
Republican. Several years a supervisor, and chairman of the board.
SULLIVAN R. KELSEY,
Representative xrom Shiawassee county in 1847, 1859, 1861-2, was born
in Fairhaven, Vt., Aug. 16, 1805. He was educated in private and
common schools. He was clerk in a store, then engineer in a paper
mill, and traveling salesman. At twenty-one he became a merchant
in Fairhaven, and from 1831 to 1833 was in the same business at
Brockport, N. Y. In 1833 he removed to Bloomfield, Mich., and
opened the first store in what is now the village of Birmingham,
where he continued in business for eleven years, and was postmaster
from 1837 to 1844. He became a resident of Byron, purchased the
water power, and, with B. W. Dennis, built and operated the Byron
mills until 1856, then alone until 1858. He then engaged in the hardware trade until 1865. In 1864 he was elected judge of probate, and
held that position from 1865 to 1881. He was eight years justice, nine
years supervisor at Byron, and was alderman and mayor of Corunna.
First a Whig, then a Republican. Died in 1886.
40




390


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


REUBEN KEMPF,
Senator from Washtenaw county in 1885, was born in Pennsylvania.
He has been a resident of Michigan for forty-six years. His former
occupation was that of merchant, but he is now a banker. He has
been extensively interested in the commercial affairs of Washtenaw
county for thirty years. He commenced active work for himself as
a tinner and gradually worked his way through the various stages of
business enterprise, until he stands in the foremost rank among the
commercial men of his county. He is a Republican.
FRANK KENDRICK, ~
Representative from Lapeer county in 1881, was born in Waterford,
Maine. He removed to Michigan with his parents when about six
years of age. Having received an academical education he engaged in
teaching. August 18, 1861, he enlisted as a member of Co. A, 5th
Mich. cavalry, and served until the war closed, being discharged June
3, 1865. During his service he participated in forty battles; was
wounded three times, and returned home in poor health and with a
broken constitution. He engaged in farming, but was obliged to
abandon that pursuit on account of his health. He then taught for
three years, when his health failed so completely that he had to
abandon all pursuits, and, for a number of years, was a confirmed
invalid. In 1880 he was elected justice of the peace. Republican.
Died Nov. 16, 1881.
FREDERICK G. KENDRICK,
Representative from Macomb county in 1869-70, was born in Germany, May 14, 1836. Came to Michigan in 1844. He was at first a
farmer, then a merchant, and was in the lumber, sash and blind business for nine years. Was sheriff of Macomb county from 1870 to
1874. Has been a member of the Mt. Clemens board of education for
nine years, and is president of the Mt. Clemens bitter water company. Is now postmaster, and in politics a Democrat.
LUCIUS KENDRICK,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1869-70, was born at Darien,
N. Y., Oct. 9, 1817, and settled in Lapeer county in 1836. He held
several offices of trust in Dryden, and in the county. He was for
many years a local correspondent of the Detroit Tribune, and con



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


391


tributed a valuable series of articles to the Lapeer Clarion of reminiscences of Lapeer county. Died Oct. 12, 1833. A Republican in
politics.
FREDERICK A. KENNEDY, JR..
Representative from Jackson county in 1846, was born in Brighton,
England, Feb. 18, 1811. He came to Pennsylvania in 1819, but soon
removed to Lodi, N. Y. In 1831 became a farmer in Ridgeway, Mich.
Settled in Hanover, Mich., in 1837, and was supervisor four years,
justice eight years, and since 1875 superintendent of the poor. He is
the county agent of the state board of charities. In politics a Democrat.
FREDERICK A. KENNEDY, SR.,
Was born in England, Dec. 27, 1785. He came to America in 1817,
and' resided in Pennsylvania and New York until 1831, when he
removed to Michigan, settling in Lenawee county in what was afterwards called Ridgeway. He was a cooper by trade, but after coming
to Michigan followed farming principally. In politics a Democrat,
and in 1850 was a Representative in the legislature. In 1857 he
removed to Jackson, where he resided until his death, Feb. 26, 1872.
MUNNIS KENNEY,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1840, was born in Newfane, Vt., Dec. 10, 1788. He received an academical education, was
three years in Williams college, and the fourth at Middlebury, graduating in 1809. Studied law, and was in practice at Townshend, Vt.,
and was a member of the Vermont assembly in 1816-17-21. He lived
at Brighton, Mass., a few years, and in 1829 settled on a farm in
Webster, Mich. He was an anti-slavery Whig, the founder of the
Washtenaw mutual insurance company, and for many years its secretary. Died April 23, 1843.
MYRON C. KENNY,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1865, was born in Perry, N. Y.,
in 1823, and came to Michigan in 1842. By profession a physician, in
politics a Republican. Received an academical education at Romeo,
Mich., and taught several terms in Macomb county and at Lapeer.
Studied medicine and went into practice at Lapeer in 1848, where he
still resides. He was three years president of the village and twice




392


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


mayor of the city of Lapeer, school inspector seven years, and member of the board of education for sixteen years. Was a member of
the constitutional convention of 1867.
RICHARD KENT
Was born in Newburyport, Mass., Oct. 30, 1786. He received a good
academical education, taught school and practiced surveying several
years. He was an early settler in Adrian, Mich., where he followed
farming and was Senator in 1853. He was also supervisor and held
other town offices. Died in 1867.
WILLIAM A. KENT
Was a Representative from Branch county in 1838. He was a typical
pioneer; full of force and energy. A leader in the democratic party
until the time of his death in 1862. He was associate judge under the
old system, and was known as Judge Kent.
JOHN KENYON
Was born in Queensbury, N.Y., July 28, 1806, came to Tyrone, Mich.,
in 1840, purchased a farm, and followed that occupation for life. For
nine years supervisor of the township. In 1849 he was a Representative, and Senator in 1855. He died November 12, 1874. In politics a
Democrat.
BENJAMIN B. KERCHEVAL,
Senator from Wayne and other counties in 1838-9, and president pro
ter. in 1839, was born at Winchester, Va., April 9, 1793, and was the
son of an Officer of the revolution. Came to Detroit at an early age.
In 1821 he was appointed pension agent of Indiana, and removed to
Fort Wayne, but returned to Detroit, where he died, March 23, 1855.
He was a member of the first convention of assent; alderman in 1830;
director of the Detroit & St. Joseph railroad company in 1835; trustee of the Detroit savings bank; a corporator of the Peninsular bank
in 1849; and for many years a forwarding and commission merchant,
doing business at the foot of Woodward avenue. A daughter is the
wife of Moses W. Field. In politics a Democrat.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


393


DANFORTH KEYES,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1875, was born in Ashford,
Conn., May 27, 1816. He received a common school education,
removed to Clinton, Michigan, in 1836, and has since resided there.
He was supervisor of Tecumseh in 1863-4-5, and after the division of
the town in 1869 was supervisor of Clinton in 1869-70. Engaged in
the milling business, and also a grain dealer. In politics a Democrat.
HENRY C. KIBBEE,
Senator from Macomb county in 1851, was born in Orange county,
Vt., October 22, 1818. He came to Michigan in 1839, and commenced
milling in 1844 at Mt. Clemens. He was contractor for the Erie and
Kalamazoo canal in 1847, and in 1849 contractor for the Buffalo &
Blackwell canal, N. Y. In 1851 re-organized the bank of Macomb
county, and was president, vice president and cashier until 1858,
when he sold out and went into the lumber firm of Kibbee, Fox &
Co. In 1861 was a large contractor in buying horses for the army,
and in 1863 was elected cashier of the first national bank of Detroit.
In 1857 was appointed pension agent, and served through the term of
Buchanan. 'Also organized the banking firm of Duncan, Kibbee &
Co. Not in active business since 1867. In politics a Democrat.
PORTER KIBBEE,
Commissioner of the state land office from April 2, 1850, to December
31, 1854, was born in Orange county, Vt., in July, 1813. He came to
Michigan in 1836, and for many years was a resident of Mt. Clemens.
He was for two terms judge of probate for Macomb county. He
held a partnership with his brother in flouring and lumber mills, the
firm being P. & H. C. Kibbee. In 1858 he was elected president of
the bank of Macomb county. By occupation a merchant, in politics
a Democrat. Is now an invalid and resides at Detroit.
RUFUS KIBBEE,
Senator from Lenawee county in 1846-7, came from the state of New
York, and was a physician and druggist at Canandaigua. He removed to Coldwater about 1867, where he died about 1883-4. In
politics a Democrat.




394


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


JOSEPH H. KILBOURNE,
Representative in 1847-9, from Ingham county, was born in Westbury, Lower Canada, May 8, 1809. He settled in 1839 in Meridian,
Michigan, where he now resides. Was postmaster in 1840, in 1844
county superintendent of the poor, and supervisor in 1846-7. He is
said to have been very effective in the removal of the capital from
Detroit to Lansing. A farmer and a Democrat. He was a colonel of
militia in 1848.
SAMUEL L. KILBOURNE,
Representative from Ingham county in 1875, was born near Toronto,
Canada, in 1839. He removed with his father to Detroit in 1839, and
to Okemos, Ingham county, in 1841. He received an academical
education at the agricultural college. He graduated from the law
department of the Michigan University in 1860, and commenced the
practice of his profession in Lansing, where he still resides. In 1861
he edited the Lansing State Journal, in 1868-9 was clerk of the
Supreme Court. He has been city attorney two terms. In politics a
Democrat. He has an extensive practice, and is one of the law firm
of Kilbourne & Humphrey.
JOHN KILLEAN,
Representative from Kent county in 1887, was born at Buffalo, N. Y.,
November 27, 1831, and has been a resident of Michigan since 1864.
Formerly his occupation was varied, but at present a grocer. He has
been alderman of Grand Rapids twice, president of the common council three times, and member of the police and fire commission. He
was elected Representative on the fusion ticket by a vote of 4,149.
WILLIAM M. KILPATRICK.
Senator from Livingston and Shiawassee counties in 1881-2, was born
at Middlesex, N. Y., Dec. 25, 1840. He received an academical education, and was a teacher. He graduated at the law department of
the University in 1866, and is in practice at Owosso. He has been
city attorney two terms, twice supervisor, mayor of Owosso. and
prosecuting attorney two terms. Has also been chairman of the
republican county committee, and a member of the state committee.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


395


EBENEZER C. KIMBERLY,
Representative from Shiawassee county in 1851, was born at Mansfield,
Conn., Oct. 9, 1777, and died at Corunna. Michigan, July 8, 1856. He
came to Corunna in 1840, as the agent of Trumbull Cary, an extensive land holder, and devoted himself to that business as a resident.
EDWARD KING,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1881-2-3, was bornin London, England, September 12, 1830, and came to this country with his
father in 1833. They resided in New York city until 1837, when they
settled at Ypsilanti, Mich. He was engaged in mercantile business
until 1867, when he purchased the farm upon which he has since
lived. In politics a Democrat.
GIDEON G. KING
Was born in the state of New York, about 1820, came with his father
from Lima, N. Y., to Ypsilanti in 1837, and removed to Amboy,
Hillsdale county, in 1841. He was supervisor of Amboy six years.
By occupation a farmer, in politics first Whig and then Republican.
He was Representative in 1855. He died at the age of 39.
JOHN B KING,
Representative from Monroe county in 1850, was born in the state of
New York in 1798. Came to Michigan in 1832, and settled on a farm
in Summerfield, Monroe county. He was town clerk, supervisor, justice nine years, and held other town offices. He removed to Raisinville where he was supervisor, justice, and overseer of the poor. A
Democrat until 1856. Died March 26, 1857.
NATHAN G. KING,
Senator from Jackson county in 1873-4, was born in Nassau, N. Y.,
Feb. 25, 1819, received a common school education, and prepared for
college under private instruction; was engaged in extensive mercantile operations in early life, but in 1843 commenced the study of law,
and was admitted to the bar in 1846. Commenced the practice of his
profession in Albany, N. Y., in company with Hon. S. H. Hammond,
and afterwards had for his partner Hon. Henry Hogeboom. He emigrated to Michigan in 1856, and settled in Berrien county. In 1865 he




396


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


removed to Brooklyn, Jackson county, where he now resides. Politically a Republican.
SOLOMON O. KINGSBURY,
Representative from Kent county in 1867, was born in Connecticut,
May 2, 1812, his father's family soon after removing to Painesville,
Ohio, where he received a common school education. In early life
he was a clerk. He became a resident of Grand Rapids at an early
day and was a merchant. He was elected county treasurer in 1848
and 1850, serving four years, then resuming mercantile business. In
1858 he opened a real estate and insurance office and continued in that
business during life. In 1867 he was appointed postmaster of Grand
Rapids, and held that position two years. Died May 16, 1886.
JAMES KINGSLEY,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1837, '48, '69, '70, and
Senator in 1838-9 and 1842, was born in Canterbury, Conn., January
6, 1797, attended school until nineteen, then took a Latin course,
either at Brown University, or with one of its professors. From 1823
to 1826 was a tutor in the family of Ludwell Lee, in Virginia; removed
to Grand Gulf, Miss., and from there to Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1826.
In 1830 married Lucy Ann Clark. From 1830 to 1838 judge of pro_
bate; 1830 to 1833 member of the territorial council; a trustee of the
University of Michigan in 1831; in 1850 a member of the constitutional convention; in 1852 elected regent of the University; and was
the second mayor of Ann Arbor. In politics a Democrat. Died
August 10, 1878.
DANIEL KINNE
Emigrated from Erie county, N. Y., in 1838 and settled on a farm in
Reading, Hillsdale county. He was five years supervisor, and held
other town offices. In 1845 he was associate judge of the county; in
1847 was Representative in the legislature; and was a member of the
constitutional convention of 1850. He was active in building a plank
road from Reading to Hillsdale; in the Reading manufacturing
company, and cheese factory. He died many years since.
EDWARD D. KINNE,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1881-2, was born at De
Witt, N. Y.., in 1842. He prepared for college at Cazenovia seminary,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


397


-N. Y., and graduated in the classical department of Michigan University in 1864. He also graduated from the Columbian law school,
in Washington, D. C., in 1867. Having located at Ann Arbor in 1867,
he has practiced law in that city since. He has been city recorder
and city attorney of Ann Arbor, and mayor two terms. In 1886, as
the republican candidate, he was elected judge of the circuit comprising the counties of Washtenaw and Monroe.
GEORGE KIPI,
Representative from Genesee county, in 1873-4, was born in Owasco,
N. Y., November 25, 1811. In 1814 he removed to Erie county, N. Y.
He was educated in common schools. In 1846 he came to Michigan,
and settled in Atlas, Genesee county, where he now resides. He has
held several local offices. By occupation a farmer.
JAMES KIPP
Was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., June 13, 1801. He removed in
1836 to Atlas, Mich., and was supervisor seven terms, between 1839
and 1848, justice from 1837 to 1854, and associate judge of the county.
He removed to Duplain, Clinton county, in 1855, where he lived two
years, then became a resident of St. Johns. By occupation a farmer,
in politics a Republican. He was a Representative in 1857, and
superintendent of poor in Clinton county from 1866 up to the date of
his death, October 22, 1884.
WILLIAM J. KIRBY,
Representative from Kalamazoo in 1887, was born in Otsego county,
N. Y., February 11, 1845. His former occupation was that of surveyor and civil engineer; at present a farmer. He was appointed
supervisor of Pavilion in 1882, and elected in 1883 and 1884. He was
superintendent of the building of the Kalamazoo county court house
in 1884. Mr. Kirby was elected Representative for 1887-8 as a Republican by a vote of 2,130 to 1,645 for David R. Chandler, and 200
for L. T. Becker, Prohibitionist.
OTTO KIRCHNER,
Attorney general of Michigan from 1877 to 1831, was born at Frankfort-on-the-Oder, Prussia, July 13, 1846. He came to Berlin, Ontario,
with his father in 1854, received an academical education, and began
41




398


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


the study of law. In 1864 was a clerk to the auditor general, and in
1865 clerk of the House judiciary committee. Studied law in Detroit,
and was admitted in 1866. He stumped the state for Grant and
Wilson in 1872, in 1876 was chairman ot the republican city committee, and was a delegate to the Cincinnati convention. In 1885 he
was appointed one of the professors of law at Ann Arbor, but resigned after a short service. Has a lucrative law practice. In politics a Republican.
GEORGE KIRKLAND,
Representative from Monroe county in 1855, was born in the state of
New York, Sept. 1, 1810. By occupation a farmer, a Democrat in
politics. He came to Bedford, Mich,, in 1842. Has held the offices
of supervisor, road commissioner, justice sixteen years, and treasurer
of the F. M. F. insurance company several years. Now resides at
Samaria, Monroe county.
WILLIAM M. KIRKPATRICK,
Representative from Marquette county in 1885, was born at Allegheny
City, Pa., Jan. 17, 1849, where his early years were spent. Has held
the office of justice and school inspector. In politics a Republican.
HENRY KLEI,
Representative from Wayne county in 1881-2, was born in Germany,
July 24, 1849. His parents emigrated to America in 1852, and located
in Detroit, where he has since resided. Mr. Klei received his education in the public schools in Detroit. He was elected alderman in
1878, and in 1879 for the full term of two years. He is a cigar manufacturer by occupation, and a Republican in politics.
PETER KLEIN
Was born Sept. 12, 1813. in Oermingen, Alsace, and came with his
parents to this country in 1828, who settled in Erie county, N. Y.
He studied medicine and practiced four years at Rochester, N. Y., and
two years at St. Catherines, Ontario. He graduated from Geneva
medical college in 1846, and soon after settled in Detroit, where he
practiced his profession. He has been city and county physician and
United States surgeon at the Detroit barracks. He was a Representative from Detroit in 1869-70-75. In politics a Democrat.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


399


ALONZO F. KNAPP,
Representative from Oakland county in 1873-4, was born in Bristol,
N. Y., March 12, 1833. He emigrated to Michigan in 1834, and settled in Salem, Washtenaw county. He finished his classical education at the state normal school. He studied medicine, and graduated
from the western medical college, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1865. In 1868
he removed to South Lyons, where he now resides, and practices his
profession.
CORNELIUS KNAPP
Was born in Nassau, N. Y., July 12, 1824. When young his parents
removed to western New York, where they lived until 1835, when
they removed to Rome, Michigan. He worked on his father's farm
until 1846, then learned the carpenter's trade and followed it until
1859. He bought a farm in Rome in 1850, and now lives upon it.
He has been supervisor for sixteen years, and in 1871-2 was a Representative in the legislature.
JACOB.KNAPP,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1881-2. was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, October 14, 1846. He received a common school
education and came to this country in 1866, and settled in Detroit,
but in 1868 removed to Saginaw City, where he has since been engaged
in the manufacture of cigars. He was alderman in 1877 and 1879.
Politically a Democrat.
SAMUEL 0. KNAPP,
Member of the state board of agriculture from 1868 to 1874, was born
at Royalton, Vt., April 21, 1816, and died some years since at Jackson.
He settled in Jackson in 1844, and introduced the manufacture of
woolen goods into the state prison. He was several years president
of the Jackson school board. He was a recognized authority in horticulture. He was interested in copper mining in 1847-8, and made a
valuable report upon the geology of that part of the state. A Republican in politics.
GEORGE W. KNEELAND
Settled in Howell, Mich., in 1836, first as a farmer, afterwards
engaged in running a steam saw mill at Howell, and was in the same




400


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


business in Iosco where he died. He was judge of probate of Livingston county in 1840, held other public positions and was elected a
Representative in 1850. Polititically a Democi at.
GODFREY E. KNIGHT,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1875, was born Sept. 15,
1838, in Schoolcraft, Michigan. He graduated from the University
of Michigan in 1860. He has held several village offices and been justice of the peace in Schoolcraft. Is by occupation a merchant, in
politics a Democrat.
HENRY C. KNIGHT
Was born in East Bethlehem, Pa., Sept. 13, 1817. He graduated at
Jefferson college, spent one year in Yale law school, came to Michigan in 1837, and settled at Pontiac. He was admitted to the bar in
1839, remained in Pontiac until 1848, and was a partner of 0. D.
Richardson. He then taught a classical school, and devoted himself
to the ministry until 1853, when he settled in Detroit and resumed
law practice. He was an alderman and member of the board of education of Detroit; prosecuting attorney of Wayne county, and regent
of the University, both of which positions he held at the time of his
death, March 26, 1867. He was for many years superintendent of the
Fort street Presbyterian Sunday school. In politics a Republican.
NATHAN KNIGHT,
Representative from Bay county in 1877-49, was born at Otisfield, near
Portland, Maine, July 14, 1817. His father removed to Michigan in
1826 and settled at Avon, Oakland county. He finished his educational studies at Austinburg institute, Ohio. He taught school two
terms, and came to Bay City in 1854. He was supervisor of Hampton
for many consecutive years. His principal business is farming. In
politics a Democrat.
RICHARD KNIGHT,
Representative from Antrim and other counties in 1883, was born in
the county of Surrey, England, and had a common school education.
He came to Woodstock, Ontario, in 1850, and was a blacksmith in
Canada and Wisconsin. Removed to Banks, Mich., in 1863. Has
bee n sheriff of Antrim county, sixteen years a justice, and town treasurer. Politically a Republican.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


401


ELBRIDGE G. KNOWLTON.
Little can be learned of Mr. Knowlton, Representative from Oakland
county in 1844. He was a farmer and innkeeper in the town of
Groveland; was supervisor in 1837-38-41, also justice of the peace.
He came to Michigan in 1837 and removed in 1847. Representative in
1844.
EZRA L. KOON, 
Senator from Branch and Hillsdale counties in 1869-70-83, was born
at Tyrone, N. Y., Dec. 31, 1833. Came first to Michigan in 1844, but
taught school and attended Franklin academy, Plattsburgh, N. Y.,
in 1854-5. Studied law in Illinois and at Hillsdale, and was admitted
in 1859, where he is now engaged in practice. Circuit court commissioner two years, and prosecuting attorney four years.  With
Hon. Charles Upson was a commissioner to examine the compilation
of 1871. Has been twice mayor of Hillsdale; since 1875 a trustee of
Hillsdale college; and vice president of second national bank of Hillsdale since 1874. Politically a Republican.
JOSEPH KUHN
Representative from Detroit in 1879, was born in Neustadt, HesseL
Cassel, Prussia, March 9,1826. In 1846 he emigrated to Detroit. The
same year he removed to Perry county, Ohio, where he received a
collegiate education. In 1849 he returned to Detroit and established
a select school.  He has served as justice two terms, alderman,
school inspector, and a member of the board of estimates. Occupation, general foreign and domestic business, exchanges, real estate,
loans, etc. Politics, democrat.
FREDERICK W. A. KURTH,
Representative from Wayne county in 1879, was born June 6, 1844
in Berlin, Germany. In 1852 he emigrated to America and settled in
New York city. In 1854 he removed to Detroit. He received a liberal education, and in 1861 enlisted in the war. In 1865 he embarked
in the retail grocery business. In 1878 he was elected superintendent
of schools at Springwells.  In politics a Republican.
EDWARD S. LACEY
Was born in Chili, N. Y., Nov. 26, 1835. In 1842 he removed to Union,
City, Mich.; in 1843 to Kalamo, and in 1857 to Charlotte. His edu



402


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


cation was received in the common schools and Olivet college. He
was elected register of deeds of Eaton county in 1860, and re-elected
in 1862; began the banking business in 1862, and assisted in organizing the first national bank of Charlotte in 1871, of which he has ever
since been a director and cashier. He was mayor of the city of Charlotte; a delegate to the republican national convention at Cincinnati
in 1876, a trustee of the Michigan asylum for the insane from 1874 to
1880.. He was a Representative in the forty-seventh congress and
forty-eighth congress as a Republican. Mr. Lacey was elected chairman of the republican state committee in 1882, which position he
held for two years. He is now president of the national bank at
Charlotte, and was a leading republican candidate for United States
Senator in 1887.
ELIJAH LACEY,
Representative from Berrien connty in 1838, Senator in 1840-41, 61-2,
and delegate in the constitutional convention of 1835, was born in
Loudon county, Va., March 28, 1795. He received a limited education. At the age of ten became a resident of Ohio. Settled at Richmond, Ind., in 1820, and was for five years an editor. Settled at
Niles, Mich., in 1829, where then only two log houses had been erected.
He laid out the village and built a saw and flouring mill, In 1845 he
built the mill race and mills near the railroad bridge, in which he
retained an interest until his death. He was president of the village
and mayor of the city of Niles. Died before the expiration of his
term as Senator.
OBED P. LACEY
Was born in Ohio in 1810, and came to Niles, Mich., in 1828. He
gave the name of Niles to that place in honor of the editor of the
Niles Weekly Register, a noted New England paper of that time. He
established a trading house with the Indians, had a postoffice established, and was the first postmaster, and the first clerk of the town of
Niles. He built the first bridge over St. Joseph river, and owned two
additions to Niles and West Niles. He was a Representative in the
legislature of 1843. Died May 13, 1844. In politics a Democrat.
SAMUEL S. LACEY,
Commissioner of the state land office, 1861-5, was born in Bennington, Vt., May 28, 1815. His father was a captain in the war of 1812,
and both his grandfathers served in the revolution.  His father




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


403


removed to western New York in 1818, and the son received an academical education, and graduated at Hamilton college. Resided in
Arkansas four years, and was judge of Hot Springs county. Settled
at Homer, Mich., in 1846, and was ten years a farmer. He removed
to Marshall, where he now resides, in 1855. He was clerk of Calhoun
county four years; was agent to select lands for the agricultural college; was commandant of camp with authority to raise the 28th
Michigan infantry; collector of internal revenue; postmaster of Marshall in 1867, and now in that position; ten years member of city board
of education, and for some time editor of the Marshall Expounder.
A Whig until 1854, a Republican until 1872, and a Democrat since
that time.
NATHANIEL LADD,
Senator from Wayne county in 1855, was a native of Vermont, born
Dec. 20, 1805. He enjoyed a New England common school education,
was a farmer by occupation, and settled in Dearborn in 1836. Politics,
Republican.
STALLHAM W. LA DU,
Representative from Montcalm county in 1881-2-3, was born in Duchess
county, N. Y., February 28, 1823. His education was mainly received
at Red Creek union academy, N. Y. After teaching he entered the
ministry of the M. E. church in Canada. While acting in this capacity he became one of the originators and founders of Albert University, located at Belleville, Ontario, and served on its board of manage 
ment and as one of its senators until his removal to Michigan in the
fall of 1867. Owing to loss of health he was obliged to forego his
ministerial duties, and in 1874 located in Montcalm county, where his
time has been principally occupied in farming. Originally a Democrat, he embraced abolitionism during the time he was pursuing
his academic studies, and from that graduated into the republican
party. He was state oil inspector 1885-7.
WILLIAM P. LAING
Was born in Milton, N. Y., June 26, 18L3, and came to Ann Arbor in
1833. He removed to Shiawassee county in 1836, and helped build the
second log house in Owosso. In 1837 he settled in Sciota, where he
held the offices of supervisor and justice of the peace. In 1850 he moved
to Perry Center,Shiawassee county, secured a mail route from Lansing
to Byron through Perry, and was appointed postmaster. In 1856 he




404


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


was elected sheriff of Shiawassee county, and was re-elected in 1858.
In 1865 was a Representative. He is a farmer, and a Republican in
politics.
WILLIAM S. LAING,
Senator from the counties of Marquette, Menominee and Iron in 1887,
was born in Scotland in 1845, and came to Canada with his parents in
1849. He removed to Michigan in 1865, where he was engaged to
work in the lumber woods and at farming until 1878, when he removed
to Iron Mountain, and engaged in the butcher business. He is interested in a large wholesale and retail meat market at Iron Mountain,
and at Marinette, Wisconsin, and in a saw-mill and general store at
Wilson. He was elected to the Senate as a Republican by a vote of
5,141 to 4,709 for George W. Brown, democratic and labor candidate.
ALBERT L. LAKEY,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1887, was born at
Uxbridge, Mass., March 25, 1846. He resided in New York and
Pennsylvania until 1861, when he enlisted at the age of fifteen and
served until May, 1865. Located at Kalamazoo in 1867, and is engaged
in the manufacture of paints and roofing. He has been three times
a member of the common council.
JACOB C. LAMB
Was born in Springfield, N. J., April 10, 1828. In 1852 he came to
Michigan and settled in Dryden, Lapeer county, as a farmer. He
was a Representative in 1871-2-3 and 4. He was for several years a
member of the republican state committee. He is a prominent business man at Imlay City.
JOHN M. LAMB,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1841-2-3, and Senator in 1856-8 -63-4, was born in Springfield, N. J., Aug. 11, 1808. He came to Michigan in 1834, and in 1836 settled in Dryden, Lapeer county, improved
a large farm, and was also in mercantile business from 1841 to 1869.
He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1867. He was
first a Whig and then a Republican. A useful, influential man. Died.
Nov. 3, 1871.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


4056


ROBERT D. LAMOND
Was a graduate of the Vermont medical college at Castleton, and
Fairfield medical college, N. Y. He settled in Flint about 1838, coming
there from Pontiac where he was in practice prior to 1833. He was a
member of the Oakland county medical society and was its secretary
in 1835. He was one of the original members of the Genesee county
medical society, and became the leading physician of Genesee county.
He was a Representative in 1844. Died at Flint in 1871.
COLOMBIA LANCASTER,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1838, was born in New
Milford, Conn., August 26, 1803. By profession a lawyer, in politics a
Democrat. He came to White Pigeon, Michigan, in 1830, where he
remained until the county seat was removed to Centreville, when he
erected the first residence there. He was a member of the first convention of assent in 1836. In 1838 he left Michigan with his wife and
daughter and with an ox team traveled to Oregon territory, where he
arrived in September of the same year. At the crossing of the Missouri river he was elected to the command of the emigrating company, consisting of 84 wagons, the command terminating at Ash
Hollow, beyond the hostile tribes of Indians. He found a provisional
government established in Oregon. In 1847 he was appointed supreme
judge of Oregon, which he held until congress organized the territory
and appointed judges. He was afterwards delegate to congress from
Oregon. He now resides at Vancouver, Washington territory.
JOHN LANDON,
Representative from Jackson county in 1865-71, was born in 1833, in
Cayuga county, N. Y. He came with his father's family to Springport, Mich., in 1835, his father building the first house in that township. The son received a fair education, and was elected supervisor
when quite young, holding that position several terms. He was a
farmer, a Republican in politics. He died March 13, 1871, before the
expiration of his second term, and his funeral was attended by eight
representatives as pall bearers, and by the speaker and clerk of the
House.
RUFUS W. LANDON
Was born in Salisbury, Conn., May 3, 1815. He received a common
school education and came to Niles. Berrien county, May 9, 1832, at
42




-406


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


the age of seventeen, in the midst of the excitement caused by the
breaking out of the Black Hawk war. He was one of the first settlers in Berrien county, and always lived at Niles. In politics a
Democrat, and by occupation a dealer in real estate. He was postmaster of Niles from 1837 to 1841, and treasurer of Berrien county
for ten years, from January 1, 1843, to December 31, 1852. He was
elected to the State Senate in 1862, and served in the sessions of 1863 -4. He was a gentleman highly respected in the city and county,
which was his home for more than fifty years. He died in 1886.
MINOT T. LANE
Was born at Marlborough, N. H., March 12, 1807. He cameto Michigan in 1831 and settled at Romeo. He was a Representative in 1838
and 1848. In politics a Democrat. He removed to Detroit in 1848.
He was regent of the University from 1845 to 1849, and held several
municipal offices in Detroit, including that of police justice from
1866 to 1870. Died February 23, 1875.
PETER LANE,
Born April 23, 1823, in Aurelius, N. Y., came to Flint, Michigan, in
1844. Moved to Saginaw in 1850, where he has since resided. He
was town clerk in 1851, and treasurer in 1852. Went to California in
1853 on horseback. He has been alderman and supervisor in Saginaw, and for three years chairman of the county board of supervisors. In 1869-70 he was a Representative. Has been a millwright,
and saw-mill engineer, and for eight years was in the lumbering
business. Now retired. Republican in politics.
THOMAS D. LANE
Was born in Victor, N. Y., June 26, 1820. He came with his parents
to Salem, Michigan, in 1836. His father served in the war of 1812.
The son was reared on a farm, and most of his education was obtained
nights, by the aid of burning tamarack knots. He was inspector of
schools fifteen years, supervisor four years, Representative in 1859,
Senator in 1861-2. He taught school seventeen years.
NATHANIEL LANGDON,
Senator from Monroe county in 1865, was born in the state of New
York, June 18, 1810. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Demo



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


407


crat. He came to Ida, Monroe county, in 1847, where he still resides.
He has been supervisor of that town for twenty-seven years.
LEANDER LAPdAM,
Representative from Barry county in 1865, was born in Erie county,
New York, October 8, 1819. He came to Michigan in 1830, lived in
Wayne county seven years, and in 1837 settled upon a farm in the
town of Maple Grove, Barry county, where he still resides. Has been
fifteen terms supervisor. In politics a Republican.
CHARLES LARNED,
Attorney General of Michigan territory under Governor Porter, wax
born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He graduated at Williams college
in 1806, and studied law in Kentucky with Henry Clay. While a
student there he enlisted in Colonel Owen's regiment, which marched
t) the relief of General Harrison at Fort Wayne. He rapidly rose to
the rank of major, and was in the battle of the Thames and other
engagements. At the close of the war he engaged in law practice in
Detroit, and became distinguished in the profession. As attorney
general of the territory, he conducted the difficult negotiations that
grew out of the Black htawk war. He died August 13, 1834.
JAMES B. LARUE
Was born in Franklin, N. J., Feb. 6, 1800. He ran a paper mill in
New Prospect, N. J. He came to Michigan in 1838, and took up large
tracts of land in Berrien county, near St. Joseph. He built a double
saw-mill and improved a farm seven miles up the St. Joseph river.
He had 1,000,000 feet of the best whitewood lumber piled up which
all went to waste during the great depression, because it would not
pay for shipping to Chicago. He went to California in 1849 with ox
teams, working at gold digging a year or two, then negotiated with a
Spaniard for two hundred acres of land near Oakland, opened a store
and boarding-house, laid out the town of San Antonio, now a part of
Oakland, was elected to the California legislature, organized a steam
ferry company, and ran two steamers across the bay from San Francisco to Oakland and San Antonio for several years. He died in 1872,
leaving a valuable property. He was Representative in 1840 and 1841
as a Whig.




408


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


HENRY B. LATHROP
Was born in Hanover, N. H., in 1808. In 1815 he went to Buffalo,
N. Y., and remained in that vicinity until 1834, then came to Detroit,
where he followed the occupation of a mason and contractor. In
1838 was an alderman. In 1838 he removed to Jackson, where the
state prison had been located on twenty acres of his farm. He
donated the stone for the west half of the prison buildings. He was
a Representative in 1840, and in 1847 was Senator. In 1849 he became
a government agent, and traveled extensively through the states and
Canada. In 1852 he went to California with a drove of horses, cattle
and sheep, and engaged in mining. He was the first man who made
a success of, carrying water by a wrought iron pipe thirty inches in
diameter, crossing Feather river by a truss bridge, 1,081 feet below
the head or inlet, thence rising 900 feet in a half mile so as to command the mines. Against the predictions of engineers it carried 36,000,000 gallons of water per day for sixteen years. Hundreds of
miles of pipe are now used for che same purpose. In politics, first a
Whig, since 1854 a Republican. Now resides at Ionia.
HORACE N. LATHROP,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1853, was born at Norwich,
Conn., March 9, 1805. He settled in Oregon, Lapeer county, Mich.,
in 1836, was the first supervisor of the town, and held that position
several terms, also other local offices. By occupation a farmer and
miller, in politics a Democrat. Died in May, 1871.
W. IRVING LATIMER
Was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., in 1836. He received a good
common school education, and came to Michigan in 1859, where he
soon took a prominent part in public affairs. During his residence
in the state he has held the offices of deputy collector of United
States revenue, postmaster, township treasurer, city treasurer of Big
Rapids, and mayor of that city. He has always been a Republican,
and was a member of the state central committee in 1876. While
serving his third term as treasurer of Mecosta county, he received the
nomination, by the republican state convention of 1878, for auditor
general, to which office he was triumphantly elected. This was
followed by a re-election in 1880. Mr. Latimer is now a resident of
Lansing.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


409


DAVID L. LATOURETTE
Was born in Seneca county, N. Y., August 26, 1823. He came to
Michigan in 1835, and was engaged in the manufacture of linseed oil
and woolen goods, later became a banker and established a national
bank in Fenton, of which he was president. He held various positions of trust and responsibility, and was Senator from Genesee
county in 1867, as a Republican. He died at Prescott, Arkansas,
September 22, 1885.
BENJAMIN LAUBACH,
Representative from Ottawa county in 1877-79, was born in Fishing
Creek, Pa., October 8, 1823, and, with his parents, removed to Seneca
county, Ohio, in 1836. He received a common school education. In
1853 he removed to Michigan and purchased and cleared a farm four
miles north of Berlin, Ottawa county, upon which he has since continued to reside. He has held the office of justice for fifteen years
and supervisor for four years, and is largely engaged in the settlement of estates of deceased persons. In politics a Republican.
PETER E. LAWRENCE,
Representative from Jackson county in 1843, was born in Marcellus,
N. Y., in 1807. He came to Michigan in 1837 and went into business
as a merchant at Leoni. In politics a Democrat. He was postmaster
of Leoni in 1838. Died in California in 1854.
SOLOMON L. LAWRENCE,
Representative from Branch county in 1851, was born in Weybridge
county, Vt., March 1, 1811. By occupation a farmer. He came to
Coldwater, Michigan, in 1836, removed to Iowa in 1856, and now
resides in Wilton, Muscatine county. He was a Democrat until 1861,
now a Republican. In Iowa has been justice twelve years, mayor
two years, and has held other positions. He was for fifteen years
chairman of board of school inspectors in Girard, Mich.
EZRA D. LAY,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1875, was born Dec. 6,
1807, at Saybrook, Conn., and was educated at district and select
schools. lie removed to Michigan in 1833, settling on a farm in Ypsi



410


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


lanti, where he now resides. He was supervisor of Ypsilanti seven
terms. He is by occupation a farmer, and has been president of the
eastern Michigan agricultural society. In politics a Republican.
DEWITT C. LEACH,
Representative in congress from 1857 to 1861, was born in Clarence,
N. Y., Nov. 23, 1832; received a public school education; came when
young to Genesee county, Michigan; was a Representative in 1850;
was a delegate in the constitutional conventions of 1850 and 1867; was
state librarian in 1855 and 1856, removing to Lansing in 1855; was
editor of the Lansing Republican some years; was elected to congress
in 1856, serving two terms, from 1857 to 1861. He removed to Traverse City after 1861, and purchased and edited the Grand Traverse
Herald for many years, and later went to Springfield, Mo., where he
edited and published a paper. He was early a strong anti-slavery
man, and has been a Republican since 1854.
SIRRELL C. LE BARRON
Was born in Woodstock, Vt., Jan. 25, 1807. He was educated at
Woodstock, and removed to Harrisburg, Pa., in 1825. He was delegate to the Clay convention at Washington in 1o32. He removed to
Tecumseh, Mich., in.832. He was the second clerk of Lenawee
county in 1834 and held the office until Michigan became a state, and
was the first county clerk under the state organization. He was a Rep_
resentative in 1840. A merchant for some years at Tecumseh. He
opened the first grammar school in the county in 1832 and kept it
until 1836.
HENRY LEDYARD,
Senator from Wayne county in 1857-8, was born in New York city,
March 3, 1812, and his early life was passed there. He was a graduate of Columbia college and was admitted to practice as an attorney.
His first official position was as secretary of legation at the French
court under the ministry of Gen. Cass, and from this position sprang
an intimacy with the Cass family which resulted in his marriage in
1839 to Matilda C., a daughter of Gen. Cass.  On the return of the
latter from Europe in 1844 he came to Detroit and assumed the management of the large property interests of his father-in-law. He was
alderman of his ward, 1849-50, was one of the first members of the
board of water commissioners of the city, organized in 1853, and was




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


411


mayor of the city in 1855. He also served as a member of the school
board, 1846-7, and his name appears in various business and philanthropic enterprises. He removed to Washington and resided there
during Gen. Cass' service as secretary of state, and for a short time
discharged the duties of assistant secretary of state. He removed to
Newport, R. I., in 1861. He was a Democrat in politics. Died in
London, England, in 1880.
DANIEL L. LEE,
Representative from Oakland county in 1843, was born in Yates
county, N. Y., in 1806. Settled as a merchant in Farmington, Mich.,
in 1836, and in 1839 purchased a farm in Novi and removed his business there. In 1844 became a merchant and farmer at Brighton. He
was largely interested in lands. With Bush & Thomas he owned
large property interests in Lansing.  They built the Benton, now
Everett, house in 1850. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1850. Died Sept. 26, 1857.
GEORGE W. LEE
Was born at Greene, N. Y., Oct. 24, 1812. He received a common
school and academical education and came to Livingston county,
Mich., in 1836, and engaged in farming, and afterwards was a merchant at Howell until 1861. He was a Whig, but a Republican after
1854. Established the Livingston Republican in 1855. In 1858 was
appointed a member of state reform school board of control, which he
held for many years. He was a presidential elector in 1860. In 1861
he was appointed quartermaster, had charge of the equipment and
transportation of Michigan troops during the war, and was promoted
to colonel. Later was Indian agent for Michigan. Died several
years since at Ypsilanti.
JAMES LEE,
Representative from Leelanaw and Benzie counties in 1875-7, was
born in Yorkshire, England, March 10, 1816, and received a common
school education. In 1832 he emigrated to Michigan, settling in
Hamtramck, and engaging in farming and brickmaking. In 1858 he
removed to Bingham, Leelanaw county. He held several townshipt
offices, including that of supervisor for five years, and pursues thebusiness of farming.




-412


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


JAMES B. LEE
Was born in Milo Centre, N. Y., April 14, 1819. By occupation a
merchant, in politics a Democrat. He came to Michigan at the age of
fifteen and was a clerk in the store of Thomas & Lee at Farmington.
He removed to Brighton in 1842, where he was a merchant until 1877.
He married Samantha B. Chadwick in 1843. He was Representative
in 1869-70. He died at Brighton, Sept. 5, 1886. He was for sixteen
years postmaster at Brighton, and held all responsible offices in the
village corporation.
JOSIAH LEE
Representative from Macomb county in 1841, was born in the state of
Connecticut, June 24, 1781. Came to this state in 1832, where he
worked two years and brought his family in 18:4, settling as a
farmer in Ray, Michigan. He was an early supervisor of that town,
also a justice of the peace. A Democrat. Died Sept. 5, 1855.
GURDON C. LEECH
Was born Feb. 8, 1811, in West Bloomfield, N. Y. He was a merchant of Palmyra, N. Y., from 1828 to 1830, when he came to Utica,
Michigan. He engaged there in milling and mercantile business.
He was Representative in 1841. In politics a democrat. He died at
Utica, May 10, 1841.
PAYNE K. LEECH
Was born in West Bloomfield, N. Y., Jan. 31, 1809. He received a
common school education and worked on his father's farm until 1830.
He then came to Utica, Michigan, and engaged in milling until 1836,
when he moved upon a farm in the same town. He was a Whig
until the dissolution of that party. Has since been a Republican.
He was a Representative in 1846. Has held the office of supervisor
several times. He is one of the veterans of the Toledo war.
ANDREW J. LEETCH
Was born in the state of New York in 1830. In 1835 he removed
with his parents to Canton, Wayne county, Michigan. Was brought
up on a farm and received a common school education. Became a
carpenter and joiner by trade and followed it for years. He was




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


413


Representative in 1861-2. In 1865 he became a grocer at Ypsilanti,
and in 1866 built a malt house and brewery. Has been supervisor
and owns a large farm in the town of Superior.
JOHN LEITCH,
Representative from Sanilac county in 1883, was born in Scotland,
November 10, 1832. He moved with his parents to Canada in 1841,
and settled in Elgin county. There he passed his boyhood and early
manhood. He moved to Sanilac county, Michigan, in April, 1856.
and settled on the farm, where he has continued to reside.  He has
always been a farmer by occupation, but held township and school
offices the greater part of the time. Politically a Democrat.
ELIJAH LELAND
Was born in Mendon, N. Y., in July, 1804. He came to Quincy,
Michigan, in 1834, bought a farm of 320 acres, and lived there during
the remainder of his life. He was a Representative in 1857. He sent
three sons to defend the union.
JOSHUA G. LELAND
Was born in Madison county, N. Y., July 19, 1805, and died April 27,
1876. He came to Michigan in 1831 and settled in Washtenaw county,
and was a Representative in 1844-46. He was also president of the
Washtenaw county agricultural society, of the farmers' insurance
company, and of the county pioneer society. He was a successful
farmer and business man.
JOSEPH C. LEONARD,
Senator from Branch county in 1853, was born at Smyrna, N. Y.,
Aug. 11, 1817. He was educated at Cazenovia, and Hamilton college,
and settled at Union City, Mich., in 1842. He was postmaster there
in 1846 and again in 1858, for twenty years trustee of village schools,
and director of the Michigan Air Line railroad company. In politics
a Democrat. At first a boot and shoe dealer, but for many years a
farmer, also engaged in surveying and conveyancing.
DANIEL LEROY,
Attorney General of Michigan, 1836-7, was born in Nova Scotia, May
17, 1775, and was educated there and at Binghamton, N. Y. He
43




414


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


studied law and was admitted to practice at the age of twenty-five.
He came to Pontiac, Michigan, and was the first lawyer admitted to
practice at the Oakland county bar, July 17, 1820. He was prosecuting attorney of the county for several years and was chief justice of
the county court from 1829 to 1833. He was a member of the territorial council in 1830-31, and a presidential elector in 1836. By
appointment of Gov. Mason he was the first attorney general under a
state government. He was a lawyer of ability and ranked high in
the bar of the state. Late in life he retired from business, and died
at Fenton, February 11, 1858. Politically a Democrat.
JOHN P. LEROY,
Senator in 1840-41-51 from Oakland county, was born in Johnstown,
N. Y., Sept. 22, 1804. He settled in Pontiac, Mich., in 1827: was for
many years a justice. and served as county treasurer. He was a
Whig and assisted in forming that party in Oakland county, and was
a delegate to the convention that organized the republican party.
Died August 23, 1867.
GEORGE S. LESTER,
Representative from Sanilac county in 1850, was born in Washington
county, N. Y., March 4. 1812. Came to Michigan in 1840, and has
resided at Pontiac, Lexington, Port Huron, and for the last twentyfour years at Alpena. Has been a lumberman, and built three steam
saw mills, collector of customs, merchant and real estate dealer, and
is now judge of probate in Alpena county. In politics a Republican.
AMOS LEWIS,
Representative from Oceana county in 1879, was born March 6, 1821,
at Highland county, Ohio. He moved to Laporte county, Ind., in
1836, and to Oceana county, Mich., in 1866, whare he is a farmer.
Politics, national.
GEORGE LEWIS,
Representative from Bay county in 1873-4, was born in Monroe, N.
Y., November 8, 1827. He received his early education in common
schools. In 1849 he emigrated to Michigan, and settled in Saginaw.
In 1858 he removed to Bay City, where he now resides. He has been
supervisor, and has held minor positions of trust in Bay county. His
occupation is that of a banker and lumberman.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


415


JOHN D. LEWIS,
Representative from Tuscola county in 1865, was born in Ellisburgh,
N. Y., September 2, 1834. He was educated at Union college, and
graduated from the Albany law school in 1861. He settled in practice at Vassar, Michigan. From 1861 to 1868 he was principal of the
Vassar union school. He held many local positions, including supervisor, circuit court commissioner and county superintendent of
schools. He removed to Portsmouth, now part of Bay City, and was
two years principal of schools there, later a merchant. Has been
alderman, member of board of education, and in 1874 was Senator.
Now resides in Florida.
NATHANIEL W. LEWIS,
Senator from Allegan county in 1879, was born in Washington
county, Vt., September 11, 1832. He received a common school education. In 1858 he removed to Calhoun county, Michigan. He enlisted as private in an independent regiment known as "Merrill's
Horse," in 1862; was promoted through the grades to lieutenant; and
was mustered out in the fall of 1865. He soon after removed to
Ganges, Allegan county. Occupation farmer and fruit-grower. He
has held the offices of commissioner, clerk and supervisor. In politics a National.
THOMAS LEWIS,
Representative from Wayne county in 1842 and 1846, was born in
Sandwich, Canada, in 1807. settling in Detroit in 1819. His general
pursuits were those of merchant and farmer. In 1836, in company
with Richard Godfroy, he made a business venture at Grand Rapids,
which was mercantile, milling and buying furs. The firm built a
steamer, the Gov. Mason, the loss of which, with a cargo of furs,
proved so disastrous that he returned to Detroit and located on
Grosse Isle, where he owned and managed a farm, and was also
interested in the fisheries thereabout. He was for many years a leading citizen, and served his township as supervisor and justice. A
Democrat in politics. Died October 19, 1887.
WILLIAM LEWIS,
Representative from Barry county in 1846, was born at Weatherfield,
N. Y., in 1802. He came to Yankee Springs, Michigan, in 1836,
located a large farm, and built a hotel which became famous as




416


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


" Yankee Lewis House." Few people of olden pioneer days failed to
partake of the hospitalities of "Yankee Lewis." He was an enterprising, active, ever busy pioneer, and did his full share in reclaiming the wilderness. Politically a Democrat. Died September 15, 1853.
LANSING E. LINCOLN,
Representative from Huron county in 1885-7, was born at Groton, N.
Y., in 1842. He enlisted in 1861, and after his term of enlistment
expired was sutler of the 148th N. Y. volunteers. At the close of the
war went into business at Richmond, Va., and in 1867 in New York
city. In 1871 came to Mason, Mich., and was first in the boot and
shoe business, then engaged in shipping live stock. Since 1881 has
been a resident of Huron county, farming and in the live stock business. He was wounded at Ball's Cross Roads, Va. He was elected as
a Fusionist.
PETER LINDERMAN,
Representative from Ingham county in 1857, was born at Wallkill,
N. Y., Oct. 5, 1795, and settled at Mason in 1836. A Whig until 1854,
then a Republican. By occupation a farmer. He was the first supervisor of Vevay, postmaster of Mason, for many years a justice, and
judge of probate for Ingham county. Died March 4, 1865.
WILLIAM S. LINTON,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1887, was born at St. Clair,
Mich., Feb. 4, 1856. Received a common school education, was a
book-keeper several years, then superintendent of saw-mills at Wells,
Bay county. In 1879 engaged in the lumber business and planing
mill business at East Saginaw, with his father and brother. Has
been supervisor, an alderman four years, and held other offices. In
politics a Republican.
WILLIAM E. LITTELL,
Representative from Oakland county in 1879-81-2, was born May 16,
1838, at Cayuga, N. Y. He was educated in a district school and an
academy. Having come to Michigan in 1851, he settled at Orion.
He served fifteen months in the seventh regiment of Michigan volunteers, during the war. He taught school and held all the varions
offices in his township except that of treasurer; was postmaster at




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


417


Orion six years; justice of the peace sixteen years; supervisor fourteen
years, and chairman of the board of supervisors of Oakland county.
CHARLES D. LITTLE,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1871-2-5-9, was born in Livingston, N. Y., in 1823, and received a classical education. He came to
Michigan in 1837, but in 1839 went to Canandaigua, N. Y., and studied law. In 1842 became a law partner of E. H. Thomson, at Flint,
and was judge of probate for Genesee county. Removed to Saginaw
in 1850, practiced law until 1861, then went into the army as quartermaster of the 23d Michigan infantry, was appointed assistant adjutant general on the staff of Gen. Granger, and held it until 1863,
resigning from sickness. He was chairman of the Saginaw board of
supervisors six years, and has held other local offices. In politics a
Democrat.
FLAVIUS J. LITTLEJOHN
Was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., in July, 1804. He graduated
from Hamilton college in 1827, and delivered the valedictory address.
He was admitted to the bar in 1830, and practiced in Little Falls, N.
Y., until 1836, when on account of ill health, he removed to Allegan,
Michigan, and for several years was engaged as a surveyor, engineer
and geologist. In 1842-3-8 and 1855 he was a Representative in the
legislature, and was Senator in 1845-6, and president pro tem. of that
body in 1846. From 1848 to 1853 he was engaged in the practice of
law. He was elected judge of the 9th circuit in 1858, which then
comprised twenty counties on the western shore, extending from Van
Buren to Emmet, and served until 1865. In 1849 he was the whig
and free soil candidate for governor against John S. Barry, and was
defeated by 4,279 votes. lie was at one time circuit court commissioner of Allegan county. He took great interest in education and
temperance. He was an eloquent and logical speaker, an able lecturer,
bore a spotless reputation, and wrote a volume of interesting Indian
legends. He died April 28, 1880.
PHILETUS O. LITTLEJOHN
Was born in Litchfield, N. Y., Dec. 24,1814. In politics a Democrat.
He was a Representative in 1863-4. He is extensively engaged in farming. As a young man he was a railroad contractor in Virginia and




418


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Maryland. He was justice fifteen years, member and chairman of the
board of supervisors of Allegan county for thirteen years, and two
years president of the village of Allegan.
WILLIAM LIVINGSTON, JR.,
Representative from Wayne county in 1875, was born in Dundas,
Ontario, Jan. 21. 1842. He removed to Detroit in 1849 and now
resides in that city.  He received an academical education and
learned the trade of a machinist. In 1861 he became connected with
the shipping interest, and from year to year increased his investments
in that direction until he was the owner of a number of steam vessels.
He has also been largely interested in the lumber business. Mr. Livingston has been president of Detroit street railroads. In politics a
Republican. He was appointed collector of customs at Detroit by
President Arthur, which he held for several years. He also published
the Detroit Journal.
FIDUS LIVERMORE,
Representative from Jackson county in 1843-4, was born at Waterville, N. Y., July 21, 1811. He learned the trade of a tailor and followed that business at Dresden, N. Y., until 1836, then studied law
three years and settled in practice at Jackson, Mich., in 1839. He
held the offices of justice, and prosecuting attorney two terms. He
was a delegate to the democratic national conventions of 1860 and 1872,
was a democratic candidate for elector in 1868, and the candidate of
that party for congress in 1874 and 1876. From 1846 to 1867 he was
senior partner of the law firm of Livermore & Wood. He was nine
years president of the school board, and was commandant of camp in
the organization of the 20th and 26th Michigan infantry. Politically a
Democrat. Died May 22, 1880.
JOHN S. LIVERMORE,
Representative from Oakland county in sessions of 1839-42, was Iorn
in Sangerfield, New York, Jan. 12, 1801. By occupation a physician,
in politics a Democrat. He located at Rochester, Mich., in 1830. He
left there in 1848, and died at Ft. Wilkins, on Lake Superior, Oct. 4,
1861. He was a volunteer in the war of 1812.
CHARLES LOCKE
Was born in Madison county, N. Y., May 11, 1811. He attended
common schools and obtained a fair education. From eighteen until




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


419


twenty-one he worked at building bridges and locks on the Schuykill
river. He then moved to Oneida county, N. Y., and worked a small
farm. He came to Michigan in 1836, and finally settled in Antrim,
Shiawassee county. After nine years he removed to Perry Center.
He was licensed to preach in 1858. He was justice thirteen years, and
in 1867 Representative in the legislature. In politics a Republican.
JAMES K. LOCKWOOD
Was born in Ottawa, Ohio, July 31, 1823.  His education was thatof
common schools. In 1848 he settled in Port Huron, Michigan, and
in 1860 removed to Alpena. He held various local offices, and in 1868 -73-4 was a Representative. In politics a Republican, by occupation
a lumber merchant.
MAJOR F. LOCKWOOD
Was born January 2, 1810, in Sand Lake, N. Y. He removed to
Parma, N. Y., in 1824, and became a farmer. He settled in Novi,
Mich., at an early day, for eight years was a merchant, then became
a farmer. In politics a Democrat. Representative from Oakland
county in 1849.
THOMAS W. LOCKWOOD,
Representative from Detroit in 1861-2-3-4, was a Republican in politics.
He was a native of Glastenbury, Conn., born in 1817. His early education, which was partly academical, was acquired at Albany, N. Y.,
where he was admitted to the bar soon after attaining his majority.
He located in Detroit in 1839, and to the time of his death in April,
1866, enjoyed not only a lucrative practice but the public confidence
in a marked degree. He served a term as president of the Detroit
young men's society, and his name is associated with various business,
public and benevolent enterprises. He was prominently connected
with the Westminister (Presbyterian) chtrch of Detroit.
JOHN LOMISON
Was born in Turbet, Pa., Nov. 14,1807.  He worked at farming until
the age of nineteen, when he learned the trade of a tanner and currier, and worked at it eleven years. In 1836 he settled as a farmer in
Park, St. Joseph county. He has been several times supervisor, town
clerk and justice, and was Representative in 1855 as a Republican.




420


IMICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


JEREMIAH D. LONG,
Representative from Detroit in 1885, was born in county Cork, Ireland, in 1840, came to this country in 1853 and learned the trade of a
shoemaker, then worked in the grocery business two years, and in a
cotton mill. In 1861 enlisted in the 3d battalion rifles, and after the
war resumed his trade. Elected as a labor candidate by a fusion with
the democrats.
JOHN WT. LONGYEAR
Was born in Shandaken, N. Y., October 22, 1820, and died at Detroit,
March 11, 1855. He received an academical education and taught
school for several years, at the same time pursuing the study of the
law. In 1844 he came to Ingham county, completing his studies at
Mason, at the same time teaching select school. He was admitted to
the bar in 1846, and removed to Lansing in 1847, engaging in a successful practice of the law, in partnership with his brother-Ephraim
Longyear. He was one of the ablest lawyers at the bar in central
Michigan. In 1862 he was elected by the republicans to congress,
and was re-elected in 1864. He was a delegate to the Philadelphia
convention in 1866, and was a member of the Michigan constitutional
convention in 1867. In May, 1870, he was appointed judge of the
United States district court at Detroit, and took high rank as a jurist.
In politics, first a Whig, then a Republican. In 1849 he married
Harriet M. Monroe, of Eagle, and left two sons and a daughter.
HENRY M. LOOK,
Representative from Oakland county in 1865, was born at Hadley,
Mich., October 27, 1837. His ancestors from Scotland, settled at
Martha's Vineyard in 1756.  He received a thorough education,
studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1859. He was prosecuting attorney of Oakland county in 1871-2; city attorney of Pontiac,
and member of board of education, 1864-8; delegate to the democratic
convention in 1872; chairman of the democratic state convention in
1872; chairman of the democratic county committee 1870 to 1875. In
politics a Democrat. Wrote a wort on " The law and practice of
Masonic trials," and from 1869 to 1876 was the grand lecturer for
the Masonic fraternity of Michigan. Now in practice in Utah.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


421


PETER B. LOOMIS,
Representative from Jackson county in 1859, was born at Amsterdam, N. Y., April 14, 1820. With a fair education he was a dry
goods merchant at Rochester, N. Y., at the age of eighteen. Settled
at Jackson, Mich., in 1843, and from that year until 1850 was a member of the dry goods firm of Loomis & Dwight. He then bought and
operated the Kennedy mill for four years. In 1856 he established the
banking firm of Loomis & Whitall, now P. B. Loomis & Co. Has
been president of the Jackson gas company; president and treasurer
of the Jackson and Ft. Wayne railroad company; chief of the fire
department, and alderman. Gave efficient aid in the building of
railroads. In politics a Republican.
THOMAS N. LOOMIS
Was born at Hamilton, N. Y., July 3, 1807, and died February 20,
1879. He located on a farm in Brandon, Oakland county, in 1836,
where he lived until 1867, passing the remainder of his life in the
village of Oakwood. He was eight years supervisor. He was a
Representative in 1847. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Republican.
HENRY W. LORD,
Representative to congress 1881 to 1883, was born in Northampton,
Mass., in 1821. He received an academical education at Andover,
Mass., and removed to Detroit in 1839. In 1842 went to Pontiac and
resided there until 1876, engaged in farming and mercantile business,
except from 1861 to 1867, when he was consul at Manchester, England. He was a presidential elector in 1876; a member of the board
of state charities from 1l71 to 1882, and its secretary for five years;
and for several years register of the U. S. land office at Devil's Lake,
Dakota. He was a resident of Detroit, while in congress. In politics
a Republican.
EDWIN H. LOTHROP,
Was born in Easton, Mass., March 22, 1806. He settled on Prairie
Ronde, in the township of Schoolcraft, Michigan, in 1830, and was a
leading farmer, and a prominent Democrat. He was a Representative in 1835-6-7-'42-3-4-8, was speaker pro tern. in 1842 and 1843, and
speaker in 1844, and was also commissioner of railroads. He held the
local office of supervisor. In 1857 he removed to Three Rivers, where
44




422


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


he held the office of justice most of the time until his death,
February 17, 1874. He was an older brother of Hon. G. V. N.
Lothrop, minister to Russia.
GEORGE V. N. LOTHROP
Was born at Easton, Mass., August 8,1817, and spent his early life on
a farm. He graduated from Brown University in 1P38. In 1839 he
came to Michigan for his health, and for three years was with his
brother Edwin H. Lothrop, on Prairie Ronde. In 1843 he resumed the
study of law with Joy & Porter, in Detroit. In 1844 he became a
partner of D. Bethune Duffield, the firm of Lothrop & Duffield continuing until 1857. In 1848 he was appointed attorney general, and
held that position until 1851. He was a member of the constitutional
convention of 1867. He has several times been a candidate for congress, and has repeatedly received the votes of the democratic members of the legislature for United States Senator. In 1885 he was
appointed United States minister to Russia. He is a fine orator, and
has long stood among the leading lawyers of the state.
CYRUS LOVELL
Was born in Grafton, Vermont, Sept. 9, 1804. He received an academical education, studied law, emigrated to Michigan in 1829, and settled at Ann Arbor. In 1831 he married Louise Fargo, and in 1832
built the first dwelling at Kalamazoo. He enlisted for a short time
in the Black Hawk war. At Kalamazoo he was justice, supervisor,
and prosecuting attorney. In 1836 he removed to Ionia and was the
first supervisor in 1837. In 1849 he was Representative in the legislature, and a member of the constitutional convention in 1850. In 1855
he was again a Representative, and was elected speaker of the House,
the first republican who held that position. He was a Whig until until
1854, then a Republican until 1860, and then supported Stephen A.
Douglas, and remained a Democrat. " Uncle Cy" as he used to be
known, is a fine scholar, and an able but eccentric man. He still lives
at Ionia.
ENOS T. LOVELL,
Senator from Kalamazoo county in 1881-2, was born in Grafton, Vt.,
January 22, 1821; received a common school education, and removed
with his parents to Climax, Mich., in 1835, where he has since resided.
He is a farmer. He has been eleven times supervisor of his township;




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


423


twice Representative in the state legislature (1867 and 1869); and
twice county treasurer. He is a Republican.
GEORGE W. LOVELL
Was born in Grafton, Vt., Dec. 9, 1818. He came to Climax, Michigan, in 1835,where he lived until r856, when he moved to Iowa, where
he now resides. He was Representative from Kalarmazoo county in
1853-5, also held the office of supervisor. Since his removal to Iowa
he has been elected to the Senate of that state. Was originally a
Whig, then a Republican, but since 1875 has been a Democrat. Education received in common schools. Is a farmer and of late years
interested in banking.
LOUIS LOVEILL
Was born at Grafton, Vt., Nov. 15, 1816. In April following he removed with his parents to Springfield, Windsor county. He prepared
for college at Chester and Bellows Falls, entered college at Middlebury in 1832 and graduated in 1836. He then went south and taught
in Georgia about two years. Having returned north in 1838, he commenced the study of law with Judge Closon in Springfield. In 1841,
with his father's family, he located in Ionia, Mich.,where he has since
resided. In the same year he was admitted to the bar and commenced
practice. During the Taylor-Fillmore administration he was register
of the United States land office at Ionia. In 1857 he was elected
judge of the eighth judicial circuit, and re-elected in 1863, 1869,
1875, serving until 1881. Was a candidate for re-election in 1881, but
was defeated.
LAFAYETTE W. LOVELL
Was born at Grafton, Vt., May 27, 1823, and settled in Climax, Mich.,
in 1835, where he now resides. He was educated at the Kalamazoo
branch of the University, graduated at Rush medical college in 1847,
practiced medicine fifteen years, and became a farmer. He was
Senator in 1857-8, and has also been a supervisor, and town clerk and
inspector of the state prison. In politics a Republican.
JOHN LOWRY
Was born in Schoharie county, N. Y., Feb. 14, 1793. He was a Whig
until 1854, then a Republican. He located a farm in Lodi in 1825, and




424


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


moved upon it in 1826. He added to the eighty acres first taken until
he had a splendid farm of 700 acres, with a fine house and outbuildings. He was Representative in 1839. He worked persistently forthe
abolition of slavery until it was accomplished. He held town and
county offices with acceptance many years. Died April 23, 1872.
CHARLES D. LUCE,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1873-4, was born in Arcada,
N. Y., April 6, 1820. He was educated in a common school. In 1846
he emigrated to Michigan and settled in the township of Jefferson,
Hillsdale county. His occupation was that of a farmer. Died in
the fall of 1887.
CYRUS GRAY LUCE
Was born in Windsor, Ashtabula county, Ohio, July 2, 1824. His
father, Walter Luce, was a native of Tolland, Conn., his ancestors
having settled on the spot where he was born more than two hundred years ago. His mother, Mary Gray, was born at Winchester,
Virginia. Her father having early imbibed a hatred for slavery, and
the surrounding atmosphere not being congenial to his tastes, he immigrated to northern Ohio, where Mary, the daughter, was married to
Walter in March, 1820. Cyrus G. was born the second of a family of
six boys. In September, 1836, the family removed to Steuben county,
Indiana, where parents and children endured the hardships and suffered the deprivations incident to pioneer life. Cyrus G. attended
school in the proverbial log school-house during the winter months,
and the balance of the year worked industriously in clearing away
the forests and performing other labor usual on new farms. He also
attended the Northeastern Indiana Collegiate Institute, located at
Ontario, Indiana, three terms. At the age of seventeen he commenced work in a carding mill and cloth dressing establishment, fol.
lowing the business seven years. In 1848, when twenty-four years
of age, he purchased eighty acres of wild land in Gilead, Branch
county, Michigan. In August, 1849, he was married to Julia A.
Dickinson, and they immediately made their home upon the land
bought the year previous. Upon this spot they continued to live until
August, 1882, when Mrs. Luce died. In November, 1883, he was
again married to Mrs. Mary E. Thompson, of Bronson, Michigan. In
1848, while still a resident of Indiana, he was nominated by the
whigs as their candidate for Representative in the legislature from a
district composed of DeKalb and Steuben counties. He was defeated




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


425


by eleven majority. Mr. Luce served the township of Gilead as
supervisor for twelve years. In 1854 he was elected a member of the
first republican legislature; in 1858 and 1860 was elected county treasurer, serving two terms; was a member of the Senate in 1865 and
1867; was also a member of the constitutional convention of 1867.
During his service as a member of the legislature in both branches he
was never absent a single day. In 1879 he was appointed state oil
inspector by Governor Croswell and re-appointed in 1881 by Governor
Jerome. In 1886 he was nominated by acclamation for the office of
governor by the republican convention held in Grand Rapids, and
after a very vigorous campaign was elected November 2, 1886,
by a vote of 181,474, while his chief opponent, George L. Yaple,
received 174,042, and Samuel Dickey, 25,179.
Since 1848 Mr. Luce has devoted time and energies to the cultivation of his farm, having added to the first purchase until he now
owns a well improved farm of three hundred acres.
JEREMIAH LUDINGTON, JR.,
Representative from Huron county in 1875-9, was born in Middlebury, Vt., May 5, 1828. He received a common school education and
removed to Huron county Michigan, in 1850. For seven years postmaster of Verona Mills. He has also been township treasurer,
county surveyor, and local state swamp land road commissioner. Up
to the time of the great fires of 1871 he was engaged in lumbering,
but having lost two saw-mills and a grist-mill, he now follows the
occupation of a farmer and a merchant. In politics a Republican.
LUTHER H. LUDLOW,
Representative from Jackson county in 1877, was born July 10, 1814,
at Ludlowville, N. Y. He was educated in the common schools, and
removed to Springport, Jackson county, in 1839. He has served as
justice four terms; supervisor from 1853 to 1861; in 1861-2 register of
deeds; in 1869-70 county treasurer, and in 1873-4 county clerk of
Jackson county. In politics a Republican.
SAMUEL LUDLOW,
Representative from Wayne county in 1857, was born in Ireland in
1815, and became a resident of Springwells in early life. He held the




426


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


office of justice of the peace for many years, was a farmer by occupation, a Democrat in politics, and died April 1, 1885.
GEORGE LUTHER,
Representative from Ottawa county in 1863-4-5, was born in Bristol,
R. I., May 3, 1823. By occupation a merchant, in politics a Republican.  He came to Grand Rapids. Mich., in 1841.   Removed to
Lamont, Ottawa county. Died December 23, 1884.
LUCIUS LYON,
United States Senator, 1835 to 1840, territorial delegate in congress
1832 to 1835, and member congress 1843-5, was born at Shelburne,
Vt., February 26, 1800, and died at Detroit, September 24, 1851. He
received a common school education and studied engineering and
surveying. He came to Detroit in 1822, and was appointed by the
surveyor general, deputy in the territory northwest of the Ohio.
Held the position until elected to congress in 1832. In 1840, after his
senatorial term, he removed to Grand Rapids, where he had large
land interests. Elected to congress in 1842 he served until March 4,
1845, and then was appointed surveyor general of Ohio, Michigan
and Indiana, and removed to Detroit, holding the position until his
death. In politics a Democrat, in religion a Swedenborgian. He
never married.
TRUMAN H. LYON,
Was born at Shelburne, Vt., Feb. 24, 1801. He had the advantages
of common schools, learned the business of a cloth dresser, and carried
on that business at Hopkinton, N. Y. He was early a justice of the
peace. In 1836 he came to Lyons, Michigan, where he kept hotel,
was justice, side judge, and held other local offices. He was also in
United States employ and was superintendent of light-houses on Lake
Michigan, and let the contracts for their construction. He moved to
Grand Rapids in 1840, where he kept hotel and was a merchant, and
for many years postmaster. He was Senator in 1853. He was a leading business man, and prominent Mason. Died Sept. 14, 1872.
JAMES H. MACDONALD
Was born in Northwest Inverness-shire, Scotland, in May, 1832, and
has been a resident of Michigan for the past twenty-three years, his




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


427


home at present being at Escanaba, Delta county. He was formerly
roadmaster of the C. & N. W. R'y Co., P. division, but at present has
no fixed occupation, his income coming from his royalty on iron-ore
land. He held the office of justice of the peace, and was elected to
the office of lieutenant-governor for 1887-8 by a vote of 181,830,
against Solomon S. Curry, Democrat, 173,079, and Charles Mosher,
Prohibitionist, 25,969 votes.
ALMON MACK,
Representative from Oakland county in 1848, was born in Tunbridge,
Vt., in 1806. He joined his father at Pontiac in 1822, and was his
agent. He was offered and declined the position of secretary of the
first territorial council in 1824, but furnished the eighteen names from
which the president selected the first council of nine. He was a merchant at Rochester, Mich., from 183) to 1853, and held many positions
of trust and honor. In politics a Democrat.
ANDREW MACK,
Representative from Detroit in 1839, was born in New London, Conn.
He became a captain in the ocean merchant service and made three
voyages around the world. In 1804 he drove some merino sheep, purchased in Spain, over the Cumberland mountains to Cincinnati, and
built a woolen factory there, and was a member of the Ohio legislature. Was a colonel in the war of 1812. Came to Detroit as collector
of the port in 1829, which he held until 1839. He opened and kept
the Mansion hotel in 1830, and was mayor of Detroit in 1834, during
the cholera visitation, and did much to relieve the sick, and as a
health officer.  He died in 1875, and wa~ buried on his farm near St.
Clair. Was in politics a Democrat.
STEPHEN MACK
Was born in Connecticut in 1763. He married Temperance Bond, and
settled in Tunbridge, Vt., when a young man, and engaged in mercantile business. He built a hotel, and became colonel of the state
militia. In 1810 he came to Detroit and engaged in mercantile business with Thomas Emerson, and they were in trade when Gen. Hull
surrendered Detroit. He again, after the war of 1812, was one of the
firm of Mack & Conant until 1818. He was one of the first four settlers of Pontiac, in 1818, and was a member and agent of the " Pon



428


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


tiac company." As one of the firm of Mack, Conant & Sibley, they
built the first dam, and the first saw and flouring mill at Pontiac.
He also built a grist mill at Rochester. He was a member of the first
territorial council of Michigan, which met at Detroit in 1824. He
died at Pontiac in Nov., 1826.
JOHN MAKELIM,
Representative from Sanilac county in 1885-7, was born at Nassagaweya, Ontario, June 30, 1847. In 1864 he went to Illinois, and was a
railroad employ6. He returned, secured an academical education,
and in 1867 was a teacher at Brockway, Mich.,.and taught for some
years. Removed to Maple Valley, Mich., in 1875, where he now
resides. A merchant and station agent for the P. H. & N. W. R. R.
Has been supervisor, justice, and held other offices. In politics a
Republican.
PETER D. MAKLEY,
Representative from Oakland county in 1847, was born in Colombia
county, N. Y., in 1896. He came to Michigan in 1836, and settled on
a farm in Oxford, and was the first supervisor in 1837. He removed
to Pontiac in 1852, where he kept hotel until his death, August 11,
1856. Politically a Democrat.
ROBERT W. MALCOLM,
Representative from Oakland county in 1885, was born in West
Bloomfield, Mich., Feb. 18, 1844, and received his education in the
common schools. He enlisted in Co. A, 22d Mich. vol. infantry, Aug
11, 1862. Was wounded and captured at the battle of Chickamauga,
Sept. 20, 1863; was held a prisoner fifteen months; was discharged at
the close of the war in 1865, and has been engaged in farming ever
since. Has held the office of township clerk and supervisor several
terms. Was elected as a Republican.
CHARLES G. MALLETT,
Representative from Monroe county in 1867, was born in Connecticut,
Oct. 16, 1829. By occupation a lumberman, in politics a Republican.
He settled in Monroe county in 1858, and was six years director of
the farmers' insurance company, and eleven years school director at
Lambertville. Moved to Toledo in 1871, and to Chicago in 1880,
where he now resides.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


429


CHARLES F. MALLORY
Was born at Albany, N. Y., Jan. 11, 1811. He came to Romeo at an
early day and followed successfully the business of a merchant, from
which he retired in 1879. He was a Democrat until 1856, then a
Republican until 1874, since a Greenbacker and Fusionist. He has
held the positions of postmaster, president, clerk and trustee of the
village, township clerk, and was thrice elected Representative, serving in the sessions of 1863-4-5. He has also been justice, and in 1878
was the greenback nominee for congress, but was defeated.
GEORGE L. MALTZ
Was born at Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1842. He removed with his parents
to Detroit in 1846, and was educated in the public schools of Detroit.
At the age of 18 years he enlisted as a private in the 4th Michigan
infantry, was wounded in the seven days' fight before Richmond,
taken prisoner and confined at the "Old Libby." Was exchanged
and returned to his regiment. At the battle of Fredericksburg he
was promoted to a lieutenancy. He commanded Co. E (of Hillsdale)
at the battle of Gettysburg. Here he was made adjutant of his
regiment, which position he held until the expiration of his service.
In 1866 he was married at Detroit to Miss Elvira E. Whiting. By
profession he is a banker and lumberman, and has been a resident of
the state 40 years. In Detroit he was made cashier of the internal
revenue office. In 1872 he removed to Alpena and founded the banking house of Geo. L. Maltz & Co., which in 1883 was organized as the
Alpena national bank, of which he is now president, and is a stockholder in, and treasurer for the Minor lumber company. He holds
honorable positions in his city, has three times been made mayor, and
has filled very acceptably the position of regent of the University.
He was elected state treasurer by a vote of 180,727 to 174,610 for William G. Beard, Fusionist, and 25,552 for Aaron C. Fisher, Prohibitionist.
JAMES W. MANDIGO,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1869-70, was born in the
state of New York, Nov. 30, 1819. A physician and druggist, in politics a Republican. Came to White Pigeon in 1843, where he now
resides. Studied medicine with )r. W. N. Elliott. Supervisor of
White Pigeon many years, several times president of the village, and
trustee of the union school.
45




430


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


CHARLES H. MANLY,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1887, was born in Livingston county, Sept. 16, 1843, and has been a resident of Michigan his
lifetime. He was formerly a farmer but at present is abstractor of
real estate titles. During the war he served in Co. A, 1st reg't, Michigan infantry, and participated in the various battles fought by his
regiment; was twice wounded and lost his left arm at the battle of
Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. He has been city collector, city recorder,
justice of the peace, and register of deeds three times. In politics a
Democrat.
EMANUEL MANN,
Was born in Stuttgart, Germany, June 4, 1814. His parents came to
Pennsylvania in 1826, and to Ann Arbor in 1830, being the first German family in that city. By occupation a druggist, in politics a
Republican. He retired from business a few years ago, but still
resides at Ann Arbor. Was Senator from Washtenaw county in
1871-2.
RANDOLPH MANNING
Was born in Plainfield, N. J., May 19, 1804, and died at Pontiac,
August 31, 1864. He studied law in New York city, came to Michigan in 1832 and settled at Pontiac in the practice of the law. He was
a delegate from Oakland county to the first constitutional convention of 1835, and a member of the committee on judiciary, and, as
such, was associated with Judge Ross Wilkins, William Trowbridge,
Isaac E. Crary, Robert McClelland and others. He was a State Senator in 1837. In 1836 a court of chancery was established, and in
1842 he was chancellor as the successor of chancellor Farnsworth.
This office he held for about three years, and filled it in a
manner that reflected the highest credit upon him both for integrity
and professional ability. At the organization of an independent
Supreme Court in 1858, he was elected associate justice, and reelected on the expiration of his term in 1861 and died while holding
that position. He was a man of spotless integrity, sound discriminating judgment, and of a capacity that enabled him to fill every
office with honor to himself and advantage to the state. Judge
Manning was secretary of state from 1838 to 1840. Hewas also a
regent of the State University. In politics a Democrat, until 1854,
after that a Republican.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


431


JOSEPH MANWARING,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1885, was boin in Burlington
county, N. J., in 18'9. Removed with his parents to Avon, Oakland
county, Michigan, in 1836. Received a common school and academical
education at Rochester, Michigan. In 1852 he went to Dryden, where
he entered into the mercantile business, in which he is still engaged.
He was elected supervisor several years. Has served as township
clerk at various times for five years. Was postmaster in 1861, and
held that office until November, 1884. Has been a Republican since
1854.
JOSHUA MANWARING,
Senator from Lapeer and Macomb counties in 1883-5, was born in
Burlington county, N. J., October 2, 1824. He removed to Avon,
Michigan, in 1836, and received a common school education. In 1845
went to the present site of Greenville and engaged two years in sawing
and rafting lumber. In 1847 became a merchant at Dryden, Mich.,
and in 1850 built the Manwaring mill at Attica, and erected buildings
at Dryden and Imlay City, carrying on a lumbering business. Now
resides in Lapeer. has been supervisor. In politics a Democrat.
PATRICK MARANTETTE
Was born at Sandwich, Canada, March 11, 1807, and died at Mendon,
Mich., May 23, 1878. At the age of sixteen he superintended the
Indian trading post for Peter and James Godfrey. In 1833 he became
superintendent of the trading post at Nottawa, Mich., and was of
great service to the government in the removal of the Indians from
that reservation in 1840. He purchased a large farm in Mendon. In
1847 he was Representative in the legislature. He left an estate
valued at $100,000.
DANIEL P. MARKEY,
Representative from the counties of Crawford, Oscoda, Roscommon
and Ogemaw in 1885 and 1887, was born in the township of Bunker
Hill, Mich., June 27, 1857. Most of his early life was spent in Pinckney, Livingston county, where he pursued his studies, graduating at
the school in that village and afterwards engaged in teaching for
several years. In 1879 he removed to Ann Arbor, obtaining a position as book-keeper for a manufacturing company. He at the same




432


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


time entered upon the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in
April, 1881, in September of which year he removed to West Branch,
Ogemaw county, where he still resides, and began the practice of his
profession as an attorney. In 1881 he was appointed circuit court
commissioner, and elected in 1882. In 1883 he was judge of probate.
He was a Republican member and was re-elected for 1887-8 by a vote
of 1,470 to 1,221 for J. Maurice Finn.
MATTHEW MARKEY,
Senator from Detroit in 1877, was born Sept. 13, 1820, in the county
of Cavan, Ireland. He was educated in a common school. In 1838
he settled in Haverstraw, N. Y. In 1848 he removed to Springwells,
Mich., where he resided until 1873, when he removed to Nankin. He
has held several township offices. He was a Representative from
Wayne county in 1873-4. He is engaged in the manufacture of brick
and in farming.
GILES B. MARKHAM,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1877-81.2, was born in Sandisfield, Mass., March 2, 1828. He came with his parents to White
Pigeon, Mich., in 1838, and received his education at a branch of the
State University at that place. By occupation a farmer. He spent
five years in California. He was twice elected supervisor of White
Pigeon town. In politics a Republican.
THOMAS MARS,
Senator from Berrien county in 1881-2, was born in Giles county, Va.,
May 4, 1829. In the same year the family moved to Berrien township, Mich., his present home. He was raised on a farm, working in
the summer and attending district school in the winter. At the age
of twenty he served a year's apprenticeship at the carpenter and
joiner's trade, at which he worked ten years, securing quite a competence. In 1857 he went to Kansas, spending two summers there,
and then went to Missouri, where he purchased an interest in a sawmill. When the war broke out the rebels burnt his mill and his
debtors all went into the rebel army, leaving him nearly financially
ruined. Having returned to Berrien county in 1861, he purchased 120
acres of land and a steam saw-mill located thereon. He has filled




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


433


various offices of trust and honor. He has been president of the Berrien county agricultural society two terms, president of the Berrien
county pioneer society, and chairman of the executive committee of
the state grange. In politics a Republican.
ISAAC MARSTON
Was born at Poyntzpass, county Armagh, Ireland, January 2, 1839.
His father, Thomas Marston, was a small landed proprietor, of English descent. His mother maintained and educated her children
after their father's death. She apprenticed Isaac, at the age of thirteen, to a grocer, with whom he remained three years. In 1856 he
emigrated to the United States, and went to work upon a farm in
Southfield, Oakland connty, Michigan, attending school about two
months. In 1859 he entered the law department of the University of
Michigan, and graduated in 1861. He practiced law for six months
at Alma, Gratiot county, where he lost his office and library by fire.
He then practiced for a little while at Ithaca, and in 1862 removed to
Bay City, his present home. While there he was elected justice of
the peace, prosecuting attorney, and city attorney. In 1872 he was
elected Representative in the state legislature, to fill vacancy, for the
extra session of that year. In 1874 he was appointed attorney general by Governor Bagley, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Byron D. Ball. He held the office nine months, and dispatched
more business than had ever before been done in that office in an
equal length of time. In April, 1875, he was elected justice of the
Supreme Court, to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Judge
Christiancy to the United States Senate. He was baptized into the
church ox England, but attended the Presbyterian church. He has
always been a Republican. He was re-elected justice in 1881, but
resigned in 1883, and is now engaged in a lucrative law practice in
Detroit,
E. BROOX MARTIN,
Representative from Osceola county in 1881-2-3, was born in Oakland
county, Mich., Aug. 12, 1841. Received a collegiate education, and
in 1862 engaged in the milling business. After a few years became a
resident of Battle Creek, then of Detroit, and in 1877 of Reed City.
Is still in the milling business. Politically a Republican.




434


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


GEORGE MARTIN,
Representative from Wayne county in 1851, was born in the state of
New York, July 9,1819. He came to Michigan with his father's family in 1824. He has held the position of deputy collector of customs,
and the offices of supervisor and justice. He is by occupation a
farmer, is a Democrat in politics, and resides in Grosse Pointe.
GEORGE MARTIN
Was born in Middlebury, Vt., in 1815. He graduated at Middlebury
college, studied law, and was admitted in 1836, and the same year
commenced practice at Grand Rapids, Mich., and soon took high
rank in the profession. He was appointed judge of the 6th circuit to
fill vacancy caused by the death of Judge Mundy, and in 1852 eleoted
to that position for six years. In 1857 he was elected chief justice of
the Supreme Court. In the allotment of terms he drew the shortest,
of two years, and was again chief justice for eight years in 1859,
holding the position until his death, December 15, 1867. He was a
Republican, and helped give the Supreme Court its high standing
with the bar of this, and the courts of other states.
JOHN MARTIN,
Representative from Wayne county in 1837, was a native of the state
of New York, born 1785. He came to Michigan in 1824, residing
thereafter, with slight exception, either in Hamtramck or Grosse
Point until the time of his death, May 1, 1848. He was captain of a
company of New York militia, and was engaged at the sortie of Fort
Erie in 1814, receiving wounds by reason of which he drew a government pension. He was the first keeper of the Windmill Point lighthouse at the foot of Lake St. Clair. He was the father of fourteen
children, was a farmer by occupation, and a Democrat in politics.
MORTIMER B. MARTIN,
Representative from Shiawassee county in 1848-50, was born in
Johnstown, N. Y., October 18, 1806. He received something more
than an ordinary education, and became a clerk at the age of fourteen and at sixteen took entire charge of the business. At the age of
twenty-one he became a merchant. He sold out in 1834, and was
made the agent of a New York syndicate to purchase lands in the




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


435


west. He spent two years in Illinois, but came to Michigan in 1836.
In 1837 he bought lands in Antrim, Sh-awassee county, where he
resided until his death, September 26, 1884. He was a supervisor
for sixteen years, and in politics a Democrat. He had a beautiful
home, and entertained many men of distinction. The roses and
flowers set out by him were the first ever planted in Shiawassee
county.
STEPHEN MARTIN,
Representative from Wayne county in 1877, was born at High Park,
Ireland, December 26, 1821. He received a liberal education, pursued the study of architecture, and adopted the trade of a mason and
builder. At the age of seventeen he emigrated to America, residing
first in Brooklyn, N. Y., for eleven years. In 1849 he removed to
Detroit and followed his avocation of a builder. He has been a member of the Detroit board of education; alderman for two terms; justice
of the peace and director of the poor for the city of Detroit. He enlisted a company of volunteers and joined the sixteenth Michigan
infantry as captain, participating in all the battles of the regiment
until April, 1863, when, having become disabled, he resigned. In
July, 1863, he received an appointment as captain in the veteran
reserve corps, serving therein until he resigned in November, 1865.
In politics a Democrat.
WELLS R. MARTIN
Was born at Eloosack Falls, N. Y., March 18, 1811. He was brought
up a farmer, and came to Vermontville, Michigan, in 1838. He has
filled many local offices, and was a Representative in the legislature
of 1848. He has been engaged in farming, mercantile business and
lumbering. He secured a competence and has always exerted a
strong moral influence in the community. In politics a Democrat.
ANTHONY L. MASON
Was born in Medina, N. Y., in 1826, and came to Galesburg, Mich.,
in 1848. His early education was that of common schools. He went
into the dry goods trade at Galesburg, in which he continued until
1867. He removed to Kansas City in 1869, with a capital of $200,000,
since increased to half a million. At one time while in trade he




436


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


stocked three flouring mills, selling the flour east at a good profit. In
politics a Republican. He was supervisor of Galesburg in 1857, and
a Representative in 1867.
HENRY MASON,
Representative from Monroe county in 1845. was born in Washington
county, N. Y., August 10, 1791. By occupation a farmer, in politics
a Democrat. He came to Monroe county in 1834, settled upon a
farm, upon which he lived until his death, in June, 1878.
H. M. MASON,
Representative from the counties of Delta, Chippewa, Mackinac and
Schoolcraft in 1885, was born in the state of New York in 1841. He
removed to Michigan in 1844; enlisted in 1861 in the 8th Michigan
infantry, and served until the close of the war. Then engaged in the
drug business at Flint. Politically a Republican.
JOHN T. MASON
Was for a short time secretary of the territory in 1830-1, and acted a
portion of the time as governor ex-officio. He was the father of Gov.
Stevens T. Mason, and was born in Virginia, being the son of United
States Senator Mason of that state, and of a distinguished family.
He was in the territory but a few months, resigning to give his son
the position he held. He was a general.
LORENZO M. MASON
Was Senator from St. Clair and other counties in 1844-5, and Senator
from Detroit in 1869-70. He was also a Representative from Detroit
in 1863-4. He was born in Castleton, Vt., in 1808, was educated at
Castleton academy, studied law, and was admitted to practice in his
native state. He came to Michigan in 1836, locating at Port Huron,
and served a term or two as prosecuting attorney of St. Clair county.
He located in Detroit in 1851. He served as police commissioner in
Detroit 1865-69, and as inspector of the house of correction 1862-72.
Mr. Mason did little or no law practice in Detroit, his tastes running
more to active business, mainly lumbering and banking. He was a
clear thinker, of cheerful and even temperament, of kindly heart and
firm principles. Politics democratic. Died in 1872.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


437


STEVENS THOMSON MASON
Was the son of General John T. Mason, of Virginia, and the grandson of Stevens Thomson Mason, also of Virginia, who was a colonel in
the revolution, a leading member of the Virginia convention of 1788,
and United States Senator from Virginia, from 1794 to 1803. The
mother of Governor Mason was a sister of William T. Barry, postmaster-general under Jackson. He was born in Virginia in 1812.
His father emigrated to Kentucky, where the son received his ediuation. His father was secretary of the territory, and acting governor
for a short time in 1830-1, and through his influence, the son was
appointed secretary of the territory of Michigan by President Jackson, although but nineteen years of age. As secretary he was exofficio governor, during the absence of that officer, and much feeling
was manifested, indignation meetings were held, and a deputation
was sent to him to demand his commission to be returned to its
source. To this demand he replied: "General Jackson appointed
me with his eyes open, go home and mind your own business." The
boy in years proved to be a man in thought and action, and repeatedly
was acting governor, before the death of Gov. Porter, which occurred
July 6, 1834. After that time he was ex-officio governor of the
territory, and the people, taking upon themselves the right to organize a state, without asking the advice of congress, elected him governor of Michigan, November 3, 1835, although the state was not
admitted into the Union until several months afterwards. It was
during this time that the fierce conflict arose between Ohio and
Michigan, as to the ownership of a strip of territory belonging to
Michigan, but over which Ohio attempted to exercise control. Gov.
Lucas sent a force of militia to obtain possession, but they were met
by a larger force headed by Gov. Mason and General Brown, and
Michigan retained possession until a second convention of assent held
at Ann Arbor, December 14, 1836, accepted the terms proposed by
congress, gaining Iajge. portion of the upper peninsula, in lieu of
the small tract in dispute.
Governor Mason served two terms, from November 3, 1835, to
January 7, 1840. During his administration occurred the great panic
of 1837, bringing ruin to many pioneers, and closing the banks which
had been started without paid-in capital, bringing to a termination
the gigantic projects contemplated in canals, railroads and other
internal improvements. These disasters were in part attributed to
him, and at the close of his second term he was notra candidate, but
withdrew from political life, removing to the city of New York,
where he was engaged in the practice of law until his death, January
46




438


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


4, 1843. Hie was a man of ability, polished and genial, of fine personal appearance, and was very popular. He was probably the
youngest man that ever filled the position of governor, in territorial
or state history, on this continent.
ALONZO T. MATHER,
Representative from Wayne county in 1841, was born in Moncton,
Vt., May 13, 1802. He came to Detroit in 1836 and engaged in mercantile and manufacturing pursuits. He afterwards removed to a
farm in Dearborn, and was among the leading and prominent citizens of that township until his death, July 8, 1846. He was for some
years a deacon in the Baptist church in Detroit, and was father of
Rev. A. E. Mather, a well known Baptist clergyman. Politics, Whig
and Republican.
GEORGE MATTHEWS,
Representative from Ingham county in 1848, was born in Watertown,
Conn., April 17, 1799. He came to Michigan in 1837, settled in the
town of Meridian, Ingham county, and gave the name to the town.
He was the first supervisor and held that position several terms. He
built the first school-house, and was county treasurer four years. He
built 23 miles of the Lansing and Detroit plank road, was elected its
superintendent in 1853, and held the position seventeen years. He
removed to Farmington, where he was president of the village board
at the time of his death, April 20, 1870. By occupation a clothier,
politically Whig, then Republican.
LEVI C. MATTHEWS
Was born in Connecticut and removed to Colon, St. Joseph county,
Michigan, in 1833. By occupation a farmer. Representative in the
legislature of 1849.
RUFUS MATTHEWS,
Representative in the legislature 1835-6, from Washtenaw county,
was born in Connecticut, Oct. 10, 1791, was reared in western New
York, acquired a common school education, worked as a carpenter
and joiner, came to Michigan about 1831, and settled in Northfield as
a farmer, helped organize the township, was for over twenty years




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


439


supervisor and justice, and served a term as county treasurer. He
died at Ann Arbor, Nov. 17, 1869. Politics democratic.
THOMAS P. MATTHEWS,
Representative from Wayne county in 1853, was born in Middlebury,
Vt., December 27, 1791. He was a man of liberal education, having
graduated from Middlebury college in 1811, and from Fairfield medical college in 1815. He was a Representative in the Vermont legislature in 1820. He came to Detroit in 1834, soon after removing to
Redford, and establishing a medical practice which he followed
successfully for thirty years.  Died November 16, 1869.  Politics,
Whig and Republican.
BENJAMIN MAY,
Representative from Wayne county in 1865, was a son of Judge
James May, a prominent citizen of Detroit in the early days. He
was born in Detroit in 1815. He was a retail trader, and a resident
of Springwells  He seems to have contributed but little to local
history, and has been dead for some years. Was a Democrat in
politics.
CHARLES S. MAY,
Lieutenant Governor of Michigan in 1863-4, was born at Sandisfield,
Mass., March 22, 1830. In 1834 he removed with his father's family
to Richland, Michigan, and worked on the farm until fifteen, and
then became a student of the Kalamazoo branch of the State University. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1854. He
was in 1855-6 associate political editor of the Detroit Tribune, and
later its Washington correspondent. He commenced practice at
Battle Creek, but soon removed to Kalamazoo, and was elected prosecuting attorney in 1860. In 1861 he resigned, raised a company for
the second Michigan infantry, went into the field, but on account of
ill health was compelled to resign after taking part in several battles.
As lieutenant governor he was an able presiding officer. From 1856
to 1870 he was a leading republican speaker on the stump. In 1872
he supported Greeley for president, and acted with and spoke for the
democratic party, but is now a political prohibitionist. He practiced
law for a time in Detroit but is now in practice at Kalamazoo.




440


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


DWIGHT MAY,
Lieutenant Governor of Michigan 1867-9, and attorney general 1869 -73, was born in Sandisfield, Mass., September 8, 1822, and removed
with his father to Richland, Michigan, in 1834. He graduated at the
University in 1849, and was admitted to the bar in 1850. He removed
to Kalamazoo in 1852, and from 1855 to 1862 was prosecuting attorney,
He was also school inspector, village trustee and president. In 1861
he enlisted as a private, and was elected captain of company I, 2d
Michigan infantry. He resigned in December, 1861, and in October,
1862, was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the 12th Michigan
infantry, became colonel and was brevetted brigadier general. He
married Amelia S. Kellogg in 1849. A Republican. Died January
28, 1880.
HENRY F. MAY,
Representative from Grand Traverse and Wexford counties in 1879,
was born at Plymouth, Michigan, February 14, 1842, where he
received a common school education. In 1872 he removed to Clam
Lake (now Cadillac) and engaged in the mercantile business. He
has been village treasurer, trustee, county superintendent of the poor,
and a member of the Cadillac city board of education. In politics a
Republican.
JAMES MAY
Was born in England and settled at Detroit in 1778. He was honorably identified with the early history of the territory. He was a
colonel of militia; was appointed chief justice of the court of common
pleas about 1800, and held the position seven years. He died in
January, 1829. A good portrait of him is found in Sheldon's "early
history of Michigan." When the American flag was hauled down, at
the surrender of Detroit by General Hull, he got possession of it, and
hoisted it again when that city was surrendered by the British. He
was the author of an interesting article on the condition of Detroit in
1778.
WILLIAM C. MAYBURY
Was born at Detroit, November 20, 1850. He graduated from the
high school in 1866, and entered the class of 1870, in the Michigan
University. He entered the law office of G. V. N. Lothrop in 1870
and graduated in the law class of 1871 of the University. He was




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


441


city attorney in 1875 and 1877. He was also lecturer on medical
jurisprudence in the Michigan college of medicine at Detroit. He
was nominated for member of congress in 1880, and defeated. He
received the degree of "M. A." from the University of Michigan in
1881. In 1882 he was elected Representative in the forty-eighth
congress. In 1884 he was re-elected to congress on the democratic
ticket. At the expiration of his congressional term in 1887 he resumed law practice in Detroit.
IRA MAYHEW
Was born in Ellisburg, N. Y., in 1814. He received an academical
education, and taught from 1832 to 1836. He was principal of the
Adams academy 1837 to 1841, then superintendent of schools in
Jefferson county, N. Y. He came to Michigan in 1843 and was
principal of the Monroe branch of the University. By appointment
he became superintendent of public instruction, and held it from
April 17, 1845, to March 28, 1849. He was active and efficient in his
duties, and in 1819 published a book entitled, " Means and ends of
universal education." In 1851 published a treatise on book-keeping.
In 1852 was principal of Albion seminary, and in 1854 was elected
superintendent of public instruction, and was again elected in 1856,
serving from 1855 to 1859, and in all holding that position eight years.
He then established the Albion commercial college, which was
removed to Detroit and successfully managed by him for many
years. He was collector of internal revenue for the third district,
1862-5. Now retired. A Democrat until 1854, since a Republican.
AARON B. MAYNARD
Was born in Peru, Vt., October 22, 1816. When young his parents
removed first to Washington, then to Saratoga county, N. Y., and
when he was eighteen, to Cambridge, Vt. He entered Middlebury
college in 1836, and in 1837 the University of Vermont, at Burlington,
where he remained two years. He went to Talbot county, Md., and
was a tutor three years, returned to Vermont in 1841, studied law,
was admitted in 1842, and opened an office in Richmond, Vt. In
1843 he married Julia Edmunds, sister of Senator Edmunds, of Vermont. He practiced law there until 1855, then removed to Michigan,
and went into business at Detroit, and had a large and lucrative
practice. He was U. S. district attorney for eastern Michigan for
eight years, under President Grant, and is still in practice. He has a




442


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


fine farm and buildings in the town of Ray, near Romeo, Macomb
county, which has been his family home. In politics a Republican.
LOREN MAYNARD,
Senator from Calhoun county, sessions of 1846-7, was born in Madison, N. Y., December 22, 1801. By occupation a farmer, politically a
Democrat. He settled in Marengo, Mich., in 1833, erected a log house
and opened a tavern. The first ball in the town was given there in
1834. He built a better hotel in 1836, which he kept until 1844. He
was sheriff of Calhoun county from 1839 to 1842. Held the offices of
postmaster and supervisor. Died December 5, 1855.
PERRY MAYO,
Senator from Branch and Calhoun counties in 1887, was born in
Hancock, N. Y., June 14, 1829. Settled on a farm with his father in
1850 at Convis, Mich., had a fair education, and was a teacher for
some years. Served three years as a private in the second Michigan
infantry, and was twice wounded. Now resides on a farm in the
town of Marshall. Has been town superintendent of schools, and
lecturer and general deputy for the Michigan state grange. A Republican in politics.
ANDREW C. MAXWELL,
Representative from Bay county in 1865, was born at Pompey Hill,
N. Y., July 11, 1831. In 1844 his father settled on a farm at White
Lake, Mich. From 1849 to 1852 he was a student at Oberlin college.
He taught school at Lapeer in 1852. Studied law at Pontiac and was
admitted in 1853, practiced at Lapeer, and was prosecuting attorney
in 1854. In 1857 removed to Bay City and is still there in practice,
also farming and real estate. Many years a supervisor. Has twice
been a candidate for the state senate, and ran for congress in 1882.
In politics a Democrat.
GEO. C. McALLISTER,
Representative from Barry county in 1879, was born in Norfolk, N.
Y., June 12, 1833. He received a common school education; came to
Hickory Corners, Mich., in 1856. In 1860 he went to Sonora, California, and worked in the mines four years. Returned to Michigan




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


443


in 1864. Removed to Ft. Wayne, Ind., and engaged in insurance
business, first as deputy secretary, afterwards as director and general
agent of the Ft. Wayne insurance company. Returning to Prairieville, Mich., in 1866, he engaged in farming. In politics a National.
WILLIAM McARTHUR,
Representative from Cheboygan and other counties in 1877, was born
in Steuben county, N. Y., April 13, 1825. He received an academical
education, and was a resident of Rochester, N. Y., 1860-70, and of
Chicago, Ill., 1870-3. Settled at Cheboygan, Mich., in 1873. Since
1850 was largely engaged as a contractor on railroads, canals, etc.
Since 1866 has been the head of a large lumber firm at Cheboygan.
In politics a Democrat.
SANDS McCAMLEY,
Representative from Calhoun county 1837-43, and Senator in 1839-40,
was born in Orleans county, N. Y., and came to Nottawa Prairie,
Mich., in 1831, then went to Marshall, and in 1834 bought land forming part of the site of Battle Creek, Gen. Convis being his partner.
He dug the long race, built a saw-mill and made other improvements.
He was county associate judge 1833-6. A man of intellect, sagacity,
sound judgment and resolute will. Died April 30, 1864.
THOMAS McCARTY,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1850, was born in Boston,
Mass., September 10, 1810. He came with his father to Saginaw
county in 1835, and settled as a farmer in the township of Tittabawassee. He was several terms a supervisor. In politics a Democrat,
Died September 22, 1855.
HUGH McCLELEND,
Representative from Wayne county in 1885, was born in Toronto,
Ontario, October 27, 1851; received a common school education;
learned the trade of cigar making, and removed to Detroit in 1871.
In 1872 took a trip east, working in several towns in New York state;
returned to Detroit in 1875, where he has since remained working at
his trade. In politics Labor-Republican.




444


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


ROBERT McCLELLAND.
No man in our history rendered so varied a public service during
the first quarter of a century of the state's existence as Robert
McClelland. He was born at Greencastle, Pa., August 2, 1807. As
a teacher he acquired means to take the course at Dickinson College,
Carlisle, Pa., from which he graduated in 1829, and in 1831 was
admitted to the bar at Chambersburg, Pa.. coming to Monroe, Michigan,
in 1833. He there entered upon practice. His subsequent political
career may be thus calendared: 1835, member of the first constitutional convention; 1839, member and speaker pro ter of the lower
House of the legislature; 1840, again member of the House; 1843,
member and speaker of the House; 1843 to 1849, elected for three
consecutive terms as member of congress. serving through the
twenty-eighth, twenty-ninth and thirtieth congresses; 1850, member
of the constitutional convention of that year; 1851, elected governor
of the state for the then short term of one year, and in 1852 re-elected
for the term of two years; 1853, appointed March 4, secretary of the
interior by President Pierce, serving the full term of four years,
having of necessity resigned the office of governor, the term extending to Dec. 31, 1854, being filled by Lieut. Governor Parsons. Here
was a period of twenty-two years during fifteen of which Gov.
McClellwd was in the public service, and during the last twelve of
these years consecutively, receiving continuous promotion. His last
public service was as a member of the constitutional convention of
1867 from Wayne county, where he was then a resident. He was
thus a member of the three conventions that have been held to construct or revise the fundamental law of the state.  During his
congressional term Gov. McClelland was a member and then chairman of the committee on commerce, and favored and procured in
some degree legislation for the improvement of lake harbors.
Gov. McClelland supported John Quincy Adams in his demand
for the right of petition, and voted to receive a bill offered by Mr.
Giddings for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, also
supported the "Wilmot Proviso," designed to prohibit slavery in
newly acquired territory. As secretary of the interior Gov. McClelland introduced many reforms, and his administration of the
department was above reproach. He was a pure man, both in his
official, his professional, and his personal life. He was a delegate to
the national conventions in 1848 and 1852. At the close of his term as
secretary of the interior he settled in Detroit, doing some office
practice, though mainly giving his attention to private business. He
made a European tour in 1870, and died at his home in Detroit,
August 30, 1880.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


445


HENRY F. McCORMICK,
Representative from Kent county in 1879, was born July 18, 1844, at
Alcott, N. Y. He removed with his father's family to Grand Rapids,
in 1856. Was in the army during the war. He was supervisor of
Grand Rapids five terms. He received an academical education.
Occupation, farming. Politics, Greenback.
JAMES W. McCORMICK,
Representative from the first district of Allegan, was born at Allegan,
Michigan, Feb. 22, 1838. He is at present engaged in farming and
fruit growing, is a member of the bar, but has never made the
practice of the law his means of support. Mr. McCormick has held
the office of justice twenty-four years, supervisor fifteen years, and was
elected to the legislature of 1885-6 on the Republican ticket, and
re-elected for 1887-8 by a vote of 1,946 to 1,710 for E. R. Reid, and
545 for N. W. Lewis, Prohibitionist.
WILLIAM    B. McCREERY,
State treasurer, 1875-9, was born at Mt. Morris, N. Y., Aug. 27, 1826.
Came with his father to Genesee county, Mich., in 1838, and received
a common school and academical education. Worked in his father's
saw-mill until 1852, then was chief clerk to his father, as county
treasurer, six years. Studied law, was admitted in 1860, and began
practice at Flint. He went into service as a private in 1861 in the 2d
Michigan infantry.  He was gradually promoted to lieutenant
colonel, was transferred to the 21st Michigan, and became colonel.
He was three times wounded, and confined in Libby prison, from
which he made his escape. He resigned from ill health in 1864, the
acceptance by Gen. Thomas being the most noteworthy received by
a Michigan soldier. He was mayor of Flint 1865-6, and in 1871-4
internal revenue collector.  For several years past has been an
efficient member of the state board of agriculture, in charge of the
state agricultural college. Politically a Republican, and a delegate
to the republican national convention of 1888.
HUGH McCURDY,
Senator from Shiawassee county in 1865, was born in Hamilton,
Scotland, in 1829. Came with his parents to Birmingham, Mich., in
47




446


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


1837. Learned the trade of a cooper, and worked at it for years,
Attended select school, was a freight agent, and from 1847 taught
several years. Attended Romeo academy, studied law, was admitted
in 1854, settled in practice at Corunna, where he now resides. Has
been prosecuting attorney, judge of probate, many years
supervisor, and from 1865-73, president of the national bank at
Corunna. In politics, a Democrat. Is a prominent Mason, and has
held all the high offices in that order, and was lately grand general
issimo of the grand encampment of the United States. He laid the
corner stone of the state capitol as grand master in 1872.
WARREN McCUTCHEON
Was born at Epsom, N. H., Sept. 17, 1815. By occupation a farmer.
In politics, a Whig until 1854, since a Republican. He emigrated to
Ohio where he held local offices, and settled at Ransom, Hillsdale
county. He was ten years supervisor, and a representative in 1867.
Died May 10, 1876.
JOHN McDERMID,
Senator from Hillsdale county in 1861-2, was born in Ballston, N. Y.
in 1808. He was a farmer and miller, and a Republican in politics.
Came from Livingston county, N. Y., in 1835, and settled in Cambria,
Hillsdale county. The village of Cambria Mills takes its name from
the mills built by him. When he settled there were no traces of
civilization. Died May 16, 1868.
JOHN McDERMOTT,
Representative from Detroit in 1859, was born in Ireland in 1826, and
came to Detroit in 1844. He was a ship-builder by occupation and
was connected with vessel interests until 1861, when he raised a
company which was mustered into the service as company "A" of
the twenty-third Illinois infantry, and formed part of the famous
"Mulligan brigade," in the war of the rebellion. He was taken
prisoner at the siege of Lexington, Mo., resigned his captaincy in
November, 1861, and in January, 1862, was appointed lieutenant
colonel of the fifteenth Michigan infantry, serving until September
18, 1863, when he was mustered out at his own request. In 1864 Col.
McDermott removed to Bay City, and was deputy collector of customs at that port from  1866 to 1883. He is now engaged in the




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


447


insurance business at Bay City. He was a Democrat prior to and
during his legislative term, but a Republican during and since the
war.
JAMES McDONALD,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1840-46, was born August
11, 1796, and died August 19, 1848. A farmer, in politics a Whig.
Settled in Lenawee county, Mich., in 1837.
JOHN McDONNEL
Was a native of Scotland, born in 1779. The time of his coming to
Michigan is not known, but he was in business in Detroit during the
war of 1812, and thoroughly Americanized. His name appears with
those of other residents signed to a protest against an order of the
British commandant, Proctor (after Hull's surrender), requiring a
number of leading citizens to leave the country. He also rendered
much benevolent service in ransoming American captives from the
Indians during the British occupation. He was appointed an associate justice of the county territorial court in 1817; was a member of
the legislative council, 1828-34; a member of the constitutional convention of 1835, and of the first "convention of assent" (or dissent) in
1836; was a member of the state senate 1855-67, and collector of the
port of Detroit, 1839-41. He held besides, the local offices of alderman, justice, etc. Politically he was in sympathy with the national
administration during the period of his public life. He died October
1, 1846.
MALCOLM McDOUGALL,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1853, was born in the state of
New York, in May, 1813. A farmer, in politics a Democrat. He
came to Bridgewater in 1838, where he still resides. He has been a
justice in that town for thirty-six years.
CROCKETT McELROY,
Senator from St. Clair county in 1877-9, was born December 31, 1835,
near Dundas, Ontario. He received a common school education;
came to Michigan in 1848; lived about five years in Detroit; ten years
in St. Clair county; ten years in Macomb county, then in St. Clair
City. He has been supervisor, justice, school inspector and commissioner of highways, village trustee, a postmaster, and mayor of




448


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


St. Clair city. He has been clerk, teacher, merchant and manufacturer. For many years he was extensively engaged in the manufacture of cut staves and circled heading, and president and general
manager of the Marine City stave company. In politics a Republican.
JAMES McFARLANE,
Representative from Wayne county in 1847, was a native of Scotland,
born May 10, 1810. He came to the United States at the age of
eighteen, residing for brief periods at Paterson, N. J., Hudson, N. Y.
and Peru, Ill., and in 1839 settled in Greenfield, Mich. lie was
supervisor ten years. A democrat in politics, although voting for
Fremont in 1856 and Lincoln in 1860. Occupation, farmer. Died
March 30, 1880.
NEAL McGAFFEY,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1837, settled at White
Pigeon in 1829, and was the first lawyer in St. Joseph county, having
been admitted to practice August 17, 1830. He was one of the four
who owned and recorded the plat of the village of White Pigeon in
1830. He taught the first school at White Pigeon in 1831. He built a
house in 1830 and planted the first apple tree. He was town clerk in
1830-31, justice of the peace from 1829 to 1835, and was public
prosecutor in 1839, and president of the village in 1837. After
practicing over a quarter of a century he removed to Texas.
PATRICK McGINNIS,
Representative from Wayne county in 1877, was born in 1820, at the
village of Aranghantareghan, Ireland. In 1834 he emigrated to the
United States and settled at Mt. Clemens, Michigan. He afterward
removed to Detroit and went to work in the printing office of the
old Morning Post in 1836. He subsequently went into the mercantile
business, afterwards selling out and removing to Laingsburg, Mich.,
where he kept a general store and traded with the Indians. He returned
to Detroit and went into the real estate auctioneering business. He
was deputy city marshal and city marshal, and for three years an
alderman. In politics, a Democrat. Deceased.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


449


JAMES McGONEGAL,
Representative from Detroit in 1871-2, is a native of Ireland, born in
1821. He came to Detroit when a young man and engaged in active
business, being for many years a wood dealer, receiving supplies by
the cargo by means of the river boats. He was an alderman, 1863 -67. In politics, a Democrat, although affiliating with the Greenbackers, 1876 to 1880. Now in business at Kansas City, Mo.
JAMES H. McGOWAN,
Representative in congress 1877-81, was born in Mahoning county,
Ohio, April 2, 1837. He graduated at the Michigan University in
1861, became principal of the high school at Coldwater, in 1862
enlisted as a private in the 5th Michigan cavalry, was captain in the
9th cavalry, and served until 1864. He studied law and was admitted
to practice in 1867, graduating from the Ann Arbor law school in
1868. He practiced at Coldwater, was prosecuting attorney four
years and senator in 1873, and regent of the university. Now in law
practice at Washington, D. C. Politically, a Republican.
THOMAS McGRAW
Was born in county Armagh, Ireland, March 1, 1783, where he
learned the trade of linen weaving. Being dissatisfied with the
union of Ireland and England, which took place early in 1801, he left
Ireland that year and came to Orange county, N. Y., married and
lived there weaving and farming until 1830, when he removed to
Bloomfield, Michigan, settling on a farm, where he died April 19,
1858. He was a Democrat in politics, and a Representative in 1847.
JOHN A. McGREGOR,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1885-7, was born in that
county September 7, 1839. He received a good common school
education, is a farmer, and a Republican. A supervisor six years,
and town treasurer two years.
JAMES R. McGURK,
Senator from St. Clair county in 1881-2, was born in Belfast, Ireland,
March 16, 1843. Came with his parents to Hamilton, Canada, in 1848.




450


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Received a good education and studied medicine in Canada, Ann
Arbor and Detroit. He was a teacher six years. Graduated at the
Detroit medical college and in 1870 commenced practice at Capac,
Mich. Many years town superintendent of schools. In politics a
Republican.
DONALD McINTYRE,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1855, was born in Johnstown, N. Y., June 5, 1807. He received a common school and
academical education, studied law, was admitted in 1826, and commenced practice. He was the first judge of the new county of
Fulton. He opened a banking office at Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1845,
and continued in that business until 1872, then returned to Johnstown, N. Y., and is now president of the Johnstown bank. He was
for six years a regent of the University. In politics a Republican.
DUGALD McINTYRE,
Representative from Sanilac county in 1881-2, was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, July 15, 1840. He received a common school education; came to Michigan in the fall of 1860, and engaged in lumbering.
He is now engaged in farming. He was elected supervisor of the
township of Argyle in 1878, which office he held several years.
He has been chairman of the board of supervisors. Politically a
Republican.
GEORGE R. McKAY
Was born in 1817, and came to Michigan in 1852. He purchased and
lived upon a farm in Marengo, Calhoun county. He was supervisor,
master of the grange, and a Representative in 1865. Now a resident
of Chicago.
ROBERT G. McKEE
Was born in Arlington, Vt., January 10, 1813. He received an
academical education and attended Rensselaer institute at Troy, N.
Y. He came to Michigan in 1836, and followed his profession, surveying roads and farms in the central part of the state. While a
resident of DeWitt, he was nominated by the democrats and elected
a Representative in 1839, being the youngest member of that body,
his district comprising Genesee, Shiawassee and Clinton counties. In




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


451


1852 he went overland to California, where he remained until 1856.
Of late years he has followed farming, and lives in the village of
Laingsburg.
SILAS D. McKEEN,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1837, came to Lapeer county
from New Hampshire and began practice. He had ability and would
have risen to wealth and high station except for his habits. Died
many years since.
ANTHONY McKEY,
Senator from Lenawee county in 1837-8, was born in Delhi, N. Y.,
Jan. 3, 1800. When nine years old his father removed to Chemung
county, N. Y., where he worked until eighteen, when he commenced
teaching school. He came to Michigan in 1826, taught school for a
time at Monroe, and in 1828 settled on a farm in Deerfield (then
Blissfield). In 1828 he was appointed postmaster at Kedzie's Grove
(now Deerfield), and held that position until his death, Jan. 28, 1849.
He was a surveyor and prominent contractor on the Lake Shore
road, located and surveyed several state roads, and was seven years
a supervisor. In politics a Democrat, and an intimate friend of Cass,
Barry and McClelland. Of fine person, and a typical Scotch gentleman of culture.
JOHN Q. McKERNAN,
Representative from the Upper Peninsula in 1863-4-5-7-9-70, was
born in Little Britain, N. Y., Jan. 10, 1823. He came to Washtenaw
county in 1832, lived in White Oak from 1837 to 1848, then removed
to Houghton county. Has lived in several towns there, and is now
postmaster at L'Anse. In politics a Democrat. He was four years
sheriff of Houghton county, has been supervisor, justice, village
president, superintendent of poor, and held many other offices. He
was a delegate to the constitutional convention of 1867. By trade a
carpenter, but has been a lumberman, surface agent of copper mines,
etc.
JAMES L. McKIE,
Representative from Berrien county in 1885-7, was,born in Neshoba
county, Miss., Feb. 10, 1837. Lived in Illinois from 1844 to 1854,
since at Three Oaks, Mich., except two years a clerk at Niles. Now




452


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


in mercantile business. Has been supervisor five terms, and held
many village and town offices. In politics a Democrat.
JOHN McKINNEY
Was born in Pennsylvania in 1803. He came to Michigan in 1837,
settled in VanBuren county, where he died July 10, 1870. He was
Representative in 1848; State Senator in 1849-50; secretary of state
1855 to 1859; state treasurer in 1859 and 1860. In politics, first a
Democrat, a Republican after 1854. Deceased.
SHELDON McKNIGHT,
Representative from Detroit in 1857, was born in Herkimer county,
N. Y.. in 1810. Came to Detroit in 1820, learned the trade of a
printer, in 1827 took an interest in the Detroit Gazette, which was
merged in the Free Press in 1830, and edited by him until 1836. He
was postmaster of Detroit 1836 to 1841, In 1845 he was appointed by
President Polk agent to examine the mineral resources of the Upper
Peninsula, took up his residence at the Sault, established a line of
vessels, and was the chief factor in building a railroad around the
rapids, which was the means of transit until the canal was built.
Politically a Democrat. He was efficient in the establishment of the
insane asylum at Kalamazoo, and was one of its first board of trustees. Died at Washington, July 21, 1860.
DYCKES McLACHLIN,
Representative from Monroe county in 1875, was born in the town of
Ayr, Scotland, June 26, 1814. He came to Whitehall, N. Y., in 1822,
and in 1850 he removed to Summerfield, Mich., where he has been
engaged in farming, lumbering and selling goods. He has been a
justice, notary public, and supervisor. In politics a Republican.
JAMES McMAHON
Was born in county Clare, Ireland, April 4, 1819. He received his
education there, leaving college before graduating. Settled in Ann
Arbor in 1837, and worked as a blacksmith, a trade learned by him
wheA a boy. He, was a Whig, but became a Republican at the
organization of that party. He studied law and served fourteen
years as justice, with over 5,000 cases on his docket. He was super

4




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


453


visor and chairman of the county board for several years; circuit
court commissioner two years; and during the war provost marshal
two years. He was Representative from 1857 to 1861, and was an
able and influential member. Deceased.
JOEL W. McMAHON,
Senator from the counties of Sanilac and Huron in 1883, was born in
Sanilac county, June 29, 1848, and has never had a residence outside
of that county. He was admitted to the bar in 1873, since which
time he has resided at Marlette, engaged in the practice of his profession. He has served as prosecuting attorney one term. He is a
Republican.
DANIEL D. McMARTIN,
Representative from Allegan county in 1863-4, was born in Amsterdam, N. Y., February 8, 1808. By occupation a farmer, in politics a
Republican. Came to Michigan in 1838, and settled in an unorganized town in Allegan county, since called Martin, a part of his name.
Afterwards removed to Gunplain, where he lived until 1865. Now
resides at Kalamazoo. Has been justice four terms, and six times a
supervisor.
NEAL McMILLAN,
Representative from Kent county in 1877, was born at Godmanchester, Quebec, December 25, 1845. He has been a resident of
Michigan since 1850, was formerly farmer and teacher, is now a
druggist, has held the offices of supervisor, county superintendent of
schools, village recorder, treasurer and alderman, and was elected
Representative as a Republican, for 1887-8, by a vote of 2,209 to 1,578
for James Ward, and 652 for Charles Oldfield, Prohibitionist.
JOHN W. McNABB,
Representative from Newaygo county in 1879-85, was born in Wyandotte cQunty, Ohio, January 20, 1846. His parents moved to Indiana
in 1851, where he attended the common schools and academy until
seventeen, when he entered Fort Wayne college. After one year in
that institution he entered Wabash college, and remained two years;
taught school one year; studied medicine three years at Rochester,
Indiana, then entered the medical department of the University of
48




454


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Michigan. He returned to Indiana and practiced medicine one year,
after which he removed to Newaygo county, Michigan, where he has
since been engaged in his profession. Dr. McNabb has held the office
of justice, township clerk, and superintendent of schools; was elected
to the legislature in 1878 on the national greenback ticket, and again
in 1884, receiving 2,155 votes to 1,903 for William T. Carpenter,
Republican, and 214 for Jas. H. Edwards, Prohibition. He was one
of the most humorous speakers that ever held a seat in the House.
WILLIAM McNAIR
Was born in Bucks county, Pa., January 1, 1800. He emigrated to
Michigan in 1826, and became a merchant at Tecumseh, and afterwards a farmer. In politics a Democrat. He was a Representative
in 1849.
MOSES A. McNAUGHTON
Was born in Argyle, N. Y., January 3, 1813. He received an academical education, and was two years in Union college; read medicine
and graduated at Fairfield, N. Y., in 1840. He settled at Jackson,
Michigan, in 1841, and practiced medicine successfully for ten years,
when he turned his attention to real estate, in which he was successful. He also was interested in the building of railroads, among them
the Jackson branch of the Michigan Southern, and the Grand River
Valley, of which he was treasurer. He was elected on the free soil
ticket as Senator in 1853, and was mayor of Jackson in 1866-7.
JOHN L. McNEIL
Was born at Charlotte, Vt., October 10, 1813. He received a common school education and worked on his father's farm until twentyone, and then took charge of his father's hotel in Charlotte. In 1836
he emigrated to Michigan and settled in Atlas, Genesee county, upon
a farm. He filled various local offices, and as a Democrat was a
Representative in 1849.
JACOB L. McPEEK,
Senator from Barry and Eaton counties in 1879, was born in Oxford,
Ohio, May 4, 1848, and removed to Michigan with his parents in 1852,
settling on a farm near Grand Ledge. In 1867 he moved into the




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


455


village. He received a good education and opened a real estate and
collection office in Grand Ledge. In 1875 he was admitted to the
bar, and has since been in the practice of the law. In politics a
Republican.
WILLIAM McPHERSON, JR.,
Commissioner of railroads, 1885 to 1887, was born at Inverness, Scotland, March 9, 1834, came to this country and has resided at Howell
since 1836, and attended such schools as that place afforded at that
time. At the age of sixteen he entered the store of his father as a
clerk, and when a little more than twenty-one years of age, in 1856,
he became a partner with his father, and until about one year ago
remained in the firm, under the name of William McPherson & Sons,
general merchants, and dealers in wool and other farm products. He
also engaged extensively in real estate in Livingston county and outside, owning and dealing in farm, timber, and mineral lands, as well
as village and city property, and lately has given his attention to real
estate matters, the purchase of wool and other private business. Mr.
McPherson is a Republican.
A. T. McREYNOLDS,
Representative from Detroit in 1840, was born at Dungannon, Ireland,
Dec. 25, 1808, came to Pittsburg, Pa., in 1840, and was a member of
the " Duquesne Greys," the first military company west of the Alleghanies, after the war of 1812. Removed to Detroit in 1833, in 1834
became a major on the staff of Gen. A. S. Williams, then commanding
the state militia. In 1834-5 organized the Brady guards. He studied
law and was admitted in 1840. He was eleven years lieut. colonel
or colonel of the 1st Michigan regiment; was captain of the Montgomery guards; in 1847 was captain of dragoons, U. S. army, and served
in the Mexican war, his company and that of Phil Kearney, forming
Scott's body guard; for his bravery in the charge on the gates of
Mexico received the thanks of the president and senate, having been
disabled for life; returned to Detroit and practiced law until 1861; in
1861 was commissioned colonel of the "Lincoln cavalry," the first
regiment in that arm of the service; was in command of a brigade
two years, and of a division six months. He was an alderman of
Detroit two years; Indian agent three years; Senator in 1847; member and first president of the Detroit board of education; U. S.
district attorney of western Michigan under Johnson; democratic
candidate for congress in 1872; prosecuting attorney of Muskegon




456


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


county in 1874. He was first a Whig, and was a delegate to the
national convention of 1839 that nominated Harrison, but of later
years a Democrat. Resides at Grand Rapids and was long president
of the state association of veterans of the Mexican war.
GEORGE MEACHEM,
Representative from Cass and other counties in 1839, and Senator in
1859, was born in Oneida county, N. Y., June 18, 1799. He came to
Ann Arbor in 1826, but soon became a farmer in Cass county, and
was the first sheriff of that county. He was a supervisor many terms.
First a Whig then a Republican. Deceased.
DARIUS MEAD,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1835, was born in Lanesboro,
Mass., in 1800. He was a farmer and a Democrat. Settled in Michigan in 1833, and was a justice and associate county judge of
Lenawee county. Died at Blissfield in 1859.
ELISHA F. MEAD
Was born in Hinesburg, Vt., in 1826. A Republican in politics, a
lawyer by profession. He came to Michigan with A. B. Maynard in
1854, opened an office in Romeo, and practiced law until his mind
failed. He returned to Vermont in 1871, where he still lives. He
served one term as prosecuting attorney of Macomb county, and was
a Representative in 1867-9-70.
HENRY S. MEAD
Was the first lawyer at Hillsdale, Michigan, and settled in that place
about 1840. He was an able and popular man, and was Representative in 1850, and Senator in 1851. He practiced law for twelve
years, and died at Hillsdale in 1852.
CHARLES MEARS,
Senator from Mason and other counties in 1863-4, was born in North
Billerica, Mass., in 1814. He received an academical education, and
was for a time a general merchant in Lowell, Mass., but in 1836
opened, with his brothers, a store at Paw Paw, Mich. Later removed
to White Lake, and then to the present site of Ludington. He built




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


457


the fine harbors of Duck Lake, White Lake, Pentwater, Ludington
and Pere Marquette, and was a lumberman and owner of pine lands.
Later he became a leading business man in Chicago.
JOHN N. MELLEN,
Senator from Macomb county in 18734-5, was born September 30,
1831, in Garry, N. Y. He received a common school education. He
emigrated to Washington, Mich., in 1837. In 1841 he removed to
Lenox, and in 1869 to Romeo. From 1849 to 1864 he was engaged
in the United States topographical survey of California, Oregon and
Washington Territory. He was also employed by the government in
establishing the subdivisions of counties and towns in Dakota territory, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. His occupation now is
that of a grain and lumber merchant. Politically a Democrat.
DAVID MENZIE
Was born about 1815 in Johnstown, N. Y. He received a common
school education, and his medical diploma at Hartford, Conn. He
came to Concord, Michigan, about 1837, and served as supervisor
several years. He was a Representative in 1845. He died in 1854.
JAMES MERCER,
Senator from Houghton, Ontonagon, Baraga, Keweenaw and Isle
Royal counties in 1883, was born in London, England, in September,
1830. His parents emigrated in 1833, and were residents of Michigan
when it became a state. He received his education at common
schools and from private tutors.  He acquired his early business
education in Detroit. In 1850 he removed to Lake Superior, where
he has since remained, being closely identified with the general
development of that section of the state. He was a member of the
House in 1881 and '82.
WILLIAM MERCER,
Representative from Ionia county, in 1875, was born in Saratoga
county, N. Y., Oct. 12, 1824. He completed his education at the
Pontiac district school. He removed to Michigan in 1831, and was
the first supervisor elected in Campbell, Ionia county. He has been




458


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


town treasurer and deputy sheriff, a merchant and grain dealer, and
extensively engaged in manufacturing boat oars. In politics a
Democrat.
ELIAS W. MERRILL
Was born in Falmouth, Maine, Oct. 2, 1812, and was educated at the
common schools and Maine Wesleyan seminary. He came to Grand
Rapids in 1837, removed to Muskegon in 1844, and there engaged in
the lumbering business. He held various offices in town and county.
He was Representative in 1857, and Senator in 1865. In 1869 he was
appointed postmaster of Muskegon, and held the office until 1875.
He has been a prominent business man of Muskegon. In politics a
Republican.
ABRAHAM T. METCALF.
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1875, was born Feb. 26,
1831, in Whitestown, N. Y. He received an academical education, and
graduated at the New Orleans dental college. In 1848 he went to
Battle Creek, but shortly afterwards returned to New York state. In
1854 he again came to Michigap, and in February, 1855, commenced
the practice of his profession in Kalamazoo. He was chairman of
the democratic county committee from 1860 to 1865; trustee of the
village of Kalamazoo in 1869, and a member of the board of
education. In 1855 he took an active part in the organization of the
Michigan state dental association. In politics a Democrat.
ALFRED R. METCALF,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1841, was born in Otsego
county, N. Y., Oct. 3, 1802. Came to Michigan in 1834. A farmer,
and politically, first Republican, now  Prohibitionist.  Lived for
forty-five years on his farm in Michigan, but moved to Blandinsville,
Ill., in 1879, where he now resides.
HENRY MEYER,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1883, was born Jan. 1, 1828,
at Vorie, Germany. He received a common school education. He
learned the carpenter's trade in Hanover. In 1851 he came to
Detroit, where he worked twelve years for James Shearer, builder.
In 1863 he moved to Fair Haven, St. Clair county, and




MICHIGAN BIOG GR A PHY.


459


built in 1875 the Swan Creek steam grist mill; his occupation is
farming and milling. In politics a Republican. He has held the
office of town treasurer and supervisor, each eight years.
LOUIS MEYER,
Representative from Livingston county, in 1875, was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1838. He was educated in German and English,
and removed from Germany to Michigan in 1852. He is by occupation a farmer. In politics a Democrat. Now resides in Lansing and
is connected with the Lansing wagon works.
JOHN MICKLE
Came from Oswego, New York, to Michigan in 1831. He was the
first settler in Reading, Hillsdale county. He was a Whig, and
Representative in the legislature of 1842, and associate judge of the
county. The home he built of black walnut logs in 1838, is still
standing. By occupation a farmer.
CHAS. E. MICKLEY,
Senator from Lenawee county in 1873, was born August 26, 1818, in
Bucks county, Pa. He emigrated to Michigan in 1833, and settled
in Fairfield. Lenawee county. He was a member of the House in
1865-7. He was the first to move in the matter of admitting women
to the state university. He has also been a member of the state
public school board, and president of Lenawee county agricultural
society. A farmer by occupation.
CYRUS MILES,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1865-9-70, was born in
Fowler, N. Y., April 13, 1828. By occupation a lawyer and banker,
politically a Democrat. Came to Port Huron in 1852, and went into
the banking business in 1856. Was mayor of Port Huron in 1864 and
1865. Died March 2, 1877.
FABIUS MILES
Was born in Watertown, N. Y., Dec. 31, 1814. He received an
academical education, and became a teacher. In 1838 he established




460


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


the Watertown normal school, and continued it with great success
until 1844. In 1844 he located in Hartford, Mich., built a saw-mill
and engaged in lumbering from 1847 to 1860. He was the owner of
several hundred acres of land. Originally a Democrat, he became a
Free Soiler in 1848, and helped organize the Republican party in 1854.
He was a Representative in 1859. He supported Greeley in 1872, and
Peter Cooper in 1876.
GEORGE MILES
Was born at Amsterdam, N. Y., April 5, 1789. He was of New
England descent and was self educated. He studied law and was
admitted in 1822. He attained distinction and was district attorney
of Alleghany county, N. Y. In 1837 he removed to Ann Arbor, and
engaged in the practice of his profession. On the resignation of
Judge Goodwin from the Supreme Court in 1846, he was appointed to
fill the vacancy, and held it until his death in 1850. He was a man
of commanding personal appearance, presided with dignity, and his
opinions upon legal questions were concise and able.
MARCUS H. MILES
Was born in the State of New York in 1813. Emigrated to Michigan
about 1836, and settled at Port Huron. In 1837 he went to Newport,
now  Marine City, and engaged in mercantile business. He was
postmaster there and a Whig in politics. In 1838 he was elected clerk of
St. Clair county and removed to St. Clair. He was re-elected in
1840, serving from 1839 to 1843. In 1848 and 1850 he was elected
county clerk, serving in that office eight years. In 1852 he was
admitted to the bar and began practice; in 1854 was elected circuit
court commissioner; in 1856 was elected judge of probate, serving
until 1861. In 1863 he enlisted in the 11th Michigan cavalry as a
lieutenant, and during nearly all the time of his service acted as
judge advocate at headquarters in the department of Kentucky. In
1867 he was a Representative. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1867. In 1870 he was appointed inspector of
customs at Toronto, Canada, held the position until 1875. He died
Dec. 13, 1877, at St. Clair. First a Whig in politics, a Republican
after 1854.
WINFIELD S. MILLARD,
Representative from Berrien county in 1881-2, was born at Three
Rivers, Mich., Jan. 22, 1846. Educated at high school and state




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


461


agricultural college. In 1861 enlisted in the 11th Michigan infantry,
and served through the war. For three years in the wholesale
grocery trade at Laramie City, Dak.; general freight and ticket
agent for C., W. & M. R. R. Co. nearly three years; moved to Niles
in 1872, and was secretary and treasurer of the Michigan wool pulp
co., the Three Rivers pulp co. and Niles water power co. Has been a
major of state militia.
ALBERT MILLER,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1847, and the oldest living
pioneer of the Saginaw valley, was born in Hartland, Vt., May 10,
1810. With a common school education he settled at Grand Blanc,
Mich., in 1831, and taught school. He removed to a farm near
Saginaw City in 1833; taught the first school in the Saginaw valley
in 1834-5; was inspector of elections 1833 to 1848; judge of probate
1835 to 1844; justice thirteen years. He laid out Portsmouth, now
part of Bay City. In 1836-7 built the second saw-mill on the Saginaw
river. Has been president of the state pioneer society, postmaster,
director in banks and manufacturing companies. In politics, first a
Democrat, then a Republican. In the winter of 1887-8 celebrated his
golden wedding.
ELI R. MILLER
Was born in Winsted, Conn., October 12, 1818. He received an
academical education, emigrated to Michigan in 1834, and settled as
a farmer at Richland, Kalamazoo county. He was a member of the
Michigan House in 1871-2-3-4, and was active in securing appropriations for fish propagation, and for several years was one of the state
fish commissioners. In politics a Republican.
HENRY MILLER,
Representative from Oakland county in 1853, 1863-4, was born in
Buffalo, N. Y., in 1816. He came to Michigan in 1821, and was
justice for several terms at Rochester. A merchant, in politics a
Republican. He removed to Grand Rapids in 1866, and died April
24, 1879.
JOHN C. MILLER
Was born in Ames, Ohio, March 9, 1822. Came with his parents to
Michigan in 1836, but in 1843 removed to New Buffalo, where he now
49.




462


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


resides. Obtained a common school education. By occupation
a farmer, was a Whig until 1856, a Republican until 1872, since that
time a Prohibitionist. He was a Representative in 1863-4. Has been
supervisor six years, justice eight years, and held other local offices.
JOHN MILLER,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1857, '63-4, was born at Sugar
Loaf, Canada, February 1, 1818, his parents settling at Rochester,
Mich., when he was young. With a limited education he went into
lumbering at St. Clair, and served as clerk, general manager and
superintendent of the Black river steam mill company. Then went
into business for himself, was thrice mayor of Port Huron, and became cashier and manager of the first national bank at Port Huron.
In politics a Democrat. Died in 1873.
JOSEPH MILLER,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1840-41, was born in
Farmington, Conn., October 29, 1779. He graduated at Williams
college, studied law, married Sarah Sherman in 1808, a descendant
of Roger Sherman, and settled at Winsted, Conn., in practice. Was
a justice 25 years, and a member of the state legislature. In 1834
removed to Richland, Mich., and was associate judge. Died in June,
1864.
LEONARD MILLER
Was born in the state of New York in 1820, and came to Moscow,
Mich., in 1839. Later he removed to Jonesville. He was a Representative, sessions of 1841-2.
LEWIS T. MILLER,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1835-6, was born in Rensselaer county, N. Y., June 11, 1787. By occupation a farmer, in politics
a Democrat. Moved to Moscow, Mich., in 1833 and was the first
postmaster. He was a delegate to the constitutional convention of
1835. Died February 14, 1856.
LUCIEN B. MILLER,
Representative from Monroe county in 1877-79, was born in the state
of New York, March 6, 1831. His parents removed to La Salle, Mich.,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


463


the May following, and he has resided there ever since. He received
a common school education. He has held the offices of justice, supervisor, school director, assessor and notary public. He is a farmer.
In politics a Democrat.
NORTON L. MILLER
Was born in Berkshire county, Mass., December 2, 1815, his parents
removing to Monroe county, N. Y., in 1818, and in 1832 to Macomb
county, Michigan. He is a miller by occupation. Was register of
deeds for Macomb county, from 1857 to 1861, and Representative in
1869, 1870-1-2. He received an academical education and has held
various local offices. Is now a resident of Ludden, Dakota.
OLIVER MILLER,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1844, resided at Ridgeway,
and was in politics a Democrat. He was a brother of Dan B. Miller,
of Monroe, a prominent business man at an early day.
RICHARD C. MILLER
Was born in Hartland, Conn., April 17, 1820, and received a common
school education. He settled in Greenfield, Wayne county, in 1830,
and removed to Fairplains, Montcalm county, in 1853, where he now
resides. He was Representative from Montcalm county in 1871-2-3 -4. By occupation a farmer and commission merchant, in politics a
Republican.
ABEL MILLINGTON
Was born at Rutland, Vt., February 5, 1787. He became a physician,
and removed to Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1826. He was sheriff of
Washtenaw county, and was a member of the legislative council in
1834 and 1835. He removed to St. Charles, Illinois, in 1838, and died
there the same year.
CHARLES R. MILLINGTON
Was born August 5,1818, at Lebanon, N. Y. The next year removed to
Shaftsbury, Vt., where he resided until 1836, when his father's
family settled in Bennington, Vt. He received a good academical
education, and taught school winters for five years. Studied law and
was admitted to the bar in Vermont. He removed to Constantine




464


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Mich., in 1847, where he resided until 1873. Since that time he has
been a resident of Independence, Iowa. He was a Whig until 1854,
since that time a Republican, and was a delegate to the convention at
Jackson which organized that party. From 1869 to 1873 he was a
Representative from St. Joseph county.
ALFRED J. MILLS,
Of Paw Paw, was born of English parentage in 1851. He was
admitted to the bar in 1873 at Kalamazoo. In 1875 he removed to
Paw Paw, where he has since resided. He was elected judge of
probate of Van Buren county in 1876, and circuit judge in the spring
of 1881.
CHARLES B. MILLS,
Representative from Tuscola county in 1877, and Senator in 1869-70,
was born in York county, Maine, May 5, 1823. He received a common and high -school education. At an early age he became a
minister in the Free Baptist denomination. He was a close student
and gave frequent lectures in addition to his regular pastoral work.
He removed to Ohio, and from there to Tuscola county in 1856,
where.he bought a farm. He was for several years judge of probate.
He has been trustee of Hillsdale college for many years, and was one
of the incorporators of the Free Baptist printing house at Dover, N. H.
Of late years he has been in the employ of Hillsdale college, but now
resides in Tuscola county.
JOHN W. MILLS,
Representative from Jackson county in 1855, was born in Phelps, N.
Y., April 24, 1821. He came to Michigan in 1835, and settled on a
farm in Pittsfield, Washtenaw county. Lived at Leoni, Jackson
county, from 1853 to 1856, when he moved to Illinois, and was a member
of the legislature of that state. In 1865 he removed to Grinnell,
Iowa. By occupation a farmer, politically a Republican. Died
December 15, 1865.
WILLIAM S. MILLS,
Senator from Sanilac county in 1859, was born in the state of
Vermont, Oct. 29, 1820. He came to Michigan in 1854, and was
prosecuting attorney of Sanilac county in 1860-61. Has been a




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


465


printer, editor, lumberman, lawyer, publisher, and is now superintendent of a mining company in El Dorado canon, Lincoln county,
Nevada. Politically a Republican.
HIRAM MILLSPAUGH,
Representative from Wayne county in 1850, was a native of the
state of New York. The time of his birth and the date of his coming
to Belleville, Mich., are unknown. He was a Democrat in politics, a
farmer by occupation, and died November 3, 1883.
JOSEPH P. MINNIE,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1851, was born at Point aux
Trembles, Mich., April 21, 1812. When young he went to St. Louis,
Mo., and learned the trade of a tailor. Returning, he located at
Monroe. In 1834 he located at Port Huron, and was a merchant
tailor. He was justice for twenty years, amassed a large property,
took an important part in all progressive enterprises, and was one of
the most favorably known of the early pioneers. Died March 10,
1865.
PRESTON MITCHELL,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1871-2-3-4, was born in
Meredith, N. Y., April 24, 1812; received a common school education,
and was a teacher at sixteen; afterwards a clerk and merchant at
Baldwinsville and Syracuse, N. Y.; came to Marshall, Mich., in 1836,
and from 1837 to 1842 was a merchant at Marengo; in 1842 removed
to Marshall and was county treasurer six years; was alderman and
mayor of Marshall, also supervisor; assessor of internal revenue
1862-3; and presidential elector in 1876. In politics a Democrat, a
Republican from 1854. He had landed interests west, and was in
real estate abstract business. Deceased.
THOMAS MITCHELL,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1859, was born in Washington county, N. Y., June 25, 1819. He came to St. Joseph county,
Michigan, in 1843, and engaged in the manufacture of agricultural
implements and a general foundry business. Politics Republican.
Now resides at Constantine, retired from business.




466


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


W. H. C. MITCHELL
Was born in Perry county, Ohio, May 30, 1825. received a common
school education, and went to California in 1849. He returned to
Ohio in 1853, and in 1866 settled at East Bay, Grand Traverse county,
Michigan. He was in the army as sutler 1862-5. He was Representative in 1869-70-1-2, and in 1873-4-5 a Senator. He was a delegate to the
republican national convention in 1876. Was several years register
of the U. S. land office at Reed City, and still resides in Grand
Traverse county. In politics a Republican, and by occupation has
been a tinsmith, sash and furniture manufacturer, lumberman and
farmer.
WILLIAM    T. MITCHELL
Was born at Middlebury, N. Y., May 27, 1817. He received a good
education, read law, and was admitted to the bar in 1839. Removed
to Lapeer, Michigan, and was admitted to the Michigan bar in 1839.
In 1840 he edited the Lapeer Plaindealer, the same year was
appointed prosecuting attorney, and in the fall was elected register
of deeds. In 1842 he removed to Romeo, and became prosecuting
attorney and master in chancery of Macomb county. He moved to
Port Huron in 1847, where he now resides. In 1853 was a Representative, and in 1869 was elected circuit judge, which he resigned
after three years from insufficient salary. In politics a Democrat.
OTTO MOE,
Representative from St. Joseph county, in 1879, was born Jan. 29,
1845, in Conneaut, Ohio. He received a common school education,
and removed in 1836 to Fawn River, Michigan. Occupation, farmer.
He has been supervisor several years. In politics a National.
ORLANDO MOFFAT,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1849, was born in Otsego
county, N. Y., Feb. 20, 1808. By occupation a farmer, in politics
Whig and Free Soiler. He came to Michigan in 1836, and died Feb.
20, 1868.
SETH C. MOFFAT,
Was born at Battle Creek, Mich., Aug. 1, 1841. He received a
common school education, and was two years a teacher at Colon.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


467


He graduated from the law department of the University in 1863,
began practice at Lyons, Mich., removed to Northport in 1866, and
was prosecuting attorney of Leelanaw county four years. He was a
state Senator in 1871-2: a member of the constitutional commission of
1873; register of the U. S. land office at Traverse City, 1874-8; prosecuting attorney of Grand Traverse county; Representative and
speaker in the legislature of 1881-2; delegate to the republican
national convention at Chicago in 1884; and Representative in
congress from the 11th district, from March 4, 1885, until his death at
Washington, Dec. 22, 1887. Politically a Republican.
ISAAC MONFORE,
Representative from Macomb county in 1835-6-7, was born in Delaware county, N. Y., in 1803. He was educated at Rochester, N. Y. high
school, and taught several seasons. In 1828 he settled on a farm in
Ray, Mich., afterwards in Shelby. He studied law, was a justice,
county clerk and supervisor. As a legislator he was one of four
representatives who opposed the wildcat banking law. In politics a
Democrat. Died April 21, 1871.
CHARLES J. MONROE,
Senator from Allegan and Van Buren counties in 1883-5-7, and
president pro tem. in 1887, was born in Lawrence, Mich., Nov. 20,
1839. He was two and a half years a student in the agricultural
college. Taught eight terms, and was engaged in surveying and
land agent several years. Settled in 1866 at South Haven, was
supervisor three years, and has been in real estate insurance and
banking since 1867. Took a law course at Ann Arbor in 1878-9, and
in 1879 organized a bank at Bangor, now the West Michigan savings
bank, of which he is president, and also a director and president of
the Kalamazoo savings bank. In politics a Republican.
DARIUS MONROE,
Senator from Branch county in 1861-2-3-4, and Representative in
1865, was born at Williamstown, Mass., April 16, 1797, He removed
with his parents to Cayuga county, N. Y. in 1839, and became a
tanner, then a printer at Auburn, then a hatter. Was a justice at
Victory, N. Y., twelve years, supervisor four terms, and a member
of the N. Y. assembly in 1811. In 1852 settled at Bronson, Mich




468


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


and was a supervisor. He was appointed a member of the state railroad board by Gov. Crapo, and held it until his death in November,
1881. In politics a Republican. Of sound judgment, he was a good
legislator.
JAMES MONROE,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1857-9, was born in the
state of New York in 1816. He settled at Albion, Mich., in 1838. In
1848 he started a furnace and shop for the manufacture of stoves,
thrashers, and general jobbing, which he continued until 1859. He
has held the positions of sheriff of Calhoun county, and of United
States marshal for western Michigan. Politically a Republican.
Now resides at Kalamazoo.
DANIEL N. MONTAGUE,
Representative from Genesee county in 1855, was born in Hadley,
Mass., June 9, 1811. He came to Michigan in 1839, and settled in
Vienna, Genesee county, and still lives on the farm he carved from
the wilderness. Politically a Republican.
HENRY MONTAGUE,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1885, was born in Hadley,
Mass., July 30, 1813. He came to Michigan in 1835 and now resides
at Kalamazoo. He is a farmer, politically a Republican. He was
trustee of the Michigan asylum from 1857 to 1859, when he was
appointed steward, which position he held until October 1, 1885.
JOHN MONTGOMERY,
Representative from Eaton county in 1850, was born in Ireland,
March 22, 1804, and came to this country with his parents, while
young, who settled in Oneida county, N. Y. Received an ordinary
education, came to Michigan in 1831, and in 1835 located on a large
farm in Hamlin, Eaton county. He was a supervisor, and in 1850 a
brigadier general of state militia. In politics a Democrat. Deceased.
MARTIN V. MONTGOMERY,
Representative from Eaton county in 1871-2, was born near Eaton
Rapids, Mich., October 20, 1840. He received a fair education, be



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


469


came a teacher, and in 1861 enlisted in the 2d Michigan cavalry,
serving until the summer of 1862, when he resigned from sickness.
He studied law and was admitted in 1865. He removed to Jackson,
became a successful lawyer, and in 1874 was the democratic candidate for attorney general. Settled at Lansing in 1875, and became a
leading member of the Ingham county bar, and had a state reputation as a jury lawyer. He was appointed commissioner of patents by
Cleveland in 1885, resigned after two years' service, and was appointed and confirmed associate judge of the Supreme Court of
Columbia, a position he now holds.
ROBERT M. MONTGOMERY,
Of Grand Rapids, was born at Eaton Rapids, Mich., May 12, 1849, and
attended public schools until he was eighteen years of age. He was
admitted to the bar at the age of twenty-one and began practice at
Pentwater, where he remained until 1877, when he removed to Grand
Rapids, where he has since resided. During his residence at Pentwater he was for four years prosecuting attorney of Oceana county.
Upon removing to Grand Rapids he was appointed assistant U. S.
attorney, and held that office until October, 1881. He was elected
circuit judge of the 17th judicial circuit at the April election of 1881
as a Republican, and has filled the position since January 1, 1882.
WILLIAM    H. MONTGOMERY
Was born in Ovid (now Lodi), N. Y., Aug. 8, 1805. He settled on a
farm on the river Raisin in 1831. In 1833 he was made postmaster at
West Raisinville. He taught school in New York and Michigan for
nine years; was school inspector 12 years; justice of the peace 16
years; and in 1838 was Representative in the legislature. He was
county judge in 1849; supervisor of Raisinville in 1839 and of Dundee
in 1851; Senator in 1855; president of the Monroe county agricultural
society; for two years one of the executive committee of the state
agricultural society; and county drain commissioner. He removed
to Hudson in 1862 and became a druggist. He went through various
grades of military service, was made brigadier general by Gov. Barry
in 1844, and major general by Gov. Greenly in 1847.
WILLIAM R. MONTGOMERY
Was born at Bath, N. Y., March 12,1813. He moved with his parents
to Rochester, N. Y., in 1816, where he lived until 1844. He received
e-r.                                 *




470


4MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


a good education, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1835.
He moved to Camden, Michigan, in 1844, and settled on an unimproved farm of 320 acres. He cleared 150 acres and removed to Hillsdale in 1855, where he still resides. He was Representative in 1851.
He held the office of assessor and supervisor 21 years and was 12 years
chairman of the county board. He was register of deeds for Hillsdale
county eight years. In politics a Whig and Republican until 1878,
now an independent Cleveland man.
WILLIAM J. MOODY
Was a lawyer and came to Jackson, Michigan, prior to 1838. He was
also a speculator and politician. He was a Senator in 1835-6 and 1843-4;
was also a county judge, and justice of the peace. He removed from
Jackson to Racine, Wisconsin, where he died in 1853.
JOHN W. MOON,
Senator from Ottawa and Muskegon counties in 1885-7, was born in
Wayne county, Mich., Jan. 18, 1836. Until he was eighteen years of
age he worked on a farm, attending school during the winters. Removing from Wayne county in 1852 to Jackson county, and leaving
there in the fall of 1854, worked in lumber camps and saw-mills on
Flat river until the spring of 1856. He then removed to Muskegon
county, where he has resided since that time, and for the past twenty
years has been engaged in the manufacture of lumber, being a member of the firm of A. V. Mann & Co., doing business at Lakeside,
Muskegon county. In the past he has held the offices of township
treasurer, supervisor, and president of the village. Politically a Republican.
ALEXANDER H. MOORE,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1851, was born near Pittsburg, Pa., Nov. 8, 1817. He came to Michigan in 1844. After serving in the legislature of 1851 as Representative, he went to La Porte,
Ind., graduating at the Indiana medical college, and went into practice at Mottville, Michigan, where he remained nine years. Now resides at Osage, Mitchell county, Iowa. Has been justice and county
judge. Is in the enjoyment of a large and successful practice.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


471


CHARLES F. MOORE,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1877, was born August 30,
1842, at St. Clair, Michigan. He received a good common school education, and has been alderman of St. Clair. He has been engaged in
the lumber trade from the outset of his business career, and for years
has combined with it the occupation of farming. In politics a Republican.
EDWARD S. MOORE,
Senator from St. Joseph county in 1853, was born in Trenton, N. J.,
June 4, 1805, and removed when young to Mooresburg, Pa., became a
tailor and worked several years at the trade. Became a merchant in
1830, and had stores at Danville and Pottsville, Pa. In 1834 settled
at Three Rivers, and with A. C. Prutzman had a store at Prairie
Ronde, removed it to Three Rivers, bought a flouring mill, and continued in business until 1859. In 1864 helped organize and became
president of the national bank at Three Rivers. Politically a Democrat. He was a delegate to the constitutional convention of 1850.
and was regent of the University six years.
GEORGE W. MOORE,
Representative from Wayne county in 1847, was born in Albany, N.
Y., July 4, 1813, and came to Michigan in 1833. He was one of two
sons (the other J. Wilkie Moore, of Detroit) of Gen. Win. Moore, of
Massachusetts, a distinguished officer in the war of the revolution.
He held the position of postmaster in Brownstown under three
administrations, and was township clerk of his township. He was a
Democrat, and a merchant by occupation. Died at Council Bluffs,
Iowa, in 1856.
HIRAM MOORE,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1850, was born in New
Hampshire in 1800, and died at Brandon, Wisconsin, May 5, 1875. He
was a farmer and inventor, in politics a Democrat. He was the
inventor of Moore's harvester, which cut a swath fourteen feet wide,
thrashed, cleaned, and put the grain in bags. He also claimed the
invention of the first sickle, and that the McCormick improvement
was an infringment on his patent, and the case was in the courts for
several years.




472


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


HENRY M. MOORE,
Representative from Montcalm county in 1851, was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., about 1803. He came to Oakland county,
Michigan, in 1836, and settled at Greenville in 1845. He was a
merchant, and opened the first store in Montcalm county. Politically
a Democrat. He was a radical temperance man. He removed to
the Pacific coast in 1852, and is said to be living at Copperopolis,
California. He was also a lawyer.
JOHN MOORE
Was born in London, England, Feb. 7, 1826; from 1830 to 1834 was
with his mother, a resident of the state of New York, and then
resided at Milford, Mich., attended public school until 1846, studied
law, was admitted in 1848, and commenced practice at Fentonville,
but removed to Saginaw in 1851. Was prosecuting attorney 1857-61;
mayor of Saginaw 1861-2-3; judge of the 10th circuit 1871-4, when he
resigned; Democratic candidate for governor in 1868; and a member
of the board of education 1855 to 1870. Politically a Democrat, took
high rank as a lawyer and citizen, and stands high in public
estimation.
JOSEPH B. MOORE,
Senator from Lapeer and Macomb counties, in 1879, was born in
Commerce, Michigan, Nov. 3, 1845. He was educated at Hillsdale
college and at the law department of the Michigan University, defraying his expenses by teaching. He removed to Lapeer in 1869,
and was admitted to the practice of the law that year. In 1870 he
was elected circuit court commissioner for Lapeer county; in 1872
was elected prosecuting attorney, and in 1874 mayor of Lapeer. In
the fall of 1874 he was re-elected prosecuting attorney, which office
he held until 1877. In politics a Republican. In 1886 he was elected
judge of the circuit comprising Oakland and Lapeer counties.
THOMAS F. MOORE
Was born in Peterborough, N. H., October 2, 1819. He received a
fair education, and in 1838 went to western New York, working at
farming and teaching; in 1839 came to Michigan, and in 1840 settled
on a farm in York, Washtenaw county, where he lived until 1854.
He then purchased a farm in Madison, Lenawee county, where he




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


473


now resides. Has held the offices of justice and supervisor; was a
Representative in 1861-2, and Senator in 1863-4. In 1865 he was
appointed inspector of the state prison and served four years. In
1869 he was made superintendent of the poor in Lenawee county, and
served ten years. In 1877 he became a manager of the Ionia house
of correction and served two years.
WILLIAM MOORE,
Senator from Washtenaw county in 1837-8, and Representative in
1843, was born at Peterboro, N. H., April 9, 1787. At the age of
eighteen he emigrated to Phelps, N. Y., where he married Lucy
Rice in 1806. During winters he made wheels for spinning flax,
farming summers. He was justice there sixteen years, and held
other offices, removing to York, Mich., in 1831. He was a delegate
in the constitutional convention of 1835. He served in the war of
1812, as did his father in the revolution. By occupation a farmer,
politically a Democrat, in religion a Baptist. Of ten children, only
one, William A. Moore, is now living. Died Dec. 4, 1850.
ASA P. MOORMAN,
Representative from Detroit in 1855, was a native of Ohio, born in
1803. The time of his coming to Detroit is not known. He was a
member of the board of education of the city in 1861-2, was a carpenter
and builder, a Republican in politics, and died in 1879.
CHARLES MORAN,
Representative from Wayne county in 1836-8-40, was born in Detroit,
Mich., April 15 1797, and resided there until his death, Oct. 13, 1876.
He was a member of the Moran family, prominent in Detroit history.
At the age of fifteen he enlisted in the war of 1812, fought side by
side with the late Judge Witherell in Captain Jaques company, was
under Hull when he surrendered Detroit, and served through the
war. He was a member of the legislative council 1832-5; also of the
second convention of assent, 1836; associate judge of the county
court in 1831, and 1837-41; justice, and many years alderman, and
held other positions of trust. In politics a Democrat. Had large
real estate interests which occupied much of his time.




474


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


GEORGE MORAN,
Representative from Wayne county, 1846-1849, was born in Detroit
in May, 1805. He descended from the early French settlers of that
name, became a resident of Grosse Point when 21 years of age,
and resided there until his death in 1881. He was supervisor of Hamtramck in 1845, and of the township of Grosse Point in 1848. Was
paymaster in the service of the Indian bureau for many years, and
carried the mail to Mackinac on a trail through the woods. He was
widely known, and was especially influential with the Indians. His
occupation was nominally that of a farmer on the farm where he
resided, but he was a free operator in real estate in the vicinity. Was
democratic in politics.
ELISHA MORCOM,
Representative from Menominee county in 1883, was born in Cornwall, England, May 5, 1835. Emigrated to Michigan in 1854. Resided
two years in Keweenaw county, going from there in 1856 to RockJand, Ontonagon county, where he served two terms as township
clerk and was supervisor of Carp Lake for four years. He also held
important and responsible positions as mining captain and superintendent in the copper mines. Removed to Quinnesec in 1878. Took
charge of the underground works of the Quinnesec iron mine as mining captain. Was appointed superintendent in 1882. He was supervisor of Breitung four years.
GEORGE MORELL
Was born at Lenox, Mass., March 22, 1786. He was a descendant of
the French Huguenots. He was educated at Lenox academy and
Williams college, and received his degree in 1807. He studied law at
Troy, N. Y., was admitted to the bar in 1810, and settled at Cooperstown, N. Y., where he remained until 1832. During that time he
was clerk of the court of common pleas of Otsego county; master in
chancery; and judge of the court of common pleas. In 1828 he was
a member of the New York assembly. In 1832 he was appointed a
judge of the United States court for Michigan, and removed to Detroit. He held that office until 1837, when Michigan was admitted
into the union. In 1836 he was appointed a judge of the state
Supreme Court, and in 1842 chief justice, on the resignation of Chief
Justice Fletcher. He married Maria, daughter of Gen. Samuel B.
Webb. While a resident of the state of New York Judge Morell rose
through all the ranks of military service up to major general. While




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


475


serving as chief justice he died at Detroit March 8, 1845. His funeral
was attended by the state legislature and the bar of Detroit. As a
judge he presided with great dignity, and was distinguished for his
legal attainments and untiring industry. In social life he was always
a welcome guest. In politics a Democrat.
PETER MOREY
Was born in Cazenovia, N. Y., in 1798, was educated at Hamilton
academy, studied law and was admitted in 1831. He practiced four
years in the state of New York, and in 1835 removed to Tecumseh,
Michigan. In 1837 he removed to Detroit, having been appointed
attorney general of the state, which office he held four years. After
the expiration of his term of office he returned to Tecumseh, where
he continued in practice for many years, finally going to Marion,
Ohio, to live with his daughter, until his death in the fall of 1881. He
was a fine scholar, a courteous old school gentleman, an able and
energetic lawyer. In politics a Democrat.
FRANKLIN E. MORGAN,
Senator from Branch and St. Joseph counties in 1877, was born in
Warsaw, N. Y., June 9, 1836. He was educated at Albion college,
Michigan. He afterwards pursued select studies at the Michigan
University for one year, after which he entered the law school at
Ann Arbor, and graduated in 1863. The same year he settled in
Coldwater, where he has since practiced his profession and dealt
in real estate. He has been a member of the common council of
Coldwater, and held the office of circuit court commissioner. In
politics a Republican.
GOUVERNEUR MORRIS
Was born in Springfield, Vermont. After graduating from Dartmouth college he took a regular course at the Yale college law school;
spent a year in the office of the late Chief Justice Chase, at Cincinnati, was admitted to the bar in Kentucky; returned to Vermont,
settled in Brattleboro, and practiced law in Vermont and New
Hampshire. Having left the law permanently, as he then supposed,
he engaged in manufacturing enterprises. In 1840 he came to Michigan and settled on a farm in Monroe county, where he remained
fifteen years. In 1855 he removed to Monroe, where he has since
resided. Having resumed the practice of law in 1860, he continued




476


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


the same until his election to the bench. Since his residence in
Monroe county he has been four years a supervisor, four years a
justice of the peace, four years a circuit court commissioner, two
years county treasurer, two years city treasurer, four years judge of
probate, and circuit judge of the district comprising Washtenaw and
Monroe counties. Politically a Democrat.
WILLIAM MORRIS
Was born in Surrey, England, September 25, 1804. He came to this
country in 1823, and settled with his parents in New York city. In
1834 he removed to Michigan, first settling at Sturgis, but in 1852
removed to a farm in Burr Oak. He has been justice, postmaster of
Sturgis four years, supervisor of Burr Oak, and in 1848 was Representative in the legislature. In politics a Democrat.
ALEXANDER H. MORRISON,Was born at Quebec, Canada, February 22, 1822, of Scotch and
American parentage. He was educated at a private academy, at sixteen went to Chicago, and was an employe of a contractor on the
Illinois and Michigan canal. At nineteen he became a merchant and
contractor on public works in Illinois and Iowa. In 1850 he removed
to St Joseph, Mich., where he has since resided as a merchant, manufacturer and railroad builder. In connection with James F. Joy, he
constructed the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore railroad, and
managed it for six years. He has owned and operated with others,
railroads in Dakota. Formerly a Whig, later a Republican. In
1857-8 he was a Senator; and in 1861-2 Representative. In 1862 he
was collector of internal revenue, and from 1866 to 1869 assessor. He
was six years one of the republican state committee, and on the
governor's staff from 1854 to 1861.
WILLIAM V. MORRISON
Was born at Lansing, N. Y., February 15, 1817. His ancestors on
both sides served in the revolutionary war. He was brought up on a
farm, became a clerk and book-keeper, and in 1837 removed to Michigan with his parents, who settled on a large farm in Jackson county.
He engaged in farming and teaching, removed to Albion in 1844,
became interested in milling and carried on that business until 1871.
In 1850 he was a member of the state constitutional convention. In
politics a Democrat. For nearly forty years was a justice in Albion.




MICHIGAN' BIOGRAPHY.


477


THOMAS MORRISON,
Senator from Detroit in 1881-2, was born in Perth, Scotland, in 1829.
He came to Canada with his parents while very young, received a
classical education, and afterward studied medicine, graduating at
the Buffalo medical college in 1855. He then settled in Wayne
county, Mich., where he now resides, practicing his profession, but
engaged principally in the drug trade. In the war he served one
year as acting assistant surgeon, U. S. A., and resigned at the close
of the war. He was a Representative in the legislature ox 1877.
ALLEN B. MORSE,
Son of John L. and Susan (Cowles) Morse, was born at Otisco, Michigan, Jan. 7, 1839. He was the eldest of nine children, and his father
was a man of note, having filled many responsible positions. Judge
Morse received an education mostly at home and excelled in mathematics, English literature and botany, the last his favorite sport. He
took a two years' course at the state agricultural college, and in 1860
commenced the study of the law. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in
the 16th Michigan infantry. In 1863 he was transferred to the 21st infantry, and soon after the battle of Chickamauga was assigned to duty
as acting assistant adjutant general on the staff of Colonel F. T. Sherman, who commanded the first brigade of Sheridan's division. While
holding this position he lost his arm at the storming of Mission
Ridge. He was in the battles of Hanover Court House, Gaines' Mill,
Pope's battle of Manassas, Antietam, Chickamauga, and many skirmishes. He was highly complimented on leaving the service in 1864.
He was admitted to practice in 1865, and in 1866 was elected prosecuting attorney of Ionia county by the republicans. In 1874 he was
elected by the democrats to the Senate, served in 1875 as chairman of
the military committee and was a member of other committees. His
ability as a lawyer gave him, at the democratic state convention in
1884, the nomination of justice of the Supreme Court, and he was
elected to that position. His term would have commenced January
1, 1886, but Chief Justice Cooley having resigned October 1, 1885, he
received the compliment from a republican governor of being appointed to fill the vacancy. He is now associate justice, and his term
will expire at the close of 1893. Judge Morse is a great lover of the
gun and rod. He is a man of decided individuality and strong convictions, and has made a good record as a judge.
51




478


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


CHARLES H. MORSE,
Senator from Gratiot and other counties in 1877, and Representative
in 1873-4-5, was born in Orangeville, N. Y., Jan. 27, 1838. With a
common school education settled in Orleans, Mich., in 1855; in 1861
enlisted in the 3d Michigan cavalry; was made captain of the 117th
colored troops in 1864, lieut. colonel in 1865, and brevet colonel in
1866, serving until Aug., 1867. Since that year has resided in Gratiot
county and is a farmer. Has been town clerk and a supervisor seven
years. Politically a Republican.
JOHN L. MORSE,
Representative from Ionia county in 1846, was born in Homer, N. Y.,
May 13, 1815. Taught school at the age of sixteen. Came at an early
dayto Oakland county, Michigan, with his father, and married Susan
Ann G. Cowles at Avon, Michigan, in 1834. Lived in Lapeer and
Oakland counties until 1838, when he settled in Otisco, Ionia county,
where he lived until 1866. Held various township offices; was county
commissioner; elected judge of probate in 1848, and resigned in 1850,
going to California. Returned in 1853, was again elected judge of
probate in 1856, and in 1860. In 1866 removed to Belmond, Iowa,
where he was county judge in 1868, county auditor in 1867, holding this
office seven years. In 1876 was a member of the general assembly of
Iowa. Was a Democrat until 1848, then Barnburner, but a Republican since 1854. Still resides at Belmond, Iowa.
RICHARD E. MORSE.
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1835-6, was born in
Otsego county, N. Y., in 1809. He came to Ypsilanti, Mich., in 1833,
and engaged in practice as a physician. He was surgeon of the
Michigan forces in the "Toledo war;" was postmaster of Ypsilanti
from 1837 to 1841; and United States consul to Curacoa from 1862 to
1865. He died at Curacoa in 1865 and was buried there. A Democrat
until 1861, then a Republican.
EDWARD G. MORTON
Was born in St. Albans, Vt., Dec. 15, 1812. When four years old
his parents removed to the state of New York, where he lived until
1834, when they came to Monroe, Michigan, where Mr. Morton lived




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


479


until his death, with the exception of two years at Detroit. He had
few educational advantages, and in all attended school less than a
year. At the age of fourteen, at his own request, he was apprenticed
for six years, to learn the trade of a printer, at $35 a year and board.
For more than forty years he was connected with the newspaper
press. As a writer he was sharp, incisive and keenly alive to the
weak points of the enemy, and politically was always a Democrat.
He was Representative in the legislatures of 1849-50-53-63-64-65, and
was state Senator in 1869-70-71-72. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1867. He held various local offices, and was
mayor of Monroe in 1851. His services as a legislator were not small,
but he particularly distinguished himself in securing the establishment of the insane asylum at Kalamazoo, and the asylum for the
deaf, dumb and blind at Flint. No man was more efficient in establishing the asylum for the insane than Mr. Morton, and a speech
made by him on that subject in March, 1865, was published in the
journals of both Houses, was republished in the journal of insanity
in New York, and 2,000 copies were printed for free distribution, of
which he said it was "the greatest compliment he ever received for
public service." He died at Monroe, Dec. 15, 1875.
EUROTAS MORTON,
Representative from Wayne county in 1841, was born in Hatfield,
Mass., July 31, 1799, and came to Detroit in 1837. He soon afterwards removed to Rawsonville, and engaged in active business as a
merchant. He held the local offices of postmaster and justice of the
peace for many years during his residence at Rawsonville. His later
years were passed at Ypsilanti, as a retired capitalist, where he died
Jan. 7, 1876. He was a Whig, and subsequently a Republican in
politics.
HENRY C. MORTON
Was born in Genesee county, N. Y., in 1817. He received a common
school education. He came with his parents to Michigan in 1834,
and early became interested in the development of Benton Harbor,
with his father, Eleazar Morton. He was prominent in politics and
business, and as a Republican, was Representative in 1863-4. He
was the first postmaster of Benton Harbor, and was a leader in building
the ship canal which has made the village prosperous.




480


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


WILLIAM F. MOSELY,
Representative from Saginaw in 1837, was the second practicing
lawyer fn Oakland county, and was admitted to the bar in 1825. He
was judge of probate and prosecuting attorney of Oakland county,
prosecuting attorney in Genesee county, and also in Shiawassee
county. He died in 1860.
CHARLES MOSHER
Was born at Chatham, N. Y., Jan. 2, 1822. He settled in Scipio,
Hillsdale county, in 1842. In 1849 and 1850 he and his brothers laid
out the village of Mosherville, named in honor of their father. They
built a saw and grist mill. He is a practical miller and followed
that business for twenty years. Originally a Whig, he became a
Republican, but of late years has been a Prohibitionist. He was a
Representative in 1863-4-77-9. In 1884 he was the prohibition candidate for congress in the second district, and in 1886 their candidate
for lieutenant governor.
JABEZ S. MOSHER,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1849, was born in Springport, N. Y., and came from there to Jackson's mills, in Addison,
Mich., about 1840. In politics a Democrat. Died about 1856.
JAMES B. MOSHIER
Was born July 19, 1829, at Warrensburg, N. Y. He removed to
Genesee county, Michigan, in 1852. He was supervisor of Fenton,
'and held other town offices. He was a Representative in 1871-2-5.
By occupation a merchant, in politics a Democrat.
THOMAS H. MOSHER
Was born at Union Springs, N. Y., Oct. 18, 1815.' He received a common school education, and attended the Cayuga academy one year.
He was a clerk in his father's store from 1831 to 1836, when he came
to Cambridge, Michigan, and with John Hart carried on a general
store until 1848, at Springville, where he built a store for himself.
With A. S. Berry he built the "Lake Mills" near Springville, which
he owned and operated after 1856. He was supervisor and town
clerk, and in 1844 was Representative.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


481


WILLIAM MOTTRAM,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1843, located at Nottawa
prairie in 1834, as a physician, and for years had an extensive practice in St. Joseph county. In 1851 he removed to Kalamazoo, where
he still resides. He has been president of the local medical society,
and a delegate to the American medical association.
LUTHER V. MOULTON,
Representative from Kent county in 1879, was born in Howard, Mich.,
Sept. 27, 1843. In 1858 he removed to St. Joseph, and in 1836 engaged
in photographing at Muskegon. In 1871 he removed to Beaver Dam,
Wisconsin, and in 1875 returned to this state and located at Grand
Rapids. Politics, national. Has written and published a work on
finance.
JULIUS MOVIUS,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1850, was born in Hanover, Germany, Nov. 11, 1812. He came to this country in 1833, and
settled at Ypsilanti, Mich., in 1838, where he remained until 1849,
when he removed to Detroit. In 1852 he removed to Buffalo, N. Y.,
which was his home until his death, Oct. 14, 1871. He was at first a
merchant, and then engaged in railroad business. He was general
agent of three great railroads of Canada, and afterwards general
agent of the Michigan Central. He married Mary L. Vibbard in
1839, and two children, Edward H. Movius and Mrs. George J. Scoville, both of Buffalo, N. Y., are now living. He was a man of unusual ability, and well and widely known.
HORACE MOWER
Was born in Woodstock, Vt., and was a graduate of Dartmouth college. He was admitted to the bar in Vermont, came to Kalamazoo in
1838 and engaged in practice. He was Representative in 1847. He
was afterwards a federal judge in New Mexico. He died Dec. 11,
1860. He was a fine classical scholar, a good lawyer, gentlemanly in
his manners, full of wit and humor, and a master of irony and satire.
He was one of the ablest whig leaders in Michigan, and had great
influence with his party.




482


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


ZEBINA M. MOWRY,
Representative in 1848, and member of the constitutional convention of
1850, from Oakland county, was born in Berkshire, Mass., September
20, 1804. By profession a physician, a Democrat until 1866, then a
Republican. Removed to Michigan from Madison county, N. Y., in
1838, and settled on a farm in the town of Ann Arbor until 1841,
thence to Milford, where he commenced the practice of medicine
with H. K. Foot. He died August 1, 1874.
GILBERT MOYERS,
Senator from Allegan county in 1857-8, was born in Macomb county,
Mich., September 13, 1833. By profession a lawyer, practiced his
profession in Allegan county and was prosecuting attorney. Enlisted
in the 3d Michigan cavalry, was made captain September 7, 1861;
major, February 27, 1863; lieutenant colonel, August 13, 1862; resigned and was honorably discharged December 21, 1864. In 1865 he
removed to Memphis, Tenn., where he still resides engaged in the
practice of his profession.
JAMES MULHOLLAND,
Representative from Monroe county in 1840 and 1848, was born in
Olean, N. Y., in 1803. He came to Michigan in 1806. By occupation
a farmer, politically a Democrat. Was deputy sheriff of Monroe
county for several years, and for several years a supervisor. Died in
1871.
SAMUEL MULHOLLAND
Was born in Monroe county, Mich., February 10, 1811. By occupation a farmer. Lived first in Vienna, and afterwards in Erie. He
was a Representative in 1849, 1857-8-9, and Senator in 1861-2.
JOHN MULVEY,
Representative from Marquette county in 1887, was born in Carrickon-Shannon, Ireland, February 20, 1833. He received a common
school education, and emigrated to America in 1852, settling in Marquette county in 1855, where he has since resided. Mr. Mulvey has
held various offices of trust in Negaunee, having been president of
the village, a member of the common council, city assessor, school




IICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


483


trustee, and a member of the board of supervisors for ten years. He
is a contractor by occupation, and owner of improved real estate
in Negaunee. He was elected as a Democrat to the Michigan legislature of 1881-2. In April, 1886, he was unanimously elected mayor
of Negaunee. Mr. Mulvey was a Democrat until 1884.
EDWARD MUNDY
Was born in Middlesex county, New Jersey, August 14,1794. He
graduated at Rutgers college in 1812. He studied law  and commenced practice in his native county. In 1819 he emigrated with his
family to Illinois and engaged in practice, but after a time returned
to New Jersey and became a merchant. In 1831 he removed to Axin
Arbor, Mich., where he became a justice, and from 1833 to 1835 was
associate territorial judge. In 1835 lie was a delegate from Washtenaw county to the first constitutional convention, and was a leading
member of that body. He was the first lieutenant governor of Michigan, and held that position from 1835 to 1840. He then resumed the
practice of the law and was successful. From March, 1847, to April,
1848, he was attorney general. He was also prosecuting attorney, and
regent of the University. In 1848 he was appointed by the governor
and Senate judge of the sixth judicial circuit and associate justice of
the Supreme Court. By this appointment his residence was changed
from Ann Arbor to Grand Rapids. He continued as judge until his
death, March 13, 1851, when he was succeeded by Judge Martin. He
was a dignified presiding officer and an able judge. He was a man
of fine personal appearance, and well liked both in public and private
life. In religion an Episcopalian, in politics a Democrat.
ORRIN W. MUNGER
Was born November 17, 1837, in Huron county, Ohio. He came to
St. Johns, Mich., in 1856. By occupation a merchant. During the
war was U. S. assessor for the first division of the sixth district. He
was a Representative in 1865. A Republican until 1872, now a Democrat. He is president of the state bank at St. Johns.
WILLIAM MUNGER,
Representative from Wayne county in 183745-57, was born at
Sacketts Harbor, N. Y., Aug. 9, 1810. With his mother he came to
what is now the village of Flat Rock in the spring of 1823. Died at
Flat Rock, May 5, 1884. Occupation, farmer; politics, democratic.




484


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


JOHN MURPHY,
Representative from Allegan county in 1853, was born in Dutchess
county, N. Y., Oct. 19, 1794, and was brought up in Penfield, N. Y.
His education was limited, and mostly obtained by reading. He was
a farmer at first, but became a contractor on Ohio and Pennsylvania
canals. In 1835 he bought a farm in Allegan county. He was the
first supervisor in Gun Plain township, was also justice, and was the
first sheriff of Allegan county. In politics a Democrat. Died June
19, 1874.
SEBA MURPHY,
Senator from Monroe county in 1840-41, was born at Scituate, R. I.,
July 25, 1788. When quite young he was connected with the large
mercantile house of De Graff, Walton & Co., of Schenectady, N. Y.
He removed to Ovid, Seneca county, N. Y., in 1817, where he held
the office of county clerk for two successive terms, and engaged in
the mercantile business. In 1835 he removed to Monroe, Michigan,
where he held the offices of county commissioner, register of deeds,
regent of the state University, and county treasurer, each for the term
of two years. He was also cashier of the River Raisin bank. Died
Nov. 16, 1856. In politics a Democrat.
WILLIAM W. MURPHY,
Representative in 1844, was born at Ernestown, Canada, April 3,
1816, but removed to Ovid, N. Y., at an early age. He came to Monroe, Michigan, in 1835, and was a clerk in the government land office,
studying law in leisure hours. In 1837 he removed to Jonesville, and
in company with William T. Howell opened the first law office in
Hillsdale county, continuing in practice until 1861, the firm from 1848
being that of Murphy & Baxter. He was a Democrat, then a Free
Soiler until 1854, acting with the republican party thereafter. In 1861
he was appointed consul general at Frankfort-cn-the-Main, which
position he held for nine years, after that continuing his residence in
Germany as the financial agent of several American railway companies. It is to him very largely that the country is indebted for its
credit during the darkest hour of the war of 1861-5. He induced
wealthy German capitalists to invest largely in government bonds to
meet the financial emergency, and from that time the credit of the
country stood high. He became quite as well known in Germany
as in Michigan, and lived there until his death at Heidelburg, June 8,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


485


1886. He was a partner of E. O. Grosvenor at Jonesville in the banking business for a time, and started the Jonesville Telegraph, now the
Independent.
ANDREW MURRAY,
Representative from Berrien county in 1848, was born at Harrisburg,
Pa., in Nov., 1813. He graduated at Yale college, studied medicine,
settled at Berrien, Mich., in 1835,. and commenced practice as a
physician. He removed to South Bend, Ind., then resided at St.
Joseph, Mich, and finally at Niles, where he died Oct. 13, 1854.
ARCHIBALD Y. MURRAY
Was born in Walkill, N. Y., March 12, 1795. Removed to Michigan
in 1826, settling in Canton, Wayne county, where he resided during
life. Was a Democrat in politics, by occupation a farmer, miller and
lumberman. Held various town offices, and was coroner of Wayne
county. Was Representative in 1843-5. Died May 23, 1866.
LYMAN MURRAY,
Senator from Kent county in 1875, was born in 1820, in New York;
received a common school education, removed to Michigan in 1845,
and settled in Kent county. He was supervisor, and a Representative in the legislatures of 1867-69, also of the constitutional convention
of 1867. His occupation farming, politics republican.
DEXTER MUSSEY,
Representative from Macomb county in 1855-7-9-61-2, and speaker in
1861-2, was born in Rutland, Mass., Jan. 12, 1811. With a common
school education became a teacher, then a clerk, then in business for
himself. He settled at Romeo, Mich., in 1837, where he still resides.
Has been in business as a merchant, blacksmith, wagon maker,
farming, foundry, etc. Since 1845 a justice of the peace. He was a
delegate in the constitutional convention of 1867. In politics a
Republican.
NEWTON N. MUSCOTT,
Representative from Ingham county in 1857, came to Leroy, Ingham
county, Michigan, in 1844, from Madison county, New York, and
52




486


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


cleared up a large farm, where he lived until his death in 1869. In
politics a Republican. He was several times supervisor.
JOSEPH MUSGRAVE
Was born in Lancaster county, Pa., May 20, 1811. When young
became a resident of Ohio, a teacher, then clerk, then a merchant at
Nashville, 0. He was a Representative to the Ohio assembly 1846-7,
and Senator in 1855-6. Removed to Charlotte, Mich., in 1857; was a
member of the constitutional convention of 1867; and long president
of the national bank at Charlotte. Aided largely in securing railroad communication. A Democrat until 1854, then a Republican.
Deceased.
FRANKLIN MUZZY
Was born in Maine in 1816, and was a graduate of Bowdoin college.
He came to St. Joseph, Berrien county, in 1842, and in 1843 removed
to Niles, where he resided until his death in 1878. He was admitted
to the bar of Maine, and was at one time a law partner of Hon. Hannibal Hamlin. He was admitted to the Michigan bar in 1846, and
practiced his profession during life. He was Senator in 1859, and
mayor of Niles in 1873. He lived and died a bachelor. He was a
man of many eccentricities, but as a lawyer had great influence with
the court and jury. Deceased.
JOHN L. NEAR
Was born at Middlebury, N. Y., April 4, 1808. He received a common school education, at the age of twenty commenced teaching
winters, and at the same time studied medicine. He attended
medical schools at Albany and at Castleton, Vt., and graduated in
1833. In 1834 he located in the southern part of Wayne county,
Michigan, where he still resides, and had an extensive practice. He
was Representative in 1839 and Senator in 1857-8-61-2. He was
consul for some time at Sarnia. and also at Windsor from 1873 to
1876. In politics a Republican. Resides at Flat Rock.
JAMES M. NEASMITH
Was born Sept 26, 1823, in Manchester, England, and came to the
United States with his parents in 1829. Having spent two years in
New York city and Philadelphia, they removed to Pembroke, Gene



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


487


see county, N. Y. While there, in 1850, he was elected township
clerk, and in 1853, township supervisor. Having come to Michigan
in 1854, he purchased a farm in Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo county,
where he still resides. In 1856 he was elected supervisor, holding the
office for seven successive years. In 1862 he was elected treasurer of
Kalamazoo county, and re-elected in 1864 and '66. During three
years of that period he was treasurer of Kalamazoo village. Having
returned to his farm, he interested himself principally in its development and in the improvement of sheep, of which he owns about 300.
His farm is one of the finest in that county of fine farms. In 1870
he was elected state Senator from Kalamazoo county, and was reelected in 1872, serving in 1871-2-3-4. In 1878 he was elected as
commissioner of the state land office on the republican ticket, and
re-elected in 1880, serving from 1879 to 1883. In politics a Republican.
JADY NEFF,
Representative from Wayne county, in 1875, was born in Montgomery county, N. Y. He received a common school education, removed
to Michigan in 1855, and settled in Wayne county. He is a carriage
maker by occupation. In politics a Republican.
CHAS. D. NELSON,
Senator from Muskegon and Ottawa counties in 1875-7, was born at
Newbury, Vt., May 12,1824. He received a common school education
and attended college at Boston. He removed to Muskegon in 1857.
He has been alderman, supervisor and chairman of the board of
supervisors three terms, president of the board of education, and city
treasurer of Muskegon. He is extensively engaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber. Tn politics a Republican.
EDWARD D. NELSON,
Representative from Marquette county in 1881-2, was born at Canal
Dover, Ohio, August 27,1846. Most of his youth was spent on a
farm. He removed to Ishpeming in 1873, and was for five years
cashier of the first national bank, but is now engaged in mercantile
pursuits. He is a Republican.
WILBUR NELSON,
Representative from Gratiot county in 1881-2, was born Jan 15, 1839,
in Madison, Lenawee county, Mich., and removed with his parents to




488


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Gratiot county in 1854. He served over four years in the union army
during the rebellion, and held the rank of captain when mustered
out at the close of the war. He has since been engaged in mercantile
pursuits. In politics a Republican.
JOHN M. NEVINS
Was born in Braintree, Vt., April 26, 1826. He removed to Michigan
with his father in 1844, who settled at Richland. The son learned the
trade of a carpenter, which he followed summers and taught school
winters. He removed to Hastings in 1853, and became a merchant.
In politics a Whig until 1854, since a Republican. He was a Representative in 1857 and a Senator in 1865. He published the Hastings
Banner from 1857 to 1866. He was a member of the state republican
committee in 1860-2 and 1870-2, and a member of the county republican committee, and most of the time chairman from 1858 to 1876.
He has been county superintendent of the poor eighteen years;
twelve years secretary of the county agricultural society; and
eighteen years a school trustee. From 1875 to 1883 he was postmaster at Hastings.
JOHN S. NEWBERRY
Was born at Waterville, N. Y., November, 1826, and was a descendant of Thomas Newberry, who emigrated from Devonshire, England,
in 1605. He graduated from the Michigan University at the age of
eighteen, and engaged in civil engineering for two years. He studied
law and was admitted to the Detroit bar in 1853. He was distinguished in admiralty practice, and published a series of admiralty
reports. In 1862 he engaged in manufacturing and became president
of the Michigan car company and was largely interested in many
other corporations. He was one of the corporation that built the
Mackinaw & Marquette railroad. In 1862 was provost marshal of
Michigan. Was a member of congress from the first district, from
1879 to 1881, when he declined to accept a renomination. First a
Whig, a Republican after 1854. In religion a Presbyterian. Died in
1887.
SENECA NEWBERRY,
Delegate from Oakland county to the constitutional conventions of
1835 and 1850, was born in Connecticut in 1802. He came to Rochester, Michigan in 1826, went into business as a merchant, and con



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


489


ducted a flourishing business for years. In the convention of 1835 he
was an influential and conspicuous member. He was Senator in
1853. He died at Rochester, May 13, 1877.
GEORGE K. NEWCOMBE,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1867, was born in Westfield,
N. Y., August 16, 1833. He came to Michigan in 1848. Studied law
and located first at Owosso, then at East Saginaw, from whence he
removed to Minneapolis, Minn., in 1885, where he is now practicing
his profession. Hte went into the late war as captain 9th Michigan
infantry, October 12, 1861. He became major of the 7th Michigan
cavalry December 10, 1862. Was wounded in action at Gettysburg,
Va., July 3, 1863. Resigned October 13, 1863, and was honorably
discharged.
ROLAND B. C. NEWCOMB
Was born in Williamstown, Vt., September 25, 1822. He lived with
his father until twenty-one, received a good common school education, and in 1843 went to Madison, Ohio, where he taught school. He
studied medicine and graduated as a physician at Starling medical
college of Columbus in 1843, locating the same year at Palmyra,
Mich., where he commenced practice. He moved to Blissfield in
1851. He served many years as trustee and inspector of schools, was
supervisor, in 1865 a Representative, and in 1877, Senator.
JOHN L. NEWELL,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1867, was born in England,
in 1828. He came to Port Huron in 1856, and has resided in that
vicinity ever since. Now resident at Fort Gratiot. Was a painter
by trade, but is now in the service of the Chicago & Grand Trunk
railroad, as silver plater of coach trimmings and lamps. He was
mayor of Port Huron in 1868; supervisor in 1867 and 1881; treasurer
of the town of Port Huron in 1879 and 1880; has been a member of
the board of education of Port Huron; justice of the peace in 1864.
Politically a Democrat.
MINOR S. NEWELL,
State land commissioner from 1883 to 1887, was born in Bennington,
N. Y., in 1823. Resides at Flushing, Mich., where he came in 1842.
In 1847 served in the 1st Michigan through the Mexican war. In the




490


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


late war commanded a company in the 16th Michigan infantry, and
rose to the rank of major. Is a farmer, held various local offices, and
served several terms as supervisor. Politically a Republican.
ALMERON NEWMAN,
Representative from Ionia county in 1859, was born at Newfane, N.
Y., February 26, 1804. He came to Portland, Michigan, in 1836, and
built the first woolen mill in that part of the state. At the organization of the town in 1838, he was elected justice, and held that position
thirty-six years. From 1844 to 1848 he was associate judge for Ionia
county, was also town clerk, and held other offices. He was interested in the building of the Ionia & Lansing railroad. By occupation
a clothier, in politics first Whig, then Republican. Died November
13, 1876.
GEORGE NEWTON
Was born in Preble county, Ohio, August 10, 1810. He was the son
of Col. James Newton, who was a member of the Michigan constitutional convention of 1835, and of the legislature prior to 1840. The
son came to Volinia, Michigan, in 1831, and became a successful
farmer. He held many local offices, including that of supervisor, and
as a Republican was Representative in 1859.
JAMES NEWTON
Was born in England in 1777, and came to this country when a boy,
first living at Morristown, N. J., then in Pennsylvania, moving to
Ohio in 1804. He became a colonel in the Ohio militia, and was in
active service in the war of 1812, serving under Gen. Harrison. He
was a member of the constitutional convention of 1835, and Representative from Cass county in 1839-40. A Democrat in politics.
WILLIAM NEWTON,
Of Flint, Michigan, now fifty-eight years of age, is a native of Maryland. He came to Michigan in 1848, studied law with Messrs. Lothrop & Duffield, of Detroit. After being admitted to the bar he
removed to Flint in 1853, where he has since resided, with the exception of three years in San Francisco, California. He has been
prosperous and successful while at the bar. Was elected judge of the




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


491


seventh circuit in the spring of 1881, by a majority of 1,321. He is
also engaged in farming, having a farm of 240 acres which he has
cleared from the stump. He was re-elected in 1887.
LEWIS A. NICHOLS,
Representative from Barry county in 1881-2, was born in Dutchess
county, N. Y., in 1833. He was brought up a farmer in western New
York, and with acommon school education became a teacher. Came
to Battle Creek in 1854, and engaged in staging and the livery business, and then engaged in farming. In 1873 removed to Orangeville,
Barry county, and became a miller. Has been a justice and supervisor.
JOHNSON NILES
Was born May 2, 1794, at Richfield, N. Y. His father was a revolutionary soldier. He grew to manhood in New York, and was made
paymaster of the state militia. In 1821 he came to Michigan and
settled in Troy, Oakland county, in 1822, as a farmer. In 1823 he
was appointed postmaster and held the position until 1840. He was
again appointed by Tyler, and held it until 1856. He was a justice in
1823, and held that office long after Michigan became a state. He
was Representative in 1835-6, and Senator in 1844-5. He was a leading Democrat. He died March 23, 1872.
WILLIAM R. NIMS,
Senator from Sanilac and other counties in 1865, was born in Richmond, Vt., June 7, 1829. By occupation a merchant, in politics a
Republican. Came to Michigan in 1853, and now resides at Lexington.
THOMAS NINDE
Was born at Baltimore, Md., September 10, 1815. He removed to
Lyons, N. Y., in 1823, and in 1847 to Palmyra, N. Y., and was postmaster of Palmyra from 1849 to 1853. In 1855 he removed to Ypsilanti, Mich., where he is still engaged in law practice. He was
judge of probate of Washtenaw county from 1861 to 1865, and a
member of the constitutional convention of 1867. He was mayor of
Ypsilanti in 1878. By profession a lawyer, in politics a Republican.




492


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


SAMUEL NIXON,
Representative from Eaton county in 1877, was born in Clarkson,
Monroe county, N. Y., September 21, 1819. He came to Michigan in
October, 1836, and has resided in Eaton county since that time. His
education was principally obtained in the district school of the times.
He has held the office of justice for twenty-seven years in Delta; also
townshiptreasurer five years, and other offices. He resides in Delta,
is a farmer by occupation, and a Republican in politics.
FRANK A. NOAH,
Representative from Wayne county in 1879, was born at Rieneck in
Baden, Germany, December 3, 1841. He emigrated to America in
1849, locating in Detroit. He received a common school education.
He was clerk of the police court for several years. In 1877 he was
admitted to the bar. In politics a Republican. Now in practice in
Detroit.
CHARLES NOBLE
Was born July 4, 1797, at Williamstown, Mass. He graduated at
Williams college in 1815, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in
1818. He went to Cleveland, Ohio, the same year, and after a short
stay settled at Monroe, Mich., and engaged in practice. He remained
a resident of Monroe until 1867, and during that time was a member
of the legislative council from 1828 to 1830, justice of the peace, register of probate, district attorney, county judge, and lawyer general of
the United States for the country northwest of the Ohio river, and
Representative in the legislature of 1855. He was one of the company
that purchased the Michigan Southern railroad from the state, and
was the first president of the company. He was also cashier of the
bank of River Raisin. In 1867 he removed to Detroit and became one
of the firm of George S. Frost & Co., engaged in the purchase and
sale of pine lands, and continued in that business until his death,
December 26, 1874. He was a Whig as long as that party had an existence, after that Independent.
DAVID A. NOBLE
Was born at Williamstown, Mass., Nov. 9, 1802, and died at Monroe,
Mich., Oct. 13, 1876. He graduated with honor at Williams college
in 1825, studied law, was admitted and opened an office in New York
city for two years, during which time he was associated with Charles




AIICHlIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


493


O'Connor. He came to Monroe in 1831. He was active in his profession, and also in political life as a Democrat. He was recorder of
Monroe in 1833, afterwards alderman and mayor in 1842. In 1845 he
was elected to the lower house, and in the session of 1846 took a conspicuous part in the sale of the Michigan Central and Southern railroads. He was a member of the convention held at Chicago in 1847
in favor of river and harbor improvements, and as one of a committee of five drew up an elaborate report of the commerce of the lakes.
In 1852 he was elected to congress from the second district of Michigan, defeating Joseph R. Williams, the republican candidate. In
1854 he made an exhaustive speech on tonnage duties, which has
been regarded as standard authority on that subject. In 1858 he was
appointed manager of the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago railroad, and held that position four years. He was a delegate to the
democratic national convention of 1864. He was a polished gentleman and a fine scholar.
FRANK NOEKER.
Representative from Clinton county in 1879-83, was born in Germany in 1834. Received a common school education in German and
English; has resided in Michigan thirty-seven years, twenty-two in
Wayne, and fifteen in Westphalia, Clinton county. He is proprietor
of a flouring mill; has been justice of the peace fourteen years, and
supervisor for two years. In politics a Democrat.
EZRA B. NORRIS,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1877, was born July 16,
1845, in Manchester, Mich., where he still resides. He was reared as a
farmer and received a common school education. In 1861 he enlisted
as private in company E, first Michigan infantry. In 1862 he was
discharged on account of disability at Fortress Monroe. He returned
and attended for a season the state normal school and Ypsilanti high
school, and in 1868 commenced the study of law and was admitted to
the bar in 1872, since which time he has continued in the practice of
his profession in Manchester. In politics a Democrat.
JASON B. NORRIS
Was born in Canandaigua, N. Y., Nov. 3, 1823, and was brought up
on a farm, where he lived until 1845, when he came to Michigan and
settled on a farm, eight miles south of Hillsdale. He has been several
53




494


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


times supervisor and collector. In 1871-2 he was a Representative as:a republican. He was a Democrat until 1864, a Republican until
1'84, since a Prohibitionist.
LYMAN D. NORRIS
Was born at Covington, N. Y., May 4, 1825. His father removed to
Ypsilanti in 1828. The son, after a preparatory education, entered
as the first student of the first class of the Michigan University.
After nearly three years there he entered Yale college, and graduated
-in 1845. He read law with A. D. Frazer of Detroit, and was admitted
in 1847. In 1848 he removed to St. Louis, Mo., and engaged in
practice. He subsequently studied civil law at Heidelberg, Germany.
In 1852 he was retained in the famous Dred Scott case, and effected a
reversal of former decisions of the Supreme Court of Missouri. In
1854 he returned to Ypsilanti and practiced there until 1871, and has
since been a prominent lawyer at Grand Rapids. He was a member
of the constitutional convention of 1867, and in 1869-70 was Senator
from  Washtenaw county. He was the democratic candidate for
-supreme judge in 1875. He is a man of superior education and.attainments.
SETH D. NORTH,
Representative from Houghton county in 1877-81-2-3-5, was born
April 9, 1823, in Middlesex county, Connecticut. Having received a
common school education, he removed to Michigan in 1855. He
xesides at Hancock, and is engaged in mercantile pursuits, and in
mining and lumbering. He is also president of the national bank.
Has been interested in property at Mt. Clemens. In politics a Re-;publican.
TOWNSEND NORTH.
'Senator from Bay and Tuscola counties in 1875, was born in Ulster
-county, N. Y., Sep. 24, 1814. He received a common school education, removed to Michigan in 1836, and for six years worked at his
trade of carpenter, mostly in Washtenaw county. In 1846 he built a
bridge across the Cass river, and was paid in Michigan internal improvement lands, which he located in Tuscola county, and removed to
Vassar in 1850, and has since continued to reside there. He held the
office of supervisor for many years, and has been register of deeds.
He was assessor of internal revenue, 1862-66. He was re-appointed
in 1871, and held the office until it was discontinued. His occupation




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


495


is miscellaneous, including lumbering, farming, manufacturing,
merchandising, and real estate transactions. In politics a Republican. For many years a trustee of the state blind institute.
DARWIN B. NORTHROP,
Representative from Wayne county, in 1875, was born January 19,
1834. at Perrington, N. Y. In 1850 he removed to Northville, Michigan, and pursued the trade of an iron moulder until 1858, when he
went to California. He returned in 1866 to Northville, and formed
a partnership with F. R. Beal in the general hardware line, which
business he has since continued. He has held various township and
village offices. In politics a Democrat.
ELIJAH S. NORTHROI'
Was born in Stafford, N. Y., in 1829. In 1850 he removed to Michigan, settling first at Saline, where he engaged in mercantile business.
He removed to Houghton county in 1861, where he became an
insurance agent, residing at Hancock. He was a Senator from the
upper peninsula in 1863, and while serving in that capacity, died at
Lansing on the 2d of March, 1863, of consumption. Politically a
Democrat.
JOHN NORTH WOOD,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1885, was born in London,
England, July 17, 1838. In 1849 came to Ohio with his parents, who
removed to Detroit in 1850. Attended school, and was three years a
sailor Settled on a farm in Maple Grove, Mich., in 1855, where he
still resides. In 1861 enlisted in the 16th Michigan infantry, lost a
right arm from wounds received at the battle of Gaines Mills, and
was in Libby prison for a short time. Has been supervisor, justice,
held other local offices, and been commander of the G. A. R. in
Michigan. Politically a Republican.
HENRY A. NORTON,
Representative from Oakland county in 1869-70, was born in Bristol,
N. Y., August 29, 1826. Did not receive a common school education.
Became a resident of Oakland county in 1830. Politically a Republican. He was a delegate to the republican national convention at
Philadelphia in 1872. Moved to Duluth in 1881, and is now state
weighmaster of Minnesota.




496


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


JOHN D. NORTON,
Representative from Oakland county in 1875-7, was born in Onondaga
county, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1842. He graduated at Hamilton college, N.
Y., in 1867, and removed to Michigan in 1868. Mr. Norton married and
took up his residence in Pontiac in 1869, and has ever since resided
there. He is a director in the first national bank of Pontiac. His
occupation is dealing in pine lands and lumber.  In politics a
Democrat.
JOHN M. NORTON,
Senator from Oakland county in 1883, was born in Richmond, N. Y.,
May 5, 1820. He settled with his father in Avon, Mich.,in 1824.
Had a limited education. A. farmer. In politics first Whig, then
Republican, later a Greenbacker. Has held several local offices, and
served four years as deputy sheriff.
PLEASANT NORTON
Was born in Grayson county, Va., in 1806. When two years of age
he removed to Champaign county, Ohio, and afterwards to Logan
county in the same state. He moved into Jefferson, Cass county,
Michigan, in 1832, and resided there until his death in 1877. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Democrat. He was Ior nine years
supervisor of Jefferson, and four years town treasurer. He was a
Representative in 1850-53. He was a man of native ability and force
of character, and left a large property, the result of persistent
industry.
JOHN NORVELL,
United States Senator from Michigan, from 1835 to 1841, was born in
Garrard county, near Danville, Ky., December 21, 1789. He was
the son of Lipsocomb Norvell, a Virginian, who served as an officer
in the war of the revolution, and lived to enjoy a pension until he was
over ninety years old. The son, on the advice by letter of Thomas
Jefferson to learn a trade, went to Baltimore and learned the trade of
a printer. He at the same time studied law, was admitted to the bar,
and became a journalist and politician. He was a friend and correspondent of President Madison, gave him warm support on the stump
and in his paper, especially his war measures. At the close of the
war in 1816, Mr. Norvell became the democratic editor of a paper in
Philadelphia, and resided there sixteen years. In May, 1832, he




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


497


came to Detroit, Michigan, having been appointed postmaster of that
city by Andrew Jackson. He was a leading member of the constitutional convention of 1835, and was chairman of eight committees,
and a member of several others. His work in that convention was of
great value to the welfare of the state. He and Lucius Lyon were
elected as the United States Senators, and went to Washington before
the admission of Michigan to the union, and he, with his colleague,
managed well in securing the mineral wealth and territory of a large
portion of the upper peninsula, to compensate for the loss of a small
strip of land on the southern boundary. After the expiration of his
term as Senator in 1842, he resumed the practice of law at Detroit,
and served as Representative in the legislature of 1842. In 1845 he
was appointed U. S. district attorney of Michigan, which he held until
1849. He supported the administration in the prosecution of the
Mexican war, and sent three sons to serve in the field. He died in
1850, at his home in Hamtramck, near Detroit.
MOSES R. NOWLAND
Representative from Wayne county in 1865, is a native of New York,
born in 1828, and came to Michigan in 1831, with his parents, who
settled in the township of Huron, where he has ever since lived. He
is a Democrat in politics, combines the professions of lawyer and
farmer, and has served his township for many years as treasurer,
clerk and supervisor.
BETHUEL NOYES,
Representative from Wayne county in 1848 and 1850, was born in
Chenango county, N. Y., November 12, 1813. He came to Michigan
in 1833. He was a lawyer by profession, and a Democrat in politics.
Died at Plymouth, October 30, 1873.
HORACE A. NOYES
Was born in Preston, N. Y., February 20, 1810. He received a fair
education, became a teacher, studied law, and was admitted to
practice in 1833. He came the same year to Michigan, and began
practice at Plymouth, where he remained until 1840. He then
removed to Marshall. In 1835-6 he was a Representative from
Wayne county. In 1844 he was elected judge of probate of Calhoun
county, and held the position for twelve years. In 1857 resumed
law practice and was regarded as an able counsel. He died April 20,
1877. In politics a Democrat.




498


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


MICHAEL J. NOYES,
Representative from  Washtenaw  county in 1873-4, was born in
Washington, Mich., May 23, 1838. He finished his education at
Romeo academy. In 1859 he went to Washington Territory, traveled
extensively in Oregon and California, and passed over the gold fields
of Montana and Idaho previous to their discovery. He afterwards
spent six years in the silver mines of Nevada, and is interested in the
silver mines of that country. In 1861-2 he served on the staff of
Brigadier General Welty, with the rank of major, in the Indian campaigns. In 1859 he made a trip to California, over the plains,with an
ox team, and again in 1866 by overland stage. He is a Republican.
In 1867 he removed to Washtenaw county, and settled in Chelsea,
where he now resides. He was engaged in the banking business in
that village from 1868 to 1871.
JEREMIAH O'CALLAHAN,
Representative from Detroit in 1853, was a native of Ireland, born in
1823. Very little is known of him except that he was a grocer and
trader, was a Democrat in politics, and died in 1856.
HORACE N. OCOBOCK,
Representative from Wayne county in 1875, was born in Cayuga
county, N. Y., Feb 17, 1832. He received his education in the schools
of Auburn, N. Y., and came to Wyandotte, Michigan, in 1860. He
has been alderman and mayor of Wyandotte. By occupation a mechanic, in politics a Republican.
JAMES O'DELL
Was born in Virginia, July 20, 1779. At the age of twenty-one he
removed to Ohio, and in 1831 came to Michigan, settling near Vandalia, Cass county, in 1832. He was by occupation a farmer and
miller. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1835,
and a Representative in 1835-6-S. Died Aug. 23, 1845.
THOMAS O'DELL,
Representative from Cass county in 1873-4, was born in Porter, Michigan, June 30, 1831. He received a common school education, and




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


499,


has held from time to time responsible town offices. He is a farmer
by occupation.
JAMES O'DONNELL
Was born at Norwalk, Conn., March 25, 1840; removed with his
parents to Michigan in 1848; enjoyed no educational advantages, but
after commencing to learn the printer's trade in 1856 made up this
deficiency by study after working hours; at the breaking out of the
war he enlisted as a private in the first Michigan infantry, and served
out his time, participating in the first battle of Bull Run; was
elected recorder of the city of Jackson for four terms 1863-1866; established the Jackson Daily Citizen in 1865, and has owned and
edited the same since; was presidential elector in 1872, and was designated by the state electoral college as messenger to convey the vote
of Michigan to Washington; was elected mayor of Jackson in 1876,
and was re-elected in 1877; was appointed in 1878 as aid-de-camp on
the staff of Governor Croswell, with the rank of colonel; was elected
to the forty-ninth and re-elected to the fiftieth congress as a Republican, receiving 20,215 votes, against 15,499 votes for Hankerd, Fusionist, and 3,594 votes for Allen, Prohibitionist.
CORNELIUS O'FLYNN,
Representative from Detroit in 1857, was born in 1810, at Tralee,.
county Kerry, Ireland, and came to America about 1823. He was
admitted to the bar in Detroit in 1834. He was a classical scholar, a
man of comprehensive views of things, and a Democrat. He wascity attorney of Detroit in 1842, judge of probate two terms, 1844.52,
and postmaster at Detroit during a portion of Buchanan's term. As
judge of probate he gave a system of practice to the state throught
the blank forms that he prepared. He died in Detroit in 1869.
ROBERT Y. OGG,
Representative from Detroit in 18r7, was borp in Dundas, Ontario'
July 20, 1860. He received a common school education, was a newsboy, became a printer, and a resident of Detroit in 1878, and has
worked there continuously at his trade. Has been president of the
Detroit typographical union. In politics a Labor Republican.




500


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


JAMES O'GRADY
Was born December 18, 1822, in Shelburn, Vt., was educated there,
was admitted to the bar in 1818, and in 1849 went to California. Ile
was register of probate in San Francisco, and subsequently register
and recorder of the city and county. From 1852 to 1864 he resided
on his farm in Shelburn, Vt. In 1864 he came to Marquette, and
engaged in law practice. He was Representative in the legislature of
1865. In 1866 he removed to Houghton, and in 1869 was elected
judge of the 12th circuit, and held that position until his death, Dec.
24, 1878. His judicial decisions were rarely reversed. In politics a
Democrat.
GEORGE A. O'KEEFE,
Representative from Detroit in 1843, was a typical Irishman, born in
Cork in 1792. He was a graduate of Trinity college, Dublin, and was
educated for the bar. He came to New York in 1816, spent three
years in the study of American law and practice in the office of
Judge Brady, and in 1820 came to Detroit, his future home. He was
judge of probate, 1837-40, and was an alderman. He was a finished
lawyer and profound jurist. He was an Irish gentleman in the
truest and fullest sense, learned, cultured, brilliant and witty. In
stature, tall and massive, with large blue eyes, large head, and curly
hair. Died June 16, 1853. In politics a Democrat.
RICHARD D. O'KEEFE,
Representative from Sanilac county in 1885-7. was born in Tilson-;burg, Ontario, March 19, 1855. In 1868 became a resident of Michigan, worked on his father's farm, taught several years, was superin-,tendent of schools in Delaware township, and for years station agent
and telegraph operator at Minden, where he now resides engaged in
law, loan and insurance business. Politically a Republican.
MARTIN OLDS,
'Representative from Branch county in 1843, was born in Bolton,
"Mass., resided in NewsYork and Ohio, and settled as a farmer in Batavia, Mich., in 1838, and was the first supervisor and held the office,seven years, also other local offices. He was judge of probate eight
years, and president of the company that started the first paper in
Branch county. Removed to Oregon in 1851, where he was post



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


501


master, probate judge, and delegate to the constitutional convention.
Died in 1873.
CHARLES OLIN,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1841, was born at Coventry,
R. I., March 4, 1802. Removed from his native state to Bedford, Calhoun county, in 1833, and was one of 'the earliest settlers. He was
the first supervisor in 1836, and was associate county judge in 1839 -40. A farmer, and politically a Democrat. Died July 4, 1860.
JOHN F. OLIVER,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1879-81-2, was born in
Springfield, N. Y., Ot. 2, 1820, and removed with his parents to Niagara county in 1826, and in 1843 to Portage, Mich. He received a
common school education. He is a farmer by occupation, and has
held the offices of school inspector, town clerk, supervisor for five
years, and justice of the peace for several terms. He is a Republican.
CHARLES M. O'MALLEY
Was born in Dorrada, county Mayo, Ireland, and came to this country in 1834, and to Michigan in 1835. He held several offices in
Mackinac county, and was Representative in 1846-7-9. He was educated for a priest, but became a merchant at Mackinac. In politics
a Democrat.
BERNARD O'REILLY,
Senator from Wayne county in 1887, was born in Westmeath county,
Ireland, May 20, 1832. By occupation a ship carpenter and caulker;
has been a resident of Michigan thirty-two years. He came with his
parents to Kingston, Canada, in 1847, and to Oswego, New York, in
1848. He received a limited education in the public schools. In 1859
he shipped on a vessel and followed the lakes until 1852, when he
entered a ship-yard and continued to work at his trade up to date.
He has been alderman of the twelfth ward of Detroit. Politically a
Democrat.
JOHN M. OSBURN,
Senator from Hillsdale county in 1875, was born in Monroe county,
N. Y., March 9, 1819. He received a good education in the district
54




502


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


and select schools of that state, and removed to Michigan in 1840
locating at Hudson. In 1847 he purchased a farm in Hillsdale county,
upon which he has since continued to reside. He has been engaged
in various occupations, teaching, mercantile, produce and lumber
operations, and in banking. He is the head of the banking firm of
Osburn, Perkins & Co, of Hudson. He has held several township
offices, and was a Representative in 1869-70-71-2. In politics a Republican.
LEANDER D. OSBURN
Was born December 27, 1825, in Wayne county, Ind., and in 1835 removed with his father to Calvin, Michigan. He was educated by his
mother. At the age of twenty-one he became a teacher, afterwards
read medicine with Dr. Bonine, attended Rush medical college in
1351 and 1852, and commenced practice at Vandalia, Mich., in 1853.
He became justice in 1856 and held the position many years, was
supervisor and Representative in 1867.
REUBEN H. OSBURN,
Senator from Houghton, Ontonagon, Keweenaw and Isle Royal in
1877, was born in Bloomfield, Ohio, June 27, 1823. He was educated
in common schools, supplemented by academical instruction. He
studied medicine and graduated from the Western reserve college,
Cleveland, Ohio, in 1849. He moved to the Upper Peninsula in 1852,
where he has since resided. He has held various township offices.
He is the oldest practicing physician in the Upper Peninsula. In
politics a Republican.
WILLIAM H. OSBORN
Was born in Ovid, N. Y., Occ. 29, 1814. He received an academical
education, and taught several winters. In 1839 he settled on a farm
in Macon, Lenawee county, Michigan. He held many town offices,
and was Representative in 1865 and 1867. In politics a Republican.
CHARLES Y. OSBURN
Was born in Meadville, Pa., in 1842; moved to Owosso, Michigan, in
1857. He enlisted in the 5th Michigan cavaly in 1862; was discharged
therefrom on account of wounds in 1864. Was a Representative in
1871-2. He removed to Marquette in 1873, and. was collector of cus



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


503 -

toms, district of Superior, from 1877 to 1885. He is a Republican in
politics, and still lives at Marquette.
GILBERT R. OSMUN
Was born in Newark, New Jersey, October 8, 1845. He was left
fatherless at the age of seven years. In early boyhood he did
" chores " on farms and in shops for his board and clothes, and got
his schooling as best he could, his longest continuous term at school
being one year at the Chester, N. Y., academy, where he did the
janitor work to pay his bills and buy books. He enlisted in the 69th
New York volunteers, one of the regiments of the famous Irish
brigade. After much hard service he was severely wounded at
Petersburg, Va., March 25, 1865, and was honorably discharged July
5, 1865, coming home on crutches. He then worked at his trade of
tinsmithing until the following year, when he enlisted in the 43d U.
S. infantry; did garrison duty in this regiment at Fort Wayne and
Fort Gratiot, Mich., for about two years, and was again discharged
for disability arising from his old wounds. Engaged in various
occupations in Port Huron, and eventually became city editor of the
Port Huron Times. Later he went to East Saginaw, where he was
city editor of the Saginaw Republican, and thence to Detroit, where
for ten years he was state editor of the Detroit Evening News. Governor Alger selected him as private secretary, which place he filled
until he assumed the duties of secretary of state. He has been a
resident of Michigan since 1867. As the republican candidate for
secretary of state, he received 182,335 votes against Philip Wachtel,
172,628, and John Evans, 25,852. He is also one of the editors of the
Detroit Journal.
ASA H. OTIS,
A member of the first constitutional convention in 1835, and a Representative from Wayne county in 1850, was a native of the state of
New York, and a farmer by occupation. He was a county auditor of
Wayne county in 1845, and supervisor of Greenfield 1847-52, and.
again in 1851. Died in 1855. Was democratic in politics.
GEORGE OVIATT,
Representative from Lake and Wexford counties in 1885-7, was born,
at Newton Falls, Ohio, March 12, 1849. He removed to Michigan in
1860 and settled in Lake county in 1865. Mr. Oviatt was a real estate



604


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


dealer and publisher of a newspaper, and had been* sheriff of Lake
county two terms. Politically a Republican. Died in 1888.
JOHN OWEN,
State treasurer from 1861 to 1867, was born in Toronto, Canada,
March 20, 1809. He removed with his mother to Detroit in 1818, and
received a limited education. He then became a clerk in the drug
store of Dr. Chapin, subsequently a partner, the house finally becoming the wholesale drug house of John Owen & Co., the precursor
of the present house of T. H. Hinchman & Sons. But the connection
of Mr. Owen with the financial and shipping interests of Detroit, and
with philanthropic enterprises, has left a permanent impress. He
has been an alderman several times; was a member of the board of
water commissioners, 1865-79; served a term as regent of the University; president of the fire department, 1841-3; and trustee of the
Detroit medical college. In 1845 he became president of the Michigan insurance bank and held it for twenty years, until it was merged
in a national bank. It was the only bank in Michigan which did not
suspend in the panic of 1857, and his financial ability placed him at the
head of the finances, which he managed with great ability during the
war. He is still active and is president of the Detroit dry dock co.,.and the merchants' navigation company. He is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and identified with its progress in Michigan.
JOHN G. OWEN,
Senator fro;n Oaklani county in 1861, was born at Woodchurch,
England, March 28, 1824. He came to this country in 1842, and to
Michigan in 1843, He was at Armada one year, two years a clerk in
Detroit, in 1846 settled at Clarkston as a merchant, and also became a
farmer in 1854. In 1860 owned and operated the flouring mills at
Waterford in connection with a store. Since 1865 became a leading
merchant at East Saginaw, and since 1872 has been extensively,engaged in lumbering. In politics first a Whig, then a Republican.
TUBAL C. OWEN,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1870, was born at Caledonia
Springs, N. Y., March 24, 1819. Came to Newport (now Marine City),
Michigan, in 1845, resided there till 1852, then on a farm in China till
1859, then at St. Clair up to 1871, when he removed to Detroit, now




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


505 -

his home. He was clerk of St. Clair county from 1857 to 1863; mayor
of St. Clair 1864; supervisor four years; clerk of draft commission,
and war census taker for St. Clair county. First a Whig, since a
Republican, and by profession a lawyer.
ALBERT PACK,
Representative in 1865 from Sanilac county, was born in Chittenango,
N. Y., Nov. 10, 1842. Came to Lexington, Mich., in 1849, and moved
to Alpena in 1870. Was mayor of Alpena in 1872. Has for many
years been engaged in lumbering with great success. Is a Republican
in politics.
FRANK S. PACKARD,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1875, was born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., February 10, 1838. He received an ordinary
common school education, removed to Michigan in 1840, and settled
at Sturgis. His occupation is that of a lumber dealer. In politics a
Democrat.
WILLIAM PACKARD
Was born in Plainfield, Mass., July 23, 1808. He received a common
school education. In early life a farmer. He removed from the
state of New York to Chatham, Ohio, in 1836, where he cleared a farm
and remained until 1859, when he removed to Allegan county, Mich.,
and in 1870 to Covert, Van Buren county. Occupied all prominent
offices of his township while living in Ohio, and was a Representative from Allegan county in 1865-7. In politics a Republican. In
Michigan he was for many years engaged extensively in lumbering,
owning thousands of acres of timber, and operating four saw-mills.
WM. 0. PACKARD,
Senator from Van Buren and Cass counties in 1877, was born Sept.
14, 1832, in Rensselaer county, N. Y. In 1836 he removed with his
father's family to Chatham, Ohio, where he received a common
school education. In 1859 he moved to Ganges, Michigan, where he
subsequently held the office of postmaster for several years. In 1870
he moved to Deerfield (Covert postoffice), Van Buren county, Mich.
For the last six years he has been engaged in lumbering, farming,
manufacturing, merchandising and real estate transactions. In,
politics a Republican.




.o06


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


HENRY PACKER,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1845, was born in Colchester,
Conn., November 1, 1800. He received an academical education
and taught school several years; then moved to western New York
and engaged in getting out staves; then for five years was selling
books in the southern states. In 1835 settled at Jonesville, Mich.,
and became a farmer. He was four years judge of probate. A
Democrat until 1856, then a Republican until 1872, then a Democrat.
ALFRED PADDOCK
Was born in Litchfield, N. Y., January 30, 1805. By occupation a
merchant and farmer, in politics a Whig. He settled in Concord,
Mich., about 1844, and resided there until his death, March 29, 1870.
He commenced business life as a merchant, was afterwards a farmer
and miller. He was Senator in 1853.
CHARLES J. PAILTHORP,
Representative from Emmet and other counties in 1879, was born
December 25, 1848, in Mt. Morris, Michigan. He received a common
school education, and graduated from the law department of the
University of Michigan in 1875. He then removed to Petoskey and
commenced the practice of law. He has been prosecuting attorney,
also United States commissioner for the western district of Michigan.
In politics a Democrat.
RODNEY C. PAINE
Was born in New Milford, Conn., in 1806. When young he removed
with his parents to Auburn, N.Y. He left home at seventeen, passed
several years in the state of New York, and came from Albany to
Michigan in 1836. He settled at St. Joseph and took charge of the
Farmers and Mechanics' bank. He removed to Niles in 1842, and
was there engaged in private banking until his death in 1882. He was
county treasurer of Berrien county from 1836 to 1838; Senator in
1855; president of the village of Niles in 1855; mayor in 1873, and
trustee of the union school from 1854 to 1874. He was actively inter-ested in every work that promised to benefit the growth of Niles.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


507


CHARLES H. PALMER
Was born at Lenox, N. Y., in 1814; graduated from Union college in
1837; was principal of Fredonia and Geneseo academies; in 1847 became principal of Romeo, Mich. academy, and conducted it successfully many years; was elected regent of the University in 1851, and
through his exertions the services of Dr. Tappan were secured. From
1853 until his death in April, 1887, he was a resident of Pontiac. He
was largely interested in mines in the upper peninsula, also in building canals and railroads in that part of the state. He was a trustee
of the Michigan military academy. A man of culture and great business ability.
JOHN R. PALMER,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1853, was born in the state of
New York, June 27, 1809. He came to Michigan in 1844. He was a
farmer, and a Democrat. Died May 1, 1877.
LEWIS G. PALMER,
Senator from Mecosta and Montcalm counties in 1887, was born in
Herkimer county, N. Y., Sept. 17, 1852, and came to Michigan in
1857. At the age of thirteen he became a drummer boy in the army
and served three years. He was educated at Detroit schools and the
state agricultural college. Has been a resident of Big Rapids since
1869. He was a teacher and county superintendent of schools. He
studied law, was admitted in 1817, has been three times prosecuting
attorney, and held other positions. Now in practice at Big Rapids.
In politics a Republican.
OSCAR PALMER,
Representative from Crawford and other counties in 1883, was born
at Westfield, N. Y., Nov. 8, 1841. Moved to Hudson, Mich., with his
parents in 1843, received an academical education and graduated at
Georgetown medical college, D. C. He was in the service as soldier,
hospital steward, and assistant surgeon nearly three and a half years.
Then was in business several years at Jonesville, Mich., also edited the
Independent, but in 1881 removed to Grayling, engaged in farming
and manufacturing, and publishing the Crawford Avalanche. Politi-.cally a Republican.




508


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


SAMUEL H. PALMER
Was born at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in 1801. He was by trade a car —
riage maker, and in politics a Democrat. He came to Michigan in
1835, moved to Jackson in 1841, and was a Representative in 1848.
Deceased.
THOMAS WITHERELL PALMER
Was born in Detroit, January 25, 1830. He remained there until the
age of twelve, when he entered Mr. Thompson's academy, at St.
Clair. He afterwards spent a year and a half at the University, at
Ann Arbor. His eyesight failing, he, with five others, left for a
voyage to Spain in the fall of 1848. He landed at Cadiz, and for two
months traveled on foot through the country, visiting the Alhambra
at Granada, and other points. He then took ship for South America,
landing in Rio Janeiro in 1849. After remaining three months in
South America, he returned home via New Orleans, spending two
months in the southern states. In 1850 he went to Wisconsin and.
spent one year as agent of a transportation company on the river. In
1851 he went into the mercantile business at Appleton, Wisconsin,
where he was burned out and financially ruined. Returning to Detroit
in 1853 he engaged in the real estate business. In 1855 he embarked
in the lumber trade, which, with the purchase and sale of pine lands,
has been his vocation since. Mr. Palmer was married to Miss Lizzie
P., daughter of Charles P. Merrill, in 1855. He has been an active
member of the republican party since the date of its organization.
He was nominated by acclamation for state Senator in 1878, and
elected by a handsome majority. The legislature of 1883, after a pro
tracted struggle, elected him United States Senator, to succeed Hon.
Thomas W. Ferry. His term will expire March 3, 1889.
WALTER H. PALMER,
Representative from Osceola and other counties in 1877-79, was born
Aug. 30, 1845, in Oakland county, Michigan. He is a graduate of the
state normal school, and of the law department of Michigan University. He has held the offices of circuit court commissioner, justice,
superintendent of schools, and supervisor. He is by profession a
lawyer and in practice at Reed City. In politics a Republican.
HEMAN PALMERLEE,
Representative from Kent county in 1881-2, was born in Washington
county, N. Y., Dec. 3, 1820, and came to Michigan in 1832, settling in.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


509


Bruce, Macomb county. During six years of his early manhood he
lived in Rochester, Oakland county, and was engaged in mercantile
business. He then, in 1850, removed to Walker, Kent county, where
he followed farming for about twenty-two years. Since that time has
been employed as an accountant and collection agent. His education,
beyond that of the common schools of the new state, was obtained in
the Romeo academy. Politically a Republican.
AMAZIAH B. PARDEE,
Representative from Ionia county, was born in 1834 in Jackson
county, Michigan. By occupation, a farmer; by political persuasion,
a Fusionist, on which ticket he was elected Representative for 1887-8
by a vote of 1,843 to 1,691 for Levi J. Barnard, Republican, and 297
for Emory A. Richards, Prohibitionist.
BURTON PARKER,
Representative from Monroe county in 1883, was born in Dundee,
Mich., April 24, 1844. He served a few months in the Michigan
mechanics and engineers, being discharged from ill health. He was
a justice of the peace in 1867, and graduated from the law department of the University in 1870. Has been circuit court commissioner,
mayor of Monroe, and president of the school board. Politically a
Republican.
JAMES H. PARKER,
Representative from Lenawee couuty in 1855, was born in Masonville,
N. Y., September 2, 1803. He received a common school education,
became a teacher, then for ten years a carpenter. He settled in 1833,
on a farm at Rome, Mich. He was a supervisor six years, and six
terms a justice. He and his wife were long conductors on the
"underground railroad." Deceased.
JOHN PARKER,
Senator from Kalamazoo county in 1859, was born in Cavendish, Vt.,
February 7, 1813, and died November 20, 1880. By occupation a
farmer, a Democrat until 1854, then a Republican. He settled in
Portage, Kalamazoo county, in 1832, where he was supervisor several
years; was also United States marshal.
55




510


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


LEONARD B. PARKER,
Senator from St. Clair county in 1863-4, was born at Moses, N. Y.,
July 19, 1818. He received a common school and academical education. Taught school, then studied medicine, graduating at Castleton,
Vt., in 1842. Practiced at Cambridge, Vt., but in 1845 settled at
Newport, now Marine City, and built up a large practice. Has filled
several local positions.
LEROY PARKER,
Representative from Genesee county in 1874-5, was born December
15, 1814, at Flint, Mich. He graduated at Hamilton college, N. Y.,
in 1865, and attended the law department of the Michigan University
in 1865-6. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1867, and
has since continued practice in Flint. He was elected Representative
in 1874, to fill a vacancy. In politics a Republican. Has been a
member of the state board of health.
SAMPSON PARKER
Was born in Otsego county, N. Y., November 22, 1818. He was
reared on a farm and came west with his parents, who settled in Lima,
Mich., in 1833. He has served as justice several times, and was Representative in 1867. He cultivates a large farm, and is in politics a
Democrat.
WARREN PARKER,
Representative from Macomb county in 1879-81-2, was born in Greig,
N. Y., November 15, 1829. His father removed to Michigan in 1833,
and settled in Chesterfield, Macomb county. He obtained most of
his education in the primary schools. He is a farmer. The public
trusts he held were township only: justice, superintendent of schools
and supervisor. Politically a Democrat.
CHARLES P. PAHKHILL
Was born in Niagara county, N. Y. Came to Michigan at the age of
nineteen, and to Owosso in 1841. He was a printer by trade and
worked a year on the Owosso Argus. He was afterwards a teacher,
but finally studied medicine and graduated from the Willoughby
medical college, Ohio, in 1346. After practicing at Bennington,
Mich., twenty years, he removed to Owosso and opened a drug store.
He was a Representative in 1857.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


511


JONATHAN G. PARKHURST,
Representative from Van Buren county in 1885, was born in Hastings,
N. Y., in 1828. Coming to Detroit he entered upon the study of the
law, and was admitted to the bar in 1858. With the exception of five
years spent in Kansas (1870 to 1875), where he served as district judge,
he has been continuously engaged in the practice of his profession in
this state. He is now a resident of Decatur, and in addition to law
business is extensively interested in fruit growing and stock raising.
In.politics a Republican.
NATHAN C. PARKHURST
Was born in Darien, N. Y. After the age of ten was a resident of
Ohio, and later came to Michigan. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Democrat. A Representative in 1849 and 1853.
BYRON F. PARKS,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1883, was born in Otsego
county, N. Y., Aug. 24, 1829. He received a common school education and worked on a farm until 1862, then became a lieutenant of
infantry, and after expiration of service was engaged in recruiting,
and later in farming and the sale of agricultural implements. Has
been deputy sheriff, justice, and held other town and county positions. Politically a Democrat.
ABNER C. PARMALEE,
Representative from Barry county in 1844, was born in Benson, Vt.,
Jan. 3, 1806. He settled in Hastings, Mich., in 1837, and built the
second log house. He was six years register of deeds and four years
-deputy county treasurer. He was one of six whig members of the
House, the Senators being all democrats. He is now a clerk at Washington, D. C. In politics a Republican.
LINUS S. PARMALEE
Was born August 20, 1815, at Spofford, N.Y., removed to Cattaraugus
county, N. Y., in 1823, and in 1840 to Wisconsin. In 1856 he came to
Reading, Hillsdale county. Has been a clergyman forty years, and
in thirty years has officiated at 501 weddings and 1,351 funerals. Was
a trustee of Hillsdale college fifteen years and a Representative in
1867. Was postmaster of Reading some ten years. under Johnson and




512


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Grant. Has also been justice of the peace. At first a Whig, but a
Republican since 1854.
ANDREW PARSONS,
Governor of Michigan from March, 4, 1853, to Dec. 31, 1854, was born
in Hoosick, N. Y., July 22, 1817, and died June 6, 1855. He traced
his ancestry back to Walter Parsons, born in Ireland in 1290. Gov.
Parsons came to 'Michigan in 1835, at the age of seventeen, and
taught school a few months at Ann Arbor, then was a clerk at
Prairie Creek in Ionia county. He settled in Shiawassee county in
1836, and was soon elected register of deeds, which he filled by reelection for six years. He was a Senator in 1847-8. In 1848 he was
prosecuting attorney; in 1851 was elected regent of the University;
and in 1852 was elected lieutenant governor by the democrats. By
the appointment of Gov. McClelland to the position of secretary of
the interior, March 4, 1853, he became governor. In 1854 he was
elected a Representative to the legislature, and retired from the executive chair to serve in the session of 1855, dying three months after
the close of the session. He was a man of spotless character, a fluent
and persuasive speaker; as a politician, candid, frank and free from
bitterness, and as an executive officer firm, constant and reliable.
Politically a Democrat.
FAYETTE PARSONS
Was born in Benson, Vt., Aug. 12, 1812, and received an academical
education. He came to Burr Oak, Michigan, in 1857. By occupation
a physician, in politics a'Republican. In 1862 he was appointed an
examining surgeon for St. Joseph county, a position he held many
years. He was a Representative from St. Joseph county in 1867 and
1878-4.
JONATHAN PARSONS,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1877-9-81-2, was born in
West Springfield, Mass., Oct. 7, 1820. He settled at Marshall, Mich.,
in 1835, removing to Kalamazoo in 1844. By occupation a merchant,
in politics a Republican. Has been a trustee of Kalamazoo several
times, for many years trustee and treasurer of the Michigan female
seminary, also president of the Kalamazoo paper company and a bank
director.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


513


LUKE H. PARSONS
Was born in western New York, Feb. 12, 1812, was liberallyeducated,
and was admitted to the bar at Ann Arbor, Mich., about 1835. He
removed to Corunna about 1839, and became a law partner of his
brother, Gov. Andrew Parsons. He held the positions of register of
deeds, judge of probate, prosecuting attorney, and regent of the University, serving in the last office until his death, Feb. 19, 1862.
ORRIN PARSONS,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1846, was born in Sandisfield, Mass., in 1794, and settled on a farm in Saline, Mich., in 1826.
The next year, with his brother, he built the first saw-mill in the
town. He was supervisor in 1831, and held that office eight terms.
He was also a justice and held other offices. He erected and managed
a grist mill. Died in 1851.
S. TITUS PARSONS,
A brother of Governor Andrew Parsons, came to Michigan when a
young man, and studied law with his brother at Owosso. He was
admitted to the bar in 1854, and located at Corunna, where he practiced for more than twenty years. He was prosecuting attorney six
years, and was a Representative in 1863-4 and 1867. He was also a
member of the constitutional convention of 1867, and was a man of
power and influence. He removed to Detroit in 1877, and engaged in
practice, but died several years since. He was a Republican in
politics.
AZARIAH S. PARTRIDGE,
Representative from Genesee county in 1881-2, was born in Saratoga
county, N. Y., Dec. 19, 1831. A farmer and fruit grower, in politics
formerly a Republican, now a Prohibitionist. He came to Flushing,
Mich., about 1856. As a young man was a teacher for several years.
BENJAMIN F. PARTRIDGE,
Commissioner of the state land office 1877-8, was born in Shelby,
Mich., April 19, 1822. He received a common school and academical
education, was a teacher, was engaged a year in the study of law,
was a surveyor and civil engineer, then a lumberman until 1857. He
-was appointed sheriff of Bay county, and followed surveying several




514


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


years. In 1861 he went into the army, and by regular promotion
reached the rank of brevet brigadier general. He was in the U. S.
revenue service, 1867-71, has been supervisor eight years and chairman of the board six years. Is a farmer near Bay City, and in politics a Republican.
JARED PATCHIN
Was born in Yates county, N. Y., in 1828, and came to Nankin, Mich.,
when young. He graduated at the State University in 1853, and was
admitted to the Detroit bar in 1854. He has been deputy county
clerk, county clerk, prosecuting attorney. He was judge of the third
circuit from 1870 to 1877. He was interested in an orange plantation
in Florida, and was a member of the legislature of that state in 1878.
Now resides in Detroit. Politically a Democrat.
LEVI PATCHEN,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1848, was born in the state
of Connecticut, Jan. 5, 1804, and died Sept. 25, 1851. He lived in
Yates county, N. Y. from 1808 until 1843, when he settled in St.
Joseph county, Mich., and was a nurseryman and farmer by occupation, and politically a Whig.
ORLANDO R. PATTENGIL,,
Representative from Wayne county in 1871-2, was born in Stow, Vt.,
Feb. 24, 1828. He came to Michigan in 1845, and has resided at or
near Plymouth. He received a common school education, worked as
a farm laborer, and from 1849 was a teacher for twelve years, in winter.
Is a farmer, politically first an Abolitionist, later a Republican. Has
been secretary and deputy treasurer of the farmers' mutual insurance
company of Wayne and Monroe counties since 1871.
JOHN C. PATTERSON,
Senator from Calhoun county in 1879-81-2, was born in Eckford,
Mich., March 27, 1838. He graduated at Hillsdale college in 1864, and
from the law department of the Albany, N. Y., university in 1865.
He commenced practice at Marshall in 1867, where he now resides.
Has been a trustee of Hillsdale college and a lecturer there before the
senior class on constitutional law. Politically a Republican.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


515


JOSEPH H. PATTERSON
Was born in Ireland in 1801, came to America in 1819 and located at
Lockport, N. Y. In 1828 he removed to Adrian, Michigan, where he
settled on a farm. He was prominent in early Michigan politics, was
a member of the constitutional convention of 1835, and Representative in 1839 and 1848. He is said to have given the names to four
counties in the state: Antrim, Wexford, Roscommon and Clare. In
politics a Democrat.
MICHAEL A. PATTERSON,
Representative 1846, and Senator from Lenawee county in 1844-5,
was born in Easton, Pa., March 11, 1804, and was educated there until early manhood. He studied medicine in the University of Pennsylvania, and graduated with honor at the age of nineteen. He practiced in western New York for four years, and settled in Tecumseh,
Michigan, where he continued in active practice until 1875. He then
sought a southern climate for health, and died at Westham Locks,
Va., April 17, 1877. He was a regent of the University six years, and
held many local offices. Politically a Democrat.
RUSSEL R. PEALER
Was born at Greenwood, Pa., Jan. 1, 1842, received an academical education, and served in the 16th Pennsylvania cavalry over three years,
rising to the rank of 1st lieutenant. He studied law, was admitted
in 1867, and the same year settled in practice at Three Rivers, Mich.,
still his home. Has been prosecuting attorney, circuit court commissioner, and held other offices. He was elected judge of the 15th circuit in 1881. Politically a Republican.
STEPHEN PEARL
Was born in Livingston county, N. Y., Nov. 19, 1817. He came to
Michigan in 1838 and settled as a farmer in Ovid, Clinton county.
Now lives in Greenbush, same county. He has been supervisor,
county treasurer ten years, Representative in 1867, and Senator in
1869-70. Formerly a Republican, now independent in politics.
WILLIAM H. PEASE,
Representative from Jackson county in 1845, was born in Seneca
county, N. Y., June 7, 1804. He came to Michigan in 1829, and




516


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


settled on a farm in Grass Lake, where his widow and son still reside. Died Nov. 13, 1866.
EDWARD W. PECK
Was born at West Bloomfield, N. Y., March 19, 1807. He received a
common school education and was a teacher. He settled in Troy,
Mich., in 1831, and was a merchant there for 20 years. Now resides
at Pontiac. Has held many offices, including county clerk, postmaster, etc. He was a member of the first convention of assent in 1836,
and was a delegate to the national whig convention in 1848, which
nominated Taylor. Now a Republican.
GEORGE W. PECK,
Representative in congress 1855-7, Representative in the Michigan
legislature 1846 7, and speaker of the House in 1847, was born in New
York city, June 4, 1818. He received an academical education.
studied law, came to Michigan in 1839, was admitted to the bar in
1842, and commenced practice at Brighton. He removed to Lansing
in 1847, and was the first postmaster. He was appointed by Gov.
Ransom, secretary of state in 1848, and held the position two years.
He was proprietor of the State Journal and state printer from 1852 to
1855. In 1864 went into practice at East Saginaw. Removed to St.
Louis, Mo., in 1875, and has been attorney of the St. Louis & Iron
Mountain railroad. Politically a Democrat.
EDGAR PEIRCE,
Representative from Mecosta county in 1883, was born May 6, 1841,
in Erie county, Pa.; was educated in common schools and an academy; followed milling until 1862; enlisted in the 14th Pennsylvania
cavalry, and served through the war, and rose to the rank of lieutenant. In 1871 settled in Mecosta county and engaged in making
shingles. Has been four years county treasurer. In politics a
Republican.
JAMES P. PENDILL,
'Representative from Marquette county in 1863-4, was born near
Batavia, N. Y., in 1812. He was a resident of Niles, Mich., as early
as 1837, and was often seen there driving his four-in-hand, in broadcloth suit and white gloves. He was engaged at the Sault in mercan



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


517


tile business from 1845 to 1855, when he engaged in the same business
at Marquette. In 1867 he became a resident of Negaunee, and was
mayor in 1872-3. He returned to Marquette and was mayor from
1879 to 1882, and many years supervisor and chairman of the board.
He long served as a school trustee. Died March 9, 1885.
EDWARD W. PENDLETON,
Senator from St. Joseph and Branch counties in 1879, was born at
Broadalbin, N. Y., December 13, 1825. He received a common
school education. In 1844 he removed to Orleans county, N. Y.,
where he engaged in farming until 1849, when he went to California.
In 1851 he returned to Orleans county, and in 1852 settled at Sturgis,
Mich., where he now resides. lie has been engaged in mercantile,
manufacturing and agricultural pursuits. He has held many offices
of trust, and has been justice for seven years. In politics a National.
OLIN PENGRA,
Representative from Huron county in 1883, was born in Seneca
county, N. Y., October 19, 1847. He received such education as the
common schools afforded. Was in the army during the last year of
the war as a member of the 98th Pennsylvania regiment. Removed
to Michigan in 1867. Taught school for ten years in the counties of
Tuscola and Huron. Was admitted to the bar in January, 1878; has
held many township offices. He is a Republican.
ORRIN G. PENNELL,
Senator from the counties of Ingham and Clinton in 1885, was born
in Cortland county, N. Y., in 1827. After receiving a thorough
academical education he engaged in teaching. Relinquishing this
pursuit he purchased a farm. Deciding to go west, he sold his farm
and bought one in Washtenaw county, Mich., to which he removed in
1861, remaining there until 1869, when he removed to DeWitt, where
he still resides. Was elected supervisor of DeWitt in 1883 and 1884.
Is now U. S. marshal for the eastern district of Michigan.
EBENEZER J. PENNIMAN
Was born at Lansingburg, N. Y. At the age of thirteen he was
apprenticed to the art of printing at Keene, N. H.; went to New York
56




518


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


at the age of eighteen and engaged in mercantile pursuits; removed'
to Plymouth, Mich., in 1835 and engaged in business; was elected a
member of congress, serving from December 1, 1851, to March 3, 1853;
receiving 10,741 votes to 8,909 votes for Buell, Democrat. Still resides
at Plymouth.
HENRY F. PENNINGTON,
Senator from Eaton and Barry counties in 1883, was born in Seneca
county, Ohio, Sept. 9, 1842. In 1852 he removed with his parents to
Eaton county, Mich. He received an academical education, and
became a farmer. He studied law and graduated from the law
department of the University in 1868, and is now engaged in practice
at Charlotte. In politics a Democrat.
HENRY PENNOYER,
Representative in 1849, and Senator in 1859, from Ottawa county, was
born in Norwalk, Conn., Feb. 9, 1809. He received a common school
education, and removed in 1819 to Cayuga county, N. Y., where he
worked on a farm. From 1834 to 1836 he lived in Chicago, Ill., when
he removed to Muskegon, Mich., and was elected the first sheriff of
Ottawa county, of which Muskegon county then formed a part. In
1838 he was appointed postmaster of Muskegon, and held the office
until 1843. He removed to Grand Haven in 1843, where he kept a
hotel until 1856. He then became a farmer in Crockery township,
where he died April 30, 1836. Always a Darocrat. Fie was justice,
supervisor, county treasurer, and deputy collector at Grand Haven.
He was a political leader, and among the foremost in the promotion
of every enterprise, agricultural, moral, social and educational.
JOHN B. PERHAM,
Representative from Ottawa county in 1881-2-3, was born in Mayfield, N. Y. He came to Spring Lake, Mich., in 1860, and for several
years was principal of the public schools, was for many years a member of the board of education, also a supervisor. By occupation a
merchant, in politics a Republican.
EDWIN Z. PERKINS,
Representative from Cheboyan and other counties, was born in June,
1849, in Oxford county, Ontario. Has been a resident of Michigan.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


519'


ten years. His occupation is attorney at law. Is a graduate of the
University of Michigan, class of 1878. Mr. Perkins has held the office
circuit court commissioner, judge of probate two terms, and county
treasurer, all in Cheboygan county. He is a Republican, and was
elected Representative for 1887-8 by a vote of 2,111 to 2,010 for Charles
S. Hampton, Fusionist, and 125 for Burbanks, Prohibitionist.,
JABEZ PERKINS,
Representative from Shiawassee county in 1859, was born at Defiance,
O., Oct. 26, 1820. He received an academical education at Delaware,
studied medicine, and graduated at Cleveland in 1849. He practiced
medicine at Springville, Mich., for ten years, but at Owosso since
1860. He took charge of a hospital at Nashville in 1862, became a
surgeon of Kentucky volunteers, medical director of the 2d army
corps, and then medical director of the cavalry corps, army of the
Cumberland. In politics first a Whig, then a Republican.
HENRY M. PERRIN
Was born at Berlin, Vt., July 23, 1829. He was educated at Dartmouth college, graduating in 1853. He removed to Michigan in 1855,
residing two years in Detroit, when he settled at St. Johns, still his
home. He was admitted to the bar of Clinton county in 1858. Was
judge of probate from 1861 to 1865, and Senator from Ingham and
Clinton counties in 1865. He has successfully followed his profession, and is also a dealer in real estate. He indulges in farming as a
diversion.
PORTER K. PERRIN,
Senator from Ingham and Clinton counties in 1877, was born Sept. 13,
1833, in Berlin, Vt. He received a common school and academical
education, and was a graduate of the law university of Albany, N.
Y., in 1856-7. He removed from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Michigan in 1860.
He has held the positions of first lieutenant, company I, and captain
of first company sharpshooters, twenty-seventh Michigan infantry,
and was commissioned major of the second Michigan infantry. He
was also judge of probate for Clinton county from 1869 to 1872
inclusive; United States commissioner for about six and a half years,
and has held some minor positions. He is by profession an attorney.In politics a Republican.




-520


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


AARON PERRY,
Representative from Oakland county in 1873-4, was born in Oakland,
Mich., Nov. 11, 1848, and graduated from the University of Michigan
in 1870. He is an attorney in practice at Pontiac, and in politics a
Democrat.
EDWIN PERRY
Was born in Franklin county, N. Y, July 9, 1810. He removed to
Michigan in 1837.  He then removed to Wisconsin, where he lived
until 1841. He returned to Jackson county and lived at Parma and
Concord until 1851, when he removed to Union City, since his home.
He was sergeant-at-arms in the state senate of 1855; Representative
from the western district of Branch county in 1857 and 1859; postmaster of Union City from 1861 to 1870; and has been justice of the
peace for thirty-two years.
GIDEON D. PERRY
Was born in Palmyra, N. Y., Oct. 25, 1811. He was brought up to
farming, left home at nineteen, became a scholar and teacher until
1833, when he commenced preaching, and was admitted to the Genesee
conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. He preached for
eleven years, when from poor health he abandoned it, came to Michigan in 1843, and settled on a farm in Franklin, Lenawee county. He
was supervisor of the town; chairman of the board of supervisors;
Representative in 1857; Senator in 1859. He has preached more or
less every year.
ALONZO E. PERSONS,
Representative from Alpena county in 1861-2, was born at Smithville,
N. Y., April 25, 1818. He received a common school education, became a sailor, and in 1840 was master of a vessel. He continued in
that business until 1849, when he removed to Bay City and engaged
in the fishing business. Removed to Alpena in 1859, and was town
clerk. From 1861 to 1874 was keeper of the Thunder Bay Island
light. Built the first steam tug for fishing. Now master since 1882,
and part owner of the steamer Golden Eagle. Has been justice and
coroner. In politics first a Whig, since 1854 a Republican.
GEORGE PETERS,
Representative from Monroe county in 1861-2, and Senator in 1867,
was born in Delaware county, N. Y., September 22, 1822, and came




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


521


to Michigan in 1831. A farmer and a Republican. Resides at Peter —
burgh. He has been postmaster sixteen years, and supervisor nineteen years.
JENS G. PETERSON,
Representative from  Detroit in 1861-2, was a native of Germany,
born in 1821. He was a retail grocer, and subsequently, in 1854, a
co-partner in the cabinetmakers' association, a manufacturing firm in
Detroit. He was register of the U. S. land office in Detroit, 1861-3,
and probably died in the last named year. Politics Republican.
WM. H. H. PETTIT,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1887, was born in Columbiana
county, Ohio, in 1840, and has b-en a resident of Michigan since 1854.
Mr. Pettit served three years as a private in company C, 1st Mich.
infantry. He has served eleven years as supervisor of Ransom
township. He was elected on the republican ticket by a vote of 2,199
to 1,365 for Albert J. Baker, and 354 for Albert J. McCutcheon, Prohibitionist.
TIMIOTHY H. PEITIT
Was a native of New York state, came to Tecumseh, Mich., in 1835,
and in 1837 settled on a farm in Essex, Clinton county, where he
remained until 1854, then went into business at DeWitt. Died in 1860.
He was a Representative in 1855, justice, postmaster and town
treasurer.
FITCH PHELPS,
Representative from Mecosta and other counties in 1877-9, and Senator in 1883-5, was born at Guilford, N.Y., June 30, 1831. He received
an academical education and was a merchant. In 1862 went to
California, and was provost marshal of San Mateo county in 1863. In
1868 located at Colfax, Mich., built a mill, engaged in lumbering,
also in farming. Resides at Big Rapids. In politics a Republican.
JOHN W. PHELPS
Was born in Seneca county, N. Y., June 14,1819. He came to Michigan with his father in 1829, and settled at Plymouth.; He studied
medicine and engaged in practice at Mason in 1841. He was also,




-522


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


during the latter portion of his life, a hardware merchant. He was
for several terms a justice, and was Representative in 1859. Died
August 31, 1864.
WILLTAM PHELPS,
Representative from Detroit in 1861-2, was born in Cayuga county,
N. Y., November 19, 1816. He received an academical education,
and went into business at Detroit in 1835, which he continued until
his death, July 24, 1879, being the head of the firm of Phelps, Brace
& Co. In 1862-3 he was an "allotment commissioner" for Michigan,
and became a paymaster in 1863, and in 1865 was made lieutenant
colonel. He was on the military staff of Gov. Crapo, and was post
commander and adjutant general of the G. A. R. for Michigan. A
leading Mason and Qdd Fellow, politically a Republican, in religion a
Methodist, and an ordained preacher.
NATHAN S. PHILBRICK,
Representative from Oakland county in 1841, was born in Maine,
June 12, 1789. He was a farmer and hotel keeper, and a Democrat.
He settled in Farmington, Mich., in 1826. Was commissioned a
justice by Gov. Mason in 1834, and held that office several terms.
Died in 1854.
DELOS PHILLIPS
Was born in Hamburg, N. Y., Oct. 24, 1839. He came to Ypsilanti
in 1845, graduated at the public schools, taught two years, and was a
student in the University from 1859 to 1862. He enlisted in 1862 as a
private in the 17th Michigan infantry, and was promoted through all
the grades to captain in 1863. In 1864 he was taken prisoner at
Spottsylvania court-house, but escaped from the cars at night and,
after 300 miles' travel, reported for duty. He became lieut. colonel of
the 28th Michigan infantry, but resigned before the close of the war,
and graduated from the University in 1865. He was Senator from
Kalamazoo county in 1869-70, a presidential elector in 1876 and
messenger to carry the vote to Washington.  He was for six years a.member of the board of supervisors. His life was that of a manufacturer and business man. In politics a Republican. He died at
Kalamazoo, Feb. 23, 1887.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


523


GEORGE W. PHILLIPS
Was born in Livingston county, N. Y., July 17, 1829. He came with
his father to Armada, Michigan, in 1831, who settled upon a farm.
The son was raised a farmer. He was a charter member of the county
agricultural society, many times its president, and almost continuously an officer. For eleven years he was a member of the state
board of agriculture; an officer of the state agricultural society
twenty-two years, and its president in 1880 and 1881. He is a Republican in politics.
JOHN I. PHILLIPS,
Representative from Genesee county in 1871, was born in Canada,
Sept. 3, 1823. He removed to Monroe county, N.Y., with his parents
the next year, where he lived until 1844, when he settled in Vienna,
Michigan. He held several town offices, and vBas engaged in several
kinds of business until August 13, 1861, when he enlisted as sergeant
of company "G," 8th Michigan infantry. He served with the regiment in South Carolina and was promoted to 2d lieutenant Jan. 1,
1863. He resigned on account of ill health Dec. 15, 1863, and returned
to his home. He died before the close of his legislative term. In
politics a Republican.
NATHANIEL G. PHILLIPS,
Representative in 1865 from Shiawassee county, was born at Preston,
Conn., Iov. 20, 1825. He attended an academy at Norwalk, 0., for
three years, and came to Shiawassee county with his widowed mother
and settled on a farm in 1840. From 1851 to 1853 was in California.
His present farm forms the location of the village of Bancroft.
PITTS PHILLIPS,
Representative from Oakland county in 1837, was born in the state of
New York April 24, 1792. Lived in Stafford and Sempronius, N. Y.,
and married Mary Daniels at the latter place. He settled in Southfield, Mich., in 1830. Was supervisor in 1836, and held the office of
justice both in New York and Michigan. By occupation a farmer
and cooper, in politics first a Whig, then an Abolitionist. Died April
10, 1842.
EDWIN R. PHINNEY,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1883, was born at Bangor,
Me., Aug. 3, 1846. When young lived in New York city and Penn



524


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


sylvania, removing to Richmond, O., in 1855. Came to Michigan in,
1872, engaged in the manufacture of boat oars at Carson City, removing the business to East Saginaw in 1876, also engaged in the manufacture of lumber, shingles and salt. In politics a Republican.
ANSEL B. PIERCE,
Representative from Wayne county in 1887, was born at Canton, New York, in 1836. He at the age of fifteen years entered the
St. Lawrence academy, remaining there four years and teaching three
terms in the meantimLe. At the age of twenty-one he came west and
settled in Redford, Wayne county, where he has resided ever since,.
teaching school during the winter and working on his farm in the
summer. Mr. Pierce has held the offices of supervisor, town clerk,
school inspector and justice of the peace. He has been president of
the Redford agricultural society since its organization, and is a practical and thorough agriculturist. Mr. Pierce is a Democrat.
DARIUS PIERCE,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1846 and 1847, was born
Sept. 2, 1801, at Farmington, N. Y. Came to Michigan in 1832, and
was a farmer of the town of Lima. He was justice of the peace four
years, county commissioner, and ten years a supervisor. Looking to
the future of the state, he voted to remove the capital from Detroit to
Lansing, although Ann Arbor was a contestant. Deceased.
JOHN D. PIERCE.
Superintendent of public instruction from 1836 to 1841, was born at
Chesterfield, N. H., Feb. 18, 1797. From the age of two to twenty helived with an uncle at Worcester, Mass., having only eight weeks'
schooling. He then went to work and earned one hundred dollars,
his grandfather gave the same amount, and in 1817 he walked fourteen miles to take his first lesson of Rev. Enoch Pond, who fitted him 
for college. He graduated at Brown University in 1822; was principal of Wrentham academy in 1823; the same year entered Princeton
theological seminary; in 1824 was licensed to preach as a Congregational minister, and became pastor of a church at Oneida, N. Y. He
came as a home missionary to Marshall, Mich., in 1831, and held the
first religious meetings in Jackson, Calhoun and Eaton counties.
Gov. Mason appointed him the first superintendent of public instruc



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


525


tion, and he proved to be the right man in the right place, and hisplans were adopted by the legislature of 1837 without a dissenting
vote. A full sketch of his labors can be readily found. He was a.
Representative from Calhoun county in 1847-8. Died at Medford,
Mass., April 6, 1882.
JOSEPH B. PIERCE,
Representative from Jackson county in 1850, was born in St. Johnsbury, Vt., July 20, 1812. His parents removed to western New York
in 1814. He came to Grass Lake, Michigan, in 1837, but removed to
Leoni in 1839, where he kept a hotel. Later removed to Jackson and
was a justice for eight years. He had a genial, happy disposition,
was a great humorist, and delighted in entertaining friends with
stories and anecdotes. Died July 17, 1862.
NATHAN PIERCE
Was born in Cheshire, Mass., Sept. 27,1790. In 1795 he removed with
his parents to Ontario county, N. Y., where he was brought up on a
farm, and received a common school and academical education. He
served in the war of 1812. In 1832 he located thirty eighty acre tracts
in Calhoun, St. Joseph and Washtenaw counties, and settled on a farm
in Sylvan, Washtenaw county, removing twelve years after to Marengo, Calhoun county, where he remained through life. He was a
member of the constitutional conventions of 1835, 1850 and 1867, and
a Representative in 1839-40-1-50-1. A Whig until 1854, then aRepublican. He was a man of gigantic stature, strong will, noted for his
integrity, and one of the ablest of the farmer pioneers.
ONESIMUS O. PIERCE,
Representative from Wayne county in 1873-4, was born in Potsdam
N. Y., Aug. 16, 1809. He was educated at the Potsdam academy. In
1833 he emigrated to Michigan, and settled in Redford, Wayne
county, where he still resides. He has held various township offices.
By occupation a farmer.
PETER R. L. PIERCE,
Senator from Kent county in 1869-70, was born in Geneseo, N. Y.,
May 25, 1823. As a boy, attended common schools, but in 1836 came
to Detroit, there attending night schools and reading law. In 1840
57




526


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


he removed to Grand Rapids and kept a book store, reading law with
Judge Martin. From 1843 to 1850 was in mercantile business at Cincinnati, Ohio, and wrote a history of the eons of Temperance, which
had a circulation of 100,000 copies, and also wrote for several papers.
From 1850 to 1 57 was a merchant at Grand Rapids. In 1854 was
city clerk; mayor in 1873-5-6; several terms clerk of Kent county,
and postmaster of Grand Rapids from 1b77 until his death, about 1880.
In pblitics a Republican. A man of wit and humor, kind and genial.
Few men had warmer friends, or better deserved them.
BENJAMIN PIERSON
'Was born October 4, 1802, near Cayuga Lake, N. Y. When young
he moved with his parents to Victor, N. Y. He worked on a farm
until fifteen years of age, then at carding wool and dressing cloth
until 1826, when he came to Michigan and purchased land in Ply-.mouth. He returned to New York and remained until 1836. He then
settled on a farm in Livonia, Wayne county. He was a justice, and
held various town offices, and was Representative in 1871-2.  In,politics a Democrat.
ELIJAH H. PILCHER,
Regent of the University from 1845 to 1851, was born in Athens
county, Ohio, June 2, 1810. He was a student at the Athens University, and was ordained a Methodist minister in 1829. From 1830
until his death, he was a resident of Michigan, preaching at Detroit,
Ann Arbor, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and other places. He
was ten years secretary of the conference, and for nearly twenty-five
years a presiding elder. He was one of the founders of Albion
college. He received several degrees,.including D. D., and was
admitted to the bar in 1846. He was the author of " Protestantism.in Michigan."
WASHINGTON PITCHER,
-Representative from St. Joseph county in 1835, was born in Norwich,
-Conn., December 28, 18.16, and received a fair education. Removed
to Parma, N. Y., in 1831, was two years a clerk at Rochester, N. Y.,
and came to White Pigeon, Mich., in 1836. In 1844 removed to Con-stantine. He was a merchant, and the late Gov. Bagley was for one
year his clerk, when a boy. In 1858 removed to Illinois, residing at




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


527


Franklin Grove, then Wall Lake, Kansas, where he now resides. In
politics a Democrat.
ZINA PITCHER,
Regent of the University, by appointment, several terms from 1837 to
1852, was born in Washington county, N. Y., April 12, 1797, and died
at Detroit, Mich., April 5, 1872. He received an academical education, arid graduated as a physician in 1822. He served as an army
surgeon until 1836, then became a resident of Detroit. The medical
department of the University was essentially his work. He was
mayor of Detroit in 1840-1-2, and the whig candidate for governor in
1843. He was physician of St. Mary's hospital from 1848 to 1867;
surgeon of the marine hospital under Buchanan; trustee of the
Kalamazoo asylum; a member of many scientific and medical
societies, and one of the ablest and most widely known physicians in
Michigan.
FREDERICK PITT,
Representative from Ionia county in 1883, was born in London, England, June 10, 1824, and came to Ionia county, Mich., in 1850. When
young worked at engraving, making of pianos, was later a carpenter,
and is now a farmer. Has been several terms a supervisor, and held
other offices. In politics a Republican.
CHARLES M. PITTS,
Representative from Monroe county in 1865, was a farmer and for a
number of terms supervisor in Monroe county. He was a man of
considerable influence in the town where he resided. Died several
years ago.
ZEPHANIAH PLATT,
Attorney general of Michigan from 1841 to 1843, was born at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1797. He graduated at Hamilton college,
studied law, practiced in western New York and New York city, and
settled at Kalamazoo in 1837. In 1839 he removed to Detroit. In 1850
he resumed practice in New York city, and was commissioner to adjust claims of the United States on the Pacific coast. He was then
appointed United States judge for the second district of South Carolina. He acquired distinction in that position, and died at Aiken, S.
C., April 19, 1872.




528


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


EMERY M. PLYMPTON,
Representative from Berrien county in 1869-70, was born in Canton,
Ohio, June 1, 1826. His father was a pioneer Methodist minister in
Ohio and preached for fifty-five years. The son received a good education and commenced teaching when eighteen, and taught in several
states for nine years. He was a Whig until 1854, later a Republican.
He came to this state in 1849, was in railroad business two years, and
taught school at Niles from 1851 to 1853. He was admitted to the
bar in 1853, and was a justice and prosecuting attorney. He went
into the service as captain in 4th Michigan cavalry, but resigned in
1863, from ill health. He was deputy provost marshal in 1863-5, circuit court commissioner 1871-2, and held other offices. Died March
26, 1888.
ENOS A. POMROY,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1881-2, was born in Bristol,
N. Y., March 16, 1832. He came with his father to Allen, Mich., in
1844, and removed to Litchfield in 1851. He has been six times a
supervisor. A farmer, in politics a Republican.
ALFRED POND
Was born in Camden, N. Y., Feb. 10, 1806. By occupation a farmer,
in politics a Democrat. He settled in Clayton, Genesee county, in
1839, and lived there until 1880, but since that time has been a resident
of Flushing. He was a Representative in 1847.
CORNELIUS V. R. POND,
Commissioner of labor 1885 to 1887, was born in Auburn, N. Y., May
39, 1836, and received an academical education. He was a clerk in
New York and Hartford from 1852 to 1860, then a manufacturer. He
was quartermaster of the 12th Connecticut from 1861 to 1863, and resigned from ill health. He then served in. the provost marshal's office
at Utica. He settled at Coldwater, Michigan, in 1865, and engaged
in insurance. He went to Quincy in 1869. He was postmaster there
from 1878 to 1885. He established the Quincy Herald in 1878, but
sold it in 1884. He was commander of the G. A. R. for two years.
A Republican. Now in Kansas.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


529


ELIHU B. POND,
Senator from Washtenaw county in 1859, was born in Wilmington,
N. Y., July 15, 1826. Lived in Ohio from 1832 to 1835, when his father
settled at Branch, then the county seat of Branch county, removing
to Coldwater in 1843. He learned the trade of a printer, and worked.as a young man at various points. He was in 1847 a student at Albion
college. From 1848 to 1854 he owned and edited the Coldwater Sentinel; then removed to Ann Arbor and was editor and proprietor of
the Michigan Argus until 1879. He has been county clerk, alderman,
member and president of the school board, warden of the state prison,
etc. He was president of the state press association in 1868-9. In
politics a Democrat, and now a justice at Ann Arbor.
JARED POND,
Representative from Branch county in 1839, was born at Poultney,
Vt., Sept. 26, 1790, and died at Ann Arbor, Mich., April 12, 1856. He
served in the war of 1812. He was a surveyor and iron manufacturer
at Wilmington, N. Y., and after a few years' residence in Ohio became
a resident of Branch county, Mich., in 1835, and was a surveyor. He
was register of deeds from 1843 to 1847. Later removed to Ann
Arbor. He was father of E. B. and Ashley Pond.
ORRIN POPPLETON,
Representative from Oakland county in 1853, was born in Richmond,
N. Y., April 22, 1817, and came to Troy, Mich., with his parents in
1825. He received a common school education and was a teacher in
1834-5 and 1839-40. In 1837-8 he attended Granville, 0., academy,
and then was a clerk in the postoffice at Pontiac. From 1840 to the
present time has been a successful merchant at Birmingham, Mich.,
and was postmaster from 1853 to 1861. He was a member of the
democratic congressional committee sixteen years. He is also a
farmer. In politics a Democrat. A valuable member of the state
pioneer society.
WILLIAM POPPLETON,
Representative in 1843 from Oakland county, was born at Poultney,
Vt., in 1795, but removed to Richmond, N. Y., at the age of seventeen.
He purchased a farm in Troy, Mich., in 1823, and settled upon it with,his family in 1825. The small farm increased in size until in 1845 he




530


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


owned 1,200 acres. In 1856 he removed to a place near the village of
Birmingham, where he died in 1869.
AUGUSTUS S. PORTER,
United States Senator from Michigan, 1840-45, was born in Canandaigua, N. Y., Jan. 18, 1798. He was of a distinguished family, his
father, Augustus Porter, subsequently removing to Niagara Falls,
where he became the first proprietor of a property which he occupied.
The son graduated from Union college in 1818, studied law, and was
admitted to practice. After locating in Detroit he acquired a leading
position at the bar, and was identified with the social, political and
educational history of the city, serving as recorder in 1834 and mayor
in 1838. The election of Senator for the term for which he was
chosen should have been made at the legislative session of 1839, but
the two houses, both democratic, failed to agree, and allowed the
election to go by default. The whig party carried the state and the
legislature in 1839, and at the session of 1840 elected Mr. Porter to
the Senate for the term commencing March 4, 1839. He returned to
Niagara Falls in 1848, after the death of his father. He has been dead
some years, although members of the family still reside there.
GEORGE B. PORTER,
Governor of the territory of Michigan from August 1, 1831, until his
death, July 6, 1834, was a native of Lancaster, Pa., a lawyer by profession, and prior to his coming to Michigan had been United States
marshal of the eastern district of Pennsylvania. He removed with
his family to Michigan, bought a farm in Springwells, and began the
construction of a fine residence. He was a man of executive ability
and popular..JAMES B. PORTER,
Secretary of State from 1861 to 1867, was born at Marcellus, N. Y., in
September, 1824. He came to Michigan in 1893, and removed to
Allegan in 1840, and lived there until 1865, then removed to Lansing
in 1866, where he still resides. He was county clerk and register of
deeds of Allegan county from 1851 to 1861. Occupation, real estate
and insurance; politics, republican.




[ICHGAN BIOGRAPHY.


53ti


JOHN PORTER
Was born in Tomrpkins county, N. Y., in 1819. He came to Michigan,
in 1838, in 1845 settled in Montcalm county, and on the organization
of that county was elected county treasurer, holding the position
four years. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Republican. He
was a Representative from Kent county in 1863-4, having removed&
there in 1855. Present residence, Wyoming, Kent county.
LEWIS PORTER,
Representative in 1857-8, and Senator from Kent county in 1859, was
born in the state of New York, Nov. 4, 1823. He came to Michigan
in 1838. He was engaged in the clothing trade at Grand Rapids, and
was an active Republican in politics. Among other positions he was
assistant postmaster at Washington, D. C., and was the first clerk of
the U. S. district court for western Michigan. Died January 10, 1882..
MICAH PORTER,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1844* was born in Weymouth, Mass., Aug. 2, 1793, his ancestors having settled there in 1635.
He learned the trade of a mason at Rome, N. Y., working at it summers and teaching winters. During the war of 1812 he was a leading
supporter of Madison. He built a parliament house at Little York,
near Toronto, Canada.  He then resided at Rochester, N. Y., until
1832, when he became a farmer at Sharon, Mich., and was many,
years a justice there and supervisor. Died July 7, 1870.
FLOYD L. POST,
Senator from Midland and other counties in 1887, was born at Belvidere, N. Y., in 1857, and is by occupation editor, lawyer and real
estate dealer. He had school advantages up to thirteen years of age,
was clerk in a drug store a year, then worked in a shingle mill, became foreman, then proprietor of a saw and shingle mill with his.
father, also was in lumbering and mercantile business. Has been
supervisor, town clerk and treasurer, and was a Representative in.
1885. In politics a Republican. Has been admitted to the bar.
SAMUEL POST,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1871-2, was born at Ypsilanti, Mich., November 9, 1834, which has always been his home.




.532


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


He received a common school education, and became a clerk at the.age of twelve. At the age of nineteen became a dry goods and,clothing merchant, and continued it successfully for seventeen years.
In 1873 he was appointed U. S. pension agent at Detroit, and held
that position nearly thirteen years, until removed by President
Cleveland. In politics a Republican. Now in business at Detroit.
ALLEN POTTER
Was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., October 2, 1818; removed to
Michigan in 1838, and located at Kalamazoo in 1845; engaged in
manufacturing, mercantile pursuits and banking; was Representative
in the legislature in 1857 and 1858; was elected president of the village
in 1859, 1863, 1870 and 1872, and president of the board of education,in 1870 and 1871. He was elected president of the Kalamazoo &
South Haven railroad company in 1870, and was very efficient in
securing the building of that road. In 1874, as the candidate of the
-democrats and liberals, he was elected Representative to congress,
serving from December 6, 1875 to March 3, 1877.
CALVIN B. POTTER,
Representative from Berrien county in 1875, was born July 15, 1837,
at Brownville, N. Y. He removed to Michigan in 1838. A lawyer,by profession, in politics a Democrat.
FORDYCE H. POTTER,
Representative from Shiawassee county in 1883-5, was born in Wayne,county, N. Y., April 8, 1833. He received a common school educa-:tion, and became a carpenter. In 1856 he removed to Shiawassee,
Mich., and is now a contractor and builder. Has held many local.offices. Elected as a Fusionist.
GEORGE N. POTTER,
-Senator from Eaton and Barry counties in 1887, was born at Ira, N.
Y., Oct. 16, 1827. He came with his parents to Saline, Mich.,in 1830,
his father building the first frame house in that village. They
removed to Eaton county in 1844. The son received a common school
education, became a farmer, and is the founder of the village of Potterville; was one of thirteen that effected the organization of the




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


533


Peninsular railroad, now a part of the Grand Trunk, and was a
*director; has been engaged in manufacturing and lumbering. In
politics a Republican.
ANTHONY POUCHER
Was born Nov. 24, 1801, at Claverack, N. Y. He emigrated to Michigan in 1833, and settled on a farm in Bridgewater, Washtenaw
county. He died October 7,1870. As a Democrat, he was a Representative in 1838.
MILO POWELL,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1848, was born in Berkshire
county, Mass., Oct. 3, 1809. He came to Michigan in 1835. Has been
-supervisor in Cass county, and justice both in Cass and St. Joseph
counties. In politics a Democrat. Has been engaged m banking for
years, but has retired from business, and resides at Constantine.
NATHAN POWER,
Representative from Oakland county in 1855. waslborn in Farmington,
N. Y., April 19, 1801. He settled in Farmington, Oakland county, in
1826. He taught the first school in 1826. He was a man of extensive
reading, extraordinary memory, and well informed in regard to
affairs of the state and nation. In politics a Free Soil Republican, by
-occupation a farmer, in religion, a Friend. Died in 1874.
PLINY POWER,
Representative from Oakland county in 1844, and from Wayne in
1855, was born in Vermont in 1798. He became a physician, practiced
for a time in Tioga county, Pa.,and removed to Oakland county about
1840. He subsequently removed to Detroit and was county physician
there in 1852. He was originally a Democrat, but became a Republican in 1854. He was active in the temperance cause, sometimes
lecturing on that subject. Died in Detroit in 1861.
ROBERT D. POWER,
Representative from Livingston county in 1844-5, was one of the
earliest settlers of Brighton. The erection and opening of a public
house by him in 1836, was the first step taken to give that place the




534


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


character of a village. He was sheriff from 1839 to 1843, and was.
also moderator and director of the public schools. He was a man of
much force of character, intuitive shrewdness and exerted a strong
influence in politics. Deceased.
WILLIAM POWERS,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1885-7, was born in Tipperary county, Ireland, in 1842. He has been a resident of Michigan
since 1859. Mr. Powers is a farmer, has held the office of township
treasurer six years, the office of supervisor eight years. In politics a
Democrat.
WILLIAM H. POWERS,
Representative from Kent county in 1879, was born in Troy, N. Y.,.
April 7, 1841. He received a common school education at Grand
Rapids, Mich., to which place he removed in 1847. He is a member
of the firm of Powers & Walker. manufacturers of undertakers'
goods, also of the firm of Wm. T. Powers & Son, manufacturers of
lumber, lath and shingles. He has held the office of city clerk, alderman, and a member of the board of fire commissioners of Grand
Rapids. In politics a National.
ABNER PRATT
Was born in Springfield, N. Y., May 22, 1801. He was brought up on
a farm, had limited educational advantages, read law, and commenced practice, first at Rush, afterwards at Rochester, N. Y., where
he remained until 1839, when he resigned the office of district
attorney, and removed to Marshall, Mich. He was Senator in 1844-5,
and Representative in 1863. In 1858 he went to Honolulu as U. S.
consul, where he remained several years. He was a judge of the
Supreme Court from 1850 to 1852, and circuit judge from 1852 to 1857,
when he resigned. He was always a Democrat, and a prominent
Mason. He was an able, fearless judge, and a man of great ability.
He died March 27, 1863.
DANIEL L. PRATT
Was born in Plainfield, Mass., June 24, 1820. In 1830 he removed
with the family to Geauga county, Ohio. Having studied law, he
was admitted to the bar in 1844. In 1845 he commenced the practice
of law at Hillsdale, where he has since resided; He was elected,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


535.


prosecuting attorney for Hillsdale county in 1856, and re-elected in
1860; has been twelve years a member of the board of trustees of theMichigan asylum for the insane; was a member of the constitutional
convention of 1867; was elected circuit judge of the first circuit in
1869; was re-elected in 1875, no nomination having been made against
him. He has been a trustee of Hillsdale college since its organization
in 1853, and has contributed liberally of time, money and counsel to
its support. He was a Whig until the organization of the Republican
party, with which he has since acted. He resides on a farm, just
outside of Hillsdale, which he cleared and improved himself.
FOSTER PRATT
Was born at Mt. Morris, N. Y., January 9, 1823. His ancestors
landed at Plymouth in 1622. He received an academical education,
at seventeen engaged in teaching, and was principal of an academy
at Angelica, N. Y., and from 1844 to 1847 of one at Moorfield, Va.
He graduated as a physician in 1849, from the University of Pennsylvania, and practiced his profession at Romney, Va., until 1856,
when he removed to Kalamazoo, resuming his practice. In 1859 was
a Representative.  He aided in procuring appropriations for the
asylum at Kalamazoo, of which he has been trustee. A Democrat in
politics. Was surgeon of the 13th Michigan infantry from 1861 to
1865; president of Kalamazoo village in 1871; chairman of democratic state committee 1872 to 1876: postmaster of Kalamazoo 1866-7.
WILLIAM A. PRATT,
Representative from Oakland county in 1843-4-5, and speaker pro
tern. in 1845, was born in Vermont. By occupation a millwright.
Came to Franklin, Michigan, at an early day. There he built several
mills, and in 1838 built a flouring mill, of which he and Winthrop
Worthing were proprietors. He was supervisor of the town of Southfield in 1842-3, and justice of the peace. Removed later to Sault Ste
Marie, where he made money in land transactions, and finally
removed to Detroit. Politically a Democrat. Deceased.
ESEK; PRAY,
Representative in 1838 from Washtenaw county, was born in East
Killingly, Conn., Nov. 29, 1793; in 1814 removed to Angelica, N. Y.
In May, 1825, he came to Michigan, and became a farmer in the town,




536


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


of Superior. He kept a tavern many years at Dixboro. Gov. Cass:appointed him justice, which position he held for twenty-four years.
He was a Democrat. Died April 20, 1853. '
GEORGE PRAY,
Representative from Ionia county in 1879, was born Aug. 27, 1825, in
Angelica, N. Y. He received an academical education, graduated
from the University of Michigan in 1845, and from the medical
department of Western Reserve college in 1849. He removed to
Michigan in 1825 and settled in Superior, Washtenaw county. He
commenced the practice of medicine in Salem in 1849. In 1856 he
removed to Ronald, Ionia count.y, and invested his means in lands.
From 1863 to 1867 resided at Ann Arbor, practicing his profession,
but at the expiration of that time returned to Ronald. He has been
-a supervisor, and chairman of the board of supervisors for many
years. Politics, republican.
ALMON E. PRESTON,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1875, was born July 15, 1832,
in Orleans county, N. Y. He removed to Battle Creek, Mich., in
1844. He was educated in common schools, and is by occupation a
mechanic. He held the position of second lieutenant in 1861 in the
Michigan engineer corps, and was captain of Co. "L" of the regiment
of Merrill's horse, serving in the western department until 1864. He
has been three terms a supervisor in Battle Creek, and also a member
of the board of education. In politics a Republican.
S. HORACE PRESTON,
Representative from Ingham  county in 1887, was born in Oneida,
Mich., Oct. 25, 1837. He was educated in common schools and at
-Olivet college. In 1865 he settled on a farm in the town of Lansing.
Has always been a farmer, been a supervisor seven years, and two
years chairman of the board. In politics a Democrat.
FRANCIS J. PREVOST
came from New York to Michigan before 1830. After living some
years in Washtenaw county he organized a company, known as the
Byron company, and bought lands on which the village of Byron is
located. He moved there in 1836, and was the principal man for




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


537


many years. He was the first postmaster, and was a Representative
in 1843, and a member of the constitutional convention of 1850. Soon,
after removed to California, where he died many years since.
LAYMAN B. PRICE,
Representative from Macomb county in 1847, was born at Rush, N..
Y., Nov. 22, 1811, and came with his father to Shelby, Mich., in 1827,
where the village of Utica now stands. His father built the first grist
and saw mill in that part of the county. The son became a farmer,
but has been a merchant since 1852. He was sergeant-at-arms of the
Senate in 1837, and sheriff of Macomb county in 1840. He resides at
Lakeville, Oakland county, and was Senator from that county in
1671-2.
DELIVERANCE S. PRIEST
Was born in Arlington, Vt., Aug. 1814. His education was obtained
in the common schools. He settled as a farmer in Ray, Macomb.
county, Michigan, in 1838. He was a Representative from the second district of Macomb county in 1871-2-3-4. In politics a Republican. Died in February, 1888.
CLARENCE W. PRINDLE,
Representative from Kent county in 1877-81-2, was born in Rutland,.
Mich., Dec. 20, 1849, and was two years a student at Albion college.
He studied medicine, and graduated from Hahnemann medical college of Chicago in 1871. Now in practice at Grand Rapids, also a
member of the drug firm of Prindle Brothers. In politics a Republican.
EUGENE PRINGLE,
Representative in 1861-2, and Senator in 1867, was born in Richfield,.
N. Y., Dec. 1, 1826, and received an academical education. He
studied law, was admitted in 1849, and commenced practice at Jackson, Mich., in 1850, still his home. He has been circuit court commissioner, prosecuting attorney, city recorder, mayor, military secretary under Gov. Blair, member of the constitutional convention of
1867, register in bankrupcy, state insurance commissioner 1885-7, and
democratic candidate for lieutenant governor in 1882. He has also.
been active in the building of railroads. In politics, a Whig until
1854, a Republican until 1872, now a Democrat.,




.538


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


BENJAMIN D. PRITCHARD,
Commissioner of the state land office, 1867 to 1871, and state treasurer 1879 to 1883, was born in Nelson, Ohio, and educated at Western
Reserve college. He came to Michigan in 1856, graduated from the
law department of the University in 1860, and commenced practice
at Allegan, his present home. He went into the war as captain in the
4th Michigan cavalry, and was promoted to the rank of brevet brigadier general, and a part of his war record was the capture of Jefferson
Davis. He is a Republican, and president of the national bank at
Allegan.
KINTZING PRITCHETT,
The first secretary of state under the state government, 1835-38, came
to Michigan under the favor of Governor George B. Porter, about the
year 1831. He was a favorite with Gov. Porter, also with Gov.
Mason, by whom he was appointed secretary of state. He was a gentleman neat and exact in dress, above medium height, straight, clean
shaven, and a pair of spectacles added to the dignity of his port.
Richard R. Elliott, of Detroit, in a note, says of him: "I remember
his personal appearance, which was certainly distinguished, and his
peculiar name struck my childish imagination." He was a lawyer
and an educated man, was appointed to the office of bank commissioner in 1833, and returned east after the close of Gov. Mason's
administration. His nativity is unknown, but understood to have
been Pennsylvania or New Jersey.
WILLIAM PROBERT,
Representative from Manistee county in 1879, was born in Gloucestershire, England, March 24, 1835, and was educated in common schools.
He emigrated in 1850 and settled in Jefferson county, N. Y. In 1861
he enlisted in the first regiment of Wis. Vols., and participated in
many engagements, and was mustered out at the expiration of enlistment. In 1864 he removed to Pleasanton, Mich. Has been supervisor,
and has held minor offices. Occupation, farmer. Politics, democratic.
ABRAHAM C. PRUTZMAN
Was born in Columbia county, Pa., March 6, 1813. Received a comjnon school education, and was employed as clerk in Dansville, Pa.,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPH Y.


539


for some years. In 1834 he emigrated to Michigan, and settled on
Prairie Ronde. In 1838 he removed to Three Rivers, where he now
resides. He engaged in the milling and merchandise business, in
which he was concerned for a period of 27 years. He was appointed
a member of the board of agriculture in 1862, a position he held for
ten years. In 1868 he was elected Senator from St. Joseph and Cass
counties, and was twice re-elected. A Republican in politics. 
NICHOLAS W. PULLEN,
Representative from Wayne county in 1845, was born in Ontario
county, N. Y., in 1803. He came to Michigan in 1831, first settling
near Royal Oak, but subsequently removing to Romulus, where he
presided for twelve years, serving much bf the time as supervisor and
justice. Failing health induced his removal to Detroit in 1847, and
from thence he removed to Birmingham, where he died in 1863. He
was byoccupation a farmer, and politically a Democrat.
HENRY H. PULVER,
Senator from Shiawassee and Livingston counties in 1885, was born
Sept. 12, 1843, in Yates county, N. Y. He came to Michigan in 1844,:served in the 8th Michigan infantry four years, studied law, was admitted in 1859, and went into practice at Laingsburg. In politics,
first a Republican, later a Greenbacker.
WILLIAM PURCELL,
Representative from Detroit in 1869-70, was a native of Ireland, born
1818. He died in 1880. Mr. Purcell was engaged in the foundry bus-iness, and was a man of character, conscientious in the discharge of
his duties. He served his ward four consecutive terms, from 1861 to
1868, as alderman, was controller of the city June, 1870, to March, 1871,
and was a member of the board of public works from 1876 to 1879.
Was a Democrat politically.
TUZZIEL PUTNAM, JR.
Was born in Pokagon, Michigan, August 12, 1826. He was the first
white child born in Cass county, and was the son of Uzziel Putnam,
a pioneer farmer. He received a good education, and graduated
-from the State University in 1853. He read law with E. C & C. I.
Walker of Detroit, and was admitted to the bar in 1855, but practiced




540


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


only a short time. He held the offices of school inspector, justice, and
circuit court commissioner. He was Representative in 1869-70, and
Senator in 1871-2. In 1874 he was appointed a member of the state
board of charities, and held that position until his death, Feb. 10, 1879.
He was president of the Cass county pioneer society, and took great
interest in all matters of pioneer history. In politics a Republican.
JOHN RAIRDEN,
Senator from Wayne county in 1887, was born in Ireland, June 24,.
1831. Came when young to Canada, moved to Toledo, Ohio, and
from there to Detroit in 1843. Attended public and private schools,
and learned the trade of chair painting and furniture finishing. He
continued his studies, and acquired the German, French and other
languages. Opened a night school in 1856 and continued it for several years. Was a teacher in the German-American seminary in
1864; from 1865 to 1867 was a letter carrier; since taught in private
and public schools, and since 1874 been principal of a private school.
Elected as a Labor-Republican.
STILLMAN RALPH,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1837 and 1855, was born at
Reading, Vt., Nov. 7, 1803. He received a common school education,
and taught school several terms. He commenced the study of medicine in 1827, graduating at Waterville, Maine, in 1830. The same
year he commenced practice at Canandaigua, N. Y. In 1835 he
removed to Moscow plains, Hillsdale county, which was his home at
the time of his death. He resided in Jonesville from 1840 to 1847.
He was first a Whig but became a Republican in 1854. Died at Lansing, Feb. 18, 1855.
JONATHAN G. RAMSDELL
Was born at Plymouth, Mich., in 1830, and was educated at Plymouth seminary and Albion college. Studied law, was admitted in
1857, and settled in practice at Traverse City in 1860, his present
home. He is now serving his fourth term as judge of the 13th cir.
cuit, and has taken a leading position in the state as a fruit grower,
and done much develop the capacities of the upper western shore of
the state for the profitable cultivation of fruit. In politics a Republican.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


541


NORTON R. RAMSDELL
Was a native of New York and removed to Ann Arbor in 1835. Before coming to Michigan he had been a licensed exhorter in the
Methodist Episcopal church, but studied law, was admitted to the
bar, and came west to practice. He was regarded by his colleagues
as a good lawyer, and one who excelled as an advocate. He was
Representative in 1844. In politics a Democrat. Deceased.
THOMAS J. RAMSDELL
Was born in Plymouth, Michigan, July 29, 1833. He worked on his
father's farm summers, attending school winters until eighteen years
of age, when he became a student at Plymouth seminary, then at the
state normal school. Read law in Lansing, and graduated at the
national law school at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in 1858. Was admitted
to the bar in New York, returned to Lansing and opened a law office.
In the winter of 1859-60 removed to Manistee, and engaged in practice. He was a Representative in 1861-2. In 1867 formed a law partnership with E. E. Benedict, and the firm of Ramsdell & Benedict is
still in practice. In politics a Republican.
CALEB D. RANDALL
Was born in Conquest, N. Y., in 1831, and is a descendant of Wm.
Randall, who settled in Scituate, Mass., in 1635. He removed with
his father's family to Bronson, Mich., in 1835. He graduated at the
Albany law school in 1855. He settled at Coldwater in 1857 and
practiced law until 1871. He was Senator in 1871-2. It is largely
through his efforts that the state school for dependent children was
established at Coldwater. He was a delegate to the Republican
national convention of 1880. He has been president of the southern
Michigan national bank of Coldwater since its organization in 1872,
and for many years has been one of the state board of control of the
public school at Coldwater. In politics a Republican.
HARVEY RANDALL,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1867, was born in Sweden, N.
Y., June 10, 1819. By occupation an insurance agent, politically a
Republican. He settled at Tekonsha, MIich., in 1841. Was justice of
the peace fifteen years, supervisor three years, enrolling officer during the rebellion, clerk of the Baptist church over thirty years, and
held other offices. Died April 1, 1887.
59




542


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


FRANCIS H. RANKIN
Representative from Genesee county in 1861-2-3 4, and Senator in
1877, was born in Creymore, Ireland, Oct. 29, 1818, and was educated
at private schools and Belfast academy. He came to Pontiac, Mich.,
in 1848, worked two years as a printer, and in 1850 established the
Wolverine Citizen, now the Flint Citizen, at Flint, and has continued
to publish and edit it until the present time. He was state prison
inspector 1865-9; clerk and recorder of Flint 1871-7; and was postmaster of Flint eight years. He was one of the commissioners appointed in 1867 to examine into the condition of the prison and
reformatory institutions of the state and report, which resulted in
establishing the state board of charities. In politics a Republican.
LEMUEL S. RANNEY,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1875, was born in Ashfield,
Mass., Jan. 17, 1831. He removed to Phelps, N. Y., in 1833, received
a common school education, and in 1843 emigrated to Allen, Michigan. In 1852 he crossed the plains to California, and again in 1859,
and in all spent ten years in various states and territories on the
Pacific coast. He has been supervisor, and is by occupation a farm er.
In politics a Republican.
PEYTON RANNEY,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1883, was born in Westminster, Vt., Nov. 29, 1826, and became a resident of Kalamazoo in
1857. He had been a teacher in Vermont for eight years. Has been
a wholesale and retail grocer, and lately largely interested in the
grain trade. Has been alderman, and twice president of Kalamazoo.
In politics a Republican.
EPAPHRODITUS RANSOM
Was born at Shelburne Falls, Hampshire county, Mass., February,
1797. He was the second son of Major Ezekiel Ransom, a revolutionary officer, his mother being a daughter of General Fletcher, a man
that figured prominently in the early history of Vermont, and especially during the protracted controversy with New York that preceded
the admission of the former state into the union.
He accompanied his parents while still a young lad to Townshend,
Windham county, Vermont, where he was raised to manhood, work



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.                  543
ing upon the rugged hillsides of the old Fletcher farm during the
summers, and either attending or teaching school during the winters.
With such preparation as he was able to make at the common district
schools, he entered the Chester academy in Windsor county, Vt.,
then one of the most prominent literary institutions in New England.
Graduating from the academy after four years' attendance, he entered
the law office of Judge Taft, at Townshend, where he commenced the
study of law, having for a fellow student the son of his preceptor,
Alphonso Taft, now of Cincinnati, Ohio, and late attorney general of
the United States. After two years' study with Judge Taft he entered the law school at Northampton, Mass., from which he graduated with distinction in 1823.
After graduating from the law school Mr. Ransom returned to
Windham county, where he had a successful law practice for some
years, meanwhile, although belonging to the minority party in politics, being returned several sessions as a member of the popular
branch of the legislature of Vermont. In 1834, seeking a wider field
of labor and better resources of soil and climate than his own state
afforded, he emigrated to Michigan, then just beginning to attract
considerable attention at the East. He reached the town of Bronson,
now Kalamazoo, in October of the last mentioned year. The town
was then merely a hamlet of not more than twenty houses of all
descriptions, and a population not exceeding 100 souls.
He at once entered upon the practice of his profession, afterwards
associating with himself the late Hon. Charles E. Stuart. The firm
enjoyed a large and lucrative business until the admission of the state
into the union in 1836, when he was appointed by Governor Mason
judge of the 2d judicial circuit, and associate justice of the Supreme
(Jurt, being the first to receive a judicial commission under the constitution of the new state. The 2d judicial circuit at that time comprised all the counties of the state west of Jackson, and the new judge
reached most of his courts on horseback, the only practicable mode
of getting about the country at that early day.
In 1843 Judge Ransom was promoted to the chief justiceship by
Governor Barry, and continued in that position until elected governor
by a majority vote of every county in the state in 1847. He occupied
the gubernatorial position but one term. Differing with the majority
of his party upon the slavery question and taking strong grounds in
his second message in support of the Wilmot proviso, he failed of renomination and was retired to private life. In 1853 he represented
Kalamazoo county in the state legislature, and four years later, after
serious reverses in fortune, emigrated to Kansas, having been




544                MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
appointed receiver of the Osage land office in that territory by President Buchanan.
He died at Fort Scott, Kansas, in November, 1859, in the 63d year
of his age, and his remains were subsequently brought to Kalamazoo,
where they are buried in the Mountain Home cemetery at that place.
Governor Ransom was greatly interested in agricultural pursuits.
The Michigan state agricultural society was organized during his
gubernatorial term, and he was its first president. His farm, at one
time among the finest in western Michigan, is now the site of the best
portion of the city of Kalamazoo. He was among the first to interest
himself in the introduction of blooded stock into the state, and to no
one is the sheep and cattle interest more indebted than to Governor
Ransom, whose flocks and herds were in an early day among the
finest in the West.
In, person Governor Ransom was tall and straight, of robust
physique, and commanding and dignified presence. At all times
approachable and simple in his habits of life he was popular with the
people among whom he lived, and is still remembered by the old citizens of western Michigan with the kindest regard and esteem.
FLETCHER RANSOM,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1845-6, was born in Vermont in 1800. By profession a physician. He came to Kalamazoo,
Michigan, in 1836. He was elected as a Whig to the legislature, but
later was a Democrat. Died June 3, 1867.
JAMES W. RANSOM, 
Representative from Kent county in 1875, was born at Liberty, N. Y.,
May 20, 1829. He was educated at the Wilson collegiate institute, N.
Y., adopting the profession of the law. He removed to Michigan in
1853, taking up his residence in Grand Rapids, of which place he has
been city attorney.
HENRY RAYMOND,
Representative from Bay county in 1859, was born at Woodstock,Vt.
August 29, 1804, his ancestors coming to Massachusetts in 1654. He
received a common school education. He came to Detroit in 1829,
and resided there until 1850, when he removed to Bay City and
engaged in the manufacture of lumber. From 1862 until the close of
the war he was a commissioner on the provost marshal board of the




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


545


6th district. In 1868 he was appointed assessor of that district and
served four years. From 1872 to 1884 he was a resident of southern
California. He is now a resident of Detroit. A Whig until 1854,
since a Republican.
HENRY S. RAYMOND
Was born at Grosse Isle, Mich., February 23, 1838. His father settled
in Detroit more than fifty years ago, removing thence to Grosse Isle,
and then to Trenton, returned to Detroit, and in 1851 moved to Bay
City, where he took up his permanent residence and engaged in the
lumber business, in which Henry assisted. Henry S. held the office ot
postmaster of that city from 1861 until 1870. He entered the army as
second lieutenant 23d Michigan volunteer infantry, becoming captain
the same year, and in 1864 receiving his commission as lieutenant
colonel, being in command of his regiment for a portion of the time
until the mustering out of the same in June, 1865. Returning to Bay
City, engaged in business as a bookseller, stationer, etc., in which he
continued until 1884. Was aide de camp upon the staff of Governor
Jerome, ranking as colonel, and was appointed commissioner of
insurance by Governor Alger, and was reappointed in 1887 by Governor
Luce.
HIRAM RAYMOND
Was born in Cohocton, N. Y., January 4, 1819. His father settled on
a farm in Raisin, Lenawee county, in 1833, where the son commenced
the life of a pioneer. He was supervisor of Raisin two years. In
1868 he removed to Tecumseh, and engaged in the manufacture of
agricultural implements. He was justice in Tecumseh four years,
and was Representative in 1863-4.
MAHLON H. RAYMOND,
Representative from Jackson county in 1879, was born in Sharon,
Mich., June 19, 1836. He received a good education. In 1859 he
graduated from the medical department of the University of Michigan. He removed to Grass Lake and commenced the practice of his
profession. In 1862 he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the
twenty-sixth regiment Michigan volunteers, and in 1863 was promoted to surgeon. He has been a member of the school board for
twelve years, and was chosen president of the village. In politics a
Republican.




546


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


EBENEZER RAYNALE,
Member of the constitutional conventions of 1835 and 1850, and Senator in 1835-6-7, was born in Hartland, Vt., Oct. 21, 1804. He studied
medicine, and received the degree of M. D., in 1826, and shortly
after settled at Franklin, Michigan, and became a successful and distinguished practitioner. He married Eliza Cassidy in 1830. He was
postmaster of Franklin under Jackson. He was the last surviving
member of the first State Senate. He aided in organizing the first
state medical society of Michigan. He settled at Birmingham in 1839,
where he resided until his death, March 24, 1881.  In politics a Democrat.
GILBERT E. READ,
Representative in 1861-2-3-4-5, and Senator in 1877, was born in Ludlow, Vt., May 6, 1822. His father, Rev. Peter Read, was the first
Congregational minister in that town, and its first representative in
the legislature. He received a limited education, commenced teaching at the age of eighteen, and followed it for seven years in winter.
In 1842 he came to Richland, Mich., which has since been his home.
He is a prosperous farmer, and has also been engaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber. He was first a Whig, a Republican since
1854. As a legislator he served on many important committees, and
was the Speaker of the House in 1865. He has served several years as
supervisor, and for three years was chairman of the county board.
He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and for many years
superintendent of its Sabbath school.
GEORGE H. READER,
Representative from Mason county in 1887, was born at Lyme-Regis,
England, Nov. 4, 1853. He came with his parents to the state of New
York in 1854, and with a high school education settled in Mason
county, Mich., in 1874, taught school, worked in a factory, then in a
store, and since 1882 has been a manufacturer of wooden bowls at
Scotsville. In politics a Republican.
ALEXANDER H. REDFIELD
Was born in Manchester, N. Y., Oct. 5, 1805. He was well educated,
spending three years in Hamilton college, and his fourth year in
Union college. He read law with Gen. James Lawrence, of Onon



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.,


547


daga county, N. Y. He was admitted to the Supreme Court of New
York in 1830, removed to Cass county, Michigan, in 1831, and engaged in the practice of law. He and Mr. Sherman were the only
lawyers present at the first court held in 1832 by Judges Sibley and
Woodbridge, under an oak tree near the public square in Cassopolis.
He was interested with Sherman in the site of Cassopolis. He was
the first postmaster in 1837. He was Senator in 1848-9 and 1857-8.
He was a regent of the University of Michigan from 1844 to 1852. In
politics a Democrat.
GEORGE REDFIELD
Was born at Duffield, Conn., Oct. 6, 1796. He received a common
school education and one term in an academy, and at the age of
twenty-five had a fine farm under good cultivation at Clifton Springs,
N. Y. In 1822 he leased his farm and spent four years teaching in
Georgia. In 1826 he returned to his farm, and in 1834 purchased
eight hundred acres of land in Cass county, Michigan, removing
there in 1835. He owned at various times ten thousand acres of
land, cultivating himself eight hundred. In 1841 he was Representative in the legislature; in 1842-3-4, Senator; in 1844, presidential
elector; in 1845-6, state treasurer; in 1850, secretary of state, and the
same year a member of the constitutional convention. Held no office
after 1850. In politics a Democrat. Died in the winter of 1887-8.
HEMAN J. REDFIELD,
Senator from Monroe county in 1875-7, was born in Leroy, N. Y.,
Feb. 25, 1823. He graduated at Canandaigua academy in 1836. His
education was further continued under his father, who was a teacher
and a fine classical scholar. He removed to Cass county in 1850 and
came to Monroe in 1858. His occupation was farming, and at the
same time he was largely engaged in real estate transactions. He
was president of the Monroe board of education seven years, and for
four years was mayor of Monroe. A Democrat in politics.
CHARLES P. REED,
Representative from Muskegon county in 1883, was born in Ingham
county, Mich., July 26, 1844, where he resided until 1861. Enlisted
August 27, 1861, in the 2d Michigan cavalry; re-enlisted in 1864, and
served during the war. Moved from Lyons to Berlin in 1866, and




548


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


from there to Ravenna, Muskegon county, in 1873, where he has
since resided, engaged in milling and lumbering. Has held the offices
of town clerk and supervisor. In politics a Republican.
LUCIEN REED,
Representative from Ingham county in 1865, was born in Moriah, N.
Y., Nov. 22, 1824. By profession a lawyer; politically, first a Republican, now a Prohibitionist. He was clerk of Ingham county in
1861-2. Now engaged in practice at Mason.
MARSHAL REED,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1875, was born in Richmond,
N. Y., Aug. 21, 1833.  He received a common school education,
removed to Michigan in 1855, and settled in Rome, Lenawee county.
He has held the offices of school inspector and justice. His occupation is that of farming. In politics a Republican.
RASSELAS REED,
Representative from Shiawassee county in 1877-79, was born Oct. 8,
1826, at Dryden, N. Y. He removed to Michigan in 1836, and settled
in Vernon, in which township he now resides. He received a common
school education. He has been supervisor of Vernon five terms, and has
held minor township offices. His occupation is farming. In politics
a Republican.
CORNELIUS J. REILLY,
Circuit judge of the third judicial district (Wayne county), was born
in Wisconsin in 1848, received a common school and academical education, came to Detroit in 1867, was admitted to the bar in 1871,
elected judge in 1875, and resigned in 1880, on account of the then
insufficient salary. He was the youngest man ever holding the position. From 1884 to 1887 was in practice in Detroit. He was reelected circuit judge in 1887.
LAWRENCE T. REMER,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1873-4-5, was born in Benton,
N. Y., May 22, 1810. He received an academical education at Ovid,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


549


N. Y. In 1843 he emigrated to Michigan, and settled in the township
of China, afterward changed to East China. He was supervisor of
the town many years. His occupation was that of a farmer. In
politics a Republican. Deceased.
GEORGE B. REMICK,
Representative from Wayne county in 1881-2, was born August 4
1846, in Lincoln, Maine. He removed with his father's family to this
state in 1853, and has been ever since a resident of Detroit. He graduated in the classical department of the State University in 1866, and
in the law department in 1868. He has, however, been in the active
practice of his profession only since 1876. He is also interested in
lumbering operations, having inherited some valuable pine lands
from his father, the late Royal C. Remick, who died in the spring of
1878. In politics a Republican.
JOHN RENO,
Representative from Detroit in 1853, was a native of the then
French province of Lorraine, born in 1807, and became a resident of
Detroit in 1832. He was by trade a tailor, but became a retail grocer
in Detroit many years ago, continuing in the business until his death,
December 8, 1880. He filled at various times the local offices of city
assessor, collector, and member of the board of education. A Demo
crat in politics.
THEODORE RENTZ,
Representative from Wayne county in 1887, was born in Switzerland,
in 1837, and came to Detroit in 1850, attended the public school, and
was subsequently employed as clerk. He then commenced business
for himself and has continued it ever since, with the exception of two
years-1860-62. In 1882 he was elected to the upper house, or board
of councilmen, of the city of Detroit, in 1883 president and acting
mayor of Detroit, term of office expiring in January, 1887. He is
now engaged in general merchandise trade. In politics a Democrat.
He was a delegate to the national convention at Chicago, when Cleveland was nominated for the presidency.
GEORGE RENWICK
Was born in England, October 31, 1789, and came to America with
his father's family in 1802. They settled in Gorham, N. Y. He
60




550


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


attended school in Canandaigua, and taught winters. He learned
the trade of a carpenter, which with farming he followed through
the early part of his life. He was in service during the war of 1812 -15. In 1817 moved to Greece, N. Y., and in 1828 came to Michigan
and located land in Salem, Washtenaw county. He was the first
supervisor and justice, which offices he held several years. He was
a member of the territorial council in 1834-5, and a Representative
in 1839-40-1 and 1847. He was an old line Whig in politics. Died
in June, 1863.
JOHN RENWICK
Was born in Gorham, N. Y., May 2, 1803. He moved with his
father's family in 1817, to Greece, Monroe county, N. Y. Attended
school at Rochester, N. Y., and taught school winters. In 1824 he
married Eliza Pratt, and in 1827 emigrated to Michigan, locating
land in Salem, Washtenaw county. Two years later he sold out and
located in Northfield, Washtenaw county. In 1833 he was elected
the first supervisor, and held that office and that of town clerk for
several years. He was captain of the first militia company organized
in the town. He was Representative in 1850 and 1853. He was in
politics a Whig. Died September 24, 1866.
ASA REYNOLDS
Was born in Schenectady county, N. Y., November 25, 1810. He
removed with his parents to Avon, N. Y., in 1817, remained on
his father's farm until 1834, and taught school in Monroe county, N.
Y. In 1836 he removed to Rose, Michigan, and became a farmer.
He was supervisor ten years; justice of the peace sixteen years; and
in 1855 was a Representative from Oakland county. Of late years he
resided at Fenton. In politics a Democrat.
EDWIN W. REYNOLDS
Was born in Shoreham, Vt., in November, 1820. He was left an
orphan at the age of seven, but with self denial fitted himself for
college, and graduated from the Western Reserve college at Hudson,
Ohio, in 1846. He studied law at Akron, and practiced four years
at Medina, Ohio. His health failing he removed to Mason, Cass
county, Michigan, residing there until his death, October 15, 1863.
He was first a Whig, but became a Republican, and was a Representative in 1859. He was also for many years supervisor of Mason.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


551


JOHN A. RICE,
Representative from Lenawee county, session of 1846, was born in
Cambridge, N. Y., Nov. 29, 1806, and died Nov. 6, 1871. He settled
on a farm in Tekonsha, Calhoun county, in 1836, where he lived until
1842, then removed to Adrian, where, with the exception of two
years, he was connected with the Michigan Southern railroad as ticket
agent, or general baggage agent, during life.
JUSTIN RICE,
Senator from St. Clair county in 1840-1, was born in West Brookfield, Mass., in 1798. A physician by profession. He cameto Detroit
in 1825, and practiced medicine for nine years, when he engaged in
the manufacture of lumber at Port Huron, St. Clair, and Detroit, and
was a pioneer in the lumber business. He died at Detroit in 1854.
He was Indian agent at Mackinac in 1842-3-4. Was an active member and elder of the First Presbyterian church at Detroit. Politically
first a Whig, then a Republican.
HAMPTON RICH,
Senator in 1867-9-70, was born in Sharon, Vt., Dec. 1, 1815. He
removed with his father, first to St. Lawrence county, N. Y., then to
Prescott, Canada. He received a common school and academical education and at the age of nineteen had entire charge of a store at
Kemptville, Canada. He settled at Ionia, Mich., in 1837, now his
home. He was three years a clerk; in mercantile business from 1846
to 1875; was town clerk in 1838, also justice; county clerk two terms;
was director and president of the lonia & Lansing railroad company,
and active in building the line, and secured the railroad shops at Ionia;
superintended the erection of the high school building; and was
active in securing the location of the house of correction, of which he
is a trustee. In politics a Republican.
JOHN T. RICH,
Representative in the legislature from Lapeer county in 1873-4-5-7-9,
Speaker of the House in 1877-9, Senator in 1881, and Representative
in congress from March 11, 1881, to March 4, 1883, was born in Conneautville, Pa., April 23, 1841. He received a common school and
academical education, is a farmer, and in politics a Republican.
When he was five years of age he removed with his parents to Addi



552


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


son county, Vt., and from there to Elba, Mich., in 1848. He was
strongly supported for governor in 1880, and was a leading candidate.
He was defeated as a candidate for a second term to congress. He is
now commissioner of railroads by appointment of Gov. Luce.
GABRIEL RICHARD
Was born at Saintes, France, Oct. 15, 1764, and was a descendant on
his mother's side of Bishop Bossuet. He received a thorough classical and theological education, and in 1791 became a priest of the
order of Sulpitians, a society devoted to the education of young men
for the sanctuary. He came to Baltimore in 1792, and accepted the
charge of the Catholics in Illinois, where he remained six years, coming to Detroit in 1798 as permanent pastor. Detroit and vicinity then
contained about 1,800 Catholics, while many families were scattered
along the lakes and rivers, He at once interested himself zealously
in the causes of religion and education, and commanded the highest
respect of both Catholics and Protestants. He was a profound theologian, a good speaker and mathematician, and a composer of music.
In 1804 he opened a school for the education of young men, and an
academy for ladies in 1805. He brought the first printing press overland from Baltimore, and in August, 1809, issued the first newspaper
west of the Alleghany mountains, the Impartial Observer. The same
year he published the first prayer book. Up to 1812 this was the only
printing establishment in the northwest. In 1812 he was taken
prisoner and confined at Sandwich, where by his eloquence and influence he saved many prisoners from the horrors of Indian torture.
In 1823 he was elected delegate to congress, over Gen. John R. Williams and Maj. John Biddle, and received a large support from the
Protestant population. Through his exertions grants were obtained
for the Fort Gratiot, Pontiac, Grand River, and Chicago roads. He
was defeated as a candidate in 1825. During the progress of the
cholera in 1832 he stood at his post giving consolation to the sick and
dying, until he fell a victim to the disease, September 13, 1832.
WILLIAM P. RICHARDS,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1859, was born in the state
of Vermont in 1815. He came to Michigan in 1837, and settled in
Hillsdale county. By occupation a farmer and lawyer, in politics a
Republican. In 1860 he removed to Morenci, and engaged in mercantile business. Moved to Toledo, Ohio, in 1867, and died in 1882.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


553


DAVID M. RICHARDSON,
Senator from MWayne county in 1873-4, was born Jan. 31, 1826, in
Concord, N. Y. He received his education at the Springville seminary, N. Y. In 1856 he emigrated to Michigan and settledin Detroit,
where he now resides. He was a member of the board of education
in Detroit for two years. He has been extensively engaged in the
manufacture of matches.
GEORGE F. RICHARDSON,
Representative from Ottawa county in 1885, was born in Jamestown,
same county, in 1850. With a common school education he opened a
general store in Jamestown Centre, which he carried on until 1883;
now has a drug store. Has been a justice repeatedly, and four times
town clerk. Elected as a Fusionist.
JOHN H. RICHARDSON,
Senator from Bay and Tuscola counties in 1883, was born at Randolph, Vt., Jan. 24, 1814. He removed to Ipswich, Mass., in 1832,
and for seven years was overseer for a Boston firm, in the manufacture of cotton goods; then for eight years was at Palmer, Mass., as
overseer of the first cambric cotton mill in this country. In 1847
settled at Tuscola, Mich., and engaged in lumbering and farming. In
1861 he enlisted, and was a captain in the 7th Michigan infantry; was
promoted to major in March, 1862, and made lieutenant colonel in
Feb., 1863. Saw much hard service and resigned from ill health.
In 1864, as commissioner, took the soldiers' vote in Alabama. Has
been supervisor fifteen years, and justice eighteen years. In politics
an Independent.
ORIGEN D. RICHARDSON
Was born in the state of Vermont in 1795. He studied law and was
admitted to practice in Vermont. He came to Pontiac, Mich., in
1826, and entered upon practice. He was prosecuting attorney of
Oakland county in 1832; Representative in 1835-6-41; and lieutenant
governor in 1842, 1843, 1844 and 1845. He continued in practice
in Pontiac until 1854, when he removed to Omaha, Nebraska. He
was a member of the first and second sessions of the legislature of
that state, and took a prominent part in framing the laws now on
the statute books. He was one of the three commissioners to codify
the laws of Nebraska. He died Nov. 29, 1876. In politics a Democrat.






554


MIICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


PASCHAL RICHARDSON
Was born in Randolph, Vt., Dec. 29, 1808. He came to Michigan in
1842   In politics was a Democrat and by occupation a tanner.
He was also engaged in lumbering. He was a Representative in 1853
and 1859. He was also postmaster, and served in other town offices
during his residence in Michigan for thirty-five years. He died in
Tuscola, Tuscola county, April 6, 1878.
CHARLES H. RICHMOND,
Senator from Washtenaw county in 1883, was born in Aurora, N. Y.,
March 6, 1821. He received an academical education, and from 1837
to 1839 was book-keeper and teller in a bank at Grand Rapids, Mich.,
when he returned to Aurora from ill health. He was fifteen years
engaged as a farmer and merchant, then chief clerk of the superintendent and Indian agent of Michigan in 1848-9. In 1858 removed to
Ann Arbor, then engaged in banking in New York city, and in 1861
organized and was the first cashier of the first national bank at Ann
Arbor, and afterwards vice president. In politics a Democrat. He
was a delegate in the constitutional convention of 1867, and to the
democratic national convention at Cincinnati.
CHARLES L. RICHMOND,
Representative from Saginaw in 1845, was born in Woodstown, N. J.,
Feb. 6, 1800. He came to Michigan in 1836. Was a merchant at
Saginaw City, and in politics first a Whig, then a Republican. Married Amanda M. Sibley, of Canandaigua, N. Y., in 1828. Died in
Saginaw City, Sept. 6, 1857.
WILLIAM A. RICHMOND
Was born at Aurora, N. Y., Jan. 28, 1808. He was brought up on a
farm, educated at Cayuga academy, was for two years a clerk in
Geneseo, and in 1828 visited Michigan. He was two years clerk in a
New York silk house, and two years in business for himself. In 1836
he settled at Grand Rapids, and with Charles H. Carroll, Lucius Lyon
and John Almy purchased the " Kent plat." In 1836 he was a member of the first convention of assent; in 1838 was appointed receiver
of the Ionia land district; in 1844 and 1845 was Senator; in 1845 became superintendent of Indian affairs under President Polk; and in
1851 was the democratic candidate for lieutenant governor. He was




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


555


twice brigadier general of the state militia, and for several years was
director of the Michigan Southern railroad. In politics a Democrat,
in religion an Episcopalian. He was a man of clear intellect and
sound judgment. Died at Grand Rapids in 1870.
IRA RIDER,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1853, was a native of the
state of New York, born in 1797. He came to Michigan in 1831, and
settled in Salem, where he died Aug. 17, 1868. Was a farmer by
occupation, and a Democrat in politics.
ALMOND B. RIFORD
Was born in Orange county, Vt., Jan 31, 1839. He removed when
young to Middlebury, Ind., was in Hillsdale college four years, and
graduated from the law school at Ann Arbor in 1865. He located at
Benton Harbor, where he was successful in law practice. He was
Representative in 1869-70-1-2, and was postmaster at Benton Harbor
for nearly eight years, until his death, July 10, 1884.  In politics a
Republican.
HENRY H. RILEY,
Senator from St. Joseph county in 1850-1, and 1862, was born at Great
Barrington, Mass., Sept. 1, 1813, and died at Constantine, Mich., Feb. 8,
1888. He received a common school education, and commenced to learn
the trade of a printer at the age of seventeen. In 1837 he became the
editor and publisher of the Seneca Observer at Waterloo, N. Y., where
he remained five years, and studied law. He came to Kalamazoo in
1842, and after six months was admitted to the bar, and began practice at Constantine, always his home. He was four years prosecuting
attorney. In 1873 he was one of the commissioners appointed to
revise the state constitution. In later years he was a trustee of the
insane asylum at Traverse City. For many years he was a contributor
to the old Knickerbocker Magazine, and the " Puddleford papers" first
appeared in that monthly, giving him a national reputation. It was
published in book form by Derby & Jackson, and has lately been
republished by Lee & Shepard, of Boston. These papers were striking and humorous pictures of pioneer life in Michigan. In politics a
Democrat.




556


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


CLAUDE N. RIOPELLE,
Representative from Detroit in 1869-70. is a descendant of a well
known French family, of Detroit, his grandfather having come to
this country with the forces of Lafayette during the revolution. He
was born in Detroit in 1845, was educated and graduated at Notre
Dame university, at South Bend, Ind., studied law, and was admitted
to practice in 1866. He was the first scion of French stock admitted
to the bar in Detroit, and was the youngest Representative during his
term. He is still in active law practice in Detroit.  Politics democratic.
HYACINTHE F. RIOPELLE,
Representative from Wayne county in 1883, was born in Wayne
county, Mich., Aug. 8, 1836, and is a member of a pioneer French
family. He received a common school and commercial college education, and became a teacher. Has been justice since 1863, supervisor
since 1867, and held other local offices. A farmer, and a Democrat.
Resides at Ecorce.
THOMAS C. RIPLEY,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1873-4, was born in the town
of Easton, N. Y., Jan. 2, 1807. He received his education in a common school and commenced the study of law. He completed his
studies with the late Judge Hurlburt of the state Supreme Court, and
afterwards entered into partnership with him. He was a Representative in congress from the Troy district in 1846-7, to fill a vacancy.
In 1854 he removed to Michigan and settled in Saginaw, where he
now resides. His occupation is that of a farmer.
ORANGE RISDON,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1838, was born at Rupert,
Vt., Dec. 28, 1786, and died Nov. 28, 1876. When young removed to
Saratoga county, N. Y., studied surveying, surveyed 100,000 acres of
land in Genesee and Alleghany counties in 1807, and in 1809 helped lay
out the cities of Lockport, Brockport and Buffalo, N. Y. He settled
at Saline, Mich., in 1824. He laid out the state road from Detroit to
Pontiac in 1825, was chief surveyor of the military road from Detroit
to Chicago, and from that time until 1856, in the employ of the
government, surveyed 75 townships in Michigan, and resurveyed 45.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


557


He was postmaster of Saline ten years and justice twelve years. A
the time of his death he was the oldest living Knight Templar in the
United States, having taken that degree in 1q15. He officiated at
the laying of the corner stone of the old capitol at Detroit in 1823,
and was present atrthe laying of the corner stone of the new capitol in
1873. In politics a Democrat.
OEL RIX
Was born at Royalton, Vt., August 1, 1804. He came to Romeo in
1835, and was five years a merchant there; then went to Memphis,
and built and used a saw and grist mill. He afterwards returned to
Romeo, thence back to Memphis. He was a Representative in 1843-4
and Senator in 1846-7. In politics a Democrat. He built the first
house in the village of Memphis. Died September 8, 1880.
RICHARD B. ROBBINS,
Senator from Lenawee county in 1879, was born at Kingwood, N. J.,
April 27, 1831. He was admitted to the bar of Lenawee county in
1859. In] 1862 he received a commission as second lieutenant, and
raised a company for the fourth Michigan cavalry. He was gradually promoted and finally was brevetted lieutenant colonel, U. S.
volunteers, March 13, 1865, "for gallant and meritorious services."
He was mustered-out July 20, 1865. He served three terms as justice
in Adrian, and one term as mayor. He was chairman of the republican county committee for four years. He was elected to the House
of Representatives for 1875 and 1877. In politics a Republican. Has
served several years as consul in Canada.
ELIJAH J. ROBERTS,
Representative from Keweenaw county in 1850, and Senator in 1851,
was by profession a lawyer, and was in earlier life in professional
practice at Detroit. He was master in chancery in 1839; justice in
1835-6; publisher of the Craftsman in 1838; merged it in the Morning
Post and Craftsman in 1839 and 1840; school inspector, 1842; and
adjutant general of Michigan, 1842 to 1844. He went to the upper
peninsula in 1847. Died April 26, 1851.
JOHN ROBERTS,
Senator in 1857-8, was born in Warwick, Bucks county, Pa., March
17, 1812. He came to Jonesville in 1840, and located at Hastings in
61




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


1845. By profession a physician and surgeon, in politics, first Whig,
then a Republican. He was postmaster of Hastings from 1847 to
1851, and again from 1869 to 1876. He was appointed examining
surgeon for Barry county at the close of the war, and held it until
his death, December 18, 1886.
ALEXANDER ROBERTSON,
Representative from Cass county in 1873-4, was born March 3, 1826,
in Argyle, N. Y. In 1835 he removed to Spafford, N. Y. He received
a high school education. In 1854 he removed to Michigan, and
settled in Pokagon, Cass county, where he still resides. He has
served in several offices of trust in his town and county. By occupation a farmer.
ANDREW S. ROBERTSON,
Senator from Macomb county in 1863, was born in Brumley, England,
August 12, 1822, and was educated at the University of Glasgow.
He came with his parents to this country in 1836, who settled at
White Lake, Michigan. The son became a teacher in Oakland and
Macomb counties, studied law, was admitted in 1846, and commenced
practice at Mt. Clemens. He was a delegate in the constitutional
convention of 1850, Died while Senator in 1863, and a fitting eulogy
was delivered by Gov. Croswell, then a Senator, December 20, 1864.
In politics a Democrat.
GEORGE ROBERTSON,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1879-81-2, was born in Dryden, N. Y., March 20, 1826. He came to Albion, Mich., with his
parents in 1837, and was educated in public schools and Albion seminary. Since 1850, has been a farmer at South Albion. A Democrat
until 1872, since a Republican.
ELISHA S. ROBINSON,
Delegate in the constitutional convention of 1850, was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., March 2, 1801. He received a limited education
and learned the trade of a tanner, which he followed, combined with
harness and shoe making, for years. Settled as a farmer in Waterloo, Mich., in 1843. He was a supervisor for seventeen years, justice
twelve years, and held other offices. In politics a Democrat.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


559,GEORGE J. ROBINSON,
Representative from Alpena and other counties in 1883, was born in
Detroit, Mich., February 3, 1l38, and was educated in the public
schools. He has been engaged in mechanical, commercial and speculative pursuits; and was a commissary clerk during Sherman's
march to the sea. He was a Republican until 1876, now a Democrat.
Residence, Alpena.
GEORGE P. ROBINSON,
Representative from Branch county in 1875, was born June 7, 1827,
at Swanton, Vt. Received a common school education and removed
to Noble, Michigan, in 1863. He has held the office of supervisor,
and is by occupation a farmer. In politics a Republican.
JAMES W. ROBINSON,
Representative from Montcalm county in 1887, was born near Port
Huron, Mich., Sept. 11, 1854. He attended public schools, and at the
age of twenty-one was clerk of Jonesfield, Saginaw county. He has
been supervisor, and superintendent of schools, and later became a
merchant and shingle manufacturer at Vestaburg, and has been
supervisor there four terms. In politics a Fusionist.
RIX ROBINSON,
Senator from Kent and attached counties in 1846-7-8-9, was born in
Cayuga county, N. Y., in 1792, and died in 1875. He became an
Indian trader in the Grand river valley in 1821, and was the first
white settler in Kent county. He established several trading posts,
the central one at Ada, where he died. When lands were opened for
settlement he became a farmer. In 1887 a monument was erected to
his memory in Ada. He was supervisor; associate judge; delegate
in the constitutional convention of 1850; and commissioner of internal improvements in 1846. In politics a Democrat.
ROBERT ROBINSON,
Representative in 1887 from Muskegon county, was born in Scotland,
May 7, 1830. He came to this state in 1849, and was several years
an employe in the lumber business in Saginaw county. Then until
1857 was a sawyer and log-scaler at Muskegon. Has been supervisor,
justice, and held other local offices. In politics a Republican.




560


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


SOLON E. ROBINSON,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1873-4, was born in Clarendon, N. Y., Aug. 17, 1820. He received a common school education.
In 1842 he emigrated to Tekonsha, Calhoun county. In 1854 he removed to Battle Creek, and in 1867 to Eckford, where he now resides.
He has been honored with several official positions in his town and
county. His occupation is that of a farmer.
WALTER ROBINSON
Was born in Macedon, N. Y., Dec. 17, 1818. He worked on the farm
until fourteen years of age, then was clerk in a store for four years,
and clerk in the Erie canal collector's office for five years. He came
to Adrian in 1846, was engaged in livery and staging for eight years,
and then was a merchant for four years. Since that time he has been
farming. He was deputy provost marshal during the war, and for
one year deputy revenue collector. In 1867 he was a Representative.
Politically a Republican.
ANDREW    ROBISON
Was born in Phelps, N. Y., Nov. 18, 1800. He was apprenticed to the
tanner's trade at Palmyra, N. Y. In 1822 he was married to Gertrude
hloag. Came to Michigan in 1841 and purchased a farm in Sharon,
Washtenaw county. He filled various offices of public trust; was
Representative in 1859; for several years justice and supervisor; and
was appointed in 1864 one of the receivers of soldiers' votes in the
south. He was a man of pronounced views on all leading subjects.
In politics he was a Democrat until 1854. He assisted in the formation of the republican party, of which he remained a member to
the close of his life. Died Jan. 27, 1879.
JOHN J. ROBISON,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1879, was born in Phelps,
N. Y., Aug. 13, 1824. He received a common school education, removing to Michigan in 1843, settling in Sharon. Occupation, a farmer. He served as State Senator in 1863-4; was county clerk in
1868, and again in 1870; delegate to the democratic national convention in 1872; supervisor several terms. He has twice been nominated
for congress in the second district. Politics, democratic. Now
county clerk of Washtenaw county.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


561


CHANDLER H. ROCKWVOOD
Was born in York, N. Y., May 17, 1825. He received an academical
education, worked on a farm, and for two years at making fanning
mills. He settled in Flint in 1848, and engaged in the manufacture
of fanning mills. He purchased a farm, and since 1856 has lived in
the town of Genesee. He was supervisor thirteen years; a Representative from Genesee county in 1867; was assistant assessor of
internal revenue for Genesee, Shiawassee and Clinton counties from
1871 to 1873; deputy collector for eighteen months; and county
treasurer from 1880 to 1885. In politics a Republican.
JEREMIAH M. ROGERS,
Representative from Barry county in 1887, was born in Hector, N.
Y., March 17, 1832. He came to Michigan with his parents in 1836,
settling at Carlton, Barry county, where he has since resided, with
the exception of three years in Nebraska. He has been engaged in
farming and stock buying principally, and three years ago began,
in addition, buying grain and farm products and selling agricultural
implements at Hastings. In politics a Republican.
JAMES W. ROMEYN,
Representative in 1869-70, and Senator in 1871-2 and 1883, was born
in Detroit in 1839. He graduated at Columbia college, N. Y., in
1858, studied law, and was admitted to practice in 1860. He was
senior aid of the staff of the general commanding the 1st division,
9th army corps, with a commission in the 4th Michigan infantry.
He also held in this state the rank of major and colonel. In politics
a Democrat. Now consul in Chili.
HORACE D. ROOD,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1871-2, was born in Barre, Vt.,
Dec. 13, 1819. He settled as a farmer in Lapeer county, Michigan, in
1836. He was treasurer of the township of Lapeer as far back as 1842,
has been supervisor of Lapeer and of Mayfield, road commissioner,
and a superintendent of the county poor for twenty years. In politics,
a Democrat.
ALBERT K. ROOF,
Senator from Clinton and Ionia counties in 1887, was born at Lyons,
Michigan, April 6, 1841. By profession, an attorney at law. He is a




562


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


graduate of the law department of the State University, at Ann
Arbor. He has held the office of township treasurer, justice, register
of deeds, was chairman of the board of supervisors in 1878 and 1886,
and Representative in the legislature in 1871-2. He was elected on
the fusion ticket by a vote of 6,763 to 6.688 for Alfred H. Smith, republican, and 935 for James S. Osgood, prohibitionist.
ADAM L. ROOF,
Representative from Ionia county in 1845-9-50, and Senator in 1852,
was born at Canajoharie, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1810. He graduated at
Hamilton college, in 1832, was admitted to the bar in 1836, and settled in
practice at Lyons, Mich., in 1836. He held the offices of register of deeds,
prosecuting attorney, and judge of probate. In 1859 he retired from
practice and devoted himself to farming. He was the first lawyer in
Ionia county. In politics a Democrat.  Education, temperance,
morality and religion received his support, and he was a strong man
in the early days of the Grand River Valley. Died Jan. 26, 1885.
JOHN ROOST
Was born Oct. 9, 1823, in Harderwyk, Netherlands. He emigrated
to this country in 1847, locating in Ottawa county, then a part of
Kent. He followed his trade as a wagon-maker.   He removed to
Holland in 1854, and was supervisor in 1858-59-60. The " Holland
colony " in 1859 appointed Mr. Roost financial agent to negotiate a
loan of $30,000 to open a harbor, connecting Black river and Lake
Michigan, which he accomplished in the east, Gerrit Smith being the
first one to invest in the bonds. Soon after he secured 11,000 acres of
swamp land from the state for the same purpose. In 1860 he established "De Grondwet," a Holland republican paper, which had great
influence in politics. In 1861 he became postmaster, and in 1862 U.
S. enrolling officer and assistant assessor. In 1871-2 he was a Representative, and in 1883 a Senator. A Republican until 1876, then a
Democrat. Died May 31, 1885.
AMOS ROOT
Was born at Fort Ann, N. Y., April 8, 1816. With a common school
education, at the age of sixteen, he became a clerk at Mohawk, N. Y.,
where he remained six years. He came to Michigan in 1838, and
commenced business at Michigan Center. In 1841 removed to Jackson, which has since been his home. For sixteen years was a mer



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY. 


563


chant, when he sold out and operated in lands and city property.
He also did much hard work to make Jackson a prominent railroad
center. He was efficient in building the branch of the Michigan
Southern from Jackson to Adrian. He was also one of the main supporters of the Grand River Valley road, from Jackson to Grand Rapids,
and was president of the company for many years. He was Representative in 1853; for many years a trustee of the village, alderman of
the city of Jackson; mayor in 1860, postmaster from 1861 to 1865,
member and president of the board of public works, and nine years
inspector of the state prison. First a Whig. from 1848 to 1854 a Free
Soiler, since a Republican.
ROLAND ROOT,
Representative from Branch county in 1850-51, was born in Onondaga
county, N.Y., Dec. 25, 1813. He received a district school education.
taught school, and at the age of eighteen became clerk in a store at
Norwalk, Ohio. His employer, Judge Baker, sent him to examine
property he had purchased in Branch county. He reported favorably,
and was entrusted with $1,600 worth of goods and opened a store in
1835 at Coldwater. He was for a long time the leading merchant of
Branch county. He also built and operated a large flouring mill. In
1861 he enlisted in the celebrated Loomis battery, and became first
lieutenant in October, 1861, but was obliged to resign from ill health
in 1862. Married Harriet Chapin in 1837, and his wife and eight children survive him. Died Aug. 11, 1885.
ROSWELL ROOT,
Representative from Wayne county in 1841, was born in New Hampshire in 1780, and settled in the township of Plymouth in 1825, locating land upon which he lived until his death in 1873. He was justice
from 1826 to 1842, and postmaster of Borodino postoffice 1826 to 1860,
when the office was discontinued. Was also supervisor for several
terms. He was Whig and Republican in politics.
WILLIAM W. ROOT,
Representative from Ingham county in 1881-2, was born in Cato, N.
Y., June 28, 1837. He received a common school and academical
education. He studied medicine, graduated as a physician from the
Michigan University in 1862, became assistant surgeon of the 75th N,




564


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Y. volunteers, afterwards surgeon, served until the close of the war,
and was executive officer of the 19th army corps hospital during
Sheridan's campaign in the Shenandoah valley. Afterwards attended
and received a degree at Bellevue hospital college. Settled in practice at Mason, Mich., in 1866, and has held several terms as supervisor, served many years on the board of education, and been four
years president of the county agricultural society.  In politics a
Republican, now a Prohibitionist.
ASA D. RORK,
Representative from Barry county in 1877, was born Feb. 29, 1832, at
Sheridan, N. Y. His parents removing to Wisconsin in 1841, he
resided in that state until 1843, in which year they came to Rutland,
Mich., where he has since continued to reside. He received a common school education, taught school several terms, and entered the
state normal school in 1854, but on account of the death of his father
left school to take charge of his business. He has held various county
and township offices, including that of supervisor for five terms,
county surveyor four years, and county treasurer four years. His
occupation is farming, in politics a Republican.
DAVID G. ROSE,
Senator from Washtenaw county in 1881-2, was born in Sharon,
Conn., Jan. 24, 1826. His parents removed to Sharon in 1833, where
he still resides. He received a common school education. Has held
several township offices-school inspector, justice of the peace, and
supervisor. He is a Democrat.
ELIAS O. ROSE,
Representative from Mecosta and other counties in 1873-4, was born
at Independence, O., Oct. 13, 1838, and was educated at Hillsdale
college. He studied law and was admitted in 1859. Lived at Steuben,
Ind., two years, then enlisted in the 44th Indiana, became a lieuten-;ant, in 1862 was wounded and resigned. lie removed to Big Rapids
in 1863; was prosecuting attorney four years, and was a supervisor
-and chairman of the board four years. He started the Big Rapids
Independent in 1870, afterwards the Magnet. In politics a Republican.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


565


JOHN ROBERTSON,
Adjutant General of Michigan from March 14, 1861, until his death at
Detroit, March 19, 1887, was born at Banffshire, Scotland, Jan. 2,
1814; was well educated; became a clerk in the Edinburgh postoffice;
came to this country in 1833; enlisted in the army and served
until 1840; went into business at Detroit; and was appointed a lieutenant of state troops in 1855. To his zeal and energy is due the history
of the "Flags of Michigan," the "Roll of Honor," deposited in the
state library, "Michigan in the War," and other works. To his efficiency and zeal the state of Michigan is greatly indebted, especially
from 1861 to 1865.
WILLIAM- H. ROSE,
Representative from Clinton county in 1881-2-3, was born in Clinton
county, Mich, July 24, 1844. He received a business education, and
when eighteen years of age, entered the union army. He commenced active business as an agriculturist, in connection with lumbering and real estate transactions, in which business he has been
successful. He has held various official positions of his township.
He is still owning and residing on the farm where he was born,
which was located by his father in 1836. In politics a Republican.
GILES ROSS,
Representative from Livingston county in 1871-2-7, was born in
Dover, N. Y., March 23, 1816. His education was acquired in district schools. In 1826 he removed to Cayuga county, N. Y., where
in 1846 he was a justice. He was appointed collector of canal tolls at
Montezuma, N. Y., for two terms. In 1862 he removed to Hartland,
Mich. In 1863 he was elected supervisor. He is a farmer by occupation. In politics a Democrat.
JOHN D. ROSS,
Representative from Berrien county in 1854, came from Indiana in
1834, and settled on the present site of Buchanan, Mich., where he
resided until his death in 1888. He was for many years a merchant,
and in 1864 became a banker. He was president of the village of
Buchanan in 1859, 1861-2-3, and 1879, also a member of the common
council, and was a prominent citizen. In politics a Democrat. He
was the first postmaster from 1848 to 1852.
62




566


MItCHIGA.N BIOGRAPHY.


FRANK G. ROUNSVILLE,
Representative from Livingston county in 1887, was born in Unadilla,
Livingston county, Feb. 18, 1848, has been a resident of Michigan all
his life, except during the years from 1854 to 1862. By occupation
he is a farmer and grain dealer. Mr. Rounsville has filled the offices
of clerk three years, trustee two years of the village of Fowlerville,
president four years, and supervisor of township two years.  In
politics a Republican.
SAMUEL H. ROW
Was born in Sharon, Mich., March 10, 1840. The first twenty years
of his life were spent on his father's farm. At the age of twenty-one
he was elected school inspector. In August, 1862, he left the Ypsilanti union seminary, and enlisted in company "B," twentieth
Michigan infantry, and rose from the ranks to first lieutenant. Having resigned his commission in 1863, he removed to Lansing in 1864,
and accepted a clerkship in the state department. In April, 1867, he
was appointed deputy secretary of state, which position he held until
April, 1871, when he resigned to accept the position of commissioner
of insurance. To that position he was re-appointed by Governors
Bagley, Croswell and Jerome. Since his residence in Lansing he has
served as president of the young men's society, for three years as a
member of the city board of education, and as alderman. Is now in
the insurance business.
SQUIRE W. ROWE,
Representative from Oakland county in 1865, was born at Camillus,
N. Y., June 1, 1815. He settled as a farmer in Highland, Mich., in
1835, locating twenty-five miles from a grist mill or postoffice. He
was many years supervisor, and raised a company for the 13th Michigan, but ill health prevented active service. Died Nov. 19, 1866.
DAVID H. ROWLAND,
Born in Fairfield county, Conn., May 10, 1798, came to Michigan in
the fall of 1833; was by occupation a merchant, and in politics a
Democrat. He was for a time a teacher, also a local Methodist Episcopal minister, and a man of strict integrity. He was Representative in 1843-4. Died June 11, 1860.




MICHIGAN BIO6RAPH Y.


567


THOMAS ROWLAND,
Secretary of State, 1840 to 1842, was a native of Ohio, and served as
a major of infantry under General Hull in 1813-14. He was secretary of the territory; United States marshal for the Detroit district;
postmaster of Detroit under President Harrison, 1843 to 1845; and secretary of state under Governor Woodbridke. He was a man of culture and highly esteemed. A paper of his on " Hull's Campaign,"
read before the Detroit lyceum in 1819, has been quoted with comnmendation. He was secretary of the corporation of Detroit from 1815
to 1820, and his private seal was made the seal of the corporation;
was clerk of the county court from 1815 to 1820; United States pension agent, 1824 to 1831; probate judge of Wayne county, 1833-4;
editor of the Detroit Journal from 1832 to 1834; vice president of the
Michigan historical society, and held many other positions. He was
a leading citizen of the territory and state for more than half a century. Died at Detroit in 1848.
HARVEY B. ROWLSON,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1869, was born at Duanesburg, N. Y., July 15, 1825. He received a common school education,
and in 1843 spent several months in the printing office of the Adrian
News, which in 1844 was removed to Hillsdale, and became the Hillsdale Gazette. In 1846, with S. D. Clark, started the Hillsdale T higStandard, and in 1851 became sole proprietor, and has been editor
and proprietor ever since, the paper now being the Hillsdale Standard.
He has been eight years county treasurer, was collector of internal
revenue for first district in 1869 to 1873, and of third district 1873 to
1883, and in 1885 was appointed member of the board of control of the
state reform school for six years. Politically a Whig until 1864, since
a Republican.
JOHN V. RUEHLE
Was born at Langensteinbach, Baden, Germany, Sept 4, 1812. He
attended school until 14, then learned the trade of a baker. He emigrated with his parents to Detroit in 1832. He was captain of the
Scott guards of Detroit fr6m 1841 to 1846; Representative in 1844;
alderman of the 6th ward, Detroit, in 1840 and 1841; water commissioner 1859 to 1861; greenback nominee for congress in 1876; boulevard
commissioner of Hamtramck in 1880. In 1847 Michigan furnished a
regiment of volunteers for the war with Mexico, which went out
under Colonel Stockton. A. S. Williams was lieut. col.; J. V. Ruehle,




568


3IICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


major; and J. E. Pittman, adjutant. Theregiment was mustered out
in 1858, having seen little service before the close of the war. In 1861
he became lieut. colonel of the 16th Michigan infantry, but after
eight months' service resigned and was honorably discharged. In
politics a Democrat.
JOIHN G. RUMMELL,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1883, was born in Bavaria,
Germany, April 13, 1843, and came to this country with his parents
in 1851. when they settled in Frankenmuth, Mich. He received a
common school education. and has since resided there, except two
years in Illinois, working at his trade as carpenter. He has been
engaged in farming for many years. He has held the office of justice
Seven years, and the office of school inspector three terms, and has
been secretary of the German relief society for ten years. In politics
a Democrat.
MARSHALL E. RUMSEY,
Representative from the second district of lngham county, was born
in Bethany, N. Y., Jan 17, 1840. He received his education at the
academy in Bethany Center, and at the high school in Geneseo, Livingston county, N. Y.; worked at farming during the summers and
taught school winters, from 1857 to 1862. In 1862 he removed to
Illinois, doing business in Chicago most of the time until 1867, when
he came to Leslie, Michigan, where he has engaged in farming, lumbering, real estate business, and banking; was for several years a
member of the village council and twelve years member of the school
board; was elected president of the first national bank of Leslie in
August. 1883, which position he now holds. He was elected Representative from the second district of Ingham county, on the republican ticket, for 1885-6, and re-elected in 1886 to the same position for
1887-8. He received 2,111 votes to James H. Shafer 2,009. and 386 for
R. H. Davis, prohibitionist. During both sessions he was chairman
of the committee of ways and means.
HIRAM D. RUNYAN
Was born in New Jersey, October 10, 1827. He came with his father
to Michigan in 1834, who settled on a farm near Utica, but soon sold
out, and removing to Utica, engaged in brick making. On the death
of his wife his children were placed among strangers, and the subject




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


569


of this sketch went to live with a farmer in Disco, with whom he
remained until he was tweity-three. He has followed farming as an
occupation. He was Representative in 1871-2, and has held several
positions of trust.
PHILIP E. RUNYAN,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1844, was born in the state
of New Jersey, July 14, 1799. By occupation a farmer, in politics a
Democrat. He removed from the state of New York to White Pigeon,
in 1835. Was supervisor and town clerk of White Pigeon. Died
June 24, 1845.
FREDERICK J. RUSSELL
Was born at Orion, Mich., October 7, 1841, and removed to Oceana
county with his parents in 1857. Was educated at common schools,
with two terms at the Normal school. He was admitted to the bar in
1866, and commenced practice. He has served both as United States
and circuit court commissioner, was nine years judge of probate, and
has been judge of the 14th circuit since 1881. Is also interested in
stock raising, agriculture and banking.
HENRY C. RUSSELL,
Senator from Kent county in 1881-2, was born in Plainfield, Mich., in
1842. He received a common school education, resided in Grand
Rapids several years, became a merchant in 1864 at Cedar Springs,
and afterwards a druggist. Has also been extensively engaged in
lumbering in Lake county, and in banking and farming. Has been
a supervisor, town treasurer and president of the village.
JAMES I. RUSSELL,
Representative from Monroe county in 1848, was a farmer and a
Democrat. He held many offices of trust in the town of Summerfield,
Monroe county.
JOSIAH RUSSELL,
Senator from Montcalm and other counties in 1853, was born in
Neary, Maine, April 25, 1804. He settled in Oakland county, Mich.,
in 1835, removed to Ionia county in 1842, and in 1845 to Greenville,




570


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


where he was elected county judge, and opened the first court of
record in Montcalm county. He became a resident of Oceana county
in 1859, and was probate judge, county surveyor, and several times
supervisor. Died at Hart, Mich., April 25, 1874.
DAVID SACKETT,
Representative from Wayne county in 1850, was a farmer by occupation and a Democrat in politics, born in Steuben county, N. Y., in
1817. He came to Michigan in 1831, settling in Redford, where he
died July 2, 1880.' He was supervisor 1852-56, county auditor 1857-60,
and county drain commissioner in 1866. Also held the office of
justice and other local positions.
GEORGE W. SACKRIDER,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1877, was born near Grass
Lake, Mich., September 8, 1842, and received a liberal education at the
district and union school of that township. In 1867 he removed to
Mason, and engaged in the furniture and lumber trade, and held the
offices of township clerk and under-sheriff. He removed to Oakley,
Saginaw county, September, 1871, and engaged in lumbering, farming and general merchandising. He has held the office of supervisor
of Brady. In politics a Democrat.
NATHAN SALYER
Was born in Hopewell, N. J., March 15, 1804. In 1832 he removed to
Romulus, N. Y., and was there engaged in various pursuits, among
them farming and carriage making. He also held various public
offices. He married in 1837, and in 1839 removed to Northfield,
Mich., where he engaged in farming. He was supervisor in 1846 and
1847, and a Representative in 1849. In politics a Whig.
CUMMINGS SANBORN,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1842, was born at North
Haverhill, N. H., January 15, 1799. In politics a Democrat, in business a lumberman. He came to Michigan as early as 1835, and was
a prominent business man. Was postmaster of Port Huron in 1846.
Died September 17, 1852.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


571


JAMES W. SANBORN
Was born at Falmouth, Maine, in April, 1813. He was the son of a
physician, one of eleven children. He was in early life a sailor and
often crossed the Atlantic. He left the sea at the age of twenty-one,
and came to Port Huron in 1835, in company with Abner Coburn,
since governor of Maine; Charles Merrill, late of Detroit; and Joseph
L. Kelsey. Together they located 25,000 acres of land in St. Clair
and Sanilac counties, and Mr. Sanborn, at the age of twenty-two,was
left in charge of the purchase. In 1836 he established himself at
Metamora, Lapeer county. In 1840 and 1846 he was Representative in
the legislature from Lapeer county, and in 1855 from St. Clair county.
In 1847 he engaged in the dry goods and lumber business at Port
Huron, with Alvah Sweetzer, the partnership being dissolved by the
death of the latter in 1864. He had large lumber interests on the
Muskegon and its tributaries, the Au Sable, Thunder Bay river, Pine
river, on the Cheboygan, and in the upper peninsula. He also
owned real estate and personal property in Port Huron and Fort
Gratiot. In 1858 he was elected commissioner of the state land office
and held the office for two terms. He was first a Whig, and was one
of the founders of the republican party at Jackson, in 1854. He died
at Port Huron several years since.
WILLIAM SANBORN,
Senator from St. Clair county in 1867, was born in Belgrade, Maine,
November 2, 1834, and died -at San Diego, California, June 23, 1876.
By occupation a lumberman, in politics a RepuLlican.  He was
deputy commissioner of the state land office from 1859 to 1861. He
was commissioned major of the 22d Michigan infantry, August 8,
1862; lieutenant colonel, January 5, 1863; wounded in action at Chickamauga, Tenn.. September 20, 1863. Discharged for disability June
7, 1864. Brevet colonel U. S. volunteers, March 13, 1865, "for conspicuous gallantry at the battle of Chickamauga, Tenn." Brevet
brigadier general U. S. volunteers, March 13, 1865, "for conspicuous
gallantry and meritorious services during the war." His residence
was at Port Huron for many years.
RUDOLPHUS SANDERSON
Was born in Milton, Chittenden county, Vt., May 30, 1815. He was
brought up on a farm and received a common school education. He
was first a clerk then a merchant in Milton, Vt., and served two




572


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


terms in 1849 and 1850 in the Vermont legislature. On coming to
Michigan he purchased a farm in Newton, Calhoun county, where
he resided twenty-one years, afterwards moving to Battle Creek. He
was supervisor of Newton for nine years, also alderman of Battle
Creek. He was a Representative in l165, also in 1873-4. At first a
Whig, since 1854 a Republican.
GEORGE P. SANFORD,
Representative from Ingham county in 1869-70, was born at Byron,
N. Y., July 6, 1835, and came with his parents to Saline, Mich., in
1837. He worked at farming, learned the trade of a carpenter, and
taught school. Graduated at the Normal in 1856, and from the University in 1861. The same year entered the service as captain in the
1st Mich. infantry, resigning from ill health in 1862. In 1864 became
paymaster, with rank of major. Resigned in 1866 and was brevetted
lieutenant colonel. Since resided at Lansing. Was a Republican
until 1872, since a Democrat. Owned and edited the Lansing Journal
from 1872 to 1883; four years member of board of education and one
year president; democratic candidate for regent in 1879, and for
auditor general in 1884; postmaster, memb3r democratic state committee, president state press association, and of the alumni of the
State University.
HARRY SAUNDERS,'
Representative from Wayne county in 1839-44, was born at Whitehall, N. Y., in 1802. He removed to Michigan with his family in
1832, locating in Monguagon, where he continued to reside until his
death in 1872. He filled the office of supervisor for several terms,
and was county auditor, 1849-52. He was a prominent officer of
militia in New York before coming to Michigan, and in Michigan
began with a captaincy, and was advanced by promotions to the rank
of brigadier general. A farmer by occupation, a Democrat in politics.
ANDREW J. SAWYER,
Representative from Washtenaw countyin 1877-79, was born in Caroline, N. Y.,Nov. 18,1834. He received an academical education, and
engaged in teaching from the age of eighteen to twenty-five. He
removed to Michigan in 1857; was admitted to the bar in 1860, and
has devoted himself exclusively to the practice of his profession. He




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


57*i3


has held various township offices. In politics a Republican. Now in
practice at Ann Arbor.
FRANKLIN SAWYER, JR.,
A graduate of Harvard University, came to Michigan about 1830,
and studied law with Gen. Charles Lamed. He was for a short time
a law partner of Hon. Jacob M. Howard. He practiced but a few
years. He was an editor of the Detroit Courier, and afterwards an
editor and one of the proprietors of the Detroit Daily Advertiser.
He was one of the founders of the Detroit young men's society, and
its first president. He had literary taste and was a brilliant, forcible
writer, and withal a man of public spirit. He was appointed by Gov.
Gordon superintendent of public instruction, and held the office from
April 8,1841, to May 8,1843. He gave his whole energy to the work,
with important results to education. Soon after leaving office he
went to New Orleans and was there several years superintendent of
public instruction. He finally went back to his old home in Massachusetts, and died many years since.
JACOB C. SAWYER,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1877, was born Dec. 26, 1822,
in Manchester, N. Y.; removed to Ashtabula county, Ohio; was
admitted to practice law in that state in 1848; removed to Lenawee
county, this state, in 1853, and engaged in farming in the township
of Medina; is a graduate of the law department of the University of
Michigan of the class of 1861; was a member of the constitutional
convention of 1867.
PETER SCHARS
Was born in Germany, October 24, 1812. Occupation a farmer. He
came to Michigan in 1853 and resides at New Baltimore, Macomb
county. In politics a Republican. He was a Representative in
1865-7.
CASPER F. SCHATTLER,
Representative from Macomb county in 1875, was born in Germany
in 1838, and received an academical education. He removed to Michigan in 1848, and settled in Wayne county. He has held the office of
justice, and other positions of trust. He is a farmer. In politics a
Democrat.
63




514:


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


BARTHOL. W. SCHERMERHORN
Was born in Schenectady, N. Y., Dec. 7,1823. He came to Michigan
in 1851, lived at Niles one year, removed to Cass county, and now
resides at Dowagiac. He followed at first the occupation of a farmer,
and held many official positions. He was alderman of his native
town, twelve years supervisor, justice sixteen years, two years president of Dowagiac, sheriff of Cass county, and Representative in 1857.
In politics a Democrat.
HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT
Was born in Albany, N. Y., March 28, 1793, and was educated at
Middlebury college. In 1817 he visited the west and published "A
view of the lead mines of Missouri." In 1820 was geologist of the
exploring expedition, under Gen. Cass, to Lake Superior and the
head of the Mississippi, and published a report in 1821, and the next
year made a second tour and published his travels in the Mississippi
valley. In 1822 was appointed Indian agent for the northwest; from
1828 to 1832 was a member of the Michigan territorial council; in 1822
founded the Michigan historical society at Detroit; and in 1831 the
Algic society. In 1832 discovered the source of the Mississippi; in 1834
made an Indian treaty that secured 16,000,000 acres. In 1841 removed
to New York city and published valuable works for the state of New
York, and for the general government, his various works numbering
thirty-one. He was also a fine poet. He died at Washington, Dec.
10, 1864.
JOHN E. SCHWARZ
'Was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1799. He received a finished scientific education, part of which was military. His first years in America
were spent in Philadelphia. He came to Michigan in 1828, having
business connections with John Jacob Astor in the northwestern fur
trade, which took him to the distributing points for that trade, and
familiarized him with the language and customs of the Indians. He
held the office of adjutant general of the territorial militia in 1831,
and the same office under the state government 1836-9, and 1844 to
1855. Gen. Schwarz's chief civil positions were as a member of the
"second convention of assent" in 1836, Representative in 1844, and
Senator in 1847-8. In 1852 he purchased a considerable tract of land
and platted what is now the village of Schwarzburg, in Wayne county,
where he built a family residence, which continued the home of the
family until the death of Mrs. Schwarz, in 1879. During his later




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


575


years. Gen. Schwarz lived the life of a retired farmer until his death
in February, 1858. He was buried at Detroit with marked civic and
military honors. In politics, democratic.
JOHN SCOTT,
Representative from Detroit, session 1842, was born in Peterboro, N.
H., in 1798, and came to Detroit in 1829. He was a mason and
builder, and built the old city hall and market in Detroit in 1834. He
subsequently became a wholesale grocer. He held at various times
the local offices of city assessor, city marshal, and alderman. Was a
Democrat in politics. Died in 1846.
SAMUEL M. SCOTT,
Representative from Clinton county in 1846-8-50, was born at Stoddard. N. H., June 29, 1814. He was a resident of Keene, N.Y., from
1815 to 1838, then coming to Michigan. He settled in the town of
Essex, Clinton county, in 1841, and died in 1850. He held the offices
of sheriff, county clerk, and register of deeds. He was also in early
life a teacher, both in New York and this state.
WINFIELD SCOTT,
Representative from Wayne county in 1873-4, was born September
22, 1819, in the town of Ovid, N. Y. He was educated at the Ovid
academy. In 1842 he emigrated to Michigan and settled in Fairfield,
Lenawee county. In 1845 he removed to the village of Plymouth,
where he now resides. He was supervisor, and held other responsible
offices. By occupation a farmer.
GEORGE SEDGWICK
Was born in Great Barrington, Mass., and came to Ann Arbor, as a
lawyer, about 1835. He was judge of probate of Washtenaw county
from 1840 to 1844, and was a Representative in 1850. He was a
brainy lawyer, active and industrious, and as a man stood high in
the estimation of his fellow citizens. He was the head of the law
firm of Sedgwick, Gott & Walker. He went to Chicago early in the
sixties and became a leading lawyer there. He was a Whig in politics. He died in Chicago.




576


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


ELIJAH B. SEELEY,
Born in 1795, came from Warren, N. Y., in 1835, and settled on a
farm in Pittsford, Hillsdale county. He was frequently called upon
to fill town offices. He was the first supervisor in 1836, 1837 and
1838, and also held it in 1840 and 1849. He was a Representative in
1839. He was a founder of the "First Presbyterian church of Bean
Creek," afterwards the " Congregational church of Hudson," and an
elder or deacon for forty years. He died April 10, 1876.
L. McKNIGHT SELLERS,
Representative from Kent county in 1833-5, was born in Franklin
county, Pa., July 2. 1849. He received an academical education,
learned the trade of a printer, and settled at Cedar Springs in 1869,
and founded and now owns the Cedar Springs Clipper. He was
speaker pro tern. in 1885. In politics a Republican.
ALONZO SESSIONS
Was born in Marcellus, Onondaga county, N. Y., Aug. 4, 1810. He
received a fair education, and became at first a teacher, then a clerk
for two years in Bennington, Genesee county. In 1833 he came to
Michigan, locating land in Ionia county. He clerked at a store in
Ohio one year, and afterwards taught school at Dayton, Ohio, until
1835. He settled on a farm in Berlin (then Cass), Ionia county, which
always remained his home. He built the second log cabin in the
town, and the first bridges across the streams between Saranac and
Ionia. In 1837 he married Celia, daughter of Samuel Dexter, the
pioneer of Ionia county. He was the first supervisor in 1883 of Cass
(Berlin), and the chairman of the board of supervisors. He was
supervisor eighteen times, and often chairman of the board. He was
also justice several years, and sheriff of Ionia county in 1841 and
1842. He was Representative in the legislature from 1857 to 1863;
then assessor of internal revenue for the fourth district for four years.
In 1872 he was a presidential elector; and in 1876 was elected lieutenant governor, and was re-elected in 1878. He helped organize a
national bank in Ionia, and was a director and president from 1866.
His farm comprised eight hundred acres, and was well cared for and
valuable. He had a family of thirteen children. In politics a
Republican. He died July 3, 1886.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


577


WILLIAM SESSIONS,
Representative from Ionia county in 1873-4, was born in Marcellus,
N. Y., May 2, 1821. He received a common school education. In
1837 he removed to Michigan and settled in North Plains, Ionia
county. In 1871 he removed to lonia, where he now resides. He has
held several positions of trust in his township. By occupation a
farmer.
JULIAN M. SEWARD
Was born in Alexander, N. Y., in 1829. His father settled in Bertrand, Michigan, in 1836. The son in earlylife worked at the clearing
of land, farming, and cooperage, and had small opportunities for an
education. He remained at home until 1854, afterwards married,
and was postmaster of Bertrand for several years. He was sheriff of
Berrien county from 1865 to 1869; Representative in 1869-70; twice
assistant sergeant-at-arms of the Senate; and when sheriff was deputy
U. S. marshal for western Michigan. In 1886 was engaged in the
grocery trade at Jackson. Republican in politics.
JARED A. SEXTON,
A member of the House of Representatives in 1867 from Wayne
county, was born in Dearborn, Mich., Sept. 29,1838. His primary
school education was supplemented by a term at the Normal school
at Ypsilanti. His business has been that of farmer, merchant, and
banker. He has held many local offices, and was sheriff of Wayne
county in 1875-6. His present residence is Dearborn. Politics, democratic.
ELISHA G. SEYMOUR,
Representative from Chippewa county in 1847, was born in Camillus,
N. Y., May 25, 1817. By profession a lawyer. He settled at Detroit
in 1840, where he was socially very popular. Later went to Sault
Ste. Marie. Died June 18, 1850.
HENRY SEYMOUR
Was born at Camillus, N. Y., Dec. 16, 1821. He came to Grand
Rapids in 1842, where he resided until his death, June 7, 1877. He
was engaged in wool buying. In politics a Republican. He was a




578


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


prominent officer in the Congregational church and Sabbath school
at Grand Rapids. He was a Representative in 1865, and Senator in
1867.
HENRY W. SEYMOUR,
Senator in 1885-7 from Chippewa and other counties of the northern
peninsula, was born in 1834 in Brockport, N. Y. He graduated at
Williams college in 1855, studied law, attending the Albany law
school, and was admitted to the bar in 1856. He settled at Sault Ste.
Marie in 1873, where he built a saw mill and cleared a farm. He is a
prominent officer of the national bank, and president of the St.
Mary's falls water power company. In February, 1888, he was nominated and elected to congress to fill vacancy caused by the death of
Hon. Seth C. Moffatt. In politics a Republican.
JAMES SEYMOUR,
Representative from Genesee county in 1853, and Senator in 1857-8,
was born in Litchfield, Conn., April 20, 1791. From 1829 to 1846
he was a resident of Rochester, N. Y., and was a merchant and
banker. In 1836 he bought part of the land where North Lansing
now stands, and also the site of Flushing, Genesee county. Removed
to Flushing in 1846, where he resided until his death, December 30,
1864. He was active in securing the location of the capital at Lansing, and in promoting its growth and improvement. The Seymour
house at North Lansing, the first hotel in the city, was built by him.
He was a polished gentleman of culture and refined manners. Politically a Republican.
EDWARD SHANAHAN
Was born in Sussex county, Delaware, it 1806, and lived in that state
until 1832, when he came to Michigan, settling at Beardsley prairie,
Cass county, where he lived until 1855, when he removed to Jefferson, same county. By occupation a farmer on a large scale. He was
a Representative from Cass county in 1861-2,
HULBERT B. SHANK,
Representative from lngham county in 1861-2, was born in Springport, N. Y., May 31, 1820. He became a teacher at the age of eighteen. He graduated as a physician from Geneva medical college in 1846,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


579


practicea two years in New York, then settled at Lansing, Mich.,
where he still resides. As a physician and surgeon he enjoyed a
large and successful practice. A Whig until 1854, since a Republican. He was a delegate to the republican national convention of
1856. He was surgeon of the 8th Michigan infantry until compelled
to retire from ill health, and then became examining surgeon for the
3d district until the close of the war. He was several years a member of the board of control of the state reform school; many years a
member, and president of the Lansing board of education; president
of the state medical society; and delegate to the national medical
society.
JOHN C. SHARP,
Senator from the counties of Hillsdale and Jackson in 1887, was born
in Scott, N. Y., July 18, 1843, where he resided until May, 1863. He
received his education at Cortland academy, Homer, New York,
and at the normal school at Albany. In 1863 he removed with his
parents to Brooklyn, Jackson county, Mich., where he remained
upon his father's farm for four years, spending the winters in teaching school. In the spring of 1867 he commenced the study of law in
the city of Jackson, was admitted to the bar in 1869, and practiced his
profession in that city until 1884, since which time he has been exten_
sively engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was city attorney of
Jackson in 1877, supervisor of census for the southern district of
Michigan in 1880, and prosecuting attorney for Jackson county for
1881-2. He is a Republican, and received 9,132 votes to 7,104 for Abel
N. Howe, fusionist, and 1,547 for Albert H. Stillwell, prohibitionist..
PETER SHARP,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1859, was born at Willsborough, N. Y., May 14, 1812. His father removed to the Genesee
valley, and later to Franklin county, Ohio, and the son became a
traveling minister in 1832, by admission to the Ohio conference of the
M. E. church, then including nearly all the territory of Michigan.
After twenty-one years' service as a minister, he settled at Ridgeway,
Mich., as a retail dealer in drugs and groceries. A Whig until 1854,
since a Republican. He was thirty years postmaster, also a justice.
He still lives at Ridgeway.




boO


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


DERWIN W. S IARTS,
Representative from Shiawassee county in 1877-79, was born in Oxford,
N. Y., August 31, 1830. He graduated from Madison university,
Hamilton, N. Y., in 1854, and from the Auburn theological seminary
in 1857. Soon after the close of the war, having spent a portion of
the last year at the front, he moved into Ohio, thence in 1871, to his
present residence. He is a Presbyterian clergyman; was ordained by 
the Catskill presbytery in 1857, and has preached in the state of New
York, in Cleveland, Ohio, and several years for the Congregationalist church in Owosso. Having pursued the ministry for seventeen
years, he retired from the work several years since for rest and recuperation. In politics a Republican.
GILBERT SHATTUCK,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1837, was a resident of
Ypsilanti. He was one of the stockholders of the "Huron River bank,"
a "wild cat" bank, started in 1838, which after a career of 18 months
went down. No other information has been obtained of him.
WILLARD SHATTUCK,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1879, was born in Saginaw,
Mich., Sept. 21, 1845. He received a good education and graduated
from Goldsmith's Bryant & Stratton commercial college, of Detroit.
He has held several township offices, has been justice, and county
superintendent of the poor for several years. In politics a Democrat.
BRACKLEY SHAW,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1869, and Senator in 1881-2-3,
was born in Plainfield, Mass., May 21, 1818, and removed with his
parents to Ira, N. Y., in 1825, and in 1835 to Dover, Mich., where he
still resides. Educated in common schools, and a farmer. Has held
various political positions, and is a prominent agriculturist. Politically a Republican.
HENRY A. SHAW
Was born in Benson, Vt., June 21, 1818. He received an academical
education, studied law in Ravenna, Ohio, and was admitted to the
bar in 1839. In 1842 he removed to Eaton Rapids, Michigan, where




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


581


he now resides. He was twelve years judge of probate for Eaton
county, and has several times been president of the village of Eaton
Rapids. He has always been a leading member of the bar in Eaton
county. He v as a Representative in the legislative sessions of 1857 -9-73-4. In 1859 he was speaker of the house, and was a recognized
leader of the republican party. In 1861 he went into the army as
major of the 2d Michigan cavalry, and served two years, He was
for some years a director of the Grand River Valley railroad. For
many years a Republican, but of late has acted with the greenback
party.
JAMES SHAW
Was born in Berlin, N. Y., Feb. 28, 1813. He married in 1839, and
in 1840 settled on a farm in Howard, Michigan, where he now resides.
Was supervisor in 1844 and 1846, and Representative in 1845-7. By
occupation a farmer, in politics a Democrat.
JAMES SHEARER
Was born at Albany, N. Y., May 12, 1823, received a common scbool
education, and when young became a clerk. In 1838 came to Detroit,
and served as an apprentice six years to a builder, studying architecture, etc., under competent instructors. He then attended an academy at Albany, N. Y., went south, and in 1846 supervised the building of the state capitol at Montgomery, Alabama. In 1848 went into
business at Detroit, as an architect and builder, and continued in that
business until 1863, and was twice an alderman. Removed to Bay
City in 1865, where he has been largely interested in manufactures.
He has been president of the first national bank; president of the
board of water works; from 1871 to 1878 one of the three commissioners for the building of the capitol at Lansing; and regent of the
University from 1881 to 1888. In politics a Republican,
JONATHAN SHEARER
Was a native of Coleraine, Mass., born Aug. 23, 1796. His early education was academical, with a partial study of medicine, law, and
business. He settled in Plymouth, Wayne county, in 1836, and was
a leading citizen of the county, serving many terms as supervisor,
and as county commissioner, 1838 to 1841. He was Senator in 1842 -3-4, during the time of annual sessions and elections. He was a Rep64




582


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


resentative in 1851, and of the constitutional convention of 1867. He
was a leading agriculturist, an efficient member of the state pioneersociety, and its president in 1876. He was politically a Democrat, but
favored the greenback party in his later years. Died Sept. 26, 1881.
FRANCIS W. SHEARMAN
Was born at Vernon, N. Y., June 20, 1817, and died at Marshall,
Michigan, Dec. 7, 1874. He graduated from Hamilton college at the
age of nineteen.  He was employed by Hon. H. R. Schoolcraft to
assist him in negotiating treaties with the Indians. and in that capacity first came to Michigan. He settled at Marshall in 1837, and soon
found employment as editor of the Michigan Journal of Education,
the official organ of the state department of public instruction. In
1840 he became chief editor of the Democratic Expounder, published
at Marshall, and that paper soon took a leading position as a democratic organ. He was associate judge of Calhoun county in 1843-44.
He was appointed superintendent of public instruction by Governor
Ransom, March 28, 1849, and held the office under that appointment
until 1851. He was elected to that office twice, and held it continuously until January 1, 1855, and made an able public officer. His
report for 1852 attracted great attention, was widely distributed, and
often quoted by educators. He returned to Marshall, became editor
of the Marshall Expounder, which he held through life. He was also
an acting magistrate for sixteen years. As a writer he was forcible,
polished, independent, and aggressive.
CHARLES P. SHELDON,
Representative from Van Buren county in 1853, was born in Watertown, N. Y., in 1817. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Democrat. He moved to Hartford, Michigan, in 1841, and was supervisor
and justice for most of the time for ten years. In 1854 moved to
Cedar county, Iowa. Held various offices there, and was a member
of the Iowa legislature in 1868. He died at Tipton, Iowa, about 1879.
HORACE J. SHELDON
Was born in Kinderhook, N. Y., Oct. 23, 1812. At the age of eleven
he was sent to learn the tanners and curriers' trade, which he followed for many years. He prospected Michigan in 1833, and opened
a boot and shoe shop at Blissfield in 1836. After a few months he




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


583


went to Grand Haven and established a tannery. After four years
he returned to Blissfield, purchased a farm, opened another boot and
shoe shop, and made that place his home. He was justice some
thirty years. In 1867 he was a member of the state constitutional
convention as a Republican.
JAMES SHELDON,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1844, was born in Seneca
county, N. Y., April 4, 1800. He moved to Michigan in 1833, selecting and locating lands in Calhoun county. Settled at Albion in 1835
on lands which he owned and occupied up to 1860. lie held the positions of state prison inspector, justice, school director, and other
minor offices. Business, farmer and general merchandise, politically
a Democrat. Died Nov. 9, 1866.
NEWTON SHELDON
Was born at Brutus, N. Y., July 9, 1810. Received a common school
education. He settled on a farm in Lodi, Michigan, in 1832, where
he remained until 1871. He was a Democrat, and held some public
trust nearly all his life. He was supervisor, town clerk, justice and
treasurer, and for many years secretary of the Washtenaw county
agricultural society. He was a Representative in 1842-69-70. For
nine years, from 1871 to 1880, he was secretary of the Washtenaw
county mutual insurance company. He died at Ann Arbor, January
12, 1883.
TIMOTHY F. SHELDON,
Representative from Wayne county in 1839, was born in New York,
July 31, 1797. He came to Michigan in 1826 and settled in Canton,
Wayne county, where he continued to reside until his death, Sept. 15,
1869. He was prominent during the thirty years of his residence
there, and was honored with the more responsible local offices. Was
a Democrat until the time of the civil war, when he became a Republican.
ALANSON SHELEY
Was born at Albany, N.Y., August 14, 1809. His early life was spent
on his grandfather's farm in Jefferson county, N. Y., and attending
common schools. As a boy he took a timber raft down the St. Lawrence river to Quebec, and at 16 was apprenticed three years to learn




584


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


the trade of a mason, and became a foreman on the Rideau canal,
Canada. He came to Detroit in 1831, and in 1832 built a stone lighthouse on Thunder bay, Lake Huron, the oldest now standing. He
was a builder and contractor at Detroit several years, and later was
interested in lumbering for the Black river steam mill company. In
1859 he became a partner with J. S. Farrand in the drug trade, and
is still one of the firm of Farrand, Williams & Co. He was an active
Whig in politics, but helped organize the republican party in 1854.
He was an alderman five years, and Senator in 1867-71-2. He is a
leading Presbyterian, and has acted as superintendent of a Sunday
school for many years. He has always been a strong temperance
man. He possessed great strength, and many stories are told of his
prowess in his younger days. He still lives at Detroit, and is active
mentally and physically.
JAMES M. SHEPARD,
Senator from Van Buren and Cass counties in 1879, was born in North
Brookfield, Mass., Nov. 24,1842, but soon afterwards removed to Boston. He received a classical education at Wesleyan University, Conn.,
and studied medicine and dental durgery in Boston. During the war
he served in the medical department of the U. S. navy. In 1868 he
located at Cassopolis, Michigan, where he engaged in publishing the
Vigilant. In politics a Republican. For several years was private
secretary of Senator Palmer.
LUMAN SHEPARD,
Representative from Eaton county in 1883, was born June 17, 1819, at
Skaneateles, N.Y. He attended school until twenty-one years of age.
He married in 1841, and the following year began farming upon land
of his own, continuing until 1855, when he sold out and removed to
Chelsea, Michigan, and engaged in farming one mile south of that
village. Disposing of his farm he removed to Olivet, Eaton county,
in 1872. In politics a Republican.
THOMAS SHEPHERD
Was born in Arygle, N. Y., May 19, 1821, and came to Martin, Allegan county, in 1844, where he has since resided. By occupation a
farmer. A Republican until 1834, when he joined the prohibition
party. For five years supervisor, and for twenty years justice. Was
a Representative in 1867. Has also been the prohibition nominee for
that office.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


585


BENJAMIN SHERMAN,
Representative in 1835-6 from St. Joseph county, was born in Conn.,
in 1792. He settled in Genesee county, N. Y., and came to Nottawa
Prairie, Michigan, in 1825. Before coming to Michigan he was a con -
tractor on the Erie canal. In politics a Democrat. He was register
of the U. S. land office at Ionia under the administration of Van
Buren and also of Pierce. Died in 1872.
ALONZO SHERWOOD,
Representative from Berrien county in 1879, was born in Lima, Ohio,
April 22, 1832. His parents removed to Michigan the following January, settling in Berrien county. Occupation, farming. He has
held the offices of justice, supervisor, and school director. In politics
a Republican.
GEORGE SHERWOOD
Was born in Amenia, N. Y., April 2, 1819. He moved to Cass county,
Michigan, in 1833, and engaged in mercantile business with his
brother at Edwardsburg. He was town clerk of Ontwa, county clerk
1844 to 1850, and Representative in 1851. He removed to Elkhart,
Indiana, in 1852, where he was a merchant until 1862, and was county
treasurer of Elkhart county. In 1865 he removed to Chicago, where
he has been in business as a general commission merchant, and dealer
in coal.and wood.
HARVEY C. SHERWOOD,
Senator from the counties of Cass and Berrien in 1885, was born at
Jamesville, N. Y., Feb. 9, 1835. He received a thorough academical
and scientific education, with reference to making farming his vocation; he graduated in 1853. In 1870 Mr. Sherwood and his family
came to Michigan, and settled in Watervliet, Berrien county, on an
unimproved tract of land which is now his home and called Lake
View farm, containing 400 acres, and classed among the finest fruit
and grain farms of western Michigan. Mr. Sherwood devotes his
whole energies to farming and is enthusiastic in its pursuit. He was
the democratic candidate for congress in 1886, but was defeated.
THOMAS RUSSELL SHERWOOD
Was born at Pleasant Valley, N. Y., March 28, 1827. Removed with
his parents to Monroe county, N. Y., in 1831, and received an aca



586


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


demical education. Studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1851.
Practiced his profession at Port Jervis one year, and removed to
Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1852, where he now resides. He was in active
practice until his election as justice of the Supreme Court in 1883.
He was twice city attorney of Kalamazoo, and was repeatedly a
nominee for prominent offices, including congress in 1878. In politics
a Democrat, of late years a National. Received the support of the
democratic and national parties as a candidate for judge.
SETH K. SHETTERLY,
Representative from Macomb county in 1867-77, was born in Union
county, Penn., October 15, 1820. He came to Utica, Mich., with his
parents in 1833, where he still resides. By profession an attorney, in
politics a Democrat. Has been a justice since 1854, and has been for
ten years a circuit court commissioner.
CHARLES SHIER,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1855-65-9-70, was born in
the state of New York, January 30. 1805. He was for over twenty
years a resident of Patterson, N. J., where he was engaged in the
manufacture of cotton goods. He came to Ypsilanti in 1845, engaged
in farming, and resided near there until his death, January 29, 1883.
In politics first a Whig, a Republican from 1854. He was a member
and class leader in the Methodist Episcopal church for many years.
JOHN B. SHIPMAN
Was born in Saybrook, Conn., and can trace his descent from 1639.
His father soon removed to Livingston, N. Y., where he received a
common school education.   Thence he came to Ypsilanti, Mich.,
where his father died, leaving him dependent upon his own resources.
He studied law in Centreville with Chester Gurney, the abolition
candidate for governor when Birney ran for president. Having been
admitted to the bar in St. Joseph county, he has since been engaged
in practice. He was prominent as counsel for the defendant in the
Edmonds impeachment trial. In 1878 he was elected circuit judge by
a combination of democrats and nationals. February 28, 1879, he
was nominated by those parties as justice of the Supreme Court, and
was defeated by Hon. James V. Campbell, the present incumbent.
Resides at Coldwater.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


587


JOSEPH P. SHOEMAKER,
Senator from Ionia and Montcalm counties in 1879, was born Aug. 30,
1820, at Mohawk, N. Y. He received a common school education.
In 1837 he removed to Joliet, 111. In 1840 he removed to Sandusky,
Ohio, and remained one year, helping in locating railroads. In 1842
engaged in merchandise and buying grain at Republic, Ohio, and in
1852 went to Covington, Ky., and engaged in manufacturing iron,
having charge of a rolling mill. In 1855 he came to Jackson, this
state, and engaged in farming. He was postmaster at Jackson two
years, and in 1861 removed to Montcalm county and engaged in farming and lumbering. He was elected justice in 1866. In politics a
National.
MICHAEL SHOEMAKER, 
Senator from Jackson county in 1848-9-50-1-77-83-5, and president
pro tern. in 1851, was born at German Flats, N. Y., April 6, 1818.
Attended school until fourteen, then was a clerk at Albany. At the
age of seventeen located at Joliet, Ill., was seven years a partner in
the mercantile business, and filled contracts in building the Illinois
and Michigan canal. In 1852 he purchased the mills at Michigan
Center, which he owned for 28 years. Resides at Jackson and owns
large farms near that city. He held many offices, including
inspector of state prison; collector of customs at Detroit; president
of the state and county agricultural societies; several terms Grand
High Priest of Royal Arch Masons; and chairman of the democratic
state committee. In January, 1862, he was appointed colonel of the
13th Michigan infantry, took part in many engagements, with honor
to himself and his command, and was for a short time an inmate of
Libby prison. Has long been an active member of the state pioneer
society, and has served as president.
DAVID SHOOK,
Representative from Macomb county in 1851, was born in Milan, N.
Y., Dec. 27,1804. He located at Mt. Clemens, Michigan, in 1836. He
was a government contractor and civil engineer, a Democrat in politics up to 1861, then a Republican, and a prominent politician in
Macomb county. While a resident of the state of New York he was
a lieutenant in the state militia. In 1864 he emigrated to Central
City, Colorado, where he died, Aug. 2, 1865.




588


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


JACOB SHOOK,
Representative from Macomb county in 1847, was born in Dutchess
county, N. Y., Nov. 28, 1779. In 1841 he settled on a farm one mile
from Mt. Clemens, where he resided until his death, April 11, 1862.
He was a prominent democratic politician, and a leading business
man in the state of New York, owning and controlling an ashery,
woolen factory and general store. Was a captain of N. Y. militia.
PHILIP P. SHORTS,
Representative from Mason county in 1885, was born in Ontario,
Canada, August 4, 1845. He came to Michigan in 1873, and has been
continuously engaged in the practice of his profession, which is that
of a physician. His residence is in Ludington, of which city he has
been alderman for two terms.
SOLOMON SIBLEY
Was born in Sutton, Mass., Oct. 7, 1769. He studied law and
removed to Ohio in 1795, establishing himself first at Marietta, and
then at Cincinnati, in the practice of his profession. He removed to
Detroit in 1797, and in 1799 was elected a delegate from Wayne
county to the territorial legislature of the northwest territory. In
1815 he was appointed by President Madison United States district
attorney of Michigan, which position he held until 1824, when he was
appointed one of the United States judges of the territory, holding it
until 1838, when he resigned. He was the territorial delegate in congress from Michigan from 1820 to 1823. He was interested in a company which erected the first saw and flouring mills in Pontiac. He
was a Democrat in politics. As a lawyer, judge and citizen he was
universally respected. He died at Detroit April 4, 1846. He left
three sons, all of whom became prominent as public men. One was
Henry H. Sibley, first governor of Minnesota, and a general in the
late rebellion.
AARON SICKLES
Was born at Palmyra, Wayne county, N. Y., Oct. 2, 1817. He came
with his parents family to Plymouth, Michigan, in 1836. In 1838 the
son moved to Howell, and began life as a farmer, which he followed
until 1856, when he removed to Elsie, resuming his calling as a.
farmer. He filled various positions of public trust, and in 1869-70




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


589


was a member of the Michigan House, as a Republican. Since that
time he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits, first at Walton,
Grand Traverse county, and at the present time at Elmira, Otsego
county.
JOHN M. B. SILL,
Regent of the University of Michigan from 1867 to 1869, by appointment to fill vacancy, was born at Black Rock, Nov. 24, 1831. His
parents died when he was eleven, and he came to Jonesville, Mich.,
where he attended school. He was a graduate of the State Normal
school in 1854. He became a teacher in the school, and wrote an
English grammar, published in New York. He was president of the
Michigan state teachers' association in 1861. In August, 1863, he
became superintendent of the Detroit schools, but resigned in 1863,
and for ten years was principal of the Detroit female seminary. In
1875 he became again superintendent of the Detroit schools, which
position he held for many years. He is now president of the State
Normal school, and everywhere recognized as an able educator.
ABIEL SILVER
Was born in Hopkinton, N. H., in 1797. He removed to St. Lawrence
county, N. Y., first teaching, and afterwards becoming a merchant.
In 1831 he came to Cass county, Michigan, and opened a store with
his brothers at Edwardsburg, and a branch the next year at Cassopolis. He was a man of ability and culture, and had great influence
among the early pioneers. He was a member bf the second convenvention of assent in 1836, and was an associate judge in Cass county.
In 1846 he was appointed commissioner of the state land office, and
held that position until 1850. Under his administration the seat of
government was laid out at Lansing, and the various state lands
there were cut up into lots and placed in market.
JAMES B. SIMONSON,
Representative from Oakland county in 1857, was born at Roxbury,
N. Y., Jan. 8, 1805, and received a common school education. Was
a merchant at Roxbury from 1825 to 1835, then in trade at Royal Oak,
Mich., for six years, at Birmingham two years, and at Springfield for
sixteen years. He removed to Holly in 1860, was in trade until 1866,
then organized and became president of the first national bank of
65




590


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Holly. He was for five years supervisor of Springfield. Politically
a Republican. Deceased.
EMERY H. SIMPSON,
Representative from Van Buren county in 1887, was born in Carlton,
N. Y., Jan. 17, 1828, is a farmer, and has been a resident of this state
twenty-three years. He is a Republican, and was a member of the
House of 1873-4. He has held the office of supervisor and township
clerk, and was elected Representative for 1887-8 by a vote of 1,909 to
1,347 for Sullivan Cook, and 439 for John W. Free, prohibitionist..
DANIEL D. SINCLAIR,
Senator from Lenawee county in 1848, was born at Broadalbin, N.Y.,
April 16, 1805. While young was a clerk at Albany, then learned the
trade of a tailor, and was in the clothing trade in western New York.
He settled in Adrian, Mich., in 1835, where he now resides. He was
in the clothing trade for several years. Has been justice; county
treasurer six years; brigadier general of state militia; superintendent
of the Michigan Southern railroad from 1850 to 1858; supervisor for
eighteen years, and a school trustee.
ELIAS M. SKINNER,
Lawyer, was born at Woodstock, Conn., Oct. 28, 1798, and died Aug.
6, 1859. After an academical education he entered Brown University
and graduated in 1820. Studied law with Governor Stoddard, spent
a few years teaching, came to Ypsilanti in 1826, and commenced the
practice of his profession. He took an active part in favor of temperance and Sabbath school instruction. He served several years as
prosecuting attorney, and was elected judge of probate in 1845. In
1850 he was a democratic member of the constitutional convention.
DAVID G. SLAFTER
Was born in Norwich, Vt., Jan. 1, 1817.1n 1849 he removed to
Tuscola, Michigan. With the exception of one year has held tile
office of justice since 1852. Has been judge of probate for Tuscola
county four years, and was enrolling officer and deputy provost
marshal from 1863 to the close of the war. He was a Representative
in 1863 and 1864. Principal business real estate and lumbering. At




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


591


first a Whig, now a Republican. Is vice president of the national
bank at Vassar.
THOMAS J. SLAYTON,
Representative from Kent county in 1867-9-70, was born in Middlesex,
N. Y., Jan. 9, 1837. In 1847 removed with his parents to Grattan,
Michigan. He graduated at Hillsdale college in 1862, and from the
University law school in 1864. Was for a short time at Vicksburg,
Miss., in the Freedmen's bureau service, but commenced law practice
at Lowell, Mich., in the fall of 1864. He retired to a farm in Grattan
in 1874. In politics a Republican. Died July 15, 1875.
DANIEL D. SLOAN,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1850. was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., Nov. 28, 1799. By occupation a millwright, in
politics first a Whig, then a Republican. He came to Michigan in
1844, built the first large mill at Grand Rapids, also oneatAnn Arbor,
and one at Dover Mills, which he operated until his death, Jan. 29,
1861. He was several times supervisor and assessor of the town of
Dexter, and was a man of sterling worth and integrity.
ALBERT B. SLOCUM
Was born in Macedon, N. Y., March 19,1818. He moved to Michigan
in 1842 and settled in Wheatland, Hillsdale county. He was a
supervisor, and president of the Hillsdale county agricultural society.
Was a Democrat in early life, became a Republican in 1854. He was
a Representative in 1865. By occupation a farmer. Died May 14, 1883.
ELLIOTT T. SLOCUM,
Senator from Wayne county in 1869-70, was born at Trenton, Mich.,
in 1839. He graduated at Union college in 1862, and is now a
resident of Detroit, and since 1886 a park commissioner. In politics
a Republican. His time is given to the management of a large estate
inherited from his father.
ABNER C. SMITH,
Senator from Macomb county in 1845-6, was born in Vermont, Feb.
14,1814. A lawyer and a Democrat. He came to Michigan in 1839,




592


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


and was a postmaster, judge of the county court, and judge of
probate. Edited the Macomb county Gazette some years, and published the Ancient Landmark, a Masonic magazine.     Died at
Litchfield, Minn., Sept. 20, 1880.
ABRAM SMITH,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1863-4, was born in Clay,
Mich., Sept. 8, 1819. Received a common school education, worked
four years in a saw mill, and then sailed a vessel between Algonac
and Sandusky. In 1844 engaged in lumber business which he continued for many years. He owned a large farm and valuable timber
lands. Has held various offices, including supervisor, president of the
village of Algonac, and moderator of the school board for more than
twenty years.
AMOS SMITH,
Senator from Cass county in 1869-70, was born at Springfield, Pa.,
Aug. 7, 1829, where he received an academical education, and also
graduated from a business college at Pittsburgh. He taught school
in Cass county, Mich., in 1848, then in Yazoo county, Miss. Settled
in Vandalia, Mich., 1852, taught school several years, owned and
managed a farm, and gave much time to locating lines and corners
in Cass county. Several years secretary of the Cass county farmers'
institute; supervisor several terms; county surveyor eighteen years;
and has held many other offices. In politics a Republican.
ANDREW J. SMITH,
Attorney General of Michigan in 1875-6, was born near Chillicothe,
Ohio, Sept. 2, 1818. Removed with his parents to Indiana in 1825,
and to the present site of Valparaiso in 1835. Since 1840 has been a
resident of Cass county, Mich. Was several years a clerk, then
studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1857. He was prosecuting
attorney twelve years, and held other local offices. In 1878 he was
appointed judge of the second circuit to fill vacancy, and was elected
to that office in 1881, without opposition, serving until the close of
1887. In politics a Republican. Resides at Cassopolis.
AURA SMITH,
Representative from Branch county in 1863, was born in the state of
New York. Came to Michigan in 1844. Settled on a farm in the




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


593


township of Girard. Was supervisor from 1850 to 1855. In 1864 he
removed to Missouri, and is still living in that state. He was a
farmer by occupation, and in the latter years of his residence in
Michigan, a dealer in stock.
C. CLIFFORD SMITH,
Representative from Wayne county in 1867, was born in New Hampshire in 1828. He graduated as a physician from Portsmouth medical
college, (N. H.) in 1852, and the same year came to Michigan, locating
at Redford, where he has since resided. He was a surgeon in the late
war, and a member of the jury commission for Wayne county in
1884. Politics, democratic.
DAVIS SMITH,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1839, was born in Dutchess
county, N. Y., in 1808. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Democrat. He came to Tecumseh, Mich., in 1830. Held several public
offices, and took part in the Black Hawk and Toledo wars. Bore the
title of general. Died March 26, 1868.
EZEKIEL C. SMITH,
Representative from Cass county in 1850, was born in Erie county,
N. Y., June 6, 1811. He settled in 1835 on a farm in Pokagon, Cass
county, and has lived there ever since. He has held the office of
supervisor nine years, and been a justice for 36 years. In politics a
Democrat.
FRANK L. SMITH,
Representative from Jackson county in 1871-2, was born at Stafford
Springs, Conn., July 8, 1830. In 1842 removed with his parents to
Armada, Mich. As a young man worked in the railroad shops at
Adrian, came to Jackson in 1855, and was manager of the American,
afterwards the Marion house, then clerk of the Hibbard house until
1864. He was quartermaster of the 29th Michigan until that regiment consolidated with the 28th, then took charge of the Tremont
house 1865-8. He had charge of the Hurd house from 1869 until the
fall of 1886. Served as alderman and supervisor. Died Dec. 5, 1886.




594


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


GEORGE A. SMITH,
Senator from Branch and Hillsdale counties in 1867-85, was born in
Danbury, Conn., March 8, 1825, and settled at an early day as a
farmer in Somerset, Mich. Has also been a merchant. He was
Representative in 1863, and was a member of the board of control of
the reform school from 1879 to 1884, when he resigned. Has also been
a supervisor. In politics a Republican.
GEORGE M. SMITH,
Representative from Muskegon county in 1877, was born March 16,
1841, at Springfield Centre, N. Y. He was educated at Alfred University, N. Y., and removed to Michigan in 1867. He was president of
the village of Whitehall, and a member of the lumbering firm of J.
Alley & Co. At the age of nineteen he engaged with the Atlantic &
Great Western railroad at Salamanca, N. Y., as telegraph operator,
from which position he was subsequently promoted to that of superintendent of telegraph and train dispatcher, and afterward to a similar position on the Blossburg, Corning & Tioga railroad at Corning.
In politics a Republican. Died several years since.
HENRY SMITH
Was a native of the state of New York, and graduated at the United
States military academy in 1815. He was made a lieutenant and
served in the army until 1836, when he resigned. From 1836 to 1840
was a civil engineer, superintending harbor improvements on Lake
Erie, and resided at Monroe. He was a Representative in 1838-41;
was major general of Michigan militia from 1841 to 1846; mayor of
Monroe in 1846. In 1847 he was re-appointed to the army with the
rank of major. He died while on duty in the Mexican war, at Vera
Cruz, July 24, 1847.
HENRY C. SMITH
Was born at Scituate, R. I., Jan. 9, 1804. He worked on a farm
until of age and enjoyed fair opportunities for an education. He was
a mason by trade and worked at it until 1836, when he came to
Michigan. Was engaged both in merchandising and lumbering, and
finally became a farmer in Plainfield, Kent county. He held various
town and county offices and was a Representative in 1849 and 1853.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


HIRAM SMITH,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1848, was born in Westchester
county, N. Y., May 24, 1804. By occupation a merchant and miller,
in politics a Democrat. He came to Homer, Michigan, in 1837, and was
a prominent business man and leading Democrat for many years.
Was a good neighbor and of a social nature.  Was moderator of
school board, took great interest in schools, and often presided at
public meetings. Died May 4, 1874.
HIRAM H. SMITH,
Representative from Ingham county in 1843, was born at Malone, N.
Y., Dec. 9, 1809. When young was a resident of Brandon, Vt. He
received an academical education; was five years a clerk at Castleton, Vt.; from 1830 to 1835 a merchant at Granville, N. Y.; in 1836
became a farmer in Ingham county, Mich.; was county treasurer in
1838, and county clerk in 1841; a merchant at Mason; removed to
Lansing in 1847, built the first flour mill, and carried on the milling
and mercantile business; in 1851-2 was engaged in building the plank
road from Lansing to Howell; was the first mayor of Lansing in
1859; was vice president and managing director of the J., L. & S. R.
R.; removed to Jackson in 1864, and from 1868 to 1870 was president
of the Fort Wayne & Jackson railroad; in 1871-2 superintended the
building of the D., L. & N. and the Detroit & Bay City railroads.
Now resides in Jackson; has large property interests, and is president
of the Ingham county savings bank. A Democrat until 1856, since a
Republican.
JAMES L. SMITH,
Representative from Sanilac county in 1851, was born in Kilconquhar,
Scotland, May 11, 1813. He came to Tecumseh, Mich., in 1838, then
to Sanilac county in 1840. Business, varied; in politics a Republican.
He removed to Toledo in 1853, and to Minneapolis in 1882, where he
now resides.
JEREMIAH R. SMITH,
Was born in Lyme, Conn., June 19, 1795. He came to Michigan in
1828. He was a blacksmith by trade, and carried on the business at
Avon, N. Y., before coming to Michigan. Settling in Genesee county
he became a farmer. He was associate county judge of Genesee
county, justice for twenty years, and supervisor for several years of




596


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Grand Blanc. He was a Representative from Genesee county in 1838
and 1842. Died March 23, 1868.
JOHN S. SMITH
Was born March 26, 1822, at Dighton, Mass. His father removed to
Ontario, N. Y., where the son studied medicine, and graduated from
Cleveland medical college in 1844; practiced medicine in Ontario
county, N. Y. for two years; removed to Armada, Mich., in 1847, and
was engaged in medical practice until 1860. In 1858 he commenced
the study of law, graduated from the law department at Ann Arbor,
and went into practice. In 1863 he entered the army as quartermaster and served one year. He then engaged in farming and dealing in hops, buying large quantities and sending to distant markets.
As a Democrat he was Senator in 1853. Died September 19, 1868.
JOSEPH SMITH
Was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, April 11, 1809. He removed
with his parents to Ohio, in 1812, and settled in Calvin, Michigan, in
1831. He bought a mill property and ran it until 1835, when he sold
out and bought one thousand acres of land in Jefferson, Cass county.
IJn 1847 he engaged with partners in the mercantile business, after
three years carrying it on alone. In 1855 he removed to Cassopolis
and continued his business, Ih politics a Democrat. He was Representative in 1835-6-7, also of the second convention of assent in 1836.
'LE GRAND J. SMITH,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1873-4, was born in Bethel,
Conn., Jan. 8, 1837. He received a common school education. In
1839 he settled in Somerset, Hillsdale county. In 1859 he removed to
Woodstock, Lenawee county, where he still resides. In business a
merchant.
MORGAN L. SMITH,
'Representative from Oakland county in 1855, was born at Charlton,
N. Y., Aug. 30, 1810. Learned the trade of a hatter and carried on
that business at Eaton, N. Y. Removed to Milford, Mich., in 1837,
~where he was justice eighteen years, and postmaster four years.
Was associate judge of Oakland county four years. Removed to
Branch county and farmed it ten years. In politics a Republican.
Diedlin Chicago, Oct. 12,1866.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


597


NATHAN D. SMITH,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1861-2, was born in the state
~of New York in 1803. He came to Michigan in 1833. His business
has been miscellaneous; politically a Republican. Now resides at
Algonac, Michigan.
PERRIN M. SMITH
Was born in Middlebury, N. Y., Aug. 22, 1811; received an academical education; became a lawyer, and practiced at LeRoy, N. Y., and
was also postmaster there; in 1849 settled at Constantine, Mich., and
was a law partner of Hon. Charles Upson until 1856. He was elected
judge of the 4th circuit in 1863, and served until his death, Feb. 12.
1866.
ROBERT B. SMITH,
Representative from Ionia county in 1867-9-70, was born at Fairfield,
N. Y., April 21, 1834; was educated as a physician and graduated
from the University of New York in 1854; practiced four years at
Fairfield, then became surgeon on an ocean vessel; in 1863 settled at
Ionia, Mich., purchased a mill and engaged in the manufacture of
flour; was president of the village, and for years a director of the
Detroit, Lansing & Northern railroad. In politics a Republican. Now
resides in Chicago.
SAMUEL L. SMITH,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1859, was born at Algonac,
Mich., in 1830. For many years he was a leading merchant at
Houghton, Michigan. Has always resided in Michigan, and is now a
resident of Lansing. He is a Democrat in politics, and was their
candidate for commissioner of the state land office in 1862, and was
the democratic nominee for congress in the 6th district in 1864.
SYDNEY T. SMITH,
Representative from Jackson county in 1857, was born in Chenango
county, N. Y., Oct. 27, 1809. He received an academical education,
taught school two winters, and engaged in mercantile business at
Pulaski, N. Y. He also with others built a vessel to transport grain
from Chicago to Oswego. In 1836 they bought a schooner and went
into the lumber trade on Lake Michigan. In 1839 he settled on a
66




598


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


farm in Grass Lake, Michigan, opened a store and bought and sold
produce on a large scale. He sold out in 1855 and retired to his farm.
He was for a long time secretary of the farmers' insurance company,
and acquired a competence. In politics a Republican. Died April
25, 1878.
SAMUEL W. SMITH,
Senator from the county of Oakland in 1885, was born in Independence, Michigan, August 23, 1852. Commenced to teach school at the
age of sixteen years, and during the three years he was principal of
the Waterford school, was elected superintendent of schools for the
township of Waterford. Commenced to study law in 1876, and was
admitted to the bar in 1877, and graduated in the law class of 1878 at
the University of Michigan. Commenced the practice of law in
Pontiac in 1878. In 1880 was elected prosecuting attorney of Oakland
county, and was re-elected in the fall of 1882, and resigned said office
Nov. 3, 1884.
THADDEUS G. SMITH
Was born at Cato, N. Y., April 12, 1828.  Receiving an academical
education, he studied law and was admitted at Albany in 1852. He
practiced his profession in Troy and New York city until 1861, when
he removed to Fentonville, Michigan, where he practiced law until
1877. He was a Representative in 1863-4. He was a commissioner
under Gov. Blair to take the votes of the soldiers in the field. He
was a member of the constitutional convention o0 1867, and Senator
in 1869-70. In 1876 was elected probate judge, and removed to Flint.
A Republican in politics.
VERNON H. SMITH
Was born in Canada, Dec. 29, 1838, received a common school education, and since 1858 has been a resident of Ionia county, Mich.
Studied law, was admitted in 1872, and went into practice at Ionia.
Served as circuit court commissioner one term. A Republican until
1872, since a Democrat. He was elected judge of the eighth circuit
in 1881, and re-elected in 1887.
WILLIAM H. SMITH,
Representative from Jackson county in 1875, was born April 15, 1832,
at Gorham, N. Y. He received an academical education, removed to




MICHIGANI BIOGRAPHY.


599


Michigan in 1854 and settled in Grass Lake, Jackson county. Has
been supervisor of Grass Lake, and is by occupation a farmer.
WILLIAM T. SMITH,
Representative from St, Joseph county in 1865, was born in Scott, N.
Y., June 26, 1829. Received an academical education and became a
teacher. Was in the recruiting service for two years. Came to Centreville, Mich., in 1862, taught several years, and was admitted to the
bar in 1866. He was for two terms superintendent of schools in
Kalamazoo county. Is now a justice, and engaged in furnishing
school supplies. Politically a free trader.
WILLIAM SNELL,
Representative from Oakland county in 1843 and 1844, was born in
the state of Rhode Island in 1796. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Democrat. He settled as a farmer in Oakland, Oakland county,
in 1828. Died July 28, 1870.
BYRON A. SNOW,
Representative from Saginaw county, was born in Jackson county,
August 21, 1850. Has been a resident of the state all his lifetime, and
is by profession a lawyer, by persuasion a Democrat. Mr. Snow has
-held the office of supervisor. He was elected Representative for
1887-8 by a vote of 1,349 to 1,158 for John Northwood, Republican,
and 87 for Magoffin, Prohibitionist.
*      FIELDER S. SNOW,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1843, and Senator in 1849-50 -3, was born in Ashford, Conn., May 17, 1814. He became a clerk at
the age of fifteen, and settled in Clinton, Mich., in 1837. He was a
merchant and miller, in politics a Democrat. He was a leader in public
enterprises, and was administrator of many estates. For twenty-five
years a justice. Deceased.
WILLIAM T. SNOW,
Representative from Oakland county in 1850, came from the state of
New York, and settled on a farm in Addison, Oakland county, in
1835. He was a clergyman, an excellent man, and was highly




600


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


esteemed by the Indians, many of whom became christians under
his preaching. He was town clerk in 1838-9, and supervisor from
1847 to 1854.
STEPHEN F. SNYDER,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1883-5, was born in Cayuga
county, N. Y., December 27, 1829, and received a common school
education. He settled as a farmer at Homer, Mich., in 1866. He
was a supervisor several years, and was county register of deeds six
years. In politics a Republican.
MILO SOULE
Was born in Madison county, -N. Y., July 3, 1804.  He had fair
schooling, and from 1820 to 1830 taught winters, working on his
father's farm summers. He married in 1830 and was a farmer in
Murray, N. Y., for five years. In 1835 he came to Michigan and
bought a farm in Marengo, Calhoun county, which he cultivated
until 1869. He was a justice for 36 years; county treasurer six years;
supervisor four years; town clerk several years, and a member of the
constitutional convention of 1850, In politics a Democrat.
CHARLES SPAFFORD,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1838, was a merchant and
miller at Tecumseh, and a Whig in politics. Deceased.
LEVI SPARKS,
Senator from Berrien county in 1873-4, was born October 3, 1823, in
Centre, Indiana. He emigrated to Michigan in 1828, and settled in
Niles township, Berrien county, where he now resides. He was
educated in common schools. In 1864 he was appointed by Governor
Blair to go to Arkansas and receive the vote of the twelfth Michigan
infantry. He has held various offices of trust in his township. By
occupation a farmer, politically a Democrat.
ERASTUS SPAULDING
Was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., July 1,1818. He grew to manhood in that state, studied medicine, removed to Michigan in 1845,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


601


settled in Oakland county, and followed his profession there for 24
years. He was a Whig, but in 1854 became a Republican. Representative from Oakland county in 1867. He removed to Grand
Rapids in 1879, and is still engaged in medical practice. Now votes
the national greenback union ticket.
OLIVER L. SPAULDING
Was born at Jaffrey, N. H., August 2, 1823, and was the son of Lyman
and Susan (Marshall) Spaulding. He prepared for college at Melville
academy in Jaffrey, working on the farm during the time. In 1851
he entered Oberlin college and graduated in 1855. He then spent
three years in teaching in t  union schools at Medina, Ohio, and
Hillsdale, Mich., and in the academy at Medina, Mich., giving leisure
time to the study of law. In 1858 he was admitted to the bar and
opened an office at St. Johns. In 1862 he enlisted as captain in the
23d Michigan infantry and passed through all the grades to colonel,
commanding the regiment in 1863. In 1865 he was in command of
the second brigade of the second division, twenty-third army corps,
and was brevetted "brigadier general." In 1858 he was elected
regent of the State University and held that position for six years.
In 1866 he was elected secretary of state and was re-elected in 1868,
serving from 1867 to 1871. In 1875 he was appointed special agent of
the treasury department, which he held until his nomination by
acclamation, by the republican convention at Owosso, for congress.
He served efficiently in congress from 1881 to 1883. He was renominated in 1882 but was defeated by 32 votes, although the average
democratic majority was 800. In 1885 he again filled the position of
special agent for the treasury. He has been a prominent Mason, and
filled the highest positions in the order. He is a Republican and a
member of the Episcopal church. He married the daughter of Hon.
John Swegles, former auditor general of Michigan, and they have
four children. He was chairman of a commission sent by the government to the Sandwich Islands in 1883, to investigate alleged violations of the Hawaiian reciprocity treaty.  In 1887 he was the
Republican candidate for circuit judge. Resides at St. Johns.
JOHN J. SPEED
Was born in Ithaca, N. Y., January 14, 1839. In 1848 came to Detroit;
graduated at the State University; studied law in Detroit; was admitted to the bar in 1861; practiced his profession in Detroit; was a Rep



60'S


MIICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


resentative in 1873-4; was appointed one of the two additional judges
to the 3d circuit in 1881, and was elected judge in 1882. His term
expired in 1887. In politics a Republican. Is now engaged in practice at Detroit.
THOMAS R. SPENCE,
Representative from Detroit, session 1867, was a native of Scotland,
born in 1825. He was a druggist and physician, but went to Cincinnati, Ohio (where he is supposed to be still a resident), soon after the
close of his legislative term, to engage in the tobacco business.
ASA SPENCER,
Representative from Ionia county in 1863-4, was born in Herkimer
county, N. Y., in 1807. He settled at Ionia, Mich., in 1845, where he
kept hotel two years, when he moved to Smyrna, Ionia county, went
into mercantile business, continuing his residence there until his
death in 1876. Held various town offices and was a justice. In politics a Republican.
GROVE SPENCER,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1840-1-8-50, was born at
West Stockbridge, Mass., Aug. 3, 1806. Came to Ypsilanti, Mich., in
1826. By profession a lawyer, but health failing, he removed in 1844
to his farm near Ypsilanti, which he managed successfully until his
death Aug. 29, 1854. He was for years a director of the state agricultural society; was twice a candidate for member of state board of
education; was president and recorder of Ypsilanti; and deeply interested in locating the Normal school. In politics a Whig.
HORACE C. SPENCER,
Senator from Genesee county in 1885, was born at Cortland, N. Y.,
July 27, 1832. Removed when young to Springville, N. Y. Was educated at an academy, clerked for years, was then a merchant until
1866, when he settled at Flint, Mich., in the hardware trade. Bought
a stock farm in 1876, and is now devoted to farming, and especially
interested in raising fine horses. Politically a Republican.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


603


JAMES W. SPENCER,
Representative from Tuscola county in 1887, was born in Dutchess
~county, N. Y., Oct. 8, 1827, and was a resident of Pennsylvania from
1849 to 1861, when he settled in Indian Fields, Mich., his present
home. Has been supervisor nine terms, twice chairman of the board,
town treasurer, village president, county register two terms, and has
held other offices. For nine years a merchant, now a farmer and real
estate dealer.
MICHAEL SPENCER,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1841, was born at East Hartford, Conn., Nov. 5, 1804. Came to Calhoun county, Mich., in 1831,
and located on a farm in Emmett, on which he resided until his death
Oct. 10, 1854. In religion a Baptist, in politics a Democrat.
ROLLIN SPRAGUE,
Representative from Oakland county in 1840, was born in East
Bloomfield, N. J., in 1806. By occupation a merchant, politically a
Republican. He came to Michigan about 1830. Died in August, 1872.
ROGER SPRAGUE,
Member of the territorial council in 1824 and 1832, was born at
Lebanon, Conn., in 1769. He settled first at Bloomfield, N. Y., and
was for seven years sheriff of Ontario county, which then included
nearly all of western New York, and was a member of the assembly
in 1816-17. In 1821 he settled at Avon, Michigan. Died in July, 1848.
WILLIAM    SPRAGUE
Was born in the state of Rhode Island; removed to Michigan and
settled at Kalamazoo. In 1848 he was elected a Representative to
congress, serving from December 3, 1849, to March 3, 1851. He was
a Free Soiler in politics. Died soon after the close of his term at
Kalamazoo.
WILLIAM B. SPRAGUE,
Representative from Branch county in 1846, was born in the state of
New York, Feb. 28, 1797. He graduated as a physician. at Fairfield




604


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


medical college. He practiced in New York until 1835, then settled
in practice at Coldwater, Mich., and resides on the same spot which
he first made his home, his second house being the first brick
residence in that city. He gave up medical practice thirty years
ago. In 1836 he formed a partnership and built a saw-mill and
flouring mill, now the largest roller mill in the county. He was the
first town clerk of Coldwater in 1836; in 1837 was elected associate
judge of the county court; in 1842 was elected judge of probate,
which he held until 18{5. At the age of ninety-one he is in good
health, has good sight, enjoys books and society, and is often seen on
the streets. He married in 1831 a daughter of Rev. Francis Smith,
and has three daughters and one son living. In religion a Methodist.
He is held in universal respect and esteem.
HENRY H. STAFFORD,
Representative from Marquette county in 1877, was born in Boston,
Mass., Jan. 6, 1833. He received an academical education. He came
to Michigan in 1855, and took up his residence in Marquette in 1856,
where he now resides. He has held numerous public offices. He
was receiver of the United States land office at Marquette five years,
the first mayor of Marquette, town treasurer, member of the school
board, etc. By occupation a druggist, in politics a Republican.
JOHN H. STANDISH.
Senator from Newaygo and other counties in 1867-9, was born in
Benson, Vt., February 10, 1816, and is a direct descendant of Captain
Miles Standish, of Puritan fame. Receiving a common school education, at the age of fifteen taught school in Orleans county, N. Y.,
and in Ohio, and the next year was a clerk in Chicago. From thence
he traveled through Iowa, and down the Mississippi, and at the age of
seventeen was in the Texan service, where he rose to the rank of
lieutenant. He spent a year in Louisana, came north, and taught
school in Mt. Carmel, Ill., where he married Hester A. Courter. He
became a lecturer on psychology, and traveled extensively. He was
admitted to the Illinois bar, and in 1839 settled at Middleville, Mich.
In 1852 he became a resident of Newaygo, which is now his home.
Has been register of deeds, county clerk and prosecuting attorney of
Newaygo county. In 1863 he became captain of company "A," 10th
Michigan cavalry, and rose in service to the rank of lieutenant
colonel. In 1869 he was appointed U. S. district attorney for western




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


605


Michigan, and held that position eight years. For some years was
engaged in practice at Muskegon, but in 1881 returned to Newaygo.
In politics a Republican.
OLIVER 0. STANCHFIELD,
Representative from Mlason and Lake counties in 1877-79, was born
in Washington county, Maine, August 16, 1836. He was educated in
the academies of his native county, and studied law in the office of
Hon. F. A. Pike, in Calais, Maine. In 1857 he came west and located
at Cedar Rapids Iowa, and was admitted to practice by the Linn
county district court, of Iowa, in 1860. In 1861 he was appointed
sheriff and was subsequently re-elected twice to the same position.
In 1871 he was a member of the Iowa legislature from Linn county,
and was appointed one of the trustees of the Iowa state agricultural
c llege, which office he held until his removal to Michigan in 1874.
In politics a Republican.
ABIEL S. STANNARD,
Representative from lonia county in 1867-69-70, was born in Newport,
N. H., December 28, 1823. A farmer by occupation, politically a
Republican.  He came to Michigan with his father in 1837, who
located a farm in Boston, Ionia county, now occupied by his son.
They were among the first pioneers of that section of the state. Mr.
Stannard has been four terms supervisor of Boston.
ERASTUS H. STANTON,
Senator from Ionia and Montcalm counties in 1881-2, was born in
Durham, N. Y., November 13, 1816, and received an academical
education. He was four years a clerk, then became a merchant at
Greenville, N. Y., and was also engaged in farming, banking and
lumbering. He settled at Ionia, Mich., in 1867. He was a supervisor six years, and president of the village and mayor of the city of
Ionia. In politics a Republican.
HIRAM E. STAPLES,
Representative from Muskegon county in 1885, was born in the state
of New York, June 1, 1836. He has been a resident of this state for
thirty-seven years, with the exception of the time he served in the
war as a member of the fifth Wisconsin volunteer infantry, having
67




606


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


been engaged in business as a lumberman, which he still carries on,
residing at Whitehall, where he has held the office of president of the
common council for six years. He has also served as a supervisor.
In politics a Republican.
GEORGE P. STARK,
Senator from Kent county in 1887, was born at Stow, Ohio, August
19, 1832, and received a common school education, with a term or
two at Hiram college. He learned the trade of a cooper, followed it
until 1853, when he became a farmer. Was for one year, 1866, in
the drug trade at Palestine, Ill., then was a farmer until 1871, when
he removed from Hudson, Ohio, to Cascade, Mich., where he is a
merchant and farmer. He was a Representative in 1885. In politics
a Fusionist.
LEWIS F. STARKEY,
Senator from Kalamazoo county in 1843-4, was born in the state
of New Hampshire, in 1801. He studied medicine at Norwich, N. Y.,
and at Philadelphia. Practiced as a physician and surgeon in a Philadelphia hospital, in Otsego county and Binghampton, N. Y. He
came with his family to Detroit in 1836, and settled at Kalamazoo in
1837, where he practiced his profession until his death in 1848. By
appointment of the governor he was one year a visitor to the State
University.
GEORGE A. STARKWEATHER,
Representative from Wayne county in 1859, was born in Plymouth,
Mich., Feb. 26, 1826. of New England parentage, and still resides
there. He was the second white child born in the township, as his
mother was the first white woman to settle there. His early education was such as the time and the locality afforded, and his pursuits
have been farming and mercantile. He is now president of the first
national bank of Plymouth, and has held various local offices. Was
originally a Whig, and subsequently a Republican in politics.
FRANCIS C. ST. AIBIN,
Representative from the second district of Wayne county in 1855, was
of French descent, and a native of Hamtramck, born in 1831. After
the annexation he represented his ward at different timesas alderman




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


607


in the common council of Detroit. He was a carpenter and builder
by occupation, a Iemocrat in politics, and died Feb. 15, 1872.
WILLIAM M. ST. CLAIR
Was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, March 15, 1809, and
moved to Ohio with his parents in 1814. Became there a merchant.
Came to Michigan in 1839, and resided at Algonac, St. Clair county,
when elected as a Whig Representative to the legislature of 1849.
JOHN B. ST. JOHN,
Representative from Macomb county in 1848, was born in Rensselaer
county, N. Y., Nov. 17, 1804. He came to Michigan in 1830, and settled on a farm three miles west of Utica, which he had purchased in
1827, and where lie now resides. In politics a Democrat.
BENTON R. STEARNS,
Representative from Berrien county in 1879, was born in Delaware
county, Ohio, Dec. 12, 1842. He received a common school education,
and removed to Berrien county, Mich., in 1848. In 1861 he enlisted
in company E, twelfth regiment Mich. vols., receiving commissions
as second and first lieutenant in same regiment, serving four years
and a half. Occupation, druggist, which he engaged in at Galien,
Mich. He has filled the offices to township treasurer five years, and
supervisor. In politics a Republican.
AMOS E. STEELE,
Representative from Ingham and Livingston counties in 1840, was
born in Queensbury, N. Y., June 28, 1806. He settled in Onondaga,
Mich., in 1836, and was elected associate judge of Ingham county in
1838; took the county census in 1840; removed to Mason in 1844, and
was elected judge of probate in 1848; was justice 27 years, and filled
many local offices. In politics a Republican after 1854. Died March
15, 1878.
GEO. E. STEELE,
Representative from Antrim and other counties in 1877, was born in
West Andover, Ohio, Oct. 28, 1842. He removed to Kingsville, Ohio,




608


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


in 1845, and in 1861 to Benzonia, Mich. He received an academical
education. In 1864 he removed to Homestead; attended the state
agricultural college; was county surveyor of Grand Traverse county,
then including Benzie, and supervisor; removed to Elk Rapids,
Antrim county, in 1872, since which time he has been county surveyor of Antrim county, and supervisor of Elk Rapids, and largely
engaged in examinations of lands, estimates, civil engineering and
surveying, and in a small way in farming. In politics a Republican,
later a Prohibitionist.
JOSEPH H. STEERE,
Of Sault Ste. Marie, was born May 19, 1852, at Addison, Lenawee
county, Michigan. Removed to the state of Minnesota with his parents in 1854. Returned to Adrian, Michigan, in 1861, worked on' a
farm and taught school, attended Raisin Valley seminary and Adrian
high school winters, until 1872, then entered literary class of Michigan University, graduated from there in classical course in 1876.
Studied law with Messrs. Geddes & Miller, of Adrian. Admitted to
the bar in 1878. Removed to bjs present place of residence and began
the practice of law in the last named year. Elected prosecuting
attorney of Chippewa county in 1880. He was elected judge of the
eleventh circuit in the spring of 1881.
WILLIAM M. STEPHENS,
Representative from Ingham county in 1875, was born in Chittenden
county, Vt., in 1825, where he resided until 1832, when his father's
family removed to Niagara county, N. Y. In 1835 the family removed
to Michigan and settled in Stockbridge, Ingham county, where he
has since resided, with the exception of four years spent in California. He received a common school education, and is a farmer by
occupation. In politics a Democrat.
ROBERT STEP.HENSON,
Representative from Delta and Menominee counties in 1881-2, was
born in New Brunswick in 1836. He removed to Delta county in
1846, and to Menominee county in 1849, where he has resided ever
since. He received a common school education; has been engaged
principally in lumbering, in which he is now largely interested; is
superintendent of the Ludington, Wells & Van Schoick Lumber Co.,
in which he is a large stockholder. He is also closely identified with




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


609


several other important business enterprises in that section of the
country. In politics a Republican.
SAMUEL M. STEPHENSON,
Senator from the 31st district, comprising the counties of Marquette,
Menominee, Delta, Schoolcraft, Chippewa, and Mackinaw, in 1879-85,
was born in New Brunswick in 1831. He received a common school
education, and in 1846 located in Delta county, Mich., where he
engaged in lumbering. In 1858 he removed to Menominee, where he
built the second saw mill on the river. He has been chairman of the
board of supervisors most of the time since that county was organ*
ized. He is largely interested in "The Kirby Carpenter Co.," of
Menominee, and the "Stephenson Banking Co.," of Marinette, Wis.,
being an officer of both. He is also engaged in real estate, lumber,
and general mercantile business, and owns several large farms. He
was a Representative in the legislature of 1877 and a member of the
Senate in 1879. In politics a Republican, and was a delegate to the
republican national convention of 1888.
EZRA STETSON,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1851, was born in Otsego
county, N. Y., in 1811. Settled as a physician at Galesburg, Mich.,
in 1837, and was in practice there for twenty years. He was a
graduate of Fairfield medical college, N. Y. He was supervisor of
Comstock, and a public spirited, active and influential citizen. In
1857 he removed to Bureau county, Illinois, where he became a
farmer and stock raiser, giving much attention to the Percheron
breed of horses, and was among the first to bring them to this
country. Has acquired a fortune.
AMOS STEVENS,
Representative from Wayne county in 1849, and a delegate in the
constitutional convention of 1835, was born in Sangerfield, N. Y.,
May 31, 1801. He removed to Steuben county in 1806, and to Canton,
Mich., in 1831, where he died in 1876. He filled many local offices.
A farmer by occupation, a Democrat in politics, and a Presbyterian
in religion.




610


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


APPLETON STEVENS,
Representative from Bay county in 1861-2, was born at Moodus,
Conn., August 17, 1818. He settled at Portsmouth, Bay county, in
1856, and was the first supervisor of that town. Died August 29,
1878.
FITZ H. STEVENS,
Senator from Van Buren county in 1853, was born in Tyngsboro,
Mass., May 27, 1817. He came to Michigan in 1837, and resided in
Berrien and Van Buren counties nearly the entire period from that
date until his death, which occurred at St. Joseph, Sept. 7, 1870.
In politics a Democrat. He was register of deeds in Van Buren
county from 1840 to 1842. Also postmaster of St. Joseph. He was
active in raising troops for the 12th Michigan infantry, and went out
as the chosen quartermaster of the regiment, but did not finally
receive his commission.
HERMAN W. STEVENS,
Of Port Huron, is a native of Michigan. Mr. Stevens graduated
from the literary department of the Michigan University in 1866,
and from the law department of that institution in 1868, and at once
began the practice of his profession at Port Huron, and was so
engaged without interruption until January 1, 1882, when he assumed
the duties of circuit judge of the sixteenth judicial circuit.
HESTOR L. STEVENS
Was born at Lima, New York, October, 1803; received an academical
education; studied law, was admitted to the bar, and commenced
practice in Rochester, N. Y., where he was also connected with the
press. He attained eminence   as an   attorney, removed  to
Michigan in 1845, and locating at Pontiac engaged in practice. He
was prosecuting attorney of Oakland county in 1847 and 1848. He
was elected Representative to congress in 1852, as a Democrat,
receiving 10,146 votes against 8,948 votes for Bradley, Whig, and
1,048 votes for Calkins, Free Soil. He served from December 5,
1853 to March 3, 1855. In 1854 he was defeated as a candidate for
re-nomination. Soon after the expiration of his term he removed to
Washington, where he practiced before the court of claims. He was
an able lawyer, and a man of high social position. He died in
Georgetown, D. C., May 7, 1864.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


611


HORACE STEVENS,
Representative from Oakland county in 1845, was born in Sharon
bonn., August 29, 1799. He came to Michigan in 1835, was in
business a mill owner and speculator, in politics a Democrat. Was
a prominent local politician, and a man of wealth and position. Was
one of the commissioners that located the state prison, and was also a
judge. Was prominent in securing the Clinton and Kalamazoo
canal. He gave the casting vote in the congressional convention,
which nominated Kinsley S. Bingham to congress the first term.
He died in March, 1849.
JOHN J. STEVENS,
Representative from Monroe county in 1867, was born in Cleveland,
Ohio. Oct. 17, 1823. By occupation a builder, in politics a Republican.
He came to Monroe, Michigan, in 1834, where he now resides. Has
been alderman and supervisor. He was captain of Co. K, 18th
Michigan infantry, from June 18, 1862, until the regiment was
mustered out in June, 1865.
STEPHEN R. STEVENS,
Representative from Montcalm county in 1877-79, was born near
Geneva, N. Y., Dec. 19, 1826. He received an education at Hobart
college, Geneva. He was engaged in teaching for a number of years.
He removed to Michigan in 1863, and became a citizen of Greenville
in 1866. He has filled various offices of trust. He is by occupation
a merchant, in politics a Republican.
WILLIAM C. STEVENS,
Auditor General from 1883 to 1887, was born at Plymouth, Mich.,
Nov. 14, 1837, and from 1846 to 1861 resided at Whitmore Lake. He
entered the service as a lieutenant in the 3d Michigan cavalry in
1861, was discharged in 1862 for disability, but in the fall of that
year became a captain in the 9th Michigan cavalry, and was promoted to major, serving until the close of the war. Studied law and
graduated from the University law class of 1868, went into practice
at East Tawas, served as prosecuting attorney, and ten years county
treasurer. In politics a Republican. Now resides at Ann Arbor.




612


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


WILLIAM N. STEVENS
Was born at Elizabeth, N. J., April 29, 1813. He learned the trade
of a carpenter and worked at it for several years. He moved from
New York city to Plymouth, Mich., in 1834, and from there to Whitmore Lake in 1847. He was engaged in mercantile business from
1847 to 1872. He was a Representative from Washtenaw county in
1861-2. He was county clerk in 1872. In 1882 removed to Ann
Arbor, where he now resides.
EDWIN STEWART
Was born at Cambria, N. Y., August 28, 1819. He came to Michigan
in 1837. In 1839 he taught school in Pine Lake, Oakland county.
He attended the branch of the State University at Kalamazoo, graduated as a physician at Rush medical college, Chicago, in 1850, and:since that time has been a practicing physician. He resides at Mendon. He was a Representative in 1861-2-3-4-5, as a Republican. He
was postmaster at Mendon during President Arthur's administration.
JAMES STEWART,
Representative from Wayne county in 1869-70, was born near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1830. His early occupations were machine work
and railroading. He came to the United States in 1851. After a
year spent in Penn Yan, N. Y., he removed to Michigan, settling in
Van Buren, Wayne county, where he engaged in lumbering. He is
still in the same business in the village of Belleville, although for
several years he carried on a flouring mill at New Boston. He has
always been a Democrat. He has been honored with various offices,
and is now a justice.
WILLIAM W. STICKNEY,
Judge of the 6th circuit from 1881 to 1888, was born in Shoreham,
Vt., January 30, 1832, received an academical education; taught
school; graduated irom the Poughkeepsie law school in 1855, and
studied elsewhere. He was admitted in 1856, and commenced practice at Lapeer, where he now resides. He was two years prosecuting
attorney,. and served on the school board many years, and was its
president. In politics a Democrat. Resides on a farm. He was
defeated for re-election in 1886.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


613


ELI L. STILLSON,
Representative from Calhotn county in 1845, was born in Scipio, N.
Y., May 20, 1804. When young he removed with his father to
Rochester, N. Y., and was in the mercantile business in early life. In
1836 he came to Battle Creek, Mich., and devoted himself to the
profession of law. He held the offices of master in chancery and
justice. His court was regarded as a model in point of dignity, precision and practice. Died November 11, 1862.
JOSEPH W. STINCHICOMB,
Representative from Barry county in 1877, was born in Perry county,
Ohio, July 2, 1828. He removed to Seneca county, Ohio, in 1830.
Received a common school education. In 1860 he removed to Michigan and settled in Sunfield, Eaton county, removed again to Woodland, Barry county, where he now resides. He has held the offices of
school inspector, highway commissioner, and justice. In politics a
Republican.
FRANCIS B. STOCKBRIDGE,
Of Kalamazoo, was born in Bath, Me., April 9, 1826. Became aclerk
at Boston at the age of sixteen, and remained there until 1847, then
became a lumber dealer in Chicago. In 1850 engaged in the manufacture of lumber in Allegan county, which he continued until 1874.
With O. R. Johnson as partner has been heavily engaged in lumbering in the upper peninsula, is largely interested in silver mining, and
in southern pine. He was a Representative in the Michigan legislature of 1869-70, and Senator in 1871-2. He was a Whig, but a Republican since 1854. He declined the position of minister to the Hague
in 1867. He is largely engaged in the breeding of fine horses with S.
A. Brown of Kalamazoo. In 1887 was elected United States Senator
and his term will expire in 1893.
JOHN'STOCKTON
Was born in Lancaster, Pa., Dec. 24, 1798, and when young removed
with his parents to Chillicothe, O., became a clerk, and served in the
war of 1812, and was in command of Fort Maiden when peace was
declared. In 1815 was the private secretary of Gov. Cass, and in 1816
became a Detroit merchant. Removed to Mt. Clemens, and was postmaster there three years, also county clerk and register of Macomb
county. He was a justice of the peace from 1819 to 1874. He was a
68




614


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


member of the territorial council from 1824 to 1832, and again in 1834;
Senator in 1835; Representative in 1840-1-50, and speaker pro
tem. in 1850. In 1824 he was government superintendent of the Lake
Superior copper mines. He raised the 8th Michigan cavalry in 1862,.
and escorted it to the field, two of his sons being captains in the regiment. Deceased.
MARTIN P. STOCKWELL,
Member of the constitutional convention of 1867, was born in Cato,
N. Y., and located a farm in Dover, Lenawee county, in 1837. Has
held the offices of justice and supervisor, and for eight years was
county superintendent of the poor. Politically a Republican.
CAMERON C. STODDARD,
Representative from Tuscola county in 1861-2, was born in Essex
county, N. Y., in February, 1830. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Republican. He came to Michigan from western New York in
1858. Enlisted as a private in company A, 29th Michigan infantry, in
1864, and returned home in September, 1865, with a commission as
1st lieutenant. He was supervisor several terms, and clerk of Tuscola
county from 1872 to 1876. Died January 24. 1876.
JESSE STODDARD
Was born in Litchfield, Conn., July 3, 1792. He married in 1814,
removed to Genesee county, N. Ys, in 1816, and from there to Hillsdale county in 1836, By occupation a farmer. He was a Representative in the legislature of 1849.
WILLIAM STODDARD
Was born August 31, 1821, in Sheldon, N. Y., received a common
school education, came to Michigan in 1836, and settled as a farmer
in Litchfield, Hillsdale county. He was a Representative in 1857, and
Senator in 1871-2-3. A Republican in politics. He died in 1873.
CHARLES W. STONE,
Representative from Newaygo county in 1883, was born in the county
of Warren, N. Y., June 2, 1833, and received his education in the
common schools. He came to Michigan in 1854, and settled in




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


615


Newaygo county, where he has resided since. He is a farmer and
breeder of short horn cattle, and has lumber interests. He has been
nine times elected supervisor of his township, and twice elected
county treasurer. Was a National in politics.
CLEMENT W. STONE,
Representative from Roscommon and other counties in 1877, was
born May 30, 1840, in Gloucester, Mass. In 1843 he removed to
Michigan and located in Kalamazoo. He received an academical
education. In 1861 enlisted as commissary sergeant in the sixth regiment, Mich. volunteers, and was promoted to the captaincy of Co. D
of that regiment.  At the close of the war he held the position of
inspector general of the district of south Alabama and west Florida.
In 1866, in connection with his brother, he purchased the Kalamazoo
weekly Telegraph, and afterwards established the daily Telegraph. In
1872 he located at Houghton Lake. In 1874 he was elected supervisor
of Roscommon township, at that time being attached to Midland
county. In 1875 he was elected county treasurer of Roscommon
county. He was engaged in farming and real estate, In politics a
Republican. Deceased.
HIRAM STONE,
Representative from Monroe county in 1844-5-8, was a lawyer in fine
practice at Monroe. Died while on his way to California.
JOHN W. STONE,
Representative in congress from 1877 to 1881, was born in Wadsworth, 0., July 18, 1838. He received a common and select school
education, came to Michigan in 1836, and taught school four winters.
He was clerk of Allegan county two terms. Studied law, was
admitted in 1862, and was prosecuting attorney of Allegan county
from 1865 to 1871. Was elected circuit judge in 1873, resigned in 1874,
and went into practice at Grand Rapids. After the close of his second
term in congress was U. S. district attorney for western Michigan
until 1885. Now in practice at Houghton, Mich. A Republican in
politics.




616


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


WALES F. STORRS
Was born at Westport, N. Y., Jan. 19, 1816. He received the education of common schools, moved with his parents to Portage county,
Ohio, in 1834, worked on a farm until 1836, and then taught school
for several years. In 1859 he removed to Grand Haven, Michigan,
and engaged in lumbering. In 1867 he was a Representative, and in
1871-2 a Senator. A Whig until 1854, then a Republican.
WILLIAM L. STOUGHTON,
Attorney General 1867-9, and Representative in congress 1869-73, was
born in Bangor, N. Y., March 20, 1827. Received an academical education, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1851. He was
prosecuting attorney of St. Joseph county, 1855-9, and for some
time U. S. district attorney for Michigan. He resigned, became
lieutenant colonel of the 11th Michigan infantry, became colonel
April 1, 1862, lost a leg in battle, was made brigadier general, and at
the close of the war major general, "for gallantry in the field." He
practiced law several years at Grand Rapids, then resumed practice
at his old home in Sturgis, where he died in the spring of 1888.
BYRON G. STOUT,
Representative from Oakland county in 1857-9, speaker in 1859, and
Senator in 1861-2, was born near Canandaigua, N. Y., in 1829, and
became a resident of Oakland county, Mich., in 1831. He graduated
from the State University in 1851. Studied law one year, devoted
eight years to teaching, and since has given most of his time to
agriculture and real estate. In 1862 he was the union-democratic
nominee for governor, but was defeated. A Republican until 1862,
since a Democrat. Was the democratic nominee for congress in 1868
and 1870, and for State Senator in 1883, was a delegate to the republican national convention in 1856, and to the democratic national conventions of 1868, 1880, and 1888. Resides at Pontiac.
DAVID B. STOUT,
Representative in the legislature of 1838, settled at Allegan, Michigan,
in 1836. In politics a Whig. He removed to New Jersey in the
forties, was a Free Soiler in 1848, became a preacher, and died in that
state.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


617


ISAAC STOW,
Representative from Livingston county in 1875, was born in Weybridge, Vt., Dec. 10, 1830. In 1836 he came with his parents to the
western part of Livingston county. He had the advantage of a good
high school for some months. He has filled nearly every position in
the gift of his township, and with the exception of three years has
held the office of supervisor since 1865. He is engaged in agriculture.
In politics a Democrat.
ALEXANDER H. STOWELL,
Senator from Wayne county in 1853, was born in Vermont in 1808.
He came to Michigan at an early day, and was a bookbinder by trade.
He identified himself with the business of Detroit, and became a
trader in a general way, especially in real estate. He was alderman
1850-3, and served as assessor and city marshal at various times. Was
a Democrat in politics. Deceased.
JAMES J. STRANG
Was born at Scipio, N. Y., March 21, 1813, and was the son of a
farmer. He received a common school education, followed by a
short term at Fredonia academy. When young he became a conspicuous debater in the rural clubs, and had a morbid desire for
distinction. At the age of twelve he joined the Baptist church, and
was for some time an active member. He was restlessly active,
taught school, delivered temperance addresses, worked on his father's
and other farms, and at the age of twenty-one commenced the study
of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1836, and soon after married
Mary Perce. He practiced law at Mayville and Ellington, N. Y., and
was postmaster at Ellington. In 1843 he emigrated to Burlington,
Wisconsin, and formed a law partnership with C. P. Barnes. In
1844 he visited Nauvoo, Ill., the Mormon headquarters, was speedily
converted and baptized into that faith. He was authorized by Joseph
Smith, as an elder and minister, to establish a Mormon colony in
Wisconsin. Strang founded his colony at Voree, (now Spring
Prairie) Wisconsin, and published the Voree Herald. The colony
grew. In May, 1847, he explored the Beaver Islands, and made it
his headquarters. St. James was named from him, and in 1850 the
colony elected him king. He then published the Northern Islander,
and the saints became the owners of homesteads. In 1849 his first
wife left him, and he had another wife in 1851, a second in 1852, and




618


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


two others in 1855. In July, 1856, he was murdered on Beaver
Island, and was buried at Spring Prairie, Wis. He was a Representative in 1853-5, as a Democrat. He was a man of ability, and aside
from polygamy, of upright character, scholarly life and studious
habits, and a good writer and speaker.
SAMUEL STREET,
Representative from Berrien county in 1850, was a native of North
Carolina. He located a farm in Bertrand, Berrien county, in 1835,
and built a double log house, where he lived until his death in 1861.
He was a supervisor of Bertrand.
RANDOLPH STRICKLAND
Was born at Dansville, N. Y., February 4,1823, and died May 5, 1881,
His grandfather was a revolutionary soldier. His education was
obtained under great difficulties, mostly at night by the light of
burning pine knots. From sixteen to twenty-one he was employed
in a saw-mill, working sixteen hours a day. In 1844 he taught
school in Ingham county, Michigan. For five years he was engaged
in studying and working, and was admitted to the bar in 1349. After
a short time spent in practice at Detroit, he was elected prosecuting
attorney of Clinton county, and held that position for eight years.
He first resided at Dewitt, after that at St. Johns. He was a delegate
to the republican national convention of 1856; a Senator in 1861-2;
provost marshal, 1863-5; and Representative in congress 1869-71. He
was a Republican in politics.
DANIEL STRIKER,
Secretary of State from 1871 to 1875, was born in Rose, N. Y., April
9, 1835, and came with his parents to Concord, Mich., the same year.
In 1851 they moved to Baltimore, Barry county. He became a clerk
at Hastings from 1855 to 1858. He was clerk of Barry county six
years; deputy county clerk three years; supervisor and chairman of
county board; was admitted to the bar in 1870; has been engaged in
the drug and hardware trade, and a national bank director. He is
chairman of the Albion college endowment fund committee, and
devotes his time to that and to banking. In politics a Republican.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


619


GILBERT STRIKER,
Representative from Barry county in 1873-4, was born in Washington, N. Y., October 13, 1811. In 1818 his parents removed to Wayne
county, N. Y. He received a common school education. In 1835
removed to Michigan and settled in Concord, Jackson county. In
1852 he removed to Baltimore, Barry county, where he now resides.
He has served in several responsible positions in his township. A
farmer by occupation, and a Republican in politics.
OLIVER P. STROBRIDGE,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1850, was born in Claremont,
N. H., June 1, 1818. By profession a physician. He came to Michigan in 1840, and lived at Farmington until 1845, when he removed to
Almont, and practiced his profession until 1873. Then went to California for his health and did not return to Almont until a short time
before his death, Feb. 1, 1880.
JOHN STRONG,
Representative from Wayne county in 1835-6, was a native of England, born 1799. Hle came to Michigan in 1822, was a farmer by
occupation, and died March 25, 1881. His son (of the same name)
has since held seats both in the House and Senate, from Wayne and
Monroe counties.
JOHN STRONG, JR.,
Was born in Greenfield, Michigan, April 7, 1831. He received a common school education and followed farming until 1863, when he
removed to South Rackwood, Monroe county, and engaged in milling, in manufacturing staves, heading, and lumber, in merchandise,
farming and raising short horn stock. In 1861-2 he was a Representative from Wayne county, in 1879 in the same position from
Monroe county, and in 1881-2-3 was a Senator from Monroe county.
In politics a Democrat.
MYRON STRONG
Was born and brought up in Rochester, N. Y. He removed to Cass
county, Michigan, in 1835, and settled on a farm near Edwardsburg.
In 1838 he was elected an associate judge of the county. He was a
Representative in 1841. He sold his farm in 1847 and returned to
Rochester, N. Y., where he lived until the close of the late war, when
he removed to Florida, and died there about 1872.




620


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


SYLVESTER A. STRONG,
Representative from Jackson county in 1879, was born Sept. 10, 1833,
in St. Lawrence county, N. Y.; removed to Michigan in 1835, and
became a resident of Jackson county in 1840. He received a common school education, and chose a farmer's life. He has held many
offices, including treasurer, highway commissioner, and justice.
Politics, national.
JOHN STRUBLE,
Representative from Cass county in 1675, was born in Union county,
Pa., Feb. 9, 1823, removed to Michigan in 1846, and settled at Three
Rivers, St. Joseph county. He received a common school education,
and held the offices of supervisor and justice. His occupation is
farming. In politics a Democrat.
CHARLES E STUART
Was born at Canaan Corners, Columbia county, New York, November 25, 1810. His father soon removed to Waterloo, N. Y., where he
received the education of common and grammar schools. At the age
of nineteen he commenced the study of law, and was admitted to the
bar of Seneca county. In 1835 he settled at Kalamazoo, Mich., and
began his distinguished career as a lawyer and politician. In 1842 he
was Representative in the state legislature; from 1847 to 1849, and
from 1851 to 1853 he was Representative in congress;. and from 1853 to
1859 was United States Senator from Michigan. He attained high
reputation as a lawyer, speaker and legislator. His personal appearance was faultless; he was at once commanding and graceful; just
above the medium height, and compactly built. A fine eye lighted
up a classic head and face. In his legal contests he never lost poise
or temper, never used manuscript or notes, and never abused a witness or opponent. As a public speaker he was always in demand. In
words, look, tone and gesture he carried art to the highest finish.
With great intellectual endowments, keen perception and courage, he
attained high position at the bar, and in the political arena. In the
Senate he was a fine presiding officer. On account of ill health, he
retired from practice and public life many years ago. He was a delegate at large from Michigan to the democratic national convention in
1860, and was the leader of the Douglass delegates. He was also a
delegate at large to the democratic national convention in 1868, and
was a delegate to the union convention at Philadelphia in 1866. For




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


621


the last seventeen years of his life he was an invalid, but never lost
his interest in public affairs. He raised the 13th Michigan infantry in
1862. He died at Kalamazoo May 19, 1887.
DAVID STUART
Was born in the state of New York; removed to Detroit, Michigan;
was elected a Representative from Michigan in the thirty-third congress as a Democrat, receiving 10,125 votes against 9,370 votes for
Howard, Whig, and 605 for Dexter, Free Soiler, serving from Dec. 5,
1853, to March 3, 1855.
PATRICK STUART,
Representative from Wayne county in 1887, was born at Tulnagingay,
Fermanagh county, Ireland, March 17, 1820. His father was a
mechanic, and died leaving a widow and four children, of which
Patrick was next to the youngest. In a few years their means were
exhausted, and when the subject of this sketch was but seven years
old he was compelled to help make his own living. Afterwards he
traveled through Ireland, Scotland and England, and finally, in 1843,
sailed for America, where he learned the brass molder's trade,
married and settled in Detroit, where he has resided about thirtyseven years, working at his trade until three years ago, when he was
made sewer inspector. Mr. Stuart is a Democrat, and was elected
Representative by a vote of 12,255.
ROBERT STUART
Was born at Callander, Perthshire, Scotland, in 1785. He received a
fair education, and at the request of his uncle, David Stuart, then an
agent of the northwest company, he came to Montreal, Canada, when
twenty-two years of age. There he made himself master of the
French language, and subsequently entered the office of the attorney
general of the province. He, with his uncle, John Jacob Astor, and
others, in 1810 became partners in a scheme for establishing trading
posts on the Pacific coast and its rivers. In September, 1810, the
Stuarts with a crew of fifty-one sailed for the mouth of the Columbia
river, where they founded Astoria, and established several trading
posts on the Columbia and its tributaries. The war of 1812 compelled
them to sell out to the northwest fur co., and Mr. Stuart with a
party of six traveled overland from Astoria to New York. In 1817
he removed to the island of Mackinac as the general agent of the
69




622


IMICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


American fur company, which he successfully managed until 1835,
when the business was closed out and he removed to Detroit, investing largely in real estate. He became a director in the old bank of
Michigan, and was appointed state treasurer in 1840, which position
he held nearly one year. He was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian
church. In all religious matters his place was in the front rank. He
died October 29, 1848.
DAVID STURGIS,
Senator from Clinton county in 1851, was born in Brant county,
Ontario, March 10, 1810. By occupation a merchant; in politics a
Democrat. Came to Detroit in 1837 and engaged in peddling for the
wholesale house of Beecher & Abbott, making his trips by the way
of Pontiac and DeWitt to Grand Rapids, which gave him an opportunity to find a place to settle. Commenced mercantile business at
Portland, then removed to De Witt in 1840, and remained there merchandizing and milling until the founding of St. Johns, in which he
took an active part with Auditor General Swegles and others in
1853-4. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1850;
associate judge in 1842; supervisor of DeWitt in 1850 and 1853; and
trustee of the union school at St. Johns. Fond of pioneer life he took
pride in the advancement of the state, and was a great favorite of the
Indians, speaking their language fluently. Died in February, 1864.
JAMES SULLIVAN
Was born in Exeter, N. H., Dec. 6, 1811, and was of illustrious ancestry, his grandfather being General Sullivan of the revolution, who
was governor of New Hampshire from 1786 to 1789, and representative in congress. His father, George Sullivan, was an eminent lawyer, and was attorney general of New Hampshire, and representative
in congress. James Sullivan graduated from Dartmouth college at
the age of eighteen, studied and practiced law at Concord, N. H., in
1837 came to Niles, Michigan, soon after removing to Edwardsburg
and thence to Cassopolis. He was a practitioner at the bar of Cass
county from 1838 to 1878, and was an able lawyer.  ie was prosecuting attorney from 1852 to 1854. In 1853 he removed to Dowagiac,
where he resided until his death in August, 1878. He was Senator in
1855, and a member of the constitutional convention of 1850. He
there made a speech on the grand jury system which was regarded
as a masterpiece of eloquence and logic.




MICH I GAN BIOGRAPHY.


623


JACOB SUMMERS
Was born in the state of New Jersey, Jan. 7, 1787. He was by occupation a farmer, in politics a Democrat. His father became a judge
of records in Philadelphia. The son settled in Shelby, Macomb county,
in 1831.  He was supervisor in 1836; Representative in the
legislature of 1835 and 1836; Senator in 1837-8-9-40-9 and 1850,
and associate judge of Macomb county. He was a man of strong
mind, but uneducated, indolent and eccentric. But as a legislator he
had great influence, and often defeated the strongest men of the State
in legislation. He was familiarly known as "Uncle Jake." He died
July 25, 1863.
JOHN J. SUMNER
Was born April 17, 1832, in Sodus, N. Y., and received the education
of common schools. In 1847 he emigrated with his parents to Bedford, Monroe county, where he now resides. Has'been postmaster at
Lambertville twenty-two years; justice eight years; supervisor five
years; Representative in the legislature in 1871-2; and Senator in 1873 -4. Occupation general merchant and farmer. A Republican until
1884, since a Prohibitionist.
JAMES B. SUTHERLAND
Was born ini North Castle, N. Y. He became a clerk'in the dry goods
with T. Peck, on Cedar street, New York city. He went to Missouri
in 1840, and in 1841 engaged in mercantile and lumber business at
St. Joseph, Michigan, had a lumber yard at Chicago, and was in the
trade for twenty years. He was a member of the legislature in 1855
as atemperance democrat, spoke and voted for theMaine law and
free railroads. Married the daughter of J. B. Lame in 1853; an independent Democrat up to 1884, now a Prohibitionist. A deacon in the
Congregational church at St. Joseph, which is still his home.
JABEZ G. SUTHERLAND
Was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., Oct. 6, 1825; removed with his
father to Genesee county in 1836. He studied law and was admitted
in 1848. In 1849 he began practice in Saginaw City, and became
prosecuting attorney of the county. In 1850 he was a member of the
state constitutional convention. In 1853 he was a Representative in
the state legislature. After that he devoted himself to his practice
with signal success. In 1858 he was the democratic candidate for




624


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


attorney general. In 1863 he was elected circuit judge of the tenth
circuit, anc was re-elected in 1869 without opposition. He acquired
distinction as a judge. In 1867 he was a delegate to the state constitutional convention. In 1870 he was elected to the 47th congress,
serving one term. He is now practicing law with success at Salt
Lake City.
EDWIN SUTTON
Was born in Ulster county, N. Y., April 1, 1821. He settled in Mason
township, Cass county, Michigan, in 1846. He was a farmer and district school teacher, and town clerk and school inspector. Was a
Democrat until 1854, then a Republican. He was Representative in
the Michigan House of 1857. Died June 12, 1862.
GEORGE SUTTON,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1875, was born in Warren
county, N. J., February 17, 1810. He came with his father to Michigan in 1830, and settled upon a farm of five hundred acres, on which
he now dwells, in Northfield, being now and always having been a
farmer. He received his education in the common schools. He has
held office in his township ever since it was organized, having filled
the positions of supervisor, justice of the peace, and other offices. In
politics a Democrat.
NATHAN E. SUTTON,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1885, was born in Northfield, January 17,1842, upon the farm purchased in 1824 of the United
States, by his father's family, who were the first settlers in the township. Here he still resides and follows the occupation of a farmer
and dealer in live stock. In early life Mr. Sutton received a good
education, passing through the common schools and graduating at
the Ann Arbor commercial college in 1861. He has filled the office
of supervisor for two terms, and was elected as a Democrat.
WILLIAM C. SUTTON,
Senator from Wayne county in 1873-4, was born December 3, 1811, in
Warwick, N. Y. He was educated in the common schools. In 1857
he emigrated to Michigan, and settled in Battle, Creek. In 1865 he
removed to the town of Dearborn, Wayne county, where he now




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPH Y.


625


resides. He has served in several responsible offices in the town
where he has resided, and where he now resides, and before leaving
New York held various public offices. His occupation is of a miscellaneous character.
JOHN B. SWEETLAND,
Representative from Cass county in 1875, was born July 4, 1834, in
Tompkins county, N. Y., and removed to Michiganin July, 1861. He
was educated at the district schools and New York central college,
and is a graduate of the medical department of the University of
Buffalo. He enlisted as a private in the fourth Michigan cavalry,
serving thirteen months, when he received an appointment upon the
medical staff in the regular army. In politics a Republican.
JAMES A. SWEEZEY,
Representative from Barry county in 1863-4-7, was born at Brook
Haven, Long Island, N. Y., September 19, 1828. A lawyer by profession; a Republican in politics. He came to Michigan in 1834, and
lived with his parents at Napoleon, Jackson county, until June, 1851,
when he settled in Hastings, and was admitted to the bar at Grand
Rapids in 1853. He has been prosecuting attorney of Barry county
for six years, and was regent of the University of Michigan from
1864 to 1872. Is still in the practice of his profession at Hastings.
Has been twice elected and for two years filled the trust of grand
chancellor of the order of Knights of Pythias of Michigan.
JOHN SWEGLES
Was born in Hector, N. Y., April 10, 1819. He commenced the study
of medicine at the age of eighteen, and abandoned it to become
purser's'clerk on the brig Porpoise of the Atlantic coast survey. In
1840 he removed to Jonesville, Michigan. He was clerk of Hillsdale
county from 1845 to 1849. In 1850 he was elected auditor general,
and served for two terms from 1851 to 1855. In 1853 he selected for
a company of which he was a member the site of the present village
of St. Johns, the land purchased comprising 920 acres. He built a
saw-mill and stave house the next year, and employed men to clear
the land. The village was named St. Johns as a mark of honor to
him. He died many years since.




626


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


JAMES H. SWEENEY,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1846, was a physician. He
came from the state of New York about 1835, and lived many years
at the village of Morenci. Deceased.
GEORGE W. SWIFT
Was born in Palmyra, N. Y., May 21, 1817. In 1825 he came with
his father, Rev. Marcus Swift, to Michigan, the family settling on a
farm in Nankin, Wayne county, where he remained until twenty
years of age, receiving his education largely at home. In 1837 he
went to New York and enjoyed for four years good educational
advantages. As a speaker he early distinguished himself in debate,
especially upon the subjects of temperance and anti-slavery, and
delivered many public addresses. He removed to Lansing with his
family and was state librarian from 1857 to 1859. In 1859 he had
charge of the state fund for the relief of destitute settlers in Gratiot,
Montcalm, Isabella and adjoining counties, and purchased over 120
tons of provisions and supplies, which were loaned, notes being taken
in over 2,000 cases. For this work he received the thanks of the
state officers. In politics he was a Republican. He was a Representative from Wayne county in 1F67-9-70. He was sergeant-atarms of the House [in 1865. In 1869 he was appointed consul at
Windsor, which he held for four years. He died at Northville,
Michigan, April 28, 1885.
JOHN M. SWIFT
Was born in Nankin, Mich., February 11, 1832, and was the youngest
son of Rev. Marcus Swift. His early life was that of a farmer's son,
and his education was largely obtained at home, with one year at
common schools and a short academical course. He commenced the
study of medicine in 1851, and graduated in 1854 at the eclectic medical institute of Cincinnati. He has attained distinction as a physician, and has been elected a member of various medical societies
both in this country and in England. He is also a fine tenor singer,
has taken great interest in music, and through him, largely, Northville has a wide reputation as a musical town. In politics a Republican, in religion a Presbyterian. In 1865 he was a Representative,
and was one of the commission who located the house of correction
at Ionia in 1876.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


627


ORSON SWIFT,
Representative from Barry county in 1885, was born in Huntington,
Vt., August 3, 1838. He came to Michigan in 1862, and located in
Leroy, Calhoun county. Five years later he removed to Maple Grove,
Barry county, where he has since resided. He has always been
engaged in the business of farming. He has held the office of supervisor of his township six years. In politics a Fusionist.
WILLIAM F. SWIFT,
Senator from the thirty-first district, comprising Mackinac, Chippewa, Schoolcraft, Delta, Menominee, Marquette and Baraga counties in 1881-2. was born in the town of Sharon, Litchfield county,
Conn., July 10, 1848. He removed to Ishpeming, Mich., in 1873. As
the Republican candidate for Senator he received 5,257 votes, to
3,001 for AlfredOP. Swineford, Democrat.
ALBERT P. SWINEFORD
Was born in Ashland, Ohio, September 14, 1836. A printer by trade,
in politics a Democrat. He came to Michigan in 1867, and published
the Mining and Manufacturing News, the first paper at Negaunee.
He started the Mining Journal, at Marquette, in 1868, and is still
part owner of that paper. Prior to coming to Michigan he had
published the Star, at Albert Lea, Minn.; Banner, at La Crescent,
Minn.; started the first daily at La Crosse, Wisconsin; published the
Daily Enquirer at Mlilwaukee. in 1860, and the Democratic Press at
Fond Du Lac, in 1864-5-6. Then was in the oil business in Canada,
then an express messenger, thence to Lake Superior. He was a
Representative in the legislature of 1871-2, and was a commissioner
to the New Orleans exposition. He was appointed early in the
administration of President Cleveland, governor of Alaska, and now
fills that position, residing at Sitka.
ALEXANDER TACLES,
Representative from Macomb county in 1835-6-9, came to Michigan
in 1822, and settled at Romeo. He was a farmer by occupation,
politically a Democrat. Died April 12, 1855.




628


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


MOSES TAGGART
Was born at Wilson, N. Y., February 27, 1843. Is by profession an
attorney at law. Mr. Taggart's early life was spent on a farm. He
prepared for college at Wilson collegiate institute. He was graduated in the class of 1867, from the law department of the University
of Michigan. and was admitted to the bar at Buffalo, N. Y., December, 1867. In the fall of 1884, he was elected on the republican
ticket attorney general of the state of Michigan, and was re-elected
for the same office in 1886, receiving 181,266 votes, to 172,982 for John
C. Donnelly, Fusionist, and 25,439 for the Prohibition candidate.
LEVI B. TAFT
Was born at Bellingham, Mass., August 6, 1821. He came to Michigan in 1834. He graduated at Dartmouth college in 1843, and was
admitted to the bar in 1845. He practiced law in Chicago for sixteen
years, when he removed to Pontiac, Mich. He practiced there until
1873, when he was elected judge of the 6th circuit. He retired from
the bench in 1875, and is still in practice at Pontiac.
HENRY P. TAPPAN
Was born at Rhinebeck, N. Y., April 18, 1805. His father, Major
Peter Tappan, was an officer of the revolution, and took part in the
siege of Yorktown. The son at fourteen was left dependent on his
own resources, and with great effort and self denial, graduated with
high honor at Union college in 1825. Later he received from that
college the degree of D. D., and of LL. D. from Columbia college. He
studied theology at Auburn, and for three years was pastor of a Congregational church at Pittsfield, Mass., resigning on account of a throat
affection. At the age of twenty-seven he was called to the chair of
moral and intellectual philosophy in the New York University, where
he remained until 1838. He then devoted himself to the study of
mental philosophy, and in 1839-40-1 published works which gave
him high rank as a thinker throughout the civilized world. He
published other works in 1841-51-2-3. He spent two years traveling
in Europe, and in 1851 resumed his professorship in the University of
New York. In 1852, by a unanimous vote of the regents, he was
made president of the University of Michigan, and most ably filled
that position until 1863, when he became a resident of Berlin, and
afterwards of Vevay, where he closed his life in November, 1881.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


69


HORACE S. TAIB ELL
Was born at Chelsea, Mass., Aug. 19, 1838. He graduated at
Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in 1859. For three years
was professor of natural sciences in Bellville seminary, Canada;
from 1862 to 1865 was principal of Farmerville county grammar
school; in 1865 principal of central academy, McGrawville, N. Y.;
from 1866 to 1871 principal of schools in Detroit, and in 1869 organized
the evening school in Detroit house of correction; and was superintendent of the East Saginaw schools from 1870 to 1877. Elected
superintendent of public instruction in 1876, he served from January
1, 1877, until Aug., 1878, when he resigned to accept the position of
superintendent of schools at Indianapolis, Ind.
TIMOTHY E. TARSNEY
Was born at Ransom, Mich., Feb. 4, 1849; was educated at the
commrnl schools; served seven years as a marine engineer, meantime
reading law; entered the law department of Michigan University in
1870, and graduated in the class of 1872; was a justice in 1873-74;
was city attorney in 1875-6-7-8, when he resigned, serving as ex-offlcio
member of the board of supervisors at the same time; was elected to
the forty-ninth, and re-elected to the fiftieth congress as a Fusionist,
receiving 18,301 votes against 17,615 votes for Horr, Republican, and
1,930 votes for Abbey, Prohibitionist.
CHARLES H. TAYLOR
Was born at Cooperstown, N. Y., Nov. 20, 1813. He was educated at
an academy, and settled in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1837. He was
clerk of Kent county for eight years. In 1847-8 was a Representative
in the legislature. He was one of five commissioners who selected
sites for the insane asylum at Kalamazoo, and the deaf and dumb
asylum at Flint. He was the first secretary of state elected under
the constitution of 1850, and served from 1851 to 1853. From 1847 to
1855 he edited the Grand Rapids Enquirer. Later he was chief editor
and part proprietor of the Detroit Free Press, but ill health compelled
him to retire. In politics a Democrat. Is in business at Grand
Rapids.
DANIEL W. TAYLOR,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1845, was born in the state of
New York, Oct. 5, 1804. By occupation a farmer and carriage
70




630


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


maker; politically a Democrat. He was one of the earliest pioneers
in Lapeer county. Was postmaster seven years, and justice of the
peace several terms. He was a prominent Mason. Died October
10, 1860.
GEORGE E. TAYLOR,
Senator from Genesee county in 1883, was born in Oakland county,
Michigan, March 21. 1838.  He received a common school and
academical education. He commenced teaching at the age of seventeen, and continued in that occupation until twenty-eight years of
age. He has held the office of school inspector six years, supervisor
eight years, register of deeds six years, and been one of the aldermen
of the city of Flint for three years. In politics a Republican.
HENRY W. TAYLOR,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1847, was born in Deerfield,
Mass., February 2, 1796. By occupation a lawyer; politically Whig
and Republican. He graduated at Yale college in 1816, and received
the degree of LL. D. from that institution in 1849. He went to
Ontario county, N. Y., in 1816, studied law and practiced until 1840,
when he removed to Marshall, Michigan, to practice his profession.
He took high rank as a lawyer, and was learned and eloquent. He
returned to Canandaigua, N. Y., in 1848, was a member of the
legislature of that state four years, and judge of the county and
Supreme Court. He was appointed judge of the court of appeals in
1850. He was made a corporate member of the A. B. C. F. M. in
1846. He now resides at Canandaigua, and in a letter written in
July, 1887, at the age of 914 years, he says: "Am waiting for the
end of life to come."
LORISON J. TAYLOR,
Representative from Shiawassee county in 1874-5, was born at North
Raisinville, Mich., June 30. 1842. He fitted for and entered the
University at Ann Arbor, but in 1861 enlisted in the 2d Michigan
infantry, serving until Nov.,1863, when he was discharged from 
wounds received at Fort Saunders. He re-enlisted in 1865, and
became a captain in the 11th Michigan infantry, serving until
September of that year. Resides at Laingsburg, and is a farmers
He was a Senator in 1877.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


631


WILLIAM    H. TAYLOR,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1865-7, was a native of the
state of New York, born Feb. 9, 1816. Was a resident of Michigan
in 183T-8, but returned to New York, kept hotel two years, then for
two years was in business at Harrisburg, Pa. Then sold patents
until 1846, then moved to Ontario, Canada, engaged in lumbering
and ran grist and woolen mills. Made his home at Saginaw, Mich.,
in 1856, was a lumberman until 1865, then kept the Taylor house
until 1870. He removed to St. Louis, Mich., built the Eastman
house and kept it until 1874. Deceased.
CONRAD TEN EYCK
Was a name identified with the history of Michigan for more than half
a century. Mr. Ten Eyck was of Dutch extraction, born in Albany N.
Y., July 17, 1782. He came to Detroit in 1801. His early occupation
was that of a merchant, to which he added farming by the purchase
of a farm in Dearborn, which was his family residence during the
greater part of his life, although his own time was largely spent in
Detroit.  Mr. Ten Eyck's first record is as one of the protestants
against the brutal expulsion order of the British General Proctor in
1813. He was county treasurer from 1817 to 1825, and a member of
the first constitutional convention in 1835. He was Senator in 1835 -6-7, resigning in the latter year to accept the appointment of U. S.
marshal under President Van Buren, which office he held until 1841.
He was a Representative in 1846. He was a Democrat of undoubted
orthodoxy, was a man of energy and purpose, of decided character,
and by reason of these, traits, of marked influence during his active
life. Died Aug. 21. 1847.
PETER TERNES,
Representative from Wayne county in 1869-70, was born in Germany
in 1831, and came to America with his parents during his minority.
His occupation was that of a farmer in Greenfield for many years,
during which he held various local offices, including that of supervisor for six years. He removed to Detroit in 1870, and has since
been more or less in the service of the city, being now assistant
receiver of taxes. Politics, democratic.
HARRIET A. TENNEY,
State Librarian from April, 1869, until the present time, was the eldest daughter of John L. and Delia^(Doud) Edgerton, and was born in




632


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Essex, Vt., April 1, 1834. She was educated at Franklin academy;
taught several terms; married J. Eugene Tenney in 1854, and they
removed to Homer, Mich., where they both engaged in teaching.
They had charge of the union school at Marshall from the fall of 1855
until April, 1859, when she removed to Lansing with her husband,
and succeeded him as state librarian in April, 1859, to which position
she was appointed by Gov. Baldwin; believed to be the first appointment of a woman to such a position in this country. She still holds
the office by successive appointments of Governors Baldwin, Bagley,
Croswell, Jerome, Begole, Alger and Luce. During the war she was
the president of the Lansing military aid society; several years president of the ladies soldiers' monument association; also of the Lansing woman's club; director of the Lansing library and literary association, and the able and efficient recording secretary of the state
pioneer society since its organization, April 22, 1874, and still holds
that position.
JESSE E. TENNEY,
State Librarian from 1859 to 1869, was born at Orwell, Vt., July 23,
1816, and received his education at Brandon academy and Middlebury
college, where he graduatad in 1838. He went south and was admitted to the bar of Alabama in 1839.  He traveled extensively in
Europe and acted as a commercial agent at Padua, Venice, Marseilles
and Lyons, returning in 1849. He practiced law at Franklin, Vt. In
1853 married Harriet A. Edgerton, and the same year became principal of the schools at Homer, Mich.; was there two years, then for
four years was superintendent of the schools at Marshall. Now
resides at Lansing. Has been recorder and acting mayor, member of
the board of education, U. S. circuit court commissioner, and
engaged in law practice, real estate and insurance business. Has
delivered many addresses and orations, and is a man of literary
taste, fine cultivation and extensive reading. A Republican in politics.
HENRY D. TERRY,
Representative from Macomb county in 1848, was born in Hartford,
Conn., in 1814. By profession a lawyer, politically first Whig, then
Republican. He came to Michigan in 1842, and located at Mt. Clem<Sns, where he practiced his profession until 1855, when he removed to
Detroit and practiced law there until 1861. June 15, 1861, he was
commissioned colonel of the 5th Michigan infantry, and took the field
in September. The regiment took part in many battles, and made




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


633


the first successful bayonet charge at Williamsburg, taking the enemy's works, and leaving sixty-three rebel dead in the enemy's rifle
pits, all killed by the bayonet. Generals McClellan, Kearney and
Barry all wrote highly complimentary letters in praise of the regiment. Colonel Terry was wounded in this action. He was made a
brigadier general July 18, 1862, and continued in service until Feb.
7, 1865,  hen he resigned. He located at Washington, D. C., and
practiced law until his death, June 29, 1869. While a resident of
Detroit he was prosecuting attorney of Wayne county. He was a
man of brilliant talent, and of fine personal bearing.
GEORGE W. THAYER
Was born in Heath, Mass., Dec. 19, 1809. He came to Michigan in
1849, and is a resident of Flint. Is a Republican, and was a Representative in 1863-4 and 5.
NAHUM P. THAYER,
Representative from Wayne county in 1837-8-40, was born at St.
Thomas, Ontario, July 31, 1802, and died on his farm near Detroit,
Oct. 26, 1851. He came to Greenfield, Mich., in 1820, and located a
farm still occupied by his descendants. He built the first three miles
of the Chicago turnpike, now Michigan avenue, Detroit. He held
various local offices, and was a colonel of the state militia. In politics
a Democrat.
SIMEON M. THAYER
Was born January 17, 1841, in Halderman county, Ontario, Canada.
He came with his parents to Michigan in 1852, and settled in Sanilac
county. He was Representative in 1871-2, In the spring of 1872 he
removed to the northwestern country, where he was a sheriff in 1885 -6. In politics a Republican, in business a real estate dealer.
GEORGE THOMAS
Was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., Dec. 23, 1812. He emigrated to
Michigan in 1837, and settled on a farm in Ross, Kalamazoo county.
He was a Whig until 1854, and served several times as supervisor. As
a Republican he was a Representative in 1859-63-4, Senator in 1851-69 -70. He became a resident of Barry county in 1855. Now acts with
the greenback party.




634


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


HENRY F. THOMAS,
Representative from Allegan county in 1873 and Senator in 1875, was
born in Jackson county, Mich., Dec. 17, 1843. He entered Albion
college in 1859, and remained two years. In 1862 he enlisted in the
7th Michigan cavalry, and rose to the rank of first lieutenant, serving
through the war. He graduated from the medical department of the
Michigan University in 1868, and is in practice at Allegan.
JOHN THOMAS,
Representative from Oakland county in 1846, was born in Alleghany,
Pa., 1802. When young he removed with his parents to Penn Yan,
N. Y.. and from there to Farmington, Mich., in 1835. He was a partner of Daniel S. Lee in a large mercantile business, which he continued after his partner removed. In company with Charles P. Bush
and Daniel S. Lee, he purchased in 1847 a tract of land in Lansing,
just south of the school section on which the capitol was located, now
a part of the city. They opened a store on the east side of Grand
river, and sold goods for six years. They also built the Benton, now
Everett house. The first postoffice was in their store. He returned
to Farmington in 1852, and died March 18, 1863.
WILLIAM THOMAS,
Representative from Van Buren county in 1875, was born in Washington county, N. Y., March 20, 1815. He became a residentof Michigan in 1843. He is a farmer by occupation, in politics a Liberal. Has
been supervisor of Hartford seven years, town clerk and treasurer
eight years, justice four years. He was active in securing $15,000
from the town to aid in building a railroad connection. Resides at
Hartford.
ZIMRI D. THOMAS,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1865, was born at Rowe,
Mass., Sept. 16, 1809, and removed to central New York in 1820. He
was for six years postmaster at Hamburgh, N. Y. Came to Michigan
in 1835, and was three years supervisor of Allen. Has been coroner,
and a justice for many years. Now resides at Hillsdale. A Republican in politics.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


635


ALMON A. THOMPSON,
Representative from Eaton county in 1869, was born in Richmond,
Vt., March 26, 1829, and removed to Avon, O., in 1840. He graduated
from Oberlin college in 1854, and from the medical department of the
Michigan University in 1856. Hi was assistant surgeon of the 12th
Michigan infantry and afterwards of the 11th cavalry. Practiced as
a physician at Vermontville. From 1870 until 1878 was consul at
Goderich, Canada. Now in practice at Flint, is physician to the
deaf and dumb institute, and a member of the local pension board.
In politics a Republican.
ALBERT THOMPSON,
Senator from Van Buren county in 1875, was born in Waterbury, Vt.,
April 28, 1831. He was educated at Oberlin college, and graduated
from the medical department of the University of Michigan. He
removed to Michigan in 1860, and enlisted in the third Michigan cavalry when it was organized in 1861; was made hospital steward; afterwards promoted to lieutenant,next as assistant surgeon,and finally surgeon, and was mustered out with his regiment in 1866. He has held the
office of supervisor of South Haven for two terms. He is a practicing
physician. In politics a Republican.
CHARLES C. THOMPSON,
Representative from Muskegon county in 1873-4, was born in Beekmantown, N. Y., June 4, 1831. He received a common school education. In 1857 removed to Michigan, and settled in Whitehall, Muskegon county, where he still resides. He has been president of the
common council, trustee of the village, and held other responsible
offices. By occupation a lumberman.
GEORG& W. THOMPSON,
Representative from Kent county in 1883, was born March 3, 1844, in
the township of Florida (now Jefferson), Hillsdale county, Michigan.
Received his education at the schools of Hillsdale, and at Oberlin
college. Admitted to the bar in 1869, at Hillsdale. Has resided in
Grand Rapids since 1874.
HENRY W. THOMPSON,
Representative in 1887 from the counties of Delta and Iron, was born
in Brooklyn, Mich., July 14, 1847, but soon removed with his parents




636


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


to Tyrone, Livingston county. Educated in common schools. In 1864
enlisted as a private in the 10th Michigan infantry, and served until
the close of the war. At the age of twenty-four became a minister
and has preached in Ingham, Shiawassee, Baraga and Delta counties.
In politics a Republican.
JEREMIAH D. THOMPSON
Was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., in 1790. He settled on a farm
in Madison, Lenawee county, in 1834. He was several years supervisor, and justice many years. He was Representative in 1848 and
1853. He died at Hudson, February 16, 1873.
ROBERT THOMPSON,
Representative from Macomb county in 1859, came into Macomb
county when a boy and taught school some years in Mt. Clemens,
and then sold goods several years. He removed to New Baltimore,
and was book-keeper for Hiron Hathaway several years; then was in
the employ of F. B. Merrill, then removed to Marine City. Later he
was elected county treasurer of St. Clair county, and died while
holding that office. First a Whig, then a Republican.
ROBERT R. THOMPSON
Moved into Washtenaw county at an early day. He settled on a
farm in Caledonia, Shiawassee county, in 1837. He was connected
with A. McArthur in a saw-mill, and also engaged in commercial
ventures in Corunna. He was Representative in the legislature of
1845. He afterwards sold out and removed to Saginaw, where he
died several years since.
EDWARD H. THOMSON
Was born at Kendall, England, June 15, 1810, and came when young,
with his parents, to Boston, Mass. He received an academical education, studied law with Millard Fillmore, and commenced practice
at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1832. He located at Atlas, Mich., in 1837, then
in Lapeer county, and was appointed prosecuting attorney. He
removed to Flint in 1838, and became one of the firm of Bartow &
Thomson. He was prosecuting attorney of Genesee county in 1845-6;
Senator in 1848-9; Representative in 1859; commissioner of emigration under Gov. Ransom, a portion of the time residing in Germany




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


637


U. S. deputy commissioner to the London exposition in 1851; member and president of the state military board during the war; mayor
and member of the school board of Flint; and the democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 1880. He was a polished gentleman,
well known everywhere, and his splendid Shakesperian library is
now in the possession of the Michigan University. 'Died February 2,
1886.
JOHN S. THOMSON,
Representative from Sanilac county in 1877-79, was born at Manchester, England, August 28, 1833. He was educated at the Scotch
sessional school at that place, and emigrated to Michigan in 1850.
He is a merchant and salt manufacturer. In politics a Republican.
CALVIN J. THORPE,
Representative from Branch county in 1879, was born Sept. 14, 1834,
in Warrensville, Ohio. In 1838 he removed to Volinia, Cass county.
In 1859 he graduated from the Michigan Normal school. In 1862 he
became principal of the graded schools at Union City. He has also
been principal at Eaton Rapids, Paw Paw, Sturgis, and Manchester.
In 1875 he bought a controlling interest in the Coldwater Reporter,
which he sold in 1876, and became connected with Truth for the People, in Detroit. In 1877 he removed to Sherwood, Branch county,
and became a druggist. In politics a National.
GEORGE B. THROOP,
Representative from Detroit in 1847, was a native of New York, and
came to Detroit as a bank officer during the flush times of 1836-8.
He had previously been a member of the New York legislature. He
was a brother of Enos B. Throop, once governor of New York. He
died Feb. 23, 1854, at the age of sixty-two. He was a member of the
Detroit bar.  He was a Democrat politically.
JEFFERSON G. THURBER,
Representative and Speaker from Monroe county in 1851, and Senator in 1844-5-6-7, was born in 1807, and settled at Monroe Mich., in
1833. In politics a Democrat. He was a lawyer by profession, and
earnestly devoted to the practice. He held the offices of prosecuting
attorney and judge of probate of Monroe county, and was a presi71
A. ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~




-638


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


dential elector in 1849. He filled all positions with honor to himself
and the state. Died at Monroe, May 6, 1857.
JOHN S. TIBBITTS,
Representative from Wayne county in 1861-2, was born in Arcadia,
N. Y., Dec. 21, 1821. He came to Plymouth, Mich., with his father's family in 1825, the first white settlers in that town. He was educated at common schools, taught at the age of sixteen, and winters
thereafter for 25 years.  He was elected supervisor at the age of
twenty-one, and was subsequently supervisor, school inspector, postmaster, etc. He was some time superintendent of the agricultural
college farm; three years auditor of Wayne county, and one year
horticulturist at the Colorado agricultural college. He published the
" Free Guide," for the benefit of officials. He is a Republican. Now
resides at Santa Rita, California.
ALEXANDER R. TIFFANY
Was born in Niagara, Canada, Oct. 16, 1796. His father, Sylvester
Tiffany, was a native of Massachusetts and one of four brothers who
graduated at' Dartmouth college. His father published a paper at
Canandaigua, N. Y., and the son when small used to sit on a high
stool and set type for the paper. He learned the art of printing, and
when a young man studied law with John C. Spencer, a distinguished
lawyer, and afterwards chief justice of the state of New York. When
admitted to the bar he commenced practice at Palmyra, N. Y. He
was soon elected a justice and held that position several years. About
1823 he was appointed first judge of the county court of Wayne
county, N. Y., and held the place until compelled to resign from ill
health.  In 1832 he settled at Palmyra, Michigan, then having the
promise of becoming a large city. In 1834 he was appointed prose-cuting attorney of Lenawee county; in 1836 was elected judge of probate, and held that ofhce eight years; in 1850 was a leading member
of the state constitutional convention; and was a Representative in
the legislature of 1855. He was the author of "Tiffany's Justice
Guide " and " Tiffany's Criminal Law," of inestimable value in the
early days of Michigan, and still standard works, as enlarged and
revised by Judge Andrew Howell. Judge Tiffany was a territorial
associate judge for Lenawee county in 1833, was re-appointed in 1834,
and was county judge from 1846 to 1850. He was a man of small
stature, a lawyer of learning and ability, with a candor and sincerity




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


639


that carried great weight with court and jury. With poor health he
worked incessantly. He died at Palmyra, January 14, 1868.
JUNIUS TILDEN
Was born in Yarmouth, Mass., Nov. 28, 1813. He lived in that state
until 1838, when he removed to Dundee, Mich. By profession a lawyer, in politics independent. A Representative in 1849.
PHILO TILLSON,
Representative from Macomb county in 1844, was born in Winfield,
N. Y., in 1810. By profession a physician, in politics a Democrat.
Came to Mt. Clemens, Mich., in 1833, where he practiced medicine
ten years, then removed to Romeo, where he continued practice until
his death, June 25, 1882.
JEFFERSON K. TINDALL,
Representative from Oakland county in 1887, was born in Sussex
county, N. Y., November 25, 1829; and came with his parents to
Oakland county in 1833. Received a good education, served as clerk
in a store, then a partner, selling out in 1861, and became a farmer.
He served through the war in the 8th Michigan cavalry. Has been
eight years supervisor of the town of Rose, and six years secretary of
the Monitor insurance company. In politics a Republican.
ALEXANDER TINHAM,
Representative from Wayne county in 1863-4-83, was born in'Middlesex county, England, in 1819. He came to Monroe, Mich., in 1829, in
1830 removed to Detroit, and has been a brick maker by occupation.
In politics a Democrat.
RUFUS TINNEY,
Representative from Oakland county in 1841, settled in Highland,
Mich., in 1833, coming from Wheatland, Monroe county, N. Y. He
was a farmer, and resided where he first located until his death in
1858. He was the first supervisor of the town in 1835, and filled that
office for six terms.




640


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


BRACEY TOBEY
Was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., March 26, 1802, and died in
April, 1886. He settled with his family in Burr Oak, Mich., in 1855,
but removed to Sturgis in 1861. He had the confidence of the people,
and in New York 'and Michigan held office of some kind for half a
century. He was an associate district judge in New York, and was a
Representative in the Michigan legislature of 1871-2. In politics a
Democrat, a Republican after 1861. He was justice for many years,
also director in the national bank at Sturgis.
ISAAC D. TOLL
Was born at Schenectady, N. Y., December 1, 1818, on the family
homestead of two centuries. Both of his great-grandfathers were
killed by the French and Indians in 1748. His grandfather served in
the revolution, and his father in the war of 1812. Mr. Toll was
educated in the academy at Ovid, N. Y., settled with his father at
Centerville, Mich., in 1834, and engaged with him in manufacturing
and real estate. He was thirteen years supervisor of Fawn River,
where his father built flouring and saw mills. He has held military
offices by regular promotions, from lieutenant colonel to major general of state militia. In the Mexican war, he was captain of company
E, 15th U. S. infantry, and distinguished himself at Contreras and
Churubusco.  He was a Representative in 1846; Senator in 1847;
chief of division in pension office in 1853-4; examiner of patents, 1854
to 1861; and commandant of the interior guard in 1861. He settled
at Petoskey in 1880, and was president of the village in 1881-2. His
wife was the daughter of Judge Charles Moran, of Detroit. In
politics a Democrat. He is now postmaster at Petoskey.
JAMES B. TOMPKINS,
Representative from Branch county in 1855, came from Schoharie
county, N. Y., and settled in Girard, Mich., the first white settler in
that township. He was a surveyor by profession, and surveyed the
ground upon which the city of Coldwater now stands. He was distinguished for his energy and for his fidelity to convictions in the performance of the varied duties imposed upon him. He was the first




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


641


supervisor of his township in 1834, serving in that capacity many
years afterwards. He was also a justice. Died about 1878.
WILLIAM M. TOMPKINS,
Representative from Eaton county in 1867, was born in New Rochelle,
N. Y., March 6, 1820. He came to Michigan in 1844, went into the
mercantile business at Eaton Rapids in 1845, was successful, and
retired to go into the banking business in 1858. Died in 1868.
JOHN S. TOOKER,
Senator from Ingham and Clinton counties in 1879-81-2, was born in
Tyrone, N. Y., July 7, 1836. He removed to Ann Arbor, Mich., with
his parents in 1838, thence to Woodhull in 1840, and to Lansing in
1847. Received a common school education, purchased a foundry at
North Lansing at the age of eighteen, and manufactured farming
implements for 14 years. Served one year in the 6th Mich. cavalry,
but was discharged from ill health; was in both the drug and
boot and shoe trade. Was three times mayor of Lansing. He was
secretary of Montana under Arthur, and is now in business at Helena,
Montana. In politics a Republican.
JOSEPH W. TORREY,
Member of the fifth legislative council from Wayne county in 1832-4,
was a native of Connecticut and a lawyer by profession. He was at
one time a law partner with Col. Chas. Lamed, and stood high at the
bar. He was judge of probate 1829-33, and recorder of Detroit in
1829. He returned to Connecticut, and died there in 1844. Politically
he was an administration or Jackson man, during his residence in
Detroit.
OSMOND TOWER,
Senator from Ionia county in 1859-61-2, was born in Cummington,
Mass., Feb. 16, 1811. He received a common school and academical
education, became a carpenter, and taught school winters. He came
to Michigan in 1834, and settled in Ionia in 1835. He built the first
school-house in the Grand River Valley; was engaged in building until
1844; then for twenty years manufactured and sold fanning mills; was
for seven years a partner in the dry goods house of J. S. Cooper &
Co.; speculated in real estate; was in the foundry and hardware




642


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


trade; was a director of the Ionia & Lansing railroad, and its first
treasurer; was director and president of the Ionia & Stanton railroad;
clerk of Ionia county, and several times supervisor; was U. S. Marshal of western Michigan from 1863 to 1866; member of the board of
education many years, and its president. A Whig until 1854, then a
Republican. Died Aug. 4, 1886.
OKA TOWN,
Representative in 1851, was born in Stoddard, N. H., July 2, 1806. By
occupation a farmer, in politics a Democrat. He came to Michigan
in 1831, and has resided in Allegan county since 1834. Now lives at
Allegan. He received two commissions from Governor Mason when
Michigan was a territory, one as justice of the peace in 1834, and one
as judge of probate in 1835. He was a member of the constitutional
convention of 1850.
WILLIAM B. TOWN,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1885, was born in Norwich,
Ontario, July 23, 1830. Became a resident of Michigan when eight
years old; received a thorough education, and entered upon the study
of medicine, receiving his diploma as a physician and surgeon. He
has since been continuously engaged in the practice of that profession,
residing at Rollin. In 1854 he was appointed postmaster at Geneva,
the office near his residence, a position which he held for seventeen
years. Politically a Democrat.
AMOS C. TOWNE,
Representative from Barry county in 1875, was born in Bakersfield,
Vt., April 10, 1818. From 1843 up to 1848 he resided in the southern
states. In 1850 he engaged in farming in DeKalb county, Illinois.
In 1854 he purchased the farm on which he now resides, in Prairieville, Barry county. He has held the office of justice, and been a
supervisor for several consecutive terms. For thirty-five years he has
been identified with the insurance business and conveyancer. In
politics a Republican.
URIEL TOWNSEND,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1875, was born Dec. 4, 1830, in
Hlunter, N. Y. He received a common school education. In 1834




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


64S3


emigrated to Michigan, and settled in Bruce, Macomb county. In
1859 he removed to Almont, where he now resides. He has been
supervisor. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Republican.
JARVIS C. TRAIN,
Representative from Kent county in 1883, was born in Tunbridge,.
Vt., July 8, 1834. Came with his parents to Boston, Mich., in 1840.
Lived in Whiteside county, Ill., ten years as a farmer, then settled at
Lowell, Mich., and engaged in buying and selling farm products.
Served as a Fusionist.
WILLIAM, R. TRAVER
Was born in Rensselaer county, N. Y., Oct. 26, 1818. By occupation
a harness maker; in politics a Republican. He came to Litchfield,
Michigan, in 1844, and has always resided there. HWe was a Representative from Hillsdale county in 1853, and has held other offices of
trust.
LOREN L. TREAT,
Senator from Oakland county in 1865, was admitted to the Oakland
county bar in 1844, and located at Canandaigua, now Orion, where
he had a good practice. He was an effective lawyer before a jury.
Later he removed to Oxford, and followed farming. He was a justice
and several times supervisor.
CHARLES TRIPP
Was born in Epsom, N. H., December 2, 1812. Came to Ann Arbor
in 1840, and engaged in the foundry business. He resided there until
his death. He was railroad commissioner under Gov. Bingham, and
Senator in 1855. He was always interested in public affairs,.
was a man of strong convictions, and in politics a Republican.
CHARLES C. TROWBRIDGE,
Regent of the University from 1837 to 1841, was born in Albany, N.
Y., Dec. 29, 1800, and died at Detroit, April 3, 1883. He was trained,
to the mercantile business, and came to Detroit in 1819. He was the
first secretary of the board of regents; filled positions at Green
Bay and Detroit as Indian agent and interpreter; was cashier or




644


M ICIIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


president of the bank of Michigan from 1825 to 1843, except three
years; president of the Michigan state bank from 1844 to 1853; then
became secretary and afterwards for many years president of the
Oakland & Ottawa railroad co., afterwards the Detroit & Milwaukee.
He held many local positions, and was the Whig candidate for
governor in 1837, and was only defeated by 237 votes. He was an
alderman, and mayor of Detroit in 1834. He was a perfect type of
the old school gentleman, and on his 82d birthday was given a public
banquet at the Russell house, by the most distinguished men of the
city and state.
ROWLAND E. TROWBRIDGE
Was born at Horseheads, N. Y., June 18, 1821, and was brought the
same year to Troy, Oakland county, Mich., by his father, S. V. R.
Trowbridge, who settled in that town upon a farm. The son graduated from Kenyon college, Ohio, in 1841. Unable to follow his
chosen profession of the law, from failure of eyesight, he became a
farmer, and settled in Barry county in 1848, and cleared up a farm.
In 1849 he was supervisor of the town of Thorndale.  In 1851 he
exchanged his farm for one in Bloomfield, Oakland county, settled
upon it, having married that year Miss Mary E. Satterlee. He
worked the farm until 1860, then exchanged for milling property,
and removed to Birmingham. He was supervisor of Bloomfield in
1855. He was a Senator in 1857-8-9; was elected to congress in 1860
from the 4th district, and served from 1861 to 1863; was defeated by
a small majority for that position in 1862; was again elected in 1864,
serving from 1865 to 1867. He again became a farmer, and in 1873
took charge of the Chandler farm near Lansing, where he was successful. In 1880 he was appointed commissioner of Indian affairs by
President Hayes, and died while holding that office, April 20, 18S1.
He was president of the central Michigan agricultural society, and
was recognized throughout the state as a leading agriculturist, and
an honest, incorruptible man. In politics first a Whig, a Republican
after 1854.
STEPHEN V. R. TROWBRIDGE,
Member of the legislative council in 1828, and Senator in 1839-40-1-2,
was born at Albany, N. Y., July 4, 1794, and died March 1, 1859. He
was married to Elizabeth Conkling at Ilorseheads, N. Y., in 1815,
and came to Michigan in the fall of 1821. He settled for life on a
farm, purchased of government, in Troy, Oakland county. He was
- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


645


the first supervisor of Troy in 1827, and held that position in 1828 and
four terms afterwards. His home was headquarters for early emigrants coming to Troy. His services for the town and state were of
a high order, and he identified himself with every project calculated
to benefit society.  The family of eleven children imitated his
example. Among them were Charles A,, a New York merchant;
Rowland E., long in congress; William P., professor in Yale college;
General Luther S.. of Detroit; and Guy M., of Pontiac. One of the
daughters was the wife of Rev. Mr. Goodell, long a distinguished
missionary in Turkey. He helped organize the Presbyterian church
in Troy, and was an elder. He was always a staunch friend of temperance, and an active christian. In politics, Whig and Republical.
MORGAN TUPPER,
Representative from Ionia county in 1865, was born in Monroe county,
N. Y.. May 19, 1816. He came to Michigan in 1838, and made the
first entry of land in Odessa, Ionia county, upon which he remained
until his death, March 3, 1880. By occupation a minister and farmer.
MYRON TUPPER,
Representative from Ionia county in 1865, was born in Monroe county,
N. Y., May 19, 1816. He was a clergyman and farmer, politically a
Republican. He came to Michigan in 1838. He was ordained a Free
Will Baptist minister in 1848.  Held the positions of postmaster and
supervisor. Died March 4, 1879.
WILLIAM S. TURCK,
Representative from Gratiot county in 1877-79, was born in Port
Hope, Ontario, in 1839. He received a common school education.
He came to Michigan in 1860, and entered the service in the twentysixth Michigan infantry in 1862, and was mustered out with'the regiment in 1865 as captain of Co. D. He was treasurer of Gratiot county.
for six years, supervisor four years, and president and treasurer of
the farmers' mutual fire insurance company of Gratiot and Isabella
counties. He is a farmer by occupation, and a Republican in politics.
JAMES D. TURNBULL, 
Representative from Alpena, Alcona and Presque Isle counties in
1879, '81-2, was born in Harvey, New Brunswick, Feb. 5, 1843. He
72




6464


MICH1GAN BIOGRAPHY.


received a good common school education, removed to Chelsea, Mich.,
in 1858, entered in 186K in the 20th Michigan infantry, and served
through the war, becoming a lieutenant.  He took a full course at
the State Normal school, was principal of the schools at Memphis
three years, studied law and was admitted in 1871. He commenced
practice at Alpena in 1872. Has been comptroller of Alpena two
terms, two years chairman of board of supervisors, and chairman of
democratic county committee for six years. In politics a Democrat.
GEORGE B. TURNER
Was born in Franklin county, N. Y., in 1822. His parents, named
Brunt, left him an orphan at the age of three years, and being
adopted by Sterling A. Turner, a Virginian, he took his name. In
1835, at the age of thirteen, he became a clerk in an auction and commission store in Detroit. In a few months he went to Cassopolis, and
until 1840 was occupied as pupil, teacher and clerk. He studied law
with A. H. Redfield and was admitted to the bar in 1844. In 1848-9
he was a Representative from Cass county. In 1850 he abandoned
practice from ill health and became a farmer. He was a delegate to
the democratic national convention of 1876. As a Democrat he has
been the candidate of his party for probate judge, also for Senator, and in 1856 ran on the defeated ticket for secretary of state. He
was editorially connected with the Cass County Advocate, the first
paper published in that county.
JAMES TURNER
Was born at Cazenovia, N. Y., April 1, 1820, and was a descendant
of Humphrey Turner, who settled at Plymouth, Ct., in 1628. With a
fair education, self obtained, he came to Leoni, Mich., in 1840, and
acted as clerk in a store. In 1841 he removed to Mason, engaging in
mercantile business until 1847, when he came to Lansing, continuing
the mercantile business, and engaged in the construction of the Lan-.
~sing and Howell plank road, of which he was treasurer. In 1860 he
became deputy state treasurer, which he held for six years. In 1864
he became treasurer and land commissioner of the Jackson, Lansing
& Saginaw railroad, holding it until his death. He was also director
and treasurer of the Lansing & Ionia railroad, was agent for non-resident Michigan land-holders, and loaned money largely for the New
Lebanon Shakers. In 1867 he was Senator, and was a member of the
Lansing board of education for nine years. A Republican in politics,
a Methodist in religion. He died Oct. 10, 1869.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


647


JAMES M. TURNER,
Representative from Ingham county in 1877, was born in Lansing,
Mich., April 23, 1850. He is the oldest son of the late Hon. James
Turner, one of the pioneers of Ingham county. He received a common school education, and afterwards spent two years at Oneida
conference seminary, (azenovia, N. Y. In 1868 he was elected paymaster and assistant treasurer of the Ionia & Lansing railroad. In
1869 he was elected treasurer of the same company, being the successor of his father. In 1871 he organized the real estate and loan
agency of Turner, Smith & Co., of Lansing, which dissolved by the
retirement of D. S. Smith. On the organization of the Chicago &
Northeastern railroad company, in the year 1874, he was elected
president. He was the youngest member of the legislature of 1877.
He is extensively engaged in manufacturing, mining and real estate,
and resides at Lansing. Has a large farm well stocked with horses,
cattle and sheep.
JEROME W. TURNER
Was born'at Sheldon, Vt., January 25, 1836. He is by occupation a
lawyer, in politics, formerly a Republican, now a Democrat. He
came to Michigan with his father, Judge Josiah Turner, in 1839, who
settled in Howell, and afterwards moved to Owosso. He graduated
from the University in 1857. He studied law, and is now actively
engaged in his profession at Owosso. As a Republican he was
Senator in 1869-70, and at that time wrote a series of humorous
articles, that attracted great attention, and were published in the
Detroit Tribune. As a Democrat he was mayor of Owosso in 1879;
delegate to the democratic national convention at Cincinnati in 1880;
also to the convention at Chicago in 1844. He was adjutant of the
30th Michigan infantry, and was the democratic candidate for member of the state board of education in 1886. He has written short
poems of great merit.
JESSE F. TURNER
Was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1810. He came to DeWitt, Mich., in
1838, and engaged in mercantile business. Afterwards studied law
with Joab Baker. He was county commissioner of Clinton county in
1841; register of deeds; supervisor of DeWitt; Senator in 1844-45; and
county judge in 1846. In politics a Democrat. He went to California in 1851, and was collector of the port of Sacramento under
President Pierce. He was circuit judge of the Sacramento judicial
circuit for twelve years. He died at Oakland, California, in 1880.




648


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


JOHN W. TURNER,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1847-9, was born in Putney,
Vt., in 1818. By profession a lawyer. He came to Hudson, Mich.,
in 1811, later removed to Coldwater, his present home. He was a
Democrat until 1854, since a Republican. He was the first Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, but declined in favor of Coe.
As a public speaker and legal advocate has always stood high in
southern Michigan. Has published a volume of poems of considerable merit.
JOHN W. TURNER,
Representative from Clinton and other counties in 1851, was born in
Oneida county, N. Y., Feb. 23, 1800. He was several years a clerk.
Resided at Oswego, N. Y., from 1819 to 1846, and a part of the time
was deputy collector at Oswego. Settled at DeWitt, Mich., in 1848,
and engaged in milling and mercantile business. Was five years a
supervisor, and was sheriff in 1858-9. Removed in 1863 to Vermillion,
Dakota, was for eleven years a member of the territorial council, and
from 1869 to 1873 was superintendent of public instruction in Dakota.
While in Michigan a Democrat. Died at Turner, Dakota, April 11,
1883.
JOSIAH TURNER
Was born in New Haven, Vt. Sept. 1, 1811. He received his education at St. Albans and Middlebury, studied law, and was admitted to
the bar of. Vermont in 1833. After a short practice in that state, he
came to Michigan and settled in Howell. In 1842 he was elected
county clerk by the democrats, and served six years, also holding the
positions of justice, township clerk, and master in chancery. On the
adoption of the county court system he was elected judge of Livingston county, and held the position until 1850, when the office was
abolished. In 1856 he was elected probate judge on the republican
ticket. In 1857 he was appointed by Gov. Bingham to a vacancy on
the supreme court bench, and the same year was elected judge of the
seventh judicial circuit for six years, and received three successive
re-elections, the fourth time being elected without opposition, serving
from 1857 to 1881. In 1860 he removed from Howell to Owosso, and
was mayor of that city in 1864-5. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1867. Since he retired from the bench has been
U. S. consul at Amherstburg, Canada.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


649


MILO H. TURNER
Was born at Albany, N. Y., in 1812. Came to Michigan in 1837, and
was the pioneer merchant of DeWitt, Clinton county. He was elected
register of deeds in 1839, and was a Representative in 1842. In politics a
Whig. He removed to California in 1851, and is now living at Oakland.
STANLEY W. TURNER,
Representative from Ingham county in 1877, was born in North Fairfield, Ohio, July 15, 1843. In 1852 he removed to Reading, Mich.,
and in 1860-1 was a student at Hillsdale college. During the war he
enlisted as a private in the first Michigan sharpshooters. At the close
of the war he was promoted to captain, but was never mustered
in. In 1865 he went to Mason, Mich., and entered the law office of
H. L. Henderson. In 1866 he was elected clerk of Ingham county,
and re-elected in 1868, and served twice as chairman of the
Republican county committee. Now in business at Roscommon,
Michigan.
JAMES TURRILL
Was born in Shoreham, Vt., Sept. 24, 1797. He removed to Michigan
in 1812, and settled on a farm in the town of Lapeer, Lapeer county.
He was also engaged in mercantile business. 'He was a Representative in 1849. In politics a Whig.
JONATHAN B. TUTTLE
Was born August 15, 1841, at Lodi, Ohio. He received a fair education in the common schools and at Oberlin college. At the age of
eighteen he began the study of law, graduating at the Ohio state and
Union law colleges in 1862, and was admitted to practice the same
year. Soon afterward he entered the army, and was promoted until
he reached the rank of captain in the infantry service. He was
honorably discharged in 18C4, for physical disabilities. He then
removed to Alpena, where he has since resided and practiced law.
He has held the offices of judge of probate, prosecuting attorney, U.
S. commissioner, school inspector, etc. In 1877, on the organization
of the 23d judicial circuit, he was elected circuit judge, and re-elected
April 4, 1881, serving until 1887.




650


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


WARREN TUTTLE,
Member of the ' second convention of assent," 1836, and Representative from Wayne county in 1849, was born in Poultney, Vt., Dec. 24,
1804. He camc to Michigan in 1826, and located a farm in Livonia.
As a pioneer he made the wilderness to bud and blossom as the rose,
and died Sept. 17, 1849, on the farm that he had made. He served
his town as justice for many years, and the county as superintendent
of the poor, 1847-49. Politics, democratic.
RODNEY K. TWADELL,
Representative from Branch county in 1877-79, was born in Marion,
Wayne county, N. Y., Nov. 7, 1827. He received a common school
education, and removed to Quincy, Michigan, in April, 1851. He is
a farmer by occupation. In politics a Republican.
ROYAL T. TWOMBLY,
Senator from Berrien county in 1853, was born at Portland, Maine,
in 1813. He settled in Niles, Michigan, in 1837. In business a merchant; politically a Democrat. He was for several years a trustee of
the union school at Niles, was mayor of Niles in 1877, and a candidate
for presidential elector on the Douglass ticket in 1860. Died October
1, 1885.
COLUMBUS V. TYLER,
Senator from Alcona, Alpena, Bay, losco, Ogemaw and Presque
Isle counties in 1877 and 1879, was born in Auburn, Cayuga county,
N. Y., in 1825, and in 1836 removed to Genesee county, Michigan.
He received a common school education, in 1846 commenced the
study of medicine, in 1850 settled in the village of Flushing, Genesee
county. He practiced medicine nineteen years in that place. He
removed to Bay City in 1869, and in 1870 graduated from the Detroit
medical college, and from that time has continued the practice of his
profession. In politics a Democrat.
COMFORT TYLER
Was born in Marcellus, N. Y., March 7, 1801, where his parents had
removed from Connecticut in 1788. He received a common school
education, and assisted his father in farming, milling and carding




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


651


wool and dressing cloth until he was twenty-four. In 1834 he
removed to Colon, St. Joseph county, Michigan, and bought a large
farm, where he resided until his death, January 16, 1873. He was
twenty-five years a supervisor. In 1841 was a Representative, in
1859 Senator, and in 1867 a member of the constitutional convention. He was first a Whig, but a Republican from 1854.
MADISON J. ULRICH,
One of the Representatives from Kent county in 1885, was born in
Park, Mich., Dec. 5, 1835; was reared upon a farm, and for a time
followed the occupation of a farmer, finally engaging as a tea and
coffee merchant in Grand Rapids, where he now resides. He has
been school inspector, collector, school trustee, and supervisor, and
was elected on the fusion ticket.
DANIEL K. UNDERWOOD,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1840, was born at Enfield,
Mass., June 15, 1803, and died at Adrian, Mich., May 6, 1875. He
prepared for college at Amherst academy, was two years at Williams college, then went to Dartmouth, graduating as a physician in
1826. Practiced two years at Yarmouth, Mass., then was a druggist
at Amherst until 1836. He settled that year at Adrian, Mich., and
was in the drug trade until 1849. With the exception of a short time
in the banking business, the rest of his life he gave to reading,
study and horticulture. He made a study of fruits and varieties best
adapted to the climate, and was employed by the United States pomological society to prepare a work, published by government. Hegave
the land for the site of Adrian college, and was liberal in other directions.
A. I. UPSON,
Senator from the upper peninsula in 1855, was for a few years a merchant at Eagle Harbor, Keneenaw county. Nothing further known
of him.
CHARLES UPSON,
Attorney General of Michigan, 1861-3, Representative in congress,
1863 to 1869, and State Senator, 1855, '81-2, was born at Southington,
Conn., March 19,1821. He received a common school and academical
education. In 1834 commenced the study of law. and was for one




652


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


year in the Yale law school. He came to Constantine, Mich., in 1845,
and the next year removed to Centreville. He taught school, and in
1847 was deputy county clerk, and was admitted to the bar in 1847.
Engaged in practice at Centreville, was county clerk two years, and
two years prosecuting attorney of St. Joseph county. Removed to
Coldwater in 1856, and from 1857 to 1861 was a railroad commissioner.
He continued in practice until 1869, when he was elected judge of the
5th circuit, which he resigned Dec. 31, 1872. In 1871 he was one of
two commissioners to examine the compilation of the laws, made that
year.  In 1873 he was one of eighteen commissioners to revise the
state constitution. In 1876 he declined the position of commissioner
of Indian affairs. He was first a Whig, a Republican from 1854. He
practiced his profession until his death at Coldwater, Sept. 5, 1885.
DANIEL UPTON,
Representative in 1867 from Jackson county, was born at Fishkill, N.
Y., Aug. 12, 1818, and came with his father's family in 1835 to Jackson county, Michigan. Bred a farmer, he became a clerk, was a
merchant at Parma, also a farmer. He was eight years clerk of Jackson county. Removed to Muskegon in 1868, and purchased- a fruit
farm on Lake Harbor, where his family resides. He is one the firm
of Upton & Webb, dealers in real estate. Has held the offices of
supervisor, town clerk and treasurer.
WILLIAM W. UPrON,
Representative from Clinton county in 1847, was born in Victor, N.
Y., and was educated at the Lima seminary. He was a surveyor
employed on railroads and canals. He located a farm in Victor,
Mich., studied law, was admitted in 1845, and practiced first at De
Witt. then at Lansing from 1847 to 1852. Then removed to California, was in practice twelve years, was a member of the California
legislature in 1856, and district attorney of Sacramento county in 1861
to 1863. Removed to Portland, Oregon, in 1864, practiced law until
1868, was then appointed a judge of the supreme court to fill vacancy,
and was elected to that position for six years in 1872. From 1872 to
1874 was chief justice. In 1877 he was appointed second comptroller
of the treasury department, a position he held for many years.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


653


WILLIAM S. UTLEY,
Representative from Newaygo countyin 1T65, was born in Richmond,
N. Y., Nov. 6, 1827. He came with his parents to Michigan in 1828,
was educated in the common schools, learned a trade at Lansing, and
settled in Newaygo county in 1850. He was county -clerk 1859 to
1863; delegate in the constitutional convention of 1867; justice nearly
all the time since 1852; and school inspector except one year since
1863. Built the first bridge across the Muskegon river, at Croton, in
1850; put up the first mail ever sent from the county; and claims to
have married more couples than any other magistrate in northern
Michigan. Has been for 23 years town clerk of Big Prairie, also town
treasurer. A Whig until 1854, a Republican until 1876, now a Greenbacker.
JOSEPH L. VALADE,
Representative from Monroe county in 1877, was born at Dover East,
Ontario, March 28, 1822. He attended school in Detroit from 1833 to
1837, then at Dundas, Ontario, until 1844. He then taught a French
school at various places in the province until 1848, when he commenced to read medicine with the late Dr. Pitcher. In 1850-1 he
attended medical lectures at Trinity college, Toronto, also at Ann
Arbor in 1852, from which place he removed to Vienna, Monroe
county, where he has since resided, and has established for himself a
respectable medical reputation.
GEORGE W. VAN AKEN,
Representative from Branch county in 1873-4-5, was born in Clarkston, N. Y., Sept. 8, 1828. In 1835 he removed to Michigan and settled in Lenawee county, near Adrian. In 1838 he removed to Girard,
Branch county, where he still resides. He received a common school
education. He has been supervisor of his township for four years.
By occupation a farmer.
LAWRENCE VAN DUSEN,
Representative from Shiawassee county in 1883, was born at Fort
Edward, N. Y., Aug. 27, 1826, and in 1832 removed with his parents
to Ovid, N. Y. He was seven years clerk in a store, three years
superintendent of the poor in Seneca county, and door keeper of the
New York senate in 1863-4. For four years was deputy provost mar73




654


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


shal, also a deputy collector. Removed to Owosso, Mich., in 1869.
Has been engaged in the lumber business, and been a justice and
deputy sheriff. Elected on the fusion ticket, but in politics a Greenbacker.
ZACHARIAH VAN DUSER,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1847, was born in Catskill,
N. Y., November 26, 1803. By occupation a farmer and druggist,
politically a Democrat. He settled in Moscow, Hillsdale county, in
1834, and in 1835 was the first supervisor of that town. lie was also
supervisor in 1841, 1845 and 1849. He died at Hillsdale, March 10,
1852. He took an active part in the politics of the day.
PETER VAN EVERY,
A member of the constitutional convention of 1835, and a Representative from  Wayne county in 1835-6, was born near Hamilton,
Canada, January 3, 1795, coming with his parents to Michigan when
an infant. He served as a private in the war of 1812-15, and was
advanced to the position of quartermaster of a regiment for faithful
and meritorious services. After the close of the war he was commissioned by the governor as colonel of militia. He resided in Hamtramck on a farm of 400 acres bordering the river, on a portion of
which the present Detroit water-works are located.  He held at
various times the offices of supervisor and justice of the peace.
Besides being a farmer he was a miller and general business man,and
in 1837 removed to Franklin, Oakland county, where he engaged in
farming, milling and general merchandise, besides operating a distillery and ashery, giving employment to a large number of men,
continuing in active business until near the close of his life, December 22, 1859. He was democratic in politics up to 1837, and thereafter Whig and Republican.
CALEB VAN HUSAN, 
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1844, was born in Manchester, N. Y., March 13, 1815, and died August 20, 1884. He lived
at home until the age of thirteen, and became an apprentice to a
cabinet maker. In 1836 he married Catharine Jackson, and became
interested with her father in mercantile business. He settled as a
merchant at Saline, Mich., in 1838, which he continued until 1853,
when he removed to Detroit, was a merchant there until 1855, when




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPH Y.


655


he retired. He was a director in the Detroit locomotive works, also
in the Michigan insurance company bank, and was president of the
Detroit fire and marine insurance company from 'its organization
until his death. Under his management the company prospered.
His second wife was Emily C. Burr, whom he married in 1866. He
was long a trustee of Madison university, N. Y., was greatly interested in Kalamazoo college, and was a member of the Baptist church
from the age of fourteen. He left a large fortune to his wife and
six children.
JAMES VAN KLEECK
Was born September 26, 1846, at Exeter, Michigan. He enlisted as a
private in the 17th Michigan infantry in June. 1862. He was severely
wounded at the battle of Antietam, from which wound he still suffers. He graduated from the law department, Michigan University,
in 1870. Removed from  Monroe county and settled in Midland
county in 1870, and began the practice of law at Midland City, moved
to Bay City in 1884, where he is engaged in the practice of his profession. Has held various offices under the village government; also
the office of prosecuting attorney of Midland county for six years.
He has always been a Republican, was a member of the House of
Representatives of 1883-4, and was commissioner of emigration under
Gov. Alger.
CORNELIUS VAN -LOO,
Representative from Ottawa county in 1881-2-3, was born in the
Netherlands, August 7, 1838. He settled in Ottawa county with his
parents in 1849. Attended the agricultural college in 1858-9, also
Albion college before and after that time. Taught school in 1860-1,
enlisted in 1862 in the 21st Michigan infantry, and served through the
war, rising to the rank of first lieutenant, and was twice wounded.
After the war was a student at Albion college for eighteen months.
Has been six years register of deeds for Ottawa county; four years
superintendent of schools; supervisor and chairman of board two
years. In politics a Republican.
AARON A. VAN ORTHWICK,
Representative from Branch county in 1887, wasborn in Covert
New York, December 19, 1829. He remained at home until he was
twenty-one, attending school. He came to Michigan in 1852. He
worked by the month one year in Lenawee county, when he removed




656


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


to Branch county and purchased wild land in Coldwater township.
In 1864 he sold his farm and purchased one in the township of Butler,
where he has since resided. Mr. Van Orthwick has held the offices
of constable, highway commissioner, township superintendent of
schools, coroner, and supervisor ten terms. He was elected Representative on the republican ticket for 1887-8 by a vote of 3,505 to
2,760 for Oliver C. Campbell, and 571 for Benjamin Culver, Prohibitionist.
JACOB J. VAN RIPER,
Attorney General of Michigan from 1881 to 1885, was born at Haverstraw, N. Y., March 8, 1838. He received an academical education,
removed to Cass county, Mich., in 1837, but for many years has
resided at Buchanan. Attended the law department of the University, and was admitted to the bar in 1862. Held the offices of deputy
collector and assistant assessor of internal revenue. He was the
youngest delegate in the constitutional convention of 1867. Was
prosecuting attorney of Berrien county four years, and by appointment of Gov. Croswell regent of the University from March, 1880,
to Dec. 31, 1885. In politics a Republican.
DIRK B. K. VAN RAALTE,
Representative from Ottawa county in 1875-7, was born in the
Netherlands in 1845. He removed with his parents to Holland, Michigan in 1847, where he has since resided. In 1862 enlisted in the 25th
Michigan infantry, and served two years. In one of the engagements
before Atlanta, Georgia, he lost his right arm, and received a bullet
which, passing through his cheek, came out just below the eye. He
is a graduate of Hope college, and by occupation a merchant. In
politics a Republican.
ROWLAND S. VAN SCOY
Was born in Kent, N. Y., November 22, 1814. He received a common school education, and was a teacher several winters. In 1839
he came to Michigan and bought a farm in De Witt, Clinton county.
In 1854 he sold his farm and removed to Essex, Clinton county, where
he now resides on a farm of 1,200 acres. He owns several other
farms, in all about 2,000 acres, a large number of village lots in Maple
Rapids, and a large brick block, and carries on a banking business.
He has held many town offices, including supervisor, treasurer and




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


657


justice; has been president of the village of Maple Rapids, recruiting
officer during the rebellion. and was a Representative from 1871 to
1875.
JAMES VAN VLEET
Was born in Romulus, N. Y., July 28, 1818. lIe was brought up on
a farm, received a common school education, married Mary Ann
Cooley in 1841, and in 1844 settled on a farm in Gaines, Michigan.
He endured great hardship as a pioneer, but eventually his eighty
acre farm was increased to 320 acres, with fine farm buildings. He
was school inspector twelve years; justice sixteen years; supervisor
eighteen years, holding the latter office from 1847 to 1868, when he
left it to accept that of county treasurer, and was also deputy treasurer three years. He was a Representative in 1865 and 1867. In
1869 he removed to Flint, where he has served as alderman, and been
engaged in real estate and insurance business. He was a Democrat
until 18.54, since a Republican.
PHILIP T. VAN ZILE
Was born in Osceola, Pa., July 20, 1844. He received his education
in that state, and graduated at Alfred university, Alleghany county,
N. Y., in 1863. He taught school in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and
became a resident of the latter state in 1863. He enlisted as a private
in battery E, 1st Ohio field artillery, and went into service. He
served until the close of the war, refusing a commission as captain in
the 32d Ohio infantry. He then removed to Charlotte, Mich., and
graduated from the law department of the University in 1867. He
was four years prosecuting attorney of Eaton county, and served as
judge of probate until 1875, when he was elected circuit judge for
Eaton and Calhoun counties, which he resigned in 1878. He served
several years as United States district attorney to Utah, then returned
to Charlotte and resumed practice. He was chairman of the state
Republican committee from 1884 to 1886.
JAMES C. VAUGHN,
Representative from Wayne county (Van Buren township), in 1843,
was a native of the state of New York, and came to Michigan in 1832.
He was a farmer by occupation, a Democrat in politics, and represented his township for a number of years on the board of supervisors.
Died March 29, 1880.




658


8MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


GEORGE F. VEENFLIET,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1879, was born in Wesely
Prussia, April 2, 1813. He received an academical education, and
graduated from the University of Bonn as professor of mathematics
and physical sciences in 1839. In 1849 he emigrated to the United
States, and came to Michigan in 1849. In 1850 he removed to BlAmfield, Saginaw county. He was appointed commissioner of immigration by Gov. Wisner during the seasons of 1859-60. In 1860 he was
elected register of deeds for Saginaw county. In 1870 he was elected
county treasurer, which office he held for six consecutive years.  In
politics a Republican.
WALTER VICARY,
Representative from the second district of Marquette, was born in
Devonshire, England, January b1, 1836. He is by occupation an
engineer, is a Republican, has been a resident of the state fifteen
years, was supervisor of the second ward of Ishpeming in 1885 and
1886. He was elected to the house of 1887-8 by a vote of 1,320 to 1,157
for Patrick J. McGinty.
STEPHEN VICKERY,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1838-43-4-5-8, was born in
the state of New York, removed to Ohio at the age of sixteen, taught
school in that state several terms, then became a teacher. at Monroe,
Mich. He removed to Prairie Ronde in 1829, was the first county
clerk and treasurer of Kalamazoo county 1834-6, and was register of
deeds 1836-8. A prominent Whig, and once the candidate of that
party for governor. He was a practical surveyor and laid out the
village of Schoolcraft, where he died Dec. 12, 1857. A man of remarkable memory, strong in his convictions, and positive in character.
JAMES VIDETO
Was born in Hawksbury, Upper Canada, July 27,1804. When young
his parents removed to the state of New York. At the age of eleven
he went to live with an uncle at Shelburn, Vt., and remained there
until he became of age. He came to Detroit in 1828, and was
engaged for fifteen years in surveying government lands in Michigan,
Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa. After 1832 his home was in
Jackson county. He located land in Concord in 1833. He was several
terms supervisor of Spring Arbor. He was Representative in 1843-4,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


659


and Senator in 1845-6. In later years he followed farming. In
politics a Democrat. He died at Spring Arbor, July 18, 1886.
EDWARD VINCENT.
Representative from St. Clair county in 1883, was born in Lower
Canada, October 31, 1825, and removed with his parents to Clyde,
Michigan, in 1836, and has resided in that town since that time. He
received a common school education, and is by occupation a farmer.
Has held the office of county treasurer for four years, and has
served twenty-two terms as supervisor of the town. Has always
been a Republican.
DAVID VINTON, JR.,
Representative from Grand Traverse and Manitou counties in 1883,
was born in Hampshire county, Massachusetts, September 16, 1829.
At the age of ten years he was placed at work on a farm, and
remained to the age of fourteen, when he was apprenticed to learn
the tanning business at Newark, Ohio. He remained there unt
1852, removed to Steuben county, Indiana, continuing in the same
occupation until 1870, when he removed to Williamsburg, Grand
Traverse county, and engaged in mercantile business. He has been
a Republican since 1860.
EMORY B VORHEES,
Representative from Clinton county in 1885, was born in Ovid, Michigan, October 22, 1853. He received a common school education.
Has been secretary of the Ovid union agricultural society for eight
years in succession. He has always been a farmer by occupation.
He was elected as a Democrat on the fusion ticket. Has been a.
supervisor.
HIRAM   VOORHIES
Was born in Belvidere, N. Y., February 5, 1809, and died December
24. 1878. He came to Orion, Michigan, in 1836. By occupation a
farmer; in politics a Democrat. He resided in Orion thirty-four
years and held the positions of supervisor, school director, justice
and in 1851 was a Representative. In 1870 he was elected county
treasurer, removed to Pontiac, and served two years in that office.
He was a member of the common council of Pontiac at the time of
his death.




660


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


ISAAC I. VOORH1ES,
Representative from Oakland county in 1835-6-48, was born in
Somerset, N. Y.. in 1799. He removed to Pontiac, Michigan, in 1824.
He was supervisor of Pontiac in 1833-4, and held other town offices,
and was a member of the constitutional convention of 1835. He
removed to Lapeer in 1866, where he died August 2, 1886. In politics
a Democrat.
SEBRING VOORHEIS,
Was born in Fayette, N. Y., January 7, 1815. He came to Michigan
in 1836, and for three years lived near Ypsilanti. In 1839 he settled
on a farm in White Lake. Oakland county, where he resided until
his death, February 8, 1882. In politics a Republican. He was
supervisor in 1843, and held that office seven times, the last in 1876.
Was town clerk in 1851. He was a Representative in 1863-4. He
was an elder in the First Presbyterian church of White Lake, of
which he became a member in 1840.
GEORGE VOWLES
Was born in Westbury, England, November 10, 1818. He came to
this country with his parents in 1829, who settled in Onondaga
county, N. Y. He came to Michigan in 1835, and resided in Independence, Oakland county, until 1840, then at Milford until 1855,
from that time living in the town of Lyon until his death, Nov. 4,
1878. In politics a Republican. He was a Representative in 1869-70.
JOHN J. VROMAN,
Representative from Wayne county in 1887, was born in Orleans
county, New York, August 5, 1840. Has been a resident of Michigan
thirty years. By occupation, formerly a farmer, at present a merchant. He has held the following offices: township clerk, treasurer
and supervisor, and superintendent ofathe poor of Wayne county
three years. He was elected Representative on the democratic ticket
by a vote of 1,741 to 1,703 for George W. Coomer, Republican, and
158 for Richard Bird, Prohibitionist.
SILAS A. WADE,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1857, was born in the state
of New Jersey, September 4, 1797. By occupation a millwright and




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


661


miller, in politics a Republican. Came to Rome, Michigan, in 1835.
Removed to Jeff,rson, Hillsdale county, in 1850, and was supervisor
in 1862. Died February 19, 1869.
RALPH WADHAMS,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1838, was born in Goshen,
Conn., in 1798, and died in April, 1877. When young his parents
removed to Leicester, N. Y. He received a good normal education,
and became a clerk in a store. He landed at Detroit in 1823, and for
several years was a member of the firm of Reese & Wadhams, general merchants. They occupied the first brick store built in Detroit,
corner of Jefferson and Woodward avenues. Later the firm became
Howard & Wadhams. He came into possession of a tract of pine on
Black river, and commenced lumbering. In 1829 he located in St.
Clair county, and in 1830 built the first grist-mill in the county, and
did an extensive business, employing many men. He was supervisor of the town of Desmond in 1832, then comprising all the
territory from Macomb to Saginaw. He was a delegate to the
constitutional convention of 18 15. President Jackson appointed him
postmaster at Clyde Mills, which he resigned in 1874, after thirty-six
years' service. Politically a Democrat.
JOHN WAGNER
Was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, April 18, 1818. He came to
Cleveland, Ohio, in 1838, and remained there until 1845. He then
removed to Leroy, Calhoun county, Michigan, and bought a farm.
He was supervisor for six years, and in 1869-70 was Representative in
the legislature. He filled other town offices. In politics a Republican. Died December 13, 1876.
JONATHAN G. WAIT,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1851, and Senator in 1863 -4-5-7, was born in York, N. Y., November 22, 1811. He traces his
ancestry back to 1075, and is a descendant of Richard Wait, who
settled at Watertown, Mass., in 1637. He removed with his father to
Perry, Ohio, in 1825, and taught school when seventeen. He settled
at Sturgis, Mich., in 1835, where he now resides. He engaged in
lumbering, building, and has been a drover, grain dealer, merchant
and manufacturer. He built many houses and saw-mills, and a cabinet and chair factory. As agent of the Michigan Southern, he made
74




662


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


many contracts for railroad material. In 1857 he was one of the
organizers of the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad, and is still a
director. He was ten years a justice, and many years supervisor. In
1860 he started the Sturgis Journal, and was its editor and publisher
until 1872. He was postmaster of Sturgis from 1872 to 1886. He
married Susan S. Buck in 1832, and they had nine sons and three
daughters. For many years a leading man in southwestern Michigan.
BENJAMIN W. WAITE
Was born in Aurelius, N. Y., October 13, 1811. In 1839 he settled on
a farm in Scio, Michigan. He was for about twenty years superintendent of the poor in Washtenaw county, and for four years president of the Washtenaw mutual fire insurance company.  He was
Representative in the legislature of 1849, and was a member of the
constitutional convention of 1850. In politics a Whig. In 1868 he
removed to Dexter, where he now resides.
DANIEL B. WAKEFIELD,
Representative in 1838, and Senator in 1842-3, from Genesee county,
was a lawyer and farmer, and a Democrat in politics. He died some
years since at his home in Grand Blanc, Genesee county.
MARCUS WAKEMAN,
Born in Connecticut, March 17, 1795, moved with his parents to
Batavia, N. Y., in 1810. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and
fought in the battles of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane. He came to
Michigan in 1837, and settled as a farmer in Jackson county. He was
elected by the democrats a Representative in the legislature of 1846,
and filled various township offices. Died Jan. 17, 1869.
DAVID S. WALBRIDGE
Was born at Bennington, Vt., July 30, 1802. He received a common
school education. He removed to Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1842, and
was a farmer, a merchant and a miller. He was Senator in 1849 and
1850. He was nominated and elected to congress in 1854, as a republican, receiving 12,865 votes against 10,178 votes for Samuel Clark,
democrat; was re-elected in 1856, receiving 23,550 votes against 16,046




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


663


votes for F. J. Littlejohn, democrat, serving from Dec. 3, 1855, to
March 3, 1859. He was first a Whig, a Republican after 1854. He
died at Kalamazoo, June 15, 1868.
CAMPBELL WALDO,
Senator in 1848-9 from Calhoun, Eaton, Branch and Kalamazoo
counties, was born in Middletown, Vt., Dec. 25, 1786, and was brought
up on a farm. He became a physician, and practiced many years in
Cayuga county, N. Y., and was a member of the N. Y. assembly in
1825. In 1833 he became a merchant at Port Byron, N. Y. In 1837
he settled at Albion, Mich., built mills at various points, and was a
leading man. He died at Albion, Nov. 6, 1876, at the age of 98. He
was a man of fine personal appearance, courteous and affable in his
manners, a good physician, and a christian.
HENRY WALDRON
Was born at Albany, N. Y., Oct. 11, 1816; graduated at Rutgers colloge, N. Y., in 1836; removed to Michigan in 1837; settled at Hillsdale
in 1839; built the first warehouse on the Southern railroad; and from
that date was engaged in manufacturing and banking.  In early life
a civil engineer. He was a director of the Michigan Southern railroad; president of the Detroit, Hillsdale & Indiana railroad; and president of the first national bank of Hillsdale. He was a Representative in 1843; presidential elector in 1848; a Representative in congress
from 1855 to 1861 from the second district, also from 1871 to 1877 from
the first district, in all twelve years. He was a delegate to the republican national convention of 1868. He was a Republican in politics,
a good speaker, a successful business man, and a political power,
especially in southern Michigan. He died several years since.
ARNOLD WALKER,
Representative from Ingham county in 1873-4, was born in Gibson,
Pa., in 1821. He removed to Seneca county, N. Y., in 1837, and to
Ingham county, Mich., in t844. He received a common school education, and was a practical business man. He was a director of the
Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw railroad for many years, and filled large
railroad contracts. He lived in Vevay until 1860, then became a resident of Leslie until his death, Dec. 5, 1884. He was long president
of the Leslie national bank. In politics a Republican.




664


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


ALVAH H. WALKER
Was born in Rhode Island, February 15, 1802, and removed to Chautauqua county, N. Y., with his parents in 1805, where he resided until
1855, when he removed to Detroit. For many years, at Fredonia,
Chautauqua county, he was one of the trustees and treasurer of the
Fredonia academy, and was supervisor of Pomfret. He was on the
whig electoral ticket in 1852, and in 1854 was a member of the New
York Senate. In 1855 he removed to Detroit. In 1857 he became
interested in village property in St. Johns, and removed there in 1861;
for several years was engaged in mercantile business; in 1867 was
elected to the constitutional convention for Clinton county. He has
been an active Whig or Republican all his life.
BENJAMIN WALKER,
Representative from Shiawassee county in 1873, was born in Whitingham, Vt., March 7, 1814. He received a common school education.
In 1847 removed to Michigan and settled in Perry, where he still
resides. Held the office of justice 24 years; supervisor two years,
town clerk three years, and school inspector. He has been treasurer
of the Shiawassee mutual insurance company ten years. He was
president of the Shiawassee agricultural association two years.  By
occupation a farmer.
CHARLES I. WALKER,
Representative from Kent county in 1841, was born in Butternuts, N.
Y., April 25, 1814, his parents moving there from New England. He
received a common and select school education. At sixteen he was
a teacher, and then a clerk. At twenty-one he was a merchant at
Cooperstown, N. Y., but sold out in 1836, and removed to Grand
Rapids, Mich., as agent for eastern capitalists in the buying of Michigan lands. The panic of 1837 closed out land speculations, and he
took an interest and became editor of the Grand River Times. He
commenced the study of law, went to Vermont to complete his
studies, and was admitted to the Vermont bar at Brattleboro in 1842.
He practiced in that state until 1851, and then settled at Detroit. He
was circuit judge for about a year, but resigned, and was professor
in the law school at Ann Arbor from 1859 to 1874. He was for several
years president of the board of state charities. He has always taken
an active interest in the early history of the northwest, and has written able papers on that subject.  Has been president of the state
pioneer society. Is an able lawyer, politically a Democrat. He was




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


665


a member of the second convention of assent in 1836, and has held
several honorable local positions.
DEWITT C. WALKER,
Representative in 1840-44-46, and Senator from Macomb county in
1841-2, was born in Vermont in 1812. He was a graduate of Middlebury college, studied law at the Yale law school, and was admitted
to the bar in 1836. He then came to Romeo, Mich., and continued
there in law practice for twenty years. He was prosecuting attorney
of Macomb county; a regent of the State University in 1845; a delegate in the constitutional convention of 1850; and four years judge of
probate. He laid out the village of Capac in 1857, having settled
there in 1857, and still resides there. He built a grist and saw mill,
donated land for churches, and for many years was president of the
village.
EDWARD C. WALKER,
Representative from Detroit in 1867, was born July 4, 1820, at Butternuts, N. Y. He graduated from Yale college in 1842, studied law,
attended law school, was admitted to the Detroit bar in 1845. and
was long a partner of his brother, C. I. Walker, then of Walker &
Kent, and lately with his son. of the firm of Walker & Walker. He
was a regent of the University from 1864 to 1882, and during the
whole term was chairman of the executive committee. In religion a
Presbyterian. Politically whig and republican.
FREDERICK WALKER,
Representative from Genesee county in 1872-3-4, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1809. By occupation a farmer and lumberman,
politically a Republican. He emigrated to New York city with his
parents when two years of age. Settled on a farm in Genesee county,
now part of Mt. Morris village, in 1836. He was a justice for twenty
years, for thirty-six years a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and twelve years Sabbath school superintendent. Died
January 20, 1879.,
HENRY N. WALKER
Was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., in 1813, and was educated at
the Fredonia academy. He came to Detroit in 1834 or 1835, and was




666


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


admitted to practice as an attorney, and was thereafter a leading
member of the bar for many years. During his life he held the following official positions: 1837, master in chancery; 1843 to 1845,
attorney general of the state; 1844, Representative in the legislature,
same year Supreme Court reporter; April, 1859, to September, 1860,
postmaster at Detroit; 1883, state immigration agent. In business life
he had extended relations. In 1836 he was state agent of the Protection insurance company; in 1849, one of the founders and vice president of the Detroit savings fund institute; 1858 to 1863, president of
the Detroit & Milwaukee railroad company; 1861 to 1875, proprietor
and editor of the Detroit Free Press, and during the later portion of
this period, was president of the western associated press. In 1845,
while attorney general, he was largely instrumental, in a semi-official
capacity, in organizing the Michigan Central railroad company, which
in 1846 purchased the Central railroad flor  the state. He was
influential in securing the building of the Great Western railway of
Canada; also in voluntary enterprises, first in the temperance cause in
the early days of the movement, 1835-6; as historiographer of Detroit,
1843 to 1845: and when the building of the Detroit observatory at Ann
Arbor was first agitated he made a liberal contribution for the building, and also purchased the transit instrument at a cost of $3,500. In
politics a Democrat, in religion a Episcopalian. He married Miss
Emily Norvel, daughter of the late Senator John Norvel, and left two
sons and a daughter. Died Feb. 24, 1886.
HENRY T. WALKER,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1842-5, was born in Bristol,
N. Y., April 29, 1808. By profession a physician, in politics a Democrat. He came to Michigan in 1836, and settled in Washtenaw county
in 1837. For several terms a justice of the peace. Died October 2,
1871.
JAMES B. WALKER,
Senator from Benzie and several other counties in 1865, was born at
Philadelphia, Pa., July29, 1805. He became an operative in a factory
At Pittsburg, and subsequently a printer; was clerk to M. M. Noah in
New York, and principal of an academy at New Durham, N. J.;
studied law at Ravenna, Ohio; graduated at Western Reserve college,
Hudson, Ohio, in 1831; edited successively religious papers at Hudson,
Cincinnati and Chicago; was also engaged in the book trade; studied
theology and was licensed to preach in 1841; was principal of a private




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


667


orphan asylum at Mansfield, Ohio; lectured on the harmony of science
and revealed religion at Oberlin college and Chicago theological seminary. He held pastorates at Mansfield, Sandusky and Chicago, and
preached several months at Lansing, Michigan. He was author of
many theological works published from 1855 to 1870, also of poems
published in "Poets and Poetry of the West." His first work, "The
Philosophy of the plan of Salvation," had a very large circulation in
English, and was translated into several other languages. He was a
trustee and interested in the prosperity of Benzonia college, at Benzie,
Mich., and resided for some time in Benzonia. He received the
degree of D. D., was the first president of Benzonia college, and gave
largely to its support. Died several years since at Wheaton, Illinois.
JOHN WALKER
Was born in Deerfield,N. Y.,May 12,1818. He received a common school
education. Settled in Kalamazoo in 1836, and removed to Cooper in 1840.
He represented the 3d district of Kalamazoo county in the House in
1869-70-1-2-3-4. In politics a Republican, by occupation a farmer.
LEVI WALKER,
Representative from Genesee county in 1873, was born in Granville,
N. Y., Dec. 20, 1813. He received an academical education, studied
law and was admittel to the New York bar in 1835. In 1847 he
removed to Michigan and settled in Flint. He held several important
and several minor offices in the town and county.  He died before
the extra session of 1874.
SAMUEL S. WALKER
Was born at Fredoni:, N. Y., June 11, 1841, and removed with his
father to Detroit in 1855. He was educated at the Fredonia academy,
and subsequently at the Barstow union school in Detroit, graduating
at the University of Michigan in the class of 186t. He removed to St.
Johns in 1861, and engaged in the mercantile business until 1865
when he established a banking office at St. Johns, under the firm
name of S. S. Walker & Co., continuing that until Septem ber of the
same year, when, with others, he organized the first national bank of
St. Johns, of which he was cashier until August, 1877. He was a Representative in 1875, and was regent of the University from 1875 to
1883.




668


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


SYLVESTER WALKER,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1847, was a hatter in Norwich, N. Y., in 1813. He settled in Cambridge, Mich., in 1838,
opened a hotel at the junction of the Chicago and La Plaisance Bay
turnpikes, erected fine buildings, where many a weary traveler found
a genial place of rest. In politics a Democrat. Died Dec. 28, 1868.
His widow was living in Cambridge in 1887, at the age of ninety.
JAMES WALKINSHAW,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1877, was born in the parish
of Boithwick, Mid Lothian, Scotland, July 10, 1810. He was educated in the common schools. He emigrated in 1842 to Marshall,
Mich., and was employed by the state railroad authorities as warehouseman there, and also in the same capacity at Kalamazoo, until
the Michigan Central company bought the railroad. He then settled
in Convis on a farm. He was supervisor for twelve years. In politics
a Republican.
JOHN B. WALLACE,
Representative from Wayne county in 1859, was born in Steuben
county, N. Y., Oct. 22, 1809, and came to Michigan in 1832. By occupation a farmer and lumberman. He ran the first saw mill in Wayne
county propelled by water. He served many years as postmaster at
Wallaceville (to which he gave his name), and has held most of the
responsible local offices of his township. After a residence of more
than fifty years on the farm which he located, removed to Detroit
in 1885, where he now resides. Politics, republican.
FRANKLIN B. WALLIN,
Representative from Allegan county in 1861-2, was born in Nelson,
Pa., March 25, 1832. By occupation a tanner; in politics a Republican. He came with his parents to Michigan in 1836, who located at
McCoys Creek, Berrien county. He learned the tanner's trade. In
1853 he removed to Saugatuck, where with his father and brother,
he operated three tanneries under the firm name of C. C. Wallin &
Sons, the store being in Chicago. He built a tannery in Grand
Rapids in 1882, where he now resides.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


669


GEORGE W. WALTEEW,
Representative from the first district of Wayne county in 1885,
was born at St. Thomas, Ontario, May 30, 1860.  His parents
removed with him to Detroit in 1862. He drifted to Colorado when
eighteen years of age, retured to Detroit when twenty-one, and
shortly afterwards became manager of the firm of A. Walthew &
Sons, scenic artists of Detroit. In October, 1883, he took up the
study of the law; was admitted to the bar in 1884; became the candidate
of the labor party of Detroit for the legislature; was afterwards put
upon the democratic and greenback ticket and elected.
ANDREW WALTON,
Representative from Bay county in 1875-9, was born at Batavia, N.
Y., Jan. 11, 1826, but removed to Ohio when young. He received an
academical education. In 1863 he removed to Bay City. Occupation,
lumber merchant. He was a member of the board of education, and
a commissioner of the Bay City water-works for many years. He
was one of the original proprietors of the state bank of Bay City,
and one of the directors until its consolidation with the second
national bank, and then was elected a director. Politics, democratic.
JACOB WALTON,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1869-70-1-2-3-4, was born in
Buckingham, Pa., Feb. 10, 1818. He received a common school
education. In 1834 emigrated to Michigan and settled in Saline. In
1851 removed to Raisin, Lenawee county, where he still resides. By
occupation a farmer. In politics a Republican.
JOSEPH WALTZ,
Representative from Wayne county in 1879-85, was born in Detroit,
May 24, 1844. He received his education in the public schools,
receiving also a full commercial education. Mr. Waltz is a merchant,
but deals extensively in lumber and real estate. He has filled various
township offices, having been for two years township clerk, and for
two terms justice, also supervisor of the township of Huron, in which
he resides. Politically a Democrat.
EDGAR B. WARD
Was born in Castleton, N. Y., Sept. 27, 1835, and removed with his
parents to Washtenaw county, Mich., in 1836. He was educated at?5




o70


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Lodi academy, and in 1854 taught school near Millersburg, Ky. In
the fall of 1854 he began the study of medicine at the University of
Michigan, and graduated in 1858. He went to Centreville, Iowa,
and engaged in medical practice. In 1859 he returned to Owosso
Mich., to practice, and in 1862 removed to Laingsburg, where he now
resides, and continues the practice of his profession. He is a Republican. In 1869-70 he was a Representative.
LYMAN M. WARD,
Representative from Berrien county in 1879-81-2, was born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., Oct. 5, 1836. He removed to Wisconsin in
1850, and thence to Michigan in 1866. He was educated in common
and high schools. He is a fruit grower by occupation. In 1861
enlisted in the three months' service and was appointed orderly sergeant
of company I, first regiment Wisconsin Vol. Inft. After the expiration of that term re-enlisted for three years, receiving a captain's
commission. He was successively promoted to major, lieutenant
colonel, and colonel of the fourteenth regt.,Wis. V. V. Inft. He was
in command of a brigade for two years and received the brevet rank
of brigadier general.
ROBERT E. WARD,
Representative from Berrien county in 1837, was born in Albany, N.
Y. He came to the village of Berrien Springs in 1835, and was a
merchant, the partner of Pitt Brown. On a petition drawn by him to
the postoffice department, the village name was changed from Berrien to Berrien Springs, so named from valuable medical springs.
He was a county commissioner in 1837. Removed to Detroit, where
he died in 1847.
ROBERT WARDEN
Emigrated from Greenock, Scotland, in 1832, and after a brief resicence in Onondaga county, N. Y., purchased with Governor Bingham
a large tract of land in Green Oak, Mich., upon which they settled in
1833. Gov. Bingham had two wives, both of whom were sisters of
Mr. Warden, while his wife was a sister of Governor Bingham. He
was a farmer and was supervisor of Green Oak, first in 1838, and
served six times afterwards in that capacity. He was a delegate in
the constitutional convention of 1850. First a Democrat, a Republican after 1854. Deceased.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


671


GUERNSEY P. WARING,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1881-2, was born August 31,
1852, in Ridgeway, Mich. He attended school until of age; afterwards taught a few terms; and has since mingled farming with mercantile business in the land of his adoption.
EDWARD A. WARNER,
Senator from Branch county in 1842-3, was born in 1812 or 1813.
He is said to have been in Marshall, Mich., in 1837. Settled at Coldwater in 1838, and engaged in practice as a lawyer. He was an
agreeable and intelligent young man, and had obtained a good practice at the time of his death, February 1, 1844.
HARVEY WARNER
Was born at Glens Falls, N. Y., April 5, 1809. In 1830 he came to
Michigan, soon settled at Coldwater, and built the first frame house
and the first frame store and the first church in that city. He was
postmaster in 1832, and held the office many years. He was justice
in 1834, and held that position 24 years. He was a delegate to the
first convention of assent at Ann Arbor, was judge of probate
from 1819 to 1857, and for several years president of the village of
Coldwater.
P. DEAN WARNER,
Representative from Oakland county in 1851, 1865-7, and speaker of
the House in 1867, was born in Hector, N. Y., August 18, 1822. He
came with his father to Farmington, Mich., in 1825. At fourteen
he was a clerk in a country store, where he remained nine years. In
1845 became a merchant at Farmington, and still resides there, in the
same business. lie had a fair education. In politics, first a Democrat, since a Republican. He was deputy postmaster three years;
three times town clerk; supervisor five terms, and fifteen years a
member of the board of control of railroads by appointment of the
governor. He was Senator in 1869-70.
WILLIAM WARNER,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1851, was born in Connecticut in 1806. He settled as a farmer in Dexter, Mich., in 1826.




672


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


He owns several large farms and has been engaged in the lumber
and hardware trade. In politics a Republican.
WILLIAM WARNER,
Representative from Detroit in 1863-4-7, was born at Pittsford, Vt.,
Jan. 28, 1812. He graduated at Middlebury college, and studied for
the ministry, but abandoned it from health considerations.  He was
several years treasurer of the University of Vermont at Burlington,
and subsequently connected with the Vermont Central railroad, until
he came to Detroit in 1855. He was there engaged in the lumber
business until, in 1860, he became connected with the Detroit bridge
and iron works, of which he was president at the time of his death in
July, 1868.
WILLIAM E. WARNER
Was born in 1820, in New York, and came to Michigan in 1837. His
early occupations were those of teacher and clerk in Rawsonville.
He was a justice in 1845, and held the office of supervisor for many
years. He was Representative in 1853, Senator in 1859-63-4, was register of deeds 1865-69, and a member of the constitutional convention
of 1867. He died at Belleville, Sept. 6, 1879. He is listed as a lawyer,
though combining the qualities of farmer, politician and general business man in about equal degree. He was a Democrat.
ASA K. WARREN,
Representative from Eaton county in 1873-4, and Senator in 1875, was
born in Eden, N. Y., Jan. 29, 1830. He is a graduate of Oberlin college, of the class of '53. He is also a graduate of the medical department of the University, of the class of '56. He became a resident of
Michigan in 1859, and settled in Olivet, where he still resides. He
has been a member of the common council of the town ever since its
organization. He still continues in the practice of his profession. In
politics a Republican.
ROBERT L. WARREN,
Representative from Van Buren county in 1883, was born in Bennington, Mich., January 2, 1842. He removed to Flint when a boy, residing there till 1869. He entered Michigan University in 1860, leaving
there to enter the military service in the late rebellion, serving until




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


673


the close of the Vicksburg campaign, when he was discharged by
reason of disability. Entered law department Michigan University in
1864, and graduated in 1P66, began the practice of law, continuing
about one year, then assuming the duties of local editor on the Wolverine Citizen. Subsequently removed to Bay City, taking control
of the Journal of that city, which he converted into a daily, and conducted it until sold to Hon. James Birney. Also published Saginaw
Daily Enterprise. Removed to Van Buren county in 1875, and published the Lawrence Advertiser, and was editor and publisher of the
Decatur Republican. He now resides at Albion, and is editor and
publisher of the Albion Recorder.
SXMUEL N. WARREN,
Representative from Genesee county in 1848, was born in Orwell, Vt.,,Sept. 15, 1813. Attended district school and Shoreham academy;
taught school in Benson, Vt., in 1829; came to Michigan in 1833, and
taught school; at the age of twenty-two was a justice and supervisor,
holding the latter office most of the time for forty years; was postmaster at Fentonville; director of schools in Flint for ten years; for
many years chairman of the congressional committee in the sixth
district; and collector of internal revenue for that district under Lincoln. Married Anne R. West in 1834, and celebrated his golden wedding at Albion, where he now resides. Was a Whig until 1854, since
a Republican,
STEPHEN H. WARREN,
Senator from Montcalm and other counties in 1857-8, was born in
Esopus, N. Y., in 1806. Left an orphan at the age of seven, he went
to live with his brother at Herkimer, N. Y., where he remained until
1843, when he settled in Eureka, Montcalm county, as a farmer. In
politics a Democrat until 1854, then a Republican. He held the office
of justice. Died April 29, 1878.
NORMAN B. WASHBURN,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1887, was born in Adrian,
Mich., Aug. 13, 1849, where he has since resided. He received a
common school education, and at the age of seventeen learned
telegraphy, but in the following year became an iron molder, which
occupation, with the trade of bricklayer, he has since followed. He
was a charter member and commissioned officer in the Adrian light




674


MICHIGAN BICGRAPHT.


guard, and served from 1870 to 1876. He was elected Representative
as a labor candidate and on the democratic ticket, receiving 1,732
votes to 1,724 for Capt. J. H. Lee, Republican, and 245 for C. E.
Mitchell, Prohibitionist.
JOHN C. WATERBURY,
Representative in 1861-2, and Senator in 1871-2-7, was born Nov. 27,
1815, at Andes, N. Y. He received a common school education, and
removed to Leroy, Mich., in 1838. From 1840 to 1847 resided at St.
Clair, then removed to Lexington, where he stillresides. He has held
many offices, including justice, judge of probate, assistant assessor of
internal revenue, and deputy U. S. marshal. In politics first a Whig,
a Republican since 1854. He for years dealt in bonds and mortgages,
and did much to develop the resources of the Huron shore.
CHARLES W. WATKINS,
Representative from Allegan county in 1871-2-3, was born in East
Salem, N. Y., March 5, 1844. He received an academical education.
In 1856 removed to Leighton, Mich. He entered the 6th Michigan
cavalry as a private in 1861; was transferred to the 10th Michigan
cavalry in 1863, was commissioned as lieutenant; served as adjutant
of the regiment for a brief period, and was made a captain by brevet
for gallant and meritorious services. He followed the mercantile
business in Allegan county, but removed some years since to Grand
Rapids, where he is engaged in the insurance business. In politics a
Republican.
ERWIN C. WATKINS,
Representative from Kent county in 1873-4-5, was born in Middlebury, N. Y., January 15, 1839. He received a common school education. In 1844 emigrated to Michigan and settled in Grattan, Kent
county, and subsequently removed to Rockford. He studied law,
and was admitted to the bar in 1861. In the same year he enlisted in
a company of cavalry, and when the company was incorporated in
the first New York regiment of cavalry, was commissioned lieutenant, and subsequently received a commission as captain. In 1863 he
was appointed assistant adjutant general of the department of West
Virginia, and subsequently assigned to the staff ox Gen. W. H.
Seward, where he served until the war ended. He has held several
local positions. By occupation a lumber merchant. He is now
warden at the house of correction at Ionia. He was an Indian agent
in the west for some years.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


675


FREEMAN C. WATKINS,
Representative from Jackson county in 1861, and delegate in the
constitutional convention of 1867, was born in Surry, N. H., March
29, 1811. Taught primary schools in New Hampshire and Michigan
from 1829 to 1834. Located his farm in Napoleon in 1833, and was an
early pioneer of Jackson county. Was supervisor and justice. A
Democrat until 1854, then a Republican. Died June 10, 1880.
MILTON C. WATKINS,
Representative in 1859, and Senator in 1863-4-5, from Kent county,
was born in Rutland, Vt., in 1806. He received a common school
and academical education. After the age of eighteen was engaged
several years in teaching. In 1830 he married Susan Joy, and settled
on a farm in Covington, N. Y., where he taught winters, and worked
as a carpenter summers, and was also justice and school inspector.
In. 1844, settled on a farm in Grattan, Mich., where he resided until
his death, May 16, 1886. He was the first supervisor of Grattan, and
held that and the office of justice, nearly twenty-five years. He was
U. S. assistant assessor until the office was abolished. In politics a
Whig until 1854, then a Republican.
FRANK H. WATSON,
IRepresentative from Shiawassee county in 1887, was born in Shiawassee, same county, November 14, 1857. He received his education
at district and union schools and worked on his father's farm summers and taught winters, until twenty-one years of age, when he
entered a law office in Corunna, and was admitted to the bar in 1881.
He went to Colorado, but remained only about one year, when he
returned to Corunna and commenced the practice of his profession,
remaining there until the spring of 1885, when he removed to Owosso,
where he still resides. He has been twice elected circuit court commissioner, and is a Republican.
HENRY WATSON,
Representative from Montcalm county, was born in Nottinghamshire, England, January 29, 1836. By occupation a lumberman
and farmer. He has filled the office of justice of the peace fifteen
years, township clerk two years, has been a school officer twenty
years, and Representative for 1885-6. He is a Republican, and was




676


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


reelected for 1887-8 by a vote of 1,806 to 1,616 for Henry Sharp, and
227 for Frank Fuller, Prohibitionist.
JOHN WM. WATTS,
Representative from Jackson county in 1887, was born at Leoni,
Mich., Jan. 13, 1838, and has always been a resident of that county.
He is a farmer. He has held the office of supervisor six years, clerk
of his township seven years, and filled other town offices. He is a
Republican, and was elected Representative by a vote of 2,547 to
2,135 for Daniel Boynton, Fusionist, and 653 for Lester E. Palmer,
Prohibitionist.
CHARLES W. WEATHERBY,
Representative from Branch county in 1861-2, was born in Washington county, N. Y., Jan. 19, 1810. By occupation a mechanic; in
politics a Republican. He settled at Bronson, Mich., in 1836, wlere
he held several local positions, and was a justice. He removed to
Missouri in 1865, was a resident of Kansas City for two years, and
now resides at Shelbina, Mo.
NATHAN WEBB
Was born in Middlesex, N. Y., Jan. 25, 1808. He received a good
education, mostly from private teachers, and in 1836 received his
diploma as a physician, and practiced at Rushville, N. Y. In 1846
removed to Pittsfield, Mich., and purchased a farm, where he resided
until his death, Dec. 3, 1884. For many years he was supervisor, also
justice. In 1861-2 he was Senator. He was first an Anti-Mason,
then a Democrat, and from 1854 a Republican. He sent three sons
to the war, and served as a surgeon for several months. His wide
information, literary tastes, firm principles and ready wit, made him
a man of mark and influence.
ANDREW J. WEBBER,
Representative from Ionia county in 1885-7, was born in Steuben
county, N. Y., Jan. 3, 1831. He received a good common school
education, removed to Michigan in 1852, and for four years was
engaged in lumbering on the west shore, then for ten years was a
farmer and merchant. Has been largely interested in lumbering in
Mecosta county. He has been mayor of Ionia, twice president of the
county agricultural society, director and vice president of the second




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


677


national bank, and president of Ionia farmers' insurance company.
In politics a Republican.
GEORGE W. WEBBER,
Of Ionia, was born in Newburg, Vt., Nov. 25, 1825. He removed to
Steuben county, N. Y., in 1828; received a public school education,
and worked on his parents' farm until his twentieth year, when he
engaged in lumbering and mercantile business for himself. He
married in 1850 and removed to northern Michigan in 1852, where he
continued the lumber business until 1858. Since then he has been a
resident of Ionia county. He has been interested in farming, and in
building in lonia, where he has had the management of a mercantile
business. He has also carried on lumbering operations in Mecosta
county since 1866. He was one of the founders of the second national
bank of Ionia, and has been its president. He has also been mayor
of the city two terms. He was elected Representative in congress by
a vote of 22,824, to 11,435 for L. H. Randall, Democrat, and 9,506 for
J. C. Blanchard, National, and served one term, declining a renomination. In politics a Republican.
WILLIAM L. WEBBER,
Senator from Saginaw county in 1875, was born in Ogden, N. Y.,
July 19, 1825.  He removed with his father to Hartland, Mich., in
1836. He received a common school education, taught school, studied
medicine two years, then taught select school at Milford two years.
Studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1851. He became a resi-,
dent of East Saginaw in 1853, where he now resides. He practiced
law until 1869. In 1857 he became the attorney of the Flint & Pere
Marquette railroad company, and still holds that place. He was land
commissioner of the road from 1870 to 1885. A director of the road
since 1S64. Has also been president of the Tuscola & Huron railroad;
trustee and executor of the estate of Jesse Hoyt; circuit court commissioner of Saginaw   county,  1854-5;  prosecuting  attorney;
mayor of East Saginaw; democratic candidate for governor in 1876,
and president of the state agricultural society in 1878. In politics a
Democrat.
ALANSON J. WEBSTER
Was born in Pontiac, Mich., Aug. 21, 1827. He lived in Pontiac until
1851, then removed to White Lake, Oakland county. He was super76




678


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


visor seven years, township treasurer and justice, and in 1871-2 a
Representative. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Democrat.
Died in 1875.
JAMES WEBSTER,
Iepresentative from Oakland county in 1846, was born in Litchfield,
Conn., in 1811. He came to Michigan in 1838. Was by trade a
blacksmith, but became a Methodist preacher; politically a Democrat.
He removed to Fairfax, Va., in 1858.
JOSEPH WEIER,
Representative from Monroe county in 1869-70, was born in Wackernheim, Germany, March 4, 1822. He came to Monroe, Mich., in 1849,
where he now resides. He kept a grocery store and boarding house
for years with success. Has been an alderman. About 1868 he
became interested in the planting of vineyards and the making of
wine, his trade extending over many states. For some years has been
retired from business. In politics a Democrat.
JAMES D. WEIR,
Senator from Wayne county in 1879, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y.,
May 20, 1832. He received his education from private teachers.  In
1847 removed to Detroit, and in 1848 apprenticed himself to the foundry business, which he followed up to 1859. He then studied law,
and was admitted to the bar in 1860. He has been collector of fourth
ward, school inspector, alderman, county clerk, judge of probate, and
member of the board of education. In politics a Democrat.
HENRY W. WEISS,
Representative from Gratiot county in 1885, was born in Champion,
Ohio, in 1843. Came to Michigan in 1873, and for some years followed
the occupation of lumberman, when purchasing the land upon which
he now resides, in Sumner, he engaged in farming, which occupation
he still continues. He was a member of the 84th Ohio volunteer
infantry, serving his full time of enlistment; has been supervisor, and
was elected as a candidate on the fusion ticket.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


679


HENRY B. WELCH,
Representative from Monroe county in 1873-4, was born in Augusta,
Mich., Aug. 2, 1833. He was educated in common schools. In 1866
he removed to Monroe county, and settled in Exeter, where he now
resides. By occupation a farmer.
JOHN WELCH,
Senator from Saginaw county in 1881-2, was born in Augusta, Me.,
Sept. 5, 1825. He received a common school education, and at thirteen was apprenticed to a blacksmith. After one year he became a
sailor, and followed it six years, rising to the position of second mate.
In 1846 he went into the lumber business, and in 1863 settled at White
River, Mich., where he remained until 1872, since that time has
resided at East Saginaw. Is a successful lumberman, and also a
farmer. Has been twice mayor of East Saginaw, and held positions
as alderman and supervisor. In politics a Republican.
JOHN B. WELCH,
Representative from Ionia county in 1863-4-5, was born in the state of
New York, March 22, 1816. He came to Michigan in 1836. He cut
the timber on the public square at Ionia. He was commandant to
raise the 21st Michigan infantry, and recruited 2,000 men for various
regiments at a great sacrifice of time and money. He was a Republican while a legislator, now a Greenbacker, living at Ionia.
ERASTUS J. WELKER,
Representative from Branch county in 1873-4-7, was born in Walnut,
Ohio, Sept. 3, 1825. In 1832 he removed with his parents to Seneca
county, Ohio, they being the second family on the,Seneca reservation. He was educated in common schools. In 1866 he removed to
Kinderhook, Branch county. By occupation a blacksmith. For several years has been an officer at the Ionia house of correction. In
politics a Republican.
CHARLES WELLMAN,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1885-7, was born in Canada,
Jan. 18, 1847. Came to Michigan with his parents in 1853; been
engaged in various occupations, now in the milling. and mercantile




680


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


business at Port Huron. He has been an alderman and member of
the board of estimates. Elected as a Fusionist.
FRANKLIN WELLS
Was born at Salem, N. Y., April 19, 1823. He came to Constantine,
Mich., in 1837, and is a merchant and farmer. He has been a member of the state board of agriculture since 1873, and his present term
will expire in 1891. Has served several years on the state republican
committee.
FREDERICK L. WELLS,
Senator from 6t. Clair county in 1873-4-5, was born March 24, 1833,
in Stanford, N. Y. He received a common school education, and was
instructed in the classics by a private tutor. In 1838 he emigrated to
Michigan, and settled in Port Huron, where he now resides. He has
served as mayor, city clerk, chief engineer, and alderman. He was
also a member of the House in 1871-2. By occupation a lumber merchant. Politically a Republican.
HENRY B. WELLS
Was born at Iartwick, N. Y., Feb. 4, 1829. In 1835 removed with
his father to Charleston, Mich., where he received a common school
education. In 1848 bought a farm in Wayne, Cass county, which
has since been his home. For a time was in mercantile business in
Dowagiac. In company with Z. Jarvis he built a grain elevator, and
was extensively engaged in the produce business. He was supervisor several years, and was a Representative in 1867. In politics a
Republican.
HEZEKIAH G. WELLS
Was born June 16, 1812, at Steubenville, Ohio, and was educated at
Kenyon college. He studied law and settled at Kalamazoo, Mich., in
1833. In 1835 was a delegate in the constitutional convention, and
the youngest member of that body. From 1845 to 1849 he performed
circuit court duties as judge. He was a delegate in the constitutional
convention of 1850. In 1862, largely by his efforts, the 25th Michigan
infantry was mustered into service. He was a member of the state
board of agriculture from 1861 to 1883, and most of the time its president. In 1873 he was one of eighteen appointed to revise the state
constitution. In 1874 he was appointed presiding judge of "the




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


681


court of commissioners of Alabama claims," and that court distributed over $9,000,000 of the '"Geneva award "to claimants. The court
was re-established in 1882, and he was again its presiding officer.
For many years he was an active member of the historical committee
of the state pioneer society, and was president in 1880. He was a
man of commanding form, fine personal appearance, and a recognized leader in the republican party. First a Whig, a Republican
after 1854. Died at Kalamazoo, April 4, 1885, leaving a wife, but no
children.
HENRY H. WELLS,
Representative from Detroit in 1855, was born in Rochester, N. Y.,
September 17, 1813, and came to Detroit at the age of twenty-one,
where he studied law and was admitted to practice. He entered the
military service as lieutenant colonel of the twenty-sixth Michigan
infantry, in October, 1862, was promoted to the colonelcy of the same
regiment March 30, 1864, and was brevetted brigadier general in 1865.
In April, 1868, he was appointed provisional governor of Virginia,
holding the position until 1869. Was U. S. district attorney for
Virginia, 1869-71, and U. S. district attorney for the district of
Columbia, from September, 1875, to January, 1880. Politics Republican; present residence, Washington, D. C.
MARSHALL M. WELLS
Was born in Genesee, N. Y., in August, 1822. His father settled at
an early date on a farm in Lyon, Oakland county, where the son was
reared. In 1845 he became a clerk in the office of the auditor general. He was a Representative from Oakland county in 1850, as a
Democrat. Under Buchanan he was a deputy U. S. marshal. For
eighteen months he was sutler of the 11th Michigan infantry.
WILLIAM P. WELLS,
Representative from Detroit to the legislature of 1865, was born at St.
Albans, Vt., February 15, 1831. He graduated from the University
of Vermont in 1851, from Harvard law school in 1854, was admitted
to the Vermont bar in 1855, and settled in practice at Detroit in 1856.
He was a partner of Judge J. V. Campbell until 1858. He was a
member of the Detroit board of education in 1863-4; law lecturer at
the University in 1874-5, and Kent professor of law from 1876 to 1886,
when he resigned. In politics a Democrat.




682


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


GEORGE T. WENDELL
Was born at Albany, N. Y. He was a resident of Mackinaw Island
at an early day. In politics a Democrat, and a Representative in
1857-9. He was a merchant, and held many local positions, and was
probate judge of Mackinac county at the time of his death, October
10, 1879, then about sixty.
JOHN A. WENDELL,
Representative from Oakland county in 1842, was born in Charlton,
N. Y., October 19, 1788. He settled as a farmer in Rose, Oakland
county, in 1836, and in 1837 was elected the first supervisor, and was
re-elected in 1838-9-40-1-3-4. He was also town clerk and justice of
the peace, and was postmaster of Rose from 1837 until his death, in
1858. He was a soldier of the war of 1812.
JACOB A. T. WENDELL,
Representative from Mackinac county in 1855, 1865-9-70, was born in
Albany, N. Y., April 12, 1826, and died November 25, 1879. He became a resident of Mackinaw Island in 1829. Had a good education
and was a merchant, doing much to develop the commerce of
northern Michigan. He was a Democrat, and once candidate for
lieutenant governor.
WILLIAM B. WESSON,
Senator from Wayne county in 1873-4, was born March 20, 1820, in
Hardwick, Mass. He received an academical education. He has
extensive business relations, is president of the Wayne county savings bank; president of the trust and security and safe deposit company, of Detroit; president of the Hamtramck street railway; a
director of the Detroit, Lansing & Lake Michigan railroad, and is one
of the trustees of the Detroit medical college. His business is that of
a dealer in real estate.
ANSEL W. WESTGATE,
Senator from Cheboygan and other counties in 1887, was born in
Lenawee county, Mich., Aug. 24, 1841; he resided in Michigan
twenty-three years; was educated at Hillsdale college. He then
went to Massachusetts, where he remained until 1879; then removed
to Alpena and was pastor of the Congregational church in that city




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


683


four years. He is at present a merchant and insurance agent; has
been a resident of Cheboygan three years. Has been school inspector,
county examiner and supervisor. Politically a Republican.
THOMAS J. WEST,
Representative from Berrien county in 1873-4-5, was born in Williamston, N. Y., May 22, 1831. He received a high school education. In
1835 he removed to Michigan and settled in Charleston, Kalamazoo
county. In 1864 removed to Berrien county and settled in Bainbridge,
where he still resides. By occupation a farmer.
LUTHER WESTOVER,
Representative in 1869-70, from Bay county, was born in Berkshire
county, Mass., April 24, 1817, and received an academical education.
In 1845 shipped a cargo of lumber to Connecticut, which proving
Drofitable, he went to Canada and engaged in lumbering. Removed
to Bay City in 1865; was engaged in lumbering until 1874; established
the exchange bank, which in 1873 was merged into the state bank.
He was active in the completion of the J., L. & S. railroad, and was
three years a director. A Democrat until 1861, since a Republican.
HEZEKIAH WETHERBEE,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1857, was born in Washington county, N. Y., in 1802. By occupation a miller and farmer, in
politics first whig then republican. He settled in Three Rivers in
1833, helped build the first flouring mill in that place, worked as a
mill r in that mill until 1836. when the Emery mill was built, where
he worked for twelve years, and also one winter at the Hoffman mill.
In 1836 he entered land five miles from Three Rivers which afterwards became his farm home. He was for fourteen years supervisor.
Died in 1873.
AMOS R. WHEELER,
Representative from Oceana county in 1873-4-5, was born in Cavendish, Vt., Sept. 12, 1815. He received a common school education,
emigrated to Kane county, Ill., in 1835, and in 1853 to Benoa, Oceana
county, Mich. Has been county treasurer, and held several offices in
town and county. By occupation a lumberman.




t;84


1ICHIIIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


CALVIN WHEELER,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1851, was born in Livingston county, N. Y., Jan. 28, 1806. He settled as a farmer in Salem,
Washtenaw county, in 1830. He held every town office except constable; was postmaster at Salem several years, and station agent on
the D., L. & N. R. R. for eight years.
HARRISON H. WHEELER
Was born at Hadley, Mich., March 22, 1839. He was brought up on
a farm and attended school winters.  Taught school winters from
1857 to 1861. He enlisted as a private in the 10th Michigan infantry,
and rose to the rank of captain. He was wounded three times, the
last crippling his left arm for life. He served in the army over threeyears. In 1867 he commenced the study of law with Judge Marston,
at Bay City, and was admitted to the bar in 1869. He served as Senator from Bay county in 1871-2-3. He then removed to Ludington,
was appointed circuit judge in 1874, and was afterwards elected by
the support of both parties. He resigned in 1878, and has since been,
engaged in the practice of law. In politics a Republican.
ISAAC P. WHEELER,
Representative from Jackson county in 187o, was born at Sudbury,.
Mass., Aug. 10, 1817. He received a common school education. In
1836 came to Michigan and located where he now resides, on a farm
in Pulaski, Jackson county. He has been supervisor seven terms,
postmaster for twenty years, and held other township offices. By
occupation a farmer.
JAMES WHEELER,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1835-6, was born in Saratoga
county, N. Y., March 21, 1793. Later he lived in Wheeler, Steuben
county, N. Y., a town named from the family. He settled in Tecumseh, Michigan, in 1834, and was a justice from 1837 to 1841. A
farmer, in politics a Democrat: Died at Tecumseh, February 20,
1854.
LYCURGUS J. WHEELER,
Representative from Barry county in 1883, was born in Wheeler, N.
Y., Feb. 9, 1830. He came with his father to Washtenaw county,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


68>r,


Mich., in 1835, removing to Woodland, Barry county, in 1842. He
received an academical education, and taught several years. Served
three years in the war, then located at Nashville as a merchant, and
is still in that business, Has held several local offices. Politically a
Republican. 
CHARLES W. WHIPPLE,
Representative from Detroit in 1835-6-7, and speaker of the House in
1837, son of Major John Whipple, of the United States army, was
born in Fort Wayne, Ind., in 1805, was educated at West Point, subsequently studied law, and began practice in Detroit. He was principal secretary of the constitutional convention of 1835. He was
appointed a judge of the Supreme Court in 1838, and chief justice in
1848, and in 1852 was elected judge of the circuit in which the county
of Berrien was then situated. Judge Whipple died while in office,
October, 1855, after a continuous service of seventeen years on the
bench. He was also a member of the constitutional convention of
1850, as a delegate from Berrien county. He was secretary of the
sixth legislative council in 1835, was county register in 1836, a master
in chancery, and school inspector in Detroit. Was a Democrat in
politics.
HENRY L. WHIPPLE,
Auditor General of the state during a short interregnum in that office
in 1842, was a son of Major John Whipple, born in Detroit in 1816.
His pursuits were official in connection with the state departments at
Detroit and Lansing. He was connected with the auditor general's
office after the removal of the capital to Lansing. He died in Detroit
in 1849. His politics will be inferred as democratic from his official
connection.
ALPHEUS WHITE,
Member of the constitutional convention of 1835, from Detroit, was a
native of Ireland. He was lieutenant of a company of which his
brother was captain, which did gallant service in the defense of New
Orleans, under Gen. Jackson. He became an architect, and in 1830
was a resident of Cincinnati. He came to Detroit in 1834, and the
provision of the constitution giving suffrage to the then alien residents of the state was the result of his efforts in the convention.  He
had command of the artillery arm of the Michigan forces during the
Toledo war. He was a Democrat, and a devout Catholic, and was the
founder of Trinity church.
77




686


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


DARWIN O. WHITE
Was born Sept 8, 1835. He was a farmer, a Democrat, and resided
at Southfield, Oakland county. He held the local offices of town
clerk, treasurer, school inspector, and supervisor, the last several
times. * He was a Representative in 1869-70-1-2. Died July 8, 1885.
FRANK G. WHITE,
Senator from the upper peninsula in 1871-2, was born in Massachusetts
in 1832. Came to Houghton, Michigan, in 1853, and was engaged in
mining until 1884. Since that time has been a resident of Leadville,
Colorado. Politically a Republican.
GEORGE H. WHITE,
Representative from Kent county in 1863-4, was born at Dresden, N.
Y., September 9, 1822. Received a common school education, and
was a clerk in Indiana until 1842, when he removed to Grands Rapids.
He was a clerk there two years, and was, in 1844, elected register of
deeds, and was also partner of Amos Rathbun. He conducted a store
at Rockford for five years, returned to Grand Rapids; was a supervisor, and mayor in 1861-2. He was a lumberman from 1863 to 1865;
then engaged in the manufacture of plaster. He has built, with
Amos Rathbun, many stores, and has been a director of the G. R. &
I. railroad, and of the Continental Improvement company. A Whig
until 1854, since a Democrat.
JAMES E. WHITE,
Representative from Oceana county in 1881-2-3, was born in Kalamazoo, Mich., April 8, 1839. He attended Albion college in 1857-8. He
went into the army in 1861, as lieutenant in the 13th Michigan infantry, and became a captain in 1863. After leaving the army was engaged in mercantile business at Wayland until 1875, when he removed
to Pentwater, engaged in the hardware trade, and the manufacture
of shingles. In politics a Republican.
JAMES H. WHITE,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1879-81-2, was born at Whitesboro, N. Y., April 28, 1822. He received an academical education;
was in business in Utica two years, the same time at Ann Arbor,




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


687


Mich, and at Yonkers, N. Y. In 1849 settled at Port Huron, and engaged in farming, insurance, banking and real estate. From 1855 to
1859 was sheriff, was an alderman four years, deputy collector of
customs 1867 to 1876, and has held other offices. Politically, a Repub.
lican.
JONATHAN R. WHITE,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1855, was born in South
Hadley, Mass., Sept. 10, 1806. By profession a lawyer; politically a
Republican. He came to Michigan in 1831, and was commissioned a
colonel of state militia in 1835 by Gov. Mason. He was a member of
the constitutional convention of 1850. Died July 12, 1881.
OLIVER K. WHITE,
Representative from Oceana county in 1877, was born in Clinton
county, N. Y., Feb. 15, 1831, removing three months subsequently to
Erie county, where he received a common school education. In
1852 he removed to Cattaraugus county, where for two years he held
the positions of township superintendent of schools and justice. In
1857 he removed to Michigan and settled in Grant, where he still
resides. He has been supervisor six years, and was sheriff of Oceana
county during 1875-76. In politics a Republican.
ORRIN WHITE,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1842, was born in Palmyra, N. Y., Oct. 25, 1796. He received a fair education, served in
the war of 1812, and was for several years engaged in mercantile
business at Palmyra. He settled as a farmer in the town of Ann
Arbor, Mich., in 1824. He was a supervisor, judge, justice, and
sheriff, also a member of the constitutional convention of 1835. He
was a colonelof militia. Died in 1864.
PETER WHITE
Was born at Rome, N. Y., Oct. 31, 1831, and has been a resident of
Michigan since 1835. He went to Marquette in 1849, before a tree
had been felled upon the site of that beautiful city, still his home.
He was five years register of the U. S. land office at Marquette;




688


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


eight years county clerk and register of deeds; deputy collector of
the port of Marquette six years; postmaster ten years; for many
years assessor and treasurer of the union school; cashier or president
of the national bank of Marquette since 1864; and has held other
positions. He was a Representative from Marquette and Chippewa
counties in 1857, and was Senator in 1875. He has been in all kinds
of business, and has always been a leading man in the upper peninsula.
In politics a Democrat.
SHUBAEL WHITE,
Senator from Mason and other counties in 1883, was born at Marshall,
Mich., June 17, 1841. Graduated at the University of Michigan in
1864. Served in the war in the 28th Michigan infantry, and rose from
a private to the rank of captain. Was a provost marshal in North
Carolina in 1865-6. He graduated at the Albany law school in 1867,
and engaged in law practice at Ludington. He was a circuit judge
in 1873-4. Politically a Republican.
THOMAS WHITE
Was born in Royalton, N. Y., and his education was that of common
schools. He emigrated with his parents to Novi, Michigan, in 1833,
who settled upon a farm. The son engaged alternately in teaching
and farming. In 1852 he settled on a farm in Northfield and was
successful. In 1868 removed to Ann Arbor, and became secretary
and managing director of the Washtenaw mutual insurance company,
which he managed with great success. Politically a Democrat, then
a Free Soiler, and eventually a Republican. He was a Representative
in 1867. Died May 10, 1868.
THOMAS W. WHITE,
Representative in 1844, was born in Ashfield, Mass., Nov. 15, 1805.
He settled in Grand Haven in 1836, and was a lumberman by occupation. He was an active business man at Grand Haven for thirty
years, when he removed to Grand Rapids. In politics first Whig,
then Republican. Died Jan. 5,1884.
WILLIAM E. WHITE,
Representative in 1865, was born June 29, 1814. By occupation a
carpenter, in politics a Whig, then a Republican. Came to Kalama



MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


689


zoo in 1835, lived there until 1862, when he removed to Wayland,
Allegan county, where he now resides. He was sheriff of Kalamazoo
county from 1858 to 1862; was a member of the constitutional convention of 1867; village trustee, marshal and constable of Wayland.
HENRY WHITING,
Regent of the University from 1859 to 1865, was born in Bath, N. Y.,
February 7, 1818, attended common schools until thirteen, was a clerk
four years, then attended grammar school, and became a cadet at
West Point in 1836, graduating in 1840, in the same class with Sherman and Thomas. He was a lieutenant in the army urtil 1846, then
resigned, became a resident of St. Clair, Mich., and took charge of an
academy. In 1848 engaged in lumber business until 1851, and continued in mercantile business until 1861. He then became colonel of
the 2d Vermont infantry, took part in the first battle of Bull Run,
and in 1862 commanded the Vermont brigade, and was at Fredricksburg and in other battles, resigning in 1863, and again becoming a
merchant at St. Clair. A Republican until 1876, then a Greenbacker.
Deceased.
JUSTIN R. WHITING,
Of St. Clair, fusion congressman from the seventh district, was born
in Bath N. Y., February 18, 1847. Two years later removed with his
parents to St. Clair, Mich., which place has been his home almost
continuously since. He attended the union school, prepared himself
for admission to the State University in 1863, at the age of sixteen.
He remained only two years in college, having decided not to study a
profession. Has been engaged in the mercantile business since. In
1879 was elected mayor; in 1882 Senator, and declined a renomination on account of business. Received the fusion nomination for
congress in 1886, and was elected by 814 majority, his republican
rival receiving 12,973 votes. He was a Republican until 1876, when
he became a Greenbacker.
LUTHER D. WHITNEY,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1857, was born at Granville,
N. Y., March 13, 1810. He learned the trade of a mason and also
preached occasionally. He came to Michigan in 1832, and was for
fourteen years a Methodist minister. He then, from a bronchial
affection, retired, studied medicine, and began practice at Commerce,
Mich., in 1844. In 1849 removed to Hadley, Lapeer county, and con



690


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


tinued practice, sometimes preaching. A Whig, then Free Soiler,
then a Republican. In 1875 he moved to Grand Blanc, where he
died September 11, 1876.
NATHAN WHITNEY, 
Representative from Muskegon county in 1875, was born in Huron
county, Ohio, November 11, 1821, removed to Michigan in 1849,
and settled in Sparta, Kent county. In 1854 he removed to Muskegon county.  He received a common school education. He was
supervisor of Casinovia for sixteen years. In politics a Democrat.
WILLIAM H. WIGGINS,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1885, was born in Floy, N.
Y., April 12, 1839. He came to Michigan in 1861. At first engaged
in the patent medicine business, now a farmer and dealer in live
stock. For eleven years town clerk. Politically a Democrat.
BUCKMINSTER WIGHT,
Senator from Wayne county in 1855, was a native of Worcester
county, Mass., born in 1796. His education was that of common
schools. He came to Detroit in 1832, engaging actively in the lumber
business in 1837. He represented his ward in the council, and was a
candidate for mayor, but generally shunned office. He was a public
spirited and useful citizen and amiable gentleman. In politics first
whig, subsequently republican. He died November 28, 1879.
STANLEY G. WIGHT,
Representative from Detroit in 1863-4, was born in Massachusetts in
1825, coming to Detroit with his father's family. His early education
was academical. His active business life was passed as member of the
lumber firm of B. Wight & Sons, and in the same business on his own
account, 1848 to 1880. Since his legislative service he has declined all
elective offices. He was alderman 1851-2, and a member of the board
of water commissioners 1863 to 1868. He was an old line Whig, but
became a Democrat.
MARK D. WILBER,
Senator from Allegan county in 1873-4, was born in Clinton, N. Y.,
August 12, 1829. He received an academical education, and studied




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


691


law in the law department of Yale college. In 1856 he was admitted
to the bar. While a resident of New York he was a member of the
assembly three terms. In 1870 he settled in Allegan, Mich. During
the war he served in the department of the gulf, on the staff of Gen.
Paine. He was vice-president of first national bank of Allegan,
and vice-president of Wilber's Eureka mower and reaper manufactory, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He was projector of the Poughkeepsie
& Eastern railroad, a director of the same, and secretary and attorney until he came to Michigan. Was also president of the Poughkeepsie city railway. He returned to New York, and is now serving
as U. S. district attorney in that state.
CHARLES A. WILBUR,
Representative from Livingston county in 1855, was in business a
farmer and merchant and resided at Howell, where he died about
1867.
ALBERT WILCOX,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1841, was born at New
Marlboro, Mass., Nov. 15, 1805. His ancestors were engaged both in
the French and revolutionary wars. He was brought up on a farm,,
and in 1818 removed with his parents to Guilford, N, Y. He received
a common school education, and became a teacher. He removed tot
Wheeler, N. Y., where he was a partner of his father in farming and.
the making of wagons, and was a captain of militia.  In 1835 he
came to Michigan and took up a farm in the town of Bridgewater.
In 1836 he enlisted as carriage maker in the U. S. arsenal at Dearborn, with the rank of orderly sergeant. In 1839 he settled at Cambridge, Lenawee county. In politics, whig and republican. Has been
in the employ of the Lake Shore railroad since 1851, in various
mechanical positions. He has held many local offices, including justice and alderman. During the rebellion he had entire charge of the
water supply of 426 miles of railroad. Resides at Adrian.
ELLIOTT R. WILCOX,
Representative in 1869-70, and Senator from Oakland county in 1877,
was born at Rochester, Mich., Feb. 24, 1838, where his father settled
in 1824. He was educated at the Rochester academy and the University of Michigan. As a young man he held many local offices, and
was a justice. In politics a Democrat, by profession a lawyer. Was.
*   ~       ~:r; 00 0A:




692


M1ICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


a farmer on a large scale. Was a member several years of the democratic state committee. He rendered important aid in the building
of the Detroit & Bay City railroad. In 1874 he built a large brick
paper mill on his farm which is in successful operation.
MARCUS B. WILCOX
Was born born June 24, 1821, at Arkwright, N. Y. Received a good
academical education and a pretty thorough knowledge of Latin.
Removed to Pinckney, Michigan, in 1852. Read law and was
admitted to the bar in 1854. In politics a Republican. Was elected
several terms prosecuting attorney of Livingston county. Held minor
offices, and was Senator in 1857-8. Was an able lawyer. Died in
Cleveland, Ohio, Sept. 8, 1868.
WILLIAM S. WILCOX,
Representative in 1865-7, and Senator from Lenawee county in 1871-2,
was born at Riga, N. Y., April 25, 1819. When young he removed
with his father to; Bergen, N. Y., where his father kept hotel and
postoffice, and ran a stage line. He assisted him until 1836, when he
became a clerk in the store of Ira Bidwell at Milan, Ohio, and removed
with him to Adrian, Mich., in 1836. From 1840 to 1844 he was apartner, then commenced business for himself. ~ hich he continued until
1855, then went into the hardware trade, and has been the head
of a leading banking house in Adrian for many years. He was clerk
of Adrian in 1848; state prison inspector from 1869 to 1881; has been
president of the Michigan state insurance company, and held many
other local positions. He was mayor of Adrian in 1865, and a presi-.dential elector in 1884. In politics a Republican.
DANIEL G. WILDER,
Senator from Tuscola county in 1861-2, was born in Chesterfield, Mass.,
April 15, 1823. He removed from Massachusetts to New York, and
fcame from that state to Michigan in 1848. He studied law, was:admitted to the bar at Howell, and began practice at Vassar. He
held town offices, such as justice, clerk, supervisor, treasurer, and
school inspector, and was county treasurer, judge of probate, prosecuting attorney, county clerk, and register of deeds. In 1872 he went
into the mercantile business at Watrousville, where he resided until
his death in 1885.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


693


DAVID W. WILEY,
Representative from Allegan county in 1875, was born at Hanover,
Ohio, June 27, 1838. He removed to Michigan in 1852, and to Douglass, Allegan county, in 1856. He has served as trustee of Douglass
village, and held other municipal positions, and has been president of
the Lake Shore agricultural and pomological society. He received a
common school education, and is a farmer and fruit grower. In politics a Democrat.
JEFFERSON WILEY,
Representative from Detroit in 1867, was born in Boston, Mass., in
1826, and was educated at Harvard college. Coming to Detroit in
1852, he first engaged in active business as a member of the firm of
Jackson & Wiley, iron and brass founders. A term as inspector of
the house of correction 1872-75, comprises his official life except as
above. He is at present lumber agent for the Detroit, Lansing &
Northern railroad.
ALFRED WILKERSON
Was born in Ledyard, N. Y., Feb. 15, 1820. Removed with his parents
to Dundee, Michigan, in 1836, where he now resides as a farmer. He
helped organize the republican party, and is still of that faith. He
was Representative in 1859.
ROSS WILKINS
Was born at Pittsburg, Pa., in February, 1799, and was the son of
John Wilkins, who served in the wars of the revolution and of 1812,
and became quartermaster-general in the U. S. army. Judge Wilkins
graduated at Dickinson college. Pennsylvania, in 1818, studied law,
and was prosecuting attorney at Pittsburg in 1820. He was appointed
judge of Michigan territory by Jackson, and opened his court June
17, 1832. In 1836 became U. S. district judge, and held that position
until December, 1869, when he resigned, never having been absent a
term in thirty-two years. He was a member of the constitutional
convention of 1835, and of the two conventions of assent in 1836. He
died May 17, 1872. He was an able judge. In politics, a Democrat
in religion, a Methodist, but died in the Catholic faith.
78
en




694


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


SAMUEL M. WILKINS,
Representative from Eaton county in 1879-81-2, was born in Baughman, Ohio, August 16, 1836. He was educated in common schools, and
at Vermillion institute, Ohio. He was engaged in mining in California from 1859 to 1861. He served in the 102d Ohio infantry. Since,
studied medicine, and graduated at Wooster University, Ohio. Settled
at Eaton Rapids in 1866, and engaged in practice, and has held various offices.
DANIEL S. WILKINSON
Was born in the state of New York in 1813. He came from Albion,.
N. Y., to Adrian, Mich., in 1834, where he resided until his death,
May 24, 1875. His business was that of loaning money. In politics
a Democrat. He was a Representative in 1849.
GEORGE WILLRD
Was born in Bolton, Vt., March 20, 1824. His ancestor, Simeon
Willard, settled in Concord, Mass., in 1635. He came with his father
to Michigan in 1836, and graduated at Kalamazoo college in 1844.
After service as a teacher he became an Episcopal minister, and was
rector at Coldwater, Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. He resigned and
became a professor in Kalamazoo college. In 1856 he was elected
member of the state board of education for six years; in 1863 was
elected regent of the State University, which he held until 1873; in
1866 wasa Representative in the legislature; in 1867 delegate to the
constitutional convention; in 1872 delegate to the national republican
convention, and the same year was elected a Representative to congress, and was reelected in 1874, holding the position from 1873 to
1877. In office he has been a Republican. He has been editor and
proprietor of the Battle Creek Journal since 1868, establishing a
daily in 1872.
ISAAC W. WILLARD,
Member of the constitutional convention of 1850 from Van Buren
county, was born in Worcester county, Mass., Dec. 1, 1803. He
received a common school education, and engaged in business at.
Rochester, Vt. He came to Michigan in 1827, and in 1828 engaged in
the mercantile business with Gov. Barry at White Pigeon, and thefirm had an extensive business in several counties, there being only




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


695


one other store in southwestern Michigan. From 1833 to 184 was a
merchant at Kalamazoo, then engaged in lumbering and farming at
Paw Paw, and built a flouring and saw-mill, distillery, plank road,
etc. He was a postmaster and supervisor, and held other offices. He
was the first clerk of the U. S. court at White Pigeon, and was
timber agent under Pierce for Michigan and other states. Died in
April, 1879. Politically a Democrat. A man of positive character,
fearless and daring, and of a kind and generous heart.
A. MILAN WILLETT,
Representative from Ionia county in 1881-2-3, was born in Oswego
county, N. Y., April 18, 1829. He received a common school education, learned the joiners' trade, and taught winters. Settled in Ionia
county in 1854, engaged in building until 1860, then became a
farmer. He served for thirteen months as captain of Co. I, Berdan's
U. S. sharpshooters, resigning from disability. Has been supervisor
several terms, and president of the agricultural society. Politically
a Republican.
JOHN WILLETT,
Representative from Genesee county in 1877-9, was born in New
Brunswick, N. J., in 1820. In 1822 he removed to western New
York, and there received a common school education. He graduated
from the Geneva medical college in 1846, removed to Flint, Mich.,
and began the practice of his profession. In 1862 he received a
commission as surgeon in the 8th regiment of Michigan infantry,
and remained in the service until the close of the war, returned to
Flint and engaged in the drug business, in which he has continued
until the present time. He was elected alderman in 1870. In politics
a Republican.
ALBERT WILLIAMS.
Attorney General of Michigan from 1863 to 1867, was born at Halifax,
Vt., Feb. 8, 1817, and is of Welsh descent. His father was a surgeon
in the war of 1812. He received an academical education, and came
to Michigan in 1844. He studied law at Monroe, and was admitted
in 1845. He engaged in practice in Ionia, where he still resides. He
was prosecuting attorney from 1847 to 1851, and acting county clerk
in 1853-4. He was a Democrat until 1854, but helped organize the
Republican party, and was on the committee of resolutions and also




696


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


of nominations. He issued a political address which was widely
circulated, and for a time edited the first republican paper in Ionia
county. He was county treasurer from 1855 to 1859, and prosecuting
attorney from 1861 to 1863. In 1870 he joined the prohibition party,
and was their candidate for supreme judge in 1872, in 1874 for attorney
general, and in 1876 for governor. He is now a Republican.
ALPHEUS S. WILLIAMS
Was born at Saybrook, Conn., Sept. 20, 1810; graduated at Yale
college in 1831; was a student in the Yale law school in 1832 and
1833; traveled in Europe from 1834 to 1836; removed to Detroit,
Mich., in 1836, and commenced the practice of law; was judge of
probate for Wayne county 1840-44; and was proprietor and editor of the
Detroit Advertiser 1843 to 1848. He was lieutenant colonel of the 1st
Michigan infantry volunteers in the Mexican war, 1847-48; entered the
union army as brigadier general of volunteers by appointment of
President Lincoln, August, 1861; commanded the twelfth corps in tle
battles of South Mountain, Antietam and Gettysburg, and the
twentieth corps in the siege of Atlanta on "Sherman's march to the
sea," and in the campaign of the Carolinas, and was mustered out of
the service in January, 1866. He was appointed in August, 1866, one
of the commissioners to adjust the military claims of Missouri. He
was minister resident to the republic of Salvador, 1866-69. In 1874
he was elected to congress on the democratic and reform tickets;
was reelected in 1876, and served from Dec. 6, 1875, to March 3, 1879.
Deceased.
ANTHONY WILLIAMS,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1883, was born in Superior,
Mich., Sept. 29, 1836; removed to Dryden in 1843, and to Attica in
1851; has been engaged in farming and lumbering; has been several
terms a supervisor, and held other offices. Politically a Democrat.
ASA WILLIAMS,
Representative in 1845, was born in Norwich, Conn., in 1802. He
came to Michigan in 1824, and was the owner of a large farm in
Liam, Washtenaw county. He was appointed brigadier general of
state militia by Governor Cass. He died in 1869.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


697


BUEL M. WILLIAMS
Was born in Granville, Mass., December 6, 1812. At the age of sixteen he learned the potters' trade, and continued in that business until he had saved money enough for his education, when he entered
Yale college, and graduated in 1838 or 1839. Going to Ohio. he taught
select school for several years, at Hudson and Shalersville; then went
to Pittsburg, Pa., and taught until 1854. He then came to Lawrence,
Mich., and purchased land; went to Kentucky and taught school
until the war of 1861-4, when he came back to Lawrence, and took
an active part in support of the union. He was Representative from
Van Buren county in 1863-4-5, as a Republican. He engaged in real
estate and loan agency until his death, February 7, 1878.
EDWIN R. WILLIAMS,
Representative from Ionia county in 1885, was born in West Bloomfield, Mich., September 20, 1836, and is a farmer at Orange, and a
breeder of fine stock. Has held many local offices. Elected as a
Fusionist.
FITCH R. WILLIAMS,
Senator from Antrim and other counties in 1877, was born in Amenia,
N. Y., December 18, 1834. He removed to Michigan in 1845, graduated from the Michigan University in 1858, and was immediately appointed instructor in the literary department. While teaching he
attended lectures in the law department. He was, for two years. a
professor in Albion college, and commenced the practice of law at
Albion in 1866. He removed to Elk Rapids, in 1870. He has three
times been prosecuting attorney of that county. He has also for three
years acted as judge of probate under appointment by the governor.
In politics a Republican.
GARDNER D. WILLIAMS,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1835-6-40, and Senator in
1845-6, was born at Concord, Mass., Sept. 9, 1804, and came with his
father's family to Detroit in 1815, and from 1819 to 1827 resided at
Silver Lake. In 1827 he engaged in the fur trade at Saginaw, as
agent of the American fur company, and died there Dec. 10, 1858.
He was a member of the second convention of assent in 1836, commissioner of internal improvements, county judge and treasurer, and
the first mayor of Saginaw City.




69S


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


HARVEY WILLIAMS,
Senator from Eaton county in 1857, was born in Manchester, Vt., in
1812, and settled in Chester, Mich., in 1837, and was prominently
identified with the early history of Eaton county. The first political
county convention met at his house. He held town offices, was
twelve years county treasurer, and a successful real estate agent.
Died at Charlotte, Jan. 18, 1867. Politically a Republican.
JAMES A. WILLIAMS,
Representative from Branch county in 1869, '70-1-2, was a native of
Cayuga county, New York, and settled in Algansee, Mich., in 1854.
He was the first resident physician of that township, and still resides
there. For ten years was supervisor of his township, and county
superintendent of schools two years.
JEREMIAH D. WILLIAMS,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1855, was born in Sempronious, N. Y., May 2, 1815. He came to Michigan in 1828 with his
father, who settled on a farm in Webster, Washtenaw county. He
received a common school education, and attended an academy at
Ann Arbor for one year. In 1839 he was appointed postmaster at
Webster. He has held the town positions of supervisor, clerk, treasurer, justice, and other offices. He was for ten years auditor of the
Washtenaw fire insurance company, and has been secretary of the
county pioneer society. Now resides on a farm in the town of Ann
Arbor. He was a Whig until 1854, since a Republican.
JOHN R. WILLIAMS,
Member of the constitutional convention of 1835, and member and
president of the second convention of assent in 1836, was born in
Detroit, Mich., May 4, 1782. He was in trade there from 1802 to 1832,
except from 1812 to 1815. He was a captain of artillery in the war of
1812, and was included in the surrender of Gen. Hull. He was one of
the first trustees of the University of Michigan in 1821, and president
of the bank of Michigan in 1818. He prepared the first charter of
Detroit, and was the first mayor in 1824, also filled that position in
1825-30-44-45-46. He was three years president of the board of education; took great interest in military affairs; commanded the territorial troops during the threatened Black Hawk war, and was senior
major general of state militia at the time of his death, Oct. 20, 1854




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


699


JOSEPH R. WILLIAMS
Was born in Taunton, Mass., November 14, 1803, and graduated at
Harvard college in 1831. He studied law with "honest" John Davis,
in Worcester, Mass., was admitted to the bar, practiced at New Bedford, Mass., and settled in Constantine, Mich., in 1839, which was his
home until his death, June 15, 1861. He was enthusiastic, far seeing,
enterprising and zealous in the advancement of the interests of the
people. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1850,
Senator in 1861, and president pro tern. of the Senate. He died before
the close of his term, and was succeeded by H. H. Riley. He was
the first president of the state agricultural college, and was greatly
interested in the progress of agriculture throughout the state. In
politics a Republican.
THEODORE WILLIAMS,
Representative from Detroit in 1838, was the son of Gen. John R.
Williams, and was born in Albany, N. Y., July 5, 1808. He was
trained in business at Detroit. He was city register 1830-5, county
clerk 1841-2, city treasurer 1844-5, and several times an alderman.
He was originally a Whig, but in later years a Democrat. Died
October 28, 1871.
THOMAS H. WILLIAMS,
Representative from Jackson county in 1887, was born at Kirtland,
Ohio, May 27, 1844. In 1862 he enlisted in the 103d Ohio volunteer
infantry, and served until the close of the war. Came to Michigan
in 1865, was a carpenter until 1871, then began work in the car
department of the M. C. R. R. at Jackson, where he remained many
years. Has been an alderman, and commander of the G. A. R.
post. Politically a Republican.
WALTER W. WILLIAMS,
Representative from Eaton county in 1887, was born and brought up
on a farm in Lima, Michigan. He lived on the farm until sixteen,
then spent several years at Ann Arbor in school. He spent three
years as a commercial traveler and two years roughing it on the
western frontier. In 1878 he settled near Eaton Rapids, on a farm
where he still resides. In politics a Republican.




700


7MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


WILLIAM B. WILLIAMS
Was born at Pittsford, N. Y., July 28, 1826. Brought up on a farm,
he received a fair education, and was a teacher. Studied law in
Rochester, N. Y., and graduated from the state and national law
school at Bellston Springs in 1851, and began practice at Rochester,
N. Y. Settled at Allegan, Mich., in 1855, where he is still in practice.
Has been judge of probate eight years; served as captain in the 5th
Michigan cavalry from 1862 to June, 1863, resigning from disability;
was commandant of camp and organized the 28th Michigan infantry;
was Senator in 1867-9; a member of the constitutional convention of
1867; member of the board of state charities 1871 to 1873; Representative in congress from 1873 to 1877; and railroad commissioner
from 1877 to 1883. Politically a Republican.
WILLIAM D. WILLIAMS
Was born at Lima, Michigan, in 1835. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1857, studied law at Detroit, was admitted in
1859, and settled in practice at Ontonagon, but now resides at Marquette. He was prosecuting attorney of Ontonagon county, and a
Representative in 1869. He was elected judge of the 12th circuit in
1875, and was re-elected in 1881 and 1887. In politics a Democrat.
ZEBULON WILLIAMS,
Was born at Haverstraw, N. Y., Jan. 24, 1795. He learned the trade
of a carpenter, settled at Phelps, N. Y., in 1820, worked at his trade
till 1825, when he became a farmer in Clarkson, N. Y. In 1834 he
came to Adrian, Mich. He remained there four years, and in 1838
settled on land in Wheatland, Hillsdale county. He was Representative in 1848, was also supervisor four years, clerk and treasurer of his
town. Died Nov. 10, 1872.
BARON B. WILLITS,
Representative in 1841 and 1I65, was born in Independence, N. J.,
Jan. 1, 1812. By occupation a farmer, politically a Republican. He
settled on a farm in Cambria, Hillsdale county, in 1835, and resided
there until his death, Sept. 23, 1873.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


701


EDWIN WILLITS,
Of Monroe, was born at Otto, N. Y., April 24, 1830, and removed to
Michiganin 1836. He graduated at the University in 1855, and located
at Monroe in 1856, where he studied law with Isaac P. Christiancy,
until his admission to the bar in 1857. He was prosecuting attorney
of Monroe county and also a member of the state board of education
in 1860. Re-elected in 1866, he held the latter office twelve years. He
was a member of the constitutional commission of 1873; was appointed
postmaster at Monroe in 1863, by President Lincoln, and was removed
by President Johnson, October 15, 1866; was editor of the Monroe
Commercial from 1856 to 1861; was a Representative in the forty-fifth
and forty-sixth congresses and was re-elected to the forty-seventh, as
a republican, by a plurality of 2,349 over his opponent, William H.
Waldby, serving six years. He then resumed law practice at Monroe,
but became principal of the state normal school at Ypsilanti in 1883
In 1885 he was elected president of the state agricultural college, and
has served in that position since July 1, 1885. Under his efficient
management the college has greatly increased in the number of
students, and in popularity with the people.
WARREN J. WILLITS,
Senator from the eighth district, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties,
was born in Hillsdale county, Aug. 19, 1853, and is by occupation a
manufacturer. He has held the offices of township clerk and trustee
in village council. He was elected to the Senate of 1887-8 on the
republican ticket by a vote of 7,448 to 6,674 for Edwin W. Deyoe, and
719 for Nelson I. Packard, prohibitionist.
JEREMIAH C. WILSON,
Settled in Rochester, Oakland county in 1857. He was a graduate of
the State University, and of Castleton medical college. In partnership with his brother he had an extensive medical practice. They
were also interested in manufactures, and built and operated the
Eureka mills for eight years. They were also engaged in mercantile
business. Dr. Wilson was a Representative in 1867.
JOHN B. WILSON,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1861-2-3-4, was born in Greenfield, Pa., Oct. 22, 1822, and came with his parents to Detroit in 1824.
59




702


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


In 1831 returned to Vermont with his mother,. and afterwards lived
in Rochester, N. Y., and Conneautville, Pa. Settled in Arcadia,
Mich., as a farmer in 1848. Removed to Lapeer in 1887, where he
now resides. Has been engaged in lumbering, and built the first saw
mill in Arcadia; has also done a large business in real estate and
building. Was a supervisor eleven years, justice sixteen years, and
a state road commissioner. As a legislator was a Republican, now a
Democrat.
JOSHUA WILSON,
Representative from Sanilac county in 1883, was born in Pickering,
Canada, Jan. 9,1827. He came with his father's family to the northeern part of St. Clair county, Mich., in 1841, of which Sanilac county
was then a part. He has been a resident of Worth since 1841. A
farmer, politically a Republican. Has held the offices of town clerk,
school inspector, supervisor, town treasurer, and justice.
FARWELL A. WILSON,
Representative from Midland, Clare and Gladwin counties in 1887,
was born July 18, 1841, in Vienna, Michigan. He received a common
school education. He was first a farmer, then ran a saw-mill for five
years. In 1871 removed to Isabella county, where he bought pine
land, built a saw-mill, and has been interested in other business
Politically a Democrat.
LOUIS T. N. WILSON
Was born at Milo, N. Y., Sept, 24, 1821. He came with his father to
Ovid, Mich., in 1835, and learned the tailor's trade at Coldwater. He
studied for the ministry and was licensed as a Methodist minister.
Later he studied law and was admitted in 1843.  He was an anti-:slavery Whig, and made the first abolition speech ever delivered in
Coldwater. In 1851 he was elected justice, and in 1855, as a Republican, he was Senator from Branch county. He was prosecuting
attorney two terms.  In 1875 he removed to Minneapolis and practiced law for two years, but returned to Coldwater in 1877, and continued his professional career until his death, April 26, 1887.
PHILO WILSON,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1842, '50, settled in Canandaigua, Mich., about 1836, and came from the state of New York.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


703


He removed to Adrian about 1870, and died there. In politics a
Democrat.
ROBERT S. WILSON
Came from Alleghany county, N. Y., to Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1835.
He was a man of ability, and as a lawyer had great influence with a
jury. He was judge of probate of Washtenaw county from 1836 to
1840, and Senator in 1843-4. In 1855 he removed to Chicago, and was
a police justice in that city for many years. Died in 1883.
THOMAS M. WILSON,
Representative from Macomb county in 1861-2-75, was born in Shelburne, Mass., January 6, 1820, and at an early age removed to Madison county, N. Y., where he received an academical education. He
came to New Baltimore, Mich., in 1855, and engaged in business as a
commission and forwarding merchant. He removed to Lansing in
1877, and since that time has been the efficient clerk of the board of
state auditors, and still holds that position.
WILLIAM B. WILSON,
Representative from Muskegon county in 1885, was born at Palmyra,
N. Y., in 1829, and removed with his parents to Lenawee county,
Mich., in 1837. Was with his father in business at Canandaigua, then
several years clerk at Adrian, afterwards in business at Hillsdale
until 1875. Became then a resident of Muskegon, and was deputy
county treasurer, later a druggist. He was grand commander of
Knights Templars of Michigan in 1880-1. Elected as a Fusionist.
JACOB M. WILTSE,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1883, was born in Saginaw,
November 13, 1839. He received a common school education. His
principal occupation has always been that of a farmer. He has held
the office of justice fifteen years, and supervisor five years. In
politics a Democrat.
EDWIN B. WINANS,
Of Hamburg, Livingston county, was born at Avon, N. Y., May 16,
1826, and removed with his parents to Michigan in 1834. He received




704                MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHtY.
his education in district schools and at Albion college. In the spring
of 1850 went to California, engaged in gold mining until 1858, when
he returned and settled on the farm where he now lives. He has
served two terms in the state legislature, from 1861 to 1865, and one
term as judge of probate. In politics a Democrat. He was elected
Representative in the 48th congress in 1882 on the fusion ticket, was
re-elected by a vote of 19,857 to 18,377 for James C. Wilson, republican, and 2,445 for Leander C. Smith, prohibitionist, serving until
March 4, 1887.
AMAZIAHI WINCHELL,
Representative from Ingham county in 1850, was born in Plattsburg,
N. Y., in 1810. Came to Detroit in 1833, lived in Lima until 1836,
then settled in Ingham, Ingham county. There were only three
houses in the county at that time. Was a farmer, in politics a Democrat. Was sheriff of Ingham county four years, county superintendent of poor five years, drain commissioner two years, and held
other offices. Was orderly sergeant in the Toledo war.  Summoned
the first jury, and opened the first court in Ingham county.
JEROME WINCHELL,
Representative from Allegan county in 1877, was born in Union, Ind.,
June 8, 1846. When young he removed to Wisconsin, and from thence
to Minnesota territory. After receiving an academical education, at
the age of seventeen engaged as teacher in public schools, which
calling was abandoned a few years later for that of the printers' art.
In 1870 he came from Chicago to Michigan, and established at Plainwell the Allegan County Republic, of which he has since been editor
and proprietor, and actively identified with every enterprise for the
improvement of the village. In politics a Republican.
AUSTIN E. WING
Was born in Berkshire county, Mass., in 1792. He graduated from
Williams college in 1814 with honor. He came to Detroit in 1814, but
soon settled in Monroe. He was for a number of years sheriff of the
territory of Michigan, studied and practiced the profession of law
and was also a farmer. He was delegate in congress from the territory of Michigan three terms, from 1825 to 1827, 1827 to 1829, and 1831
to 1833. He was twice regent of the University of Michigan; United
States marshal under Polk's administration; Representative in the




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.                  70i 
legislature of 1842; and for many years a leading man in the affairs
of the territory and state. In politics a Democrat. He died Aug. 25,
1849.
GILES M. WING,
Representative from Manistee county in 1831-2, was born in Canada
East, July 23, 1835, and moved to Illinois in 1844, where he lived with
his parents on a farm until 1853. Then he went to Wisconsin and
engaged in the lumber business. In 1867he moved to Manistee, Mich.,
with his family. There he built a mill, and since that time has been
engaged in the lumbering business. He has been three times elected
supervisor. Politically a Republican.
WARNER WING
Was born in Marietta, Ohio, Sept. 19,1805, and was the son of Enoch
and Mary (Oliver) Wing, an old New England family. His father
removed from Conway, Mass., to Marietta, in 1796. In 1817, at the
age of twelve, Judge Wing came to Detroit, and removed to Monroe
in 1828. He attended law school at Northampton, Mass., and also
studied in the office of Judge Woodbridge, at Detroit. As early as
1833 he was engaged in the practice of the law in partnership with
Hon. David A. Noble, at Monroe. In 1837 he was a Representative,
and in 1838-9 Senator in the legislature, and was a leading member. In
1840 he became law partner with Gov. McClelland, with whom he practiced until 1845, when he became circuit judge, and a judge of the
Supreme Court. In 1851 he became chief justice, which position he
held until 1856, when he resigned to act as general counsel of the
Lake Shore railroad. He was eminent as a lawyer and judge, and his
able opinions are found in the state reports. In politics a Democrat.
He became a member of the Presbyterian church at Monroe in 1843.
He died at Monroe, March 10, 1876.
WASHINGTON WING
Was born in Sullivan, N. Y., Dec. 3, 1808. He came to Scio, Washtenaw county, in 1830, and settled with his father's family. In 1835
he settled in Iosco, Livingston county. In 1846 was a Representative.
In 1836 and 1837 he aided Godfroy in getting the Indians to Marshall,
preparatory to their removal to the west, it being the remnant of a
tribe numbering 150. He removed to Elgin,'Illinois, in 1846, and is
a farmer there. Has held various official positions. Has been a
Republican since 1856.




706


6MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


RICHARD WINSOR,
Representative from Huron county in 1863-4-5, and Senator in 1869 -70-81-2, was born in the county of Middlesex, Ontario, in 1839. He
settled in Huron county, Michigan, when a young man, studied law,
was admitted to the bar, and has been prosecuting attorney several
terms. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1867,
and resides at Port Austin, where he has a large law practice, and is
also engaged in banking. In politics a Republican.
JAMES WINTERS,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1853, was born in Chenango,
N. Y., August 17, 1805, and died January 15, 1882. He came to Marengo, Calhoun county, Mich., in 1836, and from 1839 to 1842, was
foreman of a large cooper shop in that town. He then removed to
Athens, same county, and for several years was supervisor, and held
other town offices, and was also postmaster. In 1861 he raised a
company of one hundred men, and became captain of company E,
6th Michigan infantry, but soon resigned from ill health. He afterwards drilled the officers of the 13th Michigan. By trade a cooper;
politically a Republican.
CHAUNCEY W. WISNER,
Senator from Saginaw county in 1887, was born April 26, 1835, in Mt.
Morris, N. Y. In politics a Republican prior tO 1872; a Liberal Republican delegate to the Cincinnati convention in 1872, and a Democrat ever since. He practiced law in East Saginaw from 1863 to 1877,
then removed to Bridgeport on a farm. He has held the office of city
attorney of Flint, prosecuting attorney of Genesee county, mayor of
East Saginaw and supervisor of Bridgeport township two terms. In
1872 he was a candidate for congress on the Greeley ticket.
GEORGE W. WISNER,
Representative from Oakland county in 1837, was born in Cayuga
county, N. Y., in 1812. He was the son of Moses Wisner, a colonel
of the war of 1812, and a brother of Gov. Wisner, of Michigan. At
the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to learn the trade of printer.
In 1833, at the age of twenty-one, in company with William H. Dey,
he established the New York Sun, the first cheap daily paper in that
city, of which he was editor. The work broke his health, and in




1






MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


1835 he settled at Pontiac. Mich., studied law, was admitted in 1837;
soon acquired distinction, and in 1838 was prosecuting attorney of
Oakland county. In 1847 he became editor of the Detroit Advertiser.
He died in 1849. He was a leading Whig, a fine lawyer, an eloquent
speaker in a political campaign, and still holds a leading place in the
remembrance of the pioneers of Oakland county.
MOSES WISNER
Was born at Springport, Cavuga county, N. Y., June 3, 1815. He was
brought up to agricultural labor, and received only a common school
education. In 1837 he came to Michigan, and purchased a farm in
Lapeer county. After two years he gave up farming, removed to
Pontiac, studied law with George W. Wisner and Rufus Hosmer, and
was admitted to practice in 1841. He established his office at Lapeer,
and became prosecuting attorney of that county. He soon removed
to Pontiac, as one of the firm of Wisner & Hosmer. He was an antislavery Whig, but took little part in politics until 1852, when he
openly espoused the cause of freedom for the territories. On the organization of the republican party in 1854, he was nominated for attorney-general, but declined. The same year he was nominated for
congress, but was defeated by George W. Peck, the democratic candidate. In 1856 he was on the stump for Fremont, and in 1857 he was.
one of the Republican candidates for United States Senator. In 185&
he was the Republican candidate for governor, and was elected, serving ably from 1859 to 1861, when he returned to practice. In 1862
he raised the 22d Michigan infantry, largely from Oakland county,
of which he took command, and went to Kentucky in September,
1863. He died of typhoid fever at Lexington, Ky., January 5, 1864.He was a great lawyer, an excellent governor, a patriot, and has left
his impress on the institutions of the state. In his valedictory message was embodied the principles that governed his own action in
the war, and that governed largely the actions of the people of the
state. His eloquence was that of conviction and action, and the peo —
ple believed in him.
ELIJAH B. WITHERBEE
Was born in Hopkinton, Mass, July 19, 1804; received an academical
education; became a clerk in Boston and Medford; went into businees for himself until 1836; then came to Michigan, built a saw-mill
in Genesee county, and engaged in the manufacture of lumber. In
1841 he removed to Flint, and was soon after appointed receiver of:




708                MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
the land office. In 1845 he entered into the drug business. In 1847
he was Senator, and died while the legislature was in session, February 25, 1847. In politics a Whig.
BENJAMIN F. H. WITHERELL
Was born at Fair Haven, Vt., August 4, 1797. By reason of turbulence on the part of the Indians, preceding and following the war of
1812, the family of Judge James Witherell did not come permanently
to reside in Michigan until 1817, the subject of this sketch, up to that
time, pursuing his studies, which were classical if not collegiate. He
was admitted to the bar in Detroit in 1819. He was justice of the
peace in 1824; city recorder 1828; judge of probate 1834-5, and prosecuting attorney 1835 to 1839. In 1843 a district criminal court was
organized, embracing the counties of Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw
and Jackson, and Mr. Witherell was appointed judge, holding the
position until 1848, when the court was abolished. In the fall of 1843
Judge Witherell tried one Chorr, at Ann Arbor, for the murder of a
neighbor named Dunn, with whom he had had trouble. Chorr was
convicted and sentenced to death, but pending a new trial, made his
escape. This was the only capital sentence ever pronounced under a
law of the state, the death penalty being soon after abrogated. He
was appointed a regent of the University in 1848, and was circuit
judge 1857 to 1867, acting also a portion of the time as judge of the
recorder's court. He was Senator 1840-1, member of the House in
1842, and of the constitutional convention of 1850. He held for a
time the honorary position of historiographer of Detroit, was president of the state historical society, and of the soldiers and sailors'
monument association, and held high positions in the state militia,
including that of major general. He contributed to the press and to
the public archives many papers of great literary and historical value;
politics, democratic. Died in Detroit, June 26, 1867.
JAMES WITHERELL,
One of the early territorial judges, was born in Mansfield, Mass.,
June 16, 1759. He served through the greater part of the war of the
revolution, entering the service as a private, and rising to the rank
of adjutant in a Massachusetts regiment. He studied medicine and
law, and settled in Vermont, where he held many positions of trust,
including that of judge, member of the governor's council, and of the
legislature.. He was elected to congress in 1807, but resigned his seat




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


709


to accept an appointment by President Jefferson, as one of the
judges of the Supreme Court of the territory of Michigan, coming
here in 1808. He held a local military command during the war of
1812, specially raised for the defense of Detroit, and it is reported
that on the surrender of the town by Gen. Hull, he broke his sword
to escape the mortification of relinquishing it to an enemy. A similar
action used to be attributed to Gen. Cass on the same occasion. In
January, 1828, after a service of twenty years, Judge Witherell
relinquished the judgeship to become secretary of the territory. He
held this position until May, 1830, and during the first three months
of 1830 was acting governor. He raised a family of several children,
none of whom are now living. The late Judge B. F. H. Witherell
was his son, and a daughter, Mrs. Thomas Palmer, was the mother
of Senator Thos. W. Palmer.  Judge Witherell died in Detroit,
January 9, 1838.
WILLIAM H. WITHINGTON,
Representative from Jackson county in 1873-4, was born in Dorchester,
Mass., Feb. 1, 1835. He received an academical education. He emigrated to Michigan in 1857, and settled in Jackson, where he now
resides. In 1861 he entered the first Michigan infantry, as captain.
He was captured at the first battle of Bull Run, and was held prisoner
for six months. In 1862 he was commissioned colonel of the seven- 
teenth Michigan infantry, for a prominent part taken in the battles
of the army of the Potomac, and was brevetted brigadier general of
volunteers in 1865 for conspicuous gallantry at the battles of South
Mountain and Antietam. Gen. Withington's business is that of a
manufacturer of farming tools. As a member of the legislature he
was very efficient in securing appropriations for volunteer militia, of
which he has since been commanding general. In politics a Republican.
SOLOMON L. WITHEY
Was born at St. Albans, Vt., April 21, 1820. His father, Solomon
Withey, known to early residents of Michigan as General Withey,
emigrated to Grand Rapids in 1836 with his family. Mr. Withey
received a common school and academical education, and in 1839
entered the law office of Rathbone & Martin. He was admitted to
the bar in 1843, and engaged in active practice for nineteen years.
His career at the bar was one that gave him the unlimited confidence
of his clients, and he acquired a competence. His cool judgment,
perfect integrity and high character as a man, and thorough knowl80




710


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


edge of the law, made him prominent. From 1848 to 1852 he was
judge of probate of Kent county; Senator from 1861 to 1863, and member of the state constitutional convention of 1867. Both in the Senate
and in that convention he was chairman of the committee on the
judiciary. In 1863 he was appointed by President Lincoln, United
States district judge for the western district of Michigan, a position
he filled with signal ability until his death, which occurred at San
Diego, California, April 25, 1886. He married Marion L. Hinsdill, in
1846, and left five children-four sons and one daughter. In 1869 he
was tendered the position of United States circuit judge for the states
of Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee and Kentucky, which he declined.
He was director and president of the first national bank of Grand
Rapids for many years. He was a Republican in politics, and a consistent member of the Congregational church. His courts were models
of propriety and decorum.
ISAAC WIXOM
Was born in Hector, N. Y., March 7,1803. He received an academical
and medical education in the state of New York. He practiced medicine
four years in Steuben county, settled at Farmington, Michigan, in 1829,
bought a farm and improved it. His practice in medicine and
surgery became very extensive. In 1845 he removed to Argentine,
Genesee county, and engaged in a large milling and mercantile
business in connection with his practice. He was so noted as a
surgeon that he was called into other states to perform difficult
surgical operations. In 1838 and 1839 he was Representative in the
legislature; in 1842 and 1843 was Senator. In 1861 he became
surgeon of the 16th Michigan infantry, followed it through twentytwo battles, but at the end of two years resigned from ill health and
returned to practice. In 1870 he removed to Fentonville. In politics
a Democrat. He was made a Mason when young and took the
highest degree known in the United States. In June, 1845, he performed the first successful amputation of the hip joint known in the
United States, and afterwards performed sixteen successful operations
of that kind. Deceased.
LEVI L. WIXSON
Was born Jan. 9, 1828, in Pickering, Canada. He is of American
parentage. He was raised on a farm, and was for several terms
engaged in teaching school in Sanilac county. After graduating in
the law department of the University in 1862, he commenced the
practice of law at Lexington, and continued in practice there until




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


711


his election as circuit judge of the newly organized twenty-fourth
judicial circuit, in the spring of 1879, to which office he was reflected
April 4, 1881, for the full term. He was elected prosecuting attorney
in 1862, and has held public office continuously since that time, having
been three times elected prosecuting attorney, and three times judge
of probate of Sanilac county, and twice elected judge of his circuit.
In politics he has been Republican since 1856.
DANIEL WIXSON,
Was born in Jersey, (now Orange) Steuben county, N. Y., Feb. 1,
1822. He received a common school education, and in 1851 settled
in Lexington, Michigan. He held various township offices. In 1859
he was a Representative in the legislature, and again in 1873-4. A
farmer by occupation; in politics a Republican.
JOSHUA WIXSON,
Representative from Sanilac county in 1883, was born in Canada, of
American parentage, Jan. 9, 1827. Removed to Sanilac county in
1841, where he has since resided. His education was self-acquired.
He has taught school, held office in Worth, Sanilac county, continuously for 28 years, including that of township clerk, justice of the
peace, school inspector, and supervisor, the latter from 1876 to 1882
inclusive.  His principal occupation is that of a farmer.  He is a
Republican.
GROVE H. WOLCOTT,
Representative from Jackson county in 1881-2, was born in Alabama,
N. Y., Nov. 8, 1836. He removed with his parents to Hamlin, Mich.,
in 1837. He received an academical education, studied law, was
admitted to the bar in 1862, and went into practice at Jackson. He
was private secretary to Gov. Blair in 1861, and has been circuit court
commissioner two terms. Politically a Democrat.
ALFRED B. WOOD,
Senator from Saginaw and other counties in 1869-70-1-2, was born in
Norwalk, Conn., April 18, 1819, where his ancestors settled in 1648.
Removed with his mother to Lyons, N. Y.. in 1833, and received an
academical education. From 1845 to 1851 was engaged in the book
business at Auburn and Geneva, N. Y., and then was in the same
business at Ann Arbor, Mich. He then became interested in the Ann




712


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Arbor paper mills, the first in Michigan, until 1862. In 1863 engaged
in the real estate and lumber business at East Saginaw, where he now
resides. Has been an alderman, and was president pro ter of the
Senate in 1871-2. Politically a Republican.
CHAS. M. WOOD,
Senator from Livingston and Shiawassee counties in 1875, was born at
West Brookfield, Mass., Sept. 29, 1826. He received a common
school education, and removed to Michigan in 1835. He resides at
Pinckney. In politics a Republican.
EDWIN K. WOOD,
Representative from Montcalm county in 1883, was born in Wyoming
county, N. Y.,in 1840. Served from 1861 to 1863 in 17th N. Y. infantry. He settled in Michigan in 1865; has been a merchant, farmer
and lumberman, and now resides at Stanton. Has held various local
offices. In politics a Republican.
HENRY L. WOOD,
Representative from Gratiot county in 1887, was born in Troy, Ohio,
June 17, 1848, where he lived until 1876. He removed to -Monroe,
Mich., where he remained eighteen months, then removed to Gratiot
county, where he has since resided, following the occupation of
farming and brick-making. Mr. Wood enlisted in company G, 189th
Ohio Vol. infantry, at the age of sixteen and served in Tennessee
and Alabama until the close of the war. He is a Republican. He
has held the offices of supervisor and school trustee.
JAMES C. WOOD,
Representative from Jackson county in 1875-7, was born in Decatur,
N. Y., in 1813. He removed to Michigan in 1843, and settled at
White Pigeon. In 1844 removed to Jackson, where he has continued
to reside. He has been treasurer of Jackson county, and mayor of
the city of Jackson. He is by profession a lawyer, and is also
engaged in farming.
THOMAS WOOD
Was born at Norwich, N. Y., May 21, 1805. He came to Michigan in
1826, and located a farm in Pittsfield, Washtenaw county, where he




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


713    0


lived until his death, September 21, 1865. His farm was a fine one,
and he gave much attention to horticulture. He was Representative
in 1845.
WILLIAM WOODBRIDGE
Was born in Norwich, Conn., August 20, 1780, and removed to Marietta, Ohio, with his father's family in 1791. He studied law three
years at Litchfield, Conn., and was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1806.
The same year married Juliana, daughter of John Trumbull, the distinguished lawyer, judge and poet, oL Connecticut. He was a member of the Ohio assembly in 1807, and a Senator from 1809 to 1814. In
1814 he was appointed secretary of the territory of Michigan, and was 
also collector of customs at Detroit,and in the absence of the governor,
superintendent of Indian agencies. In 1819 the people of the
territory were allowed a delegate in congress, and he was selected
with the concurrence of all parties, as the right to a delegate had been
secured by his exertions. As a delegate he secured government aid
to build the roads from Detroit to Fort Gratiot, Chicago, and through
the " black swamp" to the Miami river. He also secured the settlement of the old French claims, and the expedition, under Gov. Cass,
to Lake Superior and the upper valley of the Mississippi river. He
refused a second term to congress, acted as secretary until 1824, was
then appointed one of the commissioners to adjust private land
claims, and also engaged in law practice.
In 1828 he was appointed by President Adams, judge of the
Supreme Court, and served until 1832. He was a member of the
constitutional convention of 1835, and was a Senator in 1838-9. In
1839 he received the nomination for governor and was elected as the
Whig candidate. He served as governor from January 7, 1840, to
February 23, 1841, when he resigned, having been elected United
States Senator, by a combination of Whigs and Democrats, over the
Whig caucus nominee, Lieutenant Governor Gordon. He served six
years in that office, then retired to private life. He owned the
Woodbridge farm in Detroit, which has become very valuable property. He died October 20, 1861.
He was decided in his opinions; earnest, dignified and courteous in
manner; a profound jurist and constitutional lawyer; the oldest
member of the Detroit bar; a man of refined and cultivated taste, and
left a spotless name. In religion a Congregationalist.




-b      " 714


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


LEMUEL WOODHOUSE,
Delegate in the constitutional convention of 1867, was born in the
state of New York in 1819; became a cabinet maker and millwright,
and worked near Columbus, Ohio. He removed to Unadilla, Mich., in
1840, afterwards settled at Leslie. He was eight years treasurer of
Ingham county, was in the mercantile business at Dansville, resided
several years in Lansing, was a clerk in the office of the auditor
general, then ran a store and saw-mill and owned a farm at White
Oak. Politically a Republican. Died Feb. 22, 1835.
ELTAS S. WOODMAN,
Delegate in the constitutional convention of 1850, was born in Rodman, N. Y., Oct. 15, 1815. He came to Michigan with his father in
1837, who settled on a farm at Novi. His education was limited. He
was a farmer at Novi until 1873, then removed to Northville, where
he now resides. He studied law late in life and was admitted to the
bar in 1870. He has held many local offices. In politics a Democrat.
JONATHAN J. WOODMAN,
Representative from  Van Buren county in 1861-2-3-4-5-7-9-'70-1-2,
and Speaker in 1869-'70-1-2, was born in Sutton, Vt., May 24, 1825.
He received a common school education. He became a resident of
Paw Paw, Mich., in 1855. He commenced teaching at the age of
twenty-one, which he continued winters for several years. From
1852 to 1854 was a worker in the California gold mines. He is a
farmer, politically a Democrat until 1856, since a Republican. He
was one of the state board at the Philadelphia exposition in 1876. He
was master of the state grange from 1874 to 1878, and overseer of the
national grange from 1875 to 1879. He was one of four agricultural
commissioners to the Paris exposition in 1878. He was an able legislator and an excellent presiding officer.
ALBERT N. WOODRUFF,
Representative from Berrien county in 1885, was born in Bainbridge,
Mich., July 22, 1850. He received an academical and collegiate education, and for three years was a teacher, since a farmer. Has been
supervisor and held other town offices. Politically a Republican.




MICHIGAAN BIOGRAPHY.


715


GEORGE WOODRUFF
Was born in Binghampton, N. Y., July 4. 1807. He received a good
education, graduated at Hobart college, Geneva, N. Y.; studied law,
and was admitted to the bar in 1833; practiced law in New York state
four years; settled in practice at Marshall, Mich., in 1837; and resided
there until his death, May 13, 1887. He was village recorder in 1842;
circuit court commissioner from 1855 to 1860, and again from 1862 to
1866; judge of the fifth circuit from 1866 to 1876; and held other
positions. In politics a Republican.
HENRY WOODRUFF,
Senator from Clare and other counties in 1885, was born at Seneca
Falls, N. Y., Feb. 13, 1813. Removed to Flat Rock, Mich., in 1833, to
East Saginaw in 1855, and to Clare county in 1871. He served two
and a half years as captain in the 23d Michigan infantry. Has been
a sheriff and judge of probate. In politics Whig and Republican.
NEWTON R. WOODRUFF
Was born in Broome county, N. Y., Oct. 2, 1808. In 1836 he came
with his family to Michigan, and in 1837 settled in Bainbridge,
Berrien county, on a farm, where he remained until his death, Dec.
24, 1880. From 1852 to 1855 he was in California. In 1865 he was
Representative in the legislature. A member of the Methodist church
and a patron of husbandry.
AUGUSTUS B. WOODWARD
Was a native of Virginia. In early life he devoted himself to literary
work, and wrote and published several works. He became a lawyer,
and on the 3d of March, 1805, was appointed by President Jefferson
United States judge for the territory of Michigan. He, together with
the two other judges, Bates and Griffin, with the governor of the
territory, or a majority of them, possessed the legislative power of
the territory, which they exercised until 1824, when the first
legislative.council held its session at Detroit. Judge Woodward was
an able lawyer, but very eccentric, and the wheels of government,
with himself and colleagues often in collision, did not always run
without friction. He acted as judge until 1824. After the surrender
of Detroit, in 1812, he did much to ameliorate the condition of the
citizens of Detroit, who had been placed under martial law by




716


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Proctor. In August, 1824, he was appointed United States judge for
the territory of Florida, but died about 1826. Ile never married.
DAVID A. WOODWARD,
Representative from Monroe county in 1869-70, was born in Phelpstown, N. Y., in 1812. He came with his parents to Michigan in 1833,
who settled upon a farm in Milan, where he resided, except the last
few years of his life. In 1834 he built the first flouring mill and the
first saw-mill in Milan. In 1834 he was elected justice under the
territorial laws, and continued to act in that capacity for thirty
years. He was supervisor of Milan for several years. In politi cs a
Democrat. From 1850 until his death, June 13, 1884, he devoted
most of his time to the practice of law.
HIEL WOODWARD,
Was born in Bridgewater. Vt., Feb. 10, 1824. His grandfather,
Nehemiah, was a Baptist clergyman, and in the revolution was an
attache of the staff of General Washington. He came to Michigan
with his father in 1836, and lived at Adrian until 1845. He learned
the trade of a mechanic, which he followed several years. He
purchased a farm in Columbia, Jackson county. In 1858 he was
elected supervisor, and held that office ten years; in 1865 and 1 67 he
was a Representative, and in 1869-70 Senator in the legislature. In
1870 he took the census of the south part of Jackson county. In 1872
he was appointed postmaster of Brooklyn and held it many years.
LYSANDER WOODWARD
Was born in Columbia, Conn., Nov. 19, 1817. He removed with his
parents to Chili, N. Y., in 1825. In 1838 he came to Rochester, Michigan, and five years afterwards settled on a farm in Avon, same
county. He was several times supervisor and justice. In 1861-2 he
was a Representative from Oakland county. From 1866 to 1870 he
was county treasurer, and several times has been president of the
county agricultural society. He was for two years president of the
Detroit & Bay City railroad company. In politics a Republican.
JOHN D. WOODWORTH
Was born in Pembroke, N. Y., Feb. 28, 1826. Emigrated to Jackson
in 1831, and was educated in the schools of that city. He studied




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


717


medicine, and graduated from Rush medical college, Chicago, in 1853.
He came to Leslie in 1849, and represented the town for fifteen years
on the board of supervisors. He was a Representative from Ingham
county in 1863-4-5-7, was the first president of the village of Leslie, a
member of the board of education for 25 years, and director of the
Leslie schools for fifteen years. A Republican in politics.
THOMAS B. WOODWORTH,
Representative from Huron county in 1877, was born Oct. 2, 1841, in
Wayne county, N. Y. He received an academical education. He
removed from Auburn, N. Y., to Huron county, Michigan, in 1867.
He has been supervisor of the township of Caseville, 1868 to 1876, and
was county surveyor for two years. He founded the Caseville Advertiser in Jan., 1874, and continued its editor until 1876, when it was
merged in the Huron County News. He is by profession a lawyer.
In politics a Republican.
WALTER W. WOOLNOUGH
Was born in Suffolk county, England in July, 1822. He came to
Rochester, N. Y., with his parents in 1833, where he learned the art of
printing. In 1845 came to Battle Creek, Micb., bought the first printing material and published the Western Citizen, the first newspaper.
In August, 1846, began to publish the Michigan Tribune, which after
two years was merged in the Liberty Press. From 1851 to 1863 was
editor and publisher of the Battle Creek Journal. From that date
until 1871 was not engaged in newspaper work, then edited and published the Michigan Tribune until 1877, when he sold out. He was a
trustee of the village of Battle Creek; a Representative iA 1859; an
alderman four years; nine years a member of the board of education,
and president, and a justice. In politics a Whig until 1854, a Republican until 1872, since a Democrat. Is now connected with the Battle
Creek Daily Moon.
ROBERT WORDEN, JR.,
Representative in 1853, was long a resident of Hillsdale county, and
was county treasurer from 1818 to 1852.  He was a farmer and a
Democrat. Now resides near Owosso.
81




718


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


BERNARD C. WHITTEMORE,
State Treasurer from 1850 to 1855, was born near Rome, N. Y., in
1807. He came at an early day to Pontiac, where he was in the
hardware trade. In politics a Democrat. Died December 7, 1856.
GIDEON 0. WHITTEMORE,
Secretary of State from 1846 to 1848, was born at St. Albans. Vt.,
August 12, 1800. He settled at Pontiac, Mich., in 1826, and engaged
in the practice of law. He held many positions of trust, was a
justice, associate judge of Oakland county, and member of the constitutional convention of 1850.  In 1854 he founded Tawas City,
Iosco county, and built a large steam saw-mill, the first on Tawas
bay. He was judge of probate and prosecuting attorney of Iosco
county. Died June 30, 1863, and was buried at Pontiac.
DAVID A. WRIGHT
Was born in Granville N. Y.,June 6, 1813. In 1824 his father removed
to Oneida county, and in 1843 came with his family to Michigan, and
the son settled in Springfield, Oakland county. He was appointed
postmaster at Austin, and held the office twenty-five years. He was
Representative in 1849, and Senator in 1853. He was for some years
- coroner of Oakland county, and was a prominent Mason. In politics
a Democrat. Died January 19, 1877.
HAMILTON M. WRIGHT,
Representative from Bay county in 1883-5, was born in New Orleans,
La,, October 26, 1852; graduated from Yale college in 1875, and from
its law department in 1877. Removed to Bay City in 1878 and went
into practice. Has been an alderman. Politically a Democrat.
HORATIO WRIGHT,
Representative from Oakland county in 1867, was born in Granville,
N. Y., February 20, 1818. In 1824 he removed, with his parents, to
Oneida county, N. Y., and in 1839 located in Genesee county, N. Y.
He settled at Springfield, Oakland county, in 1843, and in 1847 in
Groveland, same county, where he now resides. He is a farmer; in
politics a Democrat. He married Sarah M. Campbell in 1842, and of
seven children, three sons and three daughters are living. He has




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


719


held the office of supervisor eight years, and was a justice from 1852
to 1876. He is a prominent Mason.
HERMAN A. WYCKOFF,
Representative from Oakland county in 1881-2, was born in Romulus,
N. Y., June 17, 1838. He came to Oakland county in 1845, with his
parents, who settled near Pontiac. Received a common school education, and is a farmer and breeder of fine stock. Politically a Republican.
GEORGE C. WYLLIS,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1883, was born at Potsdam,
N. Y., August 1, 1825. Settled with his father at Pulaski, Mich., in
1838. Educated in common schools, with a few months at Michigan
central college, at Spring Arbor. Taught school winters until 1852;
then settled on his farm in Moscow. Has since taught eight terms,
been a justice eighteen years, and school inspector nine years. In
politics a Republican.
HENRY WYNMAN,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1845, was born in Jefferson
county, N. Y,, in 1803. By profession a physician; in politics a Demo
crat. Now resides at Blissfield.
GEORGE L. YAPLE
Was born in Leonidas, Mich., February 20, 1851. In 1857 removed
with his parents to Mendon, same county. Graduated in the classical
course at the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, in 1871.
Studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1872, but immediately
engaged in farming, and continued in that pursuit until the spring of
1877, when he entered upon the practice of law. Was defeated as
greenback candidate for congress in 1880. In 1882 he was elected
Representative to the forty eighth congress on the union ticket, and
served from 1883 to 1885. In 1886 he was nominated for governor,
but was defeated by the republican candidate. He is a fine orator on
the stump, and his speech in congress in favor of free trade was circulated throughout the country.




72)


MICHIGAN BI(GRAPHY.


CHARLES YARRIlNGTON,
Representative from Jackson county in 1881-2, was born April 28,
1839, in Napoleon, Mich. He was given the advantages of the common schools of the times. He alternated between farming and school
teaching, and attended four terms at the State Normal school. When
twenty-one years of age he removed to the Pacific coast, and finally
located in the mining regions of Idaho. There he remained until
1866, when he returned to Norvell, with sufficient means to enter the
mercantile business. He is still engaged in that business. He has
served three terms as township clerk; was appointed census enumerator for 1880, and has held the office of postmaster.. In politics a Republican.
SAMUEL W. YAWKEY
Was born at Massillon, Ohio, April 22, 1880. He removed to East
Saginaw, Mich., in 1852. He there followed the occupation of a
lumber dealer. In politics a Republican. He was mayor of East
Saginaw in 1867 and 1869, and was Representative in 1865-9-'70. He
died at Elko, Nevada, March 12, 1882.
GEORGE G. B. YECKLEY,
Representative from Van Buren county in 1875, was born in Gorham,
N. Y., February 13, 1831. He received a common school education
and came to Ypsilanti in 1853. In 1860 he removed to Hamilton,
Van Buren county. He has held the office of supervisor for seven
years, also that of justice. By occupation a farmer, in politics a
Republican.
SANFORD A. YEOMANS,
Representative from Ionia county in 1877-79, was born in German
Flats, N. Y., November 29, 1816. He received a common school
education. In 1833 he removed to Easton, Ionia county. He was
a member of the constitutional convention of 1867, and held various
township and county offices. He was a farmer and dealer in real
estate, also a stockholder and director of the first national bank of
Ionia. In politics a Republican.
GEORGE YERKES,
Representative from Oakland county in 1879, was born in N)vi,
Mich., April 19, 1838. He was educated in the common schools.




MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


721


Occupation, farming. He has held the office of justice two terms;
also that of supervisor two terms. In politics a Republican.
WILLIAM YERKES,
Representative from Oakland county in 1837-57, was born in Pennsylvania in 1794, and came to Michigan in 1823, settling in what is now
the town of Novi, but which then embraced several other surrounding
townships under the name of Farmington. He was a farmer by
occupation, Whig and Republican in politics, and served at various
times as supervisor and justice. Died January 5, 1884.
JOHN K. YOCUM,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1851-2, was b3rn in Montgomery county, Pa., March 27, 1819. He came with his parents to
Lyndon, Mich., in 1836. For many years he worked summers and
taught school winters. In 1846 he married Marie A. Johnson, and
settled on a farm. Appointed U. S. assessor in 1863, he held the
position five years, and has held other offices. In politics Whig and
Republican. For thirty-eight years he has been county or deputy
surveyor.
CHESTER YOST
Was born in Fayette, N. Y. Was a farmer by occupation, and a justice in his native town. Emigrated to Michigan and settled on a
farm in Washtenaw county, on which he remained several years.
He then removed to Ypsilanti and became a partner of Benjamin Follett in the mercantile business. During the last years of his life was
not in business. He was a Whig, then a Republican, last a Democrat.
He was elected to the Senate in 1859 as a Republican, and was justice
for a number of years. Died May 24, 1874.
AMBROSE P. YOUNG,
Representative from Wayne county in 1848, '81-2, was born in Phelpstown, N. Y., May 23, 181.4. He followed farming until seventeen,
then learned the trade of carriage making. He settled in Romulus,
Mich., in 1836, and for several years carried on blacksmithing and
carriage making. He then became a farmer. Has held the offices of
town clerk, school inspector, supervisor, colonel of militia, associate




722


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


county judge, and vice president of Monroe and Wayne mutual fire
insurance company.   Has also been a justice for 35 years. In
politics a Democrat. He claims to have given the vote that changed
the name of the capital from Michigan to Lansing.
H. OLIN YOUNG,
Representative from Marquette county in 1879, was born at New
Albion, N. Y., Aug 4, 1850. He attended school at Chamberlin institute. He removed to Ishpeming, Michigan, in 1872, and engaged in
mercantile pursuits. In politics a Republican.
S. PERRY YOUNG,
Representative from Montcalm county in 1883, was born in Summit,
Mich., Sept. 2, 1850. Received a common and high school education. He attended the law school of the University one year. He
was clerk of Montcalm county from 1875 to 1879, and has been extensively engaged in farming, lumbering, mercantile pursuits, and speculation. Politically a Republican.
GEORGE YOUNGLOVE,
Representative from Monroe county in 1843, was born in Berkshire
county, Mass., Nov. 14, 1794. He was a blacksmith up to 1835, after
that a farmer. He came to Monroe county in 1831. In politics
a Democrat. Died Sept. 6, 1876.
ELISHA ZIMMERMAN,
Representative from Oakland county in 1873-4, was born in St. Johnsville, N Y., Dec. 26, 1828. He received a common school education.
In 1851 he removed to Michigan, and settled in Grand Blanc, Genesee
county. In 1865 he removed to Pontiac. By occupation a merchant.
X!.




SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES IN THE LEGISLATURE
OF MICHIGAN, FROM 1835 'O 1887, WHOSE BIOGRAPHIES DO NOT APPEAR IN THIS VOLUME:


Name.
Adams, Oliver -------------
Alvord, Henry J. ------
Ashman, Samuel -----------
Backus, Ira C.. --- —--------
Bailey, Isaac G --------------
Balcombe, John L. --- —-------
Baldwin, Jas. M ------
Ball, John C. --- —---
Ballard, Jesse --- —------------
Barbeau, Peter B. --- —-------
Barnes, Norman ----------— _-_
Bement, Rufus B. ------—. ---


Postoffice.
Utica --- —------------
Lapeer --- —--
Sault Ste. Marie ---
Jackson -------
Ft. Pleasant --- —
Battle Creek -----—...
Hopkins -------
Tecumseh -------------
Summerville -----
Fort Brady --- —La Salle --- —--
Dexter --- —-----—.. —


Sessions.
1853
1855
1840
1859
1840
1851
1859
1842
1837
1845
1850
1838


Bentley, Elijah  --- ----   Napoleon ------------— 1863-4
Blair, Charles         Tecumseh ----        1843
h -- -- Tipton,, —,,,__, -~ — 1845


Blake, John E. --- —--
Brewer, John-....  _..
Brown, Thos. J. --- —----
Brownell, Franklin ----
Buckley, Chester ------
Burdick, Cyren.
Burt, Edwin ----------—. ---Canfield, Sam'l P. --- —....
Carpenter, fenry D. --- —-—.
Carver, Lyman --- —---      - 
Case, Emanuel. --- —--—.. ---
Cawley, James P. -----------
Chamberlain, Harmon...
Chapel, Caleb M. --- —.. ---. —.
Chapel, Chas. W. --- —--


Lamont --------—.. --- 1869-70


Ypsilanti, -- -------—.
Houghton ------------
Dowagiac -------------
Battle Creek ---. --- —
Bronson --------------
Isabella City --- —
New Haven --- —--
Detroit-.......
Saline ---------
Morenci --- —--
St. Clair --- —---
Gidley's Station --
Sault Ste. Marie...


1835-6
1867
1855
1857-634
1835-6
1863-4
1853
1850
1848
1827
1871-2
1850
1853
1855






724


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


* Name.                        Postoffice.
Chapin, Sam'l A. --------—..-   White Pigeon -. --- —Charter, Francis     ----- -      La Salle --- —---
Chubb, Harvey. --- —-—. —.-.     Ann Arbor --- —-------
Clements, James -----------— Ann Arbor -----------
Clyburn, Wm. L. --- —-—. —.       Summerville -----
Coleman, Henry ------...-  Kendall --- —-------
Colwell, Henry J. -------------   -----
Corkin, Wm.._ ---   --—..-..... Petersburg --- —--
Cornell, Jerry G. -------        Spring Arbor --—.. ---
Coulter, Joseph ---—. —.. ----    Ontonagon --- —Dalton, James, Jr. ----------    Dalton's Mills --- —----
Dalton, Lawrence —. --- —-.-     Dalton's Corners -----
Davis. John     --..........    Royal Oak........ —...
Davis. John ---      Birmingham-      _ --- — __
Davis, Win. R ---—.... —... Oakfield ------
Dean, Chas. W... --- ——. —     Pentwater ------
Denman, Henry B-. ------         Dowagiac -------------
Denton, Solomon W. -—.. ----     Pontiac -----
Dimond, Reuben B. -----          Lexington. --- —-------
Divine, John ---------           Lexington ---------—.
Divine, Rosekrans K. --------    Eureka ---------------
Dodge, Henry M.      ------      Sault Ste. Marie --- —---
Dodge, Hiram -------—.. --— Clinton -----
Draper, Wm. P..-,. --- —-         Lapeer
Drew, John A.     ------         Mackinac ---------—.

Sessions.
1839
1835-6-8
1846-7
1865
1851
1840
1874
1863-4
1837
1861-2
1859
1871-2
1844
1846
1869-70
1867
1863-4
1848
1848
1855
1855
1848
1835-6
1838
1841




Eaton, 1benezer C.       ----- RaPsonvilleu1843
) Rawsonville-1847
Eaton, Levi -..-.. --- —--   -   Romulus ----— 1851
Ecklee, George ---------       Rollin --—. --- —-----   1845
Emerson, Luther G ----     -    Rockland ------------— 1867
Emery, Jared H. ------------— Burnside --- —             1867
Enos, Uriel -----------------  Edwarasburgh --------    1855
Farrington, Thomas --------— London --------            1837
Ferris, Benj. F. -  -----      Sherwood ------          1848
Ferris, Richard --- —---------   Bear Lake Mills ---- -1871 -Finch, Silas  -----      ----  Saline --------—. --- —  1835 -Finney, Noble H. ----------    Grand Rapids --------    1839
Flower, James -----        --  Armada --- —---------     1849
Funston, George A. -C --- —       apac -------— 1867
Galloway, John -----------—..  Waterford Center -----  1845
Gleason, John P. ---. --- —----  Memphis -------------   1858
Goodell, Alfred ----------  — Armada ----      ---       1846 -

-2
-6
-7






MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.                        725
Name.                        Postoffice.               Sessions.
Goodrich, Chauncey --- —------ Lansing ---------------       1861-2
Gdorman, Patrick --- —--------- Grafton -----— 1871-2
Granger, Lyman -------------      Columbus ----— 1842-3
Graveraet, Robt. J. ----------- Marquette -----------— 1857-8
Gray, Thomas -----------—. — Ridgeway. --- —----           1851
Green, Coggeshall --------—.     Niles-1835-6
Griffin, Jas. W. --- —-_, --- —-- Adamsville. --- —-—..-     1844
Hadley, John, Jr. --- —---—. — Holly. --- —-----. ---      1861-2
Haight, Salmon L. --- —------- Saline --- —-----------       1849-53
Haire, Elias -. --- —-------—.- Manchester_. ---     -     1865
Haire, John --- —---—. --- —-      Grandville -----------   1861-2
artis,  Silas G.         Grand Haven --- —          1847-8
Harris, Silas G --- —---------     Tl     g   -..-.......-1850
Hawkins, Olney- Talmadge rbo --- —----              1850
Hawkins, Olney -.. Ann Arbor      -..... 1839-40


Hawley, Augustus D. --------
Haynes, John -----------------
Hewitt, Wm    F. --- —---------
Hill, Fitch --- —--------------
Hollister, Hannibal ----------
Hollister, Henry S. --- —-------
Hopkins, Mordecai L. -. ---Horton, Benj. S. --- —-------
Hough, Olmstead l --- —-------
Howe, George --- —------------
Howland, Nathaniel ---------
Irvine, John D. --- —-----------
Ives, Friend_ --- —----
Jackson, Joseph --------------
Jewell, Chas. A. --- —--------
Johnson, Augustus S. ----------
Johnson, Simeon M......
Jones, Edward H. -------------
Jones, Loss E. --- —------------
Keeler, Lucius ----------------
King, Jonathan P.......
King, John..............Knight, Benjamin. --- —-------
Kore, Jacob C. --- —------------
Lapham, Smith ------—.-. ----.
Lawrence, Edwin -. --- —-----
82


Jackson --- —---------      1841
Midland City ---—. ----    1871-2
—...-...........- -- 81874
Ann Arbor. --- —-----       1845
Port Huron -----           1846
Gidlev's Station ------    1847
Millpoint..- ---------    1855
Bell River -----—.-   -   1865
Tecumseh ------------ 1835-6-7
Clinton --------------— 1835-6
Bristol -.. --- —.          1839
Mackinac ----        --     1850-1
Plainwell --- —-------- 1850
Perry's Grove --------— 1835-6
Medina --------------     1869-70
Springfield- -     --      1845
Grand Rapids --------— 1843
Constantine ---—. --- 1861-2
Brooklyn -------------     1847
Union --- —-----------      1865
r 1835-6-7-8
Mackinac.. --- —---- {-9, 1842-8,
1849-50
Whitmore Lake --- —---      1843
Eaton Rapids --------- 1844-7
Hadley --- —--------       1859
Laphamville -----------    187-8
Ann Arbor ----— 1 --- —      848






726


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Name.
Lee, Thomas ------------—..
Levake, Henry A. --- —Little, Norman --- —---
Loomis, Chas. A. ----    --   --
Magoon, Isaac ---    -----
Marsh, Wm. R. --- —--
Marvin, Jarvis E. ------
Mason, Edw. M. --- —--
McCabe, James --- —---
McCauley, Wim. ------
McCowen, Henry....          -


Postoffice.               Sessions.
Dexter -----— 1837
Sault Ste. Marie -         835-6-7 -
Saginaw ----       --     1839-42
St. Clair —      -------   848-9,
Columbia Lake --- —---     1842
Silver Lake --- —-----— 1845
White Lake ---             1853
Ypsilanti --- —-------— 1851
Flint                      1869-10'
Pontiac    --.1848-9
Brighton --- —--------     1853
Moscow --- —----           1869-70


McKinley, Peter -------------- Beaver Island -------— 1857
McKinley, Peter-St James-a                       1859
StLeod, W. Normanes ---- --- -- 1859
McLeod, Wm. Norman -------- Mackinac _ --- —------- 1843-4-56


McWhorter, David.......
Mead, Stephen --- —---
Middlesworth, Abraham.
Miller, Chas. L. --- —---
Miller, Hiram L. -------------
Minnie, Joseph T. S. ---
Minnis Adam. --- —-----------
Newman, Orlando --- —Nixon, Robert --- —-     ---
Noble, Herman C     ------
Ord, Placidus
Ormsby, Caleb N ------------
Patterson, James --- —--------
Patterson, Jas. A. --- —-------
Pattison, Wm. H. --- —--
Payne, Jira-        ---------
Pearl, Perry D. ---    ----
Piper, Dan'l D. --- —---
Porter, Ira --- —------------
Pratt, Gilbert E-..Preston, Otis --    ------
Price, Jacob ------------—..Purdy, Robert --- —----
Quackenboss, Dan'l G. -------
Reeves, Henry L. ------—. —.Rexford, Roswell B —. -


Grass Lake --- —Paint Creek -----
Argentine --- —--
Colon --- —----------
Saginaw --- —--
St. Clair --- —----
Wayne --- —------------
East Tawas    -------
Oneida --- —. --- —---
Byron --- —--------
Sault. Ste Marie —.
Ann Arbor ------------
Fentonville ---------
Adrian     ---------
SalineClinton -------------
Belleville --- —---------
Clinton -------------
Port Huron --- —---
Ithaca --- —------------
White Pigeon -----
Brandon    ------   --
Summit-      ---     ---
Tecumseh --- —--
Roseville   - ----------
Napoleon.. --- —---..


1853
1839
1855
1853-5
1841-4
1871-2
1865
1869-70
1865
1849
1846
1839
1851
1843
1855-7-8
1838
1871-2
1861-2-3-4
1841
1861-2
1842
1850
1837-43
1848-50-3
1859
1855


s




MICHIGAN     BIOGRAPHY.
Name.                          Postoffice.
Rice, Thomas J. --- —---------- Scio ---------
Rogers, Levi --------— Fredonia --- —----------
Rose, Wm. O. --- —------------ Roseville --- —---
Rumsey, Henry --------------     Ann Arbor, ---— _
Runyan, John G.                  Carlton -----------—...
Russell, James ------— Summerville ----------
Schoolcraft, Jas. L.-    -       Sault Ste. Marie
Fort Brady --- —-------
Seeley, Harry --    _ ----     -  Pontiac --- —----
Seeley, Jesse --- —-----------    White Lake-...
Sexton, Jared -—... --- —-. --- Dearbornville --- —-----
Sheldon, Orson ------— Utica --------
Shellhouse, Martin G. --- —---- Colon -----------------
Sherman, Abner -------           Ontonagon -----
Shoemaker, De Witt --—. --- —    Grand Rapids ---------
White Pigeon ---Shurtz, Frederick -------        Lockport ------
Three Rivers ----
Smith, Calvin --- —---
Smith, Job ---------— Van Buren -----
Smith, Luther ---------          St. Louis --- —--


727
Sessions.
1842-3
1841
1845
1835-6-7
1865
1841
1843
1844
1843
1847
1851
1833
1837
1853-5-7-63
1853
1857-8
1839
1844
1839
1837
1865-7
1869-70
1867
1863-4
1848
1861-2
1853-1861
1862-3-4
1847 —51
1839-40
1840
1835-6
1861-2
1855
1859-61-2
1849-50
1857-8-9
1843
1861-2-3-4
1855
1857-8
1869-70
1869-70


Snell, Joseph W. --- —------
Spaulding, Phineas S. --- —---
Sprague, Paul C. --- —--
Stone, Hiram H. --- —--
Taylor, Wm. H.. --- —--------
Toll, Alexander ----------—.Truesdale, Aaron B. ---------
Tucker, True P. --- —--
Turner, Reuben D. --- —
Ullman, Isaac J. ------
Wade, Cerrel B. --- —-------
Ward, Zuel --- —-------
Warner, Ebenezer ---------— _
Webb, Dwight --- —---
Welch, Lewis -----------
Weld, Washington ---. —
Wheeler, William -------
Whitmore, Ezra --- — -
Whitney, Thomas ------
Willard, Wm., Jr. --   ---
Williams, Hubert   ----—.


Ora Labor --- —Elmira -------
Nebraska --- —--
Dearbornville ---------
Sparta Centre.-....
Mackinac -------
Bridgewater -----
St. Clair --- —---------
Mackinac -------
Constantine 
Brooklyn --- —--
Belle River --- —Sault Ste. Marie...
Ann Arbor ------
Exeter      -   -------
Centreville -..Flowerfield --- —Ann Arbor --- —--
East Saginaw --- —Ontonagon --- —Marquette -------








728


MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.


Name.
Wood, Stephen R --- —-------
Woodbury, Jas. H. --- —Worden, Ananias ------------
Wright, Chas. R. ---------—.


Postoffice.
Sault Ste. Marie --- —---
Adrian ---------------
St. James -------— _ —


Sessions.
1841
1842,
1848
1861-2


NoTE.-On printing the biographies in A and B, it was found that the material
prepared could not appear in one volume, and thus meet the limited appropriation, without many biographies were' condensed. This has been done in seve'ral
hundred instances, to the great regret of the compiler.








INDEX.


PAGE.
History of Michigan-...........5 to 20
History of Counties -—..-.-.-. —21 to 23
A.
Abell, Oliver C.-...................... 27
Abel, Sylvester ----—.. —..-... — - 27
Abbott, Adrian O.-............27
Abbott, Isaac C.-..................... 28
Abbott, Joshua K.-................... 28
Abbott, Robert-...................... 28
Abbott, Wm. L_..-.....29
Acker, Henry.-. —. —.....-.......... 29
Ackley, Francis --—. --- —-—.. ---... 29
Adair, Wm —....-.-..-...... --- —.... 29
Adam, John J. —.-.. ---8-.... — -..... 30
Adams, Ezra C.... --- —-.....31
Adams, Isaac --—.-. —......-....... 31
Adams, John Q.....-...-..-. 32
Adams, Oscar -...-..8-... —......... 32
Adams, Peter R.. —................... 33
Adams, Wales ----.... —... --- —. ---  33
Adsit, Allen C... --—..... --- —-.-.-   33
Aitken, Robt. P.-..... 33
Alden, Hiram-........34
Aldrich, Levi ------........ --- —---- 34
Alexander, Lorenzo P.-.-. - - _ -35
Alexander, Sidney U —...-. --- ——. 35
Alger, Russell A ----—.. ---.. —.....35-36
Allen, Abram, ---.. --- —------- -37
Allen, Edward P._ —..-...-.-..[ 37
Alien, George W. ----........-..... 37
Allen, Harmon ---—....-... --- —.-. 38
Alien, Hiram M.-.. --- —----—.-. --- 38
Alien, John.-...................38
Allen, Lewis --- —--.... —... — --- - -- -  39
Allen, Lovatus C. --- —-..-.-.... --- —. 39
Allen, Morris S..-........_..... 39
Allman, Wm........................ 40
Almy, John —. —.......-.-..-..-..... 40
Alvord, Nathan... —....-...-...-... 40
Ambler, Win. E. --- —.-......-....... 41
Ames, Joseph G..... ----. ---.... —. —  41
Ames, Michael E.-....           42
Anderson, David —.. --- —-------— 42
Anderson, Robt. H. --- —:' --- —: —  42
Anderson, Samuel F...-..-.. --- —  42
Anderson, William A..-    -     43
Andrews, Charles -—. --- —----—.-.- 43
Andrews, John.-........- 44
Andrews, John L... ------.44
Andrews, Josiah.................... 44
Andrus, Wesley P.. --- —-. —. --- —-  45
Annable, Fernando C. --- —--------- 45
Anneke, Emil..........          45
Aplin, Henry H...................... 46
Arms, Willard B;.................... 46
Armstrong, John H.................. 47
Armstrong, Sullivan................ 47
Arnold, Daniel J..-. --- -.-......- 47
Arnold, Joseph...................... 48
Arnold, Seymour —    ---.. --- —-------- 48
Arnold, William P................... 48


PAGE.
Arzeno, Alexander M....-.... 48
Ashley, James --- —--   —. --- — 48
Ashman, Henry C.-    --------   49
Ashton, Benjamin D. —.... —     49
Atwater, Reuben-.. ----.. 49
Atwood, Henry P. ----.. ---. ----.. 49
Atwood, Marcus M..........- -........  49
Atwood, Wm. A. --- —----—. --- —---   50
Austin, Charles........ —............. 50
Avery John --—. —. ---. --- —--  51
Axfora, Samuel —. --- —-----------  51
Axford, William-..-  -,-. —     51
Allen, Artemas...................... 52
Andrus, Winm. W.......  52
B.
Babcock, Chas. V.-....-.    52
Babcock, Henry S. ---.. --- —-----— 52
Babcock, Jonathan W... --- —----— 52
Babcock W. Irving-.. ----. ---..  53
Backus, Henry T. --- —. --- ——. 54
Backus, William --- —----—. --- —-.54
Bacon, Cyrus. -...-. —. --- -.. — 54
Bacon, Daniel S. --- —------—. ---- 54
Bacon, John —. --- —-------—. ---. --- 55
Bacon, Levi, Jr.. ---5 ---. --- —----- 55
Bacon, Nathaniel ----—...-. --- —- ' 55
Bagley; John J..... ---55-6
Bailey, Alvin W. —.-. --- —--    57
Bailey, Frederick G -------------—................. 57
Bailey, Norman --- —--------------— 57
Baker, Francis ----------------—. — 57*
Baker, Frederick A. --- —-. --- — - 5&
Baker, Milo S.. -------------------- 58
Baker, Newton — 58 --- —------------ 5&
Baker. Seward. --- —----    -— 58
Baker, William, Jr.. ----. --- —---  59
Baker, William A. ---. ---..-     59
Balch, Nathaniel A. —.. —. ----. --- 59
Baldwin, Augustus C.............. ---- 60
Baldwin, Charles-.. ----, ----    61
Baldwin, Elias J. --- -----      61
Baldwin, Ezra P. —8. --- —-------  62
Baldwin, Frank A. --- —--------- 8 —..   62
Baldwin, Henry P. --- —------------- 63
Baldwin, Simeon L.. --- —-------- 64
Ball, Byron D-..-. ---- 64
Ball, John ----------------------- —.. 64
Ball, William...- ---------------- 65
Ballentine. William H.-.-...-. —  66
Bancroft, Edward C ---------------- 66
Bancroft, William L. —       ----- 66
Barber, Daniel -------------------- 67
Barber, Homer G. --- —  -. ---- 67
Barber, John..................  61
Barber, Julius S.-. ---...67
Barbour, John-... — ---------—...   68
Barclay, Jonathan S.- -—...    68
Bardwell, Hiram H. —...-...     68
Barker, Richard P.. --- —-----   88..   68
Barlow, Nathan. —. —. --- — 69
Barlow, Nathan, Jr-.....-... ----. - - 69






730


INDIEX.


PAGE.
Barnaby, Horace T.-   —. --- —..- 69
Barnard, Ely. --- —-—. ----.... ---. 69
Barnard, Newell ------------------ 69
Barnes, Eleazar.. --- —. --- —. --- —. --- 70
Barnes, Henry...-...-...... 70
Barnes, Orlando M. --- —----. 71
Barnes, Orsamus S.. ---  —.... —.  71
Barrett, Hiram...-......... -. —....  72
Barringer, John E...... --- —-—. ---  72
Barry, John S.........-............. 73
Barry, Thos B................... 74
Bartholomew, Ira H....-...   74
Bartlett Wallace R. ----. --- —---  75
Barton, W. Walter. ----... —.7 75
Bartow, John.. --- ——. —.. --- ——.. 75
Bartow, Moses-...-7.5. 75
Bates, Alfred G. --- —.-... —.- -- 76
Bates, Erastus M.  -.....      76
Bates, Federick-   -            77
Bates, Geo. C......... 77
Bates, Morgan... —...  78
Bates, Wm. R.-        -.        78
Baumgardner, Wi'liam........... 79
Baxter, Benjamin L.-..-.. --- —-.- 79
Baxter, Levi... ----. —.... --- —--- 79
Baxter, Witter J. — 8.... —.......I   80
Bayley, James. ---  -----  -— 81
Beach, Joseph P.-.-. - ----   - 81
Beach, Noah    -.......  81
Beakes, Hiram J. --- —-.....8.. —.- 82
Beal, Isaac  D.....................  82
Beaman, Fernando C.-......  2
Beamer, George K. --- ——. —.. ----. 83
Beattie, Adam ----.... —. --- — 83
Beaufait, Louis.. ---.........  84
Beckwith, Jefferson H. --—.. --- —. 8M
Bedtelyon, Jacob. -            85
Beebe, Joseph E.. ---...       85
Beebe, Uriah -.....-. —... —.........  85
Beecher, Chas. N. —.................  85
Beecher, Norman A. ------   — 86
Beecher, Robert R.....      86
Beekman, Benjamin F. ---------—.- 86
Beers, Philo --- —--  ------—......... 87
Beeson, Jacob.                 87
Beeson, Jedsse G. -. ---87 --- —---   87
'Beeson, William B.....-  -    88
Begole, Josiah W......-........ —.   88
Belden, Eugene H  —.............  89
Belding, Friend......-............  89
Belknap, James W.. -.-.. —.....-..- 89
Bell, Alexander F.. —. — --—..-. —. 90
Bell, Digby V......................  91
Bell, George W...-...... —........ ---  91
Benedict, Alexander H... —....-... 92
Benedict, Jacob M.-..-. ----. --- —9.. 92
Benedict, Peter H. ---...... —.-..  92
Benjamin, William H. P..........   93
Bennett, Alonzo-     -........... 9..... 92
Bennett, Davis D......-. 93
Bennett, John H.                93
Bennett, Stillman W........... 94
Bennett, Theodore G. --- —-..-..... 94
Bentley, John W... —..........-...-. 94
Berk, John.. —..............-.. 94
Berrick, Francis H. —...-..    94
Berry, Enos G................. -...-.   95
Berry, Jonathan....................  95
Berry, lIangford G..........-.......  95
Bettinger, Conrad.................  96
Betts, Charles...................  96
Biddle, John.................. 96
Bidelman Samuel J.........      97
Billings, Simeon R.....        98
Bills, Perley..................... 98
Bingham, Henry H.................. 99


I


PAGE.
Bingham, Kinsley S...... —......... 99
Bird, John M...........   103
Birney, James............   103
Bishop, Jas. C.  --  —..... 103
Bishop, Levi. ---, ---. ---.- - —..-. ---- - 1
Bishop, Roswell P......101
Bitely, Nathan H. —......-..-....-. 101
Bixby, David A-.....-..........-.. 101
Black, Cyrenius P... ----. --- —. ----. 102
Blacker, Robert R........ --- ——.- 102
Blackman, Daniel ---..- --------—. 104
Blackman, Henry E. --- —--------- 104
Blackman, Sam'l H.. --- — —. — 104
Blades, William..-............... 104
Blair, Austin -..................- 105-106
Blakeslee, George —..... 107
Blindbury, John -.................  107
Hliss, Aaron T.-......... 108
Bliss, Solomon B.1............  108
Blodgett, Amos C. ---:... --- —. --- —.   109
Blois, John T.............. 109
Blood, Calvin A. —.... ----. —. —..... 109
Bloom, Adam E... ------—....-.. — O110
Boies, Henry M........ 110
Boies, John K.-............. 111
Bolger, Robert E.._..... 111
Bolton, Abraham T.......... ll
Bond, William S. --- -—.      111
Bonham, Asher-... — -. —.... 112
Bonine, Evan J....-...........-......   112
Bonnell, Benjamin C.          112
Borgman, Martin V.-....-........   113
Boss, Alfred J.......    113
Bostwick, Ezra -----—. --- —-—. --- 113
Bottomley, Thomas ---------—. — 114
Bowen, Jesse.. --- ——...-......-..- 114
Bowen, Ozro A.           1.   ] 14
Bowman, John H.-.......      114
Bowne, John............ 115
Boynton, Daniel --- —-.. --- —-------- 115
Boynton, Nathan S.- -. —.-.  115
Bradfield, Thomas D... ----...  116
Bradford, Vincent L.-.......  116
Bradley, Edward.. ----. --- —------- 116
Bradley, Harmon-.  1...    ] 17
Bradley, Nathan B...... 117
Bradshaw, Elias-....... 117
Brandon, Calvin K.......    118
Brant, Lyman A. --- —-------------- 118
Breen, Bartley....... ---..-..-.. ---- 119
Breitung, Edward ------.. --- —--- 119
Brewer, Mark S. --- —. --.. --- —--—. 119
Brewster, Wm. W...... 120
Bridge,* Henry P...-..-.... — --—. —. 120
Briggs, Charles,....i,  -..  121
Briggs, Daniel B.........-..  121
Briggs, Edward L. ---......... — - 121
Briggs, George G,. —......-. 122
Briggs, Henry C.. —..-........ ---- 122
Briggs, Robert V. -....   122
Bristol, Eli H.............  123
Britton, Roswell.. ---.. --- —- 123
Britain, Calvin....... 123
Brock, Martin W.-.-...-.. 123
Brockway, Wm. H. ---...-..  124
Brodhead, Thornton F..-. —.. 124-5
Brooks, John A.........-........ 125
Brooks, Nathaniel W.....   - 126
Brotherson, P. C. H. --- ——. --- —-- 126
Brown, Alvarado.-..............   126
Brown, Ammon-.6....-........ 126
Brown, Amos S...-............... 127
Brown, Asahel..-. 127
Brown, Benjamin...-.......... —.. — 127
Brown, Charles..............-. 128
Brown, Charles R. ---............. 128


i




INDEX.


731


PAGE.
Brown, David E-..-....-.. —.-... 129
Brown, Ebenezer L.. --- —-......-... 129
Brown, Ethan A.. --- —--—.. ---.-. 129
Brown, George -....-.........130
Brown, George I -........-. 1-30
Brown, George W............-....... 130
Brown, Giles W -—.... —.-.-.. ---.- 130
Brown, Henry B. —.-.-.-.. —...-..... 131
Brown, John S. -—..... --- —.-.-.... 131
Jirown, Joseph W   -   -.................- 131
Brown, Samuel B... ----.... --- ——.- 132
Brown, Stephen F................... 132
Brown, William..-......... ---. ---..- 132
Brown, William G. ---. ----......... 133
Brownell, Ellery A...... —............ 133
Brownell, George -----—. ---.- -—. — 133
Brownell, Seymour- -. ---. --- —-. —.- 133
Brownell, William -—.-........... 134
Brunson, John C -------------------- 134
Brush, Elijah —. ---. —....-........ 134
Buck, Phillip H... —...........-. -—.-  135
Buckbee, Walter A. -----—... —..... 135
Budlong, Philo H. —..-.. —. 135
Buell, Ahasuerus W. ---...-.. --- — - 135
Buell, Alexander W.. —... —..... —. 136
Buell, Emmons -........-...... 136
Buell, Henry S. ---............. —..- 136
Buell, John  L........   -......... --- —  137
Bunce, Horace E..._....-....    137
Bunco, Zephaniah W... --- ——.-.-.- 137
Burbank, William —. --- ——.... ---- 138
Barch, John-................... 138
Burch, Marsden C............. -  138
Burk, Andrew L. --- —---—... -—.... 138
Burke, W m. -..-... ---.. --- —.... ----   139
Burleigh, John L... —..............- -   139
Burnett, William —.. --- —----—.. --- 139
Burns, James —... ---......-....... — 139
Burr, Henry        —.......... ---........... 140
Burrows, Delabor --—..-....... ---... 140
Burrows, Julius C............. _,. 140
Burt, Wm. A.- -.-.....-..,..... ---- 141
Burton, Porter-...-.. —.-........... 142
Bush, Chas. P.. —............-.. ------ I
Bush, David. ---.......... ---.....-... 143
Bushnell, Daniel P..........-.- 143
Butler, Edward H.......-    -......... 143
Butler, Orange -—........-...... 144
Butler, Richard-............-.... 144
Buttars, Archibald........ 144
Batterfield, Ira H.- —.-. --- —-.. --- 145
Butterfield, John W.... ---......... 145
Button, John H.... ---.-.-......... 145
C.
Cady, Charles H...........-1...... 16
(lady, Charles T. -........... 146,Cady, Chauncey G   -........-....... 146
Cady, Horace    --—......H... —. — 146
CAlhoun, Norman-.-.-. ----... --- —- 147
Calkins, Alanson —.......-......... 147
-Calkins, Ephraim-..............- 147
Camburn, Levi    -   -.................... 147
Cameron, Alexander................ 147
Campau, Theodore J    -........,-... 14
Campbell, Abner E. ---........... 148
Campbell, Allen --—................ 118
Campbell, Bradford -.. ---. ---.-... 148
Campbell, Daniel. ---.-............ 149
Campbell, James H...-.-...-.. 149
Campbell, James V.-........ 149
Campbell, Milo D....-.................50
Canby, Israel ---................-... 150
Canfield, Lucius H.,... —...... —... 150
Canfleld, William................  151


PAGE.
Caniff, Stephen..-.-.............  151
Cannon, Ellery C... ---- -. —. —.- 151
Caplis, James ----------------. —.- 152
Carleton, Ezra C. --- ——. --- —-—: -  152
Carleton, Palmer S.. --- —--—.. ---- 152
Carlton, Aubern D -..... — -—. —. — 152
Carlton, Israel E..... --- —. —..... 153
Carmer. Sherlock H. ---. --- —---  153
Carpenter, Chas. K  -.....,- 153
Carpenter, David-............ 154
Carpenter, Guy —... ----. ----------- 154
Carpenter, Joel-.. ---.-.-......- 154
Carpenter, Manson.-......... 154
Carpenter, William E... --- —.. 155
Carr, Nathan T. —...-.-.....-.....- 155
Carr, William S..-............. 155
Carter, Harleigh. —...-....-.... --- 155
Carter, John-......................... 156
Caruss, Richard B. ----------------- 156
Carveth. John —... --- —... ---.. ----.- 156
Case, Arthur T -—.... --- —-—.-....- - 156
Clase, Barnabas -------—. ----.... --- 157
Case, Daniel L...-.. ----. ----. — 157
Case, Geo. F.....-......... 157
Case, James A..............-.. —. — 157
Case, Ovid N. ----.-. ---. --- —------ 158
Case, Spaulding M... ---.-. --- —--- 158
Cass, Lewis ----—.. --- —...... ----158-60
Castle, Lemuel ---. ---. --- —-. --- —- 160
Cathcart, John G.- -------------- 160
Caukin, Volney W. ---—.-.'-" --- — 161
Chafey, Merritt N..-.. --- —-—.. --- 161
Chamberlain, Eli B. —. —........  161
Chamberlain, Henry ---. —....     161
Chamberlain, William........ —. --- 162
Chamberlin, Samuel. --- ---------- 162
Chambers, Fitzwilliams H.-..-.. 162
Champlin, Elisha P -.... —.......  163
Champlin, John W -—..-...... - --- 163
Chandler, George-.....-. --- —---- 163
Chandler, Joseph H... --- — —..- 164
Chandler, Zachariah - --—. ---.. —164-5
Chapell, Worden R. -—. —. 165
Chapman, AIelbert R.... --- -------- 166
Chapman, Leander. —.... -.. --- 166
Chapman, Warren, —...-. --- —---- 166
Chapoton, Alexander ---.. —... —. — 167
ChaIoton, William. ---.-. --- —. —  167
Chase, Eugene V.-.. ---.-..... ---  167
Chase, Jonathan.. --- —---------- 167
Chase, Marcus A. —.....-. ----. —.-  167
Chase, William. ----..... ---. —... --- 168
Chatfield, Chester C. --- —--------  168
Chauvin, Chas. B.-   -. ----. 168
Cheney, Amherst B. --- —------------ 168
Cherry, Henry P -—... — ------ 169
Chester, Easton F —..-.. --- —---—.. 169
Childs, Aaron. —. --- —-. --- —-----  169
Childs, Augustus W            -.......  169
Childs, J. Webster ---------—.... ---  169
Chipman, Henry C. —.- -.-.-. --- 170
Chipman, J. Logan..   --............... ---. 170
Chipman, John 8..-.. —.... —   -—... 170
Chipman, Joseph N. ---... --- —----- 171
Chittenden, William F.-. —..... ---  171
Choate, Emerson-................ ---- 171
Christiancy, Isaac P. —.-. —. — 171
Church, Thomas B... ---- —.. --- — 1-72
Churchill, Worthy L.. —..   —. ---  -- 172
Clapp, Leverett A..-...-..-...-  172
Clark, Albert K. —. — - ---      173
Clark, Benjamin......  -. —..- 173
Clark, Darius -.-. --- —-........... 173
Clark, David........................   173
Clark, Edwin G...1. 173
Clark, ElihuL -...............   174




I ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~




732


INDEX.


PAGE.
Clark, Elijah B...................... --- —   174
Clark, Frederick O... —... -— 174
Clark, Jeremiah. —.-. —.. --- —----- 175
Clark, John ---.. ---.... — 175
Clark, John R_. —...... ---.-.-.. 175
Clark, Newcomb ----.... —..... --- 175
Clark, Orman ----------------------- 176
Clark, Robert E. --- —. —. ---   176
Clark, Samuel.. --- —---—..   176
Clark, William A. —... --- —    176
Clarke, Hovey K.-. --- —------------- 177
Clarke, Luther W............... —... 177
Clemens, Christian --—... --- —- 177
Clement, Joshua ------------------ 177
Climie, Andrew --- —------ 178
Cline, William M. --- —----- 178
Clisbee, Chas. W. -. --- ——. --- 178
Clubb, Henry S. —..... —      178
Coates, Joseph -—. --- —--------- 179
Coates, Lintsford B.. ----, ----. — 179
Cobb, George P..... —.. --- — - 179
Cobb, James B.-. ---.. ---. --- — 179
Cobb, Thomas S. —. ---,     -  180
Cochran, Varnum B......_. —  180
Cochrane, James W. --- —---------- 180
Cochrane, Lyman -—. ---, --- —-- 181
Coe, George A....-. --- —, ----.- 181
Coggeshall, Bela --- —-------------- 181
Colbath, Lemuel ---—.-   --   182
Cole,~ Ezra- -------— 1 —8 ----.... ---- 183
Cole, Henry S. ---.-. --- —      182
Cole, Miner T... ---..-. —. 182
Cole, William B...... --- —------- 183
Coleman, George................ —.... 183
Collier, Victory P —.-. —. ---   183
Collins, Alpheus -------------------- 184
Collins, Frederick W. —.. -------- 184
Collins, Lucius H...................-. 184
Colvin, Oliver D... --- —... --- — 184
Colwell, David G.................... 185
Colwell, William M --- —---------—. 185
Coman, Russell ----------—. --- —-- 185
Combes, Henry P.... ---...- 185
Compton, Henry -------------------- 186
Comstock Addison J... ---. ----.. — 186
Comstock, Charles --- —---------—.- 186
Comstock, Darius --- —------—.. ---- 187
Comstock, Horace H..-.....-..-.. 187
Comstock, Oliver C —. —      - 187
Conant, Harry A ---..... --- —--- 188
Conely, Edwin F..................... 188
Congdon, Elisha.. --- — -..-.- 188
Congdon, James M. --- —. --- —--- 189
Conger, Omar D...... ---. —. 189
Conger, James L- --—..-_-.    189
Conklin, Ebenezer H -. ----. ----  190
Conkling, Henry C.-..-.... 190
Connor, Henry ---—. --- —-----—. — 190
Connor, Richard H.. --—.. —.- 191
Conrad, Luther F-.    -..-  191
Convis, Ezra..-  -..............-. 191
Cook, Asa B.-.-........ 192
Cook, David R....................... -92
Cook, Elijah F. --—...-.. 192
Cook, Francis W... --- —--------—...  192
Cook, Henry..-. --- —----------—..  193
Cook, Jacob.-.....-.-..   193
Cook, John P......................... 193
Cook, Levi...........................194
Cook, Peter —...-......    194
Cook, Peter J. —. —           194
Cook, William --------...-....... 194
Cooley, Anthony.................... 195
Cooley, Sloan........................ 195
Cooley, Thomas M.-.................. 195
Coolidge, Henry W.... ----.   196


PAGE
Coomer, George W.. —. ----. —... 196
Coon, Myron --------—. --- —--- 196
Cooper, George B. --- —-------- 197
Cooper, George H. ---.. ---. ---.-   197
Coots, Walter H... —. --- —--------- 197
Copeland, Benjamin --- —-—. --- —-- 198
Copeland, Joseph T. --- —----—. ---- 198
Copley, Alexander B.....-.-.. --- —-- 198
Corbin, Sanford H. --- —------------  198
Corbin, William ------------------- 199
Corey. Jeremiah D. --- —------------  199
Corrigan, Patrick_.-   -—. --- —-. 199
Cossitt, Charles H.. ---—. ---.-  199
Cottrell, Eber W.. --- —------------ 200
Coulter, John F.-. --- —--------- - 200
Covert, Lewis M. --- —------—. 200
Cowan, George Y.. ----..-.. — -     200
Cox, Robert -—. --- —---------------  201
Craig, James --- —---------—. ---- 201
Crandall, George W.-.. —. ----.- 201
Crane, Alexander D. --- —-. --- —-- 201
Crane, Archer H. --                201
Crane, Flavius J. B. ---. --- —------- 202
Crane, George.-    -.-. --- —-- 202
Crane, George L. --- —------—. --- —- 202
Crapo, Henry H. --- —----         203-4
Crary, Isaac E. --- —--------------- 204
Cravath, Isaac M. --- —-------------- 204
Craven, Robert E. ----.-... —  --- 205
Crawford, James ----   ---          205
Crawford, John G.. —................. 205
Crego, Richard J.. --- —- ------------ 205
Cressy, Alonzo --- — —.. ----    206
Crocker, Martin ---.. ---... --- —---- 206
Crocker, Thos. M.. --- —---—. --- —- 207
Crofoot, George W.-.-..... 207
Crosby, Calvin B.. ---. --- ——.. -----  207
Crosby, Hale E. --- — --------—. --- —- 207
Crosby, Moreau S.................... 207
Cross, John S.. ---       ----—. 208
Crossman, Alanson.. --- -. 208
Crossman, Daniel L. --- —   ----    208
Crossman, John S. ---- -------------- 209
Croswell, Charles M. --- —----—.209-10
Crouse, Robert —. —          ----- 210
Crozer, James A. --- —--------------- 211
Culver, Jonathan H. --- —----------- 211
Curry, James L. --- —----------------- 211
Curry, Solomon S.. ------------------  211
Curtenius, Frederick W.. —.. —. 212
Curtis, Israel ------------------- 212
Curtis, John L. ---  -----. —   212
Curtis, Lester ---   --    -—...-  213
Curtis, Norman D. --- ——. --- —--- 213
Curtis, William H. --- —------------ 213
Curtis, Thomas --- —----------------- 213
Cust, Edwin M... ----               213
Cutcheon, Byron M. --- —----—.     214
Cutcheon, Otis E. M.. --- —--------- 214
Cutcheon, Sullivan M. ---. --- —------ 215
D.
Dakin Milo H. ----..        215
Daly, James.. --- —- --- -------—. ---- 215
Damon, John A...................... 216
Danforth, Ephriam B..-. --- —.      216
Danforth. George -------------  -- 216
Daniels, David 1. ----. ----         216
Daniels, Ebenezer...... —...   217
Darling, Henry --- —-------------- 217
Darragh, Archibald B -.....-..... 217
Darragh, Lewis................... ---..- 217
Davenport, George..-................ ---  217
Davenport, George-.................. 218






INDEX.


733


PAGE.
David, James I..-.-... —.-. ---. ---.- 218
David, Orrin..... —....-..-..-....-. 218
Davis, Alexander P. —. --- —-. —.. --- 219
Davis, Alexander W. ----... --- —--- 219
Davis, Alonzo C.. --- —----—. ---. --- 219
Davis, Ammos -. —.. --- ——.-. —.-.- - 219
DavJs, Calvin. ---.. —...-......-.. 220
Davis, Chauncey-__.._......... 220
Davis, Henry -----—.... —.-. --- —.. 220
Davis, Ira.. --- —-....-....... —.-.... 220
Davis, John M..-..-...-.. —...-.... 221
Davis, Jonathan D.-..-....-...... — 221
Davis, Lewis C. ----.-. —. —......... 221
Davis, Robert W.. -............... 221
Davis Willard -..-... —..-.-..-..-.. 222
Davison, Norman ----.-.......-...-.. 222
Davison, Oliver P. ---.-.-.......-.. - 222
Dayton, Daniel-....................  222
Deare, Henry W. —..-. ----..-.... —.. 223
Decker, Jesse-....................... 223
DeLamater, Anson H. --- —----—. — 223
\Deland, Charles V................-.  223
Deming, Daniel H. -,. —,-..........-.  224
Deming, David E.. -224
Dennis, David B.-........ 224
Denton, Samuel-..... ----........... 2234
Desnoyer, Peter...................... -225
Devlin, John ---—.... ---............. 225
Dewey, George M.-............ 225
Dewey, John W..................... 226
Dewey, James S.      -.... 226
Deyo, Charles I. --—.... —....-...... 227
Dexter, George W.. ----........... 243
Dexter, Samuel-..................... 227
Dexter. Samuel W............ 227
Dickerman, Albert —.. —.......... 228
Dickie, Charles.- ---—.-... ---.....- 228
Dickinson, William E. --- —......... 228
Dickson, itobinson J -----—.-....... 229
Diekema, Gerrit J................... 229
Diller, Henry B...................... 229
Dillman, Louis -—. --- —-------—...   229
Dillon, Joseph-.-.-.. —............. 230
Dinturff, Daniel W -----—.-. ---..... 230
Divine, Joseph ----...-.......-....... 230
Divine, Westbrook............. — -.. 230
Dix, Roscoe D --—.-................ 231
Dixon, John S., —...................... 231
Dockeray, James.. ---. ---.......... 233
Dodge, Frank L --.................... 232
Dole, Sidney --- —--............... 232
Dolson, Levi E................... - 232
Donnelly, John C.................... 232
Dorsey, Andrew-................... 233
Dort, Titus........................... 233
Doty, Philo --- —-................-... 233
Doty, Samuel-........................ 233
Dougherty, Archibald K............ 234
Douglas, Columbus C -... —..-..-.- 234
Douglass, Frank A..... --- —-..-. ---..  234
Douglass, Samuel T................. 234
Dovel, Andrew J.................... 235
Dow, John -.-.-..................... 235
Dow, Peter. —....................-... 235
Dowling, Michael A................. 235
Dox, Peter......................... 236
Drake, Thomas J.................... 236
Drake, William-..................... 236
Draper, Charles............... 2137
Draper, William —2.................287
Drew, John F..-.................... -237
Driggs, Alfred L................  237
Driggs, John F....................... 237
Dudgeon, Anthony-.............   238
Daffield, George-.................  238
Duffield, William W2.............  338
83


PAGE.
Dunakin, Daniel --------------------- 239
Dunbar, Addison E.................. 239'
Dunbar, William -------------------- 239
Duncan, De1amore__....___..._____. 239
Duncan, Lawson A ------------------- 240
Duncan, Robert                          240
Duncan, Wm. C..................... 240
Duncombe, Charles ----------------- 241
Dundass, Robert                         241
Dunham, NeIF;on -------------------- 241
Dunlap, Abijah B ------------------- 241
Dunstan, Thomas B ----------------- 241
DuPuy, James ----------------------- 242
Durand, Geo. H ---------------------- 242
Durkee, Lewis ----------------------- 242
Durocher, Laurent-_ ---_._ ---- 242
Dusseau, Joel J ---------------------- 243
Dusseau, Victor A.                      243
Dyckman, Evert                          243. E.
Eakins, James ----------------------- 244
Earl, BarDey                            2"
Earle,                                  244
Eastman, Ahira G ------------------- 244
Easton 'David J - -------------------- 245
Eaton, (5rosby-                         245
Eaton. Jerome                           245
E(-k, William R ---------------------- 245
Eddy, Hiram 8 ---------------------- 246
Edmunds, James M ----------------- 246
Edmonds, Charles A ---------------- 246
Edsell,                                 247
Edwards, Abraham ----------------- 247
Edwards, Arthur -------------------- 247
Edwards, Edward B ----------------- 247
Edwards, George F..                     248
Edwards, Henrv D.                       248
Edwards,                                248
Egan, Francis B --------------------- 248
Eggleston, Ebenezer S_ - - - - - - - - - _... -249
Eggleston, James -------------------- 249
Eisenmann, John C.................. 249
Eldred, Alvah D --------------------- 249
* 1dred, Caleb_                         249
* I redge, James B.                     250
Eld redge, Nathaniel B.                 250
Eldredge, Robert P ------------------ 250
Ellenwood, John-... —.. ---. — 251
Elliott, Adam ------------------------ 251
El liott, Marcus D.-                    251
Ellis, Edward D --------------------- 251
Ellis, Myron H.                         2594
Ellsworth, Charles C ---------------- 252
ly, Elisha --------------------------- 252
E ly, Heman B.                          252
Ely, Ralph --------------------------- 253
Emerick, Frank --------------------- 253
Emerson, Philip                         254
Emmons, Jed P. C ------------------- 254
Englemann, Hieronymus ----------- 254
Enos, Jehiel -------------------------- 255
Enos, Morgan                            2M
Erskine, James ---------------------- 255
Estabrook, John S................... 2.%
E _Q         Joseph ------------------- 255
Es           --------------------------- 256
E            Samuel ------------------ 256
Ewell, Philander-_____..... 267
Ewers, Charles.-                        257
Ew'-'ng,                                257
Fairfield, Ebenezer W.                  257


PAGE.
Dunakin, Daniel -.. —.....-..-.... — 239
Dunbar, Addison E..-................ 239
Dunbar, William -------------------- 239
Duncan, Delamore-.... —......__-. 239
Duncan, Lawson A.-. --- —----—..-. 240
Duncan, Robert W        -.-........ 240
Duncan, Win. C.-.................... 240
Duncombe, Charles -.. --- —. --- —.- 241
Dundass, Robert F.............. 241
Dunham, Nelson —.. —.-.. --- —-.... 241
Dunlap, Abijah B-.... —......... —. 241
Dunstan, Thomas B. ---.......-.. --- 241
DuPuy, James...................... 242
Durand, Geo. H.. ---. --- —----—,-... 242
Durkee, Lewis ----------—.-. ---:._ - 242
Durocher, Laurent-_ —_..-.-..  - 242
Dusseau, Joel J. --- ——..-..... --- —   248
Dusseau, Victor A.-............. 243
Dyckman, Evert B.2............ 243
E.
Eakins, James --- —.. --- —------—... 244
Earl, Barney -—. ---. ---... --- — 244
Earle, Nathaniel A......-.-... 244
Eastman, Ahira G. —. --- —----—.- 244
Easton, David J. -—. --- —----—..... 245
Eaton, Crosby --- — - -------.. 245
Eaton, Jerome B... --- —-. ---  245
E(-k, William R.. —... — ------------- 245
Eddy, Hiram S -----------------—.- 246
Edmunds, James M. --- —-----—.... 246
Edmonds, Charles A. --- —-—. --- — 246
Edsell, Wilson C. —.. ----.. --- 247
Edwards, Abraham --- —-—. --- —--- 247
Edwards, Arthur -----—. --- —----- 247
Edwards, Edward E.... —. ----, --- — 247
Edwards, George F. -----.- 248
Edwards, Henry D.               248
Edwards, William J.. ----.       248
Egan, Francis B. --- — ----------- 248
Eggleston, Ebenezer S.- ---------—:: 249
Eggleston, James ------------------- 249
Eisenmann, John C.-................. 249
Eldred, Alvah D... --- —---—.... — - 249
Eldred, Caleb_ -----—. ---.-.. 249
Eldredge, James B.... ----..... 250
Eldredge, Nathaniel B. --- —. --- 250
Eldredge, Robert P..-. ---. —.- 250
Ellenwood, John-....... ---.. — 251
Elliott, Adam ------------—. --- —---- 251
Elliott, Marcus D.-.. —.. —  251
Ellis, Edward D. —. --- —--—. --- —- 251
Ellis, Myron H. -........ 252
Ellsworth, Charles C... --- —-------- 252
Ely, Elisha. --- —--------------—.. 252
Ely, Heman B. --— 252
Ely, Ralph.. --- —-------------------- 253
Emerick, Frank --- —---------—.- 253
Emerson, Philip H... —. —..     254
Emmons, Jed P. C.-2 ---. --- —-. --- — 254
Englemann, Hieronymus s --- —------ 254
Enos, Jehiel. --- —--—.. —. --- —----- 255
Enos, Morgan -.... --- —-----    255
Erskine, James. --- —---------------- 255
Estabrook, John S................... 255
Estabrook, Joseph --- —----- -------- 255
Estee, Free --- —--------------  256
Etheridge, Samuel -----------—. --- 256
Ewell, Philander.-   -..... ---   267
Ewers, Charles. ---- —. i-.-    257
Ewing, Alexander-.......     257
F.
Fairfield, Ebenezer W............ 257




k




7?4


INDEX.




PAGE.
Fairfield, Edmund B................ 258
Fallass, Silas S.. -------------------- 258
Fargo, John D.-.. ----. --- —-------  258
Fancher, Isaac A.. ---.- ---------- 258
Farmer, John. --- ——. --- —- 259
Farmer, William S.. --- —--------- 259
Farnsworth, Elon. --- —....- 259
Farr, Augustine W.-.......... 260
Farr, George A ---—.. -------------- 260
Fast, Orlando J...... --- —..... ----. 260
Fay, Jonathan P. --- —------------—. 260
Faxon, Thomas J. —.. ----. --- —---- 261
Felch, Alpheus ------------------ 261-2
Fellows, Orville H. —.......-   262
Felt, Dorman --- —------------------- 263
Fenner, George H --------—. --- —-- 262
Fenton, Charles B.... --- —.. — 263
Fenton, Joseph S. --- —--  ----- 263
Fenton, William M. --- —------------ 263
Ferguson, Daniel, Jr. ---.. --- —------ 264
Ferguson, Fenner —. --- —-. --- —---- 264
Ferguson, James E.... --- —----- 264
Ferguson, Thomas A. ------------ 265
Ferrington, George W.. --- —--------- 265
Ferris, Jacob --- —----------—. --- —- 265
Ferry, Asa P. --- —- ----------------- 265
Ferry, Thomas W        -. ----—.  266
Fessenden, C. B. H      -.. —.-...... 266
Fey, Conrad..-.. --- —- ---------- 267
Field, James ------------------------ 267
Field, Moses W. -. --- —-----—. --- — 267
Fifield, Francis W.-. --- —. ---.- 67
Finch, Asahel, Jr. —. --- —----------- 268
finley, Wm., Jr. —. ---.-.-.. 268
Fish, George W ---....  268
Fisher, Delos --------------------- 268
Fisher, Spencer 0 ---—. --- —-------- 269
Fitch, Ferris S. —. --- ——. —. --- —- 269
Fitch, Lyman An.-. —....... 269
Fitch, Morgan L. -------- -—..- 269
Fitch, Nathan --- —------—. --- —-- 265'
Fitzgerald, Jerome B...... 270
Fitzgerald, John C --—.. --- —------- 270
Fitzgerald, Thomas.......- 270
Fitzsimmons, George -...-. —. --- 271
Fletcher, John W.. --- —-----—. --- 271
Fletcher, Niram A. ----------------- 271
Fletcher, William A -----—.-.-. --- 271
Follett, Martin P.,. --- —--------—.- 272
Foote, Dan P. ---2......... --- —------ 272
Foote, Henry K. —.-. --- —------—.- 272
Forbes, John ------------- --—. —.- 272
Forbes, Joshua -----—. —. --------- 272
Ford, Henry —. --- —-—. ---. ----  274
Ford, Melbourne H... --- —. --- —-- 273
Forster John H -.. --- —--------— _ 273
Foster, Wilder D. --- —---—. —. ---   273
Fowle, James —. --- —-—. --- —----- 278
Fowler, Frederick --—. ----. --- —----.27
Fowler, Ralph ----------—.. —.- 274
Fowler, Smith W. ------—....... ---. 274
Fox, Benjamin F -—. --- ——. ----. — 275
Fox, Edwin G. --- —--—. --- —------ 275
Fralick, Henry --------------------- 27.5
Francis, William H.. -..-..   276
Fraser, Charles L.-...  —..-.. 276
Fraser, Murdoch -. ---.......... ----. 276
Freeman, Chandler ---------—. --- — 276
Freeman, Franklin S..-..      276
French, Alfred -,. --- —------------- 277
French, George H. ---------—. --- 277
French, John M. -.... --- ----—...  277
French, William A.-...-..... 277
Frey, John W.....-..-. 278
Frisbee, Alonzo T.-.................. 278
Frisbee, Philip S.-........ 278


PAGE.
Frost, Almon B.-         278
Fuller, Ceylon C. ---, --- —---------- 278
Fuller, Edward L.. --- —----------- 279
Fuller, Philo C -.. --- —--------------- 279
Fyfe, Lawrence C... --- —-—.......- 279
G.
Gage, Chauncey H.- -—. ---.-. —. - 279
Gage, Dewitt C.-  ---   ------ 280
Gage, John L. ---... ---. --- —- 280
Gage, Justus...- 2t0
Gage, Seneca H. --- —-. --- —---------- 280
Gage, William -----------------—. — 281
Gale, Elbridge E..-,.-  -—...  281
Gale, Martin P....... 281
Galloway, John H.... --- —-.   281
Gallup, Caleb H.. —. --- —--   281
Gntt, Samuel N..-..- 282
Gard, Milton J. ---- --. —  282
Gardner, Amos --- —--------..... --- 282
Gardener, Earl P. —. --- —-------—.- 282
Gardner, Ransom. ---. — -—. --- -- 283
Garfield, Charles W................. 283
Garfield, Samuel M................. 283
Gargett, James --- —--------- ------- 284
Garrison, William D.. —..-.  284
Garvelink, Jan W. --- —-...  284
Garvey, Matthew T. --- ——.-. —....- 284
Garwood, Alonzo. --- —-—. ---... 284
Gaskill, Silas B.-.            285
Gass, Herschel R.... --- —..-   285
Gay, Milo L.-. --- —--------    285
Gaylord, Augustine S. ----.... — 285
Geddes, John --- —------------—. —  286
Germain, Geo. W. ----------------- 286
Gerrish, Nathaniel L. -286
Gibbs, Adoniram J._.....-...... 286
Gibbs, George C. ---..... --- —-....- 287
Gibbs, James L..-....... 287
Gibson, Charles F. --- —- -.. --- —---- 287
Gibion, John                   287
Giddings, Augustine H.-....... 288
Giddings, J. Wight ----. --- —.-... 288
Giddings, Marsh ---- ---.. -- 288
Giddings, Orrin N. —   -...- 288
Gidley, Townsend E. ---.. 289
Gies, Paul —. --- —----------------  289
Gifford, Milo E.-.-. —...-.. 289
Gilbert, Linus S. ---   ------- 290
Gilbert, Thomas D. --- —. ---:::- 290
Gillam, George F. ---..... ---.... —.... 290
Gillett, Amasa —. --- —-. —    290
Gillett, Martin S.. --- —--- -—.-....  291
Gillett, Shadrach. --- —-.. —  --- 291
Gilluly, John --- —----------------—. 291
Gilman, Joseph-.....  291
Gilm,)re, Arthur D......-.......... 292
Girardin, Joseph E. --- —------ 292
Glavin, John M. --- —........ --- —--- 292
Gleason, Daniel G. ---. ---..    292
Gleason, James...................... 292
Glenn, James L..-...-... ----.-. — 2J3
Glessner, Augustus S..-...-. 293
Godfroy, James J..................... -293
Godfroy, Joseph..................... 293
Godfroy, Peter-....................... 294
joebel, August —.. --- —---------- 294
oioff Sewell S.. —  ---—. ---- 294
Goodell, Daniel ----------—. —. - 294
Goodell, James M.. ----. -----------  294
Goodman, Alonzo A. ---. ----.    295
Goodman, Francis --------------- 295
Goodman, Lowell. --- —---- ------- 295
Goodrich, Chauncey B............... 295
Goodrich, Enos --------------—. --- 295




INDEX.


735




PAGE.
Goodrich, John S.-_.....-.....-... 296
Goodrich, John V...........  296
Goodrich, Levi N. ---. —  --.. --- — - 296
Goodrich, Reuben --—. --- —-—. — 296
Goodwin, Daniel ---. --- —--------- 297
Goodwin, Justin ----. --- —-------- 297
Goodwin, William F —..-. ---. —.... - 298
Goodyear Henry A. --- —--.. —. 298
Gordon, Henry...................... 298
Gordon, James Wright. --- ——.. 298
Gorham, Charles T. --- —----------- 299
Gorman, James S. —. --- —------------ 299
Gould, Amos --------- -----—.. --- —-300
Gould, James. ---.. --- —-----—.-.- 300
Gould, James J ------------------ 300
Gower, Cornelius A... ---. --- — 300
Grace, Benjamin —... ---.. --- —----- 301
Graham, James;. ------—. --- —-—.- 301
Graham, Jonathan B --—. —..-.. —.- 301
Granger, Bradley F. --- —---... —.- - 302
Granger, Elihu...................... 30z
Granger, George H. ----.-. --- —------ 302
Grant, Alexander-.... ----...... 302
Grant, Claudius B. —.. --- —. ----.-.. 303
Grant, Robert J-............... 303
Graves, Benjamin F. ----. —.... —.. 303-4
Graves, William..-............. 304
Gray, Edgar L. ---.. --- ——. --- —....- 304
Gray, James S. --------------—. —. --- 305
Gr4y, Neil.-... — -------—..-... ---- 305
Green, Albertus L ---... —.-.-....... 305
Green, Edward H. --- —--—.-.-... —. 306
Green, Isaac -----------------—...  306
Green, James A..-.................... 306
Green, Nelson. ---... ---..-.-.....-.. 307
Green, Noah K8.....     -. —1-.....  807
Green, Orson —.. ----..... --- —---—.- 307
Green, Sanford M. —..-..-.......-.-. 307
Greene, Daniel C -—. —. --- —-—.. ---- 308
Greenfield, Alson -..-... —..-......-. 308
Greenfield, John --—... ---... --- —-. 308
Greenly, William L -—.. --- —-----—. 303
Gregory, Charles-                 309
Gregory, Charles S. --- —. --- —----- 309
Gregory, John M. ---—..........-.... 310
Gregory, William H.    -------- 310
Gregory, William S ---------------- 3.C
Greiner, Michael —. —....-. --- —----- 311
Grenell, Judson —..-. —. --- —...-. --- 311
Greusel, John —...-..-.-. --- — --—.. 311
Gridley, G. Thompson -------—. --- 312
Grier, Theophilus C. --- —----------- 312
Griffey, Clinton G.... —......... 312
Grimes, Thompson ---—. —.... —.-.. 312
Grinnell, John --—..................- 312
Griswold, Augustus D ---—.-. --- —-- 313
Griswold, George R.................. 313
Griswold, Harrison W.... —, --- —--- 313
Groesbeck, Charles 0. ---—. ---. ----. 313
Grosvenor, Ebenezer 0..-............ 314
Grosvenor, Ira O0.......-      314
Grove, John ---------—. —.-..... --- —   314
Grovier, Isaac J... ----..-..-..... 314
Gulick, Nicholas-.___-....... 315
Gulley, Alfred....................... 315
Gulley, Alfred B.....-.......    315
Gullifer, Freeman 0.. —. --- —.-.- 315
Gunning, James —. ----.. —... ---.. 315
H.
Haack, Bernard..................... 316
Hackett, Walter —.-... --- —---------   316
Hagaman, Francis H.....-........... 316
Haight, Salmon L.................... 316






PAGE.
Haire, Robert A.-.................... 316
Halbert, Horace.....3................17
Hale, David B.....................- 817
Hale, William.-. --- —.........- 317
Hall, Alfred D.-...................... 317
Hall, Frederick --- —.-... ---....-. 318
Hall, Henry --- —-3. —.. ---. —  818
Hall, Horatio ----------------—. --- 318
HallaMoses-...................... —.... 318
Hall, Salmon C., --- ——..................... 318
Hall, Talman W..................... 319
Hamilton, John.-. --- —-.... 8319
Hamilton, Nathaniel A. --- —- 319
Hammond, Andrew G        -...-.-..-.-.... 319
Hammond, Charles G.-. ----. 320
Hammond, Horace N --------------- 320
Hammond, William --------------- 320
Hampton, Charles S................. 320
Hance, John W.-...... 320
Hand, George E. ----—. --- —-------- 321
Hand, Michael —. --- —-------- 321
Hankerd, Patrick. --- ——.-.-. — ---- 321
Hannah, Perry --—. --- —. --- —. —.. 321
Hannahs, George --- —-, -  -..  322
Hanscom, Alfred H. —.. --- —------ 322
Harbaugh, David E.... ----.....-.. 322
Harden, William F -—. --- —-. 323
Harding, Fisher A.-.-..... 323
Harford, William M. —. ----. --- —- 323
Harger, Seeley —...... --- —--------- 324
Harkness, John U -. ---. — 324
Harmon, Henry H... --- —------- 324
Harper, Egbert P ---- ---------—..-. 324
Harrington, Chas. F.... --- —-------- 324
Harrington, Dan'l B.. --- —-—.... 325
Harrington, Ebenezer B. --- —-—.- 325
Harris, Edward W       -.-....... 325
Harris, Israel V.............. —.-. --- 326
Harris, Myron —. --- ------. ---. ---  326
Harris, Thomas W. --- ——. --- —- 3!6
Harris, William... --- —--—.....-. 326
Harshaw, Andrew -----------—.- 327
Hart, Alvin N..- ----------- 327
Hart, Henry-.. ---   --------- 327
Hartson, Wm. W. --- —----------—.- 327
Hart, Jonathan ------------ 328
Hart, Noah H._ --- —------------  328
Hartsuff, Joseph L.. —. --- —-------- 328
Harvie, Andrew —      _.. --- ——.- 328
Harvey, Barzilla J ---—. --- —---- 329
Hascail, Charles C.. --- ——. ---- 32-.- 39
Hascall, Volney -------—. --- —--- 329
Haskins, Haran -----------.-. --- 330
Haskin, Nelson --- -----   ---- 330
Hastings, Eurotas P. —... --- —-- 330
Hatch, Barnabas C. ----------------- 330
Hatch, Herschel H.. --- —--------- 331
Hatch, Reuben --- —--------—.- 331
Hathaway, Hiron. --- —3 --- —---- 331
Hatheway, Gilbert.-, --- ——. —. --- — 331
Haven, Martin-..-..,- 332
Hawes, Josiah L..................... -332
Hawkins, Duane.................... 332
Hawkins, Lucius D. —..-..- 332
Hawley, Chauncey-   ---------  333
Hawley, Elijah, Jr. ---.   -    333
Hawley, Thomas D.................. 33
Hawley, Richard. --- —------ —. 8333
Hayden, Henry A.. --- —-—. --- — - 334
Hayden, Henry -...-..... ----.... 334
Hayden, Philotus-,................... 334
Haves, Eleazer B. --- —-. —.    334
Hayes, Nathan B-...- 334
Haynes, Harvey ------—.3.. --- — 835
Hays, Andrew L.................. 835
Haywood, James E.-.3..-..... - 835






736


INDEX.


PAGE.
Hazard, Chester. —. --- —, ---. —...... 335
Haze, Charles W..-....   336
Haze, William H -........ --- —-.- 336
Hazen, Ezra --- —-. --- —----—.. ---.. 336
Hazen, Luke --- ——.... —... —.... 336
Hazleton, George H................. 337
Healey, Wm. P.........-... 337
Heath, John S. —,.-........ 337
Hebard, Charles A._ --- —-    -A 338
Heisterman, Carl..-.. ---. —.....- 3&;8
Hemingway, George F............... 338
Hemingway, William-_      F........ 338
Henderson, Eden F..-....... 338
Henderson, Henry P..-...... —.... 339
Henry, Charles R......... --- —-  339
Herrington, Caleb --- —----------—...... 339
Herrington, Cass E.-....  339
Hertzler, Christian-.............  340
Hewitt, Alexander...... 340
Hewitt, Cyrus ------------- ----—..-. 340
Hewitt, Henry --.. --- —-------—... 341
Hewitt, Lauren K.-............. 341
Hewitt, Walter B............. 341
Hickman, Harris H —.-......... —.. 341
Hicock, Jas. W.....................  343
Hicks, Melancthon W.....        3....  342
Higby, Samuel -----—... —.....-... 342
Higley, Hiram -..3-. --- ——....-..-.. 342
High, Oliver......................... 8342
Hill, Benjamin L..-_...... 343
Hill, E. Parker ---...... ---,-_...... 343
Hill, Frederick H.................... 343
Hill, James W. -. --- —. —.-.-.  343
Hill, Loyal W. --- —-------------- —... 344
Hill, Nicholas R3.................. 344
Hill, Samuel W..3............... 344
Himebaugh, Emanuel              344
Hinchman, Theodore H. -.-...  345
Hinds, Henry H..........-... 345
Hine, James W......................  345
Hine, Milton B.. ----...........-...  345
Hitchcock, James H. ---.. ----.... 346
Hitchings, John P. --- —-..........-.. 346
Hixon, Daniel-................ 346
Hoar, Richard M.. —...-.-....-...... 346
Hobart, Norton P...-.......... 346
Hodge, Hiram C..................... 347
Hodges, Israel S ---.................. 347
fHodgkinson, Bradshaw —.... --- —-. 347
Holbrook, John. —. -— 3.....-.-....  347
Holden, Ebenezer D. G.......-.-.-.- 347
Holland, Charles E... --- -. ---....... 348
Hollister, Isaac T.............-......  348
Hollon, Joseph A................-3. 348
Holman, Joseph H...-....-. —....... 349
Holmes, Alfred-..............  349
Holmes, Charles D.............- 349
Holmes, Silas M...... 349
Holt, Henry H -....................  350
Hoobler, Samuel R.-............  350
Hood, John G.....................-.  350
Hooker, Azel........................ 350
Hooker, Cortes P.. —..-. --- —---—..   350
Hooker, Frank A. ---................ 851
Hopkins, George H.................. 351
Hopkins, Harvey J....3..-..-..  351
Hopkins, Moses B................... 352
Hopkins, Samuel W............-.... 352
Horner, John Scott................ 352
Horr, Roswell G.-..............-. -..   358
Horton, Dexter...................... 353
Hosford, Frank H................... 853
Hosford, Oramel.................... 53
Hosner, Orcott V.....................  54
Hotchkiss, Lauren-................. 854
Houk, Theodore G.......      3.-.  854


PAGE.
Houghton, Douglass................ 355
House, Elisha J.....  355
Houseman, Julius ----------—.. --- — 355
Houston, John3.............. 356
Howard, Cyrus ---------—. --- —-... 356
Howard, Harvey H. ----—.-. --- —-- 356
Howard, Henry --- ——....... --- —- -- 356
Howard, Jacob M. —. --- ——.... --- 357-8
Howard, Joshua -------—. ---. --- —.. 358
Howard, Manly D. --- —----—.. —.. 358
Howard, Orrin H --..       358
Howard, Sumner -—. --- ——. --- —-. 359
Howard, Wm. A. ---. --- —-.- 359-60
Howe, Abel N... —.-.-.... —.-...... 360
Howe, John —. --- —--—. ---. --- —. — 360
Howe, Orin —. —..-. --- —--- —.... —. 360
Howell, Andrew --- ——.... --- —-—..  360
Howell, George —. --- ——. --- —----- 361
Howell, William T.................. 361
Howland, Simpson —.-. --- —----—. 361
Hoyt, Birney --- —.....     362
Hoyt, Herbert H.. ----. --- —-. 362
Hoyt, James M ---- —. —.-. —.-.. 362
Hoyt, John P. ----....... 62
Hoyt, William C -. --- —----—.-. ---. 363
Hub bard, Collins B.-. --- —-......... 363
Hubbard, Giles        - -. — ---------—.... 363
Hubbard, John H..-...         363
Hubbard, Leonidas ----------------- 364
Hubbell, Jay A. -......... 364
Hubbell, Sardis F. --- —.     - 364
Huckins, Israel. —..-..-..-......... 365
Hudson, Bradley P. ----. --- —-. ----.. 365
Hudson, Jonathan. ---... --- —.-..-.. 365
Hueston, James -.- ------—. --- —---- 365
Huff, Henry —. --- —----  I. ---- -.. — 365
Huggett, George ---------—.-. --- —- 366
Hughes, Rossel B.... --- —-. ----... — 366
Hulbert, Edwin J. ---. --- —-------—. 366
Hull, Tyler..-.. --- —----------—.. —. 366
Hull, William —.. --- —-------—.-. ---   366
Humphrey, Elijah 0.. ----. --- —-—.. 367
Humphrey, John -------------—.... 367
Humphrey, Levi S. --- —-------—.. — 367
Humphrey, William ----.. --- —-... 368
Hunt, Cleveland. --- —--—..-..-. ---. 368
Hunt, Edmund W. --- —- ---------- 368
Hunt, James B. ---- ------------------ 369
Hunt, Leonard H. —. --- —-—. --- 369
Huntington, George M. --—. --- —-- 369
Hurd, Homer C......      -—.. --- —- 369
Hurd, John S...-,-    -..... 370
Hurlbut, William H.. —. --- —--—.. 370
Hussey, Erastus --—. ---.-..-. ----   370
Huston, Benjamin W. --- —--------- 370
Hutchins, Allen-.. —...  371
Hutchinson, Loomis................. 371
Hyde, Benjamin F....-............... 371
I.
Ingalls, Charles W.................. --- —. 372
Ingalls, Daniel F. --- —---—.. --- —--- 372
Ingersoll, John N. —. --- —--------- 372
Ireland, Silas-.G --- —----------  -  373
Irwin, WWm. W -—... --- —-. --- —-- 373
Isbell, Nelson G.. --- —------— 8 --- —-- 873
Isham, Edwin B.. --- —--      - 373
Ives; Samuel G ---------------------- 373
J.
Jackson, Andrew................... 374
Jay William........................ 374
Jenison, Henry H..................-.. 74






INDEX.


737


PAGE.
Jenison, William F. —..... — 374
Jenkins, William B —.. —       375
Jenks, Bela W... ---- ---—... —. ---.. 375
Jenks, Jeremiah.. ----. —. ----. --- 375
Jenness, John S. —.. ---- -- —... 375
Jenney, William —. --- —----------- 376
Jennings, Ira --—... —.. --- ---------- 376
Jennison, Hiram —. --- —------—. 376
Jennison, William —..-. --- —----—. 376
Jerome, David H. --- —----       377
Jerome, George ----. —. --- —-—. --- —- 377
Jerome, Timothy-_.-. ---.. —. ---. - 378
Jewell, Edward.-..... —..... — 378
Jewell, Joseph B ------—... —.. ---. — 378
Jewett, George W. --- —----------- 378
Johnson, Daniel-                379
Johnson, Daniel F. —. —. --- —------- 379
Johnson, David —...... --- —--—...- 379
Johnson, J. Eastman -------------—. 379
Johnson, Franklin -—.. ----. --- —---- 379
Johnson, James —.. --- —-----------—. 380
Johnson, Samuel-... --- —-—. —.. 380
Johnson, Welcome W... --- —------ 380
Jones, DeGarmo.. --- —--—.- ----- 380
Jones, Edward L.- --—. --- —-—. — 381
Jones, George — C. --- —-. --- —-—.- 381
Jones, George --- —--—. —. --- ——. --- 381
Jonea, Gillam C.-.. --- —----—. ----  381
Jones, John D....-.... —.. --- —-.. --- 382
Jones, John H. - --   -----     382
Jones, Richard-       -----—..382
Jones, Whitney ------ --—. --- —-- 382
Jones, William T. --- —--—, --- —--- 383
Joslyn, Chauncey --------—.. --- —-- 383
Joy, James F... —............... ---- -- 383
Judd, Ethel. --- —---------. --- —----   384
Judkins, J. Byron.-................ 384
K.
Kallander, Martin-.................. 384
Kanouse, Jacob -......... ---...-.. — - 385
Kanter, Edward. --- —-------—. --- 385
Kearsley, Jonathan-._.._..-.. 385
Kedzie, Robert C. --- —------------- 385
Kedzie, William.. --- —--—.-. --- —- 386
Keeler, Richard... —. --- —---- 386
Keeney, Andrew J................... 386
Keeney, Salmon —... --- —------------- 386
Keightlv, Edwin W.. --- ——. —... — 387
Keith, William A.. --- —----------- 387
Kellogg, Edwin-.. ----. --- —-------- 387
Kellogg, Francis W..-................ —  387
Kellogg, John R..-.. —. ---.... — --- 388
Kellogg, Oliver -.. —.. --- —--—., --- 388
Kellogg, Shiverick -....-..... -- 388
Kelly, Harrison................. --- 388
Kelley, Mark N —.. --- —-------—.. 388
Kelley, Robert J..................... 389
Kelsey, Newell J ----—. --- —,. --- —-- 389
Kelsey, Sullivan R. --- —-.. --- —-.-.- 389
Kempf, Reuben          -.......... 390
Kendrick, Frank --------—.-. --- —-  390
Kendrick, Frederick G.............. —   390
Kendrick, Lucius-     -.-.. ---- 390
Kennedy, Frederick A, Jr-.. -.-.- 391
Kenhedy, Frederick A., Sr --------- 391
Kenney, Munnis..................... 391
Kenny, Myron C -. --- —--------—.- 391
Kent, Richard... — -----—. —.-.... 392
Kent, William A   -.. ----   -- 392
Kenyon, John. --- —----—.... -. ---.- 392
Kercheval, Benjamin B.. ----.-   392
Keyes, Danforth-.............. 393
Kibbee, Rufus....................... 393


PAGE.
Kibbee, Henry C. --- —-—. --- —--- 393
Kibbee, Porter-............. 393
Kilbourne, Joseph H.. —.. --- —-—.   394
Kilbourne, Samuel L -...- 394
K llean, John -. --- —---------... ----  394
Kilpatrick, Win. M.-... --- —-—. — 394
Kimberly, Ebenezer C-..- --- 395
King, Edward  ---........ 395
King, Gideon G.. --- ——..- 395
King, John B —.. — ----------—. ----,  395
King, Nathan G.-. --- —-------—. 395
Kingsbury, Solomon 0.. ----—. --- 396
Kingsley. James --- —------------—.- 396
Ktnne, Daniel.,.-  -...... -  396
Kinne, Edward D...... --- —-----—.- 396
Kipp, George —............ --- —-—... 397
Kipp, James.. --- -. --- —-—. ---. ----. 397
Kirby, William J... —..........-...-. 397
Kirchner, Otto ---- - -----. ---- 397
Kirkland, George --------------—.... 398
Kirkpatrick, William M.- ---  - 398
Klei, Henry_-.........:  398
Klein, Peter -----—. ---. —. --- —---- 898
Knapp, Alonzo F....-..-. 399
Knapp, Cornelius —.. —.. --- —-—.-. 399
Knapp, Jacob -----------—. --- —--—. 399
Knapp, Samuel 0..... --- —.-. ---.. — 399
Kneeland, George W. —........ 399
Knight, Godfrey E. ---. --- —--------- 400
Knight, Henry C.-.......... --- 400
Knight, Nathan.-...... 400
Knight, Richbard -—. --- —---------- 400
Knowlton, Eldridge G...... --- —---- 401
Koon, Ezra L..... 401
Kuhn, Joseph-.-.....-.-.... —... ---- 401
Kurth, Frederick W. A. --- —.-. ---- 401
L.
Lacey, Edward S....-.-. --- — ------ 401
Lacey, Elijah. --- —----------—.. ----  402
Lacey, Obed P....................... 402
Lacey, Samuel S..... --- —--- ----- 402
Ladd, Nathaniel ---------—. --- —  403
La Du, Stallham W..-  -..-     403
Laing, William P... --- —----------- 403
Laing, William S.-..        403
Lakey, Albert L. —...-..   403
Lamb, Jacob C....................... 404
Lamb, John M.-. —. --- —------------ 404
Lamond, Robert D.-. — I ---. --- 405
Lancaster, Colombia ---------------- 405
Landon, John ----...................... 405
Landon, Rufus W..........    405
Laae, Minot T...   -         406
Lane, Peter. ----......-............- 406
Lane, Thomas D. --—.-. --- — ------- 406
Langdon, Nathaniel. ----------—.. -- 406
Lapham, Leander.................. 407
Lamed, Charles.................... 407
Larue, Jas.B........................ 407
Lathrop, Henry B.-.-. 408
Lathrop, Horace N. --- —-----—.. --- 408
Latimer, W. Irving................. 408
Latourette, David L.-.,-, 409
Laubach, Benjamin. --- —------—.- 409
Lawrence, Peter ------------------- 409
Lawrence, Solomon L. —.. --- —----   409
Lay, Eza D..-....................... 409
Leach, Dewitt C.. -.-...... ----. --- 410
LeBarron Sirrell C-    -........... 410
Ledyard, Henry..-    -—.. 410
Lee, Daniel L........................ 411
Lee George W.. --------------------- 411
Lee, James-....-...................... 411






738


INDEX.


PAGE.
Lee, James B..............  412
Lee, Josiah...-....- 412
Leech, Gurdon C.......... --- —---. 412
Leech, Payne K....-..-.. 412
Leetch, Andrew J -----—. —. ---- 412
Leitch, John -.. —.. --- —- --—. — 413
Leland, Elijah-.., 4.1...,   413
Leland, Joshua G.................... 413
Leonard, Joseph C. --- —-. --- —----- 413
Leroy, Daniel. ----. —. --- —-—. --- 418
Leroy, John P. —.. ----.. ---....... — 414
Lester, George S. ---. -----—.....,,.- 414
Lewis, Amos --- —-----------—. —. - 414
Lewis, George ------------—., --- — 414
Lewis, John D. —.... ---.    -   15
Lewis, Nathaniel W. ----. ---- 415
Lewis, Thomas ------------—.. —. 415
Lewis, William..-.. --- —...... — 415
Lincoln, Lansing E. ---. —. --- —--- 416
Linderman, Peter --- —------—.. ---- 416
Linton, William S.. —.4.6 ----.- 416
Littell, William E.-. ---... --- — 416
Little, Charles D.-. --- —----..  417
Littlejohn, Flavius J.............. 417
Littlejohn, Philetus 0. -—.... —.- 417
Livingston, William, Jr. —..... --- 418
Livermore, Fidus-....... —    418
Livermore, John S. --- —-----—. —... 418
Locke, Charles. ---- ------- —. 418
Lockwood, James K.. --- —---—. — 419
Lockwood, Major F.... —... 419
Lockwood, Thomas W.. --- —----- 419
Lomison, John..-.....-..... ---- 419
Long, Jeremiah D... —.... 420
Longyear, John W... ---.- -  420
Look, Henry M. — -..-........ ---- 42(
Loomis, Peter B --—....-..4 --- —-- 421
Loomis, Thomas M. ---.. --- ——. —  421
Lord, Henry W. ----.-........ -..- 421
Lothrn p, Edwin H.- -—.-.. ---. --- 421
Lothrop, George V. N. --- —-...,. 422
Lovell, Cyrus.....-.... 422
Lovell. Enos T..-.. --- —-..-. ---.   422
Lovell, George W.-.. —........... — 423
Lovell, Louis -............. 423
Lovell, Lafayette W.. --- —--—..- 423
Lowry, John.... ---................ 423
Luce, Chas. D.-..-..4..4..-......... 424
Luce Cyrus Gray ------—.........424-5
Ludir gton, Jeremiah, Jr. --—... — 425
Ludlow, Luther H... --- —------—..- 425
Ludlow, Samuel. --- —-...... —. —.. 425
Luther, George —.. —..... --- —. ---. 426
Lyon, Lucius -—.... --- ——. —... 426
Lyon, Truman H.-.....  426
M.
Macdonald, James H. ---.. —. 426
Mack, Almon - -... ---..............   427
Mack, Andrew...................... 427
Mack, Stephen -.......4. —.-. —.-. 427
Makelim John.-...... 428
Makley, Peter D.-. ----.. --- —-- 428
Malcolm, Robert W................ 428
Mallett, Chas. G.................... 428
Mallory, Chas. F. - --. —.- 429
Maltz, Geo. L -.................. 429
Mandigo, James W............-... 429
Manly, Charles H.................-.   430
Mann, Emanuel....4.............   430
Manning, Randolph..4............ 430
Manwaring, Joseph...       431
Mtanwaring, Joshua................. 481
Marantette, Patrick........... 431


PAGE.
Markey, Daniel P. —.. --- —-... 431
Markey, Matthew —..-..-........ 432
Markham, Giles B. --- —...... --- — 432
Mars, Thomas --—. --- —.... ---..- 432
Marston, Isaac.-..-...... 433
Martin, E. Broox-...4......... 433
Martin, George-..........  434
Martin, John -......... —,..-.  434
Martin, Mortimer B. --   -    - 434
Martin, Stephen --- -—.        435
Martin, Wells R. --—.. --- —.. — 435
Mason, Anthony L.. —....   435
Mason, Henry......   436
Mason, H. M-.-...... 436
Mason, John T. ---—..          436
Mason, Lorenzo M. --- —. --- —--- 436
Mason, Stevens Thomson ----—...- 437
Mather, Alonzo T.-. -.-4 --- ——. 438
Matthews, George.....-        438
Matthews, Levi C. ----. --- —------ 438
Matthews, Rufus — -...... —. —.- 438
Matthews, Thomas P --—.. ---. —.... 439
May, Benjamin --- —..-.. ---   439
May, Charles S ----—. --- —-—. 439
May, Dwight.-. --- — -------.  440
May, Henry F........................ 440
May, James —.-. --—.....-..- 440
Maybury, William C. --- —----—, 440
Mayhew, Ira -....-....-.....-...... 441
Maynard, Aaron B. --—.   --- 441
Maynard, Loren, -----------—.... 442
Mayo, Perry -----—.... —........, 442
Maxwell, Andrew C. -—...      442
McAllister, George C. -------—. 442
McArthur, William —... ----..- 443
McCamley, Sands...-.. 443
McCarty, Thomas. —  ----—. —..- 443
McClelend. Hugh-.         4... 443
McClelland, Robert. --- —-.. --- —- 444
McCormick, Henry F............   445
McCormick, James W -.. ---—..  445
McCreery, Wim. B ------—. ----.. — 445
McCurdy, Hugh ---.............. 445
McCutcheon, Warren ----—.    - 446
McDermid, John.-.... -- —....- 446
McDermott, John -------—. —...- -- 446
McDonald, James --- —. --- —------- 447
McDonnel, John --- —------------- 447
McDougall, Malcolm ------—. ----. 447
McElroy, Crockett -....   447
McFarlane, James ----—.. —.   448
McGaffey, Neal --- —  --—....... —. 448
McGinnis, Patrick.-.... 448
McGonegal, James --........,.. 449
McGowan. James H.-...........- 449
McGraw, Thomas....... — -----—. 449
McGregor, John A. --- —-------—..- 449
VtcGurk, James R........ 449
McIntye, Donald..       450. 450
Mclntyre, Dugald.. --- —----—. 450
McKay, George R. — 450
McKee, Robert G. --- —-4 —5 --- — 450
McKeen, Silas D.-. --- —--------- 451
McKey, Anthoy..-..........    451
McKernan, John Q......  451
McKie, James L. —...... --- —- 451
McKinney, John ----..      452 --- —.- 452
McKnight, Sheldon................  452
McLachlin, Dyckes. --- —- 4.52 ---  452
McMahon, James -45 --- —---- 452
McMahon, Joel W... --- —---- 4.. 453
McMartin, Daniel D............. 453
McMillan, Neal........,........... 453
McNabb, John W.................... 453
McNair, William.......      454
McNaughton, Moses A....,.-.... 454


i




739


INDEX.


PAGE.
McNeil, John L.-.-...      ----- 454
McPeek, Jacob L. -. --- —-—. --- —- 454
McPherson, William, Jr. ----------- 455
McReynolds, A. T. —. --- —        455
Meacham, Geo.    ------------- 456
Mead, Darius --- —------------------ 456
Mead, Elisha F.. --- —---     456
Mead, Henry S. ----_   --         456
Mears, l'harles —.... —. ---- 456
Mellen, John N........ --- —-- 457
Menzie, David ------—... --- —--- 457
Mercer, James -----------—. --- —---- 457
Mercer, William ----—.. --- —- 457
Merrill, Elias W. --- ——. —. — 458
Metcalf, Abraham T..-..-.. --- — 458
Metcalf, Alfred R. --- —------------ 458
Meyer, Henry...... —        45S
Meyer, Louis-..-.. — -—. —. --- —--- 459
Mickle, John -. — -- -------- 459
Mickley, Charles E. ----..... ----  459
Miles, Cyrus ---------—. --- —----  459
Miles, Fabius --------------------- 459
Miles, George. — -----------      460
Miles, Marcus H. --- —-----------  460
Millard, Winfield S. ---- ------------ 460
Miller, Albert ----------. ----------- 461
Miller, Eli R.. --- —----------—. ---- 461
Miller, Henry. --- —--- ---   --- 461
Miller, John C.. --- —--------------- 461
Miller, John. —. --- —-------------- 462
Miller, Joseph. --- —---------------- 462
Miller, Leonard ----------------  462
Miller, Lewis T... -. ---- ------------ 462
Miller, Lucien B...... --- —. --- —-- 462
Miller, Norton L...-. --- --------- 463
Miller, Oliver.-. ----. --- —--------- 463
Miller, Richard C....-   ----    463
Millington, Abel ------------------- 463
Millington, Chas. R. ---- ------------ 463
Mills, Alfred J..... --- —--------—..- 464
Mills, Charles B.... --- —------------ 464
Mills, John W..... — -----—. — --- 464
Mills, William S. --- —--------------- 464
Millspaugh, Hiram ----------------- 465
Minnie, Joseph P. ---- ---------- 465
Mitchell, Preston —. ----. --- —-—. —. 465
Mitchell, Thomas-_.   -. --- —- 465
Mitchell, Wm. H. C. --- —----------- 466
Mitchell, Wm. T ---. --- —. --- —---  466
Moe. Otto -------------------- --- ---- 466
Moffatt, Orlando --- —-------     466
Moffatt, Seth C.-. --- —------------- 466
Monfore, Isaac --------—. --- —- 467
Monroe, Charles J..~ --- —.. --- —-- 467
Monroe, Darius -. —. ----. --- —- 467
Monroe, James-      ------       468
Montague, Daniel N. -----..-  468
Montague, Henry:.. ----.. --- —------ 468
Montgomery, John ---—.. --- —------ 468
Montgomery, Martin V..-. --- —--- 468
Montgomery, Robert M.-. -....    469
Montgomery, William H.-..... --- 469
M ontgomery, William R.-.. —.. —  469
Moody, Wm. J. -.-.-... —. --- —------ 470
Moon, John W.-...-................... 470
Moore, Alexander H. -...- -   470
Moore, Charles F.-     - -..- 471
Moore, Edward S.................... 471
Moore, George W.........- -  471
Moore, Hiram -—..... ---.. —.-. ---.. 471
Moore, Henry M. —.....-........- -.- 472
Moore, John. --- —.- -   -    -... 472
Moore, Joseph B... -. --- —-----—.-.- 472
Moore, Thomas F..........    472
Moore, William..................... 473
Moorman, Asa P...............-...... 473


PAGE.
Moran, Charles —...-........  ---- 473
Moran, George ---------------------- 473 '
Morcom, Elisha -..-. —. —. ---  474
Morell, George....................... 474
Morey, Peter -. --- —-. --- —--- 475
Morgan, Franklin E.W. --- —-------- 475
Morris, Governeur ----------—.. —475
Morris, William -—. --- —-—. --- —  476
Morrison, Alexander H.. --- —----- 476
Morrison, Win. V.................... 476
Morrison, Thomas --- —----------- 477
Morse, Allen B. -... —. --- —------ 477
Morse, Chas. H. --- —----—.-.. — - 478
Morse, John L.       -         '. --- —--- 478
Morse, Richard E................... — 478
Morton, Edward E. ---------------- 478&
Morton, Eurotas- —.... ------------ 479
Morton, Henry C. --- —. ---. ---- 479
Mosely, William F- ------------- 480
Mosher, Charles ----  -.. --- —---- 480
Mosher, Jabez S. --—. --- —-- -- 480
Moshier, James B. —. --- —--------- 480
Mosher, Thomas H. --- —----------- 480
Mottram, William-.-. ---. ---- 481
Moulton, Luther V ---... ----.-. — --- 481
Movius, Julius -. --- —-------- _. 481
Mower, Horace -.. --- —------------ 481
Mowry, Zebina M-.. --- —------ --  482
Moyers, Gilbert -------------—.... --- 482
Mulholland, James-.-... 482
Mulholland, Samuel-.. --- —-------- 482
Mulvey, John -. --- ——. --- —--------- 482
Mundy, Edward -----------—. ---- 483
Munger, Orrin W. ----------—. --- —- 483
Munger, William -----—. --- —------- 483
Murphy, John...    -................. — 484
Murphy, Seba-...-       484
Murphy, Wm.W.-... ---. — 484
Murray, Andrew ------—. --- —--- 485
Murray, Archibald Y.. --- —----- 485
Murray, Lyman-, ---------------- 485
Mussey, Dexter...................... 485
Muscott, Newton N ---------------- 485
Musgrave, Joseph ------------------ 486
Muzzy, Franklin-.... --- —---------- 486
N.
Near, John L. ---.... --- —------ - 486
Neasmith, James M................ 486
Neff, Cady ------------—. --- —--—...  487
Nelson, Charles D... ---. --- —-------- 487
Nelsor, Edward D..... 487
Nelson, Wilbur...................... 487
Nevins, John M..- -....... 488
Newberry, John S..-... ---. ---- --- 488
Newberry, Seneca ------—.. ---... — 488
Newcombe, George K.-.... 489
Newcomb, Roland B. C. --- —------ 489
Newell, John L.. --- —---------. ----.   489
Newell, Minor S. --- —------—.. --- —- 489
Newman, Almeron-......... 490
Newton, George ---...... ----........ 490
Newton, James.. —.......-......-.. 490
Newton, William -..  490
Nichols, Lewis A..... --- — —. —. ---- 491
Niles, Johnson —..... —... 491
Nims, William R.-K............. 491
Ninde, Thomas -----------------—.- 491
Nixon, Samuel...................... 492
Noah, Frank A.. —.-. ---.      492
Noble, Charles --------------—.-. ---  492
Noble, David A.-....-............. 492
Noeker Frank...................... 493
Norris, Ezra B.........-..... 493






740                     IN DEX.


PAGE.                             PAGE.
Norris, Jason B.-.......... 493 Parks, Byron F.. —. --- —--  511
Norris, Lyman D... —. --- —-. --- —-.. 494 Parmalee, Abner C.-" —:' ----' - 511
North, Seth D —... --- —-------------- 494 Parmalee, Linus S —..-. ---. --- —-- 511
North, Townsend --. --- —--- 494 Parsons, Andrew-.-..... ---.. ---... 512
Northrop. Darwin B................. 495 Parsons, Fayette-... —512
Northrop, Elijah S. ---.. —..- 495 Parsons, Jonathan-.-....-.......... 512
Northwood, John —.. --- —-. --- —..- 495 Parsons, Luke H. —.-. --- ——. —.-... 513
Norton, Henry A.._ —.. --- — 495 Parsons, Orrin-... —.- -.. 513
Norton, John D..................... ----   496 Parsons, S. Titus ---------—. --- —-. 513
Norton, John M.. --- —-------------- 496 Partridge, A zariah S.. - - - -... —. 513
Norton, Pleasant ---...-. --- —-—. 496 Partridge, Benjamin F. ---.. ----.-. 513
Norvell, John ----. ----.-. --- —--—. — 496  Patchin, Jared -----—. --- —---—. -- 514
Nowland, Moses R.. —.. --- —------ 497 Patchen, Levi ------—. --- —---—. —. 514
Noyes, Bethuel — —..-.. —. ---.. 494 Pattengill, Orlando R. --- ——. --- —- 514
Noyes, Horace A. --- —--—. --- —--- 497 Patterson, John C. --- —-—.-.-. 514
Noyes, Michael J. --- —------------—. 498 Patterson, Joseph H.-......... 515
Patterson, Michael A. --- —-.... ---- 515
0.                 Pealer, Russell R. --- —-—. — - 515
Pearl, Stephen-. —... ---—.....- 515
O'Callahan, Jeremiah ---. 498 Pease, Wiliam H. --- —---.- 515
Ocobock, Horace N. --- —-... --- —-- 498 Peck, Edward W.516
O'Dell, James ------------------- 498 Peck, George W.. --- —- 516
O'Dell, Thomas  -   -          498 Peirce, Edgar ---- ----------  16
O'Donnell, James.._ _ —      _ 499 Pendill, James P-........ 516
O'Flynn, Cornelius ------------  499 Pendleton, Edward W.-..... 517
Hgg,   Robt.  Y......................... 499 Pengra, Olin......................... 517
Ogg, Robt. Y  -    -499 Pengra, OlinG --- —-------               517
O'Grady, James-......... 500 Pennell, Orrin G     -.-.......... 517
O'Keefe, George A....... — soo --- —--- 500 Penniman, Ebenezer J --—..-... 517
O'Keefe, Richard D..-..-....      Pennington Henry F.. ---- ------ 518
Olds, Martin --- —---------     50 Pennoyer, Henry. --- ——.....- 518
Olin, Charles -..... ----  -        Perham, John B. --- —-------—.... — 18
O l i    v     e    r, John Per s, Edward Z........... ---. ---   518
Oliver, John F ----—. --- —-—,,- -,5,01 Perkins, Edward Z...-..... 518
O'Malley, Charles M.. ----. ----..- 501 Perkins, Jabez   -..R. --- —----—.-... 519
O'Reilly, Bernard ------ s --- —- 501Perrin, Henry M..            519
Osburn, John M.. --- —--          501Perrin, Porter K.....-  519
Osburn, Leander D       -.....   Perry, Aafon-520
Osburn, Reuben H.......... —........ — - 602 Perry,  din ----    520
Osborn, William H. —...P,-   502Perry, Gideon D.-.. ---.-    - 520
Osburn, Charles Y._ —,. ---    502 Persons, Alonzo E     -..-...... 520
Osmun, Gilbert R. --- —------------ 503 Peters, George  -.. —.........-.-.. --- 520
Otis Asa HT. —r,,,-,,,,,,    aPeterson, Jens G. ----,.-. 521
Oviatt, George --------------------- 50 3 Pettit, William H. H. --- —--- 521
Owen, John ----,::::::::::::::: 504 Pettit, Timothy H.-6 ---- l21
Owen, John. ----. --- —-----—. --- 504 Phelps Fich —. —.        521
Owen, Tubal C.-504 Phelps, John W. —                   -------- 521
Phelps, William -6 --- —------------- 522
Philbrick, Nathan S. —..-    522
P.                 Phillips, Delos ------—......... --- — 522
Phillips, George W. --- —---—. --- —. 523
Pack, Albert -----------         505 Phillips, John I. —. --- —.-. --- —. — 523
Packard, Frank S. --- —------------  505 Phillips, Nathaniel G. --- —------—. 523
Packard, William ------------------ 505 Phillips, Pitts ---.. --- ——..-... ---,  5'3
Packard, William 0. --- —---------- 505 Phinney, Edwin R. -----------   523
Packer, Henry ---—. --- —----------- 506 Pierce, Ansel B.. ----..... ---. ---.. — 524
Paddock, Alfred.-. -----—.. ------- 506 Pierce, Darius --—. --- —------------- 524
Pailthorp, Charles J.. -------------- 506 Pierce, John D. --- —. --- —---—. ----  524
Paine, Rodney C. --- —-------------   506 Pierce, Joseph B. -. --- —------- 525
Palmer, Chas. H. --—. --- —-----   507 Pierce, Nathan -... --- --—.- 525
Palmer, John R.. --- —--------------- 507 Pierce, Onesimus 0. ---. --- ——.. —. 525
Palmer, Lewis G. --- —------------- 507 Pierce, Peter R. L.- -.......525
Palmer, Oscar. --------------------- 507 Pierson, Benjamin --- —-------—. --- 526
Palmer, Samuel H. --- —--------- 508 Pilcher, Elijah..................  526
Palmer, Thomas W... --- —------------ 50Q8 Pitcher, Washington. ---. --- —---- 52
Palmer. Walter H. --- —------------- 508 Pitcher, Zina ----. —. 527
Palmerlee, Heman ----—. --- —------ 508 Pitt, Frederick...................... 527
Pardee, Amaziah B.... — -. --- —--- 509 Pitts, Charles M.. -----.-... —   527
Parker, Burton. ---------   509 Platt, Zephaniah.................... 527
Parker, James H. ----. --- —----- 509 Plimpton, Emory M................. 528
Parker, John-. --- —------------ 509 Pomroy, Enos A. -.-............ 528
Parker, Leonard B..-. —. 510 Pond, Alfred........................ 528
Parker, Leroy ----------------—.. 510 Pond, Cornelius V. R..-..... 528
Parker, Sampson —.................... 5610 Pond, Elihu B....-.S. 528
Parker. Warren ----    ----- 510 Pond, Jared... --- ----—. --- —-—.- 528
Parkhill, Charles P.. 510 Poppleton, Orrin-............ 529
Parkhurst, Jonathan G..-t —   511 Poppleton, William............. -   629
Parkhurst, Nathan C........-  - -- 511 Porter, Augustus S.................. 530


I








INDEX.


741


PAGE.
Porter, George B.. --- ——.. ------ 530
Porter, James B -. --- —------------ 530
Porter, John -.. —... --- — ---—. --- —- 531
Porter, Lewis --- —-------------------  531
Porter, Micah ------—. ---. --- -- 53l
Post, Floyd L: ---. --- —-----------   531
Post, Samuel -—,-. —. ---     531
Potter, Allen ---—. --- —-—. ----  532
Potter, Calvin B. —. --- —------ - 532
Potter, Fordyce H.. --- ——. —.. — 532
Potter, George N...-,-. —    532
Poucher, Anthony -----------—. — 533
Powell, Milo. --- — -. --- —----------- 533
Power, Nathan —.. ---.. --- —----—.-  533
Power, Pliny —..-..-.-...... --- —---- 533
Power, Robert D. --- ——. --- —---- 533
Powers, William -........-..-...-. —  531
Powers, William H. -------------- 534
Pratt, Abner --- —---------—.. --- —--- 534
Pratt, Daniel L. ----- ----------- 53t
Pratt, Foster — 5-. --- —. --- —---   53.5
Pratt, William A..... ---. ---. — 535
Pray, Esek-..-,.... --- —-.. —. —.. 535
Pray, George. --- —-. --- —-------- 536
Preston, Almon E. -------------- 536
Preston, S. Horace --------—. ----  536
Prevost, Francis J., --- —----------- 536
Price, Layman B. -----—.. — 537
Priest, Deliverance S.. --- —-------- 537
Prindle, Clarence W. --- —-------- 537
Pringle, Eugene..................... 537
Pritchard, Benjamin D. --- —-----   538
Pritchett, Kintzing-  ----------- 538
Probert, William. --- —----------- 538
Prutzman, Abraharm C. --- —-------- 538
Pollen, Nicholas W. --- —-       -- 539
Pulver, Henry H. ---. —. --- —---,539
Purcell, William. --- —-...-..- -—, 539
Putnam, Uzziel, Jr.- —...-.. — ------ 539
R.
Rairden, John....-.................. 540
Ralph, Stillman.. --- —------—. — 540
Ramsdell, Jonathan G. --- ——. --- —- 540
Ramsdell, Norton R..-..... —.......... 51
Ramsdell, Thomas J............... ---- 541
Randall, Caleb D..-   —... —     541
Randall, Harvey -—.. --- —-—. --- —- 541
Rankin, Francis H. —................-  542
Ranney, Lemuel S. —.-. --- —..     542
Ranney, Peyton ----—.. --- —---—. 512
Ransom, Epaphroditus --- —------- 542-3
Ransom, Fletcher................... 544
Ransom, James W.-... ----.-. —  544
Raymond, Henry-.............. —...... 544
Raymond, Henry S............ ---...... 545
Raymond, Hiram.. --- —--------- 515
Raymond, Mahlon H.. --- —--      - 545
Raynale, Ebenezer................. —. 546
Read, Gilbert E.. ---. --- —-------—.-  546
Reader, George H. --- —--------  546
Redfield, Alexander H. --- —-------- 546
Redield, George....................- -   547
Redfleld, Heman J -—. --- —--—.- - 547
Reed, Charles P. --- —-----—.-. ---- 547
Reed, Lucien.-.-   --- -------—. — 548
Reed, Marshal ---.. --- —-------  548
Reed, Rasselas.....................-.. 548
Reilly, Cornelius J.. --- —---—. --- — 548
Remer, Lawrence T. —. —5-. --- —.- 548
Remick, George B.. ---..-.-.-      549
Reno, John..... ---.................... 549
Rentz, Theodore.................... —. 549
Renwick, George.................. —. 549
8 -

PAGE.
Renwick, John. --- —-------------—.. 550
Reynolds, Asa. ---. ---.    ----    550
Reynolds. Edwin W.,.. --- —....   550
Rice, John A. ----. --- —--   --- 551
Rice, Justin-.......................... 551
Rich, Hampton. -.     ---—.    - 551
Rich, John T.... --- ------------------- 551
Richard, Gabriel...................-. 552
Richards, Win. P..-  -....-       552
Richardson, David M. ---. —  553
Richardson, Geo. F. ---—. --- —------ 583
Richardson, John H..-............... 55
Richardson, Origen D ---------—... 553
Richardson, Paschal ---—. --- —---- 554
Richmond, Charles H. --- —-. --- —-- 554
Richmond, Charles L. ----. --- —-—, - 554
Richmond, Wmin. A. —. --- —--------- 554
Rider, Ira ---—.-. ----. --- — 555
Riford, Almond B.. --- —------------ 555
Riley, Henry H -.......           555
Riopelle, Claude N ---—. --- —------- 556
Riopelle, Hyacinthe F............... 556
Ripley, Thomas C.. --- —---—.. 556
Risdon, Orange --- —---------—. — 556
Rix, Oel-.. --- —-         ----    557
Robbins, Richard B. --- —----------  557
Roberts, Elijah J.. ---. --- —--- 557
Roberts, John -.. —. --- —--- ----  557
Robertson, Alexander --- —-. --- ——..   558
Robertson, Andrew S. --- —-. —. --- — 558
Robertson, George. --- —---------  558
Robinson, Elisha S............. --- —..... 558
Roeinson, George J.....: -----------  559
Robinson, George P... --- —----—.-  559
Robinson, James W.. --- —--------- 559
Robinson, Rix.. --- —--—.- ------- 559
Robinson, Robert...... ----. --- —-  559
Robinson, Solon E.-.. --- —-------  560
Robinson, Walter. --- —------—.. 560
Robison, Andrew ---—. ---. ---..-  560
Robison, John J.. ----. --- —-------—. 560
Rockwood, Chandler H. -—.-..     561
Rogers, Jeremiah M., --- — -------- 561
Romeyn, James W. --- ——. ---5 --- —  561
Rood, Horace D. --- —-----------—.-  561
Roof, Albert K....................... 561
Roof, Adam L....................... 562
Roost, John —. —.. --- —--------  562
Root, Amos.......................... ----  562
Root, Roland. --- —--—. --- —------   563
Root, Roswell ----------------- -- 563
Root, Wmin. W...... --- —-.. ---....... 563
Rork, Asa D..      ---------- 564
Rose, David G. —. ---. --- —------------ 564
Rose, Elias O......................... 564
Robertson, John --- —-—. --- —------ 565
Rose,Wm. H, -----------------------  565
Ross, Giles --- —-5..... --- —------ 565
Ross, John D.. ---------------------- 565
Rounsville, Frank G. ---. --- —-—. 566
Row, Samuel H...................-..-  566
Rowe, Squire W..-           --- 566
Rowland, David H.. --- —-----  ----  566
Rowland, Thomas. --- —---------- 567
Rowlson, Harvey B. —. --- —--------- 567
Ruehle, John V -------.- 567
Rummel, John G. --- —------------— ' 568
Rumsey, Marshall E. --- ——. ---- 568
Runyan, Hiram D. --- —-----—. ---- 563
Runyan, Philip E.     ----         69
Russell, Frederick J.... —.       69
Russell, Henry C.. ----.................. 569
Russell, James I..................... 569
Russell, Josiah -...................... 569


I




742


INDEX.


S.
PAGE.
Sackett, David —... —,.-...- 570
Sackrider, George W.-..I... 570
Salyer, Nathan-.......        570
Sanborn, Cummings ---. ----.........  670
Sanborn, Jas. W... —.-...-... ---.... 571
Sanborn, William.-....-   —. 571
Sanderson, Rudolphus ---------—.. 571
Sanford, Geo. P.... --- —------------- 572
Saunders, Harry -.. —...... --- —--- 572
Sawyer, Andrew J. —.......... 572
Sawyer, Franklin, Jr. ---. --- —-. — 573
Sawyer, Jacob C. --- —... —.. 573
Schars, Peter..- --....... 573
Schattler, Casper F.-........... 573
Schermerhorn, Barthol. W —.... --- 574
Schoolcraft, Henry R -... --- —---- 574
Schwarz John E..-574
Scott, John -..-...       575
Scott, Samuel M. ---........ --- —.- 575
Scott, Winfield...................... 575
Sedgwick, George. --------------  575
Seeley, Elijah B..-. --- —-. --- —.... - 576
Sellers, L. Mcknight -....  576
Sessions, Alonzo..-............. 576
Sessions, William...... --- —-—. — 577
Seward, Julian M. ----.. --- —------ 577
Sexton, Jared A. -........ 577
Seymour, Elisha G.................. 577
Seymour, Henry.................... 577
Seymour, Henry W -.. --- —---—. —. 578
Seymour, James -—.-. ----. --- —.. —  578
Shanahan, Edward -. --- —------—.- 578
Shank, Hulbert B............- 578
Sharp, John C ----—.. --- —----—.- 579
Sharpe, Peter.......-. ---.......,.... 579
Sharts, Derwin W —.-.-.-...........- 580
Shattuck, Gilbert ---—. ---. --- —-—. 580
Shattuck, Willard.................. 580
Shaw, Brackley —..-. —....... ---.. 580
Shaw, Henry A. ----.-. --- —-. ---...- 580
Shaw, James —. --- —----—. —. --- —- 581
Shearer, James-.......... 581
Shearer, Jonathan —.. --- —.... ---- 581
Shearman, Francis W...-.  582
Sheldon, Charles P.-. --- —-------—. 582
Sheldon, Horace J. ----.. --- —-—.... 582
Sheldon, James-....... 583
Sheldon, Newton ----.. --- —---—.... 583
Sheldon, Timothy F.-. —. --- —---—. 583
Sheley, Alanson -..-...... —...... 583
Shepard, James M.-. --- —--------—. 584
Shepard, Luman ----............-. 584
Shepherd, Thomas —..........  584
Sherman, Benjamin --------—.....- 585
Sherwood, Alonzo. ---..-........-...   585
Sherwood, George................... 585
Sherwood, Harvey C..-...-......... 585
Sherwood, Thomas R.-..... 585
Shetterly, Seth K.. --- —-------—. --- 586
Shier, Charles-..........    586
Shipman, John B. --- —-—. --- —-—. — 586
Shoemaker, Joseph P.............. 587
Shoemaker, Michael................ 587
Shook, David --—...-..............- 587
Shook, Jacob -........ 588
Shorts, Philip P.-........-. 588
Sibley, Solomon...................... 588
Sickles, Aaron....................... 588
Sill, John M. B....................... 589
Silver, Abiel,...-........ ----  589
Simonson, James B.-, --- —---------- 589
Simpson, Emery H -—.......... 590
Sinclair, Daniel D.. ---.............. 590
Skinner, Elias MX..........-.  590


PAGE.
Slafter, David G... --- —------------ 590
Slayton, Thomas J. ----. —.. — 591
Sloan, Daniel D....... ---. --- —-—..- 591
Slocum, Albert B.. --- —----------—. - 591
Slocum, Elliott T.. --- —------------- 591
Smith, Abner C.. --- —-. --- —-------- 591
Smith, Abram.-..........  592
Smith, Amos ---—.. ---. —. --- 592
Smith, Andrew J..-. ----...- 592
Smith, Aura --—. --- —. --- —-------- 592
Smith, C. Clifford-......  593
Smith, Davis        - -.........  593
Smith, Ezekiel C. ---   -----  593
Smith, Frank L...-........... --- —-- 593
Smith, George A. ---------------- 594
Smith, George M.   ---------- 59
Smith, Henry --- -------—... --- 594
Smith, Henry C.... --- —---------  594
Smith, Hiram ------—. --- —--—.. 595
Smith, Hiram H. --- —- ---—. --- 595
Smith, James L...-.......     595
Smith, Jeremiah R.- --------  595
Smith, John S..-.-  -..-......... --- —  596
Smith, Joseph.- -.-_. —        596
Smith, LeGrand J. --- —---------- 596
Smith, Morgan L.. --- —--—... 596
Smith, Nathan D..-..-..- 597
Smith, Perrin M.............-.... --- 597
Smith, Robert B.. --- —----------—.. 597
Smith, Samuel L..................... 597
Smith, Sidney T...... ---.. --- —--—.. 597
Smith, Samuel W. —   ---. --- —- 598
Smith, Thaddeus G. -.... --- —-- 598
Smith, Vernon H.-.....- 598
Smith, William H. ---. --- —--------- 598
Smith, William T. ---- ------------ 99
Snell, William -—. --- —---------- 599
Snow, Byron A.-. --- —-------—. --- —- 599
Snow, Fielder S.. --- —-------------- 599
Snow, William T. --- —-------------- 599
Snyder, Stephen F. ---. ----- 600
Soule, Milo-0 ---—.......    CO0
Spafford, Charles i.... —. 600
Sparks, Levi ---  6....... 600
Spaulding, Erastus --------------—. 600
Spaulding, Oliver L. --- —. —' 601
Speed, John J_.-............ 601
Spence, Thomas R.-0........ 602
Spencer, Aspa-... --- —-------------- 602
Spencer, Grove. —.... --- —--- 602
Spencer, Horace C --------- ------ 602
Spencer, James W. —. --- —----—. ---- 603
Spencer, Michael.................... 603
Sprague, Rollin-.-.. --- —----------- 603
Sprague, Roger —. --- —--—.-. --- —- 603
Sprague, Wm i.-.n --- —--—...... --- - 603
Sprague, Winm. B.-0 --- —-. --- —----- 603
Stafford, Henry H................... 604
Standish, John H. ----. --- —------- 604
Stanchfield, Oliver 0.-..  - 605
Stannard Abiel 8.-0.. —.-. 605
Stanton, Erastus H.-......, — 605
Staples, Hiram E.......  605
Stark, George P. --- —  ------  606
Starkey, Lewis F....          6C6
Starkweather, George A.-...   606
St. Aubin, Francis.... ---...  606
St. Clair, William M.. —..    607
St. John, John B.-.. --- —--------- 607
Stearns, Benton R -.. --- —-------—. 607
Steele, Amos E. —.-. --- —------------ 607
Steele, George E...   -.......... 607
Steere, Joseph H.. --- —------------- 608
Stephens William M.;. --- —------- 608
Stephenson, Robert-.:....-.  608
Stephenson, Samuel M.-............ 609








INDEX.


743


PAGE.
Stetson, Ezra —...-. ---. --- —  - 609
Stevens, Amos ---. --- —... --- —------ 609
Stevens, Appleton.. —. --- —-- 610
Stevens, Fitz H. -------—... ---.-. 610
Stevens, Herman W.. --- —------- 610
Stevens, Hestor L..-..-...-.... 610
Stevens, Horace --- —-----------   611
Stevens, John J.-....-..... 611
Stevens, Stephen R...... —. —.. 611
Stevens, William C.. —..     - 611
Stevens, William N........- -.- - 612
Stewart, Edwin. —......-... —..-..- 612
Stewart, James ---------—. --- —-- 612
Stickney. William W. --- —-.... — 612
Stillson, Eli L. -  - -        613
Stinchcomb, Joseph W. -   -     613
Stockbridge, Francis B.. --- —- 613
Stockton, John --- ——... —...  613
Stockwell, Martin P. --- ——.. --- —. 614
Stoddard. Cameron C. --- —----—.   614
Stoddard, Jesse —........-1-.....-.. 614
Stoddard, William....... ----   614
Stone, Charles W..........     614
Stone, Clement W.................. 615
Stone, Hiram —......-. ---.......... 615
Stone, John W............      615
Storrs, Wales F -.. --- —. --- ——.-. 616
Stoughton, W m. L.. —.........-. 616
Stout, Byron G....................... 616
Stout, David B. --- —-. --- —-------- 616
Stowe, Isaac ---  —............. --- —- 617
Stowell, Alexander H.. ------—... 617
Strang, James J. ----. —..-. --- ——. 617
Street, Samuel. —..-.... --- —--- 618
Strickland, Randolph.. —......... 618
Striker, Daniel -.. --- —-.. —. ---. 618
Striker, Gilbert...... ----.....-.  619
Strobridge, Oliver P.-. —.. ---... — 619
Strong, John -....-....-......-..... - 619
Strong, John, Jr. -  -619
Strongrong, M -yron. --- ——... — 619
Strong, Sylvester A..-... —...-. 620
Struble, John ---... --- —---—.. 620
Stuart, Charles E -—. ---.. 620
Stuart, David --- —— 621 --- —-   621
Stuart, Patrick.......... 621
Stuart, Robert ---. ----. --- —--- 621
Sturgis, David.-........ 622
Sullivan, James. --- —---—.6 ---- 622
Summers, Jacob...-............. 623
Sumner, John J -—. --- ——. --- — 623
Sutherland, James B................ 623
Sutherland, Jabez G................ 623
Sutton, Edwin -—.... - -------—. 624
Sutton, George.-............ 624
Sutton, Nathan E. ----. —..-.. --- 624
Sutton, William. --- —-—.. ----. 624
Sweetland, John B. -------—. --- 625
Sweezey, James A. --- —---—. --- — 625
Swegles, John —. —. --- ——...  625
Sweeney, James H................. 626
Swift, George W..............-..  626
Swift, John M.... --- —--  ----- 626
Swift, Orson..... —..-........... --  627
Swift, W illiam   F............... —..-.  627
Swineford, Albert P.... —..........-   627
T.
Tacles, Alexander.............. —... 627
Taggart, Moses.-... ---........... 628
Taft, Levi B -.................... 628'
Tappan, Henry P.... —........ ---- 628
Tarbell, Horace S.-.2 —. ----..- 629
Tarsney, Timothy E.....-...... 629
Taylor, Charles H..... —  629
1 


PAGE.
Taylor, Daniel W.-. --- —    - 629
Taylor, George E.....   680
Taylor, Henry W..-. --- —-. —    630
Taylor, Lorison J. ---...       630
Taylor, William H. --- —--.-. 631
Ten Eyck, Conrad --- —---------- 631
Ternes, Peter ----. ---,. --- —-- 631
Tenney, Harriet A.. —.-. --- — 631
Tenney, Jesse E. --- —----------- 632
Terry, Henry D. --- —----------- 632
Thayer, George W................... 633
Thayer, Nahum..................... 633
Thayer, Simeon M. —. --- —--.   633
Thomas, George... --- —- ------ 633
Thomas, Henry F.-......-,... 634
Thomas, John..... --- —. —. 634
Thomas, William —.-     6.-.    4 634
Thomas, Zimri D. --- ——. --- —-- 634
Thompson, Almon A. ------------- 635
Thompson, Albert ---635 ----. ---- 635
Thompson, Charles C.. ----—. — 635
Thompson, George W. ----        63 --- —- 635
Thompson, Henry W.-......-...... 635
Thompson, Jeremiah D..-.....- 636
Thompson, Robert —. ----   6....36- 636
Thompson, Robert R. --- —------ 636
Thomson, Edward H. ---...-...6... 636
Thomson, John S. -—. --- —-—..   637
Thorpe, Calvin J. ---------—... 637
Throop, George B. --- —--—.. --- 637
Thurber, Jefferson G-... 637
Tibbitts, John S.. ---.. —. —. —.-   638
Tiffany, Alexander R. ---.. —. --- 638
Tilden, Junius. --- —---.. --- — - 639
Tillson, Philo.. --- —-- —.... 639
Tindall, Jefferson K.-. ----.. ---- 639
Tinham, Alexander --- ——.      63 —.- 639
Tinney, Rufus..-..... ---.. — 639
Tobey, Bracey --- —------------  640
Toll, Isaac D.  --- -          640
Tompkins, James B. --- —----- 640
Tompkins, William M.. ---..-... 641
Tooker, J( nn S. -—. —. —. ---... ---- 641
Torrey, Joseph W. --- —-—.     641
Tower, Osmond --- ——. --- —--- 641
Town, Oka ---.. --- —---- ----— 2. 642
Town, William B. —.- —. --- — 642
Towne, Amos C................   642
Townsend, Uriel —. ----.... —. — 642
Train, Jarvis C.-  ----  -     643
Traver, William R.             643
Treat, Loren L.-. ---. —.... ---- 643
Tripp. Charles. --- —. --- —------ 643
Trowbridge, Charles C. ----..-. —   643
Trowbridge, Rowland E.. --- —--- 644
Trowbridge, Stephen V. R -—.. 644
Tupper, Morgan --- —---------- 645
Tupper, Myron -... —..-5 --- 645
Turck, William S. --- —---—. ---  645
Turnbull, James D. ------------ 645
Turner, George B. ---—. — -  - 646
Turner, James --- —-—. --- —--- 646
Turner, James M.. ----. --- —----  647
Turner, Jerome W. --- —---------  647
Turrer, Jesse F........ --    647
Turner, John W. --- —---------- 648
Turher, Josiah.... --- —- -—.-  648
Turner, Milo H. --- —---------- 649
Turner, Stanley W. --- —-------- 649
Turrill, James. ---. —. --- —-- 649
Tuttle, Jonathan B.................. 649
Tuttle, Warren.. --- ——. ---.-   660
Twaddell, Rodney K. —......   650
Twombly, Royal T.-.-.. —  -—. 50
Tyler, Columbus V.-.........- 6-:0
Tyler, Comfort................ 650








744


INDEX.


U,.
PAGE.
Ulrich, Madison J.. --- —....-      651
Underwood, Daniel K..-.. —. ---.. 651
Upson,. A. I.. --- —---—. --- ---—. --- 651
Upson, Charles -.. --- —-.. —. --- —.- 651
Upton, Daniel ---..... --- — --------- 652
~Upton, William W.. --- —-—.. --- — 652
Utley, William S..-.. --- —---------- 653
V.


Valade, Joseph L..................... 653
Van Aken, George W.-.-. —. --- —--- 653
Van Dusen, Lawrence-.............. 653
Van Daser, Zachariah --- —--------- 651
Van Every, Peter-..._.. 651
Van Husan, Caleb. ----... --- ---—. — 654
Van Kleeck, James. --- —------------ 655
Van'Loo, Cornelius-.. —. --- —------- 655
Van Orthwick, Aaron A. - -- -.. - 655
Van Raalte, Dirk B. K. --- —--------- 656
Van Riper, Jacob J.................. 656
Van Scoy, Rowland S... --- —---—.- 656
Van Vleet, James -. --- —-... — 657
Van Zile, Philip T..-. --- —----—.-.- 657
Vaughn, James C.. ---. --- —-—. ---- 657
Veenfliet, George F. --- —--—. --- 658
Vicary, Walter ---------------—....  658
Vickery, Stephen -.. --- ——.-.- - 658
Videto, James -------------.. — 658
Vincent, Edward ---—. --- —------—. 650
Vinton, David Jr.-....       659
Voorhees, Emory B...        659
Voorhies, Hiram. ----. --- —--------- 659
Voorhies, Isaac I.-.................... 660
Voorheis Sebring.................... 660
Vowles, George. --------—.-.. ----.- 660
Vroman, John J. -. —...-. --- —----- 660
W.
Wade, Silas A........................ 660
Wadhams, Ralph. —..... --- ----—. 661
Wagner, John ---... --- —-----------— 661
Wait, Jonathan Q —.. --- —-—................ 661
Waite, Benjamin W --........ ---- 662
Wakefield, Daniel B. --------—.- 662
Wakeman, Marcus --- —----------  662
Walbridge, David S. —. ----      662
Waldo, Campbell......663
Waldron, Henry     -------------- 663
Walker, Arnold-...    663
Walker, Alvah H.-... --- —--- 664
Walker, Benjamin-__......- 664
Walker, Charles I.-....... 664 I
Walker, DeWitt C...................665
Walker, Edward C.. ---.-... 665
Walker, Frederick -  --------—....- 665
Walker, Henry N. --- —------------ 665
Walker, Henry T. --- —------------ 666
Walker, James B.................... 666
Walker, John- -       ----------- 667
Walker, Levi...... ----  667
Walker, Samuel S.. —            667
Walker, Sylvester -... —..  668
Walkinshaw, James -   —................ 668
Wallace, John B.................... 668
Wallin, Franklin B.................. 668
Walthew, George W................. 669
Walton, Andrew —. ---.. --- —-—.  669
Walton, Jacob-...... — 689
Waltz, Joseph-.         8...  669
Ward, Edgar B.-................-   669
Ward, Lyman M....... —.... 670
Ward, Robert E........-..- —. 670


PAGE.
Warden, Robert -—...-........- 670
Waring, Guernsey P.      - --------- 671
Warner, Edward A.....- ----  -..... 671
Warner, Harvey ---—,.. --- —------ 671
Warner, P. Dean -     ----      671
Warner, William-..       671
Warner, William -------—.-. --- —-. 672
Warner, William E. -,-........ 672
Warren, Asa K.. —. --- —------------ 672
Warren, Robert L.-. --- -------- 672
Warren, Samuel N. ----..      673
Warren, Stephen H..-.............. 67F
Washburn, Norman B. --- —------- 673
Waterbury, John C, --- —- ----—. --- 674
Watkins, Charles W. --- ——.. --- — 674
Watkins, Erwin C.-  --------—. --- 674
Watkins, Freeman C. --- ——..-....- 675
Watkins, Milton C. ---.... —  675
Watson, Frank H..-......... 675
Watson, Henry-.. ---.. --- —-—..... - 675
Wattb, John W.. ---. --- —----------- 676
Weatherby, Charles W. -—..... 676
Webb, Nathan -—. ----.. --- —----   676
Webber, Andrew J.-................. 676
Webber, George W...-........ --- 677
Webber, William L. --—. --- ——. — 677
Webster, Alanson J. ---. --- —-- 677
Webster, James ---.-. --- ——. --- — 678
Weier, Joseph.-.....    678
Weir, James D. -—. --- —----------- 678
Weiss, Henry W......... 678
Welch, Henry B. —. ----. --- —----- 679
Welch, John --------------—. —. --- — 679
Welch, John B. --- ----      —. 679
Welker, Erastus J.- ------—.. 679
Wellman, Chas. --- —-----------  679
Wells, Franklin. —.-.  -—.-    680
Wells, Frederick L. --- —---—. --- —  680
Wells, Henry B... --- —--.- 680
Wells, Hezekiah G ----------------- 680
Wells, Henry H..-. ----    681
Wells, Marshall M..-. --- — 681
Wells, William P...-....... --- —--- 681
Wendell, George. --- —---------- 682
Wendell, John A. -... ----. 682
Wesson, William B... --- —.- 682
Westgate, Ansel W-. ----...- ---—.... 682
West, Thomas J.-.. —. ----      683
Westover, Luther-.....-   ---- 683
Wetherbee, Hezekiahh-. --- —--—. — 683
Wheeler, Amos R. -. --- —-. --- —----  683
Wheeler, Calvin ------—. --- —- 684
Wheeler, Harrison H. --—. --- —. — 684
Wheeler, Isaac P.. --- —------------ 684
Wheeler, James --------—. --- —---- 684
Wheeler, Lycurgus J. --- —--—.  684
Whipple, Charles W................. 685
Whipple, Henry L. —........ —.. — 685
White, Alpheus --------------------- 685
White, Darwin O.. ------      - 686
White, Frank G..................... 686
White, George H. --- —-------------  686
White, James E.. ------------------  686
White, James H.. ----. — --------- 686
White, Jonathan R. --- —----     687
White, Oliver K   -................... --- ----   687
White, Orrin —. --- —----------- 687
White, Peter —                  687
White, Shubael-...,. --- —-.     688
White, Thomas -------- —. ----.-, 688
White, Thomas W.-... --- —-      688
'White, William E........ --- —---- 688
Whiting, Henry..................... 689
Whiting, Justin R-.......-... —..-..- 689
Whitney, Luther D. --- ——. -—...   689
Whitney, Nathan.................... 690






INDEX.                             745
PAGE.                               PAGE.
Wiggins, William H. --- —----- 690 Wisner, Moses    -—.           - 707
Wight, Buckminster.. —....... 690 Witherbee, Elijah B..... --- —.-    707
Wight, Stanley G.................... 690 Witherell, BenJ. F. H. ---........ --- 708
Wilber, Mark D.. --- —--------- 690 Witherell, James..-.......... ----- 708
Wilbur, Charles A. ----. --- —---. 691 Withington, William H.-.......... 709
Wilcox, Albert -—..... --- —-—......  691 Withey, Solomon L.-.. --- ——..   -709
Wilcox, Elliott R. ---- -. --- —-. 691  Wixom, Isaac...................  710
Wilcox, Marcus B.. ----—.-....-.  692 Wixen, Levi L................ --- — --  710
Wilcox, William S. --- —----—. - 692  Wixson, Daniel -------------- 711
Wilder, Daniel G.. --- —.    692  Wixson, Joshua ----..... --- —---- 711
Wiley, David W.-. ---.. --- —--- 693  Wolcott, Grove H.-...-..... --- —-. 711
Wiley, Jefferson. —. --- —- -- 693 Wood, Alfred B. --- —-----    ---- 711
Wilkerson, Alfred. —. --- —----  693  Wood, Charles M. -........ —  712
Wilkins, Ross. ---. —  -------- 693 Wood, Edwin K.. --- —--   ------ 712
Wilkins, Samuel M.. --- —-—..- 694 Wood, Henry L... ---........... --- 712
Wilkinson, Daniel S. ------------ 694  Wood, James C. --- —-----—.- 712
Willard, George —.. --- —---—..   694 Wood, Thomas --- —---- ------- 712
Willard Isaac W; -----      -  694 Woodbridge, William ----.. --- 713
Willett, A. Milan.......-. 695 Woodhouse, Lemuel —. --- —    --- 714
Willett, John. —  --—.       695 Woodman, Elias S. —. — --—.- - 714
Williams, Albert --- —    ----- 695 Woodman, Jonathan J --—.-. --- 714
Williams, Alpheus S..-. 696 Woodruff, Albert N.,. --- —---      714
Williams, Asa.-...-...... —....... - 696  Woodruff, George. —._ —. --- — 715
Williams, Anthony —.. ----..- 696  Woodruff, Henry...- ---... 715
Williams, Buel M..............   697 Woodruff, Newton R.-. --- —. ----  715
Williams, Edwin R.-...         697 Woodward, Augustus B. —. --- —- 715
Williams, Fitch R. ---- ----------- 697 Woodward, David A.. -----—.. 716
Williams, Gardner D. --- — --—. 697 Woodward, Hiel ----------—. 716
Williams, Harvey -—. --- —---- 698 Woodward, Lysander. ---     716
Williams, James A. --- —--------- 698 i Woodworth, John D -... --- — ---- 716
Williams, Jeremiah D. --- —----- 698 Woodworth, Thomas B. ---   —. — 717
Williams, John R. —. --- —.   - 698  Woolnough, Walter W.-. ---.-.- 717
Williams Joseph R-................ 699 Worden, Robert, Jr. --- —------- 717
Williams, Theodore. --- —----------- 699 Whittemore, Bernard C.. --- —-. --- 718
Williams, Thomas H.. -. —.. --- 699 Whittemore, Gideon 0. ----.   718
Williams, Walter W. --—. --- —-- 699 Wright, David A.-.... -.- 718
Williams, William B............ 700  Wright, Hamilton M... --- —---  718
Williams, William D. -- -.. 700 Wright, Horatio —   ---        718
Williams, Zebulon...- ----—.-.- 700 Wyckoff, Heman A. —. —    719
Willits, Baron B.......-... ---- 700  Wyllis, George C... --- —-—. ---- 719
Willits, Edwin —.............- 701 Wyman, Henry-...... —. --- —--  719
Willits, Warren J.-   --      - 701
Wilson, Jeremiah C. -------------- 701
Wilson, John B.                 701                 Y.
Wilson, Farwell A. —. --- —---- 702
Wilson, Joshua ---.. --- —-—.- - 702 Yaple, George L. ---- —. --- —--- 719
Wilson, Louis T. N.........     702  Yarrington, Charles ------— 7.  0 720
Wilson. Philo --- ------------- 702 Yawkey, Samuel W..-     -.     720
Wilson, Robert S.  —.     -- 703 Yeckley, George G. B. —. —.-. —  720
Wilson, Thonas M. --- —--------- 703 Yeomans, Sanford A. --- ------  7 720
Wilson, William B. --- —. 703 Yerkes, George. ----         ----------  720
Wiltse, Jacob M.. ---. —... ---- 703 Yerkes, William ----—.. --- —-- 721
Winans, Edwin B... —. —. --- —- 703 Yocum, John K. —, --- —------    721
Winchell, Amaziah-.. 701 Yost, Chester --- —--- 721
Winchell, Jerome....- 704 Young, Ambrose P................. 721
Wing, Austin E.-... —     704 Young, H. Olin. --- —--—.. —  722
Wing, Giles M.....-........   7C5 Young S. Perry. --- —---—. 722
Wing, Warner ---------—...-... 705 Younglove, George ---. --- ——. —  722
Wing, Washington..-..... 705
Winsor, Richard.............. 706r
Winters, James --—..-          706                 Z.
Wisner, Chauncev W.....-.- 706
Wisner, George W................ 706 Zimmerman, Elisha. ----. --- — 722
0~ ~~~~2




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Conservator's Report
Bentley Historical Library
Title: Bingham, S. D. Early History of Michigan with
Biographies.
Receiyedl. Book bound in case-style binding. Cover was of
cloth. Joints were broken. Boards were free. Headbands
were missing. Book was sewn all along over recessed cords.
Sewing was sound. The paper was acidic.
Trs&tent.;_ Disbound book. Paste washed spine.
Deacidified. Overcast new endsheets. Added new machinewoven headbands. Lined the spine. Rebound in new casestyle binding of full cloth.
teerJAsl_. Jade #834-403N PVA adhesive. Barbours linen
thread. Wei T'o deacidification solution. Paper
Technologies endsheet paper. Machine-woven headbands.
Backing flannel. Davey "Red Label" binder's board.
Pyroxylin-impregnated cotton text cloth. 23K gold.
Date work    pl ted: No- 1999
Signed:, Sheon Montgomery










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