Illustrated History and Biographical
Record of Lenawee County, Mich
John I. Knapp, Richard Illenden Bonner
UNIVERSITY
VERSITY
UNIVER
THE
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OF
OF
MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN
VERIT
'LIBRARIES'

1,
NIV
OF
Log Cabins built on the County Fair Grounds, Adrian, in 1898. The logs were supplied by farmers from nearly every town in the County.
The day set for the "hauling" was a memorable one in Adrian. The procession of log teams was more than one-and-a-half miles long. The
buildings were erected in honor and memory of the pioneers of Lenawee County.
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY
AND
Biographical Record
OF
LENAWEE COUNTY, MICH,
Containing an Accurate Epitomized History from the First
Settlement in 1824 to the Present Time,
ILLUSTRATED WITH PORTRAITS OF MANY OF THE FIRST SETTLERS
AND THOSE THAT CAME AFTER, TOGETHER WITH MANY OLD
LANDMARKS, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, FARM SCENES AND
HOMES OF PROMINENT RESIDENTS. VALUA-
BLE STATISTICS AND CAREFULLY
WRITTEN BIOGRAPHIES.
By JOHN I. KNAPP and R. I. BONNER.
ADRIAN, MICH.:
THE TIMES PRINTING COMPANY.
1903.
F
572
.45
K67
1
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1903,
BY JOHN I. KNAPP AND R. I. BONNER,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
Gift
Manganet
J! Jewell
6-17-30
-*
TO THE
CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN
OF THE
PIONEERS OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
THIS VOLUME
IS MOST RespectfulLY DEDICAted.

LENAWEE COUNTY COURT HOUSE.
THE MISSION OF THIS VOLUME,
The authors and compilers of this volume have no excuses to offer or
apologies to make for its appearance. Some twenty-four years ago the writer
spent two years in producing the first history and biographical record of Lenawee
county. At that time most books of this character contained dry facts, without
embellishment or relief. In the interval, great progress has been made in the
arts, and recent discoveries make it possible to embellish and illustrate in the
highest degree. The new methods of engraving make it possible to illuminate a
volume at moderate cost. Taking advantage of this fact we decided to undertake
the publication of this book.
One of the most entertaining methods of making history is by illustrating
important events, prominent men and women, their first homes, buildings, etc.
Believing this and assuming that patriotic citizens would be interested, and in
many cases fascinated with a volume containing the portraits, or views of the
homes of the pioneers of Lenawee county, together with old landmarks, public
buildings and landscapes, modern homes and architecture, we commenced the
work.
We had the confidence to believe that a volume of this kind would put our
readers truthfully and familiarly in touch with the scenes of the past, giving
object lessons to the present and future generations. Therefore we have made
the illustrations the distinctive feature of our work.
The photographer has done his work well, and there is not an imaginary
picture in the book, each view illustrating some real face, object or place. Thus
we preserve the personality of many of the pioneer heroes, and striking features
of their habitat.
In writing history or biography one finds himself constantly hunting for the
blazed trees along the trail, the most potent factor being the recognition of every
evidence of truth and reliability. There is no value in inaccuracy, and to avoid
it one is ever on the alert. It has been our endeavor in the prosecution of this
work to correctly give all facts and figures.
Many of our illustrations will show the faces and the habitations of the first
settlers in the wilderness of Lenawee county. We hope that the presentation of
those resolute old faces will stimulate a feeling of veneration and regard.
Many of our present readers can readily imagine, and some can vividly
remember their parents, living in a log hut, surrounded by an illimitable wilder-
ness, striving to make a home, and only being able to secure the scantiest food.
Is it possible for the occupants of the hundreds of pleasant and beautiful farm
homes and fine estates in Lenawee county to realize that their parents saw nothing
8
THE MISSION OF THis volume.
but wildness, roamed at large by bears and panthers and packs of wolves, and
screeching catamounts, affording hiding places for thousands of timid deer,
where now you see beautiful landscapes, with herds of cattle and flocks of sheep
upon the gentle slopes, and fine homes and orchards upon the hill tops. Are you,
as the children of those pioneers, who now enjoy all the peace and comfort of this
favored land, and occupy those homes, sufficiently impressed with the sacrifices
your parents made; with their heroism and their fortitude, their hope and trust?
Do you realize what kind of fathers and mothers they were, what they did for
you and humanity?
The children of the pioneers of Lenawee county should rejoice and be happy,
not that their parents have passed away, but that they had such ancestors to
remember. The endurance and unconscious bravery of your fathers was heroism,
but the hope and fortitude, the watchful and loving care, the uplifting influence
of your mothers was triumph.
In making the canvass for this publication we have visited the different
townships in the county, and have occasionally found an original settler still
alive; one of the seed sowers who has lived to enjoy the harvest.
There are still a few veterans left living on the land they purchased of the
government. In Rome we found one, David Smith, and in Fairfield two, Asaph
K. Porter and Mrs. James Green, all over ninety years old. We have found many
people between eighty and ninety years of age, enjoying life to the fullest extent,
which fact gives evidence of the salubrity of our climate and the obvious
advantages of a residence here. Lenawee county is the home of the oldest
woman in Michigan, Mrs. Maria H. Hixon, of Clinton, who came to Tecumseh in
1826. She was born June 26th, 1800, making her 103 years of age, and able to
help herself to a remarkable degree.
One of the last reports from the State Agricultural Department shows that
Lenawee county leads all the rest of the State in two important items: the
amount invested in farm buildings and the value of its live stock. The people of
the county are to be congratulated on their abundant blessings, and the good
judgment of the first settlers is proclaimed.
I
MICHIGAN.
The territory that now includes Michigan was probably first visited by a white
man in 1641. That year, in July, the French Jesuit Fathers, Charles Rymbalt and
Isaac Jogues, encamped at the Sault Ste. Marie. In 1665 Father Claude Allonez
founded a mission at La Point, Lake Superior. In 1668 Father Marquette founded
a mission at Sault Ste. Marie, and in 1671 established another mission near
Mackinaw.
In 1671 the King of France took formal possession of all the country lying
between Montreal and the Gulf of Mexico, and west as far as the great lakes and
the Mississippi river.
The tribes of Indians then occupying this territory were Ottawas and Chip-
pewas, with some Sacs and Foxes on the south shore of Lake Superior, and some
smaller tribes of Pottawatomies and Miamas in the south, on the portion now
known as Southern Michigan.
Detroit was founded in 1701 by De La Motte Cadillac. He landed on the site
of the present city on the 24th day of July, and immediately commenced the erec-
tion of Fort Pontchartrain.
In 1761 France ceded her dominion over Michigan to England. In 1774 Mich-
igan became a part of the Province of Quebec.
In 1796 Michigan was surrendered to the United States, and General St. Clair
was appointed Governor. Wayne County was organized August 11th that year,
and included all of Michigan, the northern part of Ohio and Indiana, and a por-
tion of Illinois and Wisconsin. Wayne County elected delegates to the first Ter-
ritorial Legislature, which met at Cincinnati September 16th, 1799.
January 11th, 1805, Michigan was organized as a Territory by Act of Con-
gress, and Gen. William Hull was appointed Governor.
On the 11th day of June, 1805. Detroit, then a village, estimated to have a
population of at least 2,500 people, was entirely destroyed by fire, not a building
being left. The first Legislature was called to meet there July 2d following.
Michigan Territory was surrendered to the British by General Hull on the
17th day of August, 1812. On the 29th day of September, 1813, the British evac-
uated the Territory, and on the 13th day of October following, Col. Lewis Cass was
appointed Governor.
10
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
TECUMSEH.
THE FIRST SETTLEMENT IN LENAWEE COUNTY.
[The most comprehensive and accurate history ever written of the
first events in Lenawee county was the work of the Hon. John J.
Adam; and can be found in Whitney and Bonner's History and Bio-
graphical Record of Lenawee County, vol. 1, page 6.]
September 10th, 1822, Lewis Cass, then Governor of the Terri-
tory of Michigan, thought it expedient to lay out a new county, to be
known as the County of Lenawee. He accordingly issued a procla-
mation to that effect, and included all the territory "Beginning at
the principal meridian, where the line between the townships num-
bered four and five, south of the base line, intersects the same; thence
south to the boundary line between the Territory of Michigan and
the State of Ohio," etc. The territory then included in Lenawee
County extended as far west as Lake Michigan, and consisted of the
present counties of Hillsdale, Branch, St. Joseph, Cass and Berrien.
At that time Lenawee County was attached to Monroe, where all
taxes were paid and courts of justice held.
It was not until the 31st of December, 1836, that Lenawee County
became fully organized by act of the Legislative Council. The seat
of justice was then established "On the northwest quarter of section
numbered thirty-four, in township five south, range four east, in said
County of Lenawee, on lands owned by Messrs. Wing, Evans and
Brown, agreeably to the plan of a town or village (Tecumseh), situ-
ated on the said northwest quarter section, and recorded in the Regis-
ter's office in the county of Monroe the twenty-sixth day of June,
1824."
By this act the inhabitants of Lenawee County "were entitled to
all the rights and privileges to which, by law, the inhabitants of the
other counties of the Territory are entitled." Gen. Joseph W. Brown
was the first judge of the county, and the original plat of the village
(now city) of Niles was recorded in the first volume of the registry
of deeds of Lenawee County.
One of the principal reasons, and perhaps the most potent, for
the constant and rapid arrival of immigrants and settlers to the new
county was the fact that the Indians were quiet and peaceable. There
is no mention of any massacre or horrible depredation upon the new
arrivals on record. It was a common thing for settlers to locate re-
gardless of neighbors or protection, and there is no account of a
stockade ever being constructed in Lenawee county. The first Indian
scare did not come until 1832. In some mysterious way a rumor was
started that large numbers of Indians were gathering, and that the
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
11
There was
whites were to be massacred or driven from the country.
intense excitement among the settlers for a time, but nothing ever
occurred to warrant the "scare." This was the "Black Hawk War."
The original area of Lenawee county was twenty townships, six
miles square, containing thirty-six sections of land, besides a strip
along the south side containing at least twenty sections more. It is
believed by good judges that the fractional sections along the west
side of the county will make up for the land covered by the water of
the lakes in the western portion. This being true, there are 2,860
quarter sections of arable land. Since the organization of the county
two townships have been, for local reasons, divided. Tecumseh
township was bisected and the township of Clinton established. The
township of Blissfield was likewise divided and the township of Deer-
field organized.

Snell Hotel, Tecumseh. Erected 1833-34.
The first settlement in Lenawee County was made May 21st,
1824, on the present site of the village of Tecumseh. These primi-
tive pioneers nearly all came from Jefferson County, New York, and
consisted of fifteen men, four women and eleven children, as follows:
Musgrove Evans, wife and six children; Gen. Joseph W. Brown, wife
and five children; Ezra F. Blood, Peter Benson and wife, Simon
Sloate, Nathan Rathburn, Peter Lowe, James Young, George Spof-
ford, Curtis Page, Levi Baxter, John Borland, Capt. Peter Ingals,
John Fulsom. Turner Stetson and wife, who had come from Boston,
joined the party at Detroit.
12
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
It is fair to say that Musgrove Evans was the pathfinder of this
bold adventure, for during the previous year, 1823, he visited the lo-
cality during a preliminary exploration, and after covering a large
portion of the region, decided that this spot was the most desirable
and beautiful of all he had seen. It was he who interested Gen. J.
W. Brown in the enterprise, and through him enlisted the other mem-
bers of the party. But while it is true that Mr. Evans projected and
succeeded in settling his colony in the beautiful wilderness, he was
never regarded as the leader and mainstay by the settlers.
It was General Brown whom each relied upon. He had experi-
enced a pioneer life, was practical, resourceful and capable of com-
bating with nature in her most primitive state. He could lead a
forlorn hope and conquer all ordinary obstacles. He was a practical
farmer and miller, was endowed with moral and physical courage,
and his forceful nature inspired hope and confidence. He was a
typical pioneer, and under his leadership the colony prospered and
grew in numbers and importance.
Tecumseh soon came to be a place of importance, and retained
the county seat until 1838, when, by act of the first State Legisla-
ture, it was removed to Adrian.
By the state census of 1837 Tecumseh had a population of 2,462,
while Logan township (afterwards changed to Adrian), including
the village, could only muster 1,962.
The first frame house in Tecumseh, or Lenawee County, was
built by General Brown in 1825. It was known as the Green Tavern
and was for some time the only public house in the territory west of
Monroe.
In the fall of 1824 the first sawmill was erected by Wing, Evans
& Brown, and in 1825 Turner Stetson erected a gristmill for them,
the stones being worked out of a huge granite boulder found nearby.
Many pioneers came a distance of sixty miles with their "grists" to
this mill.
The first school opened in the county was taught by Mrs. Mary
Spofford in the winter of 1824-5.
The first wedding in the county occurred in May, 1827, when
Miss Cynthia Spofford was married to Theodore Bissell. They went
to Texas in 1835, where Mr. Bissell died.
The first physician to abide in the county was Dr. Caleb N.
Ormsby, first locating in Tecumseh, but permanently settling in
Adrian in 1827. Dr. M. A. Patterson was the first to permanently
settle in Tecumseh.
In the spring of 1830 a stage route was established west from
Tecumseh to White Pigeon by Horace Walcott, Sumner F. Spofford
driving the first coach through.
The first election in the county took place in Tecumseh, in 1825,
when only fourteen votes were cast for the Hon. Austin E. Wing,
for delegate to congress. He was twice elected to congress, and
served from 1825 to 1829. Although Mr. Wing was closely connected
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
13
with the first settlement of Lenawee county, he never became a resi-
dent, his home being in Monroe. He had filled the office of private
secretary to Governor Cass with ability, and possessed rare qualities
for organization and public service. He took a lively interest in the
early growth and development of Lenawee County. He personally
entered the land for the firm of Wing, Evans & Brown, upon which
the village of Tecumseh now stands. He lived many years and saw
the county completely settled and become dotted with beautiful cities
and villages, and prosperous and happy farm homes. He died at
Cleveland, Ohio, in August, 1869.
Musgrove Evans platted Tecumseh in 1824, and christened the
village. He was the first mail contractor and postmaster. In 1826
he was appointed by the United States government to survey a mili-
tary road from Detroit, Mich., to Chicago, Ill., now known as the
old Chicago turnpike. He took the first census in 1830. His district
included all the territory west of Monroe county, south to the Ohio
and Indiana state lines, and west to Lake Michigan, which territory
then contained a population of 1,491. Mr. Evans was a native of
Bucks county, Pennsylvania, being born there in 1793, and died in
Cypress Creek, Texas, June 7, 1855.
The first regular store in the county' was opened in Tecumseh by
Daniel Pitman, in 1825. It was greatly appreciated by the white
settlers, as well as the Indians.
The court house at Tecumseh, that was vacated by the removal
of the county seat to Adrian, was afterwards occupied by the State
University for some time.
The church history of Tecumseh is quite interesting. The first
minister of any denomination to create a regular appointment in the
county was the Rev. John A. Baughman, who organized a Methodist
Episcopal church in Tecumseh in 1826. The first Methodist church
was built in 1842. The first minister to visit Tecumseh and hold
service was Rev. Noah M. Wells, a Presbyterian divine, in the fall of
1825. In April, 1826, the Rev. Alanson Darwin established a Pres-
byterian church, with ten members. The organization was effected
under the name of "The First Presbyterian Society of Tecumseh."
In 1839-40 the first church edifice was built, and March 31st, 1869,
the present fine church was dedicated.
The Baptist church was organized in 1839, with a membership
of twenty-eight, the Rev. L. H. Moore being the first pastor. He has
been followed by the Revs. J. I. Fulton, Samuel Cornelius, P. B.
Haughout, E. Royce, James McLeod, B. McLouth, J. Fletcher, J. I.
Fulton, J. L. McCloud, T. S. Hill, J. Moxsom, P. Olney, M. E.
Hayne, C. E. Conley, F. A. Adkins, F. E. Arnold and H. A. Smith.
St. Peter's Episcopal church dates back to September, 1831,
when Rev. Dr. P. Galatin conducted the first services in a school
house. In 1832 the parish was organized, Rev. Mr. Freeman being
present. In May, 1833, Rev. W. Lyster became the first rector,
14
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
under whose efforts the church was built, the opening day being
August 2, 1835.
A Universalist church was instituted April 9th, 1853. In March,
1854, Rev. W. E. Manley was installed as the first regular minister.
The Friends church was organized in 1851. It is an orthodox
society and belongs to Adrian quarterly meeting.
The Tecumseh Union school district was organized in 1854.
There are four commodious and adequate school buildings in the
village.

Chicago Street, Tecumseh.
The village of Tecumseh is one of the handsomest and most de-
sirable places of residence of its class in Michigan. As a business
center it is an influential factor in Lenawee county. Many important
manufacturing industries are located there. The business places,
many of which are filled with most desirable and varied assortments,
are mostly located in substantial brick buildings of good style and
architecture. The streets are wide and shaded by deciduous trees,
bordered by beautiful lawns and fine residences. There is an effi-
cient system of water works, and water of the best quality is supplied.
The village also has a good electric light plant, and the public
places are all nicely lighted, while most of the stores and many resi-
dences enjoy this most brilliant and cleanly illuminator.
We are indebted for many facts to the late Hon. Francis A.
Dewey, who left many valuable statistics relating to first events in
the county. His memoirs are of the greatest value at this time. We
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
15
* * * *
copy as follows: "In the year 1824 the first government land was
bought in this county, by Austin E. Wing, and on June 2d Musgrove
Evans moved his family, with a few others, to this county. On the
east side of the river, at Tecumseh, he erected his log house, with
elm bark for a roof, twenty miles from any laid-out road or white in-
habitant.
A more admired scenery than the wild
domain presented never perhaps greeted the eye of the enterprising
home seeker.
* * * Rev. Noah M. Wells preached the first
sermon, and Rev. Mr. Walker, Methodist preacher, also called here
in his circuit of 1,200 miles, and gave a discourse. In 1828 Leslie
Osborne set out the first orchard. In 1829 Darius Comstock, at the
Valley, built the Friends meeting house, and by subscription the
court house was built at Tecumseh, also a log jail, in 1830.
*
* * * *
A short half-mile from the corner of the road, near Brownville, where
it turns east on the old Saline road, were the remains of earth-works.
Here was a square enclosure with an embankment of earth four feet
high and three rods square, with two openings. Here in this en-
closure tradition of the older Indians points with majestic pride, and
says there is where the celebrated or imperial chiefs held council.
Also near by, on this level and beautiful plat of ground, was a circu-
lar embankment or enclosure, four feet high and about two rods in
diameter, with a cavity scooped out in the center. Where tradition
of olden time illustrates the historical emblems, the sacred plants or
herbs were placed in the center of the circle and set on fire; from the
fumes of this smoke the pipe of peace or war was dictated by the
chiefs to the Indian nations. It is with pleasure that I now say
within the year 1829 and '30, full fifty-eight years ago, it was a cheer-
ful treat for me on several different times to visit this beautiful pla-
teau of ground, with its ancient works of solid embankments, with
leisure and admiration studied to learn who were the managers of
this olden time monumental relic. Since the year 1832 the plow and
cultivator have leveled the historic work of the ancient mound
builders. * * * * In my brief outline I do not wish to omit a
few words as a passing notice of the renowned chief, Tecumseh. He
was born, and over forty years of his life were spent, in the for-
ests of Michigan; his wigwam was on the banks of the River Raisin.
Historians say he possessed a noble figure, and his countenance was
strikingly expressive of magnanimity; also was distinguished for
moral traits far above his race; a warrior in the broadest Indian
sense of the word. He disdained the personal adornments of silver
brooches, which the tribes so much delighted to wear. In the war
of 1812 he joined in the British service, and had in his command over
a thousand Indians belonging in Michigan. In Gen. Proctor's di-
vision of the Canada soldiers, Tecumseh held the rank of brigadier
general in the British service. He still adhered to his Indian dress,
a deerskin coat with leggins of the same material being his constant
garb. In this he was found dead at the battle of the Thames, Octo-
ber 5th, 1813."
16
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
BLISSFIELD-The Second Settlement.
The second settlement made in the county was by Hervey Bliss
and family. June 19th, 1824, Hervey Bliss entered land on sections.
29 and 30, the present site of the village of Blissfield, and moved his
family on the land in December, that year. Mr. Bliss was thus the
first settler and founder of Blissfield. The township and village
were named for him. The second entry of land in the township was
made by Gideon West, June 28th, 1824, on section 29. Mr. West
moved there with his family in 1825. These were the only entries
made in the township that year, but in 1825, George Giles, Almond
Harrison and Samuel Buck entered land. George Giles brought his
family in the spring of 1826. Samuel Buck, being a young man,
was the principal in the first wedding in the township, marrying
Miss Margaret Frary, stepdaughter of Gideon West, November 23d,
1826, it being necessary to send to Monroe for a justice of the peace
to perform the ceremony. George Stout took advantage of the occa-
sion, and was married to Miss Delight Bliss at the same time.
First log house built in the Township of
Blissfield.
May 28th, 1827, the first election
was held at the home of Hervey
Bliss, for the election of township
officers. There were twenty-five
offices and only thirteen electors to
fill them. Some of the men were
elected to two, and in one case,
three offices.
The first minister in the town-
ship was the Rev. J. A. Baughman,
of the M. E. church, who came in
the fall of 1827.
The first birth in the township
was George Lane, who was born
March 27th, 1827. The second was
Lucinda Buck (now Mrs. Fred Can-
non), born October 3d, 1827. Both
still reside in Blissfield.
The first school house was built
of logs, in the summer of 1827,
and the first school master was Chester Stuart, who came from
Monroe.
The first Presbyterian church was organized in Blissfield, Feb-
ruary 22d, 1829, the Rev. Alanson Darwin, of Tecumseh, officiating.
At the election held July 11th, 1831, twenty-nine votes were cast.
The township was organized in May, 1827, and then included all of
the present township of Deerfield.

RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
17
1
The village of Blissfield is one of the important business points
in the county. It is the principal trading point for the southeastern
portion of the county, and three townships of the most productive
farming land of Michigan are tributary to it. It is probably the
largest shipping point for fat live stock, on the line of the Lake
Shore & Michigan Southern railroad, between Chicago and Toledo.
During the year 1902 fully 2,550 fine cattle and over 10,000 fat hogs
were sent to the eastern markets from that station.

The Business Center of Blissfield.
The cattle shown in the above picture were fatted by Stephen H. Leonard,
who resides on Sec. 12 in Ogden. Mr. Leonard is the largest cattle feeder in
Lenawee County. In 1901-2 he fed 72 head of cattle, and in June, 1902, shipped
them, together with 119 hogs, from Blissfield station, receiving in payment a
check for $8,587.14. In 1902-3 he fed 66 head of cattle and 80 hogs.
2
18
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
ADRIAN-The Third Settlement.
Early in the fall of 1825, Addison J. Comstock, accompanied by
his father, Darius Comstock, started from their home, in Lockport,
New York, for the Territory of Michigan. Upon arriving in Detroit
they found Walter Whipple, who was on his way back east. Mr.
Whipple had been on an exploring tour and had taken up land. They
were old acquaintances in the State of New York, and Mr. Whipple
informed his friends of the fine lands and opportunities south of Te-
cumseh, where he had purchased. The Comstocks took the "Tecum-
seh trail," and September 7th, 1825, Addison J. Comstock purchased
from the government 480 acres of land, on which the greater portion
of the city of Adrian now stands. Mr. Comstock was then a "single"
man. Immediately returning east, he was married the following
February, and that spring, 1826, started for his future home in Mich-
igan. Thus the third settlement of pioneers in Lenawee county was
begun.

East Maumee Street, Adrian, in 1863.
John Gifford came in Mr. Comstock's employ. Mr. Comstock
forthwith gave his attention to building two houses, one for himself,
located on the lot now occupied by the street railway company, as a
depot, at the east end of Maumee street bridge. Mr. Gifford suc-
ceeded in making his house habitable first, and Mrs. Gifford boasted
of being the first white woman to settle in Adrian. Mrs. Comstock,
however, was domiciled in her house a few days later.
John Gifford was the second man to locate land within the pres-
ent limits of Adrian.
Elias Dennis was the third, his purchase dating from December
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
19
26th, 1826, and comprised a large portion of the southern part of the
present city.
On the last day of March, 1828, Addison J. Comstock laid out,
platted and recorded the original plan of the village of Adrian. This
contained forty-nine lots, commencing at the river bank and running
east nearly to what is now Broad street.
Settlers came in rapidly. The village was first called "Logan,"
but it was decided to change that appellation, and Mrs. Comstock
christened it "Adrian," after the noted Roman.
The first public roads were laid out, fourteen in number, by
Noah Norton and Warren Aylesworth, Road Commissioners, from
November 26th, 1827, to December 11th, 1828.

Monument Square, Showing Soldiers' Monument.
The first election held for village officers took place in May,
1827. The second election in the township took place on the first
Monday of the following November, for choosing members to the
legislative council, when 71 votes were cast.
In the summer of 1828, the father of Mrs. Addison J. Comstock,
Mr. Isaac Dean, came to Adrian, and soon after commenced the erec-
tion of the first hotel, the "Exchange." The building stood on the
corner of Maumee and Winter streets. It was a commodious structure
for those days, became very popular as a public resort, was the
"stage house" for many years, and was removed in 1859 to make
20
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
room for the large brick hotel now occupying the site. A part of
the old building, now known as the "Gibson House," was located a
little further down the street.
The second hotel was built by Isaac French, on the northwest
corner of Main and Maumee streets, in 1830, and was known as the
"Franklin House." It was destroyed by fire in 1846, and a brick
hotel was soon after erected on the site.
In 1829 A. J. Comstock and Isaac Dean built a mill, for many
years afterwards known as the "Red Mill." At that time the nearest
mill was at Tecumseh.
The first postoffice in Adrian was established in 1829, with A. J.
Comstock as postmaster. The first quarter's receipts were nineteen
cents.

First Soldiers to leave Adrian in the Spring of 1861, under President Lincoln's
call for 75,000 men.
The first school was opened in the village in the winter of 1828-9,
by Miss Dorcas Dean. In 1829, a frame school house was built on
the west side of South Main street, at the junction of Winter street.
The first dry goods store was opened by E. C. Winter in 1829, on
the southwest corner of Maumee and Winter streets. For many
years Mr. Winter was a successful Indian trader and dealer in white
men's supplies.
The first church edifice to be built in Adrian was in 1832, when
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
21
the Presbyterian society located their house of worship on Church
street, adjoining the lot where the principal apparatus of the fire de-
partment is now stationed.
The first newspaper in the county was established in Adrian by
R. W. Ingals, October 22, 1834. The paper was first christened The
Adrian Gazette and Lenawee County Republican. This was subse-
quently changed to The Watch Tower. Mr. Ingals continued to pub-
lish the paper until 1863, when he disposed of it to Larwill, Apple-
gate & Champion. September 11th, 1865, Gen. William Humphrey
purchased the plant, when the name was changed to the Adrian
Daily and Weekly Times, which still lives.

HYOVELE
DENTIS
Main Street, Looking North.
The first meetings of the Baptist church of Adrian were held in
1832 in the upper room of the house now occupied by Dr. Jewett
Williams, jr., on the north side of East Maumee street, next west of
the postoffice.
The first drug store was opened by Abel Whitney and Asahel
Finch, jr., in 1835.
During the summer of 1834 the village was visited by a plague
of sickness that carried off many of the most respected and prom-
inent citizens. Scarcely a family escaped.
The greatest event in the history of Adrian occurred November
2d, 1836, being the completion of the Erie & Kalamazoo railroad
22
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
from Toledo to Adrian. This was the first railroad built west of
Schenectady, New York, and was an enterprise of the greatest im-
portance.
It was through the enterprise and untiring efforts of Addison J.
Comstock, his father, Darius Comstock, George Crane, Joseph Gib-
bons and Dr. C. N. Ormsby, of Adrian, and some gentlemen in To-
ledo, that the work was done.
The first court house and jail was erected in Adrian in 1836-7.
The court house was destroyed by fire on the morning of March 14th,
1852. Many valuable records were lost.

MAPLE GITY LAUNDRY
Maumee Street, Looking West.
The first bank in the county was the "Erie and Kalamazoo
Railroad Bank of Adrian," established by Philo C. Fuller, of Geneseo,
N. Y. The bank afterwards went into the possession of John B.
and F. W. Macey, of New York. With the Maceys came Carlisle
Norwood, who was the first chief engineer of the Adrian fire depart-
ment.
The Hon. Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts, visited Lenawee
County in 1838, remaining over night in Adrian.
The "big gristmill" was erected at Palmyra, six miles east of
Adrian, in 1836-7, and for many years was a prominent landmark.
In those days it was confidently predicted that Palmyra would out-
strip, in size and importance, both Adrian and Tecumseh.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
23
The first Methodist church built in Adrian was on Toledo street,
and is now owned and occupied by the Church of Christ.
Adrian was incorporated as a village in March, 1828, and as a
city in January, 1853.
Adrian Lodge No. 8, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 6th, 1835,
by R. W. P. G., B. F. Hall. and R. W. P. G., J. H. Mullett, of
Michigan Lodge No. 1, when the following officers were installed;
Daniel D. Sinclair, N. G.; Sebra Howard, V. G.; Charles Smith, S.;
R. W. Ingals, T.

Mrs. Josephine (Southworth) Wilcox, wife of the late Hon. William S. Wilcox, on her death
in 1897, left the sum of $5,000, to construct an entrance to Oakwood Cemetery, Adrian, in
memory of her husband. The above picture shows the character of the Memorial as it now
stands completed.
The first brass band in this place was organized in 1838, by an
Englishman named William Tutten, from Utica, New York, and was
called the "Adrian Brass Band." This band went to Fort Meigs in
1840, with the Lenawee County delegation, to attend the great Har-
rison mass meeting. At this time it was led by William C. Hunt,
father of W. O. Hunt, of this city. General Joseph W. Brown was in
command of the Michigan delegation at this great meeting, and
held an umbrella over General Harrison while he was speaking.
Alert Fire Company No. 1 was officially organized June 19th,
1841. Following are the names of the original members: D. K.
24
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Underwood, Joseph H. Wood, Milo Weins, S. V. R. Smart, M. Mer-
rick, W. S. Wilcox, S. W. Van Vosburg, J. J. Newell, Isaac Paulding,
R. Smart, A. Barnard, Thomas S. Baker, Samuel Smith, C. R. Wat-
son, Phi. Tabor, T. D. Ramsdell, Charles Ingersoll, R. W. Ingals,
James Mills, J. H. Woodbury, E. H. Rice, W. M. Comstock, John
Harkness, Charles W. Hunt. The machine was purchased from
Lewis Selye, of Rochester, New York, at a cost of $813.

+11
800
City Hall, Adrian.
A Hook and Ladder Company was officially organized June 19th,
1841. Following are the names of the original members: A. W.
Budlong, A. S. Berry, L. G. Berry, J. H. Chittenden, Joel Carpenter,
Washington Harwood, Henry Hart. Horace Mason, N. L. P. Pierce,
Charles Philbrook, Clement Smith, Randall W. Smith. March 11th,
1842, the Village Council appropriated the sum of $90 for the purchase
of a truck for the use of the company. We also notice on the records
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
25
that Henry Hart, who was then a trustee, offered a resolution to
purchase three axes for the company. The truck was built by
William C. Hunt.
The Adrian Guards, the first military company regularly equipped
by the state, in Lenawee County, was organized May 10th, 1842, by
Daniel Hicks, who was elected captain, which office he held until the
year 1847, when he went to Mexico in command of a company.
F. J. King was first lieutenant, Edwin Comstock, second lieutenant,
William Aldrich, orderly sergeant. In 1843, George W. Hicks was
elected orderly, he being the best drill-master in the company. Charles
M. Croswell was elected captain after Captain Hicks, and held the
office until the next annual election, when the late Frederick Hart
was made captain, which position he held up to April, 1861, with the
exception of one year, 1855, when Justus H. Bodwell was made
captain.
Protection Fire Company No. 2 was organized in October, 1845.
Perry B. Truax, now of Toledo, was the first foreman, W. Huntington
Smith, assistant foreman, and F. C. Beaman, secretary. The engine
arrived in December, the same year, and cost $990.
The first Masonic lodge organized in the village was "Adrian
Lodge No. 19," on July 28th, 1847, by E. Smith Lee, Grand Master
of Michigan at that time. The original officers were: John Barber,
W. Master; William Moore, S. W.; Warner Comstock, Jun. W.;
Jonathan Berry. Treasurer; David Horton, Secretary; David Bixby,
Sen. Deacon; William Talford, Jun. Deacon; Samuel Anderson,
Tyler.
The Adrian and Bean Creek Plank Road Company was organized
on the 4th of May, 1848, with a capital stock of $75,000, divided into
3,000 shares. The original charter was from Adrian to Bean Creek,
but an extension was granted, and it was built as far as Gambleville,
in Hillsdale county, where it intersected with the Chicago turnpike.
During the year the survey was made, the right of way purchased
and the contracts let for lumber and construction. The first plank
of the road was laid in Adrian in the spring of 1849. Commencing
on Front street, opposite where the Court House now stands, planks
were laid up Main street to Maumee, and on Maumee street west to
the village of Addison, etc. A. J. Comstock was the first president,
Henry Jones, secretary, and E. L. Clark, treasurer.
The Adrian Gas Light Company was chartered by city ordinance,
June 18th, 1855. The company consisted of Benijah Baker, H. P.
Platt. George H. Wyman, L. C. Thayer. The Common Council that
year was as follows: F. J. Buck, mayor; Aldermen L. B. Bowen,
R. J. Bradley, E. P. Linnell, J. H. Cleveland, A. J. Dean, W. E.
Kimball, F. R. Stebbins, W. S. Wilcox.
The steam fire department was organized on Friday, October 11,
1867, consisting of two steamers, with attendant hose carts and one
hook and ladder company. R. J. Bradley was appointed chief
engineer and James Redmond assistant.
26
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
The state fair was held in Adrian in 1865, commencing Septem-
ber 19th and continuing four days. It was also held here the following
year.
The corner stone of the Masonic Temple was laid June 24th,
1865, and the building was occupied the following year.
The first Lenawee County fair was held in this city in Septem-
ber, 1849.
HUDSON-The Second City,
The first settlement where the city of Hudson now stands was
made by Hiram Kidder, October 29th, 1833. Mr. Kidder came from
Yates county, New York. He located his land on section 8 and built
a house upon it previous to moving his family, which consisted of
his wife and five children, in October. The house had neither
windows nor doors, and the nearest neighbor was twelve miles away.
The whole of the country then known as the Bean Creek Valley, was
an unbroken wilderness. Several other entries of land were made in
the township that year, and on the evening of the first day of No-
vember, two days after their settlement, there was a most important
arrival, consisting of the family of Charles Ames, comprising his
wife and four children, Elizabeth, Henry, William and Ezra, Miss
Ball, sister of Mrs. Ames, and Alpheus Pratt. This was the founda-
tion of the present prosperous city of Hudson.
In 1834, Hiram Kidder platted the village of Lenawee, which
was acknowledged and recorded in the Register's office of Lenawee
County, June 13th. That year Mr. Kidder built a mill, and Dudley
Worden opened a store.
In May, 1834, Beriah H. Lane and his brother, Erastus, moved
in and determined to found a village in opposition to Mr. Kidder.
The settlement prospered, the first election being held April 4th,
1836, when B. H. Lane was elected justice of the peace.
In May
following a postoffice was established and named Lanesville, with
Mr. Lane as postmaster, and the entire settlement was formally con-
solidated as Lanesville. By common consent the name of the village
was afterwards changed to Hudson, at the suggestion of Hiram
Kidder.
The first newspaper published in Hudson appeared July 9th,
1853. The paper was called the Hudson Sentinel, and T. D. Mont-
gomery was editor and proprietor.
The city contains eight churches, many of them fine edifices, all
well attended and in flourishing condition.
It has a fine public school system, with adequate buildings and
equipments. Its business interests are large and varied, with ample
banking capital, and several factories and important enterprises have
been developed and fostered within its borders.
1
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
27
MORENCI.
The first settlement made on Section 6, Town 9, range 1 east,
where the village of Morenci now stands, was in 1833. It is situated
on the bank of the Tiffin river (Bean Creek), near the Ohio line, in
the southwest corner of the township of Seneca. Martin Hoag and
Mr. Sherman entered the first land. Dennis Wakefield, Simon D.
and James Wilson, and Elias Baldwin settled there in 1834.

View of Business Center of Village of Morenci.
Jephtha Whitman built the first log house, in which he lived
and kept a store and postoffice. The first hotel was a double log
house built and run by William Sutton. The first school was taught
by Miss Louisa Dellman, in a log house erected for that purpose.
The first church organization was the Methodist, in 1836, with seven
members. Rev. Mr. Staples was the first minister. The first
Methodist church edifice was dedicated in May, 1852, R. R. Richards
presiding elder. The trustees were Hiram Wakefield, Josiah Osgood,
Daniel Reed, S. D. Wilson and Samuel Warner. A Baptist church
was organized in 1852, with fifteen members. The Congregational
church was organized in 1858, with the Rev. George Barnum as
pastor. The first frame building was erected by David M. Haight,
28
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
and was occupied as a store. The first gristmill was erected in 1852
by Franklin Cawley and Dennis Wakefield. The first plat of the
village was made in 1852 by Franklin Cawley, who platted an addi-
tion in 1858. The first name given the village was "Brighton," but
owing to the fact of there being another village in the state of the
same name, it was changed to Morenci by Mr. Whitman and S. D.
Wilson. At that time there were four stores in the village, the
original one having ceased to exist.
From this time, 1852, until the present the village has steadily
grown in importance and wealth. It was incorporated in 1871, and
is now one of the most thriving business points and growing centers
of population in the county, outside of Adrian and Hudson. There
is a splendid public school system, adequate churches, and a sound
and progressive social sentiment, while the village today is one of
the handsomest and most desirable places of residence in the county.
The business interests of Morenci are large and varied. There
are two banks with an abundant capital, with surplus and deposits
amounting to more than $500,000. Two brick and tile yards have
recently been opened with good material and very large capacity.
The Chappell Heating Furnace Company is an important industry.
E. W. Scofield, dealer in furniture and undertakers' supplies, manu-
factures a casket fastener that finds a ready market. The Michigan
Brick and Tile Machine Works is a prosperous concern. The
Morenci Roller Mills Company, merchant millers, is also another
flourishing concern. The Ohio Dairy Company commenced the man-
ufacture of condensed milk in 1902, and consumes daily more than
13,000 pounds of milk, the product being about 4,800 pounds. In
1902 the Morenci cheese factory made more than 148,000 pounds of
cheese. There are many more important enterprises that go to make
up a prosperous and happy community. The village is the center of
an excellent farming region and enjoys a large patronage from the
nearby Ohio farmers.
The village has recently expended over $14,000 in laying brick
pavement upon the principal streets, and the business places are
lighted with electricity.
For railroad facilities the main line of the Wabash railroad, the
Fayette branch of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, and the
Toledo and Western electric line furnish adequate and complete
service. Other public improvements are contemplated.
CLINTON,
Clinton Village is situated on the northern border of the county,
in the Township of Clinton, on the Jackson branch of the Lake
Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad. The Clinton Woolen Mill
RECORD Of LenawEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
29
is one of the important manufactories of the county, and its fine pro-
duct of cloth finds ready market. The village is surrounded by a
fine farming country, was incorporated in 1869, has a bank, good
hotels, and is an important shipping point.
DEERFIELD,
The Township of Deerfield was set off from Blissfield in 1867,
and the village of Deerfield was incorporated in 1872. It is a thriv-
ing borough of about 1,000 inhabitants, and some considerable trade
is done there in merchandise, live stock and farm produce. It has
a bank, hotels and some manufacturing interests. It is situated on
the Detroit branch of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Rail-
road.
CLAYTON,
The village of Clayton is situated on the town line between Dover
and Hudson, on the main line of the Lake Shore & Michigan South-
ern Railroad, eleven miles west of Adrian. It was first settled in
1836, and was incorporated in 1870. It is a business centre of con-
siderable importance, and has a population of about 600.
UNINCORPORATED VILLAGES.
The unincorporated villages in the county are:
ADDISON, in the southwest corner of the Township of Wood-
stock. It has a good flouring mill and several reliable merchants.
It is surrounded by a fine farming country.
BRITTON is a village in Ridgeway Township, on the Wabash
Railroad, a good business point and farming centre.
CADMUS is a village in the Township of Dover, on the main line
of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, seven miles west
of Adrian.
ONSTED village is situated in Cambridge, on a branch of the
Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad. It is beautifully located
and is the center of a fine farming region.
HOLLOWAY Village, on the line of the Wabash Railroad, in the
eastern portion of Raisin Township, is an important shipping point
for stock and farm produce.
30
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
JASPER, Weston and Fairfield Villages are all situated in Fair-
field Township, and are important trading and shipping points in a
most prosperous farming region. Palmyra village, in Palmyra
Township, six miles east of Adrian, on the L. S. & M. S. railroad, is
a trading and shipping point for farmers. Riga village, in Riga
Township, on the L. S. & M. S. railroad, is also a convenient ship-
ping and trading station. Ogden Center is a small village situated
in the center of Ogden Township, with stores and postoffice, but no
railroad connection. Macon village, in Macon Township, and Rome
Center, in Rome Township, are hamlets appreciated by farmers in
their vicinity.
Along the Wabash Railroad, west of Adrian, are the villages of
Sand Creek, in Madison Township, Ennis, in Seneca Township, and
Munson, in Medina Township. These are all shipping and trading
points of importance and convenience to a large farming community.

THE LAST HUNT.
Nearly half a century ago there existed in Adrian a Hunting Club with the
following members: Frank W. Clay, Asa Crane, William Crane, Edward Crane,
John Harvey, M. Lawson, Philo Robinson, Stimson Harvey, Wm. Lewis and John
Osborn as members. The above picture shows the result of the Club's last hunt,
in 1863, with sixteen deer to its credit. The picture shows the then vacant lot
on the corner of Broad and Maumee streets, the site of the Government building
and Postoffice. Six members of the Club are still living.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
31

Old County Offices, built immediately after the burning of the old Court House in 1852.
It stood on the site of the present Court House.
32
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS.
The First M. E. Church.
As early as 1827, soon after Mr. Comstock had platted the village
of Logan, now city of Adrian, the Rev. John Jones, a Methodist
circuit rider, came to the log cabin of Noah Norton and preached the
first sermon in the new settlement. Nothing important of a religious
nature occurred again in the village until 1830. That year the Rev.
Jacob Hill, also a Methodist, in charge of the Monroe Circuit, came
occasionally. As a result of his coming the first church of any sect
was organized that year, with five members. Mr. and Mrs. William
Barrus, Mr. and Mrs. John Walworth, and Americus Smith. Mr.
Smith was a local preacher, and keeping up the interest that sum-
mer, seven additional members were added. They were Milton and
Louis Foote, Pharez and Hannah Sutton, Samuel and Ada Gregory,
and Altha Sphink.
In September, 1830, Adrian was put down on the plan of the
Monroe Circuit as a week-night appointment. James W. Finley was
put in charge, and he came once a month to preach in some private
house. The first "Sunday preaching" commenced in 1832. James
F. Davidson and Thomas Wiley, of the Tecumseh Circuit, arranged
to preach at Adrian school house every alternate Sunday. In 1833
there was a great revival. In 1838 the construction of a church edi-
fice was commenced, and in 1840 the old brick church now standing
on Toledo street, and recently purchased by the Church of Christ
Society, was dedicated.
The present M. E. church, on the corner of Broad and Maumee
streets, was dedicated in 1863, Rev. F. A. Blades being the pastor.
Early in the history of the church a Sunday school was organ-
ized, and this branch of the service has been a source of great good.
The present enrolled membership is about 550, with an average
attendance of about 300. The officers are: W. M. Blanchard,
superintendent; Arthur Baldwin, 1st assistant; Mrs. Clarence Frost,
2d assistant; George Breen, 3d assistant; Dr. C. L. Norton, secre-
tary; Mrs. Harriet Norton, treasurer; George Trimm, librarian.
There are thirty-one teachers.
First Baptist Church.
On the evening of November 5th, 1831, a number of Baptist
friends met at the school house in the village of Adrian, for the pur-
pose of conferring on the subject of covenant union. The gathering
1
1
摔
​ན
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
33
was composed of eleven men and thirteen women, as follows: Joseph
Rickey, Reuben Tooker, Benjamin F. Gouldsbury, John H. Carpen-
ter, John Whitney, John S. Older, John W. Myers, Allen S. Hutchens,
John T. Carpenter, Gersham Noyes, David Wiley, Maria Hutchens,
Lydia Whitney, Delia Older, Eliza Gouldsbury, Lydia Thursting,
Eunice Rickey, Nancy Rickey, Lucy French, Elizabeth Parker,
Cynthia Upton, Elizabeth Carpenter, Amy Fitch, Lois Stone.
John Whitney was the moderator of this meeting, and William
Foster (afterwards received by baptism), was clerk. After an inter-
esting session it was "Resolved to meet again at this place for
further conference on the 19th inst."

First Baptist Church, Adrian.
At the meeting on the 19th of November, 1831, John Whitney,
Reuben Tooker, Joseph Rickey, John H. Carpentor, Dan Treat
(received by letter), and William Foster were appointed a commit-
tee to prepare Articles of Faith and Covenant. At a subsequent
meeting on the 23d of the same month, the Articles were presented,
approved and accepted, when it was "Resolved to call on the follow-
ing churches for a council to witness our union and to constitute us
into Church State, if such council should think it to be expedient,
viz.: Church in Dexter, Church in Ypsilanti, Church in Saline, and
3
34
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
also to give Elder Tripp, of Sand Lake, an invitation; council to
meet in the village of Adrian on the last Saturday of December,
1831." The council met at the stated time. Elder T. Bodley, of
Saline, preached the first sermon and extended the hand of fellow-
ship. On the next day, Sunday, January 1st, 1832, Elder Bodley
preached at the house of Isaac Dean, from these words: "Who is
this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her Beloved?"
On Sunday, January 29th, 1832, after church service, the con-
gregation repaired to the River Raisin, when Elder Bodley baptized
eight candidates for membership. In February, 1832, Elder T.
Bodley became the first installed minister of the church; John H.
Carpenter and John Whitney were the first deacons, and John Whit-
ney the first treasurer. Elder Bodley remained with the church
during the year 1833, at a salary of $150.00.
The records show that in March, 1834, a call was extended Rev.
Mr. Goodman, but we find that in June, 1834, the Rev. Bradbury S.
Clay (father of our present well known banker, Frank W. Clay), was
installed. It appears the question of the minister's salary occasioned
the members some anxiety. There had been considerable delay in
raising the last year's expenses of the church, and it was decided to
empower William Foster, Lauren Hotchkiss and Benjamin Palmer
to make a levy, and William Foster to make an assessment on the
taxable property of the members of the church, that the amount of
the Rev. Mr. Clay's salary might be assured. It was voted to raise
$200 to pay Mr. Clay for his ministration during the year 1835.
In 1837 a brick church was completed and dedicated on the site
of the present edifice on Broad street. Rev. Gideon D. Simmons was
the pastor during the construction of the first church. A large and
fine toned bell was soon after hung in the tower. It was first swung
between two stumps in front of the church, where the village gamin
insisted on trying its tones.
About the year 1855 the first chapel was built. The present
chapel was dedicated January 1st, 1900, and cost $7,372.28. The
annex and audience room was constructed in its present form in
1884-5, during the pastorate of Rev. J. S. Holmes, at a cost of about
$12,000.
The present pastor, Rev. Franklin Wait Sweet, was installed
October 3d, 1902. The present Board of Trustees consists of the
following gentlemen: E. L. Baker, president; John E. Carr, secre-
tary; George W. Ayres, C. B. Bennett, Frank Cantrick, C. C.
Fisher, D. B. Morgan. The Sunday school was organized soon after
the church was founded, and in 1834 Lauren Hotchkiss was its
superintendent.
The Hon. William S. Wilcox became superintendent in the fall
of 1839, and served continually in that capacity until the spring of
1891, a period of over fifty-one years. Since the resignation of Mr.
Wilcox, D. B. Morgan and George L. Bennett have served as super-
intendents, the latter still being in that position. Mr. Bennett is
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
35
assisted by the following associate superintendents: D. B. Morgan,
B. P. Hathaway and Mrs. E. L. Baker. E. L. Baker, jr., is the
secretary and treasurer. The membership is about 625, with thirty
teachers. There is a Sunday school board of twelve members, to
whom all questions are referred.
On the basis of average attendance, which for the first six months
in 1903 was 425, this is one of the largest Sunday schools in Mich-
igan.
Below will be found extracts from a letter written by Allen S.
Hutchens, a constituent member, on the occasion of the semi-centen-
nial of the church in 1881. Many facts and incidents of the early
settlement will be found in this interesting paper:
*
*
BEAVER DAM, WIS., Nov. 18, 1881.
TO THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN ADRIAN, MICH.:
Dear Brethren- * *
* My father with his family reached Adrian
Sept. 22, 1831. A few weeks later, Deacon John Whitney, who had come from a
church near Trumansburg, N. Y., and had settled about five miles northwest of
Adrian, called at our house and introduced himself as a Baptist, and said that he
had started out to see how many of the like faith and order he could find in the
vicinity of our little village. His strong and cheerful words were a note of joy to
my mother's heart and to my own. In

perhaps two weeks he came again, re-
joicing that he had found so many anxious
as himself for a church home. Rev. Thos.
Bodley, at Saline, was sent for, because he
was the nearest Baptist minister. Elders
Booth, Goodman and Merrill were a good
deal farther away. Isaac French was build-
ing a hotel on the north west corner of Main
and Maumee streets. It was enclosed and
the floor laid in a small room that was
soon the barroom. There we met, as joy-
ful a company of Christians as ever came
together. The figures in the little room
stand out in bold relief-forms still dear to
my heart. They were Christ's men and
women. Deacon Whitney in the center
of the room, so happy that he couldn't
keep his face straight, and the smile read,
"I didn't bear my old rheumatic limbs on
my canes around through the woods for
nothing." The sisters sat on the north
side; Elder Bodley, Joseph Rickey and
others on the west side; I, a little boy, in
the southeast corner under the window. Deacon Foster, near Deacon Whitney's
right hand, arose and read a series of Articles of Faith and Practice, which, I
presume, he had taken from the records of the church in Shelby, Orleans County,
A. S. Hutchens, the last constituent
member of the Church. Died at
Madison, Wis., July 10th, 1903.
36
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
N. Y. The Articles were accepted, and we solemnly pledged one another to
walk together as a church in the fear and love of our common Lord. Elder
Bodley's heart was full, and oh, how earnestly he counselled and prayed. After
the organization was effected we tarried long and were loth to part.
Mr. Dean, whose hotel stood on the northeast corner of Maumee and Winter
streets, was not a professor of religion, but a kind, good-hearted neighbor, and he
allowed us to go into his ball-room the next day for Sunday services, for the
Methodists were occupying the schoolhouse that stood by the old cemetery. The
room was so well seated that it seemed to us that the old gentleman must have
borrowed chairs from nearly every house in the village. Elder Bodley preached
from these words: “Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness leaning
upon her Beloved?" The celebration of the Lord's Supper followed the sermon.
A strong spirit of brotherly love possessed us, and our hearts were full of the joy
and hope of the new church life. We had come from warm living churches, torn
ourselves away from loving Christian hearts, hoping that bye-and-bye, before
many years, there would be some little church somewhere in those woods that we
could unite with, and now to start off so soon, so strongly and so unitedly was
away beyond what we had dreamed of.
During the following winter our covenant meetings were held in the school
house, and our prayer meetings at the homes of the brethren, here and there in
the forest. I am not certain that Elder Bodley visited us in the winter, though
I think he did; at any rate he came to see us in March, and we invited him to
become our pastor, and in April he moved his family into a little house on the
edge of the swamp on the southwest corner of Maumee and Broad streets. My
father's log house. a little southeast of the village, then became our place of meet-
ing on Sunday mornings and on Sunday evenings, and often on week day evenings
Elder Bodley preached in the different neighborhoods where the brethren lived.
In the autumn of 1832 we began to meet in the upper room of a dwelling house
that stood on the northwest corner of Maumee and Broad streets, and met there
until we went into the brick house in 1836.
* *
*
*
* *
We began to go to the river almost immediately after our pastor began his
work. A spot just below the mill dam is in the memory still as a sacred place.
The church commenced its work in the best of harmony of feelings and views; so
much so that a stranger might well have thought that we had migrated from
some one church in the East. Except one from New Hampshire and two from
Vermont, I think we were all at first from Central and Western New York.
We had to work for what we got. I have seen in my father's log
house, sitting on boards laid on logs between the two beds at one end of the room,
and the large fire-place at the other end, sisters of the church and young women,
who had come on foot five miles, and brethren who had come from the south
settlement eight miles, with ox teams, to enjoy the Sabbath services, and to see
the faces of brethren that were loved. After the sermon, unless we had to go to
the river, the greeting was about as long as the meeting. We lived in the midst
of new things-new houses, new clearings, new comers from the East-much con-
stantly to awaken interest; but to us the church and the meetings of the church
were the main things on earth. And this brotherly love and devotion to His
cause the Lord blessed, for within two years from the organization, brethren who
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
37
were acquainted with the churches thought the church in Adrian not only larger
in numbers, but stronger in spiritual gifts than any other Baptist church in the
territory.
Brethren, let me correct a mistake. At the semi-centennial of the Baptist
church in Medina, Orleans County, New York, two years last May, it was stated
that your church was founded by members from that church. I believe my mother
and I were the only ones from that church. There were more members at first
from the church at Shelby, in the same county, than from any other church.
The pastor of that church claimed that you owed them a debt of gratitude. Pay
it, for two years later it made to you the best gift it could make, for it sent to you
in August, 1833, Lauren Hotchkiss, a man full of zeal for work in the Master's
He was remarkably fitted to two kinds of service, to lead a prayer meet-
ing and to conduct a Sunday school, for he never allowed the one to be dull, nor
interest in the other to flag. He put a strong arm under our little struggling
Sunday school and made it right off one of the important interests of the church
work. The last work he did for the church was to be the soul and inspiration of
the building of the meeting-house.
cause.
Yours in the bonds of Christian love,
A. S. HUTCHENS.
The First Presbyterian Church,

The First Presbyterian Church of Adrian was organized at the
house of N. D. Skeels on the fifteenth day of September, 1832, pur-
suant to a public call. The Rev. I. M. Wead, of Ypsilanti, was
38
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
present and chosen moderator, and N. D. Skeels, clerk. The mod-
erator presented the Articles of Faith and Covenant adopted by the
Detroit Presbytery, Sept. 1st, 1831, which were adopted by resolu-
tion. The clerk was then ordered to enroll the following names,
after giving evidence of their regular membership in other churches:
Josiah Sabin, Patrick Hamilton, Isaac Ormsby, Amelia Ormsby,
Elijah Johnson, Elihu Frary, Asahel Finch, Jr., Mary D. Finch, N.
D. Skeels, Elizabeth Skeels, Clarissa Fessenden, Mary A. Chapin,
Elizabeth Beals, Huldah Brown.
There seems to have been a strong temperance sentiment existing
at that time, for we find in the minutes of the first meeting the
following:
"Resolved, That no person shall be admitted to this church
unless they can conscientiously abstain from the use or vending of
ardent or distilled spirits, except for medical purposes.'
99
Three elders were then elected, as follows: Elijah Johnson, A.
Finch, Jr., Josiah Sabin. The first baptism was the little daughter
of Asahel and Mary D. Finch, Elizabeth Mary.
+ い
​In November, 1832, the Rev. George Howell came to Adrian.
The minutes show the next minister to visit the village was the
Rev. A. S. Wells, in 1834, who was followed the same year by Rev.
E. Gregory, who remained during the winter of 1834-5. In the fall of
1835, the Rev. William Wolcott came, and served as supply during
1835-6.
The church has had eight installed pastors, as follows: 1837-42,
Rev. J. L. Tomlinson; 1844-61, Rev. George C. Curtis; 1861-65,
Rev. George Duffield, Jr.; 1865-74, Rev. Wm. H. Webb; 1876-80,
Rev. John C. Hill; 1881-85, Joseph B. Little; 1886-98, Rev. Willard
K. Spencer; 1898, and still in charge, Rev. Edward M. McMillin.
The first church building was erected by the Society on Church
street, in November, 1832, being the first church edifice built in the
village. In 1842 a new structure was built on the present site, on
East Maumee street, at an expense of $12,000. This was enlarged in
1854 at an expense of $5,000, and again in 1869-70 was largely rebuilt
and beautified, at a cost of $25,000. The church bell, weighing
1,601 pounds, and costing $478, was hung Dec. 31st, 1846. The
chapel was built in 1884, at a cost of $5,000.
The fine parsonage, No. 35 Dennis street, was built by the
Samuel E. Hart estate, in 1895, and was first occupied by the Rev.
W. K. Spencer.
The Sunday school is in a flourishing condition, and since 1850
has been a power for good and active church work. The officers are:
Superintendent, S. S. Withington; First Assistant, H. M. Judge;
Second Assistant, Miss Della Corbus; Third Assistant, Miss Ida
Park; Secretary, Miss Florence Clement; Assistant Secretary, Nor-
man Angell; Treasurer, Miss Helen Jewell; Superintendent of
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
39
Primary Department, Miss Alice Angell; Assistant, Miss Carrie
Culver. The enrollment is about 350 scholars, with an average
attendance of about 225.
Christ Episcopal Church,
One of the handsomest and most substantial church edifices in
Adrian is Christ Episcopal Church. This church was organized in
1838 by the Rev. David J. Burger, who remained here for one year.

Christ Episcopal Church, Adrian.
In 1839 Rev. Wm. N. Lyster, of Sand Lake, took temporary charge,
and often visited the parish, until 1840. In 1841 Bishop McCoskry
administered the Apostolic Rite of Confirmation in the Methodist
Church, on Toledo street, the congregation kindly tendering their
house of worship for that purpose. About this time the old Presby-
terian structure on Church street was secured, the Presbyterian
Society having erected a new edifice on Maumee street, and the Rev.
Sabin Hough was appointed rector. No records can be found (it is
believed they were burned in the old court house in 1852), but it is
known that services were held during the first ten years, and that the
Revs. David J. Burger, Wm. N. Lyster, Donald Frazer, Charles V.
Kelley and Richard S. Adams were in charge.
The first church edifice was erected in 1851. The building com-
mittee was James J. Newell and Henry Hart, and the contractors
were Daniel A. Loomis and Robert J. Bradley, builders, the architect
being F. J. Scott. The cost of the building was $4,282. This was
40
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
done under the rectorship of the Rev. Rufus Murray, and the church
was consecrated by Bishop McCoskry, Oct. 31st, 1852. Since that
time, 46 years, the church was at various times improved and en-
larged, and was used until Sunday, August 9th, 1897, when a special
service was conducted by the rector, Rev. C. H. I. Channer, whose
sermon contained many interesting historical references. The old
building was then removed and the corner stone of the present hand-
some sanctuary was laid September 28th, 1897. The first service was
held in the new church on Easter Sunday, 1898. Following were the
church officers at that time: Rector, Rev. C. H. I. Channer;
Wardens, Richard A. Bury and H. V. C. Hart; Vestrymen, A. W.
Carey, E. E. Marble, W. F. Ayers, H. L. Larwill, C. D. Hardy, C.
Short, R. Alfred Bury. The building committee consisted of R. A.
Bury, H. V. C. Hart, A. W. Carey, H. L. Larwill, E. E. Marble.
The architects were Spier & Rohn, of Detroit, and the contractor
was Samuel Pickles, of Jackson, Mich. The cost, with all its fur-
nishings, was $25,000.
The handsome rectory on the corner of Church and Locust streets
was built with money donated by Mrs. Mary L. Drew, relict of the
well known pioneer resident, Delos Drew. The house was built in
1899, at a cost of something over $4,000. Mrs. Drew died before its
completion.
Methodist Protestant Church,
The College Church, afterwards known as the First Methodist
Protestant Church of Adrian, was first organized April 14th, 1867,
with 46 members. The first trustees appointed were: Dr. J. Kost,
J. H. Bailey, D. G. Edmiston. Stewards: J. S. Wilcox, J. H.
Davis, J. R. Gilkey. Leaders: A. H. Marsh, G. B. McElroy. Fol-
lowing are the names of the first ministers: J. M. Mayall, Asa
Mahan, G. B. McElroy, John Kost, J. S. Thrapp, W. M. Goodner.
The licentiates were: C. B. Goodrich, A. R. Seamon, A. H. Marsh,
John Ellis and D. G. Edmiston.
In August, 1879, the Society leased the old Plymouth church
building, and in May, 1880, purchased the property and has wor-
shiped there since that time.
The present pastor, Rev. C. W. Stephenson, was installed in Sep-
tember, 1901, and has been engaged for his third year. Board of
Trustees at present are: Dr. G. B. McElroy, I. W. Swift, J. N.
Sampson, Rev. John Gregory, Charles Clark, Dr. M. R. Morden, V.
A. Michener. Board of Stewards: A. E. Metler, Alfred Dobbins,
Mrs. Charles Thierman, Mrs. Karnes, Arthur Randall. Secretary,
Arthur Randall; Treasurer, Alfred Dobbins; Superintendent of
Bible School, H. K. Fox; Superintendent of Primary Sunday School,
A. E. Metler.
record of LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
41
St. Mary's Catholic Church,
About the year 1840 a Catholic mission was opened in the village
of Adrian by Father Smoulder, who came from Monroe. He came
here monthly, and Mass was read in the homes of Patrick Kelley,
Chas. Conlisk and Patrick Stanton.
Father Kindekens established a church in 1845, and the first
edifice was built on the corner of Center and Erie streets.
Father Ehrenstrasser came in July, 1865, and remained until
September, 1867. Father Van Dyke came in September, 1867,
built the present St. Mary's Church edifice in 1869, and remained
until December, 1871. In December, 1871, Father Duhig came and
remained until September, 1873. Then came Father Wallace, in
October, 1873, who remained until January, 1894. Dr. Charles
O'Reilly, D. D., came in February, 1894, and remained until March,
1901. Father Henry D. Sullivan, the present pastor, came in March,
1901. St. Mary's has a membership of about one thousand, and has
a Sunday school of one hundred and fifty scholars.
St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
The Catholic congregation in Adrian was separated in 1862,
when the German Catholics decided to build a place of worship of
their own nationality, as they were all German speaking and wished
to have a pastor who spoke their own language.
From 1862 until 1865 the congregation's spiritual welfare was
administered to by the Redemptorist Fathers, who visited here regu-
larly from Detroit, but as they were rapidly growing in numbers it
became necessary for a resident pastor, so in 1865, Rev. Father
Ehrenstrasser took charge of the rapidly growing congregation and
remained here until 1870, but was then relieved and called to a dif-
ferent field of labor.
He in turn was succeeded by Father Tewis, who remained here
only two years, and in 1872 was succeeded by Rev. Father Kullmann,
who did much in behalf of the church and congregation. Under his
pastorage the first cemetery was opened, besides several improve-
ments on the church property, but at that time it was very evident
that the church was not large enough for the greatly increased con-
gregation, and the building of a larger edifice was agitated; but
nothing definite was done until the following year, when Rev. Cas-
imir Rohwoski took charge of the congregation, and to him is due
the credit of the present beautiful edifice, the school and residence;
but his undertaking was great, and he had not fully carried out his
plans when he was removed, with a portion of his noble work undone,
that is, the completion of the parish residence. But his successor,
42
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Rev. Theisen, finished the work of the residence, and did much in
liquidating the debts on the property; he was in charge of the con-
gregation only two years and in turn was succeeded by the Rev. A.
P. Ternes, who remained here until 1896, making various improve-
ments on the parish property.
Rev. Henry C. Koenig took charge in 1896, and the present
pastor, F. W. Schaeper, came in March, 1903. There is a large con-
gregation and Sunday school.
First M. E. Church,
Following are the names of the pastor and principal officers of
the M. E. Church of Adrian, in 1903:
Pastor, Rev. J. I. Nickerson; President pro tem. and Collector,
Rev. A. J. Bigelow; Secretary and Recording Steward, Fred E.
Ash; Treasurer, E. N. Smith; District Steward, Mrs. A. J. Bigelow.

411112111
Erected in 1863.
TRUSTEES-G. P. Fuller, President; C. L. Norton, Secretary;
E. N. Smith, Treasurer; Wallace Westerman, H. W. Bovee, A. J.
Bigelow, P. J. Willson, J. W. Page, Joseph Wesley.
STEWARDS-G. O. Green, Oliver Schneerer, A. D. Quick, H. H.
Todd, Fred E. Ash, J. J. Stephenson, W. O. Albig, W. J. LaFraugh,
Mrs. H. Camburn, Mrs. A. J. Bigelow, Mrs. E. S. Ferguson, Mrs.
G. D. Austin.
1
1
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
43
ADRIAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The history of the Public Schools of Adrian is not without in-
terest to every one.
With the exception of those burned in the old Central School
building in 1866, the record is quite complete from the very first
school that was opened by Miss Dorcas Dean in 1828, when there
were only seven families in the village. This school was kept in one
room of the first frame house, built by Dr. C. N. Ormsby that year.
The first school committee was formed in 1828, and a combined
school and meeting house was constructed and used during the winter
of 1828-9. This building was located at the junction of South Main
and Winter streets. The first teacher in this building was David
Buck. The old English Reader, Cobb's spelling-book, and Morse's
Geography were the books used. Mr. Buck did not remain long, but

First Union School in Adrian. Erected in 1851-2. Burned in 1866.
44
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
went farther West, where he was drowned in 1830. Anson Jackson
was the second teacher and served the village as schoolmaster for
many years, being competent and popular.
The records do not give detailed facts regarding all the school
history that might have been preserved, but the names of some of
the teachers are at hand. We find among them Messrs. Powers,
Brewster, Inglis, Dixon, Ramsdell and Hance, as the most prominent
and successful among the men, while Miss Emma L. Keeney, after-
wards Mrs. A. F. Bixby, and Miss Casey, who became Mrs. Norman
Geddes, were among the most accomplished and successful of the
early teachers.
Michigan was one of the states which first adopted the union or
graded school system. By provisions of the law which at that time
regulated this system, the several district schools of a village or city
might unite under one organization whose aggregate resources would
permit that classification of pupils and supervision of work which
constitute a graded school. Previous to 1849 there were four school
districts in the village of Adrian. In the early part of that year the
school inspectors of the townships of Adrian and Madison, in which
these districts were located, by virtue of the law which empowered
them to act in such cases, united these four districts under a single
organization, known as "Adrian Union School District Number One."
In accordance with this arrangement, Alonzo F. Bixby, clerk of the
Board of School Inspectors of Adrian, issued a call, dated March 27th,
1849, to the taxable inhabitants of the new district, to meet on the
12th day of April for the election of officers and the transaction of
such other business as may be necessary." At this meeting Dr. P.
J. Spaulding was elected chairman, and Samuel Jordan secretary.
The meeting then proceeded to elect the first Board of Trustees of
what we know as the Public Schools of Adrian. Following are the
names of the Board: Richard H. Whitney, Moderator; Warner M.
Comstock, Director; Abel Whitney, Assessor. At this meeting it
was also Resolved, That a committee consisting of eight persons,
two from each former district, be chosen to examine and report at an
adjourned meeting the different locations within this school district
for the site of a school house, also the price and terms of each loca-
tion. Following is the committee appointed: John Barber, J. V.
Watson, George Kennedy, Stephen Whitehorne, E. Vandegrift,
James Field, Wm. L. Greenly, James J. Newell, Titus H. Treat.
66
At the opening of the new Central building, in 1868, the Hon.
Charles M. Croswell made an address which covered all the informa-
tion obtainable, and from which we copy:
"At the adjourned meeting the committee of nine reported that
several propositions had been placed in their hands, but that they
were unable to agree on a site which would be for the best interests
of said school district.'
"It was a fact that some influential citizens, through motives
which they believed to be right, vehemently opposed the organiza-
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
45
tion of the new system from the very start; and it was with extreme
difficulty and after considerable delay that the organization was
finally put on a working basis."
The man to whose efforts the reconstruction of the four district
schools upon the union plan is really due was Dr. John Cadman. He
had learned the practical workings of this system from his observa-
tions in New York, and devoted himself to the inauguration of the
improved graded school in Adrian. At this meeting, immediately
after the report of the failure of the committee to report a site for a
building, Dr. Cadman offered a resolution "That a school house be
erected, 66 feet by 70, three stories high."

Central Building and Four Branches, Adrian.
This motion was adopted, and a committee of twelve appointed
to report a plan for the building. The committee consisted of Dr.
John Cadman, L. Dodge, E. H. Winans, F. C. Beaman, Wm. L.
Greenly, R. H. Whitney. John Barber, Daniel A. Loomis, A. Barnard,
Marshall Huntington, Wm. L. Sheldon, Thos. P. Thompson.
At a special meeting of the district, held June 4th, 1849, after a
stormy debate, the following points were gained: The plan for the
new building, the site as reported by the committee of nine, and a
resolution offered by Dr. Cadman authorizing the raising of $2,000
as the first installment of the amount necessary to be raised by tax.
At the annual school meeting, held September 24th, 1849, the
46
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
following officers were elected to constitute the new Board of Trustees:
Elihu L. Clark, Moderator; Henry Hart, Director; Ira Ingals,
Assessor; James Kingsland, R. H. Whitney, M. N. Halsey, A. G.
Eastman, Trustees.
The minutes of this meeting relate that "It was on motion re-
solved that the vote passed at the last special meeting to raise $2,000
the coming year for building a school house be reconsidered. The
mover withdrew the motion, and the vote was not taken."
The state of feeling which existed at this time, on the part of
those who opposed the new organization, may be seen from a call for
a special meeting within two months after the annual meeting, "for
the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of dissolving
said union school district, and also for the purpose of directing the
two thousand dollars in money raised and collected
be paid back to the taxpayers from whom the same had been
collected."
* * * *
to
This special meeting was held February 9th, 1850, and the fol-
lowing resolution was offered:
"Resolved, as the sense of this meeting, That in view of the
differences of opinion known to exist in the minds of the citizens
composing this district as to the practicability of maintaining the
present organization upon an equitable basis, that we respectfully
request the inspectors of common schools of the towns of Adrian and
Madison to dissolve the district as at present organized."
The minutes inform us that after some discussion on the resolu-
tion, Joseph H. Cleveland and A. S. Berry were appointed tellers,
and a vote resulted as follows: For the resolution, 51, and against
it, 139.
This was the final effort of the opposition, and was no material
obstruction in the way of the Board, which at the next annual meet-
ing, in September, 1850, was instructed, by resolution offered by F. C.
Beaman, "to proceed with all convenient dispatch to the erection of
a building.
The Board for the year 1850-51 was as follows: E. L. Clark,
Moderator; Henry Hart, Director; Daniel Larzelere, Assessor; F. C.
Beaman, R. H. Whitney, A. G. Eastman, Wm. L. Greenly, Trustees.
At the annual meeting September 30th, 1851, a tax of $2,000 was
ordered as the third installment of the building fund, and the Board
was authorized "to contract for the erection of a suitable cupola
upon the school building, and to obtain a bell for the same, pro-
vided the cost of the same shall not exceed $500. The Board for this
year was E. L. Clark, Moderator: Henry Hart, Director; Daniel
Larzelere, Assessor; F. C. Beaman, R. H. Whitney, W. L. Greenly,
John Barber, Trustees.
The new building was completed and occupied September 13th,
1852. It was situated between Church and Maumee streets, the site
extending from one street to the other, and nearly opposite the
present Central building.
i
RECORD OFf Lenawee COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
47
It is thus described by Prof. Hubbard in a report to the Super-
intendent of Public Instruction:
"The Central building, or, according to the present plan, the
Academy, is 60 by 80, three stories high, with a well finished base-
ment under the entire building. The exterior is plain, but the
interior is very commodious and pleasant. The building often con-
tains 500 scholars or more. It will accommodate 312 scholars and
give a large public lecture hall, a class lecture room, and a library
room. The original cost of the building, with grounds, was
$11,375.13." This building was burned August 10th, 1866.
Between the years 1857 and 1861 it was found necessary to pro-
vide increased accommodations for the school population, and new
houses were built as follows: In 1857 the East Branch, costing
$5,000; in 1859 the South Branch, costing $3,500; 1860 the West
Branch (enlarged in 1867), costing $13,000; 1861 the North Branch,
costing $13,000.
At the annual meeting held September 26th, 1859, it was "Re-
solved, That the district establish a free school, the expenses to be
paid by taxation on the property of the district."
On the very day of the burning of the Central building, in
August, 1866, leading citizens requested the School Board to call a
special school meeting "for the purpose of taking measures to imme-
diately rebuild the Central schoolhouse." The meeting took place
on the following 22d day of August. The Board was instructed to
procure plans for a school building to cost at least $50,000. At this
time F. R. Stebbins was President of the Board, and Chas. M. Cros-
well was Secretary.
The plan of the new building was made by Architect A. Bar-
rows. The size of the building, over all, is 117 by 95 feet-about 60
feet to the cornice and 110 feet to top of tower. The building con-
tained twenty school rooms, made to accommodate about 1,000
scholars. The cost, including heating and fixtures, outhouses,
grounds and fences, was $68,000.
Since the foundation of the schools in 1849 the following gentle-
men have served as Superintendents:
1849-50-M. W. Southworth.
1850-51-Nathan Britton.
1852-54-M. S. Hawley.
1855-65-Franklin Hubbard.*
1866-67-Wm. W. Washburn.
1867-69-Newton W. Winchell.
1869-79-William H. Payne.
1879-85-William J. Cocker.
1885-96-George W. Walker.
1896-1901-A. E. Curtis.
1901- -P. J. Willson.
*The above records show that Mr. Hubbard only served ten years, when the truth is he
served from January, 1855, to December, 1865, making eleven years.
48
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Adrian High School 63 Years Ago,
As a relic of the early days in Adrian, and as a matter of interest
to the present and future generations, we give place to the following
now unique school catalogue. Among all the names contained in
the list of students, but three are known to be alive-James W.
Helme, Sr., and J. C. Linnell, of Adrian, and Stephen Eaton, of
Hudson. In reading the list many well known and prominent names
will be found. Among the girl students, Miss Mary E. Horton
became the wife of the Hon. Thomas M. Cooley; Miss Harriet Stone,
sister of Mrs. Major Cole, married Edward Shephard, a merchant of
Detroit, where she died; Miss Emily Wadsworth became the wife of
the Hon. John R. Clark:
NAMES.
Mr. Wiley Aldrich..
CATALOGUE OF THE STUDENTS
OF THE ADRIAN HIGH SCHOOL.
Charles H. Allen.
WINTER QUARTER.
RESIDENCE.
Adrian
Harla Aldrich.
"6
•
Anson Backus.
66 Edwin Ball..
66
Thomas Barber..
46
Norman Bartlett..
Madison
Adrian
66
"
Charles Bigelow.
George L. Buck.
Marvin A. Buck..
James Bump..
John R. Clark.
NAMES.
Mr. William Morris...
..
Robert Morse.
64
David Morton.
..
66
RESIDENCE.
Adrian
66
Harlow Mulliken.
James Pennock.
George Raymond..
Solomon G. Rice..
Horatio W. Shaw..
Alonzo D. Sheldon.
Joseph Strimbeck.
Wm. Henry Stone.
Seymour Treadwell.
Heman Treadwell...
Madison
Adrian
66
Dover
Madison
Adrian
66
Madison
44
....Adrian
66
66
"
66
Charles Winans..
George Woodbury.
Samuel A. Woodbury.
James Wooster.
Charles Linnell.
Madison
Adrian
Stephen Eaton...... Pittsford, Hillsdale Co.
Miss Ann Maria Allen..
.Columbus, O.
Adrian
Madison
"6
Horace Comstock.
66
De Witt Cooper.
44
46
Wm. Henry Crane..
Deloss Crittenden..
**
Oscar Crittenden.
66
Alonzo Dickinson.
66
Albert Edmunds..
66
John Fay..
64
Franklin S. Freeman.
William H. Freeman.
Alexander M. Foster..
44
Albert A. Graham.
6.
Peter Haughwout..
64
James W. Helme..
46
John C. Horton.
Philo Hunt..
66
Joseph Jones..
44
Alonzo Jocelyn.
46
Isaac Keeler..
66
Uriah L. Linnell..
66
Byron Merrick..
"James C. Linnell..
Jane Eliza Allen.
Lovinia Allen....
Lydia Barber..
Madison
.Adrian
Maria Combs.
Lucy E. French.
"
66
*6
64
Madison
Caroline Hawkins.
Charlotte O. Hopkins..
Mary E. Horton..
Martha A. Linnell.
Rebecca M. Salisbury.
Harriet Stone..
Ruth Thompson.
Ann E. Wright..
Emily Wadsworth.
66
64
Rockport, O.
Adrian
Fairfield
Adrian
..Madison
46
Adrian
The fourth term of this institution will commence on the 18th March.
TERMS OF TUITION.-For common English branches, per quarter, $3.50.
For other English branches, $6.00. For painting, drawing, etc.. $6.00. For chem-
istry illustrated by apparatus, per quarter, $8.00. For Latin, Greek and French,
$8.00. For music upon the piano, $10.00. For use of piano, $2.00.
As far as practicable the colloquial and explanatory system of instruction
which prevails so extensively and successfully in many of the high schools at the
East will be adopted, and the sciences simplified and illustrated as much as pos-
sible by the use of the blackboard and other appropriate means. It is particularly
desired that those who intend to become members of the institution the coming
quarter should enter as near the commencement of the term as possible.
GEORGE BREWSTER, Principal.
Adrian, March 12, 1840.
·
}
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
49

ADRIAN COLLEGE.
4
50
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
ADRIAN COLLEGE.
Adrian College was organized March 22d, 1859, in accordance
with the provisions of an act passed by the Legislature of the State
of Michigan, entitled "An Act to Provide for the Incorporation of
Institutions of Learning."
This institution comprises several schools, each having its dis-
tinct course of study leading to its appropriate degree. At present
four schools are included under the management: The College of
Literature and Arts, the School of Music, the School of Theology,
and the Preparatory School.
The associated schools are under the control of a board of thirty
trustees, twenty-four of whom are elected by the general conference
of the Methodist Protestant Church, and six by the Alumni Associa-
tion of the College.
The College Campus embraces twenty acres of land, handsomely
laid out, with grove and athletic field in the background. There
are five large buildings for college purposes, and the departments of
instruction are open to both sexes. There is a library of 7,000 vol-
umes, with an adequate laboratory and fine museum.
The Faculty consists of twelve persons of the highest character
and qualifications, and students may enter without intending to
graduate.
The business officers are: T. H. Lewis, D. D., President; Miss
Miriam Lewis, Registrar; Matron, Miss M. O. Smith.
The officers of the Board of Directors are: David Metcalf,
President; G. B. McElroy, Secretary; F. E. Priddy, Treasurer.
BROWN'S BUSINESS COLLEGE.
One of the prominent and very important institutions of Adrian
is Brown's Business College. It was established by the present
principal, Mr. L. S. Brown, in 1884, and has been a growing success
from that time. It is very gratifying to all who are interested in the
education of the young to note this fact, and all heartily congratu-
late Mr. Brown, not only as a teacher and instructor of the youth of
the county, but upon his financial success, in being able to erect and
equip such a fine and adequate building. His efforts must surely be
appreciated when he is thus enabled to add to the importance of
Adrian such an institution of learning and improvement. The new
building, which is located upon the corner of College avenue and
McKenzie streets, as will be seen by the accompanying engraving, is
large and imposing, and will accommodate over four hundred
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
51
students, with all the comforts and conveniences desirable in such an
institution. Instruction in this school is most thorough and com-
plete, and graduates have found no trouble in securing good posi-
tions. We advise all young men and women who desire to equip
themselves for an active, independent life, to look up the facts and
investigate the methods, cost and results of a full course at this insti-
tution. The work of the school is divided into two courses, the
Business course and the Shorthand course. The Business course
includes Double and Single Entry Bookkeeping, Business Arith-
metic, Rapid Business Writing, Spelling and Business Correspond-
ence, English Grammar, Commercial Law, Banking, Commission,
Corporation and Manufacturing Bookkeeping.
The branches embraced in the Shorthand course are Graham
Shorthand, Typewriting (by Touch Method), Rapid Dictation and
Legal Reporting, Manifolding, Spelling and Business Correspond-
ence, Business Writing and English Grammar.
The price of scholarships and the cost of living is always of im-
portance to those contemplating a business course. Write to Brown's
Business College, 43-45 College avenue, Adrian, Mich., for all
desired information.

Brown's Business College, Adrian.

Bird's-eye View of State Industrial Home for Girls, at Adrian.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
53
STATE INDUSTRIAL HOME FOR GIRLS.
One of the best and most important of all the public institutions
of Michigan is the Industrial Home for Girls, located at Adrian.
It was mainly founded by the efforts of that grand old Quakeress,
"Aunt" Laura Haviland, whose home was for so many years in
Raisin township, this county, and who for nearly thirty years was so
potent a factor in the great anti-slavery controversy that ended in
the war of the rebellion of 1861-5. After the blight of chattel
slavery had been driven out of the nation forever, she took up the
battle for the mothers of the land, and became an active worker for
the founding of an educational and industrial home for the unfortu-
nate and incorrigible girls of Michigan. Aunt Laura was a "tower
of strength," and her work lives after her. She was the embodi-
ment of true womanhood, and as a moral teacher was broad and
noble in her thought and deeds. She saw the weak places in our
civilization and believed in higher education, moral suasion and ex-
ample, rather than in prisons, corporal punishment and brute force.
for the wayward of her sex. She realized that if we are to have a
perfect civilization, and high standards, we must have good mothers
-mothers who can fully realize the difference between semi-savagery
and a high type of manhood and womanhood. She believed that a
girl brought up in an environment of neglect, and crime, and cor-
ruption, was not a fit being to become a mother, and should not per-
petuate and increase the race of low-born and brutalized humanity.
She believed that to send a child or young person to prison only
intensified human savagery and stultified human instincts. If, as a
people and a nation, we are to grow in grace, intelligence and use-
fulness, we must first make pure and wholesome and morally strong
our mothers, the most potent element in the human family. Hence,
she said, to improve the race we must not send the unfortunate and
wayward girl to the common prison house, but we must set apart a
home for her, where she can be restrained, taught and shown the
beauties and happiness of an exemplary life; where pure example
and high standards rule, and where industry, education and accom-
plishments bring a noble reward. This was her thought and belief,
and to her it meant work and ultimate success. She labored to that
end, the sentiment grew, the idea prevailed, and to-day we have a
grand institution in working order, and as immaculate as our civili-
zation and ideals can make it.
The State Industrial Home was created by act of the Legisla-
ture of 1879, under the administration of our own Governor, Charles
M. Croswell.
The first Board of Control, under the act, to choose location and
provide buildings, appoint officers, etc., was as follows: Chas. T.
54
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Gorham, of Marshall; Wm. H. Waldby, of Adrian; Mrs. S. L.
Fuller, of Grand Rapids; Mrs. C. B. Stebbins, of Lansing; Miss
Emma Hall, of Ypsilanti; with Gov. Croswell as ex-officio member.
The beautiful site was donated by the citizens of Adrian, and con-
sisted of forty acres of land, with the buildings thereon, together
with $3,000, but since that time adjacent ground has been purchased
until there is now one hundred and thirteen acres of the most pro-
ductive soil, with two farmhouses and adequate barns.
The first building constructed was Clark cottage, which,
although not entirely finished, was occupied August 3d, 1881. Miss
Viola Wood, now Mrs. John I. Knapp, of Adrian, was the first cot-
tage manager appointed, with Miss Seaver, of Adrian, as teacher,
and Miss Myrick as housekeeper. The first girl received came from
Lansing, and the second, a few hours later, from Saginaw. They
arrived August 3d:
The Home was founded on the cottage, or family system. There
are now twelve buildings, the cottages being named and known as
follows: The Administration Bulding, Clark Cottage, Croswell
Cottage, Gillespie Cottage, Haviland Cottage, Central Cottage,
Palmer Cottage, Alger Cottage, and Bliss Cottage. There is a
school building with a corps of eight teachers, and a graded school;
a fine chapel, with a Sunday school each Sabbath morning and
services in the afternoon, supplied by pastors of the city. Catholic
services are held twice each month, a priest coming for mass and
confession, and the Sisters each month for catechism. A fine hos-
pital has been erected, with all modern appointments, and supplied
with an appointed lady physician.
There is also a complete and thorough cooking school, where a
class of thirty-two in number is daily under actual instruction by a
competent teacher. Each girl takes a course of four months, and
when she graduates is presented with an excellent and practical
cook book. Some capable and competent cooks are turned out at the
end of every term.
Each girl is detailed for a certain period to look after all the
domestic duties in the cottages, all becoming proficient in this im-
portant branch of household lore. Washing, ironing, mending,
cleaning and decoration are all looked after, and good housekeepers
are the rule.
A sewing school is also in operation, and every girl is taught to
sew, put garments together and make calico dresses. During this
tuition, where any girl shows an aptitude for sewing, cutting and
fitting, she is advanced to the dressmaking department where custom
work is done, and many of them become expert dressmakers, capable
of constructing the finest gowns. It is not the policy of the Home
to try to make a natural dressmaker into a cook, or vice versa.
There is a horticultural department, and all learn the cultiva-
tion and propagation of plants, shrubs and flowers.
Music is taught in many branches, and all the ordinary accom-
record of Lenawee COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
55
plishments so acceptable and necessary in a happy home, are sought
to be developed as much as possible. There is a fine orchestra of
eighteen members.
Mrs. Sickels expects to establish a monthly publication, the
work of editing and printing to be done at the Home. The idea is
to cultivate a literary taste, develop thought and keep in touch with
as many as possible of those who have been saved by the institution,
and now occupy homes and responsible positions.
When the Board and the Superintendent are satisfied that girls
are qualified, morally and otherwise, and it is to their welfare to
leave the home, places are found for them in the families of the
farmers of the state. Great care is exercised in regard to these allot-
ments, and girls can be called in at any time. Each girl receives a
salary of from $1.50 to $2.50 per week, and a stipulated portion is
returned quarterly to the Home and given the proper credit. Several
girls upon receiving their final discharge have found a bank account
of from $75 to $175.
Since the opening of the Home, August 3d, 1881, to May 1st,
1902, one thousand seven hundred and forty-one girls have been
received, and there are at this date four hundred and thirty-one on
the rolls. During this time only fourteen have died while under the
control of the Home.
Since the foundation there have been but three Superintendents.
Miss Emma Hall was the first, taking charge June 27th, 1881. She
did excellent work in organizing, originating and formulating plans
and rules for governing a new and untried institution. After three
years of hard service, she was succeeded by Miss Margaret Scott,
who remained in charge until 1891, when in August of that year, the
present Superintendent, Mrs. Lucy M. Sickels, was installed. Since
Mrs. Sickels has been in charge, 1,166 girls have been received, and
many of the buildings have been erected. The Home is now in
fine condition, and people who thoroughly understand its workings
appreciate the wisdom of its founding, and the resultant good to the
people of the state. The records show that seventy-five per cent. of
the girls discharged have proven to be good women and useful mem-
bers of the communities in which they reside.
The Board of Control consists of three members, one of whom
must be a resident of Adrian. The present Board comprises the fol-
lowing persons: Hon. Gilbert Hart, Detroit, President; Mrs. May
Stocking-Knaggs, of Bay City, Secretary; Fred C. Bowerfind, of
Adrian, Treasurer.
The resident members of the Board since the foundation were as
follows: Wm. H. Waldby, C. R. Miller, John G. Mason, Mrs.
Edwin Crane, Willard Stearns, Wm. Corbin, David Metcalf.
56
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
RAILROAD HISTORY,
The Erie & Kalamazoo was the first railroad built in the United
States, west of Schenectady, N. Y., and was incorporated by the Ter-
ritorial Legislature of Michigan, in April, 1833, to construct a rail-
road from Lake Erie (Port Lawrence, now Toledo), to the head
waters of the Kalamazoo river, hence the name "Erie & Kalamazoo."
At that time the entire road was supposed to be in Michigan, but on
final adjustment of the boundary question, after the celebrated
"Toledo war," about one-third of the road-eleven miles-was found
to be in the State of Ohio. This road was laid with a thin iron
ribbon, on oak stringers, and was opened in 1836. Until August the
motive power consisted of horses.
The notice of the arrival of locomotive No. 1, the first one in the
tier of states bordered by the great lakes, and the advertisement of

E&K.R.R.
The First Locomotive and "Pleasure Car" on the E. & K. R. R.
the road, in 1837, is here given, copied from the Toledo Weekly
Blade:
[From the Toledo Blade, January 20, 1837.]
It affords us pleasure to announce the arrival of the long-expected locomotive
for the Erie & Kalamazoo railroad. The business of our place has been embar-
rassed for want of it; goods have accumulated at our wharves faster than we
could transport them into the interior on cars drawn by horses, and as a natural
consequence several of our warehouses are now crowded to their utmost capacity.
It is expected that the engine will be in operation in a few days, and then, we
record of LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
57
trust, goods and merchandise will be forwarded as fast as they arrive. A little
allowance, however, must be made for the time necessary to disencumber our
warehouses of the large stock already on hand.
[Advertisement.]
TO EMIGRANTS AND TRAVELERS.
The Erie & Kalamazoo railroad is now in full operation between
TOLEDO AND ADRIAN.
During the ensuing season trains of cars will run daily to Adrian, there con-
necting with a line of stages for the west, Michigan City, Chicago and Wisconsin
Territory.
Emigrants and others destined for Indiana, Illinois, and the western part of
Michigan
WILL SAVE TWO DAYS
And the corresponding expense, by taking this route in preference to the more
lengthened, tedious and expensive route heretofore traveled.
All baggage at the risk of the owners.
EDWARD BISSELL,
W. P. DANIELS,
GEORGE CRANE,
Commissioners E. & K. R. R. Co.
A. HUGHES, Superintendent Western Stage Company.
It will be observed no time is given for the departure of trains.
The Board of Directors adopted the following tariff in 1836:
Resolved, That the fare in the "Pleasure Car" (a two-story,
top-heavy affair, always jumping the track), shall be as follows:
Passengers, Toledo to Adrian, twelve shillings, fifty pounds of bag-
gage free. Freight, Toledo to Adrian, four shillings per hundred
pounds; salt, $1 per barrel.
For ten years this road had a stormy and troublous existence, its
affairs being managed sometimes by a Commissioner, acting for the
Board of Directors, sometimes by Trustees, appointed by order of the
court, and part of the time by a Receiver at the Toledo end, and a
Commissioner at the Adrian end, recalling the familiar anecdote of
the retort of the mate of a vessel to the captain, "My end of this
craft has come to anchor."
In 1848 the road was sold out under accumulated judgments;
Hon. Washington Hunt, of Lockport, N. Y., and George Bliss, of
Massachusetts, were the purchasers. They leased the road August
1, 1849, in perpetuity, to its rival, the Michigan Southern, then in
operation from Monroe to Hillsdale, and, although it forms a part of
the main line of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern from Toledo
westward, the Erie & Kalamazoo company still exists, drawing and
dividing its rental of $30,000 per year.
MICHIGAN SOUTHERN.
In 1837 the new State of Michigan launched out in a grand
scheme of internal improvements, providing for a loan of $5,000,000
(an enormous sum at that time), for the improvement of rivers, con-
struction of canals, and for three railroads-a Southern, a Central
and a Northern railroad.
58
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
The Southern road was to start at Monroe, on Lake Erie,
traverse the southern tier of counties, and terminate at New Buffalo,
on Lake Michigan. Chicago was a mere Indian trading post, with
a fort (Dearborn), in an apparently irreclaimable quagmire. The
track was laid with the flat or "strap" rail, 2½ inches wide, 3/4 inch
thick. The road was opened as follows:
Monroe to Petersburg, eighteen miles, in 1839; Adrian, thirty-
three miles, in 1840; Hudson, fifty miles, in 1843; Hillsdale, sixty-
six miles, in 1843. This comprised all the Southern road built by
the state.
The Palmyra & Jacksonburg railroad (now the Jackson branch)
was started by the owners of the Erie & Kalamazoo railroad, and
opened to Tecumseh, its terminus for nearly twenty years, with a
celebration August 9, 1838.
This road became involved and was sold to the State of Michi-
gan in 1844 for the amount of the state's loan and interest, $22,000.
The state united it with the Southern road, as the "Tecumseh
branch," stipulating in the sale of the Southern road, in 1846, that
this branch should be extended to Jackson, which, after a delay of
ten years, was done. In 1846 the state sold the road to a company,
with Edwin C. Litchfield at its head, for $500,000, in ten equal
annual installments. The new company did but little the next four
years, adding but four miles to the west end to reach Jonesville.
During the years 1851-2 the road was constructed very rapidly,
reaching Chicago, 243 miles from Toledo, in March, 1852. The
lease of the Erie & Kalamazoo, already noticed, August 1, 1849,
settled the struggle for supremacy between Monroe and Toledo, in
favor of the latter.
Following is a copy of a time table printed in the Watchtower
office, Adrian, May 6th, 1844, sixty years ago:
MICHIGAN SOUTHERN RAILROAD.
SPRING ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1844.
(Road owned and operated by the State of Michigan.)
FROM MONROE TO ADRIAN, HUDSON AND HILLSDALE.
This Road is now in operation from Monroe to Hillsdale, a distance of 66
miles, and being well provided with Locomotives, Freight and Passenger Cars,
is prepared to transport
FREIGHT AND PASSENGERS
Expeditiously and at low rates. This Road is the cheapest and most direct for
Passengers going to Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, South and Western parts
of Michigan.
Stages leave Hillsdale for Jonesville, Coldwater, Marshall, Kalamazoo, White
Pigeon, Constantine, Niles, Mishawaukie, South Bend,
Mouth of St. Joseph River, and all the important Western Villages and Cities.
Passengers will find it for their interest to leave the Lake at Monroe, to avoid
1
1
I
RECORD OF Lenawee COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
59
delay, as the Cars on this Road pass Adrian for the West before they can reach
Adrian from Toledo; and also to avoid the expense and trouble of transhipment.
THE TRAIN FOR PASSENGERS LEAVES MONROE DAILY,
SUNDAYS EXCEPTED, AT SIX O'CLOCK A. M.,
And Adrian at Nine o'clock A. M., and arrives at Hillsdale at
HALF PAST ELEVEN O'CLOCK A. M.
and
Leaves Hillsdale at half past 12 o'clock P. M., and Adrian at 3 o'clock P. M.,
arrives at Monroe at 6 o'clock P. M. FARE THROUGH, $2. To intermediate
places in proportion.
Monroe to Adrian.
Adrian to Hudson.
Hudson to Hillsdale..
Hillsdale to Jonesville.
Jonesville to Coldwater.
Coldwater to Bronson Prairie.
Bronson to Sturges' Prairie.
May 6, 1844.
12 miles
.21
"
...11
44
.36
"
66
TABLE OF DISTANCE.
34 miles
Sturges to White Pigeon.
.17
.17
66
Mottville to Edwardsburgh.
Edwardsburgh to Niles..
5
66
Niles to Michigan City.
.18
18
14
66
Michigan City to Chicago (steamboat)..60
Boat runs through daily.
Boat leaves St. Joseph daily for Chicago.
Niles to mouth St. Joseph River......25
J. H. CLEVELAND, Sup't.
66
The Wabash Railroad.
One of the most important events in the history of Adrian was the
construction of the Detroit, Butler & St. Louis railroad, from Detroit
to Butler, Indiana. In 1880 the movement to construct such a road
was completed and was headed by the Hon. James F. Joy and other
prominent men in Detroit. It was unquestionably the intent of the
prime movers, at its inception, to make this road part of the Wabash
system, although its construction was accomplished by an independ-
ent company. The importance of the great undertaking has been
demonstrated in the highest degree since its completion, as it has
become the "main line" of this great thoroughfare between the East
and West. There is now no greater or more efficient railroad line
between Chicago, St. Louis and New York, than the Wabash, and
Adrian and Lenawee County are benefited proportionately.
The Detroit, Butler & St. Louis railroad was built during the
years 1880-1, and the first passenger coach came into Adrian from
Detroit, a distance of about 57 miles, May 12th, 1881. June 10th,
1881, Jay Gould passed over the entire line from Butler to Detroit.
The great financier stopped in Adrian for some two or three hours,
and a grand reception was given him. He was driven about the
city by the Hon. W. S. Wilcox, the carriage being occupied by Mr.
Gould and Ald. W. T. Lawrence, with Mr. Wilcox at the reins.
A splendidly served lunch was given at the Lawrence House,
when Mr. Gould proposed as a toast, "Prosperity to Adrian," which
was heartily responded to by the large number of citizens present.
60
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
The actual bonus given by the citizens of Adrian to secure this
important railroad connection was $36,199. The largest subscription
of any Adrian citizen was that of Hon. E. L. Clark, amounting to
$10,000.
July 6th, 1881, an excursion party of ten carloads, containing
Mayor Thompson and prominent and enterprising citizens of Detroit,
came to Adrian to rejoice over the completion of the road. This
was during the administration of Thos. J. Navin. As mayor he
made a short speech of welcome, and Mayor Thompson, of Detroit,
responded. It was looked upon as a great occasion by both cities.
The day was intolerably hot, but all participants were unanimous in
their sanguine faith of future results.
July 15th, following, the subscribers to the bonus raised by
Adrian, were invited to Detroit, as the guests of that city, in honor
of the completion of the road. The number of citizens who took
advantage of the occasion was 725, and a grand ovation was enjoyed.
Col. W. F. Bradley was appointed agent for the company in this
city, June 15th, 1881, and still fills that important position.
Detroit Southern Railroad.
The first train to arrive in Adrian, over what was then known
as the Lima Northern railroad, was on Sunday, July 27th, 1896. At
that time the track was completed from Lima, Ohio, to the Wabash
track in South Adrian, and a temporary traffic arrangement was
made with the Wabash company. The work of tracklaying was
soon afterwards pushed on through Adrian, north to Detroit, and in
1898 trains commenced running between Lima and Detroit. In 1902
the name of the road was changed to the "Detroit Southern," and it
is now a very important line. It connects with all the trunk lines
running through Ohio, and at its present terminal, Ironton, Ohio,
with the Chesapeake & Ohio and Norfolk & Western roads, making
it a very important freight and passenger road.
I
Toledo and Western Electric Line.
The first car to run from Toledo to Adrian on this line arrived
in Adrian on Saturday, December 7th, 1901. Cars commenced run-
ning on the following day on schedule time. The subway, under the
Wabash railroad tracks at Adrian, was completed in August, 1903,
and the first through car went into Adrian on August 11th.
1
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
61
THE SHERIFFS OF LENAWEE COUNTY.
Following is a complete list of the Sheriffs of Lenawee County,
who have filled that important office since Michigan became a state:
Joseph H. Cleveland, Dem., elected 1836-8.
Darius Jackson, Dem., elected 1840-2.
Olmsted Hough, Dem., elected 1844-6.
Sumner Spofford, Dem., elected 1848.
Joseph R. Bennett, Whig, elected 1850-2.
George Ketcham, Know Nothing, elected 1854.
Joseph R. Bennett, Rep., elected 1856-8.
Flavius J. Hough, Rep., elected 1860-2.
Sylvester B. Smith, Rep., elected 1864–6.
William R. Tayer, Rep., elected 1868–70.
John G. Mason, Rep., elected 1872.
Nathaniel B. Eldredge, Dem., elected 1874-6.
James R. Cairns, Rep., elected 1876-8.
Charles Bidwell, Rep., elected 1880-2.
A. K. Whitmore, Dem., elected 1884-6.
Edward C. Baldwin, Rep., elected 1888-90.
Edward G. Wilson, Rep., elected 1892-4.
Edwin S. Ferguson, Rep., elected 1896.
John C. Iffland, Dem., elected 1898.
William F. Shepherd, Rep., elected 1900-2.
James Patchen, of Tecumseh, was sheriff previous to the removal
of the county seat to Adrian. Allen Washburn was appointed the
territorial sheriff after the removal to Adrian, and served until
Joseph H. Cleveland was sworn in under the state organization.
NEWSPAPERS OF LENAWEE COUNTY.
Below will be found the names and places of publication of the
different newspapers in Lenawee County at this time:
ADRIAN-Times and Expositor, daily and tri-weekly. Times
Printing Co.; Thomas A. Dailey, editor and manager.
The Telegram, daily. D. W. Grandon, editor and proprietor.
Adrian Press, weekly. Willard Stearns, editor and proprietor.
College World, semi-monthly. Adrian College.
ADDISON-Courier, weekly. A. J. Kempton, editor and pro-
prietor.
62
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
proprietor.
BLISSFIELD--Advance, weekly. John C. Howell, editor and
CLINTON--Local, weekly. J. R. Blanchard, editor and pro-
prietor.
DEERFIELD-Times-Journal, weekly. Wm. McNamara, editor
and proprietor.
HUDSON--Gazette, weekly. News Publishing Co., proprietors.
Post, weekly. Charles Steuerwald, editor and proprietor.
JASPER Journal, weekly. Miss Minnie Forman, editor and
proprietor.
MORENCI-Observer, weekly. Allen Bros., editors and pro-
prietors.
ONSTED-News, weekly. B. E. Thayer, editor and proprietor.
TECUMSEH-Herald, weekly. George Stacy, editor and pro-
prietor.
News, weekly. O. E. Hawkins, editor and proprietor.
WESTON-Kodak, semi-monthly. Mrs. D. J. Strang, editor and
proprietor.

This is the only log house left in the Township of Rome. It was built by
John York, in 1837, and is a good sample of the pioneer home. It is now
owned by Charles H. Severance, of Adrian, and was occupied as a residence
until 1903.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
63
MAYORS OF ADRIAN FOR FIFTY YEARS.
1879-Frank O. Bray.
1880-James A. Stacy.
1881-Thomas J. Navin.
1882-William Corbin.
1883-William Corbin.
1884-Richard A. Bury.
Following is a complete list of the names of the men who served
as Mayor of Adrian from 1853 to 1903, and the date of their official
service. In the spring of 1852 James Sword was elected President
of the Village Board. In January, 1853, Adrian became a city by
act of the Legislature, and Mr. Sword was acting Mayor until the
regular election in April, 1853. Here are the names and dates:
1853-Addison J. Comstock.
1854-Dr. Parley J. Spaulding.
1855-Francis J. Buck.
1856-Fernando C. Beaman.
1857-Richard H. Whitney.
1858-William L. Greenly.
1859-Henry Hart.
1860-William W. Cook.
1861-Daniel A. Loomis.
1862-Charles M. Croswell.
1863-John D. Campbell.
1864-Benjamin Folsom.
1865–William S. Wilcox.
1866-William S. Sammons.
1867-John Townsend.
1868-William S. Sammons.
1869-Norman Geddes.
1870-Nathaniel B. Eldredge.
1871-Richard B. Robbins.
1872-Henry A. Angell.
1873-William H. Waldby.
1874-Dr. Nelson H. Kimball.
1875-Dr. Nelson H. Kimball.
1876-William W. Luck.
1877-Charles H. Comstock.
1878-George H. Bruce.
1885-Dr. Nelson H. Kimball.
1886--Dr. Daniel Todd.
1887--Adolph J. Kaiser.
1888 Adolph J. Kaiser.
1889--Abram Wing.
1890-Seth Bean.
1891-Leonard W. Hoch.
1892--Alanson B. Treat.
1893 Wm. Foster Bradley.
1894--Charles S. Cain.
1895-Dr. Clifford Kirkpatrick.
1896-William O. Hunt.
1897-J. Will Kirk.
1898-J. Will Kirk.
1899-Willard Stearns.
1900—Willard Stearns.
1901-Dr. James H. Reynolds.
1902-Dr. George B. M. Seager.
1903-Jacob N. Sampson.
EMINENT MEN OF LENAWEE.
Lenawee County has been the home of several noted men, but
it is our purpose here to call attention to those only who have
attained the greatest eminence. It being about eighty years since
the first white settler located here, the record is very creditable.
The county has furnished the state with two Governors, three
members of Congress, and one of the most eminent jurists in the
64
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
nation. Several men have reached the distinction of a candidacy for
Congress and high state offices, many of whom were successful.
In 1845 Hon. William L. Greenly, of Adrian, was elected Lieu-
tenant Governor, and succeeded to the governorship in 1847 by the
election of Governor Felch to the United States Senate.
The Hon. Charles M. Croswell, of Adrian, was elected Gov-
ernor in November, 1876, and was re-elected in 1878.
The first member of Congress to be elected from Lenawee
County was Hon. Fernando C. Beaman, of Adrian, who was first
chosen in 1860, filling that responsible position for five terms, a
period of ten years.
In 1884 Hon. Nathaniel B. Eldredge, of Adrian, was elected,
and re-elected in 1886.
In November, 1898, Hon. Henry C. Smith was elected, and re-
elected in 1900.
It will be observed that out of its eighty years of existence Len-
awee County has furnished a Governor for five years and a member
of Congress for eighteen years. Not a bad record, when it is under-
stood the much older counties of Monroe and Wayne have always
comprised a part of the congressional district.
Hon. Thomas M. Cooley was the most eminent man that ever
made his home in Lenawee County. Born on a farm about one mile
east from Attica, Genesee County, N. Y., January 6th, 1824, the
tenth of a family of fifteen children, he was the only one to attain
any position above mediocrity. He attended a district school until
he was fifteen years old, and then became a student at the Attica
Academy three years. His ambition was to attend college, but the
family was too poor, and he never got beyond the academy.
In 1842 he began to read law in the office of Theron K. Strong,
of Palmyra, N. Y., but in 1843 he removed to Adrian, where he con-
tinued his studies in the law office of Alexander R. Tiffany and Fer-
nando C. Beaman. A portion of his time was given as Deputy
Village Clerk of Adrian. In December, 1843, he was married to Miss
Mary E. Horton, of Adrian.
In 1848 he became a member of the law firm of Beaman, Beecher
& Cooley. In 1850 he was elected Circuit Court Commissioner and
Recorder of the village of Adrian. At this time he also assisted in
running a farm in association with his father-in-law. He served as
Secretary of the Lenawee County Agricultural Society, and edited a
local paper.
In 1855 he formed a law partnership with Charles M. Croswell.
He was first a Democrat, but joined the Free Soil party in 1848, and
followed that into the Republican party. In 1857 he was chosen by
the Legislature to compile the laws, state and territorial, up to that
time, and accomplished the great task in nine months. In 1858 he
was appointed Reporter of the Supreme Court. That year he was
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
65
chosen by the Board of Regents of the State University, one of the
three first professors of the law department, with Judge James V.
Campbell and C. I. Walker, and he removed to Ann Arbor.
In 1864 he was elected to the bench of the Supreme Court of
Michigan, and of course discontinued his work as Reporter, after
having issued eight volumes of reports. In 1868 he published his
great work on "Constitutional Limitations." In 1870 his edition of
Blackstone appeared, and next, in 1874, his Story's Commentaries;
in 1876, his work on Taxation; in 1879, on Torts, and in 1880 a
Manual on Constitutional Law.
In 1882, with the Hons. Allen G. Thurman and E. B. Wash-
burn, he was appointed as a tribunal to settle differences between
the great terminal lines.
In 1885 he left the bench. In 1886 he was appointed Receiver of
the Wabash railroad, and became general manager.
In 1887 President Cleveland appointed him one of the first five
members of the Interstate Commerce Commission, and he became its
chairman and controlling spirit.
In 1891 he resigned on account of ill-health. In 1894 he became
physically used up, and died Sept. 12th, 1898. His law books and
commentaries are the standards among lawyers throughout the
nation.
Judge Alexander R. Tiffany was a lawyer of eminence and in-
fluence in Lenawee County. He was a student with the Hon. John
C. Spencer, of Canandaigua, N. Y., who became Chief Justice of
the State of New York. Mr. Tiffany came to Michigan in 1832 and
settled in Palmyra, this county. In 1836 he was elected Judge of
Probate of Lenawee County, was a member of the constitutional
convention in 1850, and member of the Legislature and chairman of
the judiciary committee in 1855. He was the author of Tiffany's
Justice Guide and Tiffany's Criminal Law, both being regarded as
standard legal works. They are in general use in Michigan. The
first edition of the Justice Guide was printed at the Watchtower
office, in Adrian, in 1850. Mr. Tiffany printed two subsequent
editions, and in 1866 the fourth edition was published by Charles
Humphrey, of Adrian. The fifth edition was revised by Judge
Andrew Howell, of Adrian. Mr. Humphrey published in all five
editions. We believe that the tenth edition is now in general use.
The work on Criminal Law was issued soon after the Justice
Guide. It was later revised by Judge Andrew Howell, and many
editions have been issued. The copyright of these valuable compila-
tions is still in the hands of Judge Tiffany's children, control being
vested in his son, George S. Tiffany, of Tecumseh.
5
66
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
JUDGES OF PROBATE.
One of the most important of all the county offices is that of
Judge of Probate, and below will be found a correct list of the names
of the men who have served the people in this capacity from the
first organization of the county.
The records of the court show that
the first business was done in 1828, when only one case was settled
during the year. In territorial days the office was an appointive
one. The records do not show the dates of the appointments made
by Governor Cass, but we find two names previous to 1836:
1828-Musgrove Evans.
1834-S. Hale.
1836-Alexander R. Tiffany.
1844--Consider A. Stacy.
1856-Fernando C. Beaman.
1860--Robert R. Beecher.
1872-Fernando C. Beaman.
1880--Norman Geddes.
1888-Richard B. Robbins.
1900-Harry L. Larwill.
GENERAL JOSEPH W. BROWN.
General Joseph W. Brown, whose portrait we are pleased to
present, was among the very first settlers, and was altogether the
most prominent pioneer of Lenawee County. He was one of a party
of fourteen men who came to Michigan in May, 1824, and settled on
land where the village of Tecumseh now stands. Austin E. Wing
General Joseph W. Brown.
was a resident of Monroe, and
had been Secretary to Governor
Lewis Cass. Musgrove Evans
was a relative of Mr. Wing. Both
Wing and Evans were ambitious
politicians. Wing wanted to go
to Congress, and Evans wanted
something "equally as good."
In 1823 Mr. Evans visited Mr.
Wing at Monroe and unfolded
his proposition. A plan was
formulated by which they be-
lieved both could make their
point. Joseph W. Brown was
then a miller and farmer at
Brownville, Jefferson County, N.
Y., and a relative by marriage to
both Wing and Evans. Gen.
Jacob Brown, a brother of Joseph
W., was in Washington, in com-
mand of the U. S. Army. Here
was "influence." Wing and
Evans at once started from Mon-

record of LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
67
roe to locate land, and after a short campaign decided to take
up a large tract on the Raisin river, at the confluence of a stream
they named Evans creek, the present site of Tecumseh. After this
was done, Mr. Evans went to visit Joseph W. Brown, at his home in
Brownville, N. Y., bearing a letter from Mr. Wing Mr. Evans
succeeded in interesting Mr. Brown in the enterprise, the land was
at once duly entered, and the firm of Wing, Evans & Brown organ-
ized. In May, 1824, Mr. Brown became the resident member, a vil-
lage was platted, a county seat established, etc., etc. In the spring
of 1825 an election took place. Wing was chosen to Congress by the
aid of the Tecumseh colony, and Evans was made United States
Surveyor, while Mr. Brown was pioneer, miller and farmer. One of
the first things Mr. Brown did, after putting up a log house for his
wife and family of five children, was to build a mill for grinding
grain and sawing lumber. He was a typical pioneer, able and reso-
lute, with capability, courage and endurance enough to lead the
great pioneer enterprise whose destiny he was then directing. The
rapid growth of the settlement gave evidence of his fitness to lead.
He built the first grist and sawmill in this county; he did the first
plowing, and ground the first wheat. He carried the first mail from
Monroe to Tecumseh, built the first frame house, and established
the first stage mail route between Detroit and Chicago. Mr. Brown
was born of Quaker parentage, but inherited military instincts. In
1817 he was appointed adjutant of a regiment of cavalry; in 1818,
captain of a rifle company, and in 1819, lieutenant-colonel of the
One Hundred and Eighth Infantry, by Governor Dewitt Clinton, of
New York. In 1826 he was made chief justice of Lenawee County,
Michigan, and in 1829, colonel of the Eighth Michigan Regiment,
by Governor Lewis Cass. In 1831 he was appointed brigadier gen-
eral of the Third Brigade, and in 1836, Register of the land office at
Ionia, Mich., by President Andrew Jackson. In 1839 he was
appointed brigadier general of Michigan troops, and also Regent of
Michigan University, by Governor Stevens T. Mason. During the
"Black Hawk War," of 1833, Gen. Brown was in command of the
Michigan forces, and was commended by the territorial and national
authorities. In 1835, the year of the "Toledo War," that might
have resulted in blood and carnage, had the Ohio forces come upon
the disputed territory, Gen. Brown, in command of 1,500 Michigan
troops, marched to Toledo and thus put an end to the disgraceful
proceeding of Governor Lucas, who, with 500 or more Ohio militia,
was then encamped at Maumee. Governor Lucas was bringing this
army to Toledo to protect a court that was to sit there to declare the
disputed line "legal," and to extend civil jurisdiction over the stolen
territory. But General Brown and his army arrived first, and the
court never acted. Congress finally passed an act ceding to Ohio the
disputed territory, and in return attached to Michigan our present
upper peninsula, a tract of country then supposed to be worthless
and almost uninhabitable. But it has proven a good trade for
68
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Michigan. After this campaign General Brown was again com-
mended. There never was a better or more useful pioneer than
General Joseph W. Brown, of Tecumseh. He was practical and
thorough, generous and hospitable, shirked no duty, feared no
responsibility, and commanded the respect and confidence of all
citizens. He lived to a good old age at his home in Tecumseh,
honored by all.
He was born in Falls Township, Bucks County, Pa., November
26th, 1793, and died in Toledo, Ohio, December 9th, 1880. His
remains lie buried in the beautiful cemetery at Tecumseh.
HON. ADDISON J. COMSTOCK.
Hon. Addison J. Comstock, whose portrait is here shown, was
the founder of Adrian. He came to Michigan with, his father,
Darius Comstock, from Lockport, N. Y., in the fall of 1825, and took
Hon. Addison J. Comstock.
up from the govern-
ment six hundred and
forty acres of land,
upon which the city
now stands. At the
same time his father
entered a large tract
in Raisin Township,
which is now occupied
by Raisin Valley Sem-
inary. Both immedi-
ately returned to Lock-
port, where they set-
tled up their affairs,
and the next year, 1826,
came to Michigan and
settled in the wilder-
ness. Addison J. Com-
stock, with his young
wife, married in Feb-
ruary, arrived at his
home in the woods in
July. His first work
of importance, after
putting up a log house,
was to build a saw-
mill, which he com-
menced to operate in

1
RECORD OF Lenawee COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
69
November. This sawmill was an important factor in establishing
a settlement. So many settlers came in that in March, 1828, Mr.
Comstock laid out and platted the village of Adrian, which was
recorded in the County Register's office at Tecumseh, April 1st fol-
lowing. This plat contained forty-nine lots, which Mr. Comstock
then believed to be sufficient for all time, but in 1837 he added largely
to the original plat. On the 4th of July, 1828, a celebration was
held, the day being patriotically observed by Mr. Comstock reading
the Declaration of Independence. The whole number of people,
young and old, in the settlement, numbered about forty. In 1829 a
postoffice was established, with Mr. Comstock as postmaster, the
first quarter's receipts being nineteen cents. This same year he,
with his father-in-law, Isaac Dean, built a gristmill, which was the
second in the county. In 1832 he and his father projected the Erie
& Kalamazoo railroad from Toledo to Adrian, a distance of thirty-
three miles. This was a great undertaking, but with the assistance
of enterprising men, both at Adrian and Toledo, the road was com-
pleted in 1836. It was operated with horses until August, 1837,
when the first locomotive was procured. This was among the
earliest railroads in the nation, and was the first in the entire country
west of Schenectady, N. Y. In 1836 the Erie & Kalamazoo Railroad
Bank was established by some eastern capitalists, and Mr. Comstock
was one of the principal stockholders. In 1837 Mr. Comstock was
elected a member of the Legislature. In 1848 he was chosen presi-
dent of the Adrian and Bean Creek Plank Road Company, and a
good plank road was constructed from Adrian to Gambleville, Hills-
dale County, the junction of the Chicago turnpike. The road was
completed in 1849. In 1850 he was elected a member of the consti-
tutional convention of that year. In 1853 he was made mayor of
Adrian, being the first mayor elected by the people. On Sunday,
January 20th, 1867, he died suddenly, at his home, in the afternoon,
after attending church in the morning. Mr. Comstock was a most
honorable and exemplary man, and was held in the highest esteem
by every person who knew him. He proved in every way equal to
the great task imposed upon himself in going into the wilderness
and building up a happy community of worthy and prosperous
people. He was first in every undertaking that inured to the benefit,
comfort or prosperity of the county. In organizing churches and
schools, and in building roads, bridges, mills, etc., he was always
first with his labor and means. He gave liberally of his land for
public purposes, and encouraged every laudable enterprise. He was
a man of good business education, and a public speaker of much force
and influence. His pioneer life was a grand success, and his happi-
ness was in the enjoyment of his good work. A complete history of
Mr. Comstock's life and family relations may be found in the
"History and Biographical Record of Lenawee County," vol. 1.
70
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
MRS. LAURA S. HAVILAND,
Mrs. Laura S. Haviland was born at Kitley, Leeds County,
Ontario, Canada, December 20th, 1808. She was the daughter of
Daniel and Sene (Blancher) Smith. Mr. Smith was a native of
the State of New York, an approved minister in the Society of
Friends (Quakers), and was
man of strong convictions, clear
reasoning powers, and earnest
and successful in his spiritual
work. Soon after his marriage
with Sene Blancher he removed
to Canada and resided there until
1815, when he returned to his na-
tive state, with his family, and
settled in Cambria, Niagara
County. Here their daughter,
Laura S., lived until she was
married to Charles Haviland, jr.,
November 3d, 1825, at Lockport.
She became the mother of seven
children, five of whom survived
her. In September, 1829, Charles
and Laura Haviland, with their
two infant sons, came to Michi-
gan and settled on a wilderness
farm, in what is now Raisin'
Township, Lenawee County,
within three miles of where her
parents had settled four years
previously. She proved a true
pioneer, being among the first in
every movement to better the conditions and alleviate the sufferings
of settlers. She was a kind, devoted mother, a faithful, pure and
loving wife. About the year 1837, she, with her husband, opened a
manual labor school on their premises, afterwards known as the
Raisin Institute. Her brother, Harvey Smith, sold his farm of one.
hundred and sixty acres, and put the proceeds into buildings. This
was the first school in Michigan to open its doors to students of good
moral character, regardless of sex or color. The first students were
nine children taken from the Lenawee County Poorhouse, and wholly
maintained by the Institute for more than one year. Her husband
died March 13th, 1845. Out of this enterprise has grown the two
splendid State Industrial Schools, the one for girls at Adrian and
the other for boys at Coldwater. These schools are authorized by
acts of the State Legislature, and maintained by the state. Aunt
Laura, as she was familiarly called, spent much time at Lansing,

Aunt Laura S. Haviland.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
71
during the sessions of the Legislature when these acts were passed,
in laboring with members in their behalf.
She was one of the organizers of the first Abolition Society, back
in the 30's; established the first "underground railroad" depot in
the state, and was ever after an earnest and enthusiastic helper of
the slaves in their efforts to gain their freedom. So active was she
in this work that a reward of $3,000 was offered for her, dead or
alive, by the slave interests of the South. But this fact did not in-
timidate her in the least, and she continued her zealous efforts until
the advent of universal emancipation in 1863. She was a woman of
great attainments and wonderful moral and physical courage, a
forceful and convincing speaker, possessing rare gifts, with a
religious fervor such as few are inspired with. She loved to do a
kindly act, to relieve suffering, and comfort the weary and forlorn.
In 1864 she went to New Orleans as agent of the Freedman's Relief
Association of Michigan, and, in distributing supplies and dis-
pensing relief, learned there were three thousand Union soldiers
imprisoned on Ship Island and the Dry Tortugas, in the Gulf of
Mexico. These men had been sent there by an ex-rebel captain
named Attocha, who, after first swearing allegiance, had been re-
warded by General Banks, who made him judge advocate at New
Orleans. The Government was then drafting men to fill up depleted
regiments, while this traitor was decimating the ranks by sentencing
men to Ship Island on the most trivial charges, for long terms at
hard labor, with ball and chain attachment. Aunt Laura was at
once aroused at this outrageous proceeding, and used all her craft
and diplomacy in trying to unwind the red tape that made it possible
these innocent men should suffer such wrong. Following desperate
and fruitless efforts in their behalf, she went to Ship Island, and
after a week's investigation was further shocked and horrified at
learning the truth. She got at the records, copied from the books
the charges that condemned these men, and returned to New Orleans.
The facts and records were laid before the officers in command there,
but no relief could be had-the tape could not be unwound, and three
thousand innocent men were allowed to remain on the white sand,
under a tropical sun, because nobody had the courage to act. She
came home to Adrian. After a few days' rest, she presented the
case to the Hon. Fernando C. Beaman, our member of Congress, and
Benj. F. Wade, of Ohio. Within a week, she got word that Judge
Attocha had been removed, and that the soldiers would be released
as soon as due investigation could be made. This was one of the
greatest achievements of her life. She stated the facts and pre-
sented the proofs so clear and strong that quick work was done at
Washington.
No woman was better or more favorably known among the loyal
people in this whole country than Aunt Laura. Her fifty-three years
of widowhood were devoted to the righting of wrongs, relieving of
suffering, and comforting hopeless humanity. Hers was a life of
72
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
religious devotion, for it is only those who are impelled with such a
mind, such courage, such resources and exalted piety, that can accom-
plish such grand results. She was broad, noble and kindly, sweet
in her disposition, reverently grand in her instincts, and was graced
with modest dignity and pure womanly excellence. Her life and
history should be an inspiration to every Christian woman. She
made more history, and set a greater example, than any woman who
ever resided in Michigan, if not in the nation. A town in Kiowa
County, Kansas, and a Friends Academy, established in 1886, were
named "Haviland" in honor of her life and work. At the same
place a Friends quarterly meeting was also established and named
after her. The picture of her kindly face adorns the walls of the
academy at Haviland, Kansas, and also the schools at Adrian and
Coldwater. She crossed the ocean and passed five pleasant months
in England, after she was eighty years old, and was there enter-
tained by the best people of the realm. Lenawee County is justly
proud of this meek but practical woman. She sleeps beside her
kindred in Raisin Valley cemetery. She died at the home of her
brother, Rev. Samuel B. Smith, D. D., of Grand Rapids, Mich.,
April 20th, 1898, having attained the ninetieth year of her age. She
wrote a book entitled "A Woman's Life Work," in which she details
her eventful career, and records many historical events to be found
in no other volume.
A modest monument at present marks her final resting place,
but a strong movement has recently been instituted to secure a fund
by popular subscription, and erect above her treasured dust a tribute
to her memory that shall endure for coming ages.
BIOGRAPHICAL RECORDS.
The following Biographical and Family Records have been obtained
by personal interviews with the subjects, or their children, and
all the dates and figures are taken from family records. The
greatest care has been taken in writing and compiling, every
sketch being approved and pronounced correct by the parties of
whom it has been obtained. They will be found as reliable as
it is possible to make them.
HON. FERNANDO C. BEAMAN was born in Chester, Wind-
sor County, Vermont, June 28th, 1814. His father, Joshua Beaman,
was born in Lancaster, Massachusetts, and was baptized March 12th,
1769. Joshua Beaman was the descendant of Gamaliel Beaman,
who settled in Dorchester, Massachusetts, with his parents, when
twelve years of age, in 1635,
but removed to Lancaster, the
same state, in 1659. He had
eight children, four sons and
four daughters. Elijah Beaman
was the son of John Beaman,
who represented the third gen-
eration from Gamaliel Beaman,
and was born October 10th,
1736, at Lancaster, Massachu-
setts. He married Miss Thank-
ful Nichols, of the same place,
in 1759. Joshua Beaman was
the son of Elijah and Thankful
Beaman, who were Fernando
Beaman's grandparents. Joshua
Beaman lived in
in Lancaster,
Massachusetts, until 1787, when
he was called out by the Gov-
ernment, to assist in quelling
Shay's rebellion, soon after
which he removed to Chester,

Hon. Fernando C. Beaman.
74
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Vermont.
He
He resided in Chester until about 1819, when he removed
to Chateaugay, Franklin County, New York, and purchased a farm,
where he died, April 26th, 1829. About the year 1791 Joshua Bea-
man married Miss Hannah Olcott, daughter of Timothy Olcott and
Hannah Chandler, by whom he had fourteen children, Fernando C.
being the sixth son and twelfth child. Mrs. Hannah Beaman was
born in Windsor County, Vermont, in 1773, and died in Chateaugay,
New York, March 19th, 1829. Fernando C. Beaman lived at home
until the death of his parents, which occurred in his fifteenth year.
At that time he had received a good common school education, after-
wards working himself through Franklin Academy, of Malone,
New York, teaching school seven winters and three summers.
went to Rochester in 1836, and in the following year entered the
law office of Haight & Elwood, subsequently reading also with Wm.
S. Bishop, a prominent member of the bar of that city. In 1838 he
came to Michigan, and early in 1839 was admitted to the bar in
Lenawee County, and first settled in Manchester, now in Washte-
naw County, where he entered upon the practice of his profession.
Later in the same year he moved to Tecumseh, and formed a part-
nership with Hon. Consider A. Stacy. In 1843 Mr. Beaman was ap-
pointed prosecuting attorney of Lenawee County, by Gov. Barry,
and removed to Adrian, the county seat, where he resided until
his death. He was twice re-appointed to this position, holding it for
six years. During this time he formed a law partnership with the
Hon. A. R. Tiffany, and later he became a member of the law firm
of Beaman, Beecher & Cooley, composed of himself, the late Hon.
Robert R. Beecher, and the Hon. Thomas M. Cooley, afterwards
a justice of the Supreme Court. Subsequently Judge Cooley
dropped out of the firm, the remaining members continuing_until
after Mr. Beaman's election, in 1856, as judge of probate for Lena-
wee County, which office he held for one term. In 1871, soon after
retiring for the first time to private life, he was appointed judge of
probate again, to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Judge
Beecher, and in 1872 and 1876 was re-elected to the same office. In
early life Mr. Beaman was a Democrat of the liberal sort, and after-
wards, in 1848, became a Free Soiler, and made a vigorous canvass
of Lenawee County in favor of Van Buren and Adams, the presi-
dential candidates of the party. In 1854 he attended the Jackson
convention, which organized the Republican party, in Michigan,
and was one of the vice presidents of that assembly. He was also a
delegate to the National convention at Pittsburg, which met for
consultation, and paved the way for the organization of the Repub-
licans as a National party. The same year he served as one of the
presidential electors for this state, casting his vote for Fremont and
Dayton. In 1856 he was also a delegate to the Philadelphia conven-
tion, which nominated Fremont and Dayton. In 1860 Judge Bea-
man was elected to Congress, in the Second district, comprising
Monroe, Lenawee, Cass, Hillsdale, Branch and St. Joseph Counties,
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
75
receiving 19,173 votes against 12,699 cast for the Hon. S. C. Coffin-
berry, of St. Joseph. For four succeeding and consecutive terms
he was re-elected. In 1862 the district was changed, Branch, St.
Joseph and Cass being detached from it, and Wayne added. This
was the year when the "Union" movement came so near sweeping
the Republicans from their footings, and Judge Beaman only won by
one hundred and ninety-two majority over Hon. E. J. Penniman, of
Plymouth. In 1864 he defeated the Hon. David A. Noble, of Mon-
roe, in the same district, by 2,314 majority; in 1866 he was elected
over the Hon. J. Logan Chipman by 3,876 majority, and in 1868 was
chosen over the Hon. M. I. Mills by 1,602 majority. In none of these
years had Judge Beaman sought the nomination. Of the nominat-
ing convention which convened at Monroe to nominate Mr. Beaman's
successor, in 1871, J. Fred Meyers, editor of the Dennison (Iowa)
Review, who attended the convention, says:
"The Wayne delegation didn't want any change, and urged the Lenawee
County delegation to unite with them (they having a majority over Hillsdale and
Monroe Counties) to secure Mr. Beaman's nomination, but Mr. B. stood by his
previous declaration. When meeting him subsequently, we reported that if he
had only given the word he would have been certainly and eagerly nominated.
To this he replied that all public men wear out, sooner or later, and that it is the
part of wisdom to retire while the public yet desired their services, and not to
wait until their welcome was worn out. He felt that ten years of Congressional
life was enough for him, and that he ought to retire voluntarily, and not wait
defeat either before a convention or before the people."
In May, 1872, he was elected president of the First National
Bank of Adrian, and held the position until the bank went into vol-
untary liquidation. November 13th, 1879, Mr. Beaman was appointed
by Governor Croswell to the exalted office of United States Senator,
to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Hon. Zachariah Chandler,
but owing to ill-health did not accept the position, although it was
one of the highest encomiums to his ability, fidelity and personal
worth that could be tendered him, coming, as it did, unsought and
unexpected. This is not the first time he declined to accept high
official stations. Gov. Kinsley S. Bingham tendered him the ap-
pointment of Justice of the Supreme Court, to fill a vacancy on the
bench, which Mr. Beaman declined. When Senator Chandler was
Secretary of the Interior, he tendered Judge Beaman the position of
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, which was also declined. May 10th,
1841, Mr. Beaman married Miss Mary Goodrich, daughter of Ira and
Fear Goodrich, of Brockport, New York, by whom he had three
children, as follows: Mary A., born in Clinton, this county, March
4th, 1842, now the wife of Rienzi H. Baker;* Elwood C., born in
Adrian March 12th, 1845, died July 5th, 1846; Roscoe W., born in
Adrian July 18th, 1847, died in Chicago August 31st, 1877. Mrs.
Mary Beaman was born in Granville, Washington County, New
York, March 16th, 1818. Her father was a native of Owego, New
76
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Mr.
York, and died in Rochester, New York, in 1825. Her mother was a
native of Vermont, and died at Brockport, New York, in 1851.
Beaman died in Adrian, September 27th, 1882. Mrs. Beaman died
September 15th, 1894.
*Rienzi H. Baker and Mary Antoinette Beaman were married in
Adrian, November 13th, 1867. Two children have been born to
them, as follows: Leslie Beaman, born February 22d, 1871, resides
at home; Mary Louise, born in Adrian, October 22d, 1874, and
resides at home.
R. H. Baker was born in Dexter, Washtenaw County, Mich.,
November 3d, 1840. His parents, Hiram and Jerusha (Sawtelle)
Baker, were pioneers of Washtenaw County, and settled at Dexter
in 1833. Hiram Baker was a farmer, and located government land.
After clearing up his farm and putting up comfortable buildings, he
engaged in the mercantile business in Dexter with Judge A. D.
Crane. He was born near Gorham, Ontario County, N. Y., July 20,
1806. After a short but successful career in Michigan, he died in
Dexter, March 10th, 1842, leaving a wife and three children. Rienzi,
the youngest, is the only survivor of the family.
Mrs. Jerusha Baker was born near Gorham, Ontario County,
N. Y., March 27th, 1807, and was the daughter of Levi and Sarah
(Monroe) Sawtelle. Levi Sawtelle was born near Boston, Mass.,
and was a pioneer in Ontario County, N. Y., where he met and mar-
ried Miss Sarah Monroe, who was born in the Wyoming Valley, Pa.,
and was a survivor of the memorable massacre. Mrs. Jerusha
Baker died February 18th, 1867.
R. H. Baker served his country in the Union army, during the
great rebellion, for about three and one-half years. He first enlisted
as a private in Detroit, April 16th, 1861, in the three months' service,
and was discharged at the expiration of that time, but re-enlisted
July 26th, 1862, as a private in the Eighteenth Michigan Infantry,
and was mustered out in August, 1865. He was promoted to sergeant
and afterwards to second lieutenant. He was detailed as aid to
General R. S. Granger, and was commended on several occasions for
gallant and meritorious conduct.
FLAVIUS J. HOUGH was born in East Schuyler, Herkimer
County, N. Y., March 18th, 1823, and came to Michigan with his
parents in 1831. His father, Olmsted Hough, was born in Columbia
County, N. Y., in 1797. In 1801 his parents removed to Schuyler.
Zepheniah Hough, father of Olmsted Hough, was of French and
English ancestry. He was a soldier in the Continental army during
the Revolutionary War, and died in Schuyler in 1836. He could
trace his ancestry back to Normandy, France, from which his fore-
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
77


Olmsted Hough.
Flavius J. Hough.
66
fathers went to England in the days of William the Conqueror. Two
brothers, William and Benjamin Hough, came to America and settled
at Norwich, Conn., in 1680, and from these two men all families in
the United States who spell their names H-o-u-g-h have descended.
Olmsted Hough lived with his parents until he was fourteen years
old, when he was bound out to a brother-in-law to learn the trade of
carpenter and millwright. When he was eighteen he bought his
time. He followed the business until 1830, when he was elected to
the New York Legislature, on the "Masonic ticket," and served one
term. In June, 1831, he emigrated to Michigan with his family,
and settled on a farm on what was then known as the trail road,"
running from Tecumseh to Saline. He was always an active, en-
thusiastic Democrat in politics, being present and assisting in the
organization of the party in this county. At the first state constitu-
tional convention he was elected sergeant-at-arms. He was elected
the first State Senator of his district after Michigan was admitted to
the Union. In 1838 he was appointed by President Martin Van
Buren, Register of the State Land Office, then located at Detroit,
but resigned when the Whigs came into power, in 1840. In 1844 he
was elected Sheriff of Lenawee County, and was re-elected in 1846.
He was elected by the Township of Tecumseh to the Board of Super-
visors for several terms, and was also made chairman of that body.
He was a man of sterling qualities. His life was a strenuous and
honorable one, being respected and highly regarded by all. He died
in the village of Tecumseh, December 25th, 1865. He was twice
married, first in 1820 to Miss Julia Ann Boughton, who died April
78
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
4th, 1829. He next married Miss Mary Boughton, a sister of his
former wife, who died in Tecumseh, April 25th, 1890, aged 85 years.
Flavius J. Hough, the subject of this sketch, came to Michigan
when he was eight years old. He lived with his parents until he
was seventeen years old, and was educated in the country district
schools, and three years in what was then known as the Tecumseh
Branch of the State University. During the winters of 1841-2 he
taught school in Raisin Township. For about ten years his princi-
pal employment was teaching school. In the spring of 1842 Mr.
Hough started for St. Louis, Mo., on foot. He was armed and
equipped with a rugged constitution, a good education, and a reso-
lute purpose to enlighten and civilize the western youth. He walked
from Tecumseh to Chicago, and from Chicago to the Mississippi
river. It was at Ottawa, Illinois, that he boarded a boat for St.
Louis. He found that city supplied with young men of his class, all
clamoring for fame and employment. He made the acquaintance of
a gentleman from what is now known as West Virginia, and striking
a friendly chord, he accompanied him home, going by river to Sis-
tersville, near Wheeling. From here he crossed the mountains to
Staunton, and then on as far south as Greensboro, S. C. Here he
turned about and headed for home. He discovered that northern
school teachers were not appreciated in the south, and, somewhat
disheartened, he tramped back. On this trip he walked over 1,300
miles, not including his steamboat excursions. That fall he started
out again, by the same conveyance, for New Orleans, but found a
school to teach in Butler County, Ohio. Here he remained until
1850, when he returned to Michigan. He at once purchased a farm
in Macon, was elected Supervisor in 1851, and served six terms. In
1860 he was elected Sheriff, moved to Adrian, and was re-elected in
1862. In 1863 he was appointed deputy collector of internal
revenue for Lenawee County, but resigned in 1864 to accept the
appointment of general agent and adjuster of the Michigan State
Insurance Company, being a director and stockholder, which position
he held until 1879, when the company retired from business. He is
now actively engaged in a general insurance business with his son,
Frank L. Hough, and is the oldest insurance man in Adrian at this
time. September 25th, 1845, Flavius J. Hough married Miss Jane
M. Wheeler, daughter of James and Sarah Wheeler, of Macon.
Four children were born to them, as follows: James, born Sept. 2d,
1846, drowned in the river at Adrian, June 3d, 1861; Clara J., born
August 3d, 1850, died in Macon in October, 1855; Emma R., born
January 7th. 1852, married T. R. Travers April 1st, 1879, who
resides in Adrian; Frank L., born July 6th, 1858. He married Miss
Zoe McLain, daughter of Wilmot and Ellen McLain, and they had
two children, Roy B., born at Ft. Wayne, Ind., Sept. 23d, 1886;
Rudolph F., born at Ft. Wayne, Ind., December 20th, 1891. Mrs.
Zoe Hough was born in Minnesota, January 26, 1863, and died in
1
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
79
Ft. Wayne, Ind., January 1st, 1892. Her parents were pioneers of
Minnesota. January 11th, 1893, he married Miss Eugenia A.
Heinlen, of Ft. Wayne. They have one son, Harold H., born July
8th, 1902. Mrs. Eugenia A. Hough was born in Ft. Wayne, Decem-
ber 8th, 1865. Her parents were Germans, and early settlers in
Ft. Wayne.
NORMAN GEDDES, son of Samuel, 1775-1848, and Elizabeth,
1779-1865, was born at Livonia, N. Y., April 14, 1823, and died at
his home in Adrian, May 11th, 1899. He first became a resident of
Michigan September 5th, 1835, settling with his parents upon a
farm in Cambridge, Lenawee County. He began teaching at seven-
teen, was for some time a student in the branch, then located at
Tecumseh, of the University of Michigan, and in 1843 entered the
law office of Hon. Richard Butler, at Mt. Clemens, and pursued his
legal studies under the direction of Mr. Butler and of the late Giles
Hubbard, supporting himself meanwhile by teaching. In 1846 he
entered the law office of the late A. C. Harris, at Adrian, and was
admitted to the bar the following year. After admission he taught
for two terms in Professor Hance's Academy, an educational institu-
tion at Adrian of considerable note at that time. Thereafter he
continued in the active practice of his profession, until shortly before
his death, except for about six years, during which he was in charge
of the collection department of a large commercial house at Buffalo,
and for nine years in which he served as Judge of Probate. He was.
in 1849, elected Recorder of the then village of Adrian, and was
twice re-elected; in 1851 was elected Justice of the Peace; in 1864
was elected Circuit Court Commissioner, and was re-elected in 1866,
holding the office four years. In 1880 he was by Governor Croswell
appointed Judge of Probate, to fill the vacancy caused by resigna-
tion of Hon. Fernando C. Beaman, and at the general election fol-
lowing was elected to the same office, and was re-elected in 1884,
holding the office nine years. For twelve years he was a member of
the Board of Trustees of the Eastern Michigan Asylum for the
Insane; for fifteen years was Trustee and Treasurer of the Plymouth
Congregational Church of Adrian, and for twenty-seven years was
President of the Board of Trustees of Adrian College, resigning as
President at the June session of the board in 1898. At the close of
the War of the Rebellion he was prominent in the organization of
the County and City Soldiers' Monument Associations, was Secre-
tary of both bodies, and at the dedication of the monument, July 4,
1871, was orator of the day. He was a director of the Commercial
Savings Bank in Adrian from its organization, and from July 25th,
1898, president of the Pioneer and Historical Society of Lenawee
County, in the work of which he took great interest and to which he
80
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL

Judge Norman Geddes.
devoted much time, holding both offices until his death.
He was
three times married: October 19, 1848, to Laura E. (March 23,
1821-August 21, 1851), daughter of Lyman Casey, of York, Liv-
ingston County, N. Y.; November 29, 1853, to Harriet D. (October
29, 1822-April 30, 1857), daughter of Hon. John Barber, of Adrian;
and September 15, 1859, to Jane M. (December 23, 1825-January 29,
1892), daughter of Isaac Terry, of Royalton, Niagara County, N. Y.
Four children survive him: Frederick Lyman, born November 10,
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
81
1850; Herbert, November 18, 1854; Harriet Elizabeth, May 9, 1856
-married September 18, 1879, to Willard N. Van Brunt, of Adrian-
and Clifton Terry, July 14, 1866. Ada, born January 23, 1861, died
April 1, 1865. Judge Geddes' pre-eminent characteristics were: the
highest integrity; love of justice, truth and thoroughness; consci-
entious and laborious devotion to duty; an infinite capacity for
taking pains; scorn of shams and deceits; lofty ideals; keen enjoy-
ment of friendships; sympathetic interest in the young and in all
who need the fostering care of others; esprit du corps in state,
municipal and other organizations; and love of the best in all things.
To the administration of the office of Probate Judge he gave a con-
scientious and enlightened devotion which can never be fully known.
Difficult and intricate questions, involving large values, were con-
stantly submitted to him by interested parties personally. To their
solution he gave the most patient and laborious examination, fre-
quently pursuing his investigations in the great law libraries of
larger cities, and resorting to every means in his power to ascertain
and to apply the true rules of law, of right and of justice. Though
he deeply deplored, he never appeared to resent the frequent failures
of interested parties to furnish him the aid of investigations and
arguments of counsel. In large part this work was thankless, was
indeed almost wholly unappreciated. The parties expected no more
of him than his off-hand decision-would have unquestioningly
accepted and been content with it. But despite his severe training,
long experience and profound knowledge of the law, he could not be
satisfied with anything less than the most thorough investigation he
had opportunity to make. Most frequently his judgments were pro-
nounced in well reasoned, carefully written and convincing opinions.
There were few appeals from his decisions, and in some that were
taken, "counsel eminent in the law," in argument for appellees,
read and mainly relied upon the opinions rendered by the Probate
Judge. His sense of responsibility, and his ambitions to be right
and to do the best possible work, appeared intensified in public office.
Yet, after reaching mature years, he never held office without
pecuniary sacrifice. He was always appreciative of his associates,
and during the later years of his life wrote, upon request of their
families, many obituaries of the older residents of the county.
JOHN KIRBY was born at Charlton, County of Oxford,
England, October 22d, 1823. He came to the United States in 1848,
and after stopping a few days in New York city, and Troy, finally
settled at Oneida Depot, Madison County, N. Y. His father,
William Kirby, was born at Charlton, England, in 1788, and lived
there until his death in 1845. William Kirby married Miss Esther
6
82
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Tuffery, daughter of Isaac Tuffery, of Weston-on-the-Green, Oxford.
By this marriage there were eight children, all of whom came to the
United States, John, the subject of this sketch, being the only sur-
vivor. Mrs. Esther Kirby, some time after the death of her husband
in England, came to the United States, died at Grand Rapids,
Michigan, April 6th, 1870, and lies in Oakwood cemetery, Adrian.
When John Kirby was seventeen years old he was "bound out" to
learn the trade of coach building, at the city of Oxford, and served
his time of four years. He then worked three years in Oxford and
one year in London, where he was engaged in building railroad cars.
He left the London docks on the good ship Adriatic, March 28th,
and arrived at New York on the morning of the 5th of May, 1848,
being about five weeks on the water. His first employment in the
United States was at Oneida Depot, N. Y., where he was engaged
in the construction and repairing of cars in the shops of the Syra-
cuse & Utica railroad, and has been in railroad service ever since.
In 1853 new car shops were built at Syracuse, N. Y., and Mr. Kirby
was employed there until he came to Adrian in July, 1854. At that
time the late John Townsend was in charge of the car shops of the
Michigan Southern railroad, Mr. Kirby coming to Adrian to work
for him as a journeyman, which he continued until 1856, when he
was made foreman of the car shops. He held this position until
July, 1858, when he was sent to Litchfield, Ill., to make plans and
superintend the erection of car shops at that place for the Terre
Haute, Alton & St. Louis railroad. After a short stay at Spring-
field, Mr. Kirby received a letter from the late John D. Campbell,
then general superintendent of the Michigan Southern & Northern
Indiana railroad, asking him to return and accept the position of
master car builder at Adrian. The position was at once accepted,
and he held it until October 15th, 1870, when he was appointed
superintendent of the car department of the Lake Shore & Michigan
Southern railroad, from Chicago to Buffalo, including all the
branches. This position he held until October 1st, 1892, when he
resigned with the intention of retiring to private life, but he is still
in the service of the company, for in August, 1893, he was tendered
a place on the Board of Arbitrators of Award, in the transportation
department, during the World's Fair at Chicago, which was consid-
ered an honorary position. June 3d, 1851, John Kirby married Miss
Ruth S. Hunt, of Oneida, N. Y., and three children were born to
them, as follows: Martha Elizabeth, born at Oneida, May 6th,
1852; Mary Esther, born at Oneida, February 8th, 1854; Helen Ann,
born at Adrian, February 4th, 1857, married C. E. Bray, November
7th, 1885. Mrs. Ruth S. Kirby was born at Salem, Mass., October
31st, 1829. Her parents were natives of Massachusetts, but died
during her infancy.
1
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
83
WILLIAM CROCKETT was born in Sodus, Wayne County,
N. Y., February 4th, 1828. His father, Nathaniel Crockett, born in
1799, was the son of a sea captain, and a native of Maine. After
the death of his parents, he removed to the State of New York,
residing there until 1836, when he came to Michigan, settling on
Section 35, in Ogden, this county. About the year 1823 Nathaniel

Mrs. Minerva Crockett.
William Crockett.
Crockett married Miss Mary White, daughter of William and Lydia
White, of Sodus, Wayne County, N. Y., and they were the parents
of eleven children, William being the third child. Nathaniel
Crockett died in Hardin County, Iowa, March 13th, 1872. His wife,
Mary Crockett, was born in Maine in April, 1805, and died in Ogden,
this county, January 18th, 1882. William Crockett, subject of this
sketch, came to Michigan with his parents in 1836, when he was
eight years old, and has resided in the town of Ogden ever since.
When his parents settled in the township there were but very few
settlers, and the town was considered nothing but a cottonwood
swamp, most of the east half being under water half the year. Mr.
Crockett remembers most of the settlers who had located here pre-
vious to 1836, and had made a beginning. They were as follows:
Erastus Brockway, on section 3; Elisha Benton, on section 33;
Samuel Graham, on section 29; Andrew Sebring, on section 28;
William Johnson, on section 29; Nathaniel Graham, on section 29;
N. B, Carter, on section 8; Ephraim Hicks, on section 6; Gideon
Sheldon, on section 15; Jacob Gilbert, on section 15. At that time
there were no settlers in the east half of the town, and for many
years there were no settlers east of Nathaniel Crockett's, and no
84
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
roads were cut through. Many times the water was so deep that for
miles it would come up to the ox-bows, as the oxen wallowed through
the woods. It was some time before anything except corn and pota-
toes could be raised, and they would often drown out during the
"June freshets," which then occurred almost annually. Wheat was
a failure until the timber was considerably cleared off, and the ditch
system was inaugurated. There was not a frame house or barn in
Ogden in 1836, and the first frame barn Mr. Crockett saw was Nor-
man B. Carter's. William Crockett lived with his parents until he
was twenty-one, but worked the farm for some time, during which
he purchased a farm on section 14 in Ogden, where he now resides.
He has seen the township brought from a primitive, worthless state
to one of the best and most promising in the county. He has spent
nearly his entire life in this work, and has done his share in bringing
about the great change. He has assisted in clearing away the
wilderness, and subduing the rank and almost impenetrable swamp.
He has expended much time and money, besides cheerfully paying
all assessments for the ditching system that has proven so generally
beneficial to every resident. He has grown up with the town, and
has prospered slowly but surely as the town advanced in productive-
ness and value. The township is now entirely settled up, with no
swamps and "cat holes." Mr. Crockett's present valuable and very
productive farm was, in 1836, an impenetrable and worthless swamp,
covered with water almost the year round. December 12, 1856,
William Crockett was married to Minerva Ann Potter, daughter of
Morey S. and Minerva (Jones) Potter, of Amboy, Fulton County,
Ohio, by whom he has had four children, as follows: Almond P.,
born November 1st, 1857, married Miss Sarah Jane Wilmouth, of
Ogden, and they had three children, William B., Carrie A., Burt A.
Almond P. Crockett died November 18th, 1885. Eldora L., born
June 26th, 1861, married Smith Fairbanks, December 24th, 1882, and
resides in Adrian city. Ida May, born January 22, 1867, married
Allen McComb, November 25, 1886; they have two children, Pliny
Dane and William C., who reside in Ogden. Pliny D., born August
14th, 1873, married Miss Minnie Sebring, daughter of Edgar and
Josephine (Rice) Sebring, December 12, 1899; they have one child,
Alma Leida, and reside in Ogden. Mrs. Minerva Crockett was born
in Richfield, Herkimer County, N. Y., May 27, 1837, and moved to
Fulton County, Ohio, with her parents, in 1844. Her father, Morey
S. Potter, was born in Rhode Island, May 26, 1799, and moved to
Herkimer with his parents in 1809. December 25, 1820, he married
Minerva Jones, daughter of Jonathan and Polly (Hopkins) Jones, of
Herkimer County, N. Y., by whom he had nine children, Mrs.
Crockett being the eighth child. They had forty-two grandchildren
and twenty-six great-grandchildren. Morey S. Potter died September
29, 1892, in his ninety-fourth year. His wife, Mrs. Minerva Potter,
died May 25, 1886, aged 83 years.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
85
WALTER S. WESTERMAN was born in Riga, Lenawee
County, Michigan, January 26th, 1855. His father, George W.
Westerman, born in Pittsburg, Pa., June 24th, 1831, came to Michi-
gan and settled on section 33 in Riga, this county, in 1852. He
resided there until 1867. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in Company
F, Fourteenth Ohio Infantry, and served three years in the great
Rebellion. At the time
of his discharge he was
quartermaster-sergeant of
the regiment. Previous
to his enlistment, he
served his township three
terms as Supervisor, and
Justice of the Peace two
terms. Upon his return
from the army he was
again elected Supervisor
and Justice of the Peace,
and served in these offices
until 1866, when he was
elected County Clerk and
served three terms. He
served as County Drain
Commissioner two years,
and in 1888 was elected
Justice of the Peace in
the city of Adrian and
served twelve years. Early
in life he became a Ma-
son, first joining the
Blissfield Lodge. After-
wards he went into the
Temple Lodge, of Adrian, and so on up to the Commandery of
Knights Templar. He was also a member of the I. O. O. F., filling
all the chairs, was Grand Master of Michigan and representative to
the Sovereign Grand Lodge. He is a charter member of Woodbury
Post, G. A. R., and has twice been elected Commander. He served
the Third ward of Adrian one term as alderman. October 21st,
1850, Geo. W. Westerman married Miss Catherine Scott, daughter of
Walter and Margaret (McDonald) Scott, of Conoquenessing, But-
ler County, Pa., and they are the parents of five children. Mrs.
Margaret (McDonald) Westerman was born in Conoquenessing,
Pa., May 5th, 1831. Her paternal ancestors were Pennsylvanians as
far back as there is any knowledge, but her maternal ancestors were
Scotch. Geo. W. Westerman's ancestors were English and German.
Walter Scott Westerman is a native of Lenawee, and was born on a
farm in the township of Riga, where he lived until he was about
eleven years old. In the fall of 1866 his father was elected County

Hon. W. S. Westerman.
86
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Clerk of Lenawee County, and in March, 1867, moved to Adrian,
where Mr. Westerman entered upon his duties. Walter attended
school, also went to Evans' Business College, and took his diploma.
March 31st, 1874. In 1867-8 he was made deputy clerk under his
father, and later was deputy county treasurer, under the late Col. S.
B. Smith. From 1872 to 1876 he was night watchman at the old
court house. While here he selected law as his life profession.
While attending to his duties, and whenever occasion would allow,
he studied hard, having access to the late ex-Congressman F. C.
Beaman's law library. He studied nights under the direction of Mr.
Beaman and Hon. Andrew Howell, and the day he had reached his
majority, January 26th, 1876, he was admitted to practice law.
Three years later he was admitted to practice in the United States
Circuit Court at Detroit, on motion of Hon. Sylvester Larned, and
the presiding judge at that time was Chief Justice Brown, now of
the United States Supreme Court. In 1881 he was formally admitted
and practiced in the Supreme Court of Michigan, and May 31, 1889,
was recommended by the late Judge Thomas M. Cooley, and was
admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court. In 1890
he was elected Secretary of the Lenawee County Bar Association,
which position he has held to the present time. During 1892 Mr.
Westerman was tendered a chair in the law department of the Florida
State University, but declined on account of the small salary attached
to the position. In 1890 he was appointed City Attorney, which
office he successfully filled for three years. He was Assistant Prose-
cuting Attorney for three years, and in 1895 ran on the Democratic
ticket for Circuit Judge against Hon. Victor H. Lane, being defeated
in this county by 238 votes, coming the nearest to being elected of
any man that has accepted the nomination on the Democratic ticket
in years. During the campaign of 1894 he was a candidate for
Prosecuting Attorney, and ran ahead of his ticket. In 1900 his
name was placed on the Prohibition ticket for the position. of Attor-
ney General, receiving 12,000 votes in the state, running ahead of
his ticket. The following spring, 1901, Mr. Westerman ran for
Justice of the Supreme Court on the Prohibition ticket, making a
good run.. August 8th, 1902, he was nominated for Governor of
Michigan on the Prohibition ticket, receiving more votes in his home
city, county and the state than any candidate that ever ran on the
Prohibition ticket. He was also nominated for Mayor of Adrian on
the Prohibition ticket, in the spring of 1902, and carried more than
the party vote. During the dinner served by the W. C. T. U., on
election day, he received the majority of votes cast by the women
for executive officer. At the quarterly conference held in August,
1901, at the M. E. Church, Mr. Westerman was granted a preacher's
license. He is a member of that denomination, and is a teacher of
one of the largest Sunday school classes in the city. He is president
of the Humane Society, also attorney for the Good Government
League. He was married to Miss Emma I. Sizer, daughter of Mr.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
87
and Mrs. Charles F. Sizer, of Adrian, August 3d, 1875. Mr. and
Mrs. Westerman have nine children, as follows: Ina Leone, born
May 17th, 1876, married Elmer D. Knowles, July 6th, 1901; Orville
S., born August 4th, 1877; Wilbur S., born April 24th, 1879; Ches-
ter A., born February 3d, 1881; Flora A., born April 9th, 1883;
Clifford W., born December 18th, 1884; Harold L., born April 2d,
1887; Kenneth N., born May 13th, 1889; Walter S., jr., born May
1st, 1895. Mrs. Emma I. Westerman was born November 26th, 1853,
in Lee, Berkshire County, Mass., and came to Michigan with her
parents in 1859. Her father, Chas. F. Sizer, son of Osman and
Mary P. (Field) Sizer, was born in Chester, Hampden County, Mass.,
May 30th, 1833. June 12th, 1851, he married Miss Samantha Jane
Bawker, only daughter of Amos Green and Serilla (Stocking) Baw-
ker, who was born at Vestal, Broome County, N. Y., July 24th, 1833.
WILLIAM CRANE was born in Macedon, Wayne County, N.
Y., September 4th, 1831, and came to Michigan with his parents in
1833. His father, Turner Crane, was born in Norton, Bristol
County, Massachusetts, January 24th, 1789. He was of Quaker
parentage, and descended from the very early settlers of Massachu-
setts. Turner Crane learned the trade of tanner, currier and shoe-
maker, and carried on the business in Massachusetts. About the
year 1816 he removed to Wayne County, N. Y., and settled on a farm
in Macedon Township. He resided there until the year 1833, when
he emigrated to Michigan, in company with his brother, George
Crane. He arrived here with his wife and family of nine children,
and settled on section 13, in Madison. Here he cleared up his land,
made a comfortable home, and enjoyed the results of his hard labor
for only ten years, dying from a sudden illness, July 23d, 1843.
November 26th, 1812. Turner Crane married Miss Phoebe Arnold,
daughter of Asa Arnold, of Norton, Bristol County, Mass. They
were the parents of eleven children, William, the subject of this
sketch; Edwin, of Adrian city, and Mrs. Harriet Brittain, of Adrian
township, being the only survivors. Mrs. Phoebe (Arnold) Crane
was born in Norton, Mass., November 10th, 1796, and died in Madi-
son, this county, March 10th, 1868. Her parents were Puritans, and
lived and died in Massachusetts. William Crane was only about one
year old when he came to Michigan, and since that event he has
resided on the farm his father took up over seventy years ago. He
has always followed farming, and was educated in the district
schools of his neighborhood. He has grown with the county, and
has witnessed a great transformation in his lifetime, having seen
the primitive forest, inhabited by wild beasts and peopled with
Indians, disappear before the approach and settlement of the Anglo-
88
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Saxon. He believes that with one exception he is the oldest resident
of Madison now alive. He also believes there is no man in the
county now alive who has trailed more wild deer, and other game,
than he, or who enjoyed it more. In times past no hunting party
was complete without "Bill" Crane. He has served his township
as Justice of the Peace, and Highway Commissioner, for many
years. February 5th, 1854, William Crane married Miss Hannah
Davis, daughter of Isaac and Amelia Davis, of Palmyra, this county,
and they had two children, as follows: Minnie D., born in Madi-
son, this county, January 19th, 1861, at home; William Ernest, born
in Madison, September 28th, 1869, married Miss Ora Raymond,
daughter of John and Estella Raymond, of Ogden, December 6th,
1902. Mrs. William (Davis) Crane was born in Perrington, Monroe
County, N. Y., August 11th, 1833; came to Michigan with her
parents in 1833, and died at her home in Madison, this county, July
15th, 1894. Her coming to Michigan was a rare experience, being
brought on a pillow by her mother from the State of New York.
The trip was made in a lumber wagon and consumed twenty-two
days. This is a sample of what pioneer mothers many times under-
took and accomplished.
FRANKLIN DEWEY TEACHOUT was born in Manchester,
Ontario County, N. Y., February 29th, 1852. His father, Alonzo
Teachout, was born at the same place, May 19th, 1819. He was
brought up on a new farm, and always followed agricultural pur-
suits. His father, Jacob Teachout 2d, who was among the first
settlers of Ontario County, N. Y., was born in Schuyler County, N.
Y., in 1784. He lived in Ontario until 1864, when he disposed of his
property, came to Michigan, and resided in Ransom, Hillsdale
County, with a son and daughter, where he died, in 1876, at the age
of 92. About the year 1806, he married Miss Rachel Curtis, daughter
of Elijah and Polly (Wiley) Curtis, of Eastern New York. Polly
Curtis died in Genesee County, Michigan, aged 88 years, and was
the daughter of Major Wiley, who served in the Revolutionary War,
and passed that memorable winter with General Washington at
Valley Forge. This branch of the Teachout family in the United
States sprung from Jacob Teachout 1st, who came from Holland
about the year 1700, and settled in Eastern New York. From the
best information obtainable it is related that Jacob Teachout 1st
was married when he came to this country. His wife's name was
Sabra, and they raised a large family. After the death of Jacob
Teachout 1st, his wife Sabra lived with her daughter, Sabra Wood,
in Schuyler County, where she died. Alonzo Teachout, the father
of our subject, was the third son and fourth child of a family of
thirteen children raised by Jacob 2d and Rachel Teachout, above

Residence of Frank D. Teachout, in Adrian Township.
90
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
referred to. June 2d, 1840, Alonzo Teachout married Miss Anna
Dewey, daughter of Edmund B. and Sarah (Cooper) Dewey, of Man-
chester, Ontario County, N. Y., and they had five children, as
follows: Oscar L.* Sarah Anna, born in Manchester, N. Y., July
2d, 1843, married Samuel Gambee, and had one child, Xara Anna,
born December 28th, 1864, who married W. A. Ballow, of Denison,
Texas. They had two children, both of whom died in infancy.
Mrs. Xara A. Ballow died at Denison, Texas, May 5th, 1894.
Dewey Edmund, born in Cambridge, Mich., June 20th, 1846, died in
infancy at Manchester, N. Y. Curtis Marion, born in Manchester,
N. Y., June 25th, 1848, and died there June 1st, 1853. Franklin
Dewey, born in Manchester, N. Y., February 29th, 1852.
Teachout died at his home in Manchester, N. Y., April 4th, 1855.
Mrs. Anna (Dewey) Teachout was born in Manchester, N. Y., De-
cember 19th, 1822. Her father, Edmund B. Dewey, was born in
Manchester, N. Y., June 2d, 1801, and was a farmer, miller and
prominent citizen of his township. He won great notoriety through-
out Ontario County, in 1823, when he raised a barn without the use
of whiskey, absolutely refusing to allow it on the premises. October
14th, 1821, he married Miss Sarah Cooper, daughter of Jeremiah and
Prudence Cooper, of Manchester, N. Y. They had twelve children,
Mrs. Anna Teachout being the oldest. Mrs. Sarah (Cooper) Dewey
was a native of Massachusetts. She was born in Cheshire, June
5th, 1803, and emigrated to Ontario County, N. Y., with her parents,
in 1810. Her father and mother, Jeremiah and Prudence (Hatha-
way) Cooper, were natives of Massachusetts, and were married in
Cheshire, October 17th, 1858, Mrs. Anna Dewey Teachout and
Joseph F. Baker, of Rome, this county, were married at Clifton
Springs, N. Y. One child, Cynthia Joanna, born to them January
10th, 1866, died February 17th, 1875. Joseph F. Baker died at his
home in Adrian township, December 2d, 1899. (For the record of
his life, see Whitney and Bonner's Biographical Record of Lenawee
County, vol. 2, page 267.) Franklin D. Teachout came to Michigan
when he was six years old, when his mother was married to Joseph
F. Baker, who was the only father he ever knew. He was brought
up a farmer, and that has always been his business. He was Deputy
Sheriff under A. K. Whitmore, from 1885 to 1888. In 1888 he was
candidate for Sheriff on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated.
He spent five years as a commercial traveler, but was satisfied to
return to his home, and now resides on section 32, in Adrian. In
the spring of 1894 he went to Chippewa County, in the Upper Penin-
sula of Michigan, and purchased 160 acres of land, where he resided
one season. At this time it became necessary for him to return
home to look after the farm and take care of his father and mother.
April 27, 1872, he married Miss Cordelia L. Learnard, daughter of
James and Elizabeth Learnard, of Franklin, and three children have
been born to them, as follows: Learnard A., born in Rome, May
4th, 1873, married Miss Christine M. Anderson, of Adrian, February
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
91
28th, 1894. They have two children, Dewey A., born in Adrian,
March 5th, 1896; Harold E., born in Adrian, June 2d, 1899. Bessie
M., born in Adrian, December 12th, 1875, married Erving W. Cran-
dall, July 21st, 1899. Anna N., born in Adrian, August 1st, 1889.
Mrs. Cordelia L. Teachout was born September 10th, 1852, in Frank-
lin, this county. Her parents were pioneers of Cambridge and
Franklin townships, coming to Michigan in 1831. James Learnard,
a native of Vermont, was born October 11th, 1808, and died in
Franklin, this county, July 25th, 1868. February, 1829, he married
his first wife, Phoebe H. Fountain, who was born July 6th, 1804.
His second wife was Elizabeth Pawson-Fisher, who was born at
Denton, Yorkshire, England, June 12th, 1810. She came to Michi-
gan in 1831 with her mother and sister. She was the mother of five
children, Mrs. F. D. Teachout being the youngest. She died in
Franklin, December 2d, 1858.
*Oscar L. Teachout, son of Alonzo and Anna Dewey Teachout,
was born in the town of Manchester, Ontario County, N. Y., July
22d, 1841. When the first call for troops was made in the spring of
1861, he enlisted in the Twenty-eighth Regiment, New York State
Volunteers, and served for two years. He was taken prisoner and
held at Richmond for some time. On the 13th day of December,
1865, he was married to Miss Mary S. Wells, daughter of John and
Sophia Eckler Wells, of Manchester, Ontario County, N. Y. After
his marriage he bought the farm near Wolf Creek, now owned by
C. W. Selleck. On this farm were born his three children, a son,
who died when an infant; a daughter, Alice Cary, who died at the
age of seven months, and his only surviving child, a daughter, Ethel
Adelphia, born in Adrian, February 7th, 1874. In the spring of
1874 Mr. Teachout sold his farm and moved to Adrian, where he
was under sheriff of the county, under Col. Eldredge. In November,
1879, he removed to Texas, where he first settled in Austin, remain-
ing there two years. He then moved to Denison and entered the
railway mail service as a postal clerk. After being in the service
seven years, a new division, the eleventh, was formed, with head-
quarters at Fort Worth, and Mr. Teachout moved there, being made
assistant superintendent. In April, 1893, he was promoted to the
position of superintendent, which he held until December, 1897,
when he resigned to take charge of the mail service on the roads
controlled by the Gould family, namely, the Missouri Pacific, St.
Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern, Texas Pacific, International &
Great Northern, St. Louis Southwestern, Denver & Rio Grande, Rio
Grande Western, and Rio Grande Southern. When Mr. Teachout
accepted this position, which he still holds, he removed to St. Louis,
Missouri, and now resides there.
92
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
JAMES T. LANE, was born in Hillier, Prince Edward County,
Ontario, Canada, June 26th, 1835. His father, Francis K. Lane,
was a native of New Hampshire, and was born August 15th, 1801.
He went to Prince Edward County, Canada, with his parents, when
he was about three years old, and lived in the wilderness. Soon
after the family settled in Canada his father died, leaving his

Mrs. Ruhama E. Lane.
James T. Lane.
mother with four children (sons), almost destitute. But it was fate
that they should all live and endure the great battle of life. They
became hardy, useful men, all living to a good old age and dying in
the comfortable homes they had made out of the wilderness where
they were so young left helpless. About the year 1829, Francis K.
Lane married Miss Lydia B. Augustus, daughter of James and Han-
nah Augustus, of Hempstead, Long Island, N. Y., and they were the
parents of ten children, James T. being the third child and second
son. Mrs. Lydia B. Lane was born in Hempstead, Long Island, May
10th, 1811, and died at Saline, Washtenaw County, Mich., in 1897.
James T. Lane, the subject of this sketch, lived at his home in Can-
ada until he was about 25 years old. In the fall of 1860 he came to
Michigan and settled in the township of Macon, this county. Before
leaving Canada he had learned the carpenter's trade, and upon
coming to Michigan followed this business until the spring of 1861,
when, in May, he enlisted in Company G, Old Fourth Michigan
Infantry, Capt. D. D. Marshall, remaining in the service until May,
1866, when he was honorably discharged at San Antonio, Texas.
As a matter of honorable history, the following list of battles, sieges
and engagements, every one of which Mr. Lane participated in, is
given:
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
93
Battle of Yorktown, April 4, 1862.
Siege of Yorktown, May, 1862.
Bull Run, Va., July 21, 1861.
New Bridge, Va., May 24, 1862.
Hanover Court House, Va., May 27, 1862.
Mechanicsville, Va., June 26, 1862.
Gaines' Mills, Va., June 27, 1862.
Savage Station, Va., June 29, 1862.
Turkey Bend, Va., June 30, 1862.
White Oak Swamp, Va., June 30, 1862.
Malvern Hill, Va., July 1, 1862.
Harrison's Landing, Va., July 2, 1862.
Gainesville, Va.. Aug. 29, 1862.
Bull Run, 2d, Va., Aug. 30, 1862.
Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, 1862.
Shepardstown Ford. Va., Sept. 20, 1862.
Snicker's Gap, Va., Nov. 14, 1862.
Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13-14, 1862.
Morrisville, Va., Dec. 30-31, 1862.
U. S. Ford, Va., Jan. 1, 1863.
Chancellorsville, Va., May 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
1863.
Kelly's Ford, Va., June 9, 1863.
Ashby's Gap, Va., June 21, 1863.
Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 3, 4, 1863.
Williamsport, Md., July 12, 1863.
Wapping Heights, Va., July 21, 1863.
Culpepper, Va., Oct. 13, 1863.
Brandy Station, Va., Oct. 13, 1863
Bristoe Station, Va., Oct. 14, 1863.
Rappahannock Station, Va., Nov. 7,1863.
Cross Roads, Va., Nov. 26, 1863.
Mine Run, Va., Nov. 29, 1863.
Wilderness, Va., May 5, 6, 7, 1864.
Laurel Hill, Va., May 8, 1864.
Po River, Va., May 10, 1864.
Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864.
Ny River, Va., May 21, 1864.
North Anna, Va., May 23, 1864.
Jericho Mills, Va., May 24, 1864.
Noel's Turn, Va., May 26, 1864.
Tolopotomy, Va., May 30, 1864.
Magnolia Swamp, Va., June 1, 1864.
Bethesda Church, Va., June 2, 1864.
Petersburg, Va.. June 18, 1864.
Weldon Railroad, Va., Aug. 19,20,21, '64.
Peebles' Farm, Va., Sept. 30, 1864.
Hatcher's Run, Va., Oct. 27, 1864.
Nottoway Court House, Va., Dec. 8, 1864.
Dabney's Mills, Va., Feb. 6-7, 1865.
Hatcher's Run, Va., March 25, 1865.
White Oak Road, Va., March 29, 1865.
Five Forks, Va., April 1, 1865.
Amelia Court House, Va., April 5, 1865.
High Bridge, Va., April 6, 1865.
Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865.
Siege of Petersburg, Va., from June 17,
1864, to April 3, 1865.
The above gives a list of 56 engagements, battles and sieges.
It will be noticed that several battles lasted from two to seven days,
besides the siege of Yorktown, which continued about two weeks,
and the siege of Petersburg, which lasted nearly one year.
Old Fourth Michigan was organized and rendezvoused at Adrian,
and Col. D. A. Woodbury, a citizen of Adrian, was its commander.
The regiment was one of the best in the entire service. Col. Wood-
bury was killed at Malvern Hill. During the first three years, the
regiment lost three colonels killed in action. Much of the best blood
of Southern Michigan was in this organization. The subject of this
sketch served nearly five years, having re-enlisted in 1864. He was
one of about seven hundred men that received the equipments of
Gen. Lee, at the surrender at Appomatox, April 9th, 1865. After
the surrender, and the war was over, he was ordered to San Antonio,
Texas, where he was stationed for ten months. He arrived home in
Macon in 1866, and after again resuming his trade as carpenter, for
some time, in 1869, he settled down to farming, which he has fol-
lowed ever since. April 26th, 1877, James T. Lane married Miss
Ruhama E. Hall, daughter of Edmund and Lucretia Hall, of Raisin,
this county. Mrs. Ruhama E. (Hall) Lane was born in Raisin,
September 24, 1841. Her parents were natives of Steuben County,
N. Y. They came to Michigan in 1833, and settled on section 25, in
Raisin. Edmund Hall was born February 20th, 1807, and died in
Raisin, this county, November 16th, 1888. Mrs. Lucretia Hall, his
wife, was born April 24th, 1811, and died in Raisin, February 4th, 1896.
94
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
THOMAS J. FAXON was born in Whitesboro, Oneida County,
N. Y., August 25th, 1803, and represented the seventh generation of
the Faxon family in the United States. His parents were Thomas
and Deborah (Tobey) Faxon. The ancestor of the Faxons in
America, Thomas Faxon, came from England, where he was born,
in 1601. The earliest record of him is
Thomas J. Faxon.
in the marriage of his daugh-
ter Joanna to Anthony Fisher,
September 7th, 1647, at Ded-
ham, Mass. He brought
with him to this country his
wife, Joanna, and three child-
ren. He finally settled at
Braintree, Mass., where he
died November 23, 1680. He
was a pioneer of Braintree, a
man of probity and character,
filling many places of trust
and importance, and during
the years 1669-70-72 he was a
representative and selectman
from Braintree. Thomas
Jefferson Faxon, the subject
of this sketch, was brought
up on a farm, but learned the
carpenter's trade, which he
followed for several years.
He came to Michigan in the
summer of 1834, and worked
at his trade in Detroit for
some time. As he was able

to make plans and construct buildings, his services were in demand,
but he soon removed to Manchester, in Washtenaw County, where
eastern friends had settled. In October, 1835, he purchased of the
Government 80 acres of land on section 13 in Raisin, this county,
where he resided for about thirty years. The land was very heavily
timbered. He soon cleared up his original purchase, and added to
his holdings from time to time until his farm consisted of 355 acres.
He served several terms as Supervisor of Raisin township, and in
1847 was elected a member of the Michigan Legislature, serving one
term. In 1860 he left his farm and moved to Adrian, purchasing a
home on West Maumee street, which he soon afterwards disposed of
to T. J. Tobey for the old Judge Rickey farm, on section 28, in
Adrian township. After a year or two he again purchased a home
on Scott street, in Adrian, and engaged in merchandising with his
sons, continuing some four years. About this time he purchased, a
large tract of land near Topeka, Kansas. He was a man of more
than ordinary ability, a student and thinker, with a mind well stored
with practical and useful knowledge. His fine library was his
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
95
greatest enjoyment. He was a successful business man and an hon-
orable and respected citizen. He died at his home on Scott street,
Adrian, April 25th, 1875. June 2d, 1834, he married Miss Delia E.
Faxon, daughter of Allen and Margaret (Smith) Faxon, and they
had four children, as follows: Theodore, born January 13th, 1837,
unmarried, and resides in Adrian; Thomas J., born August 1, 1839,
married Maria C. Canfield, October 9th, 1867, resides near Topeka,
Kansas; Minerva E., born January 10th, 1842, married Jay Worden,
June 14th, 1871, resides in Ypsilanti, Mich.; Eliza G., born May
4th, 1844, married William H. Rogers, October 7th, 1868, resided in
Adrian, and died December 5th, 1884 Mrs. Delia E. Faxon was
born in Hoosic, N. Y., April 14th, 1813, and died in Adrian, Mich.,
March 17th, 1874.
ROBERT J. TOLFORD was born in Dover, Lenawee County,
Michigan, December 6th, 1866. His father, John W. Tolford, was
born in Danbury, Merrimack County, N. H., January 14th, 1826, and
came to Michigan with his parents in 1833.
John W.'s father, Hugh
Tolford, was born in Grafton County, N. H., February 3, 1789, and
died in Dover, January 23, 1861. About the year 1819 Hugh Tolford

Farm Home of Robert J. Tolford, Dover.
96
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
married Miss Hannah Currier, and they had seven children, as fol-
lows: Philip C.; Sarah E., married the Rev. John Thomas; John
W., Thomas and Mary, died in infancy; Lydia Jane, married Dusen-
berry J. Furman; Joshua P.. all of whom were residents of Lenawee
County, John W. Tolford was only about seven years old when he
came to Lenawee County from the granite hills of New Hampshire.


Mrs. J. W. Tolford, Dover.
J. W. Tolford, Dover.
His parents located in the virgin forest of the present township of
Dover, and he grew to manhood doing battle with Nature, and did
his full share in making a home and a comfortable abiding place for
future repose and competence. He never wearied in his labors, and
his fortitude and courage were abundantly rewarded. He became
the owner of 350 acres of fine farming land on section 36, in Dover.
He was twice married, first, October 31, 1849, to Miss Sally A.
Ten Brook, daughter of Garrett and Hannah Ten Brook, of Madi-
son. They were the parents of one son, Frank, born August 6th,
1851, who married Miss Jennie Leacock, and they have two children.
Mrs. Sally A. (Ten Brook) Tolford died October 10th, 1851, No-
vember 10th, 1854, John W. Tolford married Miss Matilda Stum-
baugh, daughter of John and Susanna Stumbaugh, of Seneca
township. Six children were born, as follows: John C., born
October 2d, 1856, married Miss Elizabeth McCabe. They have three
children, and reside in Dover. Hugh P., born September 4th, 1858,
married Miss Anna Lucas. They have two children, and reside in
Weston, this county. Sarah Jane, born January 16th, 1861, married
Robert McKnight, and resides at Sand Creek, this county. Mary A.,
born November 19th, 1863, married Eugene T. Crowe, was the
mother of one child, and died July 8th, 1889. Robert J., born De-
cember 6, 1886. George W., born September 2d, 1873, died at the
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
97
age of two years. Mrs. Matilda (Stumbaugh) Tolford was born in
Southampton, Franklin County, Pa., September 11th, 1835, and
came to Michigan with her parents in 1848, settling in Seneca town-
ship, this county. Her father and mother were natives of Pennsyl-
vania, and when they came to Michigan they were the parents of
ten children, eight of whom were daughters. John Stumbaugh died
in Seneca, August 3d, 1870. His wife, Susanna, died there August
12th, 1865. Robert J. Tolford, the subject of this sketch, resides on
the old homestead, on section 36, in Dover. His father's estate
having been settled, he controls 190 acres of choice land, with good
buildings, and everything to carry on and prosecute the most pro-
gressive farming. December 11th, 1889, Robert J. Tolford married
Miss Alice Wilkinson, daughter of William and Jane Wilkinson, of
Dover, and are the parents of four children, as follows: Eva Lee,
born August 1st, 1895; Florence Eileen, born July 29th, 1898; J.
Kenneth, born August 10th, 1902; the firstborn died in infancy.
Mrs. Alice (Wilkinson) Tolford was born in Strathroy, Ontario,
Canada, April 3d, 1869. Her father was a native of England, and
was born January 20th, 1835. He emigrated to Prince Edward's
Island when a boy about 16, but afterwards removed to Strathroy, in
Ontario, where he married Miss Jane Thompson, August 8th, 1859.
He came to Michigan in 1875 and settled on section 25, in Dover.
Mr. Wilkinson died in Dover, May 31st, 1882. Mrs. Jane Wilkinson
was born in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, November 16th, 1837.
Her parents were Scotch and English.
DR. VINCENT A. BAKER was born in Watertown, N. Y.,
March 30th, 1833. His father, Freeborn Baker 2d, was born in
Schuyler, Herkimer County, N. Y., July 6th, 1805. He was the son
of Freeborn Baker 1st, who was born in 1776. He was a native of
Rhode Island, and served in the war of 1812 as a musician. His
parents were English born, and his wife, Jane Christian, was also
of English descent. They were married in 1798, and had eleven
children. From the earliest history of the Baker family, all were
farmers, or followed agricultural pursuits. Freeborn Baker 2d,
however, learned to make boots and shoes in his youth, and for some
years of his life carried on the boot and shoe business in the old-
fashioned way. After he was married he purchased a tract of land
in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., which he cleared up from a wilder-
ness, and lived there for many years. But the surroundings and
educational advantages not being satisfactory for his growing
family, he sold out and removed to Black River village, in Jefferson
7
98
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
County, and again established himself in business. He remained
there until 1867, when he came to Michigan and settled in this
county, and died in Palmyra, May 22d, 1874. He was a man of a
high sense of honor, and incorruptible in the broadest sense. De-
cember 30th, 1828, Freeborn Baker 2d married Miss Julia Ann
Fredenburg, daughter of Joshua and Ruth Fredenburg, of Pamelia,
N. Y., and they were the parents of eight children, Dr. V. A. Baker
being the oldest. Mrs. Julia Ann Baker was born at Mohawk, N.
Y., August 10th, 1810, and died in Buffalo, N. Y., April 24th, 1889.
She was buried beside her husband in Oakwood cemetery, Adrian,


Mrs. Merub R. Baker.
Dr. Vincent A. Baker.
Mich. Dr. V. A. Baker, the subject of this sketch, was the oldest
of his family, and when a boy assisted his father in making a home
in the wilderness. His early education was got in the country
school, but later he attended Evans Mills Academy, and later the
Jefferson County Institute, at Watertown, N. Y. At the age of
eighteen he commenced the study of medicine, and by teaching
school winters he finally graduated from Syracuse Medical College,
in the spring of 1854. His first practice was at Carthage, N. Y.,
where he remained until the fall of 1859, when he accepted a pro-
fessorship of Physiology and Physical Science in the Metropolitan
Medical College, New York city. He filled this position successfully
for six years, when, in 1866, on account of ill-health, a change of
climate was advised, and he came to Michigan, settling in Adrian,
where he now resides. In June, 1866, he opened his office in the
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
99
rooms he still occupies in the Metcalf block. The advance in med-
ical practice during Dr. Baker's long experience is decided. Bleed-
ing, blistering, emetics, and the free use of cathartics, was the
general practice in the early '50's, but the innovation and reforma-
tion brought about by the new or eclectic (of which Dr. Baker is a
member) and homeopathic schools of medicine, has worked marvels
in moulding public opinion and modifying medical practice, to a
large extent unifying and socializing the medical profession. Dr.
Baker, during his practice, has aided thirteen young men in getting
a medical education, not including his brothers, four of whom were
graduates (now all deceased), who practiced the healing art during
their respective lives, three of them serving in the great Rebellion,
two being promoted from the ranks to assistant surgeons, the other
being detailed as a special detective in the secret service. Several
farms in the vicinity of Adrian, and a number of residences in the
city, that have been or are owned by Dr. Baker, bear evidence of his
tendency to betterment, as thousands of dollars have been expended
in building, improving and beautifying them. Advancement and
improvement is his motto all along the line. According to his
means, consistent with his necessities and duty to his kindred, he
has taken pride in aiding various enterprises, church growth, etc.,
etc., in his home city. The Doctor says he has over sixteen thousand
dollars outstanding on his books, much of it night work. He has
virtually retired from active practice, but still greets his old friends.
and patrons at his office, and treats their maladies, especially in
chronic troubles. What he may have of this world's goods he has
by economy made himself, and has always paid one hundred cents on
all obligations. January 1st, 1851, Dr. V. A. Baker married Miss
Merub R. Hill, daughter of Hosea and Jerusha (Aldrich) Hill, of
Natural Bridge, N. Y. They had two children, as follows: Frank-
lin P., died at the age of four years; Helen, died at the age of one
year. Mrs. Merub R. Baker was born in Natural Bridge, N. Y.,
October 10th, 1828, and died in Adrian, Mich., April 3d, 1902. Her
parents were highly respected and prominent citizens at Natural
Bridge, but finally went west to Minnesota, where they died.
WARNER W. GOFF was born in Blissfield, Lenawee County,
Mich., May 7th, 1832. His father, Sewall S. Goff, was born in
Royalston, Massachusetts, January 29th, 1811. When a young man
he went to Niagara County, N. Y., and lived at Lewiston until 1829,
when he came to Michigan. He settled on section 29, in Blissfield,
where he ever after resided. He died January 23, 1865. June 13th,
100
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
1830, Sewall S. Goff married Mrs. Esther M. (Frary) Buck, widow
of Samuel Buck, who was the mother of one daughter, who married
Frederick Cannon. By this second marriage she became the
mother of three children, Warner W. and Almira A., who married
Almond L. Bliss, of Adrian. One son died in infancy. Mrs. Esther
M. Goff was born September 11th, 1809, and died in Blissfield, May
29th, 1839. In 1840 he married Miss Lucy Frary, sister of his first
wife. By this marriage there were three children, Philander K.,
born December 24th, 1843; Leslie T., born April 1st, 1845; John H.,
born March 28th, 1849. Mrs. Lucy (Frary) Goff was born February
5th, 1820, and died in Blissfield, July 31st, 1850. Her father, David
Frary, came to Michigan in 1817, settling in Raisinville, Monroe
County, where he died October 1st, 1820. In 1851 Sewall S. Goff mar-
ried Miss Flavilla Schenck, of Fulton, N. Y., who came to Michigan as
a school teacher. She died of consumption in December, 1852. In
1855 he married Emeline Van Wormer, who is still living in this
county. Warner W. Goff has always lived in Blissfield, this county,
and, with the exception of five years, has lived upon the farm he
now owns. It is the homestead of his parents, located just north-
east of the corporation limits of Blissfield. He has always followed
farming, but has taken an active interest in public affairs. He has
served as Justice of the Peace, and for twenty years or more was an
active member of the village school board. April 19th, 1853, Warner
W. Goff married Miss Imogene Peters, daughter of James S. and
Susan (Squire) Peters, of Preble, Courtland County, N. Y., and they
became the parents of five children, as follows: Willis E., died in
infancy; Margaret L., died in infancy; Walter S., born June 17th,
1858. At the age of sixteen he went to Manistee, Mich,, where he
was employed by his uncle, R. G. Peters, in the great business Mr.
Peters built up there. June 20th, 1883, Walter S. Goff married Miss
Helen A. Magill. They had one son, Walter S., Jr., born March
28th, 1884. Mrs. Helen A. (Magill) Goff was born in Freesoil,
Mich., April 12th, 1854, and died in Hudson, this county, February
19th, 1894. Her parents were pioneers of Manistee County, her
father, William Magill, being one of the successful lumber men of
that region. Walter S. Goff died June 26th, 1886. Burton L. died
in infancy. Mrs. Imogene (Peters) Goff was born in Preble, Court-
land County, N. Y., May 27th, 1836, and came to Michigan in 1850,
living with her uncle, Richard Peters, the founder of the village of
Petersburgh, Monroe County. She taught school in Monroe and
Lenawee Counties until her marriage. Her father, James Peters,
was born in Johnstown, N. Y., May 28th, 1802, and died in Cincin-
nati, Ohio, December 27th, 1853. Her mother, Susan Squire, was a
native of Connecticut, her mother being a sister of Jay Gould's
father. She died in Syracuse, N. Y., July 29th, 1847.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
101
WILLIAM GREEN was born in Fairfield, Lenawee County,
Mich., December 3d, 1850. His father, James Green, was born in
Antrim County, Ireland, May 3d, 1809. He was brought up on a
farm, but when a boy he went to learn the linen weaver's trade,
which he followed until 1830. May 3d, 1830, he married Miss Eliza
McConnell, daughter of David and Eliza (Farr) McConnell. That


Mrs. Amelia J. Green.
William Green.
same year, Mr. Green, with his young wife and her father,
mother and eight children, came to the United States and first settled
in Clinton County, N. Y., where they lived until 1836. That year
they removed to Toledo, Ohio, and in 1838 came to Lenawee County,
and settled on section 35, in Fairfield; but, after six or seven years,
he traded for a farm on section 34, where he ever after lived. In
1865 he took the most active interest in founding the South Fairfield
Christian Church, giving largely of his own means, and interested
many others in the undertaking. He was an active member the bal-
ance of his life, and a trustee for many years. He died September
27th, 1888. His wife, Mrs. Eliza Green, is still living (1903) with
her son, William, on the old homestead in Fairfield. She was born
in Antrim County, Ireland, June 26th, 1814. She is the mother of
ten children, five of whom are now living. She is eighty-nine years
old, and still enjoys her faculties to a remarkable degree. William
Green, the subject of this sketch, has always lived in Fairfield town-
ship, and owns the old homestead where he was born. He was
educated in the schools of his township, and always followed farm-
102
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
ing. His farm consists of 280 acres of land, with an abundance of
buildings. He has been a successful farmer, has made his property
by his own exertions, and never gave a mortgage or neglected an
obligation. He is a stockholder in the Fulton County, Ohio, Savings
Bank, of Lyons. He owns the bank building, consisting of three
store rooms, besides other busi-
ness places in Lyons. He is an
active member of the F. & A.
M. Lodge No. 434, of Lyons,
also of I. O. O. F. Lodge No.
622, of Lyons, and Fairfield
Grange No. 278. He is largely
interested in dairying and gen-
eral farming. There are four
brothers with families, all of
whose wives and children are
on the most harmonious terms.
There has never been any envy,
jealousy or wrangle among
them. There has never been a
quarrel in the family. Decem-
ber 20th, 1875, William Green
married Miss Amelia J. Smith,
daughter of George and Caro-
line Smith, of Fairfield, and
are the parents of six children,
as follows: Ralph, born May
15th, 1877, and died December
9th, 1883; Pearl, born June
10th, 1880, died August 28th,
1880; Sylvester, born July 18th,
1882, died September 22d, 1891;
Welcome S., born June 17th,
1889; Caroline E., born March
23d, 1893; Frank D., born Oc-
tober 21st, 1895. All born in
Fairfield. Mrs. Amelia J.
(Smith) Green was born in
Fairfield, this county, April
7th, 1857. Her father was
born in Candor, Tioga County,
N. Y., January 13th, 1826. He
went to Sherman, Huron Coun-
ty, Ohio, in 1834, and came to
Fairfield, this county, in 1853,
where he died February 27th,
1865. Her mother was born in
Fleming, Cayuga County, N.

James Green.

Mrs. Eliza Green.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
103
Y., January 2d, 1828, and her parents moved to Huron County,
Ohio, in 1835. April 8th, 1868, she married Francis Davenport, and
resides on section 15, in Fairfield.

Family Homestead and Residence of William Green, Fairfield.
GEO. W. BOND was born in York, Livingston County, N. Y.,
February 22d, 1839, and came to Michigan with his parents in the
spring of 1848. His father, Josiah Bond, was born in Conway,
Mass., September 25th, 1799, and was the son of Jonas and Laura
(Howes) Bond, of the same place. The Bond family in the United
States is in three branches, originating from three brothers, who
were descendants of a Lord Bond, of England. Many years before
the Revolutionary War three brothers came to America, one finally
settling in Massachusetts, one in Maryland, and the other in one of
the Carolinas. This branch of the family came from Massachusetts.
The Revolutionary records show that Col. Bond, of Massachusetts,
104
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
served on Washington's staff in the Revolutionary War. Early in
1800 Jonas Bond and family emigrated to the State of New York,
settled in Sullivan, Madison County, and resided there until about
the year 1832, when he disposed of his farm and removed to York,
Livingston County, where he and his wife, Laura, died about 1840.
Josiah Bond bought a farm of the Holland Land Company, in York,
cleared it up, and lived there until 1848. In the spring of that year
he came to Michigan with his family of wife and four children, and
settled on section 15, in Rome township, this county, purchasing 80
acres of land. He resided here until 1863, when he sold out and
purchased a home at Rome Center, where he died February 25th,
1898, aged 98 years and 5 months, retaining his faculties until the
last. In 1832 Josiah Bond married Miss Fidelia Flagg, daughter of
Samuel Flagg, of Conway, Mass., and they had two children, Geo.
W. being the youngest. She died in September, 1839, aged about
thirty years. In 1841 Josiah Bond married Miss Tabatha Flagg,
sister of Fidelia, and they had two children. Tabatha (Flagg)
Bond died in Rome, this county, in July, 1861. George W. Bond,
the subject of this sketch, has resided in Lenawee county since his
first advent here in 1848. He lived with his parents on the farm in
Rome until he was 23 years old. In 1862 he engaged in the mercan-
tile business in Rome Center. In 1864 he, in company with Robert
Sager, established a store at the Center, where he continued until
1874. In 1867 he was appointed postmaster, which office he held for
seven years.
In the fall of 1874 he removed to Adrian and engaged
in the farm implement business, continuing for about four years,
when he engaged as traveling salesman, which he has followed for
many years. In 1890 a United States patent was granted him on a
steel fence post, now known throughout the world as "The Bond
Steel Post." In 1894 he succeeded in organizing a company for its
manufacture in Adrian. It has proved a great success, is largely
used by the Government for street mail boxes, sign posts, fences,
etc. It was through the efforts of Mr. Bond the company was
located in Adrian. The business is one of the utmost importance to
the city. October 24th, 1861, George W. Bond married Miss Jane E.
Marks, daughter of Cornelius and Fanny (Litts) Marks, of Rome,
this county, and they are the parents of two children, as follows:
Myron C., born in Rome February 5th, 1863, married January 8th,
1895, Miss Emma Siebeneicher, daughter of Wenzel and Magdeline
Siebeneicher, of Grand Rapids, and they are the parents of two
children, as follows: Loraine, born May 21, 1896; George C., born
June 26th, 1898, resides in Adrian. March 20th, 1881, Myron C.
Bond enlisted in the Michigan National Guard. May 8th, 1898, he
was mustered into the United States service as second lieutenant,
and served in the Spanish-American war for thirteen months. In
March, 1899, he was promoted to first lieutenant in Cuba. Upon
his return home he was elected captain the following March,
and served one year. Fanny F., born in Adrian, September
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
105
12th, 1876, married December 9th, 1898, Henry R. Houser, has
two children, Irene E., born August 25th, 1900; Alma L., born
August 3d, 1902, and resides in Adrian. Mrs. Jane E. (Marks) Bond
was born in Rome, this county, April 2d, 1840. Her father, Cor-
nelius Marks, was born at Brainard's Bridge, near Oswego, N. Y.,
April 6th, 1805, and came to Michigan, settling in Rome, this
county, in 1835, and died in Rollin, Ŏctober 20th, 1879. January
30th, 1828, Cornelius Marks married Miss Fanny Litts, and they had
eleven children. Mrs. Fanny (Litts) Marks was born at Brainard's
Bridge, N. Y., August 10th, 1811, and died in Rollin, this county,
December 2d, 1870.
DANIEL WELCH was born in Mandana. Onondaga County,
N. Y., August 15th, 1817. His father, Samuel Welch, was born in
Fort Ann, near Lake Champlain, about 1773, and died there in 1825.
His mother, Mary (Washburn) Welch, was also born at Fort Ann,


Mrs. Rhoda M. Welch.
Daniel Welch.
and lived until she was 94 years old. Daniel Welch was brought up
a farmer, and lived in the State of New York until 1847. In the
spring of that year he came to Michigan and purchased a farm of
eighty acres in the township of Brooklyn, Jackson County. In 1848
Mr. Welch engaged James Mills and Wm. L. Smith, then residents
and builders of Adrian, to go to Brooklyn and build him a house,
106
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
which they did in the good old way. The house stood there until
February, 1902, when it was destroyed by fire. Mr. Welch resided
in Brooklyn until the fall of 1849, when he removed to Adrian, where
he has resided ever since. During his long residence in Adrian he
was deputy sheriff, and had charge of the county jail for ten years.
The first two years he served under J. R. Bennett, four years under
Col. S. B. Smith, and four years under Wm. R. Tayer. Mr. Welch
was in attendance at every term of court during this ten years'
service. Since that time he has devoted himself to his personal in-
terests, looking after his farm property, finances, etc., etc. June
30th, 1847, Mr. Welch married Miss Rhoda Maria Love, daughter of
Calvin and Rhoda (Moore) Love, of Brooklyn, Jackson County,
Mich., by whom he has had two children: Francis L., born in
Adrian, June 22d, 1857, who resides in that city; Nellie C., born in
Adrian October 6th, 1862, now the wife of John F. Navin. Mrs.
Welch was born in Locke, Cayuga County, N. Y., September 25th,
1828, and came to Michigan with her parents when she was six years
old. Her father, Calvin Love, was born in Washington County, N.
Y., April 16th, 1791. He came to Michigan in 1834, and settled on a
new farm in Brooklyn, Jackson County, where he lived until his
death, June 30th, 1843. Her mother, who was Miss Rhoda Moore,
was born in Heath, Mass., July 18th, 1790, and became the mother
of six children. She died in Adrian, August 18th, 1854. Mr. Welch
has resided in his present home on South Main street for thirty
years. He is surrounded with all the comforts that modern improve-
ments suggest, and enjoys his ripe old age with his wife and family.
store.
JAMES C. LINNELL was born in Pittsford, Monroe County,
N. Y., December 11th, 1834, and came to Michigan with his parents
in 1837. His father, Elijah Linnell, was born October 30th, 1799, in
Barnstable, Mass, where he resided until after he had learned the
trade of shoemaker, when he emigrated to Western New York, and
settled in Pittsford, Monroe County. Here he purchased a farm,
and afterwards established a tannery and opened a boot and shoe
He was reasonably successful in his first business venture,
but the reports from Michigan were so favorable that he was "taken
with the fever," sold all his holdings in Pittsford, and came to Mich-
igan, arriving in Adrian July 2d, 1837. Upon his arrival in Adrian,
he was so well pleased with the outlook that he at once purchased a
home on East Church street, now known as number 40. The house
was just completed, and was considered a palatial home in those
days. His next move was to open a shoe store on Maumee street,
which he carried on for twenty years. He also purchased a farm of
160 acres in Madison, about two miles south of Maumee street. He
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
107
was an active, enterprising business man, and was well and favor-
ably known throughout the county. In religion he was a Presby-
terian, and was an active member of the Adrian church, filling all
the important offices at different times, and assisted largely with his
means in building the first brick edifice the society erected. He was
practical in all things, and devout and generous. His home life and
relations with his fellow man were exemplary to a degree. In 1825

Mrs. Martha (Lothrop) Linnell.
Elijah Linnell.
he married Miss Martha Lothrop, daughter of Alden and Mary
Lothrop, of Enfield, Mass. By this marriage there were four
children, as follows: Martha Ann, born in Pittsford, N. Y., in 1828,
and died in Adrian in 1840; Uriah Lothrop, born in Palmyra, N. Y.,
in 1830, and died in Minneapolis, Minn., March 28, 1868; Caroline
Eliza, born in Pittsford in 1832, and died in Adrian, November 22,
1854; James C., born in Pittsford, N. Y., December 11, 1834. Mrs.
Martha Linnell was born in Enfield, Mass., February 26, 1798, and
died in Adrian, August 18th, 1866. Her father, Alden Lothrop,
was a direct descendant of John and Priscilla Alden, of the "May-
flower" of 1620. Elijah Linnell died in Adrian, June 29th, 1857,
and was a direct descendant of Robert Linnell, who landed at Ply-
mouth in 1636. James C. Linnell is the only survivor of Elijah
Linnell, and has resided in Adrian continuously since 1837. He
followed farming until he was about thirty years old, when he be-
came a commercial traveler, and has visited nearly every state in the
108
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Union. His business career has been successful, and he is now en-
joying the results of a provident life. He became a member of the
Adrian Presbyterian Church at the age of fourteen and has always
endeavored to live in accordance therewith. June 11th, 1859, James
C. Linnell married Miss Martha E. Hard, daughter of Augustus and
Martha Hard, of Murray, Orleans County, N. Y. By this marriage
there were four children, as follows: Fannie M., born in Adrian,
May 19th, 1860, married Leon E. Townsend December 24th, 1888,
and resides near Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota;
Lillian Hard, born in Adrian, August 5th, 1862, died in infancy;

James C. Linnell.
Mrs. Martha E. Linnell.
Minnie Ida, born in Adrian, November 5th, 1865, died in infancy;
James Arthur, born in Adrian, September 28th, 1872, a physician of
Chicago. Mrs. Martha E. Linnell was born in Pittsford, Monroe
County, N. Y., June 6th, 1838. Her father, Augustus Hard, was
born in 1809, and his parents resided in Penfield, N. Y. July 21st,
1832, Augustus Hard married Martha Freer, of Seneca, N. Y., by
whom he had three children, as follows: Francis Jane, born Octo-
ber 4th, 1833, married E. P. Linnell, December 28th, 1855, and died
in Adrian, March 14th, 1891; Elizabeth, born October 24th, 1835,
and died April 19th, 1841; Martha E.. born in Pittsford, N. Y.,
June 6th, 1838. Mrs. Martha (Freer) Hard was born in Seneca, N.
Y., in 1814, and died in Adrian, March 10th, 1891. Augustus Hard,
died in Adrian, January 26th, 1880.
RECORD OF LENAWER COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
109

Residence of James C. Linnell, No. 15 Allis street, Adrian. This building
was originally a store, and stood on the corner of Maumee and Main streets, now
occupied by Waldby & Clay's bank building. It was one of the first buildings
erected east of Main street, was occupied by several parties as a general store,
and finally by the late F. J. Buck as a hardware store.
EBENEZER I. WALDBY was born at Cooperstown, Otsego
County, N. Y., August 17th, 1828. His father was Ralph Waldby,
(born in England, 1801, and died in Adrian, 1878), a printer by
trade. His mother, Mary Ann Waldby, (born in Cooperstown, 1805,
and died in Adrian, 1871), was the daughter of Ebenezer Ingals, a
farmer of Otsego County, New York. Mr. Waldby resided with his
parents until eighteen years of age-two years at Cooperstown, then
at Utica, N. Y., until the fall of 1838, then at Rome, N. Y., (where
his father established the Rome Sentinel), until the spring of 1845,
then at Utica until the summer of 1846. During this period he
received a common school and academic education, and spending, in
all, several years in learning the printing business in his father's
office. In August, 1846, in company with his brother, William H.,
he came to Adrian, taking a position in the Adrian Watchtower
office, then owned by his uncle, R. W. Ingals, which he held until
March, 1847, returning to Utica for the purpose of learning the
110
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
telegraphic art. He gave close and attentive study to this then new
calling, and received the appointment in 1848 of chief operator in
the New York office of the New York and Boston Telegraph Com-
pany, which position he resigned in nine months, and accepted that
of superintendent on "Morse" lines radiating from Cincinnati. In
1852, at the solicitation of his brother, William, who had established
a banking house in Adrian (being one of the few at that time in
Michigan, outside of Detroit), he accepted an engagement and was
subsequently (excepting a period from 1858 to 1862, when he, the
said E. I. Waldby, was in the banking business with Ira Bidwell, in
St. Paul, Minnesota,) associated with him as partner, under the firm
name of W. H. Waldby & Company. In 1872 the business was dis-
posed of to the First National Bank of Adrian, of which E. I.
Waldby was the cashier and a director. In 1877 the stockholders of
said bank organized the State Savings Bank of Adrian, in which he
occupied the same position. May 1st, 1878, Mr. Waldby and Frank
W. Clay bought the business, good will, and bank building, and con-
tinued the banking business under the firm name of Waldby & Clay.
Mr. Waldby was married in Adrian, May 3d, 1855, to Miss Emeline
S. Backus, daughter of Clark B. and Alpa (Keeler) Backus. They
have had three children, Harry B., Nellie A., and William G., all of
whom are living. E. I. Waldby died at his home in Adrian,
October 30th, 1887. Harry B. Waldby was born in Adrian, April
30th, 1857, married Emily Jane Radcliffe, daughter of John T. and
Elizabeth Radcliffe, of Detroit, and they have three children, as fol-
lows: Elizabeth Emeline, born in Alma, Mich., February 21st,
1887; Frances Mildred, born in Adrian, May 6th, 1888; Marjorie
Ethel, born in Adrian, January 22d, 1891. Mrs. Emily Jane (Rad-
cliffe) Waldby was born in Detroit, June 17th, 1857.
AMAZIAH DE ESTINE ELLIS was born near Plessis, Jeffer-
son County, N. Y., November 16, 1845. The Ellis' are of Welsh
descent, our great-grandfather coming from Wales and settling in
Massachusetts, in an early day, near Deerfield. The name was
spelled Allis, but by common consent of our grandfather's family, it
was changed from Allis to Ellis. Our grandfather moved into Jef-
ferson County, N. Y., from the Massachusetts home, and settled
there. The father of the subject of this sketch, Amaziah P. Ellis,
was born there March 13th, 1813, and died at Plessis, Jefferson
County, N. Y., August 15th, 1890. He was married there to Joanna
S. Peck, January 5th, 1837. She died at the same place August 8th,
1898, where they had lived for nearly sixty years. To them were
born four children: Cythere C., who still resides in the old home-
stead; Cyrena O., who married Jason C. Morrow, and died October
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
111
21st, 1869; Amaziah D., and Catherine D., who married the Rev.
Martin E. Grant, who died at the Plessis home, March 8th, 1892.
Mrs. Grant afterwards moved to Blissfield with her two daughters.
Amaziah De Estine Ellis was educated at the district school, after
which he became a school teacher and farm hand. March 21st,
1871, he came to Blissfield, Mich., and the next day, March 22d,
1871, he was married to Thirza J. Parker, only daughter of Alpheus


Mrs. A. D. Ellis, Blissfield.
A. D. Ellis, Blissfield.
and Lucinda Parker, who with their family had moved from the
same place in Jefferson County, N. Y., some four years previously.
The Ellis' still live in the old Parker home, the place where they
were married. A. D. Ellis got his first employment with Carpenter
& Brown, who ran a general store in West Blissfield. The firm did
a large business in those days, They owned a half interest in the
broom handle factory. They bought railroad ties, timber and wood
for the company, and oak staves and flat ash hoops on their own
account, which were brought in by the farmers, who were clearing
up their land. The firm sold to them everything to feed their fam-
ilies and teams while doing this work to improve their farms. In
less than two years the firm name changed, F. H. Brown and A. D.
Ellis buying out the entire business-store, broom handle factory,
planing mill, and all. Brown & Ellis did a larger business than the
old firm. Having bought out the other partner in the factory, they
soon became the largest manufactory of basswood broom handles in
the United States, if not in the world. Beside their business in
Blissfield, they bought flat ash hoops at Antwerp and Convoy, Ohio,
112
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
and the second year they bought and sold 2,700,000 black ash hoops.
In December, 1876, Ellis traded his store interest to Mr. Brown for
the factory and planing mill, thinking he would quit merchandising;
but after a year he got uneasy, leased the store on the east side of
the river, and opened up the corner store, April 6th, 1878, with a
general stock. He sold his factory and mill two weeks later, and he
is still merchandising at the same store, having occupied this place
for a quarter of a century. There is but one merchant to-day doing
business that was here when Mr. Ellis came to Blissfield in 1871.
Thirty-two years in Blissfield have wrought many changes, and in
these improvements he has been one of the leaders and contributors,
to make the village, town and county what they are to-day. He has
been a prominent elder and churchman in the Presbyterian Church
at Blissfield for many years. He is vice and acting president of the
Jipson-Carter State Bank of Blissfield, stockholder and director in
the State Savings Bank, and Lamb Wire Fence Company, and stock-
holder of the Citizens' Telephone Company, of Adrian; stockholder
and director in the Security and Trust Company, of Toledo, Ohio,
and also stockholder in the Tefft, Walker Co., and Sweetzer, Pem-
broke & Co., of New York city, wholesale dry goods companies.
Everiss Building. 8 West Church St,, Adrian.
JOSEPH E. EVERISS was
born in Cheltenham, England,
in 1832, and came to America
when he was about fifteen years
old. He learned the cabinet-
maker's trade in Troy, N. Y.,
and followed that vocation, to-
gether with building and con-
struction, until 1867, when he
established his present business
of undertaking. He came to
Adrian with his family in 1854,
where he has ever since re-
sided. In 1863 he went into
the great Rebellion, and served
two and one-half years with
General Sherman, in the com-
missary department, General
Beckwith being the chief com-
missary officer. Soon after his
return home from the army, he

RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
113
commenced the study of undertaking, embalming, etc., and in March,
1867, established the business in a modest way. By persistent
effort and constant attention he has built up a large patronage and
constantly increasing business. He is active, progressive and up-to-
date in his calling; hence his success and prosperity. In 1895 he
purchased the choice property on the corner of Church and Winter
streets, in Adrian, owned and occupied so many years by W. H.
Cleveland, and the same year erected a brick building for his busi-
ness, on a portion of the Church street front, but afterwards sold it
to the Bell Telephone Company. In 1899 he erected the fine building
he now occupies, a picture of which is here seen. This building is
one of the best constructed and appointed in Adrian, and is said to
be the most complete undertaking establishment in Michigan, being
planned and arranged especially for that purpose. April 29th, 1852,
Mr. Everiss married Miss Margaret Berry, at Troy, N. Y. Six
children have been born to them. Two daughters reside in Rome,
N. Y., three sons in Adrian and one in Chicago. April 29th, 1902,
Mr. and Mrs. Everiss celebrated their golden wedding at their home
on Chestnut street, in Adrian, their entire family and descendants.
being present. Mrs. Everiss was born in Patterson, New Jersey, in
1832, and is a sister of the late James Berry, so well known during
the early days of Adrian.
MRS. MARIA H. HIXON was born in Amenia, Dutchess
County, N. Y., June 26th, 1800. She was the daughter of Isaac
and Rebecca (Huff) Ketcham. In 1823 she was married to Daniel
Hixon, and came to Michigan and settled at Tecumseh, this county,
in 1826. She resided in Tecumseh for about two years, when Mr.
Hixon located government land in what is now the township of
Bridgewater, Washtenaw County, just north of Clinton village.
Here the family resided until 1872, when Mr. Hixon died, September
Mrs. Hixon is undoubtedly the oldest person living in South-
ern Michigan. The writer visited her on her one hundred and
second birthday, and was much surprised at her well preserved ap-
pearance, activity and vitality. She conversed in a clear, strong
voice, and seemed to retain all her mental faculties to an astonish-
ing degree. Her vision was somewhat obscured, but her hearing
was good, and her memory remarkably retentive. Her recollections
of the war of 1812 were vivid and distinct. She related the fact that
three of her brothers were soldiers in that conflict, together with
many incidents of that stirring period in our national history. She
has always enjoyed good health, although she is quite lame from
receiving an injury to her hip many years ago. Her husband was a
soldier in the Blackhawk War, and when she was about one hundred
8
114
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL

Mrs. Maria H. Hixon in the 104th year of her age.
years old the Government allowed her a pension, which she highly
appreciates and is very proud of. She resides with a maiden daugh-
ter at Clinton, this county. She was the mother of seven children,
only two of whom are living. She attended the annual meeting of
the Lenawee County Pioneer Society, in August, 1903, at that time
being in her 104th year. She was the attraction of the occasion.
CHARLES W. SELLECK was born in Adrian township, Len-
awee County, Mich., March 9th, 1843. His father, Ebenezer L.
Selleck, was born in Stafford, Conn., September 19th, 1796, and
when still a boy accompanied his parents, Peter and Mary (Lock-
wood) Selleck, to Oneida County, N. Y., where they were among the
early settlers. Ebenezer L. Selleck learned the trade of a mason,
and followed that business in New York until he came to Michigan
in 1836. April 3d, 1822, Ebenezer L. Selleck married Miss Nancy
Wetmore, daughter of Elisha and Cynthia Wetmore, who were
natives of New England and pioneers of Oneida County, New York.
Ebenezer L. and Nancy Selleck became the parents of ten children,
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
115
Farm Home of Chas. W. Selleck, Section 7, Adrian Township.
six of whom were born
in Oneida County, N.
Y., and four in Lena-
wee County, Mich.
They came to Michi-
gan in the spring of
1836 and settled in
Woodstock, this coun-
ty, in June of that
year. He resided in
Woodstock until 1839,
when he sold out and
purchased 160 acres of
land, two miles west of
Adrian, on what is
now known as the old
plank road. He re-
sided on this farm un-
til 1868, when he again
sold out and removed
to Adrian, where he
died, January
January 31st,
1881. He was a sol-
dier in the war of 1812,
for which service he
received a government
land warrant, and upon
coming to Michigan
he located land
Barry County.

in
His
the
father, Peter Selleck,
was a soldier in
Revolution, and drew at
government pension.
Mrs. Nancy Selleck
was born in Oneida
County, N. Y., July
20th, 1802, and died in
Adrian, September 22d,
1874. Mr. and Mrs.
Selleck were members
of Christ (Episcopal)
Church in Adrian,'
were earnest workers
and liberal givers in
all church, Sunday
school and benevolent
causes, and were high-
ly respected citizens.
116
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Charles W. Selleck, the subject of this sketch, has always lived in
Adrian township, Lenawee County, and has always followed farm-
ing. As an evidence that he has an intelligent idea of his calling,
and a familiar knowledge of practical agriculture, it is only neces-
sary to visit his fertile farm of two hundred and seventeen acres, on
section 7, near Wolf Creek, in Adrian township, to satisfy any ob-
server. The fine picture accompanying this sketch shows his com-
fortable home and buildings, the best evidence of thrift, culture and
general usefulness. We doubt if any farmer in the county has a
more complete and ample set of buildings. He has always taken an
active interest in public affairs, having served his township as Clerk,
four years as Supervisor, and four years as Justice of the Peace. In
politics he is an earnest and consistent Democrat. January 23d,
1867, Chas. W. Selleck married Miss Phebe J. Kelley, daughter of
Ira and Elizabeth (Bramble) Kelley, of Adrian township, this
county. They have had three children, as follows: Clara I., born
September 20th, 1869, married Lewis C. Brittain, November 11th,
1891, and resides on section 36, in Rome township; Lottie E., born
March 27th, 1872, married John H. Maynard, January 25th, 1893,
and is the mother of three children, Morris O., Phebe I., and Charles
S. They reside on section 12, in Rome. Albert L., born February
7th, 1875, married Miss Eva F. Ayers, daughter of Andrew and
Josephine Ayers, of Cambridge, who are natives of Lenawee County,
December 12th, 1900, and resides on the home farm in Adrian. Mrs.
Phebe J. Selleck was born in Lodi, Seneca County, N. Y., February
5th, 1843, and came to Michigan with her parents in 1864. Her
father, Ira Kelley, was born in Lodi, Seneca County, April 29th,
1818. In his younger days he owned and commanded a boat on the
Erie canal for many years, but on coming to Michigan he engaged
in farming in Adrian township, and died there August 4th, 1883,
aged 65 years. His father, John C. Kelley, was a native of New
York, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was born March 17,
1796, and married Charity Covert, who was born December 9th,
1796. February 16, 1842, Ira Kelley married Miss Elizabeth Bram-
ble, daughter of Clement and Elizabeth (Prindle) Bramble, and they
had six children, Mrs. Phebe J. Selleck being the oldest. Mrs.
Elizabeth Kelley was born in Lodi, N. Y., February 29th, 1820, and
died in Adrian township, May 13th, 1893.
WILLIAM WEATHERBY was born in Manchester, Benning-
ton County, Vermont, July 21st, 1813. His father, William Weath-.
erby, was born near Boston, Mass., July 22d, 1769, and lived there
until about 1798, when he removed to Bennington County, Vermont,
and purchased a farm. He lived there until about 1823, when he
moved to Tioga County, N. Y., where he resided eight years, when
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
117
he came to Fairfield, Lenawee County, Mich., and died there August
19th, 1835. December 8th, 1797, he married Relief Miller, of Marl-
borough, Mass., by whom he had eight children, William being the
youngest of six sons. Mrs. Relief Weatherby was born in Marl-
borough, Mass., February 20th, 1775, and died in Fairfield, this
county, July 18th, 1835. William Weatherby, the subject of this
sketch, lived with his parents until he was about eighteen years old,
when the care of the family fell upon him, his father and mother


Mrs. Sarah C. Weatherby.
William Weatherby.
being old and feeble. In 1831 he came to Michigan, and located the
west one-half of the southeast one-quarter of section 9, in Fairfield,
this county, bringing his parents with him. That part of the town-
ship was then a perfect wilderness. He followed marked trees and
an Indian trail through the woods to his land, and was obliged to
cut a road about two and a half miles to get his wagon through. He
at once built a log shanty and went to "keeping house," his mother
and sister being the housekeepers. This was just before the Black
Hawk War, and occasionally Indians came along and wanted to stay
all night, which caused the "women folks" considerable uneasiness,
and the "men folks" were none too serene, as all Indians were re-
garded with suspicion. William was warned to appear at Adrian,
with his gun, ammunition and rations, but he was attacked with
ague, which excused him, much to the relief of his mother and sister.
He afterwards added to his first purchase, until he owned 260 acres
of land, which he cleared up, improved and built good buildings
118
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
upon. In 1873 his house burned, with nearly all its contents. The
following year he built a new and better house. In the spring of
1878 he purchased the south sixty acres of the northwest one-quarter
of section 28, in Fairfield, his adopted son and heir, William W.
Wyman, occupying the home farm. He was the first man to own
sheep in the town of Fairfield, and his wife spun, wove and made
into cloth the first wool manufactured in the township, Mr. Weatherby
making two trips to Tecumseh on foot to get the wool carded and
the cloth fulled and colored. His flock of sheep was twice destroyed
by wolves, with the exception of one old ewe, the pioneer sheep of
the county, which both times escaped, and afterwards raised five
lambs in thirteen months. She was subsequently taken to Bean
Creek, in Seneca township, where she was again a pioneer, and
flourished and replenished her kind, and escaped the hungry wolves,
living to a happy old age. One day in December, a few years after
he came, some of the settlers had brought their hogs to his place,
for the purpose of butchering, and making one job of it, which was
the custom in those days. A little before noon a man came along
with a gun, saying that he had wounded a deer, over in Ohio, and
had followed him to that vicinity, and learning that Mr. Weatherby
had a famous dog, after dinner, suggested that all hands turn out
with the dog and catch the deer. Everybody was ready for the
sport, and away they went. There was a good "tracking snow" at
the time, the deer's tracks being easily followed, and before they had
got beyond Mr. Weatherby's land, the deer-a large buck-was cap-
tured. He had secreted himself in a tree top, and it so happened
that Mr. Weatherby, Benjamin Baker, John Reynolds and the dog
came upon the animal and started him, when Mr. Weatherby told
his dog to catch him. The dog at once obeyed and grabbed him by
the left ear. This so enraged the deer that in the struggle he threw
the dog over his neck, and in this way the deer came down a little
ravine in the direction of Mr. Weatherby, who jumped behind a
small elm tree, which the deer, in his efforts to rid himself of the
dog, ran against. At that instant Mr. Weatherby seized him by his
large horns and brought them with all his strength against the op-
posite side of the tree, holding him there until Benjamin Baker cut
his throat. The dog kept his hold until strangled by the blood
that spurted into its mouth. This was considered the best dog in
the entire settlement. December 31st, 1835, Mr. Weatherby married
Sarah C. Carpenter, daughter of Elder James and Catharine Carpen-
ter, of Fairfield. Mrs. Weatherby never had any children, but a
sister died, leaving an infant, which she brought up, was adopted,
and became the legal heir of the Weatherby estate, as follows:
William W. Wyman was born in Fairfield, February 1st, 1844, and
died March 31st, 1880. July 3d, 1865, he married Miss Salina
DeLand. By this marriage children were born as follows: Cora S.,
born in Fairfield, January 26, 1867, died December 2, 1878; Delight,
born January 6, 1869, died March 1st, 1874; Laura A., born March
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
119
30, 1871, and was married to George B. Schomp, September 18, 1887,
and is now the mother of two children; Blond, born September 25,
1875, married to James B. Green, February 17, 1895, and now the
mother of two children. Mrs. Selina Wyman was born in Fairfield,
August 13th, 1847, and was the daughter of Joseph and Sally
DeLand, who were pioneers in Fairfield. Mrs. Sarah C. Weatherby
was born in Shelby, Orleans County, New York, August 10th, 1815,
and died from an injury (the breaking of the femur) February 25th,
William Weatherby died March 15th, 1893.
SAMUEL TINGLEY, Jr., was born in Ovid, Seneca County,
N. Y., May 12th, 1818. His father, Samuel Tingley, Sr., was born
in Sussex County, New Jersey, March 27th, 1781, where his father,
Daniel Tingley, settled when he came to this country from Scotland.
It was here that Daniel was married and reared his family. He
afterwards lived some years in New York city, where he followed
his trade of tanner and shoemaker. Accumulating some property
there, he again sold out and returned to New Jersey, but finally
removed to Seneca County, N. Y., where he died at the age of about
eighty years.
He married Miss Margaret Van Pelt, who survived

Samuel Tingley, Jr.
Mrs. Johanna Tingley.
120
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
her husband many years, and died at the home of her grandson,
Samuel Tingley, Jr., in Adrian township, this county, December 1,
1844. Samuel Tingley, Sr., also learned the trade of tanner and
shoemaker, and followed that trade, together with carpentering, for
many years. In 1806 he married Miss Rebecca Holcomb, daughter
of John H. Holcomb, who was a native of England, and a pioneer of
New Jersey. Mrs. Rebecca (Holcomb) Tingley was a native of New
Jersey, and died in Adrian township in 1846. Samuel Tingley, Sr.,
died in Adrian township in 1839. Samuel Tingley, Jr., always fol-
lowed farming and made agriculture a study. He farmed for success
and profit, and made a competence for himself and family by his
energy, intelligence and close attention. His father died when he
was about twenty years old, and he at once assumed the responsibil-
ity of taking care of the family and clearing up the farm, which
consisted of 240 acres on section 11, in Adrian, 160 of which was
taken up from the Government by Samuel Tingley, Sr. Samuel, Jr.,
cleared and fenced the land, built the buildings, and made a success
of the great undertaking. He ever after lived on this farm, where
he died March 27th, 1895, after residing there for about sixty
years. In 1844 Samuel Tingley, Jr., married Miss Johanna Engle,
daughter of Jacob and Jane Engle, of Schoharie County, N. Y., and
they had five children, as follows: Alfred D., born January 31st,
1845, and died June 1st, 1901; Charles E., born May 9th, 1851, mar-
ried Miss Adela M. Willits, daughter of Darius and Eliza Willits, of
Adrian. Charles E. died July 21st, 1899, and his wife, Adela, died
December 12th, 1896. Samuel O., born March 31st, 1853, on the
homestead; Esther J. and Ella J. (twins), born November 8th, 1857,
at the homestead. Mrs. Johanna Tingley was born October 27th,
1822, and died in 1882.
JAMES L. CARPENTER was born in Norfolk, St. Lawrence
County, N. Y., April 11th, 1834, and came to Michigan with his
parents in the fall of 1834. His father, Joseph P. Carpenter, was
born in Swanzey, N. H., July 18th, 1803, and was the son of William
and Lucina (Sumner) Carpenter, who lived in Swanzey. William
was born in Charlestown, Mass., September 25th, 1752. Six genera-
tions before this, in May, 1638, William Carpenter landed in Massa-
chusetts from the good ship "Beves," having come from his native
place of Wherwell, England. He was an eminent Puritan, and set-
tled at Rehoboth, Mass. His great-grandfather, John Carpenter,
was a resident of London, England, in 1300, whose son, Richard,
was the father of John, who was town clerk of London, and did more
for education than any man of his century. He died there in 1442.
William and Lucina Carpenter, of Swanzey, N. H., were the parents
of twelve children, Joseph P. being the tenth child. William Car-
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
121
penter was a minute man in the Revolutionary War. He was called
into service three different times, and fought at the battles of Bunker
Hill and Bennington, and became a Revolutionary pensioner. In
1806 he emigrated with his wife and eleven children to Potsdam,
N. Y., where he died July 24th, 1843. His wife, Lucina, died there

James L. Carpenter and Family.
November 15th, 1838. Joseph P. Carpenter ("Uncle Joe," as he was
known in Lenawee County) lived in St. Lawrence County, N. Y.,
until 1834, when he moved to Michigan and settled in Kedzie's
Grove (now near Deerfield village), where he resided until 1841.
He then moved to the village of Blissfield. When a young man he
learned the trade of edge tool maker, and followed that work, with
ordinary blacksmithing, after coming to Michigan. He was a man
of probity and sterling honesty, and was a highly respected citizen.
He was three times married, first to Lydia Tracey Wright, Sept. 6th,
1831, and seven children were born to them, James L. being the
second child. Lydia Tracey (Wright) Carpenter died in Blissfield,
February 24th, 1842. February 19th, 1843, he married Celestia
Stone, and one child was born to them. She was born in Vergennes,
Vt., November 23d, 1812, and died in Blissfield, March 10th, 1845.
His third marriage occurred July 1st, 1847, to Mrs. Orrilla (Keyes)
Miner, and one child was born to them. She died at Lansing,
Mich., March 11th, 1903. Joseph P. Carpenter died in Blissfield,
February 17th, 1892. He was an uncle of Guy, David and Joel Car-
122
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
penter, of Blissfield. James L. Carpenter, subject of this sketch,
was only six months old when he came to Lenawee County. In the
fall of 1851 he went to Toledo, Ohio, and engaged in the mercantile
business, where he remained until November 5th, 1862, when he en-
listed as a private in the Seventh Michigan Cavalry. He was later
commissioned first lieutenant, being assigned to Company F, was in
General Custer's brigade, and was wounded at the battle of Gettys-


Mrs. Joseph P. Carpenter.
Joseph P. Carpenter.
burg, in command of his company, being shot through the lungs,
July 3d, 1863. He was commissioned as captain, to date from July
8th, 1863. May 26th, 1865, he was commissioned major, was on de-
tached service at Denver, Colo., as A. A. General and post
ordnance officer, with General Upton; was mustered out and honor-
ably discharged at Detroit, Mich., April 3d, 1866. Upon leaving the
army he went back to Toledo, and resumed the mercantile business
with the same house he left to serve his country. In 1872 he went
to St. Louis and engaged in the manufacturing business. In the
spring of 1878 he went to New Orleans, La., in the same business.
This was the year of the terrible yellow fever scourge. In 1879 he
returned to Michigan, and located at Adrian, subsequently settling
in Blissfield in the fall of 1880, where he still resides. February
20th, 1860, James L. Carpenter married Miss Mary E. Keyes, of
Williamson County, Tennessee. She was born in Rose, Wayne
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
123
County, N. Y., January 25th, 1836, and died in Toledo, Ohio, Janu-
ary 8th, 1862. There were no children. October 16th, 1873, he
married Miss Susan M. E. Thompson, daughter of Dr. E. D. and
Emeline (Tucker) Thompson, of Chapel Hill, Marshall County, Ten-
nessee, and they became the parents of three children, as follows:
Joseph T., born in St. Louis, Mo., November 2d, 1876, married Miss
Grace A. Parmenter, August 1st, 1900, and has one son. Anna M.
S., born in Adrian, Mich., December 24th, 1880, at home. Ewing
L., born in Blissfield, Mich., December 8th, 1884, died December
8th, 1900. Mrs. Susan M. E. Carpenter was born in Rutherford
County, Tenn., June 22d, 1838. She was a woman of many lovely
traits and gifted with womanly qualities that made her loved and
respected by all with whom she came in contact. She was educated
at Franklin College, near Nashville, Tenn. She was a member of
the Campbellite church, was consistent, charitable, and remarkably
free from prejudice. She early espoused the cause of temperance,
was a natural leader, and for many years was president of the Bliss-
field W. C. T. U. She was elected president of the Second district
of Michigan four different times, and was filling that office at the
time of her death, which occurred January 27th, 1902.
WILLIAM H. KNIGHT was born in Adrian township, Lena-
wee County, Mich., October 30th, 1842. His father, William Knight,
was born near Northampton, Mass., January 17th, 1807, and was
the son of Erastus and Polly (Little) Knight. This branch of the
Knight family in America, so far as is known, sprung from England,
and the first record shows that Joshua Knight lived in Connecticut,
was a farmer and shoemaker. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary
War, won distinction for bravery and fidelity, and was promoted to
lieutenant. William Knight was raised a farmer, and resided at
home until he was about twenty years of age, when he went to New
Jersey, where he worked at ship carpentering some time, but eventu-
ally to Massachusetts, where he remained for about three years,
when, in the spring of 1834, he emigrated to Michigan, and settled
in Rome township, this county. This was new land, which he com-
menced to improve, but being a single man, and finding some trouble
in securing any conveniences or board, he soon determined to make a
change, finally locating on section 18, in Adrian township. Here he
at once began clearing and building, and by Christmas that year
(1834) he had constructed a house, which he occupied until 1841,
when merited reward for faithful labor enabled him to build a far
more pretentious frame dwelling. He cleared up this farm and
brought it to a high state of cultivation, enjoying the fruits of his
124
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
industry for sixty-six years. He was a prominent and highly
respected citizen, enjoying the confidence and esteem of all classes.
He was prominent in school and church matters. He was the first
to organize a school in his district, and was prominent in organizing
the West Adrian Congregational Church. He was a deacon in the
church from its foundation, and was always a zealous worker for the
cause. He died in Adrian township, November 8th, 1901. Decem-
ber 25th, 1834, William Knight married Miss Anna Smead, daughter
of Rufus and Anna (Hawks) Smead, and they were the parents of
seven children. Mrs. Anna (Smead) Knight was born in Bolton,
Warren County, N. Y., September 14th, 1810, and came to Michigan
with her parents in 1834. She died in Adrian township, July 4th,
1885. Her parents were natives of Massachusetts, and settled on
section 17, in Adrian, in 1834. Her father died at the age of 83, and
her mother died in 1869, being nearly 95 years old. William H.
Knight, the subject of this sketch, was brought up a farmer, and
attended the district schools of his neighborhood, afterwards going
two years to Raisin Institute, conducted by Aunt Laura Haviland;
two years at the Ypsilanti Seminary, afterwards taking a business
course at the Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Business College. Upon return-
ing home, he went back to the farm. In 1866 he purchased his
present farm home, on section 9, in Adrian township, which he has
carried on ever since. About one and a half years he was employed
as bookkeeper at A. Stevenson & Son's coal and lumber yards at
Adrian. He served his township as Supervisor for three years, and
several years as School Inspector. He is a member of the West
Adrian Congregational Church, and has been superintendent of the
Sunday school for the last twenty years. His home is known
as Mapleside Fruit, Grain and Stock Farm. He is largely interested
in feeding cattle for market. He is president of the Lenawee County
Horticultural Society, and is engaged to a limited extent in culti-
vating and propagating choice fruits. November 25th, 1869, William
H. Knight married Miss Frances A. McKenzie, daughter of Charles
M. and Ann (Hawkins) McKenzie, and they are the parents of seven
children, as follows: Anna E., born March 17th, 1871, married.
Harry Bartlett, is the mother of two children, and resides in Chicago;
Alice C., born August 19th, 1873, teacher in Chicago public schools;
Mary L., born February 14th, 1875, married E. C. Kenyon, a drug-
gist, is the mother of one child, and resides in Chicago; Grace A.,
born May 13th, 1877, teacher in Chicago public schools; Laura F.,
born July 19th, 1879, died November 21st, 1899; William H., Jr.,
born February 28th, 1881, unmarried, and lives at home; Charles E.,
born January 9th, 1883, with First National Bank of Chicago. Mrs.
Frances A. Knight was born in Woodstock, this county, May 14th,
1842. For a full sketch of her parents, see Whitney & Bonner's
History and Biographical Record of Lenawee County, vol. 1, page 472.
·
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
125
HON. JOSEPH R. BENNETT was born in Shelby, Orleans
County, N. Y., May 18th, 1819, where he lived until he was six years
old, when his parents moved to Sweden, Wayne County, where the
family resided until the Indian reservation in Genesee County was
opened. At this time his father purchased two hundred acres of
land near Alabama Center. In 1834 he came to Michigan with his
parents, and remained a resident of the county up to the period of
his passing away. His father, Deacon Matthew Bennett, was born
in Orange County, New York, in 1778. In 1792 he removed with
his parents to Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, where he resided until
1805, when he returned to his native state and purchased a
new farm in Tioga County. Not being quite satisfied there, in
1816 he removed to Shelby, Orleans County, and again pur-
chased a new farm, but subsequently settled at Alabama, in
Genesee County. One of his sons, Davis D., came to Mich-
igan in 1828, and lived in Adrian until the next year, when he
returned to the old home in New York, with such glowing tales of
the beauties and the opportunities in Michigan, that his father dis-
posed of his property in Genesee County and came to Adrian in 1834,
where his son, Davis D., who had married and returned, was then a
pioneer in good standing. Deacon Bennett located four hundred and
eighty acres of government land in Rollin, where he resided until
the last few years of his life. He was the third man to build a
house in Rollin township. He died in Fairfield in October, 1863. In
1790 Matthew Bennett married Miss Nancy Brace, of Wilkesbarre,
Pa., which marriage resulted in ten children. Mrs. Nancy Bennett
was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., and died in Rollin, this county.
Joseph R. Bennett, the subject of this sketch, lived with his parents
until he was twenty-one years old, and shared the hardships and
privations of making two homes in the wilderness. His schooling
and his opportunities were limited, and hard labor and a primitive
life was his heritage. After assisting his parents in making a com-
fortable home in Rollin, when he reached his majority, he still
possessed pluck and endurance sufficient to start in for himself on a
new farm in the southern part of the township. He remained on
this farm about two years, when the people found him out," and
demanded his services in a public capacity. In 1841 he was appointed
Deputy Sheriff, and removed to Adrian. He held this office about
two years, but business was dull, and having a family, he was forced
to "scare away the wolf" by hard labor. He found employment with
Mr. Crittenden, in hauling ashes to his ashery. The ashes were.
found scattered over the country, being the residue of the magnifi-
cent forest that had been burned by the settlers in clearing their
land. Potash and pearlash, or saleratus, was made from the ashes.
For this work Mr. Bennett was paid sixteen dollars per month.
During this employment he was elected Constable, which led on to
better things. In 1848 he was nominated for County Sheriff on the
Whig ticket, but was defeated. He still persisted in his labors until
126
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL

Hon. Joseph R. Bennett. "Uncle Joe."
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
127
1850, when fortune favored him, for he was again nominated for
Sheriff by the Whigs, and was elected by a majority of only thirty-
one, being the sole survivor of his party. He was re-elected two
years after by a majority of 2,000. He served in all four terms as
County Sheriff, being elected in 1856-8 on the Republican ticket.
He was a consistent member of the Republican party in Michigan.
In 1861 he was appointed Deputy United States Marshal. In the fall
of 1862 he was made Assessor of Internal Revenue for the First Dis-
trict of Michigan, and was removed by President "Andy" Johnson,
because he would not endorse his policy. In 1869 President Grant
appointed him United States Marshal for the Eastern District of
Michigan, which office he held by reappointment until 1877. In 1870
it became his duty as United States Marshal to supervise the census
returns taken that year for his district. In 1850 he took the census
of the south half of Lenawee County. Mr. Bennett was always
an active member of his political party, always attending the county
and state conventions, and was sincere and earnest in his advo-
cacy of the policies and principles set forth. His record as a public
officer was without a blemish, and no man in Lenawee County was re-
garded with greater esteem by all parties. He always took a
great interest in all public matters, and exerted a strong patri-
otic sentiment for his city, his county and his country.
He de-
voted much time and money in gratuitous public service, and was
always ready to lead or follow in any movement for the general good
and enjoyment of the people. He was always active in all devotional
exercises, celebrations and benevolent duties. To show his eminent
popularity and activity in his declining years, we mention the fact
that in 1900 he was a Presidential elector-at-large for Michigan on
the Republican National ticket, and carried the returns to Washing-
ton casting the vote of Michigan for McKinley and Roosevelt.
was a member of the Republican state convention in 1902, and was
chairman of the Lenawee County delegation casting the solid vote of
the county for the Hon. Geo. B. Horton, of Fruit Ridge, for Gov-
ernor. He was president of the Lenawee County Savings Bank, which
he helped to organize in 1869, succeeding the late Governor Charles
M. Croswell, in 1887. He was a director of the bank from its organ-
ization. His life was an eventful and successful one, and he
enjoyed the beauties of the world and the triumphs of a well spent life
in the highest degree. In April, 1839, Mr. Bennett married Miss.
Nancy J. Rowley, daughter of Caleb S. Rowley, of Hudson, this
county, and two children were born to them, as follows: Helen M.,
born in Rollin, November 2d, 1841, married Maj. S. E. Graves Feb-
ruary 20th, 1865, and died June 3d, 1883. She was the mother of
one son, Walter J., born in Adrian, February 10th, 1870. Dora E.,
born in Adrian, November 2d, 1846. Mrs. Nancy J. Bennett was
born in Elbridge, Onondaga County, N. Y., February 6th, 1821, and
died in Adrian, April 18th, 1880. January 22d, 1903, "Uncle Joe"
met with a severe accident while alighting from his buggy, in the
128
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
evening, at his home. He slipped upon some ice and broke the
cap of his left knee, which resulted in his death on the morning
of February 19th following. No man in Lenawee County was more
honored or respected than "Uncle Joe" Bennett.
SQUIRE JOHNSON was born in Bedford, Monroe County,
Mich., July 27th, 1844. His father, Silas M. Johnson, was born in
Palmyra, N. Y., April 3d, 1818, and was the son of James and Milli-
cent (Dodge) Johnson, of Palmyra, N. Y., where he was a pioneer.
James Johnson was a soldier in the war of 1812. He received a land
warrant from the Government for his services. About the year 1835
he came to Michigan with his family, consisting of his wife and
seven children, and settled near Lambertville, in the township of
Bedford, Monroe County. He took up Government land, and made a
good home.
In the latter part of his life he became blind and died

Squire Johnson's Residence, Section 19, Palmyra Township.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
129
there in 1857. His wife, Millicent, died about the year 1854. Silas
Johnson was about eighteen years old when he came to Michigan
with his parents. He was reared a farmer. He purchased a farm
adjoining his father, in Bedford, where he resided until 1863, when
he removed to Wauseon, Ohio, where he engaged in the mercantile
business, and continued until 1866. At this time he went to Toledo
and engaged in the market gardening. He purchased land west of
Toledo, on Dorr street. He carried on this business successfully
until his death, which occurred March 15th, 1891. In 1842 Silas M.
Johnson married Miss Harriet Pomeroy, of Bedford, Monroe County,
Mich., and they were the parents of three children, Squire being the
oldest. Mrs. Harriet Johnson was born in Thompson, Lake County,
Ohio, in June, 1821, came to Michigan with her parents about 1835,
and died at the home of her son, in Palmyra, this county, August
9th, 1895. Squire Johnson, the subject of this sketch, was reared a
farmer and lived with his parents until 1862, when, in July, 1862, he
enlisted in Company K, Eighteenth Michigan Infantry, as musician,
and served in that capacity until the end of the great Rebellion, in
1865, when he was honorably discharged. Upon his return home he
immediately went to work on a farm in Monroe County, and remained
there until the winter of 1866. At that time he went to Toledo and
engaged in market gardening with his father. He remained in
Toledo in the same business until 1893, when he purchased land on
section 19, in Palmyra, this county. Here he has made a specialty
of celery growing, with market gardening as an adjunct. His suc-
cess in the business is plainly shown by the accompanying engraving,
showing his home and surroundings. He also owns a forty-acre
farm on section 24, in Madison, where he is engaged in fruit culture.
October 14th, 1865, Squire Johnson married Miss Sophia J. Miller,
daughter of John Miller, of La Salle, Monroe County, Michigan, and
they were the parents of four children, as follows: Fannie B., born
in Toledo, July 3d, 1868, married John L. Arnold, and resides in
Toledo; Frederick T., born in Toledo, October 9th, 1870, married
Miss Ella E. Turley. They have one son, Squire Donald, and reside
in Toledo. Harriet, born in Toledo, January 24th, 1872, married
Chas. H. Skinner. They have two children, Hermia and Morley,
and reside in Adrian. Florence L., born in Toledo, September 28,
1873, a teacher in the Toledo public schools Mrs. Sophia J.
(Miller) Johnson was born in La Salle, Monroe County, Michigan,
April 24, 1844, and died in Toledo, September 24, 1874. Her parents
were early settlers of Monroe County, and were natives of Pennsyl-
vania. January 20, 1876, Mr. Johnson married Miss Augusta A.
Brigham, daughter of Winfield and Mary E. (White) Brigham, of
Wauseon, Ohio, and they have four children, as follows: Erma C.,
born in Toledo, April 4, 1878, married Earl G. Kuney, and resides at
Indianapolis, Ind.; Merle B., born in Toledo, December 27, 1881. a
teacher in the Toledo public schools; Millicent M., born in Toledo,
February 10, 1887, at home; Christine M., born in Toledo, August
9
130
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
16, 1890, at home. Mrs. Augusta A. (Brigham) Johnson was born
in Chatham Center, Medina County, Ohio, March 30, 1849. Her
father was born in Augusta, Oneida County, N. Y., December 30,
1814. He removed to Medina County, Ohio, in 1836, and now resides
in Bowling Green, Ohio. September 22, 1836, Winfield Brigham
married Miss Mary E. White, daughter of James and Anna (Peebles)
White, and they were the parents of eight children. Mrs. Mary E.
(White) Brigham was born near Sheridan, N. Y., May 27, 1816, and
died in Lena, Fulton County, Ohio, February 8, 1863. Her oldest
son, Joseph H. Brigham (brother of Mrs. Squire Johnson), was a
lieutenant-colonel of the Sixty-ninth Ohio Infantry during the Re-
bellion, and afterwards master of the Ohio State Grange. He served
one term as master of the National Grange, and was appointed by
President McKinley, Assistant Secretary of Agriculture.
DUSENBERRY J. FURMAN was born in Penfield, N. Y.,
May 7, 1827, and came to Michigan with his parents in 1835. His
father, Robert Furman, was a native of the State of New York, and
was born December 31, 1801. He was a pioneer of Western New

Mrs. Lydia J. Furman.
Dusenberry J. Furman.
York, where he lived until 1835, when he emigrated with his wife.
and five children to Michigan, and settled on section 34, in Dover.
His brother, Oliver, came at the same time, and they took up Gov-
ernment land. They at once put up their log houses and moved in,
but when the surveyor came along it was discovered they had built
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
131
upon the wrong land. They tried it again, with the same result,
and the third house was put up before they were permanently located.
Mr. Furman, with his three rugged sons, soon made a farm out of
the wilderness, and assisted many other settlers in making homes.
He was active in the new set-
tlement, and was ever ready to
assist in making roads, build-
ing bridges, raising buildings,
etc., and never wavered in
doing his duty and answering
the call for assistance in the
many misfortunes and inci-
dents among his neighbors.
He was a highly respected
citizen, and died at the ripe
old age of ninety years, in
1890. November 13, 1823,
Robert Furman married Miss
Jane Dusenberry, daughter of
John Dusenberry, of Pen-
field, N. Y., and they had five
children, as follows: Eliza-
beth, born in Penfield, N. Y.,
August 13, 1824, and died in
Blissfield, this county, in 1894.
Walter, born at the same place,
December 6, 1825, resides in
Blissfield. Dusenberry, born
May 7, 1827. Asa, born at
the same place, March 22,
1829, resides in Dover. Mary,
born at the same place, De-
cember 14, 1831, married Chas.
Middleton, and resides in
Dover. Mrs. Robert Furman
was born near the city of New
York, April 5, 1805, and died
in Dover, this county, in Feb-
ruary, 1868. Dusenberry Fur-
man, the subject of this sketch,
came to Michigan when he
was eight years old, and has
resided in the township of
Dover, this county, ever since.
He lived with his parents
until he was twenty-one, and
was educated in the log school-
houses of his neighborhood.

Hugh Tolford.

Mrs. Hannah Tolford.
132
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
He worked by the month for about three years, when, in 1851, he
purchased land on section 34, in Dover. In 1854 he sold his first
purchase and bought land where he now resides, on section 25.
This was new land, but he soon made a most productive farm, and
by close application to his own affairs he has been successful, and
has added to his first purchase until he now owns 214 acres. He has
erected good buildings, and is surrounded with comfort and plenty.
For more than forty years Mr.
Furman has been active in
church work, and has been a sin-
cere member of the Free Will
Baptist Church. He has assisted
in erecting three church edifices,
one at Baker's Corners, in Fair-
field; one at Stockwell's Corners,
in Dover; one at Sand Creek, in
Dover, and also a Methodist
Church at Deming's Lake. He
was one of the founders of the
church at Sand Creek, which
was erected in 1892. Novem-
ber 9th, 1851, Dusenberry J. Fur-
man married Miss Lydia J. Tol-
ford, daughter of Hugh and
Hannah Tolford, of Dover, and
they have four children, as fol-
lows: Edgar T., born in Dover,
February 14, 1854, married Miss
Maria Inman, August 3, 1875.
They have one daughter, and re-
side at Cadmus. Lydia M., born
at the same place, January 9, 1857, married John B. Wilson, May 28,
1876. She is the mother of three children, and resides in Madison.
Gillman B., born in the same place, November 9, 1865, married Miss
Hattie Wilkinson, November 14, 1888. They have two children, and
reside in Dover. Hervey B., born in the same place, December 17,
1872, married Miss Julia Roberts, March 23, 1892, has two children,
and resides in Dover. Mrs. Hannah (Tolford) Furman was born in
Danbury, N. H., September 10, 1833. For her family connection,
see John Tolford's record in this volume.

Robert Furman.
SAMUEL CUTLER BALDWIN was born in Windsor, Berk-
shire County, Mass., September 13, 1829, and came to Michigan with
his parents in 1835. (See 1874 atlas for his father's record.)
Samuel C. Baldwin had but little education, as schools were not
RECORD Of Lenawee County, MICHIGAN.
133
regularly established in the county when he was of school age. He
was the "oldest boy," and his services were required in assisting his
father in making a home and producing food for the family. He
always followed farming, and lived with his parents until he was
over twenty-four years old. He has always lived on the farm he now
owns, consisting of 225 acres, on section 6, town 9, in Seneca, and
sections 7 and 8, in the town of Chesterfield, Fulton County, Ohio.
The most of his farm is in Ohio, but his residence is in Morenci.
His entire life has been passed in working on his farm, although he
has served two years as village trustee. January 8, 1854, Samuel C.
Baldwin married Miss Maria J. Schoonover, daughter of Thomas
and Ellen Schoonover, of Chesterfield, Ohio, and they had five
children, two of whom died in infancy: Olive L., born in Morenci,
August 23, 1858, married James Fuller, has two children, and resides
in Cedar Falls, Iowa; Vernon E., born November 19, 1865, married
Miss Jennie Marvin, has two children, and resides in Morenci ;
Jessie N., born August 23, 1873, married October 18, 1893, Herbert
L. Baker, has one child, and resides in Whitecastle, La. Mrs.
Maria J. Baldwin was born at Northampton, Summit County, Ohio,
July 8, 1835, and died in Morenci, October 3, 1892. Her parents
were early settlers in Summit County, Ohio, and her father was a
native of the State of New York. April 4, 1894, Mr. Baldwin mar-
ried Mrs. Susan (Gehring) Stevenson, of Wauseon, Ohio. She was
a native of Switzerland, born December 17, 1843, and came to this
country with her parents in 1848.
ISAIAH W. ROBERTSON was born in Preston County, West
Virginia, April 11, 1842, and was the fifth son of his parents, whose
family consisted of twelve children, ten of whom are now living.
(For family history, see sketch of James Robertson.) Isaiah W.
Robertson was brought up a farmer, and has always followed that
avocation in life. He was educated in the district schools of his
neighborhood. He came to Michigan with his parents when he was
thirteen years old, and until he was twenty-one assisted his father in
clearing and ditching his land, and fully realizes what it means to
make a farm out of the dense forest and flat lands of Ogden. But he
was not discouraged, and dutifully assisted in the strenuous labor
until August 4, 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, Eighteenth
Michigan Infantry, and served as a soldier until the close of the
great Rebellion, being honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn.,
June 26, 1865. Upon his return home he again assumed his old
duties, and went to work on his father's farm, coming back as he had
entered the ranks of the victorious army, a patriotic, law-abiding,
industrious citizen. He worked for his father by the month until
134
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
1867, when he, with his brother, rented his father's farm for three
years, at the expiration of which time he purchased forty acres,
where he now resides, on section 15. By his courage, industry and
attention to his own affairs, he now owns a magnificent farm of 330
acres, with fine buildings and all the conveniences, tools, etc., that
progressive farmers enjoy. Besides general farming, he is largely
engaged in stock raising and feeding for market. Mr. Robertson is
a prominent man in his township, and has filled several public
offices. He has always been interested in the public schools, and
served nine years as School Director, and afterwards as School

Isaiah W. Robertson, Ogden.
Mrs. Amanda Robertson.
Assessor. He was for twenty-one years Highway Commissioner, and
the good roads in Ogden show the efficiency of his work. He has
also served as Treasurer of his township. He is of a social nature,
being a member of David Becker Post No. 25, G. A. R.; Blissfield
Lodge No. 114, F. & A. M.; Adrian Chapter No. 10, and Adrian
Commandery No. 4, Knights Templar. March 17, 1867, Isaiah W.
Robertson married Miss Amanda Packard, daughter of Nathaniel
B. and Mary (Potter) Packard, of Seneca, this county, and they are
the parents of one son, Joseph Nathaniel, born in Ogden, December
13, 1867, who married Miss Louisa Burk, December 18, 1889. They
have three children, as follows: Forest P., born March 17, 1891;
Sylvia A., born September 30, 1894; Isaiah R., born February 6,
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
135
1897,-all born in Ogden, this county. Mrs. Amanda (Packard)
Robertson was born in Amboy, Fulton County, Ohio, February 21,
1848. Her father, Nathaniel B. Packard, was born in Madison,
Wayne County, N. Y., May 22, 1817. He came to Michigan with
his parents in 1833, and settled in Madison township, this county.
He married Miss Helen Johnson in 1843, and she died in 1845. De-
cember 28, 1847, he married Miss Mary Potter, daughter of Morey S.
and Minerva (Jones) Potter, and they had three children, Mrs.
Amanda Robertson being the first child. Mrs. Mary (Potter)
Packard was born in Richfield, Herkimer County, N. Y., May 22,
1829. She moved to Ohio with her parents in 1844, and lives in
Weston, this county.
DR. DANIEL KINGSLEY UNDERWOOD was born in En-
field, Mass., June 15, 1803, the son of Kingsley and Elizabeth Allen
Underwood, and died at Adrian, Mich., May 6, 1875, nearly seventy-
two years of age. His family on
both sides was of English origin,
the Underwoods emigrating in
1636 to Massachusetts from that
part of England which still best
preserves among its people the
evidences of their Saxon origin.
His mother's family came from
the south coast of England six
years earlier, or in 1830. Dr.
Underwood was educated in the
common schools of Enfield, his
native town, and then prepared
for college at Amherst Academy.
Graduating there, he entered as
freshman William College, in the
class of 1827. Here he remained
two years, and then took up the
study of medicine, graduating
with honor at the medical school
of Dartmouth College, then one
of the most noted medical schools
in New England. After this, he
started in the practice of his pro-
fession at Yarmouth, on Cape Cod, in Massachusetts, but remained
only about two years, and then settled for a short time in Quincy,
Mass., but after a short residence returned to Amherst and entered
into partnership with Dr. Gridly, one of the best known physicians.
and surgeons of Central Massachusetts. His object in choosing

Dr. Daniel K. Underwood,
136
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Amherst was largely influenced by its proximity to his native place.
His parents were becoming advanced in years; his favorite sister
was in delicate health, and the family all felt that Kingsley should
be near to them, particularly to the sister. Amherst, after Dr.
Underwood left the academy and prior to his going there to live, had
become the seat of Amherst College, which rapidly took rank among
the educational institutions of New England. The young doctor's
office became the resort of the more serious-minded and thoughtful
of the students, and many were the discussions of the problems of
nature, science and of life which took place there. The late Rev-
erend Henry Ward Beecher was a constant frequenter during his
four years at college at Amherst, and he, on several occasions, said
to the writer, "I believe I owe more to your father's companionship,
and the discussions we had in his office, than to any other one thing
connected with my college course." In 1834, the husband of Dr. Un-
derwood's youngest sister felt a call to become a missionary in what
was then the western wilderness, and taking his wife and three
children, he went to Michigan and took up a farm (all forest of the
heaviest kind) at what was afterwards called "Keene," about two
miles due north of the present city of Hudson. Who there was to be
a missionary to no one ever discovered. The Indians had, except for
a few stragglers, entirely gone from the country. The whites had
not yet come in, but there he settled. Mails were slow; communi-
cations were infrequent. There were no complaints in the few
letters which came, but the family at home were uneasy. The hus-
band was thought to be impracticable and entirely incapable of a
pioneer life. During the spring and summer of 1836, no letters
came, and it was decided that Kingsley should go and see and help,
if necessary. So the latter part of the summer of 1836, Dr. Under-
wood started for Michigan, taking a stage to Northampton, Mass.,
thence another stage to Albany, N. Y., and thence by another to
Schenectady; from there a packet on the Erie Canal to Buffalo, and
from there the steamer "Daniel Webster" carried him to Detroit in
a week's time. Here, with two fellow passengers, they engaged a
wagon, and in two days more reached Adrian, arriving about the
first of September. The three left most of their luggage at the old
red mill on North Main street, the owner of which was known to one
of them, and then drove to the tavern called the "Adrian House,
situated nearly where there has been for many years a drug store, on
the northwest corner of Main and Maumee streets. The tavern was
kept by the late Pomeroy Stone, assisted by his son, the late William
H. Stone, then a bright-faced lad of some ten years of age.
next morning Dr. Underwood started to find his sister. There was
no road except the winding path used by ox teams, and Dr. Under-
wood walked. During the day he passed one house on what has
since been called the "Jake Jackson Place," and at nightfall came
upon a second house belonging to the late John Colwell, near the
township line between Dover and Hudson. Here he remained over
The
RECORD OF Lenawee COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
137
night, being most hospitably treated, and the next morning pursued
his journey, arriving at his destination about noon. He found his
gloomiest anticipations realized-the husband and father sick, the
mother also, the children just able to be about. Malarial fever, or
ague they called it then, was the pest of the country. There were
hardly any provisions in the house, and after some necessary med-
ical attendance, Dr. Underwood started for one of the nearest
neighbors, of whom he had heard from Colwell, as being likely to
have provisions to sell. It was nine miles through the woods toward
the southeast corner of Medina. There he procured as much pro-
visions as he could carry back on his shoulders, and returned, and
after doing what was possible for his sister and family, went back to
Adrian and sent out a wagon-load of necessaries. He finally made
up his mind to settle in this neighborhood and had heard of Toledo
as a town of much promise, so he went down there, and thought the
same thing. He therefore rented a store which was in process of
erection and nearly complete, and went East to get a stock of goods
shipped in before the winter closed the canal and lakes. He bought
a stock of drugs, medicines, groceries, paints, oils, etc., in New
York, and returned with it to Toledo by the last boat of the season,
only to find that the owner of the store he had rented, finding an
opportunity to sell at large profit, had sold the building and lot in
his absence, and the new owner was in possession. No room was to
be had in Toledo, and he must sell his goods during the winter to
pay what he owed for them in the spring, so he transported his goods
to Adrian by wagon and opened business on the west side of North
Main street, eight or ten doors north of the corner, afterwards buying
the building. The building and stock were afterwards destroyed by
fire, but he rebuilt and finally bought the ground and built a build-
ing on the southwest corner of Main and Maumee streets, afterwards
occupied by Hart & Shaw. He never practiced medicine except in
the families of one or two friends after coming to Michigan, but he
carried on his drug business until about 1850, when, having been
severely ill for some time and despairing of ultimate recovery, he
sold out to the late Samuel E. Hart, who had been a clerk for him
for several years. Then for several years he gave his attention to
his books, his fruit and his garden until his death in 1875, except
that for two or three years he was engaged with the late Abel Whit-
ney, under the name of D. K. Underwood & Company, in a private
banking business in Adrian. Among those employed by Dr. Under-
wood, probably the following will be best remembered by their co-
temporaries: The late Fayette Hooker, of Chicago; Paul Raymond,
D. B. Spooner (a cousin of the present Senator Spooner, of Wiscon-
sin), and the late Samuel E. Hart. Dr. Underwood was an exceed-
ingly shy man. He had a very humble opinion of himself. Appar-
ently he was reserved, and to a certain extent that was true, but to
those who knew him well he was the most charming companion. I
met a college friend the other day whom I had not seen for more
138
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
than thirty years. He, then an instructor in the Rensselaer Poly-
technic Institute, at Troy, New York, had spent a week at our house
in 1869. Now he is president of one of the largest anthracite coal
companies in Pennsylvania, and one of the first things he spoke to
me about was my father. He said: "I have often thought of that
week. Your father opened up such fields of thought, and in after
years, as some new scientific principle was developed, I could recall
he had in several instances discussed it with me, anticipating its
actual discovery." The late Judge Beaman said: "Dr. Underwood
knows more of the political history of this country, and the histori-
cal and other reasons for political action and their significance, than
any man I know." The late Dr. Mahan said of him: "He is better
posted in every system of theology which has existed, knowing what
the ruling thought in each has been, than any person I have met."
He was equally well versed in natural history-the habits of ani-
mals, fish and insects, and in all manifestations of plant life. He
had a wonderful memory and a reasoning mind. During all of his
life, and particularly the last twenty-five years, he had much leisure
to think. Dr. Underwood was a deeply religious man. He contrib-
uted about one-quarter of the cost of Plymouth Church, and that it
cost not more than it did was largely attributable to his personal
supervision and painstaking oversight. The writer well remembers
the sacrifices made in the family to give to the church. He was in-
terested in public education, serving as a member of the school
board for several years. He gave one-half of the land and about two
thousand dollars in money to the college at Adrian. While not par-
ticipating actively in politics, his influence and sympathies were
always for the advancement in manhood of all mankind; like his
father before him, who had been an outspoken abolitionist since
1818, Dr. Underwood held the same views. Mrs. Haviland never
had to ask him twice for aid for a fugitive from bondage. From the
earliest recollection of the writer he recalls as though it were but
yesterday the daily wrestling with the Lord in prayer "that the
downtrodden and oppressed may everywhere go free." It was not
only the negro slavery of the South, but his heart's desire went out
to wherever human beings were downtrodden and oppressed, and
that they might stand up each in the glory of manhood, free and in-
dependent. Dr. Underwood' married, in 1842, Miss Maria Agnes.
Mitchell, of Montgomery County, New York. She survived him
three years. They had two children, both of whom survived their
parents, William Allen Underwood, now a lawyer in the city of New
York, and Charles Mitchell Underwood, who died in Grand Rapids
in 1879. Maria Agnes Mitchell Underwood was born in Charleston,
Montgomery County, New York, August 9, 1809, and died at Adrian,
Michigan, May 25, 1878. She was the daughter of Charles Mitchell
and Lydia Brown Mitchell. She was a sister of the late Charles T.
Mitchell, of Hillsdale, and John Mitchell and Sophia Mitchell, of
Adrian, and also of the late Mrs. Edward H. Winans, of Adrian. In
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
139
1838 she accompanied her sister, Mrs. Winans, to Adrian. Mrs.
Winans, with her husband and family, were then removing from
Montgomery County, New York, to Adrian to live, and Mrs. Under-
wood accompanied them and remained with them a year or two on
this occasion. Here she met Dr. Underwood, and in 1842 they were
married. It was almost an ideal marriage, not consummated early
in life, but the two natures seemed to be entirely in harmony. Dr.
Underwood died in 1875. Mrs. Underwood survived him about three
years, and died in 1878.
CULLEN R. PORTER was born in Macedon, Wayne County,
N. Y., November 26, 1824, and came to Michigan with his parents
in 1833. His father, Deacon William R. Porter, was born in Mace-
don, N. Y., April 21, 1799, and was a pioneer in Western New York.

Cullen R. Porter.
Mrs. Cynthia Porter.
His father was a farmer and operated a sawmill in Wayne County.
William R. Porter married Miss Marina White (daughter of General
David White, who served in the war of 1812, and was one of the
earliest settlers of Sylvania, Ohio), November 26, 1823, and resided in
Wayne County, where they followed farming until 1833, when with
three small children they came to Michigan and settled on section
18, in Madison township, this county, taking up Government land.
After erecting a good log house, in which the family lived for many
years, he also built a sawmill on the south branch of the River
Raisin, and manufactured a large amount of lumber, which was
140
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
much needed by the settlers in that vicinity. His family consisted
of four children, as follows: Cullen R., born November 26, 1824;
Seymour S., born December 11, 1826; Cynthia S., born February 4,
1829-all born in Macedon, Wayne County, N. Y.; Halsey D., born
in Madison, this county, January 4, 1839. Cynthia S. married Allen
Warren, December 12, 1849, and was the mother of three children.
Mrs. Marina (White) Porter was born in Macedon, N. Y., May 17,
1806, and died in Madison, March 28, 1877. Deacon William R.
Porter died in Madison, December 11, 1872. He was a deacon in the
First Baptist Church of Adrian for many years, and was one of the
founders and constituent members of that body. He and his wife
were active members up to the time of their death. Cullen R. Porter
was always a farmer, and resided in Madison from childhood until
his death. He was a prominent resident in his township, a thrifty,
energetic business man, and served as Supervisor for several terms.
He was successful in his efforts, but modest and unassuming in his
manners and methods, honorable and just in all transactions, enter-
prising and progressive as a citizen and neighbor. He died at his
home in Madison, June 8, 1902. January 3, 1855, Cullen R. Porter
married Miss Cynthia Hutchinson, daughter of Chester and Rachel
(Childs) Hutchinson, of Madison, this county, and they had three
children, as follows: Orson Chester, died in infancy; Lucius A.,
born in Madison, January 6, 1857, married Miss Anna E. Burr,
daughter of Theron and Hattie (Wilson) Burr, of Adrian; William
Duane, born in Madison, January 29, 1859, married Miss Vinnie
Allen, daughter of Thomas and Mary Allen. Mrs. Cynthia (Hutch-
inson) Porter was born in Perrington, Monroe County, N. Y., March
31, 1838, and came to Michigan and settled on section 30, in Madison,
this county, in 1831, with her parents. Her father, Chester Hutch-
inson, a native of New York, was born September 7, 1799, and died
in Madison, this county, March 10, 1844. Her mother, Rachel
(Childs) Hutchinson, was also a native of New York. She was
born April 28, 1803, and died in Dover, this county, March 29, 1863.
COL. LYMAN S. ELLIOTT was born in Erie County, N. Y.,
August 23, 1816. He came to Michigan with his parents in 1834,
and settled in Rome, Lenawee County. His father, Smith Elliott,
was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was always a farmer. He
came to Michigan with a family of a wife and five children, and set-
tled on a new farm in Rome, where he lived until his death, January
21, 1861. In 1815, Smith Elliott married Philatta Lansing, of Can-
astota, N. Y., and they were the parents of eight sons and two
daughters. Mrs. Philatta Elliott died in Rome in 1844. Col. Lyman
S. Elliott, the subject of this sketch, was the oldest child of his
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
141
parents, and had attained the age of eighteen when he came to
Michigan. The family moved into the woods, and it became very
necessary for him to find some employment that would bring in some
support. He worked at Adrian and Tecumseh for a few years at
whatever he could find to do. He finally got into the hotel business,
and with his brother-in-law kept the old Michigan Exchange, in
Adrian, for a year or more. He sold it out, at a profit, and in 1845-6
262

Col. Lyman S. Elliott and Family.
kept the Exchange Hotel at Hillsdale. About this time he got into
the railroad business, which he followed until the breaking out of
the great Rebellion in 1861. He was connected with the New York
& Erie, Indianapolis & St. Louis, and the Cincinnati & Marietta
railroads, as traveling auditor. August 23, 1861, he enlisted and
joined the Forty-seventh Ohio Infantry, and was commissioned
lieutenant-colonel. His regiment was sent to West Virginia, and
afterwards joined Sherman's army. He was promoted colonel, July
17, 1862. He took active part in all the engagements of his regi-
ment, and received an honorable discharge at Memphis, Tenn., Feb-
ruary 17, 1864. Two of his brothers served in the Union army, also.
He died in Chicago, June 5, 1865. July 30, 1846, he married Miss
Harriet T. Lyman, daughter of Russell and Eunice Lyman, of
Adrian, and two children were born to them, as follows: May A.,
born in Adrian, July 7, 1848, married Prof. J. M. Thompson; Charles
A., born in Cincinnati, January 8, 1853, died in Adrian, August 11,
1855. Mrs. Harriet T. Elliott was born in Warren, Pennsylvania,
July 11, 1829. Her father was a native of Vermont and was born in
1800. About 1825 he moved to Pennsylvania, and in 1828 he mar-
ried Eunice Winter, daughter of Asa and Amelia (Conant) Winter,
of Warren, Pennsylvania, who settled in Adrian in 1835. Mrs.
Russell Lyman was born in Connecticut, July 7, 1804, and died in
Adrian, December 1, 1859. Mrs. Harriet Elliott came to Michigan
in 1834 with her parents, and has called Adrian her home for 68 years.
She is comfortably located on North Winter street, where she enjoys
recounting her former days.
142
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
ALBERT. G. BAKER was born in Madison, Lenawee County,
Michigan, September 6, 1848. His father, Rufus Baker, was born in
Palmyra, Wayne County, N. Y., June 30, 1821, and was the son of
Rufus Baker.
Mrs. Maria D. Baker.
John and Polly Baker. John
Baker was born in Adams,
Massachusetts, January 17,
1798. In 1800 his father,
Moses Baker, moved to Wayne
County, New York, where he
was a pioneer, and assisted in
building the aqueduct for the
Erie canal over the Genesee
river, at Rochester, and also
worked on the canal. Moses
Baker took up a large tract of
New land in Macedon, Wayne
County, New York. He after-
wards divided this land among
his sons, John coming into
possession of a part of it,
where he lived until 1832. In
the fall of 1831, Moses Baker
and two of his sons, John and
Orin, sold out and all came to
Michigan, arriving in Detroit
June 1, 1832. Being well
acquainted with Darius and
Addison J. Comstock, in Wayne
County, and John having a
brother-in-law already settled
here- Levi Shumway- they
naturally came to Lenawee
County, where they finally
settled, as follows: Moses
taking the s. e. 4 of the n. e.
frc'l 4 of sec. 3; Orin took up
the n. ½ of the n. e. frc'l 4 of
sec. 3; John, the n. w. frc'l 4
of sec. 2, all in Fairfield, the
locality for years being known
as "Baker's Corners," now the
platted village of Fairfield.
Moses Baker lived in Fairfield
upon his original purchase
until his death, which occurred
November 26, 1853. Orin Ba-
ker died on his old farm in
Fairfield, January 30, 1871.


RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
143
The old Rufus Baker Home, Fairfield, Residence of A. G. Baker.
April 6, 1820, John
Baker married Miss
Polly Smith, daughter
of Ezekiel and Sylvia
Smith, of Macedon,
Wayne County, New
York, by whom he had
ten children, Rufus
being the oldest. Mrs.
Polly Baker was born
in Lower Canada, De-
cember 1, 1800, and
died in Fairfield, this
county, January 17,
1871.
John Baker died
in Fairfield, this coun-
ty, on the farm he pur-
chased of the Govern-
ment, May 7, 1873.
Rufus Baker was
brought up a farmer,
and only received a
common school educa-
tion. He was but
eleven years old when
he came to Michigan
with his parents, and
therefore
passed
through all the differ-
ent phases of pioneer
life, many of the hard-
ships and pleasures of
living in the woods.
being impressed more
vividly upon his mind
than upon those who
were older and had
more cares and anxie-
ties. He grew with
the country and im-
proved with it, and at
the age of nineteen
commenced teaching
school, his first term
being two months, for
which he was to have
ten dollars per month,

144
ILLUSTRAted histoRY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
but he never received all his pay. He taught eleven winter terms
of school. He never believed himself fully qualified to teach, but
thought he could do as well as many others in the same capacity,
and decided to do what he could. He worked by the month sum-
mers and taught school winters, until 1846, during which time he
purchased forty acres of land in Madison, where he lived until 1855.
He then purchased 160 acres of land, it being the s. w. 4 of sec. 2,
in Fairfield. He added to his farm until he owned 370 acres of
choice land. His health failing him, in 1853, he commenced dealing
in live stock, which he followed with energy and success until 1860.
In the spring of 1860 he commenced dairy farming with eighteen
cows, gradually increasing until 1866, when he built the Fairfield
cheese factory, the first to be operated in Michigan, preceding Mr.
Samuel Horton, of the same township, only four days. He engaged,
with his son, E. L. Baker, largely in the business, manufacturing,
during some seasons, as high as $60,000 worth of cheese. During
the year 1865, his dairy consisted of forty-eight cows, producing 640
pounds of cured cheese each, netting for cheese and butter $105 per
COW. In 1872 Rufus Baker & Son opened a wholesale cheese store in
Adrian, and continued until 1874, when L. Ladd was admitted as a
partner, and the firm, then known as Rufus Baker & Co., continued
until December, 1878, when E. L. Baker went out. March 23, 1846,
Rufus Baker married Miss Maria D. Vail, daughter of Moses and
Amanda Vail, of Seneca, this county, by whom he had three children,
as follows: Edwin L., born in Madison, January 5, 1847, a resident
of Adrian; Albert G., born in Madison, September 6, 1848; Angelia
M., born in Madison, June 28, 1850, married Edwin D. Stone, of
Fairfield, is the mother of four children, two of whom are living.
Rufus Baker died at his home, in Fairfield, in December, 1898. Mrs.
Maria D. Baker was born in Fabius, Onondaga County, New York,
September 17, 1828, and came to Michigan with her parents in 1836.
Her father was born in Dover, Duchess County, New York, January
25, 1801, and died in Seneca. Her mother was born in Onondaga
County, New York, November 20, 1803, and died in Seneca, Decem-
ber 17, 1853. February 15, 1872, Albert G. Baker married Miss
Adell F. Paddock, daughter of Andrew and Emily Paddock, of
Reading, Hillsdale County, and they are the parents of four children,
as follows: Rufus A., born in Reading, Hillsdale County, December
28, 1872; Lena C., born same place, November 28, 1874; Burton E.,
born in Fairfield, this county, February 5, 1877; Lulu M., born same
place, April 1, 1879, married November 28, 1901, Harry C. Osgood,
has one son, Gerald B., and resides in Deerfield, this county. Mrs.
Adell F. Baker was born in Aurelius, Cayuga County, N. Y., April
24, 1853, came to Michigan with her parents in 1858, and settled in
Reading, Hillsdale County. Her father, Andrew Paddock, was
born near Auburn, N. Y., February 17, 1831, and died in Reading,
Hillsdale County, April 22, 1895. Her mother, Mrs. Emily
(Mills) Paddock, was born near Auburn, New York, December 20,
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
145
1832, and now resides in Reading, the mother of four children.
Albert G. Baker resides on his father's homestead, on section 2, in
Fairfield, and is largely interested in general farming and dairying.
SAMUEL T. SCHUREMAN was born in Rome, Lenawee
County, Mich., March 26, 1838. His father, John B. Schureman,
was born in Westchester, Westchester County, N. Y., April 26, 1795.
His paternal ancestors were Hollanders. His maternal ancestors
were French Huguenots, and came to America in 1719. They settled
in New Rochelle, New York, where they purchased a large tract of

Mrs. Martha A. Schureman.
Samuel T. Schureman.
land. There were three brothers who originally came to America,
two settling in New York and one in New Jersey. The family be-
came prominent and prosperous, participated in the Revolutionary
War, and the descendants have always been loyal, energetic and
prominent in their callings. John B. Schureman, son of Frederick
Schureman, lived in the county of his birth until the spring of 1832,
when he came to Michigan and settled on sections 22 and 23, in
Rome township, taking up 320 acres of Government land. He also
took 160 acres in Dover. He at once built a house, in 1832, and it
immediately became headquarters for all new settlers. Mr. Schure-
man was a well educated man, with considerable business experience,
10
146
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
and the settlers depended upon him in many ways. (See page 226
in Whitney & Bonner's History of Lenawee County.) Samuel T.
John B. Schureman.
He
Schureman always lived on the
farm on which he was born.
was a practical and successful
farmer, and never had any other
employment until August 28,
1864, when he enlisted in Co. H,
Eleventh Michigan Cavalry, and
served until the end of the war.
He returned home in 1865, in
poor health, from which he
never recovered. He was a mem-
ber of Woodbury Post No. 45, G.
A. R., of Adrian. He was a
thrifty, prosperous farmer, a good
citizen, and genial man. He
died in the home of his birth,
July 22, 1901. June 18, 1862,
Samuel T. Schureman married
Miss Martha A. Todd, daughter
of Ransom and Sally Ann
(Wade) Todd, and they were the
parents of nine children, as fol-


The Schureman home in Rome. First frame house built in the Township.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
147
lows: Eliza S., born March 28, 1864, married Herbert Barnum,
July 4, 1880, was the mother of one son, Chester A., and died March 2,
1895; John B., born April 7,
1866, and died in his third year;
Frances I., born January 17,
1871, married June 18, 1894,
Delila S. Judd, has one daugh-
ter; C. Gertrude, born De-
cember 25, 1873, married
George L. Aldrich, December
2, 1896, has two children, El-
wood S. and Claire Vincent,
and resides in Rome; Sarah
E., born March 7, 1876, mar-
ried W. S. Lister, August 6,
1902, and resides at Dundee ;
Jephtha W. and Susie W.
(twins), born January 6,
1879; Edna T., born May 12,
1884. One child died in in-
fancy. Mrs. Martha A.
(Todd) Schureman was born
in Adrian township, this
county, February 9, 1843.
Her parents were pioneers of
Michigan, settling in Ypsi-
lanti in 1829. In the spring
of 1833 they came to Lenawee
County and took up 160
acres of Government land on
section 19, in Adrian town-
ship. This farm was cleared
up from a rude wilderness,
and the family resided there
for over thirty-three years.
They were constituent mem-
bers of the First Baptist
Church of Adrian, and Deacon
Todd was a highly respected
man. He was born at Pal-
myra, N. Y., July 6, 1805,
and died in Gorham, Ohio,
April 21, 1883. His wife,
Sally Ann Wade, was born
November 2, 1808, and died at
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,
January 11, 1893.

Deacon Ransom Todd.

Mrs. Sally Ann Todd.
148
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
EDWARD J. CARPENTER was born in Madison, Lenawee
County, Mich., June 10, 1862. His father, Silas B. Carpenter, was
born in Shelby, Orleans County, N. Y., July 1, 1832. He came to
Michigan with his parents in 1832, and settled on section 2, in Fair-
field. [For record of Mr. Carpenter's ancestors, see Whitney &
Bonner's History and Biographical Record of Lenawee County, page
189, vol. 2.] Edward J. Carpenter, the subject of this sketch, has
always resided in Lenawee County, and is now at home on section 6,
in Ogden. He is a farmer from choice, and is successful and pro-
gressive in his ideas and methods. January 27, 1882, he married
Miss Julia M. Freeman, daughter of Jerome S. and Mary A. (West)
Freeman, of Palmyra, this county. They have four children, as
follows: Jerome S., born in Ogden, August 18, 1890; Nellie E.,
born at the same place, October 12, 1892; Marian R., born at the
same place, April 26, 1894; Bradley E., born at the same place, June
20, 1897. Mrs. Julia M. Carpenter was born in Palmyra, this
county, February 1, 1869. Her father is a native of this county and
was born in Palmyra, November 17, 1842. He now resides at Stan-
berry, Mo. Her mother was Mary A. West, and born in Massachu-
setts of Irish parents. Mrs. Carpenter's mother died when she was
three years old. She was brought up by Mr. and Mrs. B. L. Hicks,
and has always lived in Ogden. She has the dearest memory of the
kindness and love bestowed upon her by this amiable couple, and
only remembers them as the most considerate of parents.
REV. JACOB BAKER was born in Perington, Monroe County,
N. Y., May 10, 1827, and came to Michigan with his parents in
1833. His father, David W. Baker, was born in Massachusetts,
June 24, 1799. He was a son of Moses and Cynthia (White) Baker,
who were natives of Massachusetts, and who traced their ancestry
back to three brothers named Baker, who came to America early in
1600, from England. David W. Baker was a pioneer in Lenawee
County, and settled on Government land on the n. e. 4 of section 4,
in Palmyra township. He was brought up a farmer, and was a
birthright Quaker. He came to this county with his wife and three
children, and at once identified himself with the Friends Church,
which had been established the year before (1832) by the Westgate,
Bowerman and Haviland families, who had come from Niagara
County, New York. These families comprised nearly the entire
membership of a meeting in the township of Royalton, Niagara
County, and upon coming to Michigan they brought their books and
transplanted the organization to Raisin, this county, and worshiped
here without any formal organization in their new home. Their first
church edifice was a log building about 12x16, on section 28, in
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
149
Raisin. David W. Baker ever after 1833 resided in Palmyra, where
he became an active and useful member of society, and did much to
develop and improve the new county. In 1823 David W. Baker mar-
ried Miss Elizabeth Hoag, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Palmer)
Hoag, of Macedon, Wayne County, N. Y., and they were the parents
of nine children, Jacob being the oldest. David W. Baker died in

Rev. Jacob Baker and Wife.
Palmyra, this county, April 3, 1876. Mrs. Elizabeth (Hoag) Baker
was born in Macedon, Wayne County, N. Y., August 18, 1803, and
died in Palmyra, this county, October 2, 1849. Jacob Baker, the
subject of this sketch, was about six years old when he came to Len-
awee County, and his home has been here ever since. He was
educated in the schools of the county, including one term at a Friends
select school in Tecumseh, and one term at the Raisin Institute,
established by Aunt Laura Haviland. For ten years he taught
school in different parts of the country. He was brought up in the
Quaker church and was converted in the church when he was 36
years old, and became conscious of a call to the ministry soon after.
When he was 38 years old he commenced preaching, and was recorded
a minister by the church in December, 1870. He at once became the
resident minister of Raisin Center Church, and remained there for
ten years. In 1880 he was called to the Green Plains meeting, in
Clark County, Ohio, where he remained for three years. In the
spring of 1883 he returned to the Raisin Center Church, where he
preached until the spring of 1886, when he answered a call to
Damascus, Columbiana County, Ohio. He remained there until De-
150
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
cember 1, 1892, when he was again called back to Raisin Center,
where, during the past ten years, he has supplied the spiritual
needs of the large congregation in the church of his nativity. Mr.
Baker has at different times received credentials from his church for
evangelistic work in various parts of the country, reaching from
Maine to California, and has attended ten of the Friends yearly
meetings of America. He has also been a delegate to four general
conferences of the American yearly meetings, which are held every
five years, and is now the oldest active minister in the Ohio yearly
meeting. May 8, 1851, Jacob Baker married Miss Phila A. Colvin,
daughter of Isaac A. and Elizabeth W. (Crane) Colvin, of Palmyra,
and they are the parents of three children, as follows: Clara E.,
born in Palmyra, this county, October 13, 1853, at home; Florence
E., born same place, February 5, 1856, married Ezra H. Porter, is
the mother of one child, Bertha, and resides in Fairfield, this county;
George H., born same place, September 12, 1861, and died September
22, 1863. Mrs. Phila (Colvin) Baker was born in Macedon, Wayne
County, N. Y., March 13, 1828, and came to Michigan with her
parents in 1832. Her father, Isaac A. Colvin, was a native of Wayne
County, N. Y. He married Elizabeth W. Crane, daughter of the
Hon. George Crane, one of the early and very prominent pioneers of
Lenawee County. May 8, 1901, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Baker celebrated
their golden wedding at their pleasant home at Raisin Center.
Among the incidents of coming to Michigan, Mr. Baker remembers
the trip up Lake Erie from Buffalo, and the arrival at Port Law-
rence, now Toledo. In coming up the Maumee Bay and river, the
captain was unfamiliar with the channel, and the old steamboat, the
"De Witt Clinton," run on a sand bar and stuck for many hours. The
unusual noise made by the steam and paddle wheels, in the frantic
efforts of the captain to get off the bar, attracted many hundred
Indians to the shore, to witness the novel scene. The antics of the
red men he has never forgotten. To show the difference between
pioneer life in 1833 and modern 1903 life, he remembers that his father
had erected a log house and had shingled enough of the roof to cover
the bed in one corner, with no chimney or windows or doors, with
only floor enough to set the table on, and no chinking between the
logs. One day the family visited a neighbor several miles away,
shutting the door by hanging up a blanket. Upon returning home,
they found that the pigs, which had been left in a pen, had changed
quarters and were quietly sleeping in the trundle bed.
HON. JOEL CARPENTER was born at Potsdam, St. Law-
rence County, New York, September 3, 1818. He was a brother of
the late Guy Carpenter and of David Carpenter. He was a direct
descendant from the Carpenters of Surrey, England, through
William Carpenter, who settled near Rehoboth, Massachusetts, in
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
151
1638, and whose great-great-grandson, the Rev. Ezra Carpenter, of
Swanzey, New Hampshire, born at Rehoboth in 1698, was the great-
great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. His great-grand-
father was Greenwood Carpenter, of Swanzey, New Hampshire, for
many years high sheriff of Cheshire County. His grandfather,
William Carpenter, whose wife was a daughter of the Rev. Clement
Sumner, of Keene, emigrated
of
to St. Lawrence County, New
York, in 1806, and died at that
place in 1843, in the ninety-
second year of his age. Joel
Carpenter lived with his father
on the family homestead until
his eighteenth year, when he
entered St. Lawrence Acad-
emy, where he attained an or-
dinary English education.
September 15, 1838, at the age
of twenty, he left his father's
house and arrived in Blissfield,
Lenawee County, September
23. During the winter
1838-9 he taught a district
school near the present village
of Deerfield, in this county.
On the 10th day of June,
1839, he entered the office of
Halsey & Greenly, in Adrian,
the county seat, as a student
at law. He was admitted to
the bar April 9, 1842, Justice Fletcher presiding at the court. Octo-
ber 12, 1842, he married Miss Theodocia A. Carpenter, youngest
daughter of the late Dan Carpenter, of Potsdam, New York, and
returning to Blissfield he opened a law office at that place in the
winter of 1842-3. He buried his young wife December 7, 1843.
December 25, 1844, he married his second wife, Minerva L. Mead,
daughter of Hon. Darius Mead, of Blissfield. Three children were
born to him by this wife: Clement D., born March 23, 1848; Carrie
F., born August 6, 1850, and Minerva E., born February 24, 1852,
and died March 18 of the same year. His son, Clement D., is a
lawyer, of Toledo, Ohio. His daughter, Carrie F., died at Blissfield,
February 16, 1891. Minerva L. Carpenter, his second wife, was
born at Lanesboro, Massachusetts, August 3, 1823, and came
with her father to Blissfield in 1833. She died March 12, 1852.
April, 1850, in company with his brother, David Carpenter, he went
into the mercantile business, and two years later, having bought out
his brother, he formed a co-partnership with his brother-in-law,
the late Marvin L. Stone, in the same business, and after Mr. Stone's

Hon. Joel Carpenter.
In
152
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
death, July 24, 1854, he carried on the business alone until the fall
of 1858, when he sold out and again opened a law office. September
1, 1859, he married his third wife, Miss Lucy M. Gilmore, daughter
of Asa Gilmore, of Tecumseh, by whom he had one child, Guy D.,
born September 23, 1861, and who died March 4, 1864. Lucy M., his
third wife, was born at Tecumseh, January 28, 1838, and died Octo-
ber 1, 1861. January 14, 1864, he married his fourth wife, Miss
Esther C. Newton, daughter of Ezra Newton, of Blissfield. She
was born at Blissfield, May 24, 1833. Mr. Carpenter has held many
positions of trust and honor from the people. He has been super-
visor and postmaster of Blissfield, enrolling officer and deputy United
States assessor during the Rebellion; was State Senator for two
terms, beginning January 1, 1859. He introduced and secured the
passage of the first general insurance law ever adopted in this state,
under which himself and the late Royal Barnum, of Adrian, organ-
ized the Michigan State Insurance Company, of Adrian. He was a
warm Republican in politics, and was always a strong anti-slavery
man. He attended, as a delegate from Michigan, the great Free
Soil convention, held at Buffalo, August 9, 1848. He was also a
delegate to the celebrated convention held under the Oaks" at
Jackson in 1854, which first organized and named the Republican
party, and was one of the delegates-at-large to the Republican
national convention in Chicago, in 1880, that nominated Garfield.
He died at his home in Blissfield, January 22, 1891.
ROBERT S. MORELAND was born in Adrian, Mich., Febru-
ary 8, 1854.
His father, James Moreland 3d, was born in Dromara,
County Down, Ireland, February 14, 1816, where his father, James
Moreland 2d, and his grandfather, James Moreland 1st, owned a
farm and lived and died. The wife of James Moreland 1st was Ann
Scott, who was born and died in the same county. The ancestors of
the Moreland family fled from Scotland during the religious perse-
cutions. The Morelands were inhabitants of the Moorlands of
Scotland, hence the name Moreland, as distinguished from the
Highlands. James Moreland 2d, in 1788, married Miss Margaret
Curry and six children were born to them, the youngest of whom,
Samuel Moreland, settled in Somerset, Hillsdale County, Mich., and
died there, May 20, 1881. Mrs. Margaret (Curry) Moreland died in
1804, and about two years subsequently Mr. Moreland 2d married
Miss Fanny Magee, and six children blessed this union, James
Moreland 3d being the third son and fifth child. Mrs. Fanny
(Magee) Moreland was born in Antrim County in 1780. Her
father, John Magee, was of Scotch extraction, whose ancestors were
among the first of the dissenters to flee from Scotland, settling on an
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
153
island called Island Magee, which island derived its name from this
family. James Moreland 2d died on the farm where he was born, in
1828, and his wife, Fanny Moreland, died there in 1842. James
Moreland 3d lived in Ireland until 1837. He learned the weavers'
trade, but upon going to Scotland he found employment in a large

Residence of Robert S. Moreland, No. 15 Front street, Adrian.
iron smelting works at Dalry, where he remained until the spring of
1841, when he came to America, landing at Quebec July 1. He came
to Michigan in November, 1843, and in the spring of 1844 settled in
Adrian, where he resided until 1863, when he moved to Hudson, this
county, May 30. In 1849 James Moreland 3d married Miss Ann
Stephenson, daughter of William and Martha (Small) Stephenson,
of County Monaghan. Ireland, and four children were born to them,
as follows: Fannie Jane, born in Adrian, April 21, 1850; Robert
S., born in Adrian, February 8, 1854; James H., born in Adrian,
February 19, 1857; William T.. born in Hudson, Mich., July 7,
1864. Mrs. Ann Moreland was born in County Monaghan, Ireland,
in 1829, and died in Hudson, this county, January 1, 1871.
a sister of the late Dr. Robert and John Stephenson, and came to
154
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
America with them in 1847. Robert S. Moreland, the subject of this
sketch, was educated in the public schools of Adrian and Hudson,
and attended Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
In the fall of 1870 he accepted a position in John K. Boies & Co.'s
general store, in Hudson, as bookkeeper and cashier. He held this
position until the spring of 1873, when he went to Chicago as book-
keeper for the wholesale grocery firm of Boies, Fay & Conkey. He
remained there for about six months, when the late M. E. Chitten-
den, who was then engaged in the wholesale oil and tobacco business
in Adrian, offered him the very desirable position of manager of the
office business of the firm of M. E. Chittenden & Co. After a service
there of eight years, a co-partnership, since known as Moreland
Bros. & Crane, for carrying on the business of jobbers of oils,
tobacco and cigars, in the city of Adrian, was organized, which firm
is still doing a prosperous business, and is one of the solid com-
mercial enterprises of Adrian. The firm originally consisted of R.
S. Moreland, J. H. Moreland and Eugene W. Crane. The original
firm existed until April 14, 1895, when James H. Moreland died. For
business reasons the firm name has never been changed, and is con-
tinued by the surviving partners. In the spring of 1884 Robert S.
Moreland accepted the position of secretary and treasurer of the
Musselman Tobacco Company, of Louisville, Ky., without relinquish-
ing his interest in the Adrian firm. He remained in Louisville four
years at a lucrative salary, but returned to Adrian in 1888, and
resumed his duties with the successful firm that he helped to estab-
lish, since which time he has given his entire attention to the busi-
ness in Adrian. Moreland Bros. & Crane's business extends through
Southern Michigan, Northern Ohio and Indiana. Robert S. More-
land is vice president of Waldby & Clay's State Bank, treasurer of
the Adrian Building and Loan Association, one of the really pros-
perous institutions of the city. He is also vestryman of Christ
(Episcopal) Church, of Adrian. November 14, 1873, he married
Miss Ella J. Dickinson, daughter of Dr. Julius C. and Phoebe (Tabor)
Dickinson, of Hudson, Mich., by whom he has had three children, as
follows: Fred L., born March 9, 1876, married Miss Irene Morgan,
daughter of Dayton B. and Julia (Morrison) Morgan, of Adrian,
February 22, 1899, and they have two children, Charles Tabor and
Helen I.. both born at Montgomery, Alabama. Anna L., born Octo-
ber 18, 1877, died April 18, 1898, at Sea Breeze, Florida, and was buried
in Oakwood, at Adrian. Jennie M., born July 11, 1879, married
Charlas M. Smith, of Montgomery, Alabama, June 5, 1900, where
they now reside. They had one child, Robert Milton, born August
15, 1901, died November 6, 1901. Mrs. Ella J. Moreland was born in
Hudson, Mich., August 8, 1851. Her parents were pioneers of the
Bean Creek Valley, and her father was one of the first physicians to
settle in that part of Lenawee County. He was born in Potsdam,
N. Y., August 10, 1821, and graduated in medicine from a Cleveland
college in 1846, died at DeLeon Springs, Florida, March 12, 1893,
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
155
and is buried in Oakwood, Adrian. His father was Anson Dickin-
son, and his mother was Miss Eliza Carpenter, both being natives of
New York. Dr. Julius C. Dickinson settled in Hudson in 1848, as a
physician. He married Miss Phoebe J. Tabor, March 22, 1848,
daughter of Thomas and Abigail (Drew) Tabor. She was born in
Bradford, Vermont, July 31, 1824, came to Michigan with her
parents, and settled in Adrian in 1837. James H. Moreland 3d, third
child of James and Ann Moreland, was born in Adrian, February
19, 1857. He was educated in the public schools of Adrian and
Hudson, Mich., and at the age of nineteen commenced the study of
medicine with his Uncle, Dr. Robert Stephenson, of Adrian, Mich.
After a year's study he deserted the Esculapian followers and entered
upon a commercial career, the successful outcome of which indicated
that his choice of vocation was a happy one. At the age of twenty-
one he entered the employ of M. E. Chittenden & Co., and from a
small beginning advanced himself with this firm to the position of
traveling salesman, building up and controlling a very large trade
throughout the territory in which he traveled. It was through his
standing as a business man of honorable methods, coupled with his
sympathetic and genial qualities, that enabled him to transfer the
trade that he secured to the establishment of the firm of Moreland
Bros. & Crane. On February 16, 1882, he married Miss Susie B.
Treadwell, only daughter of Chauncey and Marcia Treadwell of
Wheatland Township, Hillsdale County. One child was born to
them, Robert T. Moreland, January 8, 1889, the mother yielding up
her life for the birth of her baby, eight days after, January 16, 1889.
James H. Moreland died April 14, 1895. He was the victim of an
accident, which, through the severity of the injury, necessitated the
amputation of his limb. The injury had progressed to a point where
medical science was powerless to aid him, and he passed away at
Asheville, N. C., where he was removed in a hope that the change
might benefit his condition. Fanny J. Moreland, first child and
only daughter of James and Ann Moreland, was born in the City of
Adrian, April 21, 1850. She was educated in the public schools of
Adrian and Hudson, Mich., and after graduation, became a teacher,
which vocation she has successfully followed for a number of years,
being now employed in the public schools of Adrian. William T.
Moreland, fourth child of James and Ann Moreland, was born in
Hudson, July 7, 1864. He was educated in the public schools of
Hudson and at Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
Upon the establishment of the firm of Moreland Bros. & Crane, in
July, 1881, he was employed by this firm as shipping clerk. He has
remained with this institution, advancing through the different po-
sitions; and at present is in charge of the oil and gasoline depart-
ment. On May 11, 1899, W. T. Moreland married Miss Carrie E.
Sword, only child of Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Sword of Adrian, Mich.
One child blessed this union, Edwin Stephenson Moreland, being
born in Adrian, Nov. 2, 1900.
156
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
WILLIAM ALLEN UNDERWOOD, oldest son of Daniel Kings,
ley Underwood and Maria Agnes (Mitchell) Underwood, was born at
Adrian, Michigan, November 16, 1846. He was educated in the public
schools at Adrian, and finished his preparatory course for college at
Williston Seminary at Easthampton, Mass. In the fall of 1863 he
entered Yale College as a freshman, and remained through his fresh-
man and part of his sophomore
year, when he returned home,
and the following autumn en-
tered the University of Michi-
gan as a sophomore and re-
mained during the sophomore
and junior years. He was very
anxious to go into business,
and at his earnest solicitation
his father permitted him to
leave college at the end of the
junior year, but would not hear
of his entering into any busi-
ness, insisting on his becom-
ing a lawyer. The result was,
that he entered the office of
Eldredge & Walker, in Adrian,
as a student in the summer of
1867, and went to the Law
School at Ann Arbor in the
fall of that year. After being
there a time he determined
that he could not to the best
advantage carry on his studies
at Ann Arbor, for some reasons which seemed to be well known to
himself. After consultation with his father, he returned to Adrian
and again entered the office of Eldredge & Walker in January of
1868, and remained there until September of 1868, when he entered
the Law School at Albany, New York, taking the full course, grad-
uating there in 1869, and there being admitted to the Bar of the
Supreme Court of the State of New York. After graduating he re-
turned to Adrian and during the next few months continued his stud-
ies in the office where he had previously been. He was admitted to
the bar at Adrian, and then for a short time took up his residence in
Chicago. While in Chicago he became ill, and for several months
was able to do but very little, with the result that he returned home
and after a few months entered the office of the late Consider A.
Stacy as a clerk. This was in 1871. He remained with Judge
Stacy as a clerk for two years, and then entered the firm, composed
of Judge Stacy and his son Scoville, and upon Scoville's retiring in
1876, a new firm was formed called Stacy & Underwood, which con-
tinued until sometime in 1879, when it was dissolved and Mr. Under-

William Allen Underwood.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
157
wood began business for himself. He continued by himself until the
fall of 1881, when he entered partnership with the late Seth Bean
and the firm was called Bean & Underwood. This continued until
some time in 1884, when the Hon. Victor H. Lane was admitted to
the firm and the firm became Bean, Underwood & Lane, and so re-
mained until the 1st of July, 1885. In 1874 Mr. Underwood was ap-
pointed by the late Chief Justice Waite of the United States Supreme
Court, to be Register in Bankruptcy for the Second Congressional
District of Michigan. He continued to hold this office until the
spring of 1876, when he resigned, and in the fall of that year was
elected Prosecuting Attorney of Lenawee County, and was re-elected
in 1878. In 1884 Mr. Underwood was one of the two delegates from
the Second Congressional District of Michigan to the National Re-
publican Convention at Chicago. During the last three or four years
previous to 1885 Mr. Underwood had been developing, in addition to
his legal practice, a business for people in the East throughout the
West, and that took such a course that he was solicited by some of
his clients to establish himself in Detroit, as being a better place from
which to carry on that class of business. The result was that in
July, 1885, he moved to Detroit and entered into partnership with
Henry M. Cheever, Esq., of the Detroit Bar. This partnership lasted
for only seven months, when it was dissolved and Mr. Underwood
started in business for himself. His stay in Detroit, however, was
comparatively short. He then removed East, remaining a short
time in Boston, and finally, in 1889 settled in New York. In 1891
he opened a law office there, where he still continues as a member of
the firm of Underwood, Van Vorst & Hoyt. In 1870 Mr. Underwood
married Miss Virginia Garland Deas, a daughter of the late Col.
Geo. Deas of the United States Regular Army, and his wife, Mrs. Eliz-
beth Garland Deas. Two children have been born to them-Eliza-
beth Garland Underwood and Ethel Virginia Underwood, both born
in the old Underwood homestead at the corner of Broad and Church
streets in Adrian, being the same house where Mr. Underwood was
born-both of whom are still living. In this connection it may be
of interest to say that this house was begun by Dr. Underwood pre-
vious to his marriage, and he and his wife began housekeeping
there. Both their children were born there. Dr. and Mrs. Under-
wood both died and were buried from there. Both of Mr. William A.
Underwood's children were born there, and from that house Mr.
Underwood's only brother, Charles, was buried.
ALFONSO R. TAYER was born in Clarkson, Monroe County,
N. Y., May 5, 1835. His father, Gersham R. Tayer, was born in
Stephentown, New York June 28, 1793, and when young learned the
blacksmith's trade. About the year 1815 he married Delia D. Perry,
who was born in Rhode Island, May 10, 1796. About this time
158
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
he removed to Clarkson, Monroe County, N. Y., where he established
a shop for forging out plowshares to be used in excavating and con-
structing the Erie Canal. He resided there until the fall of 1835,
when he came to Michigan and located on Section 5, in Madson.
The land had not been improved enough to produce sufficient to sup-
port his family, and he erected
a blacksmith shop and did a
great deal of much-needed
work for the settlers. He
cleared up his land as soon as
possible, and raised a family
of ten children to man and
womanhood. He erected a
good dwelling and commodi-
ous barns, and fenced and
improved the farm to a high
state of cultivation. He re-
sided there until his death,
Aug. 5, 1853. His wife, Delia
D. Tayer, died at the old home
in Madison, in October, 1876,
in the 86th year of her age.
Alfonso R. Tayer was always
a farmer, and ran the home
farm for many years. He
was domestic in his habits,
and honorable and earnest in
all his relations of life. Sep-
tember 19, 1860, he married Miss Julia F. Sword, daughter of James
and Ruth Sword of Adrian, and one son was born to them, Fred S.,
born in Madison, October 17, 1872. Mrs. Julia F. Tayer was born
in Harmony, N. Y., September 1, 1833, and died in Madison, this
county, April 10, 1876. In January, 1877, he was married the sec-
ond time to Miss Mary P. Sword, also a daughter of James and Ruth
Sword, and one daughter was born to them; Harriet Ursula, born in
Adrian, December 9, 1878. Miss Mary P. Sword was born in Har-
mony, N. Y., May 16, 1837. Her father, James Sword, was a native
of England. He came to the United States about the year 1817, and
settled in East Bloomfield, Ontario County, N. Y. There he learned
the potter's trade, and made earthenware for several years. In the
fall of 1837 he came to Michigan, first settling in Rome, this county,
but he removed to Adrian in 1839, and ever after resided there. He
followed his trade in Adrian for some time, but finally established
a brick yard, which he operated for several years, and the business
is still being carried on by his youngest son, E. C. Sword. When a
boy, James Sword entered the British army as a drummer boy, and
participated in many great battles. He afterwards served as a sol-
dier, and the last engagement he took part in was the battle of

Alfonso R. Tayer.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
159
Orthez, fought February 27, 1814. The British army was com-
manded by the Duke of Wellington, while the French army was
under the command of Napoleon. His father was a colonel in the
British army.
October 28, 1821, James Sword married Miss Ruth
Durham, and they raised a family of ten children, all born in the
State of New York. James Sword was born at Margate, Kent,
England, January 14, 1795, and died in Adrian in April, 1878.
Mrs. Ruth Sword was born in Vermont, October 24, 1800, and died
in Adrian in August, 1884.
COL. BENJAMIN F. GRAVES was born in Charlotte, Chau-
tauqua County, N. Y., May 19, 1839. His father, Zurr H. Graves,
was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., in 1818, and came from sturdy
stock, as the family consisted of 19 children, and with one exception
all made men over six feet in height. Zurr Graves' father, Waters
Graves, was a giant in stature, a master builder in Colerain, Mass.,
and was the father of nineteen children. In early life Zurr Graves
was a blacksmith, but afterwards studied law, and in 1845 went to
DeKalb County, Ill., but afterwards moved to Butler County, Iowa,
where he practiced until 1862, when he enlisted in the Third Iowa
Battery. After serving about two years, he was wounded and so
badly disabled that he was discharged from the service. He died at
Panama, Shelby County, Iowa, April 11, 1893. He had a brother,
Almiron Graves, who was a blacksmith, and lived to be 87 years old.
He was the father of twelve boys and six girls. All his sons weighed
two hundred pounds and upwards. All were blacksmiths, together
with the remarkable fact that nearly every one of the eighteen chil-
dren had double teeth, upper and lower, both front and back. He
also had a brother, John W. Graves, of Medina, N. Y., who was one
of the leading lawyers of Western New York. He was one of the
eminent men of his section, and was appointed Assessor of Internal
Revenue by President Lincoln. In the spring of 1838 Zurr H.
Graves married Miss Alvira Fisher, daughter of Benjamin and De-
light Fisher of Charlotte, N. Y., and became the parents of two
sons, the youngest of whom, Roswell W., was a member of the 103d
N. Y. Infantry, served about three years in the great Rebellion, and
died in the service in November, 1864. Mrs. Alvira (Fisher) Graves
was a native of New York, and died in Charlotte, that State, about
1880. Capt. B. F. Graves passed his early years upon a farm.
His limited circumstances compelled him to enter upon the active
duties of life with a common school education, leaving the high
school of Sinclairville, in Chautauqua County, in 1859. For the
following eighteen months he was actively engaged in lumbering in
Warren County, Penn. Early in the spring of 1861 his lumber in-
terests called him to Pittsburg, Pa., where he found himself in the
midst of active preparations for war. Recruits were being rapidly
160
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
enlisted, companies and regiments were leaving for their rendezvous,
and on his way home via Cleveland, early in April, he enlisted in
Co. G, 19th Ohio, and went with that regiment through its West
Virginia campaign, participating in the battle of Rich Mountain.
At the end of five months, that regiment, having completed its
term of enlistment, was mus-
tered out, and Mr. Graves at
once entered the service again
as a private in the 2d Ohio
cavalry, and with that regi-
ment took part in the battles of
Independence, Mo., Pea Ridge,
and a dozen other engage-
ments that took place in South-
western Missouri, Arkansas,
Indian Territory and Kansas.
Early in 1863 in a cavalry
charge made by that regiment
near Elks Mills, I. T., he was
badly injured, and when the
regiment returned to Columbus,
Ohio, in that year to recruit,
he was discharged for disa-
bility. During his service
with that regiment he was three
times promoted for gallant
conduct in action. After leav-
ing this regiment he again en-
tered the service with a cap-
tain's commission, but finding he was no longer fit for active service,
he resigned and commenced the study of law. He was admitted to
the bar at general term, Buffalo, N. Y., and in 1871 removed with
his family to Big Rapids, in this State, where he entered upon the
active duties of his profession. He was three times elected prosecut-
ing attorney of Mecosta County, and held the office of city attorney
of Big Rapids for three terms. He was a member of the board of
education in that city and agent for the reformatory institutions of
the State. He moved to Adrian in February, 1879. Since coming
to Adrian, Capt. Graves has been employed in his profession, but is
an active, public-spirited man, ready to help in the promotion of any
enterprise that promises to aid the community. He is an enthusiastic
Grand Army man, and served four terms as commander of Woodbury
Post, No. 45. He was a delegate from this department to the Portland
encampment in 1885, He was Judge Advocate of the Department of
Michigan, G. A. R., during Washington Gardner's administration
as Department Commander. In 1892 he was Member of the Council
of Administration of the National Encampment at Washington.
He was one of the Managers of the Michigan Soldiers' Home and

Col. B. F. Graves.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
161
resigned in 1893 to take the position of Commandant, which he held
for three years.
He is now a resident of Adrian, and successfully
practicing his profession. He is also vice president of the Adrian
Knitting Works Company. June 22, 1864, Col. B. F. Graves mar-
ried Miss Elizabeth Bailey, daughter of John and Samantha (El-
dridge) Bailey of Warsaw, N. Y., by whom he had five children, as
follows: Clinton Bailey, born in Gainesville, N. Y., January 26,
1867, now a resident of Adrian; Benton F., born same place August
3, 1868, married Miss Mary Goodrich, of Nashville, Tenn., and died
in El Paso, Texas, December 5, 1895; Florence Elizabeth, born in
Warsaw, N. Y., October 8, 1869, married Elmer Clement, of Adrian,
August 30, 1893, and is the mother of two daughters, Dorothy and
Elizabeth. Mr. Clement died at Windsor, Canada, August 7, 1899.
Grace Louise, born in Big Rapids, Mich., and died in infancy; Mary
Ida, born same place, died in infancy. Mrs. Elizabeth (Bailey)
Graves was born in Gainesville, N. Y., June 12, 1838, and died in Big
Rapids, Michigan, March 6, 1876. June 6, 1877, Mr. Graves married
Miss Elizabeth Kinney, daughter of Samuel K. and Mary Kinney,
of Seneca, this county. No children have been born to them. Miss
Elizabeth Kinney was born June 6, 1849, in Seneca, this county.
Her parents were pioneers. Mr. Kinney came to Lenawee County
in 1828, a lad ten years of age, and always lived in Seneca, but died
in Grand Rapids. November 29, 1846, Mr. Kinney married Miss
Mary Secor of Seneca, whose parents were also pioneers of that
township.
DR. JULIUS E. WESTGATE was born in Reading, Hills-
dale County, Mich., May 27, 1849. His father, Henry G. Westgate,
was born in Niagara County, N. Y., December 18, 1825, and resided
there until he was about seven years old, when he came to Michigan
with his parents, in 1832. He was the son of Sylvanus and Esther
(Haviland) Westgate, who settled on Sections 26 and 27, that year.
Sylvanus Westgate, probably a native of New York, was a pioneer
in Niagara County, New York, and also in Raisin, this county. He
died in Raisin in May, 1871. His wife Esther, who was also a na-
tive of New York, was the mother of thirteen children, nine sons
and four daughters. She died in Raisin in January, 1883. Henry
G. Westgate was educated in the district schools of Raisin, being
compelled to give his attention more to the work of clearing the
land and providing for a home, than to mental culture or scientific
research. He was reared in the Quaker church. His parents being
Quakers, he took kindly to the tenets of that faith, and for many
years filled the sacred office of preacher, which he followed until
about 1873, when owing to the new tenets of "sanctification" be-
coming a doctrine in the church, he withdrew, and united with the
11
162
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Methodist Episcpal church at Palmyra, afterwards serving several
years as circuit preacher. March 16, 1847, Henry G. Westgate married
Miss Hannah H. Lovejoy, daughter of Joseph and Martha Lovejoy,

Mrs. Lydia J. Westgate. Dr. Julius E. Westgate.

Dr. C. H. Westgate.
Mrs. Laura C. Westgate.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
163
of Raisin. They were the parents of four children, Dr. Julius E.
being the oldest. Mrs. Hannah H. Westgate was born in Augusta,
Maine, July 11, 1828, came to Michigan with her parents in 1843,
and died in Detroit, Mich., January 27, 1898. Dr. Julius E. West-
gate, the subject of this sketch, attended the district schools of his
neighborhood, in Hillsdale County, and Lenawee County, until he

Residence of Dr. J. E. Westgate, on Section 8, Adrian Township.
was about fifteen years old. He then attended the Raisin Valley
Seminary for one year. In the fall of 1865 he commenced teaching
school in this county and followed it for six years. In 1871 he pur-
chased a farm in Wheatfield, Ingham County, where he remained
until 1878, when he sold out, returned to Lenawee County and pur-
chased a farm in Adrian township, where he lived until 1887, when
he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. F. R. Seager, of
Adrian, and graduated at the Michigan College of Medicine and
Surgery, Detroit, March 14, 1890. He practiced medicine in Detroit
for ten years, when, owing to failing health, he again returned to
Lenawee County and purchased a farm of 160 acres on Section 8, in
Adrian township, where he now resides. April 30, 1871, Dr. Julius E.
Westgate married Miss Lydia J. Shumway, daughter of Josiah and
Lydia (Mason) Shumway, of Ogden, this county, and they have had
two children, as follows: Ellen Florene, born in Wheatfield, Ing-
ham County, Mich., December 17, 1876, met with accidental death in
Detroit, being burned while practicing for a Christmas cantata at
164
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
the school house, December 19, 1889; Clarence Henry, born in
Wheatfield, Ingham County, Mich., September 28, 1880. Graduate
of Detroit Medical College, now a practicing physician, married Miss
Laura C. Davis, daughter of the Rev. Lyman E. and Ella (Hood) Davis,
of Shaftsburgh, Pa. Mrs. Lydia J. Westgate was born in Fairfield,
Lenawee County, Mich., April 15, 1848. Her father, Josiah Shum-
way, a native of Connecticut, born in 1795, was a soldier in the war
of 1812, was a pioneer of this county, but died near Lagrange, In-
diana, October 14, 1847. He was the son of Isaac and Patience
Shumway, natives of Connecticut. In 1842 Josiah Shumway mar-
ried Miss Lydia Mason, daughter of Bernard and Martha (Fisk)
Mason of Battle Creek, Mich., and they had two children, Mrs.
Westgate being the only survivor. Mrs. Lydia Shumway was born
in Chelsea, Mass., August 5, 1803, came to Michigan in 1839, and
died August 6, 1871.
WENDELL A. MACE was born in Haverstraw, N. Y., Janu-
ary 14, 1818. He came to Michigan with his parents in 1837, and
finally settled in Gorham township, Fulton County, Ohio, just south
of the Michigan State line. His father, Wendell Mace, a native of
New York, learned the blacksmith trade. About the year 1822 he
removed from Haverstraw to Lysander, Onondaga County, where
he followed his trade until he came to Michigan in 1837. He built
a log shop in Gorham, and did blacksmithing for the settlers in two
states for a number of years. He died, aged about 75 years. About
the year 1812 he married Mary McDuffie, and they had four chil-
dren, W. A. being the third son. She died in Morenci, aged 81
years. Her ancestors were German and Irish. Wendell A. Mace,
subject of this sketch, is the oldest resident in the vicinity of Mo-
renci Village, having resided either in the village or within six
miles of it for sixty-four years. Until 1858 he resided in Gorham
township, six miles west of Morenci, and followed farming. On
his removal to Morenci, in 1858, he purchased a livery stable of
George Briggs, and in the fall of 1860 he purchased the Exchange
hotel, and became interested in a stage line between Morenci and
Clayton. In 1866 he disposed of his hotel business. That year the
firm of Mace & Gates was organized, and a hardware store was
opened in Morenci. After a short and successful career, Mr. George
Acker was taken in as a partner, and dry goods were added to the
stock. This firm occupied four store rooms, and owned them all.
After about seven years of successful trade, Mr. Mace withdrew.
Since that time he has given his attention to his farming interests,
owning three good farms. He possesses a comfortable home in the
village, where he has lived for many years. Nov. 25, 1842, Wendell
A. Mace married Miss Amanda Bush, daughter of Christopher and
Sarah Bush, of Medina, this county, and they had five children, as
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
165
follows: Sarah Jane, born in Gorham, Fulton County, Ohio, Sept.
6, 1843, married Z. Layton, had three children, and died Feb. 21, 1883;
Mary Ellen, born same place, Nov. 2, 1845, married Aretus Holmes
and resides in Morenci; Olivia, born the same place, Sept. 6, 1847,
married June 4, 1873, George W. Acker, has one child, and resides in
Morenci; George L., born same place, August 13, 1849, married
Dec. 8, 1874, Miss Jennie Starkweather, and they had one child,
Georgia L., born Nov. 19, 1876, married Nov. 30, 1897, Casper M.
Rorick, and has two children. George L. Mace died in Morenci,
March 30, 1877; Joy, born same place, July 23, 1852, and died Sept.
9, 1853, Mrs. Amanda (Bush) Mace was born in Dutchess County,
N. Y., March 6, 1825, came to Michigan with her parents in 1836,
first settling near Adrian, but afterwards locating in Medina, and
finally in Morenci. Mrs. Mace died in Morenci, March 21, 1887.
Mr. Mace cast his first vote for Van Buren in 1840. He has voted
the Democratic ticket ever since, and hopes to live to see another
Democratic president.
THOMAS R. HOLLAND was born in Buckinghamshire,
England, July 29, 1811, and was the son of Thomas R. and Anna
Holland, of Buckinghamshire, where they always lived until called
away. Mr. Holland, the subject of this sketch, lived in Eng-
land until his twenty-first year, when in 1832 he emigrated to Amer-
ica, and arrived in the then territory of Michigan in June of that
year. He first went to the village of Vistula (now Toledo), where
he lived until 1836. He was a resident there during the "Toledo
War," remembers Gov. Mason, and often saw the commander-in-
chief of the army, Gen. J. W. Brown of Tecumseh. In the spring of
1835 he went to Monroe and took up 80 acres of land situated in
town 9 s. range 3 e., the w. ½ of the n. e. 4 of Sec. 24, but when the
"Toledo War" was all over, and the final result of the conflict was
settled he found that instead of being in Michigan he was in Ohio,
and about two and three-quarters miles south of the Michigan line.
The farm is now a part of Royalton Township, in Fulton County,
Ohio. Mr. Holland resided on this farm until 1862, when he sold
out, and has ever since resided in Fairfield. July 7, 1836, Mr. Hol-
land married at Perrysburg, Ohio, Miss Deborah M. Thompson, by
whom he had five children, as follows: Annie Maria, born in Lucas
County, Ohio, May 21, 1837, married Henry Richey, was the mother
of nine children, and died in Morenci Oct. 28, 1885; Ezekiel Uze,
born in Royalton, Ohio, December 18, 1839, and now resides in Am-
boy, Ohio; Louisa Ann, born in Royalton, Ohio, August 18, 1842,
married George Herrick in 1862. Mr. Herrick was a soldier in the
Rebellion, and died in the service in 1864. She was married a sec-
ond time to Joseph Southworth. John Philo, born in Royalton, De-
cember 26, 1844, a soldier in the Rebellion, now resides in Royalton;
166
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Esther Jane, born in Royalton, May 31, 1847, married Lewis Miller,
was the mother of six children, and died in Seneca, October 8, 1892.
Mrs. Deborah Maria Holland died in Royalton, May 16, 1849. May
23, 1852, Mr. Holland married Mary Ann Boyce, who died at Royal-
ton, August 25, 1861, without issue. April 30, 1862, Mr. Holland
married Elizabeth C. Hindee, of Fairfield. She was the daughter of
Andrew and Rosina (Moore) Hazlett, and came to Michigan in
1852, settling in Fairfield. Her father, Andrew Hazlett, was born
near Philadelphia, about 1762, and was a revolutionary soldier. He
participated in many of the memorable struggles. His father,
mother and child were killed, and sister tomahawked by the Indians.
Mr. Hazlett always lived in Pennsylvania, where he died in 1833.
Mrs. Elizabeth C. Holland was born in Fairfield, Westmoreland
County, Pa., and came to Michigan with her first husband, William
Hindee.
CHARLES F. GUSTIN was born in Columbus, Chenango
County, N. Y., April 11, 1857, and came to Michigan in May 1884.
His father, Levi Gustin, was born in Sherburne, Chenango County,
N. Y., April 21, 1821. He always lived in Chenango County, where
he learned the stone mason's trade and owned a small farm. Of his
ancestry there is very little known, but evidently the family came to
New York from Connecticut. He died at Columbus, July 18, 1899.
September 16, 1842, Levi Gustin married Miss Mary A. Fenton,
daughter of Stephen and Mercy (Myers) Fenton, of Chenango
County, N. Y., and they had nine children, as follows: Lucy A.,
born January 13, 1844; Mercy L., born March 16, 1845; Helen M.,
born September 28, 1846; Maria, born December 28, 1847;
Alphonzo D., born February 13, 1849, died April, 10, 1849;
Mary L., born May 31, 1850; William W., born August 18, 1851.
Charles F. was a twin, his sister dying in infancy. Mrs. Mary A.
(Fenton) Gustin was born in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Mass.,
December 16, 1817, and resides with her son in Madison, this county.
Her parents were natives of Middlesex County, Mass., but emigrated
to Brookfield, Madison County, N. Y. Her father, Stephen Fenton,
was born June 29, 1791, and died in Otsego County, N. Y., May 11,
1870. Mercy (Myers) Fenton was born in 1787, and died in Madison
County, N. Y., July 13, 1826. Mr. Fenton was three times married,
the second being Lucinda Shumway, whose ancestors were Huguenots,
the third, Philena Cutter, and was the father of nine children.
Charles F. Gustin, subject of this sketch, lived in Chenango and Ot-
sego Counties all his life till he came to Michigan. He was brought
up a farmer, but learned to make cheese, which business he followed
for many years, during the season. In the winter he sold nursery
stock, and thus cultivated a taste for horticulture. He was educated
in the country schools and Morris Academy, in Otsego County.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
167
Soon after coming to Michigan he engaged in the nursery business,
and purchased land on Section 10, in Madison. Beginning in a small
way, he has, by perseverance and close attention to his own affairs,
succeeded remarkably well, and now owns 140 acres of land, and

Charles F. Gustin's Residence on Section 9, Madison.
one of the most desirable farm homes in Madison township, on Sec-
tion 9, it being known in the 50's as the old Prairie Cottage race
course farm, the finest one mile track in Michigan at that time. He
now grows and markets from 50,000 to 75,000 trees annually, and
will increase the business now that he has more land suitable for
cultivation. October 3, 1882, Charles F. Gustin married Miss Sarah
R. Turner, daughter of James P. and Harmony (Daly) Turner, of
Blissfield, this county, and they have had two children, as follows:
Newel Wolcott, born December 23, 1885, died November 14, 1886;
Beulah Elida, born January 18, 1887. Mrs. Sarah R. (Turner)
Gustin was born in Portage, Wood County, Ohio, August 2, 1862.
Her father, James P. Turner, was born in Ridgeway, Orleans
County, N. Y., and died in Blissfield, Mich., in 1899. Her mother,
Harmony (Daly) Turner, was born at Lockport, N. Y., Nov. 17,
1823, and died in Blissfield, this county, May 7, 1889. They settled
168
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL

This Shows a Large Block of Trees in Mr. Gustin's Nursery.
in Blissfield in 1864. James P. Turner's ancestors came from Massa-
chusetts, his mother being Miss Sarah Adams, a cousin of John
Quincy Adams.
FRANKLIN TITUS was born in Rensselaerville, Albany
county, N. Y., June 1, 1827, and came to Michigan with his parents
in 1830. His father, William Titus, was born in the same
place, in 1802. He was raised a farmer and lived in Albany
county, where he owned a farm. He was the son of Richard and
Elizabeth (Haight) Titus, who were Quakers, and born near Hart-
ford, Connecticut. William Titus married Miss Elizabeth Snyder,
daughter of Ephriam and Mary (Niver) Snyder, of Rensselaer-
ville, N. Y., about the year 1822. and they had six children,
Franklin being the only survivor. William Titus owned a farm in
Albany county, and lived there until the fall of 1829, when he sold
his farm and started for Michigan.
from Albany to Buffalo with a team
sisted of his wife and two children.
He was nearly all winter getting
of horses. His family then con-
In the spring of 1830 he shipped
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
169
his team, wagon and all his possessions on the old steamboat "Super-
ior," and arrived in Detroit in good time. He had intended to settle
near Ann Arbor, but meeting Darius Comstock he was persuaded to
come to Adrian. He first located on Section 27, in Adrian, where he
resided for about six years. He then sold his improvements, and
moved upon land he had taken up on Section 33, in Adrian, where he
died January 1, 1838. His wife was left on a new farm with her
family, but she succeeded in clearing up the land, and bringing up
her children. She was indeed a pioneer, and realized to the fullest
extent the trials and hardships of a new country. Her ancestors
came from Holland, and her grandfather, Jeremiah Snyder, was a
captain in the Revolutionary war. He was taken prisoner and car-
ried to Quebec, where he was held two years, when he escaped and
returned home. She died at her home in Adrian, August 22, 1887,
in her 89th year. Franklin Titus, subject of this sketch, has lived
in Lenawee county 73 years, on the same farm that he now owns,
two miles west of Adrian. He has seen Adrian grow up out of the
woods and stumps, and has watched its progress from almost the
first house. He can hardly realize that such a transformation could
have taken place in his lifetime. March 8, 1853, Franklin Titus
married Miss Cynthia M. Perkins, daughter of Stephen and Freelove
(Turpeny) Perkins, of Hudson, and they had five children as follows:
William F., born January 19, 1855, died in April, 1859. Emerson G.,
born February 20th, 1857; married February 12, 1879, Miss Lottie
A. Gould, of Schnectady, N. Y., and has three children as follows:
Edith L., born August 30th, 1880, married Henry J. Haig, January,
1897, and has one child, Effie A., born October 2d, 1883. Eva C.,
born September 10, 1890. Emerson G. resides in Adrian township.
Elmer E., born August 25, 1861; married October 2, 1888, Minnie
May Bugbee, and has one child, Franklin E, born December 29, 1893,
and resides in Adrian township. Effie Alla, born August 3d, 1865,
married May 29, 1889, Frank Wickham; has two children: Lena B.,
born April 6, 1891; Andrew T., born July 6th, 1893, and resides in
the city of Adrian. Mrs. Cynthia M. (Perkins) Titus was born in
Dover, Lenawee County, Mich., October 4th, 1837, and died in
Adrian, May 4th, 1877. Her parents came to Michigan in 1833, first
settled in Dover, and afterwards went to Hudson, where they died.
EDGAR F. CLEVELAND was born in Adrian, Mich., July 21,
1865, and has always resided there. His father, Charles M. Cleve-
land, was also born in Adrian, November 2d, 1836, and resided there
continuously until his demise. In his youth he mastered the art of
telegraphy, and for a few years he acted as telegraph operator, but
most of his active life was passed in merchandising. He died at his
170
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
home in Adrian, June 6, 1895. He was the third child and second
son of Joseph H. and Julia A. Cleveland, who were very early
settlers in Adrian. Joseph H. Cleveland was born in Athens, Greene
County, N. Y., June 27, 1809, and was the son of John Cleveland, of
Hillsdale, Columbia County, N. Y., who was born December 22,
1786, and married Miss Mary Scutt, also born in Athens, February
20th, 1791. Mary Scutt's ancestors came from Holland, and her
grandfather, Philip Scutt, was a captain in the American Army
during the Revolution. The Cleveland family in the United States,
so far as known, sprung from Moses Cleveland, who came from
Ipswich, England, in 1635, and settled in Woburn, Mass. Joseph H.
Cleveland came to Adrian in October, 1831, and at once engaged in
merchandising. He was a very competent and energetic man, and
was soon recognized as a leading spirit among the new settlers. He
was foremost and active in opening roads, building bridges, etc.,
and took a lively interest in making Adrian a centre for travel
and trade in those days of emigration and settlement. He was town
clerk in 1833, and was a potent force in locating the county seat at
Adrian. No man did more to obtain the location of the Michigan
Southern railroad at Adrian. He was a volunteer in the first call for
troops for the "Black Hawk" war, but did not participate in the
"Toledo War." He was the first sheriff elected in Lenawee county,
in 1836, under the original state constitution, and was re-elected in
1838. In 1842 he became superintendent of the Michigan South-
ern railroad, and filled that position until 1846, when the state
disposed of the road. During the balance of his active life, he was
engaged in merchandising in Adrian and Chicago. He died in
Adrian, October 23d, 1888. February 4, 1830, Joseph H. Cleveland
married Miss Julia A. Yaple, born October 20, 1812, in Middletown,
Delaware county, N. J., who became the mother of six children.
[See History and Biographical Record of Lenawee County, Vol. 1,
page 256.] May 3d, 1858, Charles M. Cleveland married Miss Susan
A. Jennings, daughter of Russell and Laura (Tracy) Jennings, of
Adrian, Mich, and they had five children, Edgar F. being the third
child and son. Mrs. C. M. Cleveland was born in Ontario, Wayne
County, N. Y., December 27, 1839, and came to Michigan with her
parents in 1842. Her father was a native of New York, and died in
Adrian in 1849. Her mother was born in Rutland, Vt., and is still
living, at the age of 89 years. Edgar F. Cleveland was educated in
the public schools of Adrian. After completing his schooling in
1883, he was appointed Deputy Oil Inspector at Jonesville, Mich., by
State Inspector E. J. Smith, but resigned in 1884, to enter his father's
store, and has been actively engaged in mercantile pursuits ever
since. He has made a success of his business, and has been for sev-
eral years one of the responsible and hustling young business men of
Adrian. He also has a liking for agricultural pursuits, carries
on a small farm in Madison, and a large and excellent one in Rome,
this county. June 3, 1885, Edgar F. Cleveland married Miss Jane
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
171
Hedges, daughter of James N. and Sarah Jane (Mullings) Hedges.
Two children were born to them as follows: Oliver H., born in
Adrian, Mich., October 22d, 1886; J. Beatrice, born August 2, 1888,
died March 22, 1889. Mrs. Edgar F. Cleveland was born in Luton,
England, February 12, 1865. Her father, James N. Hedges, was
was born in Luton, England, in January, 1839, came to America in
September, 1868, lived in Upton, Mass., until coming to Adrian,
Mich., in 1881. Mr. Hedges learned the machinists' trade, and is
the inventor of many valuable and useful machines for braiding
straw, and straw braid material. Sarah Jane (Mullings) Hedges
was born in Dunstable, England, in December, 1839, and died in
Foxboro, Mass., in August, 1898. She was the mother of seven
children, Mrs. Cleveland being the third child of the family.
CHARLES KAYNER was born in Royalton Centre, Niagara
County, N. Y., August 27, 1833. His father, Dr. George Kayner,
was a native of Herkimer County, and was born about the year 1805.
His ancestors came from Holland and settled in New Amsterdam,
now New York City, in the seventeenth century. His father, David
Kayner, was a pioneer of Niagara County, where George was reared
and went to school until he arrived at a suitable age, when he went
to New York City and entered college to study for a physician. After
graduating at the Reformed Medical College in April, 1831, he re-
turned to Niagara County, where he practiced his profession until
his death in 1835. About the year 1832 Dr. Kayner married Miss
Dorcas Bowerman, daughter of Joshua and Abigail Bowerman, of
Niagara County, N. Y., and they had two children, Charles and
Elizabeth, who is now the wife of Ira Haviland, of Raisin, this
county. Mrs. Dorcas Kayner, after the death of Dr. Kayner, mar-
ried Jeremiah Westgate, and died in Raisin, this county, in 1853.
She was a native of the State of New York, of Quaker lineage.
Charles Kayner came to Michigan with his widowed mother and
sister in 1835, and settled in Raisin, this county, where he has re-
sided ever since. He was brought up a farmer, and has always fol-
lowed agriculture, but for about ten years was employed in a saw
mill at Raisin Center. In 1866 he purchased his present home farm
on Section 29 in Raisin, consisting of over 100 acres, having built
his own large and comfortable house, and outbuildings since his res-
idence there. Mr. Kayner has always been an active, enterprising
man, and has for many years been well considered by his fellow
townsmen. He has served twelve years as justice of the peace, town
treasurer for three years, township drain commissioner one year,
highway commissioner fifteen years, and been four times elected a
172
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Director of the Lenawee County Farmers' Mutual Insurance Com-
pany. August 20, 1853, Charles Kayner married Miss Phebe Alice.
Haviland, daughter of Wing and Betsy Haviland, of Raisin, this
county, and they had four children, as follows: Chester G., born.
June 17, 1854; married Ida Moore, daughter of Samuel and Mary
Moore, and they have one daughter, who resides in Adrian; Ida
Jane, born January 3, 1856; married George L. Waite, and is the
mother of three children; Edwin, born January 7, 1859, a farmer of

Mrs. Ann Kayner.
Charles Kayner.
Raisin, married Miss Eva Drown, and they have two children; Ber-
tha May, born August 18, 1875; married Alfred Crabb, of Fairfield,
and they have one child. Mrs. Phebe Alice Kayner was born in
Niagara County, N. Y., April 2, 1834. Her parents were Quakers,
and were pioneers in Raisin township. She died July 21, 1880.
May 23, 1882, he married Mrs. Ann (Brittain) Kent, daughter of
Abram W. and Harriet (Crane) 'Brittain, and they have had two chil-
dren, as follows: Jessie E., born January 5, 1884, died April 28,
1895; Nellie A., born September 27, 1885, a student in the Adrian
High School. Mrs. Ann Kayner was born in Adrian, December 12,
1843. Her father, A. W. Brittain, was born in Huntington, Luzerne
Co., Pa., March 10, 1810. [For full sketch of Mr. Brittain's life see
Whitney & Bonner's History and Biographical Record of Lenawee
County, Vol. 2, page 100.] Mr. Brittain died at his home in Adrian
township, March 2, 1884. Mrs. Harriet (Crane) Brittain still re-
sides at her home in Adrian township.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
173
EDWARD W. BEERS was born in Knowlesville, Orleans
County, New York, May 4, 1827. His father, Charles W. Beers,
was born in Romulus, Seneca County, N. Y., August 4, 1797, where
he lived until the spring of 1821, when he moved to Orleans County.
He resided there until the fall of 1831. During the summer of 1825
he came to Michigan and prospected for land through Wayne, Wash-


Mrs. Hannah B. Beers.
Edward W. Beers.
tenaw and Oakland Counties, but did not locate. In the fall of 1831
he came to Michigan with his family, and settled three miles south-
east of the village of Ypsilanti, where he lived until the fall of 1833.
He then came to Lenawee County and located 80 acres of land on
Section 19 in Adrian, where he lived most of the time until his death,
which occurred June 5, 1874. December 7, 1817, he married Miss
Keziah Wade, daughter of Jephtha and Sarah Wade, of Romulus,
New York, by whom he had nine children, Edward W. being the
third son and fourth child. There were six boys and three girls,
seven of whom lived to become men and women. Mrs. Keziah Beers
was born in Morristown, New Jersey, August 16, 1800, and died in
Adrian, Febrnary 15, 1872. Her father, Jephtha Wade, was born in
New Jersey, his ancestors coming from Wales. He died in Seneca
County, New York, about the year 1807. Her mother, Sarah Wade,
was born in New Jersey, and died in Charlotte, Michigan in 1852.
Edward W. Beers lived with his parents until his twenty-second
year, when he commenced working by the month on a farm, and
continued until the fall of 1851, when he went to California.
He
174
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
took the Panama route, and sailed from New York with 1,600 pas-
sengers, on board the old steamship Georgia. When about the third
day out, nearly 1,000 of the sturdy and impatient gold-seekers were
most horribly sea-sick, but finally all recovered and the Isthmus was
crossed. This was the first ship-load of passengers that ever rode
over the Panama railroad, ten miles of which was then completed.
Mr. Beers remained in California until January, 1856, when he re-
turned to Adrian. Since that time he has given his attention to
farming, and now owns his father's homestead, a place that he has
called his home for about seventy years. March 27, 1856, he married
Miss Hannah B. Hood, daughter of William and Louisa Hood, of
Rome, this county, by whom he has had three children, as follows:
Elmer S., born in Adrian township, July 27, 1857; married Decem-
ber 23, 1880, Miss Adella A. Gambee, daughter of George and Ellen
Gambee, of Adrian. They reside in Cleveland, Ohio, and have one
daughter: Ellen L., born November 3, 1881; Cass H., born August
28, 1865; married, November 26, 1891, Miss Eliza M. Sayers, daugh-
ter of George and Jane Sayers, of Adrian. They reside on the home
farm on section 19, in Adrian, and have one daughter, Ethel M.,
born August 20, 1892. Mrs. Cass H. Beers was born in Riga, this
county, August 29, 1864. Her parents came from England. Carrie
L., born August 29, 1869, died July 18, 1874. Mrs. Hannah B.
Beers was born in Romulus, Seneca County, New York, November
8, 1832, and came to Michigan with her parents in 1837, who settled
on Section 26 in Rome.
MARSHAL R. MORDEN was born August 12, 1844, on the
south shore of the Bay of Quinte, opposite to the city of Belleville,
Ontario, Canada. All his grandparents were United Empire Loyal-
ists from the Delaware and Connecticut Valleys, whose property was
confiscated on account of their adherence to the crown, in the war
of the American Revolution. He received his education in the ex-
cellent common schools of his native land, at the Belleville Grammar
School, Albert College and the University of Michigan. He gradu-
ated in medicine at the latter institution, March 30, 1871, and imme-
diately entered into active practice, with Dr. S. P. Root, a prominent
practitioner at Somerset, Hillsdale County, Mich. In September,
1875, he removed to Adrian, Mich., where he has continued in prac-
tice ever since. In July, 1871, he married Miss Sarah Jane Terrill,
of Brighton, Ont., Canada. Their family consists of two sons, E. J
Morden, and Dr. Esli T. Morden, both living in Adrian. He was the
first medical practitioner in Lenawee County to pay especial attention
to diseases of the eye and ear, and the first one to treat astigmatism
and other refractive disorders with glasses. Dr. Morden has always
been an ardent supporter of the doctrines of peace, and of law and
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
175
good order. He is an outspoken and aggressive opponent of war,
imperialism, and the militant spirit, as being pagan, and
opposed to the spirit of true democracy, as well as of
Divine teachings. Against gambling and gambling devices he
he has ever been ready to support the law, as he would against theft
and robbery. He regards intemperance as a disease, that should be
studied and dealt with in the same charitable spirit as we would
meet the requirements of insanity, or other diseases. In politics Dr.
Morden was a vigorous supporter of the Republican party until
what he styles the "Philippine Crime," since which time he has
been an independent. He is a great lover of nature, and spends his
happiest hours in the woods, along the river, and in attending his
flower garden. He is an open defender of religion and supporter of
the church, and favors all creeds, beliefs and organizations that
teach the blessings of Divine grace.
JAMES H. GREEN was born in Fairfield, Lenawee County,
Michigan, February 24, 1840. His father, James Green, a native of
Antrim County; Ireland, was born there May 3, 1809. He became a
linen weaver, and an uncommon circumstance, in this country at
least, was the fact that when he was married he had woven, in the
finest fabrics, the wedding outfit of sheets, bed-ticks, pillow cases,
etc., etc. He followed his trade of weaver until 1830, when he came
to America, where he became a pioneer and farmer, and his later life
was passed in comfort and happiness. [For fuller particulars of his
life see sketch of William Green, in this volume.] James H. Green,
subject of this sketch, has spent the most of his life in Fairfield,
where he was educated in the district schools. He lived with his
parents until he was twenty-one years old. The first of April, 1861,
he started for California. He went by way of the Isthmus, and was
28 days en route to San Francisco. The cause of the delay was the
piratical depredations of the rebel gunboat Alabama. This boat
was seeking to destroy the commerce of the Union, and the govern-
ment was obliged to send out gunboats to protect passenger and
freight boats going to foreign countries. At that time the Panama
boats put to sea and passed the West India Islands to the West.
Upon arriving in California he at once went to work in the mines in
Sierra County. He was moderately successful, and remained there
for nearly three years. In 1864 he returned home and bought one
hundred acres of land on Section 27, in Fairfield, where he now re-
sides. Since that time he has added to his farm until he now owns
three hundred and fifty acres. During his business career he has
never given any obligation stronger than a note of hand, and he is
today entirely out of debt. He has been for many years engaged in
the dairy business, and owns and operated for 15 years a cheese fac-
176
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
tory in South Fairfield. He was several years engaged in buying
stock for the Toledo wholesale market. He assisted in organizing
the Fulton County Savings and Banking Co., of Lyons, Ohio, and is
a director of the same. He has never been an office seeker, although
a party man and earnest Republican. He served one term as Justice
Mrs. Clarissa M. Green.
James H. Green.
566633
of the Peace, and many years as School Director; is member of I.
O. O. F. Lodge, No. 481, a charter member of Ridgeville Grange,
No. 278, and was for three years fire insurance director of the
Grange. March 1, 1867, James H. Green married Miss Clarissa M.
Salsbury, daughter of Curtis and Margaret (Force) Salsbury, and
they have had six children, as follows: Edwin, born July 19, 1868,
died October 3, 1870; Hartie E., born December 10, 1871, married
Miss Lena Wyman, February 28, 1895. They have two children,
and reside in Fairfield; Florence C., born January 1, 1874, was mar-
ried November 6, 1895, to William T. Day, and resides in Seneca;
James B., born March 11, 1876, was married to Miss Blond Wyman,
February 17, 1895, has two children and resides in Weston Village;
Bessie M., born November 19, 1879; Burt H., born November 15,
1886. Mrs. Clarissa M. (Salsbury) Green was born in Fairfield, this
county, December 13, 1845. Her father was a native of the State of
1
T

RECORD OF Lenawee County, MICHIGAN.
177
New York, born July 14, 1819, and was a pioneer in this county.
Her father died in Adrian, Nov. 6, 1848, Her mother died in Fair-
field, December 16, 1873, aged 45. For her second husband she
married A. A. Russell, of Fairfield.
LUCIUS LILLEY was born in Homer, Cortland County, N. Y.,
April 21, 1823, where he resided until 1834. He then removed to
Cleveland, Ohio. Capt. Reuben Lilley was born at Brimfield,
Mass., February 14, 1745, and was a captain in the Revolutionary
War. Zenas Lilley, 1st, was the son of Capt. Reuben Lilley, born in
Brimfield, Mass., Nov. 17, 1769. Zenas Lilley, 2d, was born in
Homer, N. Y., July 29, 1799, married Miss Sarah Burke, April 18,
1822. Lucius Lilley, subject of this sketch, was the son of Zenas
Lilley, 2d. After going to Cleveland he engaged in the mercantile
business until 1847, when he became proprietor of the Weddell House,
then one of the largest and finest hotels in the West. There were
no railroads, telegraph or street cars in Cleveland at that time. Mr.
Lilley remained in the Weddell House until 1853, at which time he
was appointed agent for the Michigan Southern and Northern In-
diana Steamboat Line between Cleveland and Toledo, and the fol-
lowing year he went to Buffalo, where he was employed in the
general ticket office of the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana
(now Lake Shore) Railroad Company for a number of years. In 1855
he engaged in the banking business in Tecumseh, where he has re-
mained in the same business in the same room up to this time, now
nearly forty-nine years. He is now president of the Lilley State
Bank, and is one of the oldest, best known and conservative bankers
in the State. At the meeting of the Michigan Bankers' Association in
1902 he was made Vice President for Michigan of the National Bank-
ers' Association, to be held at New Orleans. He is also a Director of
the Detroit Trust Company, one of the largest and strongest finan-
cial institutions in Michigan. His has been an active life, and he
looks back to wonderful changes. He has long been considered a
thorough banker and financier. February 18, 1848, Lucius Lilley
married Miss Sarah McEachron, daughter of Malcolm and Sarah
McEachron of Cleveland, Ohio, and they have had two children as
follows: James Rayner Lilley, born in Adrian, Mich., Sept. 3, 1854,
married Miss Elizabeth Daniels, daughter of Judge Daniels of Buffalo,
N. Y., Oct. 12, 1882; Julia G., born in Tecumseh, Sept. 3, 1856,
married Lester P. Tribou, June 17, 1880, who died July 6, 1898.
December 17, 1902, she married Major Albert S. Cummins, now sta-
tioned at Fortress Monroe, Va. Mrs. Sarah A. Lilley was born
February 5, 1829, at Cleveland, Ohio. Her father was a native of
Scotland, and her mother, Sarah A. McEachron, was a native of
England. They settled in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1829.
12
178
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL

Lucius Lilley, Tecumseh.
A
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
179
EZRA BERTRAM, Jr., was born in Rome, Lenawee County,
Mich., October 6, 1836, being one of the first to be born in the town-
ship, and is now one of its oldest residents. His father, Ezra Bertram
2d, was born in Redding, Conn., November 5, 1806. When he was
six years old, his father, Ezra Bertram 1st, was a sailor, commanded an
ocean merchant ship and lived in Redding, Conn., his family consisting
of his wife and four children. In 1812 he gave up his ship and removed
to Roxbury, Delaware County, N. Y., and purchased a farm, engaging
in the dairy business, making butter for the New York market. Here
his oldest son, Ezra 2d, lived until he was sixteen years old, when he
was appointed a cadet to West Point. He remained at the Academy
for two years, when he was ordered to Fortress Monroe. In 1826 he
resigned his commission, not liking a soldier's life. He at once re-
turned to the State of New York and settled in Hartland. Here his
first employment was in teaching school. He also learned the car-
penter's trade, working summers and teaching winters, until 1833,
when he came to Michigan, settling on Section 29 in Rome, this
county. He entered his first land from the government, but after-
wards added to it until he possessed two hundred acres. In 1870 he
erected a large brick house on "Bertram Hill," on the same section
where he resided until his death, August 29, 1888. He was as well
known as any man in his township. He participated in the "Toledo
War," was elected for several terms as Justice of the Peace, but
finally practiced in the justice courts, being a successful pleader and
formidable opponent to professional lawyers. His gift for "story
telling" was remarkable, being able to frustrate the "other side"
with apt sayings and ridiculous comparisons, often convulsing the
Court and jury. In 1829 he married Miss Charlotte A. Bates, daugh-
ter of John and Aveline (Calvin) Bates, of Hartland, Orleans
County, N. Y., and they became parents of twelve children, Ezra,
Jr., being the fourth child and third son. Mrs. Aveline (Bates)
Bertram was born in Hartland, N. Y. Her father was a soldier in
the war of 1812, and was with Gen. Scott in the battle of Lundy's
Lane and other important engagements. He came to Lenawee
County in 1833, and died in Rome, this county, on the land he took
from the government, in October, 1861. Her mother, Aveline (Cal-
vin) Bates, was born in Rutland, Vt., and died in Rome in 1867.
Ezra Bertram, Jr., subject of this sketch, was born upon the farm
that he now owns, on Section 29 in Rome, and has always lived
there. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Third Regi-
ment, Michigan Cavalry, and served through the great Rebellion.
Most of his service was in the Western army. The regiment was
rendezvoused at Grand Rapids in the fall of 1861, proceeded to
St. Louis and at once became a part of Gen. Sheridan's brigade. In
the Texas campaign the regiment was in Gen. Custer's brigade.
The regiment was re-enlisted in the fall of 1863, and served in all
four and one-half years. He was wounded twice in battle. He was
discharged at Jackson, Mich., in February, 1866. Upon his return
180
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
from the army he returned to his home in Rome, and has given his
attention to farming ever since. He now owns a fine farm of 245
acres, under a good state of cultivation. He served his township as
Supervisor for two terms, three terms as Highway Commissioner,
School Director, etc., etc. February 19, 1864, Ezra Bertram, Jr.,
married Miss Patience Daniels, daughter of Reuben and Sarah Dan-
iels, of Woodstock, this county, and they are the parents of three chil-
dren, as follows: Fred E., born November 6, 1869, married Miss
Frankie Tomer, has two children and resides in Rome; Frank E.,
born April 2, 1873, married Miss Katie Graw, has two children, and
resides in Adrian City; Minnie E., born October 7, 1878, married
John H. Bates and resides in Rome. Mrs. Patience (Daniels) Ber-
tram was born in Madison, Somerset County, Maine, November
1, 1840, and came to Michigan with her parents in 1856. Her par-
ents were natives of Maine, and died in Robinson, Ottawa County,
Michigan. Her father died in 1882, aged 72. Her mother died
August 19, 1899, aged 86 years.
JAMES SERVICE, Jr., was born in Philadelphia, Pa., January
5, 1818, a few days after his mother arrived from Scotland. His
father, James Service, was a native of Scotland. [For his record see
John Service's sketch in this volume.] August 5, 1841, James Ser-
vice, Jr., married Miss Elizabeth Hardy, daughter of John Hardy,
of Edinburg, Scotland, and they had eight children, as follows:
Andrew J., born in Canandaigua, N. Y., April 7, 1842, resides in
Fairfield; Elizabeth, born same place, April 3, 1844, died September
20, 1848; John H., born same place, January 6, 1846, married Han-
nah C. Jackson, daughter of David and Caroline (Whitney) Jackson,
who have five children, as follows: Frank, born in Seneca, this
county, July 28, 1871; Elizabeth, born same place, September 8,
1873, married R. D. Whitney, resides in Wisconsin; Burt J., born.
same place, March 3, 1875; Eugene J., born same place, Nov. 22,
1876; Charles, born same place, May 22, 1887. Mrs. Hannah C. Ser-
vice was born in Shelby, Orleans County, N. Y., December 3, 1845,
and died in Seneca, this county, in October, 1888; James, born June
7, 1848, and died March 17, 1862; Emma, born same place, Novem-
ber 27, 1849. [For her family relation, see Solomon Force's record
in this volume.] Clarissa, born in Fairfield, this county, October 1,
1855, died September 19, 1881; Janet, born same place, June 24,
1857, married Thos. J. Pickles, is the mother of four children, and
resides in Fairfield; George, born in same place, June 26, 1861, re-
sides in Fairfield. Mrs. Elizabeth Service was born in Edinburgh,
Scotland, February 15, 1817, and died in Fairfield, this county, May
27, 1872. She was the only member of her family that ever came to
America. One of her brothers was a soldier in the English army,
and died in India. James Service, Jr., resides on Section 29 in Fair-
field, where he has lived since he came to Michigan.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
181
JOHN C. ANDERSON was born in Madison, Lenawee County,
Mich., October 16, 1846. His father, John C. Anderson, was born
October 10, 1810, in Scotland, and came to this country when he was
a young man, and finally settled in Madison, this county. About
1841 he married Miss Almira G. Griffith, who came from New York
to this county with her parents, Lazarus and Elizabeth (Eliger)
Griffith, in 1833. John C. and Almira Anderson were the parents of
six children, three of whom are still living. Mr. Anderson died in

Old residence of John C. Anderson, now replaced by new one,
Section 35, in Dover.
Chesterfield, Ohio, December 19, 1861.
Almira G. Anderson died in
Adrian township, March 1, 1854. John C. Anderson, the subject of
this sketch, has always resided in Lenawee County. He first pur-
chased a small farm in Fairfield, but after a few years sold out and
purchased a farm on Sections 35-6 in Dover, where he has since
lived and prospered. He added to his first purchase in Dover until
at one time he owned 345 acres of land. He now has two sons settled
upon the estate, and is about to build a new and modern house for
himself. A glance at the engraving accompanying this sketch will
show the old house, with the material piled around for the more pre-
tentious and comfortable abode to be immediately erected. Mr.
Anderson served his country as a soldier in the Rebellion, and was a
member of Company K, 11th Michigan Infantry. He is a prominent
182
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
member of Fruit Ridge Grange, and a thrifty and prosperous citizen
and farmer. October 9, 1870, Mr. Anderson married Miss Mary J.
Firth, of Coldwater, Mich., which resulted in three children, as fol-
lows: Burt H., born in Seneca, June 1, 1875, now lives on the home
farm; George F., born in Madison, March 9, 1877, and now lives on
the home farm; Lilly M., born in Dover, March 17, 1884. February
26, 1895, Mr. Anderson married Miss Augusta Votzke, of Seneca,
this county, resulting in one child, J. Clyde, born December 1, 1895.
Mrs. Anderson is a native of Germany, and was born near Berlin,
April 28, 1870. She came to this country with her parents in 1884.
Her parents now reside in Fairfield.
JOHN CADO0 was born in the city of Adrian, Mich., April 17,
1862, and has always lived in Lenawee County. His father, James
Cadoo, born near Belfast, Ireland, June 1, 1829, was the son of John and
Mary Cadoo, who came to America in 1853, and settled in Adrian, where
they died.
James learned to make brick in Ireland, and his first em-
ployment in Adrian was for James Sword in making brick. After a
residence in Adrian of about twenty years, he purchased a farm on
Section 24 in Dover, where he still resides. December 18, 1859,
James Cadoo married Miss Eliza M. Magill, and they had three chil-
dren, John, the subject of this sketch, being the oldest. Mrs. Eliza
(Magill) Cadoo was born near Belfast, Ireland, November 14, 1833, and
came to America with a brother and sister in 1855. She is still liv-
ing in Dover. John Cadoo, of whom we write, lived in Adrian until
he was seven years old, when his parents moved to Dover upon the
farm. He was brought up a farmer, and received his education in
the country schools, and one year at Evans' Business College. He
now owns a farm on Section 17, in Madison, where he resides, and
carries on dairying and general farming. December 3, 1883, John
Cadoo married Miss Emma A. Meech, daughter of Lorenzo Dow and
Clara (Robbins) Meech, and they have three children, as follows:
Lorenzo D., born June 5, 1891; Clyde V., born May 18, 1894; Har-
ley C., born February 15, 1897. Mrs. Emma A. (Meech) Cadoo was
born in Madison, Lenawee County, Mich., February 25, 1860.
her family relation, see P. L. Meech's record in this volume.]
[For
DE WITT C. CLARK was born in Adrian, Mich., November
22, 1837. He was the oldest child of the Hon. Elihu L. and Isabella
T. (Bean) Clark, who were pioneers of Adrian, Mr. Clark being
among the first and most prominent and successful merchants of
Lenawee County. [For a full history of the Hon. E. L. Clark, see
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
183
both volumes of Whitney & Bonner's History and Biographical Rec-
ord of Lenawee County.] De Witt C. Clark always called Adrian his
home. Previous to 1860 he went to California, where he remained
until the breaking out of the great Rebellion, when he enlisted in
Company H, First Regiment,
California Cavalry, and served
three years in the Union army.
At the close of the war he re-
turned to Adrian. May 22,
1867, he married Miss Lucia
M. Paine, at Brooklyn, Jack-
son County. She was born in
Rome, this County, December
22, 1847, and died without is-
sue, December 3, 1879. For
some time after his return
from the army he followed
farming. In 1878 he went to
Mandan, Dakota, and engaged
in a general mercantile busi-
ness. He disposed of his in-
terests there in 1880, and in
1881 he went to Saginaw,
Mich., and established a
wholesale drug store. He re-
mained in Saginaw until the
fall of 1884, when the busi-
ness was disposed of and he
returned to his home. Upon
his return to Adrian at this
time he gave his entire atten-
tion to looking after his prop-
erty interests. He died in
Adrian October 15, 1895. Jan-
uary 26, 1881, De Witt C. Clark
married Miss Sophia Maude
Wetmore, daughter of Timothy
Robert and Mary Ann Sophia
Wetmore of Gagetown, Queens
County, New Brunswick, Can-
ada, and one son was born to
them, who died in infancy.
One child was legally adopted
(a brother's son) Bonnell Wet-
more, born in Gagetown, New
Brunswick, August 1, 1883, at
home. Mrs. Sophia Maude
(Wetmore) Clark was born in

De Witt C. Clark.

Mrs. De Witt C. Clark.
184
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Gagetown, New Brunswick, June 19, 1850, and came to Adrian in
1876 with her brother, the late Charles I. Wetmore. Her father was
born in Frederickton, New Brunswick, May 3, 1803, and died in
Gagetown, December 26, 1883. November 19, 1845, he married Miss
Mary Ann Sophia Bonnell, and they had nine children, seven of
whom are now living. Mrs. Mary Ann Sophia (Bonnell) Wetmore
was born in Digby, Nova Scotia, Canada, February 24, 1819, and
resides with Mrs. Clark in Adrian, in her 85th year.
WEBSTER C. JIPSON, was born in Rochester, N. Y., Septem-
ber 21, 1851, and came to Michigan with his parents in the fall of
1860. His father, Orrin W. Jipson, was born March 4, 1814, in
Cayuga County, N. Y. He was the son of Webster Jipson, whose
paternal ancestors were English and French, and whose mother was
related to the Webster family of Massachusetts. Orrin W. Jipson,
when a young man, learned the iron workers' trade. He also became
an expert draughtsman and metal worker In 1835 he made an ex-
tended tour of the then far West and South. He landed in Detroit
that year.
After some little time he started for Battle Creek on foot.
He took the old territorial road, following it to his destination, los-
ing his boots in the mud on the way, being obliged to finish the
distance in his bare feet. From Battle Creek he went to Chicago,
which was then a mere bog, and as there was no inducement to stop
there he proceeded on his tour to Springfield, Ill., where he found
employment for nearly one year. He then went to St. Louis, Mo.,
where he remained about three years. He took a Mississippi steamer
and went down the river to New Orleans, where he found passsage
on a fruit ship for New York. About the year 1845 he found him-
self in Rochester, N. Y., where he became connected with the Dur-
yee & Forsyth Scale and Safe Works. Here he took a contract to
construct and furnish to the company all the weigh-lock, railroad
and other scales which they marketed. In 1859 he secured a patent
upon a new form of lever, and what has lately been developed as
thetare beam" scale. In 1860 he severed his connection with
Duryee & Forsyth, and came to Blissfield, Mich., where he purchased
the Almond Harrison property, consisting of a farm of 160 acres,
and grist mill and saw mill. The mill property he sold in 1870, but
carried on the farm, where he resided until his death, which occurred
March 8, 1875. In 1848 Orrin W. Jipson married Miss Jane Bly,
daughter of Asa Bly, of Log City, Madison County, N. Y., and
they had two children, as follows: Webster C.; Adele M., born
November 14, 1858, married Webster E. Tooke, and resides at Corry,
Pa. Mrs. Jane (Bly) Jipson was born at Log City, N. Y., Septem-
ber 10, 1819, and is now living, in good health, with her daughter,
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
185
at Corry, Pa. Her parents were natives of Massachusetts, and went
to Madison County, N. Y., in 1800, among the first settlers there.
Webster C. Jipson came to Blissfield when he was nine years old.
He attended the Blissfield public schools. In 1865 he became a stu-
dent in Hillsdale College for one year. In 1869 he entered the Agri-
cultural College at Lansing. In 1871 he was employed in a civil
engineer's office in Toledo, Ohio, and in 1872 became assistant to
the resident engineer of the Pennsylvania Railroad, at Toledo. In
1873 he engaged in land surveying and map making on his own ac-
count. He compiled the first map of Blissfield Village. In the fall
of 1873 he entered Cornell University in the Architectural Depart-
ment and took special work in the Civil Engineering Department.
He returned to Blissfield in 1875 and for three years carried on his
father's farm. In the spring of 1879 he went to Georgetown, Colo.,
where he passed examination and was appointed Deputy U. S. Min-
eral Surveyor. He afterwards entered the employ of the Denver & .
R. G. Railroad as draughtsman in the chief engineer's office at Den-
In November, 1881, he returned to Blissfield, and in 1885 the
bank of Jipson, Carter & Co. was organized, Mr. Jipson becoming
the cashier. The bank has been very successful from the first.
March 1, 1900, it was reorganized as the Jipson-Carter State Bank,
with a capital of $25,000, Mr. Jipson filling the position of cashier.
January 10, 1882, Webster C. Jipson married Miss Cora Almyra Car-
ter, daughter of Russell C. and Lucinda A. (Bowen) Carter. Her
father was the son of Norman B. Carter, one of the most prominent
pioneers of Ogden, this county, who came to Michigan in 1832.
Her mother was Lucinda A. (Bowen) Carter, whose mother was
Sarah R. Richardson. Mr. and Mrs. Jipson have no children.
ver.
DAVID SMITH, SR., was born in Camington, Conn., Feb-
ruary 8, 1786. When he was yet a child his father, Ezekiel Smith,
moved to Vermont on the river Lamoille, where he followed farming
until 1798. About the year 1789 Mrs. Ezekiel Smith (Mary Flint)
was drowned in the Lamoille river. Ezekiel Smith afterwards mar-
Miss Mary Bullen, and in 1798 moved to Lower Canada, where he
lived until the breaking out of the war of 1812, when he, owing to the
"exigency of the times," was compelled to leave his property and
move into the State of New York, and finally settled in Constable,
St. Lawrence County. He afterwards moved to Manchester, On-
tario, where he lived until his death. David Smith, Sr., came to
the "States" at the same time and for the same reason that his
father did, and finally settled in Manchester, Ontario County, N. Y.,
where he purchased a farm. He lived in Manchester until the
spring of 1833, when he came to Michigan and located nearly 200
186
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
acres of land on Section 6. in Logan, now Adrian township. In 1835
he built a saw mill on his farm, the motive power being had from
Wolf Creek. He was one of the very first settlers on Wolf Creek,
his neighbors being Cary Rogers, who lived on Section 7, in Adrian,
and John Wood, who lived on Section 1, in Logan, now Rome, and
William Hawley, who lived one mile south. Mr. Smith was fore-

David and Emeline Smith of Rome.
most in all the first public improvements. He was appointed a com-
missioner to lay out public roads, and assisted in chopping
out the roads, building bridges, etc., between Adrian and
Devil's Lake. He was a very enterprising man, and much
respected, especially by all the first settlers, to whom he lent
all the assistance in his power. He died at the age of 95 at his son's
home in Rome. November 6, 1807, David Smith, Sr., was married
in Armstown, Lower Canada, to Miss Lydia Roberts, daughter of
David and Lydia Roberts, of Armstown, by whom he had eleven
children, ten sons and one daughter; David, Jr., who was born in
Constable, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., October 30, 1812, being the
third child. Mrs. Lydia Smith was born in Vermont, May 3, 1789,
and died in Rome, this county, May 14, 1875. David Smith, Jr., was
brought up a farmer, and received only a common school education.
He came to Michigan in 1832, with his brother, Henry Smith. His
parents came in the spring of 1833, and David located a farm on
Section 12, in Rome, adjoining his father's. He has lived upon this
land ever since that time, and has subdued it from a wilderness,
erecting good buildings and making a valuable farm. He has done
his full share in all that is necessary to be done in establishing
RECORD OF LENAWEe county, MICHIGAN.
187
school districts, societies of different kinds, and in enforcing and
obeying the common laws. Having come into the country when he
was in his twentieth year, of course he was very active during all
the period of clearing up the country, establishing society, develop-
ing its resources, etc. August 6, 1837, David Smith, Jr., married
Miss Emeline Hawley, daughter of Levi and Olive Hawley, of Rome,
this county, by whom he had eight children, as follows: Hercelia,
born October 28, 1838, married Myron Every, of Rome, is the mother
of three children, two of whom, Erwin and George, are living; Har-
riet S., born April 15, 1840, married Almond W. Hawley, April 24,
1895, who died May 22, 1901; William H., born April 5, 1844, en-
listed in the Union army in 1862, in Company A, 17th Michigan
Infantry. His company was in every battle with the regiment ex-
cept one. He was wounded at Spottsylvania Court House and was
mustered out June 15, 1865. He married Elizabeth Wood, resides on
Section 6 in Adrian and has two children, Adeline and Glenwood.
Adeline is the wife of Frank Billington, and resides in the city of
Adrian. Glenwood married Bernice Lewis, and resides in Rome.
Emily, born September 10, 1847, married Philip Bates of Rome, has
one daughter, Florence, who is the wife of Alford Billings, a mer-
chant at Jasper; Florence A., born November 20, 1849, married C.
R. Knowles, has a son, Clarence D., and resides in the city of Adrian;
Thaddeus, born October 13, 1853, and died December 19, 1853; Jes-
sie E., born January 23, 1857, married Albert Knowles of Rome, and
has one child, Edith May. Mrs. Emeline Smith was born in Seneca,
Ontario County, N. Y., June 11, 1814. She came to Michigan with
her parents in 1835. Her father was a native of New York, and
died in Rome, at his old home, on Section 13, May 7, 1852. His
wife, who was Miss Olive Payne, was a native of Rhode Island.
She died in Rome, January 4, 1853. Mr. and Mrs. David Smith, Jr.,
are still living at their old home, and attended the county fair in
the fall of 1903.
MICHAEL WESLEY HENSEL was born in New Alexandria,
Westmoreland County, Pa., January 23, 1867. His father, Jacob
B. Hensel, was born September 18, 1831, and has always resided in
Westmoreland County, Pa. His paternal ancestors were German,
and came to this country in the seventeenth century. His maternal
ancestors were French (Bossart by name), and came about the same
time. Jacob B. Hensel was raised a farmer, and that has been his
principal occupation through life. He has held many positions of
trust at the hands of his fellow citizens, and enjoys the utmost con-
fidence of all. In 1856 Jacob B. Hensel married Miss Mary Ann
Bash, daughter of Michael and Anna Mary (Fennel) Bash, of West-
moreland County, Pa., and they became the parents of fourteen chil-
dren, eight of whom were boys. Twelve of these children grew to
188
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
maturity. Mrs. Mary Ann (Bash) Hensel was born in Bell, West-
moreland County, Pa., April 2, 1841. Her ancestors came from Hol-
land early in the history of the country. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jacob
B. Hensel are at this time (1903), in good health, and retain all
their faculties to a remarkable degree. Michael W. Hensel, sub-
ject of this sketch, lived at home until he was about 17 years old,
when he embarked upon life's voyage for himself, taking up a family
characteristic, that of teaching school. With a district school
education that passed him through the county teachers' examination,
he secured his first school. His first school was the fall term of
1884. From this time he taught winters and went to school sum-
mers until 1890, when he entered as an irregular student at Alle-
gheny College, at Meadville, Pa. After two years at Meadville, he
entered the Ohio University at Athens, and graduated with the de-
gree of Bachelor of Arts in 1893. In August, 1893, he came to
Michigan, settling in Blissfield, where he was engaged as superin-
tendent of the public schools. After filling that position for four
full school years, he was elected on the Republican ticket County
Commissioner of Schools, and was installed in office July 1, 1897.
He was re-elected in 1899, and again in 1901, and in 1903 he was
elected under the new law, for a four years' term. Previous to his
election as commissioner, he had served for more than two years as
County School Examiner. July 3, 1895, Michael W. Hensel married
Miss Nellie E. Dickinson, daughter of Anson and Mary J. Dickinson,
of Blissfield, and they have two children, as follows: Linda, born Au-
gust 31, 1891, (by previous marriage of Mrs. Hensel); Grant D., born
May 5, 1896. Mrs. Nellie E. (Dickinson) Hensel was born in Bliss-
field, April 4, 1869. Her father, Anson Dickinson 2, was born in
Blissfield, this county, December 31, 1834. His father, Anson Dick-
inson 1, died in August, 1834, leaving his wife and children in the
wilderness. The family was taken back to Potsdam, N. Y., by
Mrs. Dickinson's father, Clement Carpenter. Anson Dickinson 2
grew to manhood in Potsdam, but returned to Blissfield in 1854,
where he has resided ever since. October 3, 1856, Anson Dickinson
married Miss Mary J. Loomis, daughter of Gad R. and Mary (Whit-
ney) Loomis, of Madrid, N. Y., and they have three children, as fol-
lows: David E., born April 30, 1861, resides in Blissfield; Nellie E.,
now Mrs. Hensel. One died in infancy.
LEWIS A. WHITE was born in Fairfield, Lenawee County,
Mich., November 1, 1853. His father, Allen N. White, was born in
Royalton, Niagara County, N. Y., April 21, 1827, and was the son
of David and Hannah (Cross) White, who were pioneers in Niagara
County. Allen N. White came to Michigan with his parents in
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
189
1840, and settled on Section 26, in Fairfield. In 1847 he went to
Fairfield Village and learned the wagon makers' trade with William
McNames. About the year 1861 he erected a grist mill and saw mill
in Fairfield Village, which was burned in 1863. He afterwards
erected a wagon shop and planing mill, which is now being operated
as a cheese-box factory by his sons, Lewis A. and Orlando H. White.
In 1874 he engaged in the undertaking business. During the winter
of 1876-7 the small-pox broke out in Fairfield, and in March, 1877,

Lewis A. and Orlando H. White, of Fairfield Village.
he was stricken with the disease, having been exposed to it while.
prosecuting his calling. He died March 26, 1877. December 25,
1849, Allen N. White married Miss Cyntha W. Baker, daughter of
John and Polly Baker, and they were the parents of seven children.
[For her family record see sketch of A. G. Baker, in this volume.]
Mrs. Cynthia W. White died December 24, 1869. Mr. White was
married the second time to Miss Maria Odell, daughter of John C.
and Polly Odell, of Fairfield. They had one son. She died June
1, 1875. Lewis A. White has always lived in Fairfield Village,
where he was educated. He commenced work with his father when
he was about sixteen years old, and is still working in the same
shop. He, with his brother, Orlando H., carry on the largest
cheese-box factory in the county, turning out between sixty and
seventy thousand boxes yearly. They also carry on the undertaking
business, and keep a stock of mortuary goods on hand. For the past
18 years he has served on the village school board. He is a member
of the Fairfield M. E. church, belongs to the Fairfield Lodge, F.
and A. M., No. 125, and the Jasper Lodge of Maccabees, 896. July
190
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
22, 1875, Lewis A. White married Miss Annie E. Morley, daughter
of Robert and Serena (Sparrow) Morley, of Chicago, Ill., and they
are the parents of five children, as follows: Nellie E., born July 28,
1876, married Alfred D. Hall, Oct. 27, 1897, is the mother of two
daughters, and resides near Tecumseh; Claude N., born November
12, 1879, married Miss Mabel Baker, November 12, 1899, and has one
daughter; Mina G., born September 18, 1884, at home. Two chil-
dren, died in infancy. Mrs. Annie E. (Morley) White was born in
New York city, June 17, 1853. Her father, Robert Morley, was born
near Bath, England, July 25, 1827. He came to the United States
in 1849. He was a carpenter and builder, and resided in New York,
Boston, Chicago and LaSalle, Ill., and died in Fairfield, this county,
November 4, 1885. January 12, 1848, he married Serena Sparrow,
daughter of Charles and Serena Sparrow, of near Bath, England.
She died in Chicago, Ill., in 1863, aged 36 years.
BURTON E. TOBIAS was born in the township of Dover,
Lenawee County, Mich., January 8, 1866. His father, Charles M.
Tobias, was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., July 5, 1827, and
came to Michigan with his parents in 1851. He had been reared a
farmer, but soon after coming to Michigan he engaged in railroad-
ing and followed that calling in different capacities for nearly
twenty years. In 1867 he purchased a fine farm in Dover, this
county, and in 1869 settled thereon with his family, and gave his
entire attention to it. He was a successful farmer and stock raiser,
until his death, which occurred July 14, 1897. His parents, Moses
and Jane (Manning) Tobias, were natives of New York, being born
respectively in Ulster and Dutchess Counties, both of whom died at
White Pigeon, this State, (Moses, September 30, 1876; his wife,
Jane, May 7, 1876.) Charles M. Tobias married Miss Angelina
McLouth, daughter of William W. and Betsey McLouth, of Dover,
this county, February 9, 1859, and they became the parents of four
children, Burton E. being the third child and son. Mrs. Angelina
Tobias was born in Dover township, July 4, 1835. Her parents were
natives of Massachusetts, and came to Michigan in 1835. William
W. McLouth was born in Cheshire, Mass., September 10, 1792; died
December 4, 1860. Mrs. Betsy McLouth was born in Clarksburg,
Mass., March 26, 1798, and died July 25, 1873. Burton E. Tobias
passed his early years on the farm, and attended the district school.
After sufficient advancement he entered Adrian High School, and
graduated in June, 1887, winning the scholarship of the class. Af-
ter graduation he taught district school for two terms, and then be-
came a student at Adrian College. In July, 1889, he accepted a po-
sition as bookkeeper in the bank of Whitney & Wilcox, and re-
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
191
mained in that capacity until June, 1893, when the Adrian State
Savings Bank was organized. He was then promoted to assistant
cashier, and in January, 1894, he was made cashier, which position
he still holds, having thus served over thirteen years in the banking
business in the same location. Besides being cashier and director in
the Adrian State Savings Bank, he is a stockholder and director in
the Adrian Telephone Company, stockholder, director and treasurer
of the Times Printing Company of Adrian, and a stockholder in the
Page Woven Wire Fence Company, the Lamb Wire Fence Company,
and several other business enterprises of Adrian. He is a member
of the Presbyterian church of Adrian, and has been president of the
Young Men's Christian Association of Adrian since its incorporation
under the State law. He is also one of the trustees, and treasurer of
the Adrian High School Alumni Scholarship Fund Association.
September 28, 1897, he married Miss Kate Humphrey, daughter of
Gen. William and Mary Elizabeth Humphrey, of Adrian. They
have one child, Harriet Elizabeth, born in Adrian, April 8, 1901.
[For Mrs. Kate Tobias' family connections, see sketch of Gen. Wil-
liam Humphrey, in this volume.]
NATHAN NASH was born at Stoney Creek, near Hamilton,
Canada, February 12, 1832, and came to Michigan with his parents
in June, 1836. His father, Samuel Nash, was born in Norwalk,
Conn., April 10, 1805, and was the son of Nathan and Barbara
(Brown) Nash, who were natives of Connecticut. All that is known
of the ancestors of the Nash family is that early in our national his-
tory, three brothers came from England, and from them the Nash
family in the United States descended. Samuel Nash lived in Con-
necticut until 1822, when he went to St. Catherines, Canada, where
he found employment in a woolen mill, and remained about ten
years. About this time he purchased a farm at Stoney Creek, near
Hamilton, where he remained but a short time, when he sold out
and removed to Niagara County, N. Y., and purchased a farm near
Lewiston. Here he soon became dissatisfied, and again sold out,
came to Michigan, and settled on Section 15, in Rome, this county,
residing there but a few years when he purchased land on Section
36 in Adrian, and Section 1 in Madison, Here he resided until 1869,
when he again sold to T. J. Tobey. He died in Palmyra, this
county, October 16, 1875. January 6, 1828, Samuel Nash married
Miss Sarah M. Becker, daughter of Garardus and Sarah (Finney)
Becker, and they were the parents of ten children, five sons and
five daughters, nine of whom grew to manhood and womanhood.
Mrs. Sarah M. (Becker) Nash was born near Schenectady, N. Y.,
in 1809, and died in Madison, this county, June 22, 1863. Their
oldest son, Samuel, Jr., who died March 30, 1898, had a remarkable
192
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
career. [For a sketch of his life, see Whitney & Bonner's History
and Biographical Record of Lenawee County, Vol. 2, page 229.]
Nathan Nash, the subject of this sketch, was raised a farmer, but
worked two years at blacksmithing in Connecticut. In 1855 he pur-
chased a farm on Section 10, in Adrian township, where he resided
for about seven years. Since that time he has owned four different
farms, not including the one he possesses now on Section 16, in
Adrian. He has always been an active man, and has done his full

Residence of Nathan Nash, on Section 16, Adrian Township.
share in developing the resources of Lenawee County. March 13,
1855, Nathan Nash married Miss Eunice M. Beckey, daughter of
William and Miriam (Sawtell) Beckey, of Adrian township, and
they are the parents of three children, as follows: Harriet E., born
December 23, 1855, unmarried and at home; Edwin N., born Sep-
tember 14, 1859, married Miss Harriet E. Hill, and they have four
children; Ernest A., born November 2, 1866, married Mary O. Wig-
gins, and they have three children. Mrs. Eunice M. Nash was born
July 11, 1834, near Augusta, Maine, and came to Michigan in 1837
with her parents, who settled in Adrian township, this county. She
died December 23, 1887. Her parents were natives of Maine. Her
mother died in Adrian township in 1866, and her father died in 1871.
Mr. Nathan Nash has a granddaughter, the youngest child of his
oldest son, Miss Lillian B., who has been brought up in his home.
Her mother died when she was two years old, in 1893, and Miss
Harriet Nash took her at that time. The child has twined herself
around their hearts so that she has become a fixture in the family.
I
T
"
1
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
193
GEORGE LANE was born in Blissfield, Lenawee County, Mich.,
March 27, 1827. His father, Jacob Lane was a native of New Jer-
sey, born October 1, 1798, where he grew to manhood, on a farm.
He learned the blacksmith trade in that State, and came to Michi-
gan in 1825, first settling in Monroe County. He worked at his
trade there until 1826, when he came to Lenawee County and settled
in Blissfield. He entered land on Section 31, where he built a log
house, and blacksmith shop. For three or four years he did what
work came to him, and did what he could in clearing land. He then
went to Monroe, working at his trade until his health failed him,
when he returned to Blissfield and began keeping hotel. In 1836
his wife died, when he abandoned the hotel and went to Philadel-
phia, where he worked at the machinist trade for three years. He
then returned west, worked in Detroit and Monroe, became foreman
of the railroad shops at Monroe, where he was killed by the cars
November 9, 1846. In 1826 he married Miss Eliza Giles, daughter
of George and Margaret Giles, then of Monroe County, and they had
four sons and one daughter, George being the oldest.
One son,
Charles, served in an Ohio regiment during the great Rebellion, and
was killed in battle at Atlanta, Ga., in July, 1864. Mrs. Eliza
(Giles) Lane died November 9, 1836. She was born near London,
Canada, March 24, 1811. Her father, George Giles, was born in
Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1789, came to Michigan soon after the war
of 1812, settled in Blissfield, this county, in 1826, was the first hotel
keeper in that settlement, and died there May 23, 1841. Her mother,
Margaret Crow, of Pennsylvania, who was born in 1793, was the
mother of nine children, and died in Blissfield, October 14, 1864.
George Lane, the subject of this sketch, was the first child born in
Blissfield, and among the very first to be born in Lenawee County.
He has called Blissfield his home for 76 years. His mother died be-
fore he was nine years old, and he afterwards lived with his grand-
father, George Giles. He was educated in the pioneer schools, and
was reared a farmer. Before he was twenty years old he commenced
to work for the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Railroad
as fireman of the old locomotive "Hillsdale." This locomotive was
the largest on the road, had double driving wheels, and required
two firemen to keep it supplied with wood. After firing about
eighteen months, he became a full-fledged engineer, and got an en-
gine on the old Mad River road, running between Sandusky and
Springfield, Ohio. During his railroad career he saved money
enough to purchase a farm of 114 acres on Section 6, in Riga, this
county. After several years he sold the Riga farm and purchased a
home on Section 32, in Blissfield, where he now resides. For about
twelve years he was engaged in the manufacture of staves in Bliss-
field, the firm being Dewey & Lane. In religion Mr. Lane is a
Methodist, and one of the oldest members of the church in Bliss-
field. In politics he is a Republican. January 20, 1850, George
Lane married Miss Sarah A. Eisey, daughter of William and Susan
13
194
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Elsey, of Sandusky City, Ohio, and they are the parents of thirteen
children, as follows: Eliza Ann, born in Sandusky, Ohio, October
11, 1851, died February 6, 1854; Urzelay, died in infancy; Charles
Henry, born in Riga, this county, January 8, 1854, married Alice
Paddock, has three children, and resides at Ottumwa, Iowa; Leona
S., born in Union City, Ind., March 11, 1856, married Col. D. V.
Hazzard, June 16, 1880, and resides in Eustis, Florida; Allen J., died
in infancy; William L., born in Riga, August 10, 1859, married Miss
Annie Bloom, and resides in Maysville, Mo. George W., born
in Riga, October 2, 1861, married Miss Daisy Black, has four chil-
dren, and resides in Gentry, Mo.; Mary E., born in Riga, December
13, 1863, married William Edgar, November 10, 1888, and resides in
Toledo, Ohio; Clara L., born in Riga, March 21, 1866, married
Charles Bird, and they have one child, and reside in Detroit,
Mich; Bradford D., born in Blissfield, January 11, 1868, married
Lillian Hall, July 25, 1900, and resides in Blissfield; Annabell, born
in Blissfield, January 10, 1871, at home; John R., born in Blissfield,
March 18, 1873, resides at Sayer, Oklahoma; Jennie J., born in Bliss-
field, April 7, 1876, at home. Mrs. Sarah A. (Elsey) Lane was
born in Staten Island, New York, May 4, 1833. Her father was a
native of Portsmouth, England, came to the United States, when a
young man, and married Miss Susan Thompson, of Staten Island,
N. Y., whose father was a soldier in the war of 1812.
HENRY WILCOX was born at Westminster, Vermont, No-
vember 14, 1812, where he resided for but a few years. His father
was drowned in the Connecticut river, in 1817. His mother soon
after moved to the State of New York, and lived for many years at
Mt. Morris, where she died. Mr. Wilcox was reared and received
his schooling at Mt. Morris, and lived there until 1835, when he
came to Michigan and located some government land in Franklin,
this county. He soon after sold his first purchase, and settled in
Cambridge, near Springville, where he remained several years, but
finally purchased a large farm in Franklin, ten miles west of Te-
cumseh, where he followed farming until he removed to the city of
Adrian in 1852. After coming to Adrian, he followed building and
contracting, but for many years he was in poor health, and only at-
tended to his personal affairs. He was truly a pioneer, and in his
young manhood was ever ready to assist in every way in building up
and organizing churches, schools, roads, bridges, etc., and in sub-
duing the forest and making the country desirable. He was a pru-
dent, thrifty man, with untiring energy and good judgment. His
efforts were rewarded in saving a competency. He was a man of
fine mind and quiet habits, and was ever mindful of those dependent
I
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
195
upon him. He lived to a good old age, and enjoyed all the faculties
of youth to the last. He passed away as if in sleep, in his 86th year,
dying December 2, 1897. September 3, 1836, he married Miss El-
mina Roberts, daughter of Reuben and Mary (Harrison) Roberts, of
Mt. Morris, N. Y., and one son,
Isaac L., was born to them March
30, 1855. Isaac L. married Mary
E. Rogers, daughter of William
H. and Melinda (Tracy) Rogers,
July 14, 1875, and they have had
five children, as follows: La-
vergne H., born October 13, 1876,
was a member of Company B.,
31st Michigan Infantry, in the
Spanish-American war, and died.
in the service September 9, 1898;
Florence May, born December 7,
1897, married Lemoine C. Wells,
June 25, 1902, and resides at
Wellsville, Ohio; Ernest R., born
October 11, 1879, died in infancy;
Clarence E., born December 14,
1880; Vera E., born June 13,
1882. All were born in Adrian.
Mrs. Isaac L. Wilcox was born
in Madison, Lenawee County,
Mich., February 22, 1847. Mrs.
Henry Wilcox was born near Sar-
atoga Springs, N. Y., February
25, 1818. Her father was a
farmer, and for many years re-
sided near Mt. Morris, N. Y.
He came to Michigan to visit his
daughter and died at her home
in Adrian in 1870. He was born
near Saratoga, in 1793. Her
mother was of English parentage,
her father, Robert Harrison, be-
ing an English soldier. He was
the second son. His elder brother,
under the law of primogeniture
prevailing in England, got all
the family estates, and he was
put upon a man of war to fight
out his inheritance. His vessel
was sent to America, at the
breaking out of the Revolution.
Mr. Harrison was taken prisoner,

Henry Wilcox.

Mrs. Elmina Wilcox.
196
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
swore allegiance to the American cause, and served nearly seven
years in the continental army. He witnessed the execution of Major
Andre, and often spoke of the sad scene in his declining years.
Mrs. Wilcox, a zealous church adherent, was an active, working
member of the temperance army that made the crusade in Adrian,
and labored long and unremittingly in the cause. She was an
active member of the Soldiers' Aid Society during the great Re-
bellion of 1861-5, and was untiring in her efforts to relieve the suf-
fering of the soldiers. She possessed talent as an artist, and has
painted many meritorious landscape and pastoral scenes.
painted in her 85th year shows remarkable vitality and talent.
One
GEORGE E. WHALEY was born in Verona, Oneida County,
N. Y., November 25, 1823. His father, Dr. Alexander Whaley, was
a native of Connecticut, and migrated to Central New York. He
settled in Verona, where he practiced his profession for over fifty
years. He started from his native town in Connecticut when a
young man, with a horse and his "saddle-bags," to look for a loca-
tion. He followed marked trees through the country until he was
weather-bound by a snow storm at Verona. He remained there for
a few days until the "roads" could be made passable, intending to
continue his journey; but after mingling with the people there for
a day or two, he was so well pleased with the location, that he was
easily persuaded to remain there and teach a term of school, as well
as practice medicine. He afterwards purchased 160 acres of land,
which is now nearly covered by the village of Verona. After locat-
ing there, he returned to his native town in Connecticut, married
Abigail Snow, and raised a family of nine children, two daughters
and seven sons. George E. Whaley, the subject of this sketch, was
the eighth child and sixth son, and resided in Verona several years,
where he was engaged in the mercantile business. In 1863 he re-
moved to Iowa, settled near Des Moines, and engaged in the sheep
business. He was not satisfied, and after a residence of about
eighteen months he sold his large farm, came to Michigan, and
settled in Adrian. He had made a short stop at Adrian when going to
Iowa, and was so well pleased with the place that he came here as
soon as he could sell his property in Iowa, coming in March, 1865.
He was an active, honorable business man, and soon identified him-
self with the business interests of Adrian. He purchased a large
farm about two miles west of the city, where he resided some years.
He was actively engaged in merchandising for several years, and
won the respect and esteem of all good citizens. He died in Adrian,
September 24, 1887. May 15, 1849, he married Miss Sarah C. Dun-
bar, daughter of Horace and Alice Dunbar, of Camden, Oneida
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
197
County, N. Y., by whom he had one child, Charles E., born October
17, 1850, now a merchant in Adrian. He (Charles) married Miss
Frances Tayer, June 22, 1882, daughter of William R. and Harriet
Tayer, and they have one daughter, Jessie Louise, born September
17, 1884. Mrs. Sarah C. Whaley was born in Camden, N. Y., No-
vember 26, 1828. Her father traced his ancestors back to the Pil-
grims. His father and mother were natives of Plymouth, Conn.
Her mother was a native of Livingston County, N. Y., and was the
daughter of Jacob Park. For eight years Mr. Whaley was connected
with the Rome, Ogdensburg and Watertown Railroad, as agent at
Camden, N. Y. He afterwards engaged in the drug trade at Syracuse,
New York.
FREDERICK SIMS was born in the village of Harwell, Berk-
shire, England, October 8, 1835, and came to the United States with
his parents when he was about six months old. His father, Richard
Sims, was a native of Harwell,
England, where he lived and
followed farming until 1836,
when he came to America and
settled near Rochester, Mon-
roe County, N. Y., where he
engaged in horticultural work
in one of the leading nurser-
ies. He left his native land
with his wife and family of
five children, one of whom
died at sea. He supported
this family by his labor, near
Rochester, for about sixteen
years, when he had accumu-
lated money enough to think
of purchasing a farm of his
own. In the fall of 1851 his
oldest son, Robert, came to
Michigan and selected a farm
on Section 19, in Seneca, this
county, and the family fol-
lowed in the spring of 1852.
Here Richard Sims lived with his family until his death in 1863,
aged 75 years. About the year 1827 Richard Sims married Susan
Dandridge, of Culham, Oxfordshire, England, and they were the
parents of seven children. Mrs. Susan Sims was born in 1798, and
died in Seneca, this county, in 1864. Frederick Sims, the subject
of this sketch, lived with his parents and followed farming until he

Frederick Sims.
198
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
was married. His education was limited to what he could learn in
the country schools. He was an expert penman, and during the
winter months taught writing school, for it was necessary in those
days for him to turn every penny to make ends meet. In 1863 he
purchased a farm on section 30, in Dover, where he resided until
1872, when he removed to the village of Morenci. Here he engaged
in money loaning and speculation, and was very widely known in
that part of Lenawee. Being shrewd, calculating, careful and push-
ing, he achieved the name of a successful financier. He died in Mo-
renci June 12, 1891. October 16, 1863, Frederick Sims married Miss
Elida M. Crampton, daughter of Bela aud Angeline Crampton, of
Morenci, this county, and they had two children, as follows: Susie
A., born January 25, 1865; Mary Ella, born February 7, 1867. Mrs.
Elida Sims was born in Bergen, Genesee County, N. Y., July 25,
1841, and came to Michigan with her parents in 1850.
JONATHAN H. GREEN was born in Rush, Monroe County,
N. Y., September 19, 1828, where he resided until he came to Michi-
gan in 1850. His father, Nathan Green, was born in Scipio, N. Y.,
April 5, 1804, and when he was yet a child his widowed mother re-
moved to Monroe County, N. Y. Here he grew to manhood, and
received a country school education. He learned the moulders'
trade, and made the first cast iron plow with cast iron standard in
New York. He afterwards, for several years, kept the half-way house
between Rochester and Geneseo. He finally purchased a farm in
Rush township, where he died, August 26, 1874. July 1, 1827, Na-
than Green married Miss Maria Green, daughter of Jonathan Green,
of Saratoga, N. Y., and they had seven children, Jonathan H. being
the oldest. Mrs. Maria Green was born in Balston, Saratoga County,
N. Y., and died in Rush, N. Y., March 15, 1846. Jonathan H.
Green came to Michigan, when he was nearly 23 years old, and first
settled in Southfield, Oakland County, where he purchased a farm,
but only remained one year, when he sold out and came to Lenawee
County, where he has resided ever since. In 1852 he purchased a
farm on section 16, in Raisin, this county, where he now resides.
• He now owns 240 acres of land, with good buildings, and enjoys all
the comforts of a prosperous farmer. In 1854 he was elected Justice
of the Peace, and filled that office for nine years. In 1863 he was
appointed by Hon. Joseph R. Bennett, who was at that time U. S.
Assessor of Internal Revenue for Michigan, assistant assessor for
the 8th district, which then comprised the eastern half of Lenawee
County. On the following year, 1864, this appointment was con-
firmed, under a change of law, by Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the
Treasury. In 1867-8 he was re-appointed by the Secretary of the
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
199
Treasury, assistant assessor. In 1869 he was appointed U. S.
Deputy Marshal for the Eastern District of Michigan, by the Hon.
Joseph R. Bennett, was re-appointed by S. S. Mathews in 1877, and
continued in the service until 1880. He was appointed Undersheriff
by John G. Mason. Since that time he has lived quietly on his farm
and enjoyed life and the fruits of honest labor. October 17, 1859,
Jonathan H. Green married Miss Jane M. Cornelius, daughter of
William and Mary Ann (Mead) Cornelius, of Rush, Monroe County,
N. Y. They have three children, as follows: Maria A., born in
Rush, N. Y., March 5, 1851, married Madison M. Graves in Decem-
ber, 1870, resides in Ridgeway, this county, and has three children;
Chauncey A., born June 3, 1873, married Catherine Mosher, July 28,
1898, have one child, Jonathan R., born March 31, 1903; Olive Jane,
born June 1, 1883, married Mr. Smith, March 27, 1902, has one
child, Clayton M., born January 5, 1903; Alice C., born in Raisin, this
county, May 14, 1856, married David E. Banker, November 1, 1883,
resides in Macedon, Wayne County, N. Y., has two children, Addie,
born March 26, 1887; William J., born June 10, 1890; Arthur C.,
born in Raisin, May 21, 1864, married Sarah L. Hunt, November 19,
1885, has two children, Florence E., born February 13, 1888; Elmer
H., born November 30, 1895. Mrs. Jane M. (Cornelius) Green was
born in Dutchess County, N. Y., April 26, 1828. Her parents were
natives of Dutchess County, came to Michigan in 1851, and settled in
Adrian township, where they died.
CLARK KNOWLAN was born in Parma, Monroe County, N.
Y., April 21, 1845, and came to Michigan with his parents in 1847.
His father, Thomas Knowlan, was born in the same place, Novem-
ber 10, 1811, where he was brought up a farmer, and resided until
1847, when he came to Michigan and settled on section 10, in Dover.
He resided there for about ten years, when he sold to Brackley
Shaw, and purchased again on Section 11, where he died January
16, 1898. About the year 1841 Thomas Knowlan married Miss
Catherine Bush, daughter of Christopher and Polly Bush, and they
had three children, Clark being the oldest. Mrs. Catherine (Bush)
Knowlan was born in Parma, N. Y., March 6, 1810, and died in
Dover, this county, October 2, 1891. Her parents were natives of
New York State, and pioneers in Monroe County. They died there.
at their old home. Clark Knowlan was less than three years old
when he came to Lenawee County, and it has been his home ever
since. He was educated in the schools of Dover township, and has
always followed farming. He resided with his parents until he was
about twenty-seven years old, when, in 1862, he purchased 80 acres.
200
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
of land on Section 33, in Rome township. He afterwards purchased
land in Dover, on Section 3, where he now resides. He has added
to his farm from time to time, until he now owns about one thous-
and acres in the townships of Rome, Dover and Hudson. His idea
from the first has been to engage in mixed farming, and he has
been successful in his method, being out of debt, and enjoys the
results of his efforts. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and is a

Clark Knowlan.
Mrs. Ann Janetta Knowlan.
member of the Cadmus church. In politics he is an enthusiastic
Republican, but never has been an office-seeker. February 4, 1873,
Clark Knowlan married Miss Ann Janetta Schaeffer, daughter of
William and Sarah (Gamber) Schaeffer, of Madison, Lenawee
County, and they have four children, as follows: William H., born
November 15, 1873, resides in Hudson township; Millard C., born
July 9, 1875, married Addie L. McNutt, has one daughter, and re-
sides on Section 23, in Dover; Thomas H., born February 23, 1878,
married Hilda B. Ikle, December 20, 1899, has one daughter, and re-
sides in Hudson township; Vera S., born March 3, 1887, at home.
Mrs. Ann Janetta Knowlan was born in Seneca County, N. Y., Oc-
tober 10, 1844. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, but went
to Seneca County, N. Y., when he was young, with his parents. He
afterwards settled in Erie County, Ohio, came to Michigan, and
settled on Section 11, in Dover, in 1862. He died in Adrian, April
30, 1891. His wife was Miss Sarah Gamber, a native of Seneca
County, N. Y. She was the mother of eight children, and died in
Dover, this county, September 15, 1901.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
201

Winslow and Lucina Bates of Rome.
For a full sketch of the life of Winslow and Lucina Bates, of
Rome, see Whitney & Bonner's History and Biographical Record of
Lenawee County, Vol. 1, page 388. Mrs. Lucina Bates died at her
home in Rome, September 24, 1903.
WESLEY REYNOLDS was born in Benton, Yates County, N.
Y., December 9, 1835, and came to Michigan with his parents in
September, 1836. His father, Leonard Reynolds, was born in Green
County, N. Y., in August, 1800, and was the son of Samuel and Ab-
igail (Belding) Reynolds, who were farmers of Green County, N. Y.
Samuel Reynolds was a soldier in the war of 1812. He came to
Michigan with his wife, late in life, and died at his son William's,
at Wolf Creek, this county, in 1850, aged 76. His wife died about
two years after, aged 75 years. Leonard Reynolds came to Michi-
gan with his family in 1836, and purchased a farm on Section 14, in
Rome, where he ever after lived. When he settled on this farm his
family consisted of his wife and six young children. The "farm"
at that time was all covered with heavy timber, but he succeeded
in providing for those depending upon him, cleared up his land in
good time, made a comfortable home, and lived to enjoy it for many
years. In 1822 Leonard Reynolds married Miss Betsey Halstead,
daughter of John and Polly (Wendle) Halstead, of Yates County,
N. Y., and they had eleven children, Wesley being the sixth child
202
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
and fourth son. He died March 27, 1882. His wife died October
3, 1880. Wesley Reynolds, subject of this sketch, was nine months
old when he came to Michigan, and has lived in the township of
Rome, with the exception of about one year, ever since. He was
brought up a farmer. In 1866 he purchased 60 acres of land on Sec-
tion 24, in Rome. At that time a log house and one small barn
comprised his buildings. He pushed along with characteristic en-
ergy, until now his buildings consist of a good framed house, a
tenant house, six good barns and outbuildings, and his farm, con-
sisting of two hundred acres. He has for many years dealt quite
largely in fat cattle and other marketable stock. November 22,
1860, Wesley Reynolds married Miss Clarissa A. Thomas, daughter
of Charles L. and Sally Thomas, of Adrian township, and they
have two children, as follows: Xara Luella, born October 30, 1862,
marred, May 8, 1889, George E. Baragar, has one daughter and re-
sides in Rome; Charles L., born May 24, 1865, married Maude
Seager, October 15, 1891, has one son, and resides in Onsted, this
county. Mrs. Clarissa A. (Thomas) Reynolds was born in Adrian
township, this county, June 14, 1838. [For her family record see
Joseph M. Baker's sketch, in this volume.]
EUGENE BYRON KNAPP was born in Rome, Lenawee
County, Michigan, March 22, 1854. His father, Hiram Knapp, was
born near Clyde, N. Y., in 1827, and came to Michigan with his par-
ents when he was seven years old. Hiram Knapp was the son of
Abram and Elizabeth (Drake) Knapp, who came to Michigan in
1834 and settled in Rome township, this county, on Section 36.
Hiram Knapp purchased of his father a part of the family home.
farm in Rome, and resided there until his health failed him in 1867.
He was a popular and well-known auctioneer, and for many years
conducted public vendues in all parts of the county. He died in
Adrian in February, 1869. In January, 1853, Hiram Knapp married
Miss Charlotte Selleck, daughter of E. L. and Nancy Selleck, of
Adrian township, who was born May 3, 1838. [For Mrs. Charlotte
Knapp's family record, see sketch of C. W. Selleck in this volume.]
Eugene B. Knapp has resided the most of his life in Lenawee
County. He lived on a farm until he was about thirteen years old,
and was educated in the Adrian city schools. His first employment,
in 1872, was for F. R. Stebbins, the well-known pioneer cabinet
maker and furniture dealer, remaining there until 1874, when he
engaged in the mercantile business in Adrian. In the spring of
1876 he sold his business and went to Henrietta, Clay County, Texas,
where he purchased a tract of 360 acres of public land. This land
he improved and engaged in general farming. He built buildings,
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
203
and founded a comfortable home. He liked the country and was
prospering, but owing to illness in his family, and a disposition to
make a good "deal" when the opportunity came to him, he disposed
of all his holdings there in 1879 to a gentleman from Tennessee.
He at once returned to Michigan. On recovering his health he en-

Home of E. B. Knapp, on Scott Street, Adrian.
gaged in the agricultural implement business, as a traveling sales-
man, and followed that calling until 1896, when he engaged with
the Page Woven Wire Fence Company of Adrian as a salesman in
the State of Ohio, and was promoted as an assistant at the home
office to C. H. Page, until August 1, 1898, when he was regularly in-
stalled as correspondent or sales manager for Michigan and Ohio,
which position he still holds. September 16, 1875, Eugene B. Knapp
married Miss Melinda Estella Dodge, daughter of Dr. T. F. and
Lucinda Dodge of Adrian, and they have five children, as follows:
Maggie Dell, born in Adrian, July 31, 1876, married J. H. Wilson, is
the mother of one child and resides at Lewiston, Ohio; Halbert M.
born same place, November 7, 1879, married Miss Mary O. Scott, and
resides in Adrian; Glenn J., born same place, August 17, 1881;
Frank G., born same place, April 3, 1884; Louise A., born same
place, May 20, 1890. Mrs. Melinda E. Knapp was born in Adrian,
September 28, 1851. Her father, Dr. Thomas F. Dodge, was born
in Andover, Vermont, August 21, 1806. He came to Michigan in
204
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
1830, and first settled in Blissfield, but subsequently purchased land
on Section 20, in Madison. In 1836 he sold to Seth P. Benson and
removed to Adrian, where he died May 28, 1877. Her mother,
Mrs. Lucinda (King) Dodge, was born in Fishkill, N. Y., June 26,
1827, and died in Adrian, December 18, 1901. E. B. Knapp's home
is on Section 20, in Adrian township, now on Scott street in Adrian.
It was taken up from the government by James Whitney in 1827,
who conveyed it to Marian Stephens in 1832; Abel Whitney to N.
Fratts in 1834; N. Fratts to O. M. Roode in 1838; in 1849, O. M.
Roode to J. W. Scott; Scott to E. H. Winans, etc., etc.
HON. JOHN K. BOIES, a prominent and active citizen of
Hudson for many years, was born in Blandford, Hampden County,
Mass., December 5, 1828. His father, Samuel Boies, was born in
Blandford, and lived and died there. The family was originally
French, with the name of Du Boyce. But pending the persecution
of the Protestants in France during the 16th Century, they fled to
Scotland and changed their name to Boies. In the chaos that fol-
lowed the rule of Oliver Cromwell they were driven from Scotland
to Ireland. But even in Ireland they were not to be let alone, and
again started in search of a home, and came to America. Deacon
David Boies, who is the progenitor of all of the name in this coun-
try, landed about 1727, and first settled in Hopkinston, Mass. Some
time later he removed to Blandford, where he died in 1752. From
the time of Deacon David Boies to the present date the family has
taken an honorable part in the public affairs of Blandford, and at
many different times members have held seats in the State Legisla-
ture.
In 1813 Lemuel Boies married Experience Keep, of Long-
meadow, who was descended from rugged Puritan stock. Her
brother, Rev. John Keep, was one of the founders of Oberlin Col-
lege. Lemuel Boies and Experience (Keep) Boies had three chil-
dren: Franklin, who died young; Henry M. Boies, and John Keep
Boies. Lemuel Boies died when his youngest son was only four years
old, and the family soon removed to Westfield, where John K. Boies
was educated in the Westfield Academy. In 1845 he came West to
Oberlin, Ohio, where he intended to study law, but in December he
visited his brother, H. M. Boies, who was engaged in mercantile
business at Hudson. He decided to enter into business with his
brother, and make Hudson his home. When he was twenty-one a
partnership was formed under the name of H. M. Boies and Brother.
This firm continued until about 1857, when the business was sold to
a stock company. But the next year J. K. Boies & Co. bought it
back and continued to do business at the Old Corner Store for 30
years. In addition to his mercantile interests, Mr. Boies dealt
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
205

Hon. John K. Boies, Hudson.
largely in grain, pork, wool and other kinds of farm produce. In
1855, in company with his brother and Nathan Rude, he started the
first bank in Hudson, under the name of Boies, Rude & Co. The
bank continued, with changes in the partnership, necessitated by
the death of the senior members, and at the death of J. K. Boies in
1891, the Boies State Savings Bank was incorporated and succeeded
to the business. Politically, Mr. Boies was a staunch adherent and
supporter of the Republican party, and in every campaign devoted
206
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
his eloquence to its service. He was elected President of the village
of Hudson in 1863, and was re-elected in 1867. In 1864 he was
elected to the Michigan Legislature, and was re-elected at the
end of his term. In 1868 he was elected to the State Senate,
and was re-elected in 1874. In 1871 he was appointed by Gov. Baldwin
a member of the State Board of Control of Railroads, and served four
years. In 1878 he was re-appointed as a member of that board by
Gov. Croswell, and held the position nine years. In 1880 he was
appointed by President Garfield a member of the United States
Board of Indian Commissioners, serving in this capacity until he re-
signed in 1885. In the campaign of 1882 he was the Republican can-
didate for Representative in Congress for the second district of Mich-
igan. His defeat was due entirely to unfortunate differences be-
tween factions in the party. He served many years as trustee
of the public schools and Congregational church of Hudson.
ber 22, 1852, he married Miss Sarah Amelia Spear of Hudson, who
died January 5, 1870, leaving three children: Eva A., now Mrs.
Frederick A. Wing of Seattle; Clarissa E., now Mrs. H. V. C. Hart
of Adrian, and John Henry, who married Edna Bel Beachboard, of
Hudson, and died at Denver, Colo., December 10, 1894. August 26,
1875, Mr. Boies was married to Mary W. Colton, daughter of Rev.
T. G. Colton of Hudson. Mrs. Mary (Colton) Boies died September
10, 1888, leaving one child, Bessie. Mr. Boies died at Washington,
D. C., Augnst 21, 1891. His memory will long be revered by those
who knew him best. and can recall his devotion to the affairs of state
and community of his adoption, often to the sacrifice of his personal
interests.
JOHN ALLEN was born in Farrington, Ontario County, N.
Y., April 19, 1829, came to Michigan in 1848, and settled in Medina
Village, Lenawee County. His father, Timothy Allen, was born
near Bennington, Vt., in March, 1788, and was the son of Elijah
Allen, a native of Vermont, who was a nephew of Gen. Ethan
Allen. Timothy Allen, when he was about twenty-four years old,
in 1812, removed to Farrington, Ontario County, N. Y., where he
followed his trade of brick and stone mason. He lived there until
1848, when he came to Michigan and lived in Lenawee County until
his death, which occurred in January, 1857. About the year 1815 he
married Miss Prudence M. Eddy, daughter of Elikim and Eunice.
Eddy, of Massachusets, and they had seven children, six of whom
came to Michigan and settled in this county, as follows: Marvin,
Seymour, Franklin, Darwin, Thomas and John. John is the only
one now alive. Mrs. Prudence M. Allen was of Quaker parentage,
a native of Vermont, and was born in March, 1790, went to Far-
rington, N. Y., when a girl, with her parents, and died in Farring-
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
207
ton, in September, 1847. John Allen, subject of this sketch, came
to Michigan, when he was about nineteen years old. He learned
the trade of watchmaker, and jeweler, and has followed it for 52
years in this county. He has been in business in Morenci for 50
years. In July, 1861, he enlisted in the 14th Ohio regimental band,
and was in the service for one year when, by act of Congress doing
away with the regimental bands, he was mustered out. He has
served as treasurer and trustee of the village of Morenci, and school
inspector of Seneca under the old law. He is a member of Morenci
Lodge, F. and A. M., No. 95, and of Baker Post, No. 33, G. A. R.
For several years he was agent for the U. S. Express Company, and
about two years for the American Express Company. September
15, 1852, John Allen married Miss Jane C. Williams, daughter of
Thomas and Charlotte Williams, of Medina, this county, and they
have four children, as follows: Clara M., born in Morenci, April 14,
1854, married, April 2, 1879, Dr. O. S. Armstong, has two children,
and resides in Detroit; Harris E., born June 9, 1872, married April
14, 1897, Miss Susan Whaley, and resides in Morenci; Grace W.,
born September 28, 1874, and resides in Detroit; Edith T., born Sep-
tember 2, 1878, married April 7, 1903, Alfred A. Hammett, and re-
sides in Seattle, Wash. Mrs. Jane C. Allen was born in Batavia,
N. Y., May 19, 1833, came to Michigan with her parents in 1836,
settled in Medina, this county. Her father was born near Batavia,
Genesee County, N. Y., and her mother was born near Attica, in
the same county.
1
ALMOND L. BLISS was born in Blissfield, Lenawee County,
Mich., November 7, 1832. His father, Hervey Bliss, was born at
Royalston, Mass., in 1779, and was married October 28, 1815, to
Nancy Woodbury, and of their lives more will be said further on in
this sketch. It is usually a difficult task to trace family history far
back into the past, but John Homer Bliss, of Norwich, Conn., the
faithful and painstaking chronicler of the Bliss family, says "'tis
supposed they are of Norman descent; that the name was originally
Blois, (gradually modified to Bloys, Blyse, Blysse, and in America
to Bliss); that its introduction into England occurred at the time of
the Norman conquest (1066), previous to which time hereditary sur-
names were not assumed in England." The coat-of-arms as de
scribed in Edmonson's Heraldry, and also in volume II., of "En-
cyclopædia Heraldica," of the Bliss family, was "Gules, a bend
vaire, between two fleur-de-lis; or, it appears that gules, (red) is a
royal color. The origin of vaire is from the fur of a beast called
varus, the fleur de-lis representing a lily, and as in English Heraldry,
the fleur-de-lis indicated the sixth son, it is supposed the orignal
grant of arms to a Bliss was to a sixth son. The motto (on the shield)
208
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL


Almond L. Bliss.
Mrs. Almira A. Bliss.
Frederick B. Stebbins.
Mrs. Elois M. (Bliss) Stebbins.
1
8


record of Lenawee COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
209
"semper sursum," translated, means "ever upward." The ancient
traditions of the family represent them as living in the south of
England, and belonging to that staunch class known as English.
yeomanry or farmers. From time immemorial they had inclined to
Puritanism, detesting the looseness of the clergy and laymen, and
the Sunday sports in which they indulged. These Sunday sports
had been fostered by Elizabeth, and her successor, James, had re-
duced them to a system by publishing a book of "Sports on Sun-
day," and enjoining the practice of them by those of his subjects
who had attended church in the morning, and it is said that one of
the Blisses was fatally injured while passing the scene of these
sports on Sunday. The beginning of the misfortunes of this family
in England appears to have occurred in this wise, and brought about
by the contentions of King Charles I. and his Parliament. Writs
were issued by this King, January 29, 1568, for the assembling of
the two Houses of Parliament. There was great excitement
throughout the country, and Cassell's History, volume III., pp. 134,
shows as one of the causes the court enmity directed against this
family (Bliss) a number of foreign troops were about to be brought
into the country, and the people were worked up to a pitch of ex-
treme excitement, and sent to the House of Commons men not readily
intimidated. Westminster sent up one Bradshaw, a brewer. Hunt-
ington elected Oliver Cromwell, a farmer. Two of the men who
went up from Devonshire with their "member" were the brothers,
Jonathan and Thomas Bliss. They rode two iron grey horses, and
remained in the city long enough to be observed by the spies of
Charles the I., and very soon thereafter they were fined £1,000 for
nonconformity and thrown into prison, where they lay for many
weeks. Even their old father, Thomas Bliss, was dragged through
the streets, with great indignity. At another time the three broth-
ers, with twelve more, were led through the market place in Oke-
hampton with ropes around their necks, and fined heavily; and Jon-
athan and his father were thrown into prison, where the sufferings.
of the former caused his death. They began to think England was
no longer a home for them, and they turned their eyes toward the
wilds of America. First Generation.-The first generation of the
Bliss family of which we have any reliable information, is comprised
of a single individual, Mr. Thomas Bliss, of Belstone Parish, in the
County of Devonshire, England. Very little is known of him, except
that he was a wealthy land-owner; that he belonged to a class stig-
matized as Puritans, on account of the simplicity and purity of their
worship, and that he was maltreated, imprisoned and finally ruined in
health (and financially) by the many indignities and hardships
forced upon him by the intolerant church party. He is supposed to
have been born about the year 1550 or 1560. Second Generation.-
The second generation of this family comprises the children of
Thomas Bliss, of Belstone, England, two of whom (Thomas and
George) removed to America in 1635, while another, Jonathan, (the
14
210
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
ancestor of the subject of this biography) languished in prison,
where he contracted a fever of which he eventually died. Jonathan
Bliss, third generation, son of Thomas Bliss of Belstone, England,
was born at that village about the year 1575, and, like his father,
was doomed to bitter persecution, on account of his nonconformity
and opposition to the dominant church party, which had assumed,
not only to control the government, but the consciences of men.
He died about 1635 or '36. Thomas Bliss, fourth generation, of Re-
hoboth, Mass., son of Jonathan Bliss, of Belstone, England, was
born at Belstone, and upon the death of his father in 1636, emigrated
to America, landing at Boston, whence he removed to Braintree,
Mass., thence to Hartford, Conn., thence to Weymouth, Mass.. from
which place he removed in 1643, and commenced a new settlement
called Rehoboth, and died there in June, 1649. Jonathan Bliss,
fifth generation, of Rehoboth, (son of Thomas), was born in Eng-
land about 1625, and died in 1687. He was one of the eighty who
made the Rehoboth "North purchase" in 1666, and March 18,
1668, according to "Daggett's History of Attleborough," drew a lot
in said purchase. Samuel Bliss, sixth generation, of Rehoboth,
Mass., son of Jonathan, born June 24, 1660, died February 8, 1705
胃
​Residence of A. L. Bliss, No. 31 Front Street, Adrian.
E

RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
211
or '6. Captain Nathaniel Bliss, seventh generation, of Rehoboth,
Mass., born August 28, 1702, died February 21, 1767. Timothy
Bliss, eighth generation, of Royalston, Mass., son of Captain Na-
thaniel, born January 4, 1733, died January 4, 1822. Israel Bliss,
ninth generation, a farmer of Royalton, Vt., son of Timothy, born
February 14, 1760, died
Hervey Bliss, tenth generation, of
Blissfield, Lenawee County, a farmer, son of Israel, was born in
1789, and was married to Nancy Woodbury (as above stated.) He
died in December, 1841; she died April 28, 1849, aged fifty-eight.
In 1814 Hervey Bliss, with his brother Sylvanus, moved to the (then)
far West, and settled in Huron County, Ohio. In the spring of 1816
he removed to Monroe, then a hamlet of four families, and a year
later, with several other families, settled on government land, thir-
teen miles up the river Raisin, from which, in 1819, with the other
families, they were driven from their houses by the Indians, who
claimed the land, and which land was subsequently set apart as the
"Macon Reserve." He then removed to Rainsville, three miles be-
low, and resided there until the year 1824, when he removed some
twenty miles up the river, cutting his way through heavy timber
from Petersburg, a distance of ten miles (which was the nearest
place from whence supplies could be had), and purchased and settled
on government land now occupied by the village of Blissfield, of
which he was the founder, and which was named in his honor. He
was ruling elder in the Presbyterian church, which he joined in
1829. In 1827 he was commissioned by Governor Cass, as Justice of
the Peace, which office, with that of Township Clerk and Post-
master, he held at the date of his decease. He left four sons
and two daughters, (a son, Whiting Bliss, having died in in-
fancy), William W. Bliss, the eldest, was a successful merchant at
Blissfield, having held many offices of honor in his town and county,
and prominent in the religious and social interests of his locality;
Hiram W. and Harvey K. Bliss were worthy men and farmers in
this county. The daughters, Emeline E. Printup and Caroline L.
Knight, being also residents of this county, and crowned in their old
age with the laurels of a life of pure womanhood. Almond L. Bliss,
eleventh generation, son of Hervey Bliss, attended the district school
in his native village until sixteen years of age, when he entered the
employ of Marvin L. Stone, then the leading merchant of Blissfield,
and gained the confidence of his employer so rapidly that the second
year he was selected from the force of employes as book-keeper of
the establishment and confidential clerk to his employer. At the
age of nineteen years Mr. Bliss formed a co-partnership with his
then brother-in-law, Myron E. Knight, under the firm name of
Knight & Bliss, and kept a general stock of merchandise, the firm
continuing business about two years, when a new firm was organ-
ized (Mr. Knight retiring), under the firm name of A. L. Bliss &
Co., with Sewell S. Goff as copartner, and the business was con-
tinued until 1856, when Mr. Bliss was elected County Clerk on the
212
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Republican ticket, in the ever memorable "Fremont campaign" of
1856, and his services being so acceptable to his constituents he was
re-elected in 1858 and again in 1860, a compliment to efficient ser-
vices then unprecedented in the political history of the county. Mr.
Bliss was elected clerk of his township as soon as he arrived at his
majority, and was continued in said office until 1856, and was twice
elected by the Board of Supervisors as one of the county superin-
tendents of the poor. In 1858, (while clerk of the county) Mr. Bliss
commenced the compilation of the records of land titles of Lenawee
County, which system has since been universally adopted in all the
Western States, and has built up an extensive land business, and ac-
quired a well merited reputation as an examiner of land titles. He
has a complete history of the title of every tract of land in the
county, written on his books, which makes a library of about 150
large volumes, and contains an abstract of every piece of land in
Lenawee County, and cost to compile and perfect over $25,000. So
important is this compilation of titles, that no person at this time.
thinks of purchasing a piece of property in Lenawee County, with-
out an abstract from the books in his office. Mr. Bliss removed to
Adrian in January, 1857, and was connected with the choir of Plymouth
church and Sabbath school most of the time as chorister, for more
than twenty years, and until the disorganization of the church and
society in 1879, and is identified with the musical interests of the
city and county, and has gained much local notoriety as a singer,
and is active and efficient in all public enterprises of the day. Mr.
Bliss, on the 25th of November, 1853, was married at Blissfield, to
Miss Almira A. Goff only daughter of the late Sewell S. Goff (his
former partner), by whom he has had two children, as follows: Nellie
S., born October 6, 1854, died May 1, 1857; Eloise M., born at
Adrian, Mich., May 27, 1860. She was a graduate of the public
schools of Adrian, and the musical department of Adrian College.
Married Frederick B. Stebbins of Adrian, October 31, 1895, and
died October 15, 1902. Fred B. Stebbins is a son of the late F. R.
Stebbins, one of the very early settlers and business men of Adrian.
Fred B. Stebbins is an active young business man of Adrian. For
some time he assisted in carrying on his father's extensive business,
but is now conducting an extensive real estate and insurance busi-
Mrs. Frederick B. Stebbins was one of the prominent young
married ladies of Adrian. She was a fine musician, an accomplished
conversationalist, much loved by her friends and acquaintances for
her many virtues, accomplishments, and happy, cheerful personality.
She was an active worker in all benevolent undertakings, and
always sought to relieve and help the suffering graciously, but un-
ostentatiously. Mrs. Almira A. Bliss was born at Blissfield, Janu-
ary 7, 1834, received a good common school education, and takes a
lively interest in educational matters in the city. She is interested
in music, and has sung in the church choirs with her husband since
her childhood. During her long residence in Adrian Mrs. Bliss has
ness.
record of LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
213
been active in all benevolent, social and literary enterprises. Her
father was born January 29, 1811, at Royalston, Mass., removed to
Blissfield in 1829, was supervisor and justice of the peace of his
township for many years, and represented his district creditably in
the State Legislature for one term; was a successful farmer and
merchant, and died January 23, 1865, respected and honored by his
fellow citizens. The mother of Mrs. Bliss, Esther Margaret Goff,
was a woman possessed of all the womanly virtues of her sex, and
died at Blissfield in 1839.
"One generation comes,
Another goes and mingles with the dust;
And thus we come and go.
Each for a brief moment filling
Some little space; and thus we disappear
In quick succession. And it shall be so
Till time in one vast perpetuity
Be swallowed up."
HENRY HART. From either parent Henry Hart inherited, on
the one hand, the traditions of a long line of hard-headed, hard-
fighting Dutch ancestry, the kind of men, for liberty's sake, to tear
down their dikes and come trooping up into the new world in the
wake of Hendrik Hudson's keel; and, on the other, a strain of that
thrifty and sterling British commercialism that is forever pushing
its way into new fields under a colonial flag; qualities not unfitted
to blend in the great crucible from which the builders of the west
were to draw their strength and inspiration. His father was a son
of that next preceding Henry Hart (born in London, England, about
the middle of the eighteenth century), who came early to this coun-
try to become one of the first settlers of Albany County, New York,
and his wife, Elizabeth Visger, whom he married there in 1782.
Herman Visger Hart, their eldest son, afterward an influential citi-
zen and politician of Albany (and later of Adrian), and his wife,
Miriam Leonard, granddaughter of stout old Colonel Cornelius Van
Vetchen, of revolutionary renown, and his wife, Anna Knicker-
bocker, became the parents of eleven children, the second of whom,
born in Albany, N. Y., on January 28, 1818, was destined to bear the
ancestral name of Henry, and, like his grandsire of that name, to plant
the surname anew in distant soil. Who shall write the life of a boy?
Who can say from what chance surroundings, from what accidents
of environment and influence his character may take form and color
and impulse? We know that the public school is the product of a
later growth; education was not then dragging us from every hid-
ing place; the college was not yet built on every village green.
And yet there were compensations; and the old Albany Academy
stood well in the lead of a class of institutions in the East that
turned out some strong and notable men. It was left for one of its
214
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL

Nenry Hart
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
215
own alumni, the firm but gentle Dr. Joseph Henry, one of the
brightest scientists of his day, to raise it to its highest plane of ef-
ficiency. And thus it happened, under the man who invented the
electro-magnet (and made telegraphy possible to Morse), and who
later for nearly half a century was the world-famous first secretary
and director of the Smithsonian Institute at Washington, that Henry
Hart received his education. Mathematics, the practical sciences and
the rudiments of engineering were the topics to which the young man
most naturally turned, and in these his opportunities were unsur-
passed. Graduating early, young Hart secured employment for a
time on the preliminary survey of the Boston and Albany Railroad,
his father's friend, Erastus Corning, then at the outset of his great
railroad career, being one of its promoters. But this Henry regarded
as temporary. His future was calling him. At home the family
was large, and there had been reverses, and he felt that the serious
business of his life was a problem no longer to be deferred. All
eyes were turned to the West, and especially to Michigan, the new-
est in the galaxy of states. Though in one view only a far off wil-
derness of swamps and fevers, and Indians and bears, to the hope-
ful eye of youth it took all the colors of a very fairy land of promise.
There was lumber there, and more than a suspicion of minerals; ru-
mors there were too of various projected railroads. Its future was
somehow in the air. And when did youth hesitate? And so it fell
out that in August, 1837, Henry Hart came West, by way of the
Erie Canal and Lake Erie, arriving at Monroe, Michigan, in com-
pany with Henry Waldron, who had graduated from the same
school, the young men being then respectively 19 and 18 years of
age. Both readily found employment at their profession as civil en-
gineers in the survey and construction of the Michigan Southern
Railroad, which was then being built by the State. Their first em-
ployment was near Jonesville, and they continued in this work until
the final location of the route. Mr. Hart was then put in charge by
the commissioner of the final location and construction of the work
between Monroe and Adrian. The road was completed to Adrian in
1840, and in the fall of that year Mr. Hart finally located in Adrian.
Mr. Waldron settled in Hillsdale at about the same time, and after-
wards served 12 years in Congress. Mr. Hart at once formed a co-
partnership with Abel Whitney and opened a dry goods store in
Adrian, which firm continued for about two years, when Mr. Hart
purchased Mr. Whitney's interest, and carried on the business con-
tinuously until 1866. During that time he was appointed, under
President Franklin Pierce, special agent of the Postoffice Depart-
ment for the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and North-
ern Illinois, which position he held for about six years. During his
absence in New York in the spring of 1859 he was elected Mayor of
Adrian, and held the office one year, declining a re-nomination. In
1866 he was elected secretary of the Michigan State Insurance Com-
pany of Adrian, which, under his management, became known as one
216
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
of the most successful enterprises of its kind ever organized under
Michigan laws. He was one of its founders in 1859, and remained
its secretary up to the time of his death. In 1865, at a called meet-
ing of the citizens of the county for the purpose of organizing a Sol-
diers' Monument Association, he was elected its president, and con-
tinued in that position until the erection of the fine memorial which
now stands on Monument Square, in Adrian, the main shaft of
which was originally one of the pillars of the old United States.
Bank at Philadelphia, which, through Mr. Hart's solicitation, the
Hon. Henry Waldron, then in Congress, was influential in obtain-
ing. The monument was dedicated July 4, 1870, and Mr. Hart acted
as president of the day. He also acted in a like capacity at the cen-
tennial celebration in Adrian July 4, 1876. The meager outlines of
a busy career, thus faintly sketched, afford no hint of the living,
breathing presence of the man as he moved and played his part
among his fellows; and so deep is the poverty of words, and so nar-
row the limitations of human expression, that only by those who
knew him long and well can the gaps be filled, and the life of the
man, in its higher form and meaning, be read between the lines;
youth unfolding into manhood, and manhood ripening, rounding
and mellowing to its close.
On Thursday, October 2, 1879, Mr. Hart received injuries at
the fall of the grand stand on the county fair grounds in Adrian, a
memorable and most distressing accident, which took place at about
3 p. m., and resulted in 16 deaths and many permanent injuries.
Mr. Hart was removed to his home, but lingered only long enough
to be surrounded by his family, and expired in the arms of his wife.
at about 5 o'clock on the following morning. In the city of his
adoption, already steeped in the profoundest sorrow of its history,
there were few hearts not stirred to an added sense of a personal
calamity, as on Sunday, October 5, the remains of Henry Hart were
borne to fair Oakwood, that city of the dead which he had helped to
plan and beautify. For it is safe to say that through forty years,
in the community with which his life and work were interwoven, no
name stood more positively for all the qualities to which men accord
respect; for integrity in its highest and most unselfish sense; for
broad intelligence and enlightened public spirit, and for quick and
helpful feeling for every form of need. Never were the kindly spirit
and the strenuous life more deftly blended than were his, and if, be-
tween them, the quick, impatient flash of resentment sometimes.
answered to the touch of injustice, indolence or untruth, it passed
almost as quickly as it came. Like Brutus, he carried anger
"As the flint bears fire,
Who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark
And straight is cold again."
A man of broad sincerity and simple directness of purpose, a citizen
who in any strain of conflicting interests looked last after his own,
a friend and helper of his fellow men without the instinct of leader-
Record of lenawee county, MICHIGAN.
217
ship, a life-long adherent of the democracy of Jackson and of Jeffer-
son, with none of the small ambitions of the politician, a never-failing
counselor in matters of local concern, with a judgment that was
sought and an influence often quietly felt in the larger affairs of the
state and nation, the life of Henry Hart was narrower than his en-
dowments, and greater than its opportunities. On January 12,
1842, Mr. Hart was married at Adrian to Miss Jane Swan Chitten-
den, daughter of Joseph and Olive (Hooker) Chittenden, who was born
at Aurora, Cayuga County, N. Y., on January 5, 1818, and removed
with her parents to Michigan in 1836. She survived her husband
nearly twenty years, dying at her daughter's residence in Detroit on
June 26, 1899. A woman of rare sweetness and gentleness of charac-
ter, whose life and influence were particularly beautiful in their bear-
ing upon the less patient but more forceful temperament of her com-
panion, and are cherished as a priceless legacy by her descendants.
Though never narrow in beliefs or practices, both husband and wife
were always active and consistent members of the Protestant
Episcopal church, Mr. Hart serving Christ church in Adrian for
many years as vestryman. Four children were born to this union:
Joseph Chittenden, in 1843; Henry Chittenden, in 1847; Jen-
nie Chittenden, (now Mrs. James D. Standish), in 1851, and Her-
man Visger Chittenden Hart in 1856. Of these the three former
have long been residents of Detroit, while Mr. H. V. C. Hart is still
a well-known citizen of Adrian.
HON. HENRY C. SMITH was born in Canandaigua, N. Y.,
June 2, 1858, and came to Michigan with his parents in 1860. His
father, Wanton Green Smith, a substantial and favorably known
farmer of Palmyra township, built a fine brick home on Section 22,
where, with his wife, equally loved and respected, he lived for about
twenty-eight years, and reared a family of six children; one, Lucy
M., having died October 20, 1864, of diphtheria, at the age of six
years. Born in Farmington, Ontario County, N. Y., January 26,
1822, the son, Wanton Smith, a native of Berkshire County, Mass.,
who was a son of Joseph Smith, born in Smithfield, England, was
married to a French lady at Paris, France, soon after which he em-
igrated to Berkshire, Mass., and from there went to Ontario County,
N. Y., about the year 1783. He purchased a tract of land which in-
cluded the present sight of Farmington, and Victor, N. Y., and
built a grist mill, which was one of the first manufacturing indus-
tries of the kind in that section. He died in 1815. Wanton Smith
was seven years of age when his parents moved to New York State,
and he there grew to manhood, and continued in the milling busi-
He was remarkably industrious and accumulated a fine and
ness.
218
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
valuable property in Farmington. Married Lucy Eddy, daughter of
Caleb Eddy, and a native of Vermont. They were the parents of
seven children, four of whom lived to years of maturity. Wanton
Green Smith received a common school education, was also a
student at the Academy of Canandaigua, and after the death of his
father, took care of the family. He was married in Wayne County,
N.. Y., October 11, 1849, to Maria Mitchell, a native of Madison
County, N. Y., daughter of William and Millie Mitchell, and was
born December 22, 1822. In the spring of 1860, desiring a change
of location, and because of the ill-health of his wife and children, he
came to Michigan and purchased the homestead where he lived the
rest of his life. The father of
Mrs. Smith was born in Dutch-
ess County, N. Y., and was the
son of Joseph Mitchell, a na-
tive of Nantucket Island. Mrs.
Smith's mother was the daugh-
ter of Henry Clapp, of Dutchess
County, N. Y. Mrs. Smith re-
ceived a good education and
began teaching at the age of
nineteen years, being thus oc-
cupied until her marriage.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith were
Quakers. The oldest son,
Mitchell C., is a locomotive
engineer, and has been since
1873. He lives at Maquoketa,
Iowa, where he has a fine fam-
ily and has attained good suc-
.cess. Frank A., the oldest
daughter, was married to Ed-
ward F. Hutchinson. She has
been a successful teacher for
years, and still follows that
profession with marked ability. Henry C. Smith has served two
terms in Congress, and is an attorney at Adrian, Mich., member of a
good firm. George C., the next son, is also an engineer in Iowa.
Clara C. is married to John D. Kinney, and lives in Adrian, Mich.
Louis G. lives on the old farm in Palmyra. Henry C. Smith, sub-
ject of this sketch, was educated in the district schools of Palmyra,
this county, and at Adrian College. He worked on a farm, taught
school in the winter, and graduated from the college in 1878. He
studied law, and in 1880 was admitted to the bar. Was appointed
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney of Lenawee County, January 1, 1881,
and was chosen City Attorney in 1880. He subsequently became a
member of the law firm of Watts, Bean & Smith, and is now the
leading member of the law firm of Watts, Smith & Baldwin. In

Hon Henry C. Smith.
1
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
219
November, 1898, he was elected to Congress, and was re-elected in
1900. He is an eloquent public speaker, an able lawyer, and is re-
spected by all classes. December 20, 1887, Henry Smith married
Miss Emma Watts, daughter of Col. R. A. and Susan A. Watts of
Adrian, and resides at No. 45 Toledo street, Adrian.
RICHARD ILLENDEN, of Adrian, Mich., was born in Canter-
bury, Kent, England, July 8, 1824. His father, Richard Illenden,
was born in Woodchurch, Kent, England, in May, 1776, where he
was educated and always lived until 1824, when he moved to the city
of Canterbury, and resided until he came to America in July, 1830.
He owned about 200 acres of
land in Woodchurch, known as
the Shirk-Oak farm. The
grandfather of our sketch, John
İllenden, came from the town
of Illenden, in Northumber-
land early in the eighteenth
century. He was a land-owner
and miller. The town of Il-
lenden had always been the
residence of the family until
John Illenden left there. He
being the last male represent-
ative of the family, carried all
its history with him when he
went to Woodchurch. For
150 years there have been but
three male representatives of
the family. The Illenden
coat-of-arms consisted of a
half moon and sheaf of wheat,
with the sickle thrust in. They
were members of the Church
of England until the advent of
John Wesley, when Richard Illenden, the father of our sketch, be-
came a convert to Methodism. September 19, 1805, Richard Illen-
den married Miss Sarah Grant, daughter of Vincent and Johanna
Grant, of St. Nicholas, Isle of Thanet, Kent, England, by whom he
had ten children, as follows: Ann, born October 12, 1808, died in
London, October 28, 1834; Sarah, born October 12, 1811, married
W. H. Pillow, and died in Adrian, July 28, 1883; John, born May 6,
1813, died in Woodchurch, January 27, 1819; Johanna Chapman,
born October 11, 1814, married John Henry, died in Vevay, Indiana,
January 27, 1892; Grace Waters, born May 7, 1816, married Thomas

Mrs. Sarah Illenden.
220
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
E. Bonner, and died in Adrian, December 25, 1860; Mary, born Sep-
tember 27, 1817, and died in Buffalo, December 16, 1834; Elizabeth,
born November 29, 1818, married Stephen M. Hoyt, died January 30,
1899; Mercy, born May 8, 1821, the widow of William Ward, of
Junction City, Kansas; Jane Parton, born December 21, 1822, mar-


Mrs. Mary R. Illenden.
Richard Illenden.
ried Dr. Woodland Owen, died in Brinkley, Arkansas, July 1, 1902;
Richard, born July 8, 1824, married Miss Mary Ann Rulon, September
28, 1853. All the children except Richard were born in Woodchurch,
Mrs. Sarah Illenden was born at St. Nicholas, Isle of Thanet, Kent,
England, December 11, 1782. Her father, Vincent Grant, was a
manufacturer of St. Nicholas. His family may be traced back to
Inverness, in Scotland, in the twelfth century. The Grant coat-of-
arms is a shield with three crowns, guarded by two nearly nude sen-
tinels with battle clubs. The crest is a burning mountain, and the
motto on the scroll beneath is "Stand Fast." Mrs. Sarah Illenden's
mother was Miss Johanna Chapman, who was disowned by her fam-
ily because she became a convert of John Wesley. Mrs. Sarah Illen-
den was also a convert of John Wesley, and was an earnest Chris-
tian, a profound reasoner, and a zealous worker in the church for
over 60 years. July 8, 1830, Richard and Sarah Illenden, with eight
children, left London, and after a voyage of seven weeks and three
days, landed in New York. They immediately went to Buffalo, and
shortly afterwards purchased a farm of the Holland Land Company,
in Pembroke, Genesee County, N. Y. Here they found pioneer life
1
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
221
in earnest. They were in the midst of the primeval forest. The log
house to which they came was without a floor, covered with a bark
roof, and the chimney was made of sticks and clay. At night the
cry of the wolf and panther could be heard. The husband and
father was sick with an incurable disease, and the care of the family
of eight children, and the management of the farm devolved largely
upon the wife and mother. But she never faltered. She was a wo-
man of noble attainments, and her friends admired her for her daily
actions, and loved her for her pure, sympathetic nature and constant
watchfulness for the good and welfare of others. Richard Illenden,
the father of our sketch, died in February, 1837. Mrs. Sarah Illen-
den died in Three Rivers, Mich., January 29, 1866. Richard Illen-
den, the subject of our sketch, was brought up a farmer, and lived
on his father's farm in Pembroke until the fall of 1844, when he came
to Michigan, and stayed in Ypsilanti during that winter. He fol-
lowed different avocations until 1854, when he purchased the Amos
Aldrich farm, on Section 36, in Adrian township, which is now
mostly embraced in Oakwood cemetery. He sold to the Oakwood

Residence of Richard Illenden, on Beecher Street, three miles west of Adrian.
222
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Cemetery Association in 1865, and purchased a large farm near
Three Rivers, St. Joseph County, Mich. He resided there until 1874,
when he returned to Adrian and purchased the old Webster farm
on Section 5, in the township of Madison, where he now resides.
Mr. Illenden, at the age of 16, became a member of the M. E.
church and served
her cause with fidel-
ity, until the ques-
tion of slavery agi-
tated that body, and
finally culminated in
the division of the
church. He was a
member of the con-
vention held at
Chestnut Ridge,near
Lockport, N. Y., in
1843, which resulted
in the organization
of the Wesleyan
Methodist church.
But as that denomi-
nation did not agree
with his ideas on
slavery, he finally
espoused the Garri-
sonian movement.
He was the treasurer
of the Michigan An-
ti-Slavery Society
during its existence.
William Lloyd Gar-
rison and all the
noted Abolition
champions made his house their home when they were in Adrian.
September 28, 1853, he married Miss Mary Ann Rulon, daughter of
Ephraim and Sarah Rulon, of Raisin township, this county, by
whom he has had four children: Johanna, born May 23, 1855, died
December 26, 1855; Jessie, born December 9, 1856, died April 15,
1865. Albert Edward, born November 15, 1861, married Miss Clara
L. Holloway, January 17, 1894. Two children were the result of
this union, Jessie Lillian and Mary Rulon. He owns a large farm
on Section 5, in Madison, on which he resides; Ephraim Rulon, born
in Three Rivers, Mich., January 2, 1870, married Miss Eva I. Ed-
wards, July 30, 1902, and resides on the old homestead in Madison.
Mrs. Mary Illenden was born in Richmond, Ind., October 2, 1828,
and died in Adrian, July 16, 1901. She came to Michigan with her
parents in 1832. Her father, Ephraim Rulon, was born in Fairfield,
Ephraim and Sarah Rulon.
1
1

Record OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
223
N. J., January 2, 1804. His ancestors were French Huguenots, and
the genealogy of the family shows that a man named Rulon came
from France in a hogshead, being sent as merchandise, to escape
death, and landed in New York previous to 1704. Her mother, Mrs.
Sarah Rulon, was the daughter of Caleb and Sarah Atkinson, of
Burlington County, N. J. Mr. Atkinson was an elder in the Society
of Friends, and died at the age of 99 years and 7 months. His an-
cestors were Friends for many generations back. Mrs. Sarah Rulon
died in Three Rivers, Mich., February 20, 1871. Ephraim Rulon
died in Adrian, June 3, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Rulon came to Lena-
wee County, Mich., in 1832, and lived in Tecumseh during the first
In 1833 Mr. Rulon bought a part of the school section in
Raisin township, erected a log-house thereon, and proceded to clear
up and improve his farm in true pioneer fashion. He was promi-
nently identified with the development of Raisin township during
those early days, holding many positions of trust and responsibility,
and being a township officer for many terms. Mr. and Mrs. Rulon
were Hicksite Quakers, and leading members of the church of that
denomination for several years, Mr. Rulon being one of the elders of
the meeting. They were among the first to join the anti-slavery
movement, and did all they could to help on the cause of freedom.
About 1856 Mr. and Mrs. Rulon sold their farm in Raisin and moved
to Adrian.
WARREN GILBERT was born in Richmond, Ontario County,
N. Y., April 3, 1822, and was the son of Elias Gilbert, Jr., who was
born near the city of Hartford, Conn., November 29, 1776. The pa-
ternal grandfather of our subject, Elias Gilbert, Sr., served in the
Revolutionary War, and besides being a soldier was a farmer, tan-
ner and currier. In 1852 he accompanied his son Elias to Daven-
port, Iowa, and there died at the age of ninety-five years. He was
married twice, and his family included nine children, of whom Elias,
Jr., was the eldest born of the second marriage. The latter, upon
reaching manhood, was first married to Miss Polly Steele, who was
born in Connecticut, in 1781. She removed with her husband to
Ontario County, N. Y., and died there while a young woman thirty-
four years of age. Of this marriage there were born four children.
Elias Gilbert, Jr., became the father of the following children:
Polly, Amanda, Marietta, Warren, of our sketch, Theodosia and
Ann E. Warren Gilbert remained with his parents in his native
county, and assisted his father at farm work until reaching his ma-
jority, then starting out for himself, he came to Grand River, Clin-
ton County, this State, in October, 1843, and purchased a tract of
land, farmed one year, then traded it for ninety-three acres on Sec-
tion 2, in Rome township, this county. To this he added by degrees,
224
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
and was uniformly prosperous in his labor of tilling the soil and
stock-raising. In this latter enterprise he had an experience of
forty years. Mr. Gilbert, in 1845, was married to Miss Almira M.
Reed, who was born in Ontario County, N. Y., September 29, 1825,
and was the daughter of Wheeler and Hannah Reed, natives of Ver-


Mrs. Almira Gilbert.
Warren Gilbert.
mont. From the Green Mountain State Wheeler Reed's parents re-
moved to Ontario County, N. Y., where they spent the remainder of
their days.
Wheeler Reed's family consisted of nineteen children,
several of whom came to Michigan and settled in this county. To
Mr. and Mrs. Warren Gilbert there were born three children: Wil-
liam Goodell, born April 18, 1846, and married Miss Albina Eddy.
They settled on the Gilbert homestead and engaged in stock-raising,
but Goodell died March 26, 1884; Theodosia Gilbert, born Septem-
ber 24, 1848, is the widow of William M. Shepard, and has one child,
Warren G., born September 1, 1871, married Miss Mary Middleton,
and they have two children: Curtis, born April 1, 1899; Seward,
born June 30, 1902; Frank W., born May 14, 1853, married Decem-
ber 25, 1883, Miss Mary, daughter of William and Ellen
(Lewis) White, of Cambridge, born December 13, 1862, and
they have two children, as follows: Gale W., born January 8,
1888; Lucile, born July 26, 1897. Both reside on Section 2, in
Rome. At a time when it was considered almost a disgrace to be
characterized as an abolitionist, a champion of woman's rights or
an apostle of temperance, Warren Gilbert was a staunch friend of
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
225
each cause, and strove by voice and vote to advance every good
work. His home was one of the stations of the underground rail-
road, and many a poor black fugitive has been helped on his way to
freedom by his aid. During 54 years of married life together, Mr.
and Mrs. Gilbert did much to build up the interests of the com-
munity in which they lived by their hospitality, which was so freely
extended to all who knew them. Warren Gilbert died November
21, 1899, and his wife, Almira M. Gilbert, died November 11, 1901.
FRANCIS R. STEBBINS was born at Williamstown, Vt., on
the 26th of October, 1818. His father, Captain Bliss Stebbins, was
born in Wilbraham, Mass., December 12, 1777, and in 1805 settled
in Williamstown, Vt., where he resided until his death, March 10,
1826. His ancestors were English. November 17, 1802, he married
Miss Betsey Ruth Cossitt, of Claremont, N. H., by whom he had five
children, Francis R. being the youngest. Mrs. Betsey Ruth Steb-
bins was born in Claremont, N. H., April 21, 1783, and died in
Adrian, Mich., February 21, 1870. She was of French descent.
Francis R. took his name from an uncle, Francis Reub Cossitt. At
the age of 16 years he commenced to learn the cabinet maker's trade,
with his brother-in-law, Lyman Briggs, at Montpelier, Vt., earning
money enough to pay for several terms tuition at the Academy at
Montpelier. In 1837 he came to Michigan and joined his brother,
C. B. Stebbins, who was carrying on the cabinet business at Pal-
myra, in Lenawee County. Here he remained for about two years,
and then went to Buffalo, N. Y., in the employ of Cooley & Galli-
gan, cabinet makers. While at Palmyra he wrote articles for the
Michigan Whig. He also contributed to the Michigan Observer of
Detroit, and to the Emancipator of New York. While in Buffalo he
wrote for the Buffalonian, The Commercial Advertiser, The Repub-
lican and several other papers, and was finally given charge of the
editorial work of the Morning Tattler, a society paper, with the un-
derstanding, however, that it should not interfere with his work as
a cabinet maker. Alternating between Vermont, Buffalo and Pal-
myra for a few years, he finally came to Adrian in the fall of 1841,
and from that time until his death, which occurred on the 29th day
of September, 1892, resided in that city. With the exception of a
few months spent in the study of law, in the office of Baker, Harris
& Millard, Mr. Stebbins, during the entire period of his residence in
Adrian (comprising more than half a century of time), was continu-
ously engaged in the business of which he had made himself master
in his youth, commencing in a small way, working at the bench
himself, he gradually built up one of the largest, best and most suc-
cessful factories and furniture stores in Southern Michigan. A part
15
226
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
of the time he was in partnership with his brother, C. B. Stebbins.
A part of the time the two brothers carried on the same business
separately, side by side, and always in perfect harmony. In 1852
the brothers, in connection with S. P. and T. D. Jermain, built a
four story brick block on East Maumee street, in the city of Adrian
-then the only four story building in Lenawee County-and in that
portion of the block erected upon his land, he continued in business
until the day of his death. While Mr. Stebbins was thoroughly
master of his trade, yet his strong literary bias and the urgent so-


Mrs. Sarah Louise Stebbins.
Francis R. Stebbins.
licitations of the proprietors, induced him to assume the editorship
of the Weekly and Tri-Weekly Expositor, of Adrian, which position
he held from 1850 to 1860, and so long as he lived he continued to
write for the press. For nearly thirty years prior to his decease, he
spent a portion of each year in travel, and while on these excursions
wrote many interesting and instructive letters, covering the country
from Lake Superior and the River and Gulf of St. Lawrence, to
the Gulf of Mexico. He was fond of what is termed "outing," had
a cottage at Grand Lake, Presque Isle County, Mich., and one at
Sand Lake, Lenawee County, and during the latter part of his life.
a part of each winter was spent in Florida, where he made very
thorough explorations of Indian River. Mr. Stebbins was a public
spirited man, and was identified with the growth and prosperity of
the city of Adrian and the State of Michigan for more than half a
century. He was a zealous and active member of the Pioneer So-
ciety of the County of Lenawee, and also of the State Pioneer Society,
contributing during his membership, interesting and valuable ar-
1
I
T
RECORD of Lenawee COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
227
ticles to each society. He served as alderman of his ward in Adrian,
also as member of the Public School Board, where either as presi-
dent or chairman of the building committee, he had the leading
charge of the erection of the present Central School building, the
main features of the plan of which were furnished by him, and
adopted by the board. He served as a member of the old volunteer
fire department of the city, and had much to do with the erection of
its buildings; was a member of the committee having charge of
the erection of the soldiers' monument, furnishing the design
which was adopted for the base, and in short, has been directly
or indirectly identified with almost every movement that has
been made, calculated to advance the best interests of the city, dur-
ing his long residence therein. In politics Mr. Stebbins was a Whig,
and cast his first vote in Buffalo for William Henry Harrison for
President, and subsequently became identified with the Republican
party. He was an active politician, but never sought for any public
office. He was a religious man in the best and broadest sense of the
word, was liberal and catholic in his views, and a member of the
Presbyterian church. Mr. Stebbins was twice married, his first wife
being Miss Mary E. Meyer, of Buffalo, N. Y., to whom he was mar-
ried on the 3d day of August, 1841, and by whom he had three chil-
dren: Francis G. Stebbins and Mary L. Colvin, who survive him,
and Ellen C., who died in childhood. Mrs. Mary E. Stebbins was
born in Coxsackie, N. Y., June 15, 1820, and died in Adrian, April
16, 1852. He was again married October 24, 1853, to Miss Sarah
Louise Briggs, of Claremont, N. H., by whom he had three children:
Lillie Louise, Fred B. and Edwin J. Mrs. Sarah Louise Stebbins
was born at Charlestown, N. H., February 25, 1833. She and her
two sons, above named, survive her husband, and reside in the city of
Adrian. Lillie Louise, the daughter, married Mr. Edwin J. Pierce,
and died in Hingham Center, Mass., on the 27th day of September,
1890.
WILLIAM B. SERVICE was born in Fairfield, Lenawee County,
Mich., April 14, 1845. His father, John Service, was a native of
Scotland, but came to this country a child. [For a full history of
the Service family see the biography of John Service, in this vol-
ume.] William B. Service, the subject of this sketch, has always
abided in Lenawee County, and lived in Fairfield until he was about
thirty years old. He was brought up a farmer, and has always fol-
lowed that calling. In connection with farming he learned to make
cheese, and followed that for some years. In 1887 he purchased a
farm on Section 21, in Seneca, where he now resides. He has given
his attention entirely to agricultural pursuits, and has never been.
engaged in any speculative enterprises. May 21, 1879, William B.
228
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Service married Miss Mary A. Shearson, daughter of James and
Elizabeth Shearson, of Seneca, and they have had two children, as
follows: Katie Bell, born August 25, 1880, and died November 28,
1882; Mollie E., born in Seneca, March 1, 1884; at home. Mrs.
Mary A. Service was born in Seneca, Lenawee County, Mich.,
March 11, 1853. Her father was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in
1821. He came to America in 1851, and settled in Toledo, Ohio.
He afterwards came to Michigan, and settled on Section 21, in Sen-
eca, this county, where he died January 31, 1891. August 18, 1846,
he was married to Miss Elizabeth Darby, of County Mayo, Ireland,
and they had five children. Mrs. Elizabeth Shearson was born in
County Mayo, Ireland, August 3, 1823, and died in Seneca, this
county, June 30, 1896.
MRS. DORCAS (FISK) WHITNEY was born in Veteran,
Chemung County, N. Y., December 18, 1823, and was the fourth
child and second daughter of Jabez and Catherine (Ten Brooke)
Fisk. Her father, Jabez Fisk,
was born in Wendell, Mass.,
June 3, 1794, and was the son
of Daniel Fisk, who was a na-
tive of Worcester, Mass.,
where he was born, June 26,
1772, and could trace his an-
cestry back to Suffolk, England,
in 1208. He was a farmer and
a Puritan, and the family was
numerous and prominent in
the American Revolution. He
died in Albany, N. Y., July 25,
1810. Jabez Fisk left his na-
tive place in Massachusetts
when he was about eight years.
old, and with his parents, went
to Albany, N. Y. After he
became of age he purchased a
farm in Chemung County, N,
Y., where he resided until he
came to Michigan and settled
on Section 32, in the town of
Madison, June 3, 1833. About
the year 1819 he married Catherine Ten Brooke, and raised a family
of thirteen children. Catherine Ten Brooke was born in Chemung
County, N. Y., in 1788, and it was said that many of her relatives
and friends were victims of the Wyoming massacre. Jabez Fisk

Hon. R. H. Whitney.
I
RECORD Of LenawEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
229
was a thrifty farmer. He owned over 400 acres of land. He died
in 1867, and his wife followed him in 1870. March 22, 1853, Mrs.
Dorcas (Fisk) Whitney was married, at her father's house in Dover,
Lenawee County, Mich., to Richard H. Whitney, of Adrian, Mich.,
and two children were born to them, as follows: Richard H., born
in Adrian, September 22, 1856, and died in Adrian, October 1, 1893;
Henry Hart Whitney, born in Adrian, January 18, 1859, and died
September 22, 1860. Richard H. Whitney was born in Harvard,
Mass., in 1808, and came to Michigan and settled in Adrian in 1831.
Before coming to Michigan he was engaged in general mercantile
pursuits, but after locating in Adrian he became largely interested
in the development of farming lands, built several houses in Adrian,
and for twenty-five years served as Justice of the Peace. He was
elected Mayor of Adrian in 1856, was a member of the School Board,
and was actively identified with the founding of the public school
system. He was a thrifty, provident business man, and when he
died July 11, 1867, he left a comfortable estate. Since his death
Mrs. Whitney has wisely managed the financial interests left by her
husband, and been the source of much good in a social, religious and
esthetic way. She still resides in the old homestead on South Main
street and Michigan avenue, which is often the scene of social and
intellectual gatherings. Mrs. Whitney donated to the First Baptist
church of Adrian, a lot adjoining the church edifice, upon which now
stands the Dorcas chapel, a most complete and beautiful annex to the
church. She also donated to the church several hundred dollars
towards constructing and equipping the chapel.
JOHN W. WOOLSEY was born in Madison, Lenawee County,
Mich., August 24, 1839, and always lived in the same township.
His father, Alanson Woolsey, was born in Austerlitz, Columbia
County, N. Y., February 5, 1813, came to Lenawee County in 1838,
and settled on the school section in Madison, where he resided until
his death, June 27, 1900. [For a complete history of Alanson Wool-
sey's life see Vol. 1, Whitney & Bonner's History and Biographical
Record of Lenawee County, dictated by himself.] John W. Wool-
sey lived at home with his parents on the farm until he was about 22
years old, when he purchased land on Section 21, in Madison, where
he ever after lived. He erected a good brick house, fine barns and
out buildings and improved the land in the most scientific manner,
until he had a first-class and very desirable home. He was an
earnest, intelligent and useful man in his township. He was an active
and honored member of Madison Grange, and served several terms as
master. He was also a member of the County Grange, and filled the
master's chair with fidelity and honor. He acted as Treasurer,
230
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Town Clerk and Supervisor of Madison several years, and was very
much interested in the progress and prosperity of the township. He
died May 11, 1902, at his home in Madison. June 26, 1861, John W.
Woolsey married Miss Jennie Carter, daughter of Nicholas and Mary
A. Carter, pioneers of Madison, and three children were born to
them, as follows: Gertrude Alena, born February 9, 1863, married
E. W. Carpenter, of Madison, and is the mother of four children:
Frank Alanson, born September 28, 1865, farmer of Madison; Har-
vey, born August 16, 1869, died in infancy. Mrs. Jennie (Carter)
Woolsey was born at Pultneyville, N. Y., June 15, 1842, and came
to Michigan with her parents in 1846. Her father was born in New
Jersey, September 2, 1811. Her mother was born in Pultneyville,
N. Y., February 12, 1815.
RUDOLPH A. WOOLSEY was born in Madison, Lenawee
County, Mich., December 12, 1850. His father, Alanson Woolsey,
was born in Austerlitz, Columbia County, N. Y., February 5, 1813.


Mrs. Mahala Woolsey.
Alanson Woolsey.
His father, Richard Woolsey, was born in Delaware County, N. Y.,
October 11, 1769, but went to Columbia County before he was of
age. In 1826 he sold his farm in Columbia County, and removed to
Perrington, Monroe County, N. Y., where he died in 1848. His an-
cestors were English. In 1794 he married Miss Mercy Mosher,
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
231
daughter of Lemuel
and Abigail Mosher,
of Columbia County,
by whom he had thir-
teen children, Alan-
son being the 11th
child. Mrs. Mercy
Woolsey was born
in Hillsdale, Colum-
bia County, N. Y.,
Oct. 5, 1777, and died
March 4, 1856.

Al-
Farm Home of R. A. Woolsey, on Section 16, in Madison. The old homestead.
anson Woolsey be-
gan working out by
the month when 13
years of age, his
father collecting his
wages until he was
twenty-one, conse-
quently he never had
the advantages of
an education. Dur-
ing the first year af-
ter becoming of age,
he saved enough
money with which
to come to Michigan
and locate 80 acres
of land in Dover,
Lenawee County, but
immediately re-
turned to New York.
November 29, 1837,
he married Miss Ma-
hala Ladd, daugh-
ter of John and Betsy
Ladd, of Victor, On-
tario County, N. Y.,
and in the fall of
1838, they removed
to Michigan, settling
on the land previ-
ously purchased in
Dover, but only re-
maining there until
December 24, same
year, when they re-
moved to land pur-
232
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
chased on Section 16, in Madison township, where he died June 27,
1900. Mrs. Mahala Woolsey was born in Victor, August 7, 1818.
She was the third of a family of ten children. Her father was born
in Cheshire, Mass., July 13, 1786. He removed to Victor in 1816,
where he died November 12, 1852. Her mother, Miss Betsey Olney,
was born near Providence, R. I., June 4, 1790, and died in Victor,
December 13, 1834. To Alanson and Mahala Woolsey were born
five children, as follows: John Wellington, born August 24, 1839,
died May 11, 1902; William C., born January 27, 1842, died Septem-


Mrs. Elizabeth Woolsey.
R. A. Woolsey, Madison.
ber 18, 1847; Calista T., born February 2, 1845, now the wife of P.
B. Chase, and residing in Los Angeles, California; Charles S., born
November 1, 1848, and now residing in Chicago, Ill.; Rodolph A.,
born December 12, 1850, and now residing on the old homestead.
Mrs. Mahala Woolsey is now living (September, 1903), with her son,
R. A., and at the age of eighty-five years, retains her mental and
physical faculties remarkably well. R. A. Woolsey has a farm of
320 acres, which he successfully manages. He has been several
years Clerk of Madison, has declined many times to serve his town-
ship in other responsible positions. He is a prominent Granger, has
filled most of the chairs of the Madison Grange, and is a broad-
gauge, progressive citizen. Being a native of Lenawee County, no
man takes more interest in county progress. He has been secretary
of the Patrons' Mutual Insurance Company of Lenawee County since
its organization, in 1897. Rodolph A. Woolsey was married to Miss
Libbie Douglass, December 13, 1871. Mrs. Libbie Woolsey was born
RECORD of lenawEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
233
in Byron, Genesee County, N. Y., September 12, 1851. Her father,
Edmund Douglass, was born in Rutland County, Vt., in 1824, and is
now living (September, 1903), with his daughter. Her mother,
whose maiden name was Elsie Ann Boyd, was the daughter of Oliver
Boyd, and was married to Edmund Douglass in 1850. She died in
Byron, N. Y., in 1855. To Rodolph A. and Elizabeth Woolsey was
born one son, Edmund D., November 25, 1872. He is unmarried and
lives at Los Angeles, Cal.
COL. NATHANIEL BUEL ELDREDGE was born at Auburn,
Cayuga County, N. Y., March 28, 1813, received an academic educa-
tion, and taught school for several winters, commencing when six-
teen years old. At the age of sixteen he was appointed a cadet to
the Military Academy at West Point, by President Jackson, but for
the reason that his father felt unable to furnish the outfit, he was
obliged to decline. At the age of twenty he commenced the study
of medicine, under the instruction of his brother, Dr. H. D. El-
dredge, and afterwards with Dr. Lansingh Briggs, attending the
medical college at Fairfield, N. Y. After graduating, in October,
1837, he moved to Michigan and settled at Commerce, Oakland
County, where he practiced his profession six years. He was mar-
ried at Commerce April 21, 1839, to Janette Patten, the daughter of
George Patten, a Scotchman, an extensive farmer. In August, 1843,
he moved to Lapeer and formed a co-partnership with Doctor
DeLasker Miller, for many years professor in Rush Medical
College, of Chicago. He continued the practice of medicine
until 1852. He was elected Justice of the Peace four times, and was
chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Lapeer County four succes-
sive years. He was Clerk of the Senate of the Michigan Legisla-
ture, in 1845, and a member of the House in 1848, which was the
year the Legislature first convened at Lansing. In 1852 he was
elected Judge of Probate of Lapeer County, and in 1853 was ap-
pointed postmaster of Lapeer. While Judge of Probate the late
Charles M. Walker, then a law student, was his clerk. In 1854 Col.
Eldredge was admitted to the bar, and from that time commenced
the practice of law, and as soon as C. M. Walker was admitted to
practice, they formed a partnership. While they were partners they
were twice opposing candidates for prosecuting attorney. In the
spring of 1861 Colonel Eldredge was the first man who enlisted from
Lapeer County, and C. M. Walker, his partner, the second. He
raised a company and appointed his partner Orderly Sergeant. His
company was assigned to the 7th Infantry, and before the regiment
left the State, in September, 1861, he was promoted to Major, and C.
M. Walker to Quartermaster. Colonel Eldredge was with his regi-
234
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
ment at the affair of Ball's Bluff and Edward's Ferry, on the 21st of
October, 1861, and after the disaster, wrote home a letter, in which
he severely blamed General Charles P. Stone, which letter got into
print, and for which General Stone ordered him under arrest. After
waiting six weeks without obtaining a trial, he resigned, and Gov.
Blair, upon his return home, immediately appointed him one of the
State Military Board, and in April, 1862, appointed him Lieutenant
Colonel of the 11th Infantry. He at once joined this regiment,
which was then in Tennessee,
and was with it in several skir-
mishes and battles, until his
health failed and he resigned
in 1863. He moved to Adrian
in 1865, and with his old part-
ner, C. M. Walker, commenced
the practice of law. In 1870
he was elected Mayor of the
city of Adrian, and in the fall
of the same year was the Dem-
ocratic candidate for Congress,
in the district composed of
Wayne, Monroe, Lenawee and
Hillsdale Counties. In 1874 he
was elected Sheriff of Lenawee
County. Colonel Eldredge's
family consists, at present, of
six sons and two daughters.
His oldest son, Lansingh B. El-
dredge, was Major of the 4th
Michigan Cavalry, and was
elected sheriff of Lapeer County
after the war, at the age of 26.
Colonel Eldredge's father, Captain Daniel Eldredge, was born in
Connecticut, February 7, 1772, and was married to Mehitable
Bristol, at Sandgate, Vt., in 1796, and moved, the same year
to Cayuga County, N. Y., where he engaged in farming, and
died there in 1863. During the war of 1812, he commanded a com-
pany and was in the battle of Queenston, and with the American
army, under General Van Rensselaer, was taken prisoner. Colonel
Eldredge's grandfather, Lieutenant Daniel Eldredge, was born in
Massachusetts, February 25, 1745, and was a Lieutenant, command-
ing a company during the entire Revolutionary war. His commis-
sion, dated December 2, 1776, is now in the possession of his grand-
son, Colonel Eldredge. His grandmother, wife of Lieutenant Daniel
Eldredge, was born in Massachusetts, June 14, 1743, and was the
daughter of Colonel Silas Warner, the great Indian fighter of Massa-
chusetts. Colonel Eldredge is descended from the English on the
paternal and from the Welsh on the maternal side. His mother was

Col. N. B. Eldredge.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
235
the granddaughter of a Welsh physician, who settled in Vermont in
an early day. Colonel Eldredge was one of five brothers. He was,
as will be seen, one of the pioneers of this State. He was always a
constant and persistent member of the Democratic party, having
held various offices within the gift of his party, and frequently been
forced to be a candidate when there was little hope of success. He
was elected to the Forty-Eighth Congress, receiving 15,257 votes
against 14,609 votes for J. K. Boies, being the first Democrat elected
in twenty-five years, overcoming 3,500 Republican majority, thus
making a change of over 4,000 votes. He was his own successor, be-
ing elected to the Forty-Ninth Congress over Captain E. P. Allen.
While in Congress he was placed on some of the most important com-
mittees, such as the Committee for the District of Columbia, which
is all the government the District has. He was also made chair-
man of the Committee on Pensions, being the only Congressman
from Michigan to receive a chairmanship on the second term. An
important committee, it placed him in a position to shape the pen-
sion laws, which he went about to do in his own hearty way. How
well he succeeded the records show, and many veterans can give
proof that it was thereby made easy for them to obtain their due.
It was through his work on the committee, on the floor, and in the
department, that he made himself felt. With him it was work. He
was the oldest man in the Forty-Ninth Congress. The writer of
this takes great pleasure in giving a few kindly expressions by his
friends and political opponents-he had no other foes. The follow-
ing is from the Adrian Times and Expositor, which had given him
many a hard battle: "Col. Eldredge was a man of character, as
stalwart and upright as his own commanding form. He was exem-
plary in both his public and domestic life, a friend to his friends,
frank and generous to his enemies, and a man whose outspoken
word left no room for misinterpretation. A public man all his life,
his honesty is attested by the fact that never was he accused of per-
verting his position to self gain or aggrandizement. What he was
he owed all to himself. Indomitable energy, industry and courage
were characteristics which made him, in some respects, remarkable."
Resolutions by the Bar, Woodbury Post and other orders, all give
proof of his high character. As the Bar resolutions state: "He
succeeded in the four positions in life-political, military, and in
two of the learned professions, medicine and law." The gifted pen
of James Schermerhorn, editor of the Hudson Gazette, pays this
graceful tribute: "There went the way of all the earth at Adrian
Monday, a silver-haired hero, whose long and patriotic career illus-
trated the truth that corruption wins not more than honesty. Ex-
Congressman Eldredge was the soul of honor, every inch a patriot,
and whether serving his country on the field of battle or in the na-
tional councils, his nobility of character and rugged personality
made him a striking and conspicuous figure. In the fullness of
years he goes down to the grave leaving his children the priceless
236
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
heritage of a life crowned with honor and usefulness." His death
occurred at his home in Adrian, Mich., November 27, 1893. The six
sons who seven years before tenderly bore to the grave the casket
containing the mother's remains, performed the same sad duty for
the father. He saw the State of Michigan with 110,000 inhabitants,
in 1837, with but one member of Congress, and with few resources but
the virgin soil and the brawny arms and stout hearts of its early set-
tlers, grow to one of nearly 2,000,000 inhabitants, with eleven mem-
bers of Congress, the best school system in the United States, with a
university equal, if not superior, to any in our land, and unequaled
in its resources of wealth by any of the whole sisterhood of States.
April 21, 1839, N. B. Eldredge married Miss Janette Patten, daugh-
ter of David and Janette (Anderson) Patten, who settled in Oak-
land County in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Eldredge became the parents of
eleven children, as follows: Lansingh B., born in Commerce, Mich.,
February 25, 1840, married Miss Elmarette Gage, February 11, 1862,
has five children and resides at Milford, Mich.; Louise A., born
same place, August 7, 1842, married Robert T. Quaife April 27, 1868,
had one daughter, Jessie, now a teacher in the Adrian public schools;
Frank P., born same place, May 8, 1845, died March 23, 1849; Ja-
nette A., born July 7, 1847, who died November 6, 1868, married
Robert C. Stewart, December 18, 1867, and had one daughter; Lewis
T., born in Dryden, Mich., August 5, 1849, married Miss Kate Tur-
ner, September 30, 1886, and resides in Quincy, Mich.; Daniel B.,
born in Dryden, Mich., September 29, 1851, married Miss Ada
Lounsbury, May 11, 1881, has three children and resides in Denver,
Col. He is traveling freight and passenger agent of the St. Louis
& San Francisco Railroad; May Ella, born in Lapeer, Mich., Jan-
uary 18, 1854, married W. P. Smith, December 28, 1880, and resides
in Palo, Mich.; George H., born in Lapeer, Mich., January 10, 1856,
married Miss Felicia Gaston, November 19, 1883, has one daughter,
and resides in Adrian; Lydia, born in Lapeer, Mich., March 2,
1858, and died March 23, 1858; John B., born in Lapeer, January 17,
1859, married Miss Clara E. Cope, May 18, 1881, has one son and re-
sides in Adrian; David D., born in Lapeer, Mich., May 6, 1862, mar-
ried Miss Elizabeth A. Kehoe, October 18, 1892, who died March 11,
1900. They had two children and resided in Adrian. Mrs. Janette
(Patten) Eldredge, wife of the subject of this sketch, was born in
Schoharie, N. Y., February 17, 1821, and died in Adrian, Mich., No-
vember 2, 1886. Her life was devoted to care and solicitude for her
home and family, more especially during the civil war, when she
went on a farm in the spring of the outbreak, and accepted patriot-
ically, cheerfully and willingly, the superintending of that and the
care of a large family of small children, that her husband and eldest
son might respond to their country's call. The country is indebted to
her heroines as well. She was a thoroughly christian woman, a mem-
ber of the Presbyterian church. With her there was always a silver
lining to be found in every cloud that overshadowed her. She was
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
237
sincere and warm in her friendships, always ready with a plea for
the erring one. Prudent and cautious, her judgment and fore-
thought were ever relied upon. She was an exemplary wife, mother
and neighbor, loved and revered by all who knew her.
FRANCIS YOUNG was born in Crowle, England, March 20,
1817. Died in Adrian, Mich., October 7, 1899. He first settled in
Adrian in 1844. Sailed from Hull, England, on the ship Triton,
Captain Keeley, April 10, 1834. Was seven weeks and three days
crossing the ocean. Landed
at Quebec. From Quebec,
went to Rochester, N. Y., ar-
riving there on the day Roch-
ester became a city-June 1,
1834. Went thence to Gen-
eseo, Livingston County, N.
Y., where he resided ten years,
during which period he visited
the West, traveling on foot
some 400 miles in Michigan
and Indiana in 1837. He re-
sided in Adrian, with the ex-
ception of six months, since
1844. For five years he solicited
as agent the sale of pumps, at
which he was very successful.
From that time until a few
years of his death he was a
grain and wool buyer, and
knew personally nearly every
farmer in the county, having
dealings with the majority of
them. The name of Frank
Young was like a household word to nearly every one in the city of
Adrian and county of Lenawee. No man was better known or had a
more honorable record. In 1851 he was elected Treasurer of the
township of Madison, which office he filled for many years.
also elected Constable for several terms and acted as Under-Sheriff
for six years. He also filled office as supervisor of two wards in the
city for seven years. Mr. Young came to Adrian with small means,
but by industry, economy and thrift he became one of the solid men
of the county. Elizabeth Watson, born in Gilberdike, England,
August 23, 1816, married to Francis Young at Perry, N. Y., Decem-

Francis Young.
238
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
ber 22, 1842, died at Toledo, Ohio, March 30, 1882. Both husband
and wife were buried at Toledo, Ohio. Mary Elizabeth Young,
daughter of Francis and Elizabeth Young, was born in Geneseo,
Livingston County, New York, November 3, 1843, was married to
William H. Simmons, at Adrian, Mich., September 7, 1865. W. H.
Simmons was born in Toronto, Canada, July 12, 1837. Francis W.
Simmons, son of W. H. and M. E. Simmons, was born in Toledo,
Ohio, August 7, 1874.
DR. GEORGE HOWELL was born at Macon, in the territory
of Michigan, November 4, 1836. His parents, Joseph Howell and
Lutitia (Vanduyn) Howell, then lived in a little log house fourteen
feet by twenty, on the east half of the northeast quarter of section
eight. He grew up amid the scenes and incidents of pioneer life, and
was accustomed to all kinds of farm work-clearing off the forest,
driving the ox-team, splitting rails and sowing and harvesting the
grain. He attended the summer terms of the district school until
fifteen years of age, and the winter terms until nineteen. While at
work on the farm and attending the district school he became the
possessor of Comstock's Botany, Flint's Surveying, published in 1818,
and an old compass and chain that were once owned and used by
Musgrove Evans, one of the founders of the village of Tecumseh.
With the botany he became quite proficient, and many and pleasant
were the hours with the wild flowers. To master trigonometry and
surveying without a teacher was not an easy task. Once mastered,
the compass came to be the source of unfailing pleasure. There ran
through the township and across his father's farm a creek called the
Macon, and as much of its course lay through woodland abounding
in game, it gave an opportunity for hunting, trapping and fishing.
With his gun and traps, his compass and chain, and his botany and
the wild flowers, in the quiet stillness of the woods he found greater
enjoyment than in society, and far greater pleasure than when in
later years he grasped the hand of senators, diplomats and presi-
dents. When nineteen years of age his father gave him his time and
he worked the farm on shares. At twenty-one, 1857, he entered
Hillsdale College and attended five terms, and then in 1859 he at-
tended the summer term of the Tecumseh High School. In 1860 he
entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, and
graduated March 25, 1863. He at once began the practice of medi-
cine in his native township and there for twenty-three years closely
applied himself. Among Dr. Howell's first schoolmates at the dis-
trict school, was Ann Amelia Remington, a quiet, modest, bare-foot
girl. Her hair was always nicely combed and neatly tied with a rib-
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
239
bon. Her pleasant face was shaded by a calico sunbonnet, and over
a neatly fitting dress she wore an apron with sleeves and long, wide
apron strings, tied in a double bow knot. She was born February 8,
1844. Her schooling was at a Macon district school, the Adrian
High School, and at the State Normal School at Ypsilanti. She
was married to Dr. Howell,
January 7, 1864. They have
three children, Edith, Viva
and Gertrude. For many years
the doctor was school in-
spector, and under the old sys-
tem of examination of teachers
by school inspectors, he exam-
ined teachers and gave certifi
cates. In 1881 he was elected
Supervisor of Macon, and re-
elected in 1883. One of the
measures he introduced and
strongly advocated while on
the Board of Supervisors in
1881 was that of building a
new court house. It came
about in this way: Jesse
Warren, chairman of the
Board, appointed Shepherd of
Dover, Manning of Deerfield,
and Howell of Macon, commit-
tee on public buildings. At
that time the courts were held
in Dean's opera house, and there the Board of Supervisors met, and
the county office building was inadequate for the purposes for which
it was used. The need of the county for better conveniences was
very great. The question of an appropriation for a new court house
had several times been submitted to the voters of the county, and
they had always voted it down. The Board of Supervisors had little
or no faith in submitting the question to them again. The commit-
tee carefully examined every project that promised relief, but no sug-
gested plan was practicable, and the final report of the committee
was made up without recommendations. The report of the commit-
tee was completed and signed in the little hallway leading from the
court room to the supervisors' room in Dean's opera house. Before
the committee left the building Mr. Howell said to Mr. Shepherd:
"My town sent me here to represent their interests, and I believe
their interests demand greater security for the records, and better
conveniences for the courts. When our report has been adopted, I
will offer a resolution to again submit to the voters the question of
an appropriation to build a new court house." "I will stand by you
and second the motion," said Shepherd. The report of the commit-

Dr. George Howell, Tecumseh.
240
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
In
tee was made and adopted Wednesday morning, March 22, 1882. At
the opening of the afternoon session Mr. Howell offered the resolution
to submit to the voters the question again. Mr. Dewey moved that the
resolution be made the special order for 9 a. m. of the following day.
At 9 a. m. March 23, the resolution was taken up for consideration.
The amount named in the resolution was $75,000. Mr. Dewey moved
to strike out $75,000 and insert $50,000. Mr. Shepherd moved to
amend Mr. Dewey's amendment and make it $60,000. Mr. Shep-
herd's amendment was lost, yeas 9, nays 14. The question then
came on Mr. Dewey's amendment, which was lost, yeas 10, nays 14.
Mr. D. Bixby then moved to reconsider the vote by which Mr.
Dewey's amendment was lost. This was carried. After much dis-
cussion the resolution as introduced by Mr. Howell, as amended by
Mr. Dewey, was carried, yeas 18, nays 6; two-thirds of the super-
visors-elect being necessary to submit. The question was submitted
to the people November 7, 1882, and carried. In 1882, after twenty
years of close attention to practice, Dr. Howell went into politics for
recreation, and for acquiring a practical knowledge of state affairs.
He says there is no trade in which honesty and integrity has
less influence and the judicious use of money more than in politics.
That one may climb the lower rounds of the political ladder with
but little money, and there work for the good of all without discrim-
ination, but that the higher rounds are only attained at a great price
and by favors; that "politics is a kid glove and an iron hand.'
1882 he and James Clark of Raisin were candidates for nomination
to the Legislature from the First Representative District of Lena-
wee County. The contest was exciting. Mr. Howell received the
nomination, and ran against James Bradner, Democrat, and W. H.
Moore, Prohibitionist, and was elected a member of the Legislature
of 1883 by a small majority. One of the measures he introduced and
which became law was an act to regulate the practice of medicine
in the State. It is the first law ever enacted for that purpose under
our present constitution. All previous efforts had failed. In 1884
he was re-elected to the House, running against Horace Holdridge,
Democrat, and George Humphrey, Prohibitionist. In 1886 Dr.
Howell was given the nomination to the State Senate by acclama-
tion. His opponents were Henry C. Hall, Fusionist, and Cornelius
Quick, Prohibitionist. His majority was 466. At the Republican
convention in 1888, he was delegate. He had incurred the displeas-
ure of Charley Redfield, a politician whose displeasure might (pos-
sibly) have been averted by the judicious use of money. From 1888
to 1898 Dr. Howell applied himself closely to his practice, when he
again (1898) sought recreation in politics. The contest for nomina-
tion to the House was very sharply and almost bitterly fought out.
He supported Mr. Pingree for Governor, for Mr. Pingree believed as
he did in taxing railroads on the same basis of valuation as other
property is taxed. He also supported Mr. Burrows for U. S. Sena-
tor, for he believed Mr. Burrows capable and well qualified for the
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
241
Senate. He was opposed by an out and out Pingree man, who was
opposed to Mr. Burrows-and an out and out Burrows man who was
opposed to Mr. Pingree. The candidates hotly contested the field.
Dr. Howell was re-nominated. He ran against Dr. O. M. Rice, Dem-
ocrat, and Thomas Beals, Prohibitionist. His plurality was 362.
In the session of 1899, Dr. Howell strongly supported Governor Pin-
gree in the repeal of the railroad charters given under the first con-
stitution and the taxing of railroads on an ad valorem basis. To
accomplish a work of such importance the State needed a man of the
sterling qualities of Mr. Pingree. He had just taken his rest after
his best effort to secure the taxation of railroads equal to that of
other property, when a message came from the Senate stating that
when the next convention should meet to nominate his successor, he
would not be in it! and he was not. The doctor says that politics as a
recreation has many exciting pleasures, and as an educator it has a
fruitful field for wise investigation, but that
..
Every rose has its thorn
And every sweet its sting."
In 1886 Dr. Howell moved from Macon to Tecumseh, where he closely
applies himself to practice.
CAPTAIN CHARLES ROLLIN MILLER was born in Mo-
ravia, Cayuga County, N. Y., June 7, 1834, and came to Michigan
with his parents in 1837. His father, Amos Miller, was a native of
Cayuga County, N. Y., whose parents came to Central New York
from Connecticut, and were of German ancestry. Amos Miller mar-
ried Miss Katherine Bartlett, daughter of Moses Bartlett, who was a
native of Vermont. She was born in Moravia, N. Y., and her grand-
father. Colonel Bartlett, who was of English descent, was an officer
under Ethan Allen in the Revolutionary War. In the spring of
1837 Amos Miller, with his family, started from Moravia, N. Y.,
with a team and lumber wagon for Michigan, traveling the entire
distance, via Canada, to Washtenaw County, where he settled on a
farm in Bridgewater, without any serious mishap. Here the subject
of our sketch was reared, in the very heart of nature's wilds. Here
the family lived for some time in the rudest kind of a log cabin, and
until the virgin forest could be subdued, and the soil could be made
to produce, it was only by the greatest fortitude and such indomit-
able courage and hope as the true pioneer possessed, that life and
faith were sustained. After about three years he moved to Saline.
Here our subject remained and labored with his father until he was
nineteen years old. During this time he had profited by all the
school privileges that were then extant. He determined to have an
education, and labored hard to acquire it. He labored at farm work
16
242
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL

Captain Charles R. Miller.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
243
summers and taught school winters until he was able to attend the
State Normal School at Ypsilanti, from which he graduated in 1855.
He then entered the literary department of Michigan University.
He graduated from there in 1858, and from the law department of
the University in 1860. He then located in St. Joseph, Mo., and
commenced the practice of law, but after about two years' residence
there he found the secession sentiment very strong, and it was diffi-
cult for him, with his love of country, and veneration for the consti-
tution and law, to abide with rebels and lawless frontiersmen. In the
winter of 1861-2 he returned to Michigan. In August, that year,
he enlisted in Company C, 18th Michigan Infantry. He was first
made Second Lieutenant, but soon after service in the field he was
promoted to First Lieutenant. After some twelve months' service
in the field in Kentucky, he was made Captain. At Nashville,
Tenn., he was detached from his company and put on the staff of
the Post Commander, and soon after was made Assistant Judge Ad-
vocate, on the staff of Maj. Gen. Rousseau. Not many months after
this, by special order of Gen. George H. Thomas, he was made As-
sistant Judge Advocate of the Department of the Cumberland, on
the staff of Gen. Thomas. At the close of the war in 1865, he was
mustered out with a captain's commission. After the close of the
war, in the summer of 1865, he returned to Adrian, and immediately
entered into a law partnership with Hon. Norman Geddes, under
the firm name of Geddes & Miller, which partnership continued for
over twenty years, when Mr. Geddes was elected Judge of Probate.
Mr. Miller carried on the business until 1894, when he retired from
the law, to give his entire attention to his extensive business inter-
ests. During Mr. Miller's active professional career, he was twice
elected Prosecuting Attorney for Lenawee County, in 1868-70. He
was for eleven years a member of the Adrian School Board, and
acted as secretary during that time. He was appointed by Governor
Croswell one of the Board of Management of the State Industrial
Home for Girls, and was reappointed by Governor Jerome, and is
now a member of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, and
secretary and treasurer of the commission. He has served many
years as one of the trustees of the First Presbyterian church of
Adrian. He was at one time the unanimous choice of the Republi-
can county delegation for nomination as candidate for Congress. Mr.
Miller has been very successful in his business career, and as a finan-
cier is highly regarded. He was one of the charter members of the
Commercial Savings Bank corporation, of Adrian, and is now its.
president. He is also president and principal stockholder in the Tecum-
seh State Savings Bank. He is undoubtedly the largest land owner
of improved farms in the county, as he owns and operates over 1,200
acres. He is president of the Anthony Fence Company of Tecum-
seh. He owns the site and platted the village of Millersburg, in
Presque Isle County, which is now a prosperous, incorporated, grow-
ing place of 700 people. He also has large landed interests in
244
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Presque Isle, Cheboygan and Chippewa Counties, and Mackinac
Island. In October, 1865, Captain Charles R. Miller married Miss
Mary L. Becker, of Ann Arbor, daughter of Hiram and Sophia
Becker, and they became the parents of two daughters, as follows:
Mary S., an undergraduate of Wellesley College, and Jessie F.. a
graduate of Michigan University. Mrs. Mary L. Miller was born in
the State of New York, in 1838, and died in Adrian in 1889. In
1890 Mr. Miller married Mrs. Anna Marie Wendell. She was a na-
tive of Virginia, and descends from the Hale and Beale families.
CHARLES M. WALKER, a native of Michigan, was born in
Farmington, Oakland County, September 24, 1834. His was a stren-
uous life, commencing as it did before Michigan was a state, and
during the period of settlement and transformation from a vast wil-
derness into homes and fields of productiveness. His eyes opened
upon a vast, illimitable wil-
derness, inhabited by the red
man and exploited by the wild
beasts of this latitude, but
they closed upon a scene of
beauty. A vast state had
been developed, and all the
blessings of civilization were
enjoyed, as the result of the
heroic pioneers who had con-
quered and won their heritage.
He did his part in this great
work. He believed in human
effort, and never wearied in
his labors. His was a recep-
tive mind. He found pleasure
and profit in study and em-
ployment, and never shirked
a responsibility or duty. He
grew to manhood under the
inspiring influence of his old
Granite State parentage. His
mother came to Michigan a
young wife, giving up a
happy home in New Hampshire, with her husband to endure the
hardships, hopes and dangers of pioneer life, and her heroism and
fortitude, her love and faith, and pure womanly character, so im-
bued her son that he never failed in manhood. This, with his fath-
er's Puritan virtue of faith, sterling honesty and untiring zeal, gave

Charles M. Walker.
RECORD OF Lenawee COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
245
our subject the faith and hope in life that made him what he was-a
noble man. He was always a student. He early became a good law-
yer and a strong advocate; but was honorable, and never resorted to
low or abusive methods in his practice. He was a good soldier,
served in the war of the great Rebellion of 1861-5 with much dis-
tinction, and at its close settled in Adrian in 1865. His home life
was beautiful, and his greatest enjoyment was with his family and
immediate friends. Modest and simple in his desires, and exemplary
in his daily life, he died at his home in Adrian, October 20, 1878.
[For a full record of his ancestry, family relations, etc., see Whit-
ney & Bonner's History and Biographical Record of Lenawee County,
page 161, Vol. 1.]
ABRAM W. BARAGAR was born in Clarkson, Niagara
County, N. Y., October 7, 1830. His father, John Baragar, was
born in New York City, August 23, 1803. He was the son of Peter
and Rebecca Baragar. Peter Baragar was a soldier in the war of
1812. He came to Michigan about the year 1840, and settled at Al-
legan, where he and his wife died. In 1826 John Baragar married
Miss Amelia Lewis, daughter of Isaac and Mary Lewis. Isaac
Lewis was a native of Connecticut, and Mary Lewis descended from
early Holland settlers. Mrs. Mary Baragar was born in Niagara
County, N. Y., in 1809, and died in Adrian, Mich., December 7,
John Baragar died in Adrian, November 23, 1876. He came
to Michigan in 1833, and took up land in Madison. He cleared up
this farm, built buildings and fences, got it under a good state of
cultivation and resided there for some years, when he sold out, re-
moved to Adrian and engaged in hauling freight from Detroit and
Toledo to Adrian for merchants and emigrants. He was the first
man to haul a car over the wooden track of the Erie & Kalamazoo
Railroad from Toledo to Adrian, in 1836. He drove his horses tan-
dem between the rails. This was a slow, tedious trip of thirty-three
miles, and very unpleasant on account of the mud, as at that time
the old "Cottonwood" Swamp was under water nearly the year
round, and mud between the rails was something fierce" to con-
tend with. The lead horse would become so covered with mud that
it was impossible to clean him, and it became necessary to swim the
animals in the river to soak the mud off. This operation had to
be gone through with at the end of each trip. Some days when
everything went right it was possible to get through from Toledo to
Adrian between "sun and sun," but it often required the most of
two days to make the trip one way. Compare that kind of railroad-
ing with the present. He continued as "engineer" on this railroad
until the first locomotive arrived in 1837. John Baragar was a typi-
246
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
cal pioneer and "hustler." After the advent of the new locomotive,
the "Adrian, No. 1," he turned his attention to giving aid and
furnishing supplies to the new settlers. He opened a supply store
on North Main street, and in company with an old stage driver
named Decker, who was crippled by being thrown from his seat, sup-
plied groceries, pork, fish, etc., and they were the first men to intro-
duce oysters into Adrian. Mr. Decker established an express line
between Toledo and Adrian, and carried packages between the two
places for prompt and immediate delivery. It is believed by many
that this was the foundation of the express business in the United
States. Mr. Baragar was in full sympathy with all new comers and
was very active in getting them on the right road or the location or
land they wished to find. For a number of years he was active in
all the enterprises of the growing town. He was a man of resource,
intelligence and integrity, and held many positions and offices of
trust. John and Amelia Baragar were the parents of seven children,
three of whom died in infancy. Abram W. Baragar, the oldest son,
lived with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, and was
educated in the old district schools of Adrian. He resided there un-
til 1868, when he purchased a farm on Section 36, in Rome, where
he now resides, comfortably situated, surrounded by family and
friends. March 7, 1854, Abram W. Baragar married Miss Esther C.
Cornell, daughter of Charles and Abigail M. Cornell, of Adrian, and
they have had two children, as follows: Charles J., born in Rome,
December 23, 1856, married Miss Carrie Wiggins, daughter of Henry
and Emily Wiggins, of Cambridge, this county, and they have one
child, Lloyd W., born in Rome, April 27, 1895; George E., born in
Adrian April 21, 1861, married Miss Lulu Reynolds, daughter of
Wesley and Clarissa Reynolds, of Rome. They have one child, Ber-
nice I., born April 17, 1892. Mrs. Esther C. Baragar was born in
Westchester County, N. Y., December 23, 1831, and came to Michi-
gan in 1836, with her parents. Her father, Charles Cornell, was
born January 20, 1808, of Quaker ancestors, and died in Adrian,
November 9, 1860. Her mother, Abigail (Champenois) Cornell, was
born October 18, 1809, in Westchester County, N. Y., and died in
Rome, this county, May 10, 1839. Charles and Abigail Cornell were
very early settlers in Rome, this county, locating on Sections 14 and
11, in 1836.
ALBERT B. GRAHAM was born in Madison, Lenawee County,
Mich., January 3, 1858. His father, Edwin P. Graham, was born in
Fairport, N. Y., March 21, 1824, and came to Michigan with his
parents, Walter, born in Connecticut, December 19, 1795, died in
Madison, this county, November 18, 1852, and Hannah (Peck) Gra-
ham, born in Providence, R. I., November 27, 1787, died in Madison,
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
247
this county, January 13, 1880. They settled on Section 19, in Mad-
ison, where Edwin P. was brought up, and ever after lived. He pur-
chased a farm on Section 19, about the year 1848, which he improved,
and erected good buildings. In 1876 he built a large house, one of
the best farm houses in the township. He was twice married, first
to Miss Nancy Meech, January
27, 1848, daughter of Peter
and Catherine Meech, who
were pioneers of Lenawee
County. Mrs. Nancy (Meech)
Graham died March 26, 1854,
aged 27 years, without issue.
April 7, 1857, Edwin P.
Graham married Miss Jane B.
Warren, daughter of Thomas
and Martha L. (Kester) War-
ren, of Norwalk, Huron County,
Ohio. They had five chil-
dren, as follows: Albert B.,
born as above; Wellington C.,
born August 1, 1860, died
March 3, 1865; Elmer W.,
born October 1, 1864, and re-
sides in Didsbury, Province of
Alberta, Canada; Addie J.,
born November 23, 1870, mar-
ried William A. Hubbard, De-
cember 31, 1891, and resides at
Mankato, Minn.; Charles, born
October 24, 1872, and died
August 25, 1886. Mrs. Jane
B. (Warren) Graham was
born in Bronson, Huron
County, Ohio, February 25,
1835. May 30, 1882, she mar-
ried David L. Warren of Ovid,
Mich., who died February 10,
1902. Her parents were pio-
neers of Huron County, Ohio,
had eleven children, and re-
sided in Huron County for
about fifty years, when they
removed to Hillsdale, Mich.
Thomas Warren was born at
Egg Harbor, N. J., February
12, 1802, and died in Hillsdale,
November 7, 1884. His ances-
tors were English, and of the

Edwin P. Graham, Madison.

Mrs. Jaue D. Graham.
248
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
same family as General Joseph Warren, of Revolutionary fame. His
wife, Martha (Kester) Warren, was born in New Jersey, January 8,
1810, and died in Hillsdale, Mich., October 11, 1897. They cele-
brated their Golden Wedding April 2, 1878. Her ancestors came
from Holland in the seventeenth century. Albert B. Graham, the sub-
ject of this sketch, has always lived in Madison, on the farm he

Farm Home of Albert B. Graham, Section 19, Madison.
now owns, on Section 19. He was brought up a farmer, receiving
his education in the schools of his neighborhood, and at Adrian Col-
lege. When he was twenty-one years old he took charge of his
father's large farm of 180 acres, and since that time he has pur-
chased the interest of the heirs as far as possible, and added 65 acres
to the farm. He is engaged in general farming and dairying. In
1894 he built a butter factory and has operated it successfully ever
since. His output of butter in 1902 was 55,000 pounds, besides 2,364
gallons of cream. He keeps a herd of forty head of choice Jersey
COWS. The factory is well maintained by patrons, their butter being
made by the pound. He is successful as a swine raiser, and generally
sells more than one hundred hogs yearly. He has also been quite
successful as a horse raiser, and has produced some good ones.
RECORD OF LENAWee counTY, MICHIGAN.
249
"Ding Dong Bell" came out in 1901 in 2:25%. He is now breeding
her. He deals in the very best strains of blood. April 26, 1881,
Albert B. Graham married Miss Clementina Thompson, daughter of
Smith and Lucinda (Phillips) Thompson, and they have two chil-
dren, as follows: Bertha Irene, born September 19, 1882; Florence
Adelaide, born June 16, 1890. Mrs. Clementina Graham was born in
Mason, Ingham County, Mich., July 1, 1854.
WARREN M. BEAL was born in Bronson, Huron County, Ohio,
September 11, 1850. His father, Edward Beal, was born in the old
town of Marcellus, Onondaga County, N. Y., June 9, 1825. He re-
sided there until he was a young man, when he emigrated with his
parents to Huron County, Ohio, where a new farm was purchased
and the struggle of his life began. The land was covered with
heavy timber, it being stipulated in the contract that to pay for it,
a certain quantity of staves were to be split and hauled to Milan,
Ohio. This work was done, and a good home was soon worked out.
A saw mill was established by Mr. Beal, and for several years he
did well with it. In the spring of 1860 he sold his property in
Huron County and came to Michigan, bringing his saw mill with
him. He purchased land on Section 25, in Dover, where he put up a
saw mill, which is still in operation. Mr. Beal erected good build-
ings, and ever after resided on this place. He was an active, hon-
orable man, of sterling qualities, and was entrusted by his neigh-
bors with several public places, including Justice of the Peace and
Highway Commissioner. He was always active in the growth and
prosperity of the county agricultural society, and served as director
from Dover. He also acted for several years on the executive com-
mittee. He was the son of Amzi and Maria (Billard) Beal, who
came to Michigan with him Amzi Beal was born in Massachusetts,
June 20, 1801, and died in Dover, August 10, 1872. Maria (Billard)
Beal was born March 20, 1805, and died in Dover, July 7, 1871. She
was the mother of four children. Edward Beal died in Dover, No-
vember 30, 1894. December 4, 1849, Edward Beal married Miss
Lucinda Warren, daughter of Thomas and Martha L. Warren of
Bronson, Ohio, and they had five children, as follows: Warren M.,
born September 11, 1850; Eva Jane, born same place, December 12,
1852, died November 24, 1871; Frank E., born same place, January
29, 1855, of Boise City, Idaho; Cora L., born in Dover, this county,
November 4, 1863, married Darius C. Clark, has one son, and resides
at Ellensburg, Wash.; Estella, born in Dover, December 21, 1865,
married Frank A. Woolsey, and resides in Madison. Mrs. Lucinda
Beal was born in Bronson, Huron County, Ohio, September 11,
1832, and resides in Madison. Her father, Thomas Warren, was
born in Little Egg Harbor, N. J., February 12, 1802; emigrated to
250
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Ohio about the year 1827, and came to Michigan in 1865. He died
in Hillsdale, November 7, 1884. April 2, 1827, he married Miss Mar-
tha L. Kester, who was born in Essex County, N. J., January 8,
1810, was the mother of eleven children, and died in Hillsdale, October
11, 1897. Warren M. Beal, the subject of this sketch, came to Michi-
gan when he was ten years old, and has resided in Lenawee County
ever since. He was educated in the district schools of his township,
with the exception of two terms in Evans' Business College in
Adrian. He has always followed farming and is a charter member
of Madison Grange. He has never sought political honors, and has
many times refused to accept office. He means to be a progressive
and an aggressive farmer, and is content with that. October 2,
1876, Warren M. Beal married Miss Harriet M. Moore, daughter of
Thomas F. and Rachel (Todd) Moore, of Madison, and they had
two children, as follows: S. Roy, born in Madison, August 27,
1879, teacher in the public schools of Port Huron, Mich.; Frank C.,
born same place, June 15, 1882. Mrs. Harriet N. Beal was born in
Medina, this county, November 25, 1853, and died January 15, 1895.
Her father, Thomas F. Moore, was born in Peterborough, N. H., Oc-
tober 2, 1819. His father was Nathaniel Moore, who was born there
in 1776, and his grandfather was William Moore, who was a soldier
in the French and Indian war, and afterwards served in the Revo-
lution. Thomas F. Moore died in Madison, November, 1896. His
wife, Rachel Moore, born May 5, 1819, also died in Madison, June 28,
1895. December 15, 1897, Warren M. Beal was married to Miss Mary
C. Allis, daughter of Edward P. and Hannah J. Allis, of Madison.
Mr. and Mrs. Allis were pioneers in that township, who died De-
cember 18, 1899, and February 26, 1900.
SPIELMAN BROTHERS' NURSERY. Twenty-one years ago
we began growing trees and plants on ten acres of land, and by con-
stant working and honorable dealings with our customers we have
become growers of over 200 acres of nursery stock. The soil here-
about being of a character best suited to produce the healthiest con-
dition of growth, that solid, firm texture of wood, with abundant
fibrous roots so necessary to successful transplanting, we are
enabled to offer the choicest nursery stock to planters with entire
confidence. The many friends we have made, and their continued
support for many years, has induced the belief that our efforts have
not proved an entire failure, and to all we send greetings, with a de-
sire to deserve still further their patronage and influence. Starting
out with the positive assertion that every tree and plant sold should
be true to name and of the best quality, we confidently believe this
course to have been the mainspring of our success and the confidence
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
251
reposed in us by thousands of planters. Reputation is nowhere of
so great value as in the nursery business, and the buyer of nursery
stock who does not consider this will reap disappointment-will be
taught by his own experience what he ought to have learned from
experience of others. We aim to conduct the nursery business on

Residence of John Spielman, and entrance to Adrian City Nurseries on Bent Oak Avenue.
liberal principles, and we like always to do any favors our customers
ask. Friction is what impedes business. Life is too brief to encum-
ber commercial transactions with unnecessary conditions. A life-
time of energy and experience has been spent, not only to acquire,
but in our turn to impart exact information about trees and fruits.
For the success attendant upon our efforts to supply the best stock at
moderate prices, we spare no pains or expense to grow high grade
stock. We are content to sell at a small profit. We give careful at-
tention and continuous study to perfecting every detail. Our sales-
men all have certificates of agency signed by us. With a large nur-
sery business interest, our aim has been to build for the future
rather than to try to squeeze out the most money each year in the
way of dividends. Hence we have kept reinvesting our money in
the business. We are in it to stay-not alone for profit-but because
we love it. It is our life work. Success in it means to us far more
than mere money making. We hope to contribute to the happiness
and welfare of everyone with whom we have dealings. A trial order
252
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
we respectfully solicit, if we have not yet had the pleasure of doing
business with you, and we venture to believe it will lead to further
business to our mutual benefit. If zeal and restless energy count,
if quality, reasonable prices, prompt attention count, if you are par-
ticular about any of these points, try us and see how we serve you.
Address, Spielman Bros., Adrian City Nurseries.
WILLIAM R. HIBBARD was born in Vienna, Oneida County,
N. Y., August 22, 1833, and came to Michigan with his mother in
1836. His father, John Hibbard, was born in Oneida County, N. Y.,
about the year 1798, and died there in 1835. He was a farmer, and
assisted in the pioneer settlement and early growth of Oneida
County. March 29, 1818, John Hibbard married Miss Eva Smith,
daughter of George Adam Smith, of Vienna, Oneida County, N. Y.,
and they had seven children, William R. being the youngest and
only survivor. Mrs. Hibbard was left a widow in 1835, with five
children. She came to Michigan in the spring of 1836, and settled
in Dundee, Monroe County. In the fall of that year she married
George Wilcox, the first settler of Dundee, he locating there in 1830.
Mrs. (Hibbard) Wilcox was a veritable pioneer. Her father and
mother were Germans, and were pioneers in Oneida County, N. Y.,
and she was the first white child to see light in Oneida County,
being born March 25, 1795. She died at Dundee, August 21,
1880. Mr. Wilcox died at Dundee, May 1, 1860. William
R. Hibbard came to Michigan when he was three years old,
and resided in Dundee until 1862, when he enlisted in Company H,
18th Michigan Infantry. When he was a young man, he learned
the carriage maker's trade, and upon returning from the army again
engaged in the carriage business. He was four years in Kalamazoo,
and in June, 1876, he came to Ogden Centre, where he now resides.
For more than thirty years he carried on a shop in the village, but
has now retired from business. October 3, 1853, William R. Hibbard
married Miss Ellen Palms, daughter of Andrew and Harriet Palms,
of Dundee, and they had five children, as follows: Fred H., born in
Dundee, and now residing in Monessen, Pa.; Clara A., born in Dun-
dee, married John Landy, resides at Onaway, Mich.; Hattie E.,
born in Dundee, married Charles Mead, and resides in Dundee. Two
sons died in infancy. Mrs. Ellen Hibbard was born in Dundee, Octo-
ber 3, 1840, and died there in January, 1865. April 10, 1870, William
R. Hibbard married Miss Harriet L. Hydorn, of Kalamazoo, Mich.,
and they had four children, as follows: Cora M., born in Kalama-
zoo, May 28, 1872, married Asa Phetterplace, and they had two chil-
dren; Claude A., born in Ogden Center, August 19, 1878, resides at
Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.; Clarence G., born in Ogden, June 12, 1881;
RECORD OF LENAWEe county, MICHIGAN.
253
Bernice J., born in Ogden June 21, 1884, at home. Mrs. Harriet L.
(Hydorn) Hibbard was born in Kalamazoo, Mich., March 2, 1845,
and died in Ogden Centre, December 6, 1896. Her parents were
among the first settlers of Kalamazoo, and her ancestors came from
Holland.
CHARLES E. HENIG was born in Woodville, Wood County,
Ohio, October 5, 1860. His father, John Henig, was born in Wur-
temberg, Germany, January 14, 1821. He learned the trade of car-
penter and builder, and followed that business in his native town
until about the year 1847, when he came to the United States and
first settled in Lancaster, Pa., where he resided until he removed to
Woodville, Ohio. He lived there until 1861, and then came to
Adrian, Mich. He followed his trade in Adrian for many years,
and was a respected, honored citizen. His death occurred Septem-
ber 16, 1885. He married Miss Mary Nachtrieb, of Lancaster, Pa.,
and they became the parents of four sons and four daughters. Mrs.
Mary (Nachtrieb) Henig was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in
May, 1823, and came to the United States with her brother. Her
father was a Burgomaster, and well-to-do citizen of his native vil-
lage. She now resides in Denver, Colorado, with a daughter.
Charles E. Henig, subject of this sketch, has passed very nearly all
his life in Adrian. He was educated in the public schools of the
city, and commenced to learn the carpenter and builder's trade in
1875. That has been his principal business ever since. He was City
Marshal of Adrian in 1896-7, was appointed Deputy Sheriff by W.
F. Shepherd, in January, 1901, and is still holding that office.
is a member of Adrian Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 19, and I. O. O. F.,
No. 8, of Adrian. February 26, 1896, Charles E. Henig married
Miss Elizabeth D. Buck, daughter of Joseph and Caroline Buck, of
Adrian, and they have two children, as follows: Frances L., born
April 1, 1897; Helen M., born December 13, 1900. Mrs. Elizabeth
D. (Buck) Henig was born in the city of Adrian, January 14, 1875.
He
C. A. CONKLIN was born in Eaton Rapids, Mich., August 8,
1838, and has always lived in Michigan. He came to Adrian with
his parents in 1848. His parents came from Ontario County, N. Y.,
and were among the first settlers of Eaton Rapids. Mr. Conklin,
the subject of our sketch, was educated in Adrian, and has been an
active business man in the city for many years. In January, 1866,
he established the first exclusive undertaking establishment in
254
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Southern Michigan, and at that time was also the youngest man
engaged in the business. He was known as the "boy undertaker."
During his first year he attended over one hundred and twenty-five
funerals. During the past thirty-five years he has buried several


Charles A. Conklin.
Mrs. Mary A. Conklin.

Conklin & Mott's Undertaking Establishment, 18 South Winter Street, Adrian.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
255
entire families, and in one instance he has laid away three genera-
tions from one house. Mr. Conklin, by his close attention to all the
details, and fully understanding and adopting all the modern ideas
and methods that are desirable in an intelligent community, has suc-
ceeded in building up a large patronage, and it is no exaggeration
to say that he has one of the most complete and best equipped estab-
lishments in Michigan. His place of business is located on the cor-
ner of South Winter and Pearl streets, and within the walls of his
large building can be found everything needed in his business.
Some fourteen years ago he secured patents on several casket attach-
ments, which he has since manufactured and supplied to the trade.
December 25, 1860, Mr. Conklin married Miss Mary A. Bradish,
daughter of John W. and Lydia A. Bradish, of Madison, Lenawee
County. This marriage resulted in six children, four of whom are
living.

Residence of C. A. Conklin, No. 72 South Main Street, Adrian.
256
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
JOSEPH M. BAKER was born in Adams, Mass., February 19,
1780, and was the son of Joseph and Experience Baker, who were of
Quaker origin, and of English and German ancestors. When
Joseph M. Baker was a young boy, his parents removed to Ira, Rut-
land County, Vermont, where he lived with them until the year
1800, when he left home and went to Manchester, Ontario County,


Charles L. Thomas.
Aunt Sally Thomas.
N. Y., where he purchased a farm in the woods. He at once com-
menced clearing his land, and built a log cabin, and the following
year, December 27, 1801, he married Miss Sally Cruthers, daughter
of John and Betsey Cruthers, of Phelps, Ontario County, N. Y.
They had eleven children, as follows: Norton, born December 9,
1802, married Almeda Howland, daughter of Jonathan and Mary
Howland of Manchester, N. Y., September 12, 1830, and they had
ten children; Norman C., born January 17, 1804, married Harriet
Robinson, daughter of Robert and Deborah Robinson, of Manches-
ter, N. Y., December 28, 1835, and they had seven children; Lyman
W., born January 15, 1806, married Miss Asenath S. Warner, daugh-
ter of Russell and Orra Warner, of Manchester, N. Y., February 11,
1830, and they had seven children. Asenath Baker died in Rome,
April 12, 1856. October 22, 1856, he married Miss Jerusha T.
Hinckley, daughter of Benjamin and Lydia Hinckley, of Johnstown,
Mich., and they had five children. Mrs. Jerusha T. Baker was born
in Batavia, Genesee County, N. Y., June 1, 1831; came to Michigan
with her parents in 1845, and died in Rome December, 2, 1885;
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
257
Experience M., born March 8, 1808, married Uri Decker, and was the
mother of ten children; Anna, Nancy and Russell, all died in in-
fancy; Sally F., born June 18, 1819, married Charles L. Thomas,
was the mother of seven children; Joseph F., born June 18, 1819,
married Cynthia Dewey, daughter of Edmund B. and Sally Dewey,
of Manchester, N. Y., October 28, 1845, and they had three children.
Mrs. Cynthia (Dewey) Baker died in Rome, this county, October 15,
1857. Joseph F. then married, October 17, 1858, Mrs. Anna D.
Teachout, sister of first wife, and they had one child: Russell C.,
born April 19, 1821, never married; Huldah J., born December 20,
1822, married Riley Cole, and was the mother of four children. All
of Joseph M. Baker's children were born in Manchester, Ontario
County, N. Y. Mrs. Sally (Cruthers) Baker was born in Half
Moon, N. Y., January 24, 1778, and died in Rome, this county, Sep-
tember 15, 1851. Her parents came from Ireland early in the 18th
century. Joseph M. Baker died in Adrian township, this county,
May 27, 1872. Joseph M. Baker was a veritable pioneer. The first
thing he did after leaving the parental roof in Vermont was to go
into the unbroken forest in Ontario County, N. Y., and make him-
self a home. He married a pioneer's daughter, raised a family of
eleven children, and resided there until the country was well im-
proved. He erected a large and fine house, and the family enjoyed
all the comforts and many of the luxuries of that period. But he
had five sons, and as they became men they grew uneasy and wanted
homes and farms of their own. Michigan at that time being the
Eldorado, these young men began to talk about emigrating to that
unknown country, and the parents, rather than have the family sep-
arated, finally decided to sell and abandon the pleasant home they
had worked so hard to make, again to go into the woods and start
once more. This they did, and in the spring of 1833 Joseph M.
Baker and the entire family came to Michigan and settled in the
virgin forests of Lenawee County. Mr. Baker purchased from the
government one thousand acres of land on Sections 12, in Rome, 5, 6
and 7, in Adrian, and 30, in Franklin. Each of his sons was given
160 acres, and his daughters 80 acres of land. The family arrived
in the woods on the 7th of August, 1833. This day is now celebrated
by Mr. Baker's descendants, to the number of nearly four hundred,
by the annual Baker picnic. The members of Joseph M. Baker's
family who came to Lenawee County in 1833, died upon the following
dates: Norton, died March 15, 1880; Norman C., died February 22,
1881; Lyman W., died March 14, 1887; Experience, died July 10,
1892; Joseph F., died December 2, 1899; Russell C., died in January,
1883; Huldah, died April 12, 1851. The only direct descendant of
Joseph M. and Sally Baker now alive, (1903), is Mrs. Charles L.
Thomas, who resides at her old home on Section 19, in Adrian, that
her husband purchased 67 years ago. Aunt Sally, as she is famil-
iarly called, was married to Charles L. Thomas, September 17, 1837,
and is the mother of seven children, as follows: Clarissa A.. born
17
258
ILLUSTRATED histoRY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
June 14, 1838, married Wesley Reynolds, and is the mother of two
children; Marcelline R., born October 28, 1840, died August 24,
1845; Statira E., born April 12, 1843, died August 15, 1845; Amanda
S., born February 10, 1845, for ten years a teacher in the Adrian
public schools; Jefferson R., born May 15, 1848, married Miss Ida
Spear, daughter of George Spear, of Rome, December 9, 1878, and
they have four children; Xara F., born June 30, 1851; Fred, born
December 26, 1854, resides on the home farm. Charles L. Thomas
was born in the town of Penfield, Ontario County, N. Y., June 21,
1814. His father, Ransom Thomas, was a pioneer of Western New
York. He was born in Connecticut, December 31, 1787. In 1810 he
married Miss Kate Cure, daughter of John and Eleanor Cure, of
Saratoga, N. Y., and they had a family of nine children. Mrs. Kate
(Cure) Thomas was born in the State of New York, near the Hud-
son river, in 1792, and died in Adrian in 1865. Ransom Thomas
came to Michigan with his family in 1833, and settled in Adrian
township. He died there in 1850. Charles L. Thomas came to
Michigan with his parents in 1833, and always followed farm-
ing. He was an active, energetic man, and took a great inter-
est in all public affairs, but never would accept public office. He
was a successful farmer, and a much respected citizen. He was a
member of Greenly Lodge, 103, F. & A. M., of Adrian. He was one
of the earliest settlers in the township of Adrian, and no man did
more to help the new settlers in locating, and relieving their suffer-
ings and wants than he. He was stricken with heart trouble while
eating breakfast, June 14, 1876, and passed away, beloved by all
who knew him.
FRANK W. CLAY was born in Farmer Village, Seneca County,
N. Y., May 24, 1837, and came to Michigan with his parents in 1839.
His father, Rev. Bradbury S. Clay, was born in Portsmouth, New
Hampshire, and was one of the pioneer Baptist ministers of Michi-
gan. Mr. Clay preached in Adrian for five years during the early
days of the first Baptist church, and afterwards preached for many
years in Indiana and Illinois. He did a noble work among the pio-
neers during their struggle in making homes and subduing the
wilderness. He died in 1870, in his 75th year. He married for his
second wife, Miss Mary Raymer, of Bolton, N. Y., and they became
the parents of five children, of whom our subject was third. Miss
Sarah Frances Clay, daughter by his first wife, became the wife of
the Hon. W. S. Wilcox, of Adrian, in 1844, and died February 12,
1852. Mrs. Mary (Raymer) Clay died in 1880, in her 82d year.
Frank W. Clay, the subject of this sketch, resided with his parents
until he was eleven years old, when he commenced the great battle
of life. After acquiring such education as the pioneer schools af-
.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
259
forded, he went at seventeen, to Oberlin, Ohio, and by his own efforts
took a two years' course at Oberlin College. In 1855 he returned to
Adrian and found employment as a clerk in the drug store of the
late Samuel E. Hart, and subsequently with Remington & Bennett,
and Norman Bidwell, also druggists. In 1860 he formed a partner-
ship with Rial Niles, and carried on the drug and grocery business
for about five years, building and occupying the Shepherd store on
North Main street. In 1866 Mr. Clay accepted the position of con-


Frank W. Clay.
Mrs. Amelia C. Clay.
fidential manager of the late E. L. Clark's loan office, and remained
in that capacity until 1870, when he engaged with Waldby's bank,
of Adrian, as teller. In 1871, this bank was transformed into the
First National Bank of Adrian, Mr. Clay still remaining in the same
position. This bank wound up its affairs after a few years, when
the late E. I. Waldby and Mr. Clay purchased the building and con-
tinued the business as private bankers, under the firm name of
Waldby & Clay. This business continued until 1894, when a new
organization was effected, and the present institution known as
Waldby & Clay's State Bank, was founded. Mr. Clay is the presi-
dent. The bank enjoys the utmost confidence of the people, and its
business is among the largest in Southern Michigan. Mr. Clay has
always taken a great interest in the growth and prosperity of
Adrian, and his policy has been as liberal as safe and conservative
banking will admit. He was twice elected city treasurer, and served
as school director three years. In December, 1862, Frank W. Clay
married Miss Amelia C. Hickox, daughter of Reuben K. Hickox, of
Avon Springs, N. Y., and they are the parents of two children, as'
260
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
follows: Rial, born in Adrian, February 20, 1864, and Geraldine,
born in Adrian, July 8, 1865, who married Joseph H. Ames, of
Detroit, Mich., in 1889. Rial Clay, referred to above, is now a
prominent young business man of Adrian, whose career is a stand-
ard for all ambitious sons of Lenawee County. He was educated in
the public schools of his native city, and entered his father's bank as

Residences of Frank W. Clay and his son, Rial Clay, in Adrian.
a messenger after graduation. By his enterprise and application to
business he has gradually advanced to the position of cashier. In
1900 his health failed him. This obliged him to seek relief in an-
other climate. He immediately abandoned his pleasant home and
surroundings and sought relief in a high altitude among the Alps of
Switzerland. He remained there for two years. He was accom-
panied most of the time by his wife, and has recovered his normal
condition of vigorous health. September 11, 1888, Rial Clay mar-
ried Miss Fanny Ketchum, daughter of Daniel and Martha E.
Ketchum, of Adrian, and they have two children, as follows: Frank
D., born in Adrian, March 14, 1890; Martha Amelia, born in Adrian,
September 17, 1894. Mrs. Rial Clay was born May 12, 1864. Her
father, Daniel Ketchum, was born in Schenectady, N. Y., October
19, 1828, came to Michigan in 1855, settled in Adrian, and has been
in the employment of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Rail-
RECORD OF LENAWEe county, MICHIGAN.
261
road as locomotive engineer and conductor ever since. Her mother,
Mrs. Martha E. Ketchum, was born in Ashland, Mass., March 30,
1834. She was the daughter of Ellis and Emeline Richards, who
were natives of Ashland, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Ketchum were
married at Attleboro, N. Y., March 5, 1853.
ARCHIMEDES STEVENSON was born in Hannibal, Oswego
County, N. Y., September 20, 1821. His father, James Stevenson,
was a native of the north of Ireland, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and
came to the United States in the latter part of the 17th century with
his parents, Samuel Stevenson and wife, when he was an infant.
Samuel Stevenson settled on a farm in the town of Salem, Washing-
ton County, N. Y., where he died. James Stevenson lived with his
parents in Salem until he was about twenty-one, when, in 1808, he
made a tour of the then almost unknown great West, going through
the northern part of Pennsylvania and Ohio, from Lake Erie to the
Ohio river. He then went down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to
New Orleans. After spending all the summer on this exploration
trip, he returned to Salem, N. Y., and settled in the town of Han-
nibal, Oswego County. Here he purchased a farm in the wilderness,
cleared it up, made a comfortable, desirable home and resided there
until his death in September, 1828. About the year 1810 he married
Miss Isabel Carson, daughter of Patrick and Margaret Carson, of
Salem, Washington County, N. Y., and they became the parents of
eight children, four of whom lived to become men and women, as
follows: James, born in Hannibal, June 13, 1816, a resident of
Adrian, Mich.; Susan, born same place, in 1818, married James Mc-
Kissick, and resided in Jordan, N. Y., where she died; Archimedes,
born same place, September 20, 1821, resident of Adrian; David C.,
born same place in 1824, and died in Jordan in 1845. Mrs. Isabel
(Carson) Stevenson was born in Salem, N. Y., and died in Jordan.
Her ancestors were Scotch-Irish. Archimedes Stevenson, subject of
this sketch, was educated in the schools of his neighborhood, and
finished at Elbridge Academy, Onondaga County, N. Y. In 1835 he
engaged as a clerk in a store at five dollars per month, in Jordan,
following that occupation for about three years, when in the fall of
1837 a man came to Jordan who was interested in merchandizing
and handling goods in Texas. Famous stories were told of great
opportunities in the Lone Star State. Mr. Stevenson, then seven-
teen years old, being very susceptible, was lured away by the tales
of the smooth talker. He went to New York, and after seeing the
sights for about a week, engaged passage on a "Baltimore Clipper"
for Matagorda, Texas. After a passage of forty-three days, he
landed at his destination. It was a long, eventful sea voyage.
The
262
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
boat was small and unseaworthy, but the trip proved to be only a
prelude to the experience he was bound to realize for nearly three
years, among the Indians, the Mexicans and the pioneer white men.
Nearly the first year was spent in helping survey land along the
coast of the Gulf of Mexico, from Velasco to Galveston Bay. At
Archimedes Stevenson.
Mrs. Susan E. Stevenson.
that time there were thousands
of Buffaloes and wild horses.
Many of these horses were
killed for the hair in their
manes and tails, which was
used to make hair rope, that
I would not curl and shrink in
wet weather. It would require
an expert writer of romance,
adventure and hair-breadth es-
capes, and many pages to
faithfully chronicle all that
happened to the young man
during his stay. The money
consisted of Mexican standard
silver dollars and Texas wild-
cat currency. The silver dol-
lars were about sixteen to one
-pound, and a few coins be-
came a burden to carry, and
whenever possible the coin
was exchanged for Texas bank
bills. In 1838 a law was passed
to locate the capital at Austin,
and Mr. Stevenson drew the
first load of lumber to the new
town, from Bastrop, twenty-
five miles down the Colorado
river. At this time the town
only consisted of wagons,
three or four army tents, and
the State officers. In the fall
of 1840 he made up his mind
to return home. He traveled
to Galveston, then a town of
about 500 people, and from
there to New Orleans. At New
Orleans he exchanged his
Texas bank bills for current
funds, being compelled to give
six dollars for one, and took
passage for New York on the
ship "St. Mary," arriving


RECORD OF LENAWEE county, MICHIGAN.
263
there in January, 1841. Upon his return home, he, with his brother
James, purchased 80 acres of land in the town of Elbridge, Onon-
daga County, N. Y. He soon after, however, purchased other land
and quickly made a most desirable home. He resided in Elbridge
until 1856, when he came to Michigan. He lived one year in Bliss-
field, and in 1857 purchased the Lewis Kemp farm on Section 22,
in the township of Adrian. This is one of the choice farms of the
county, and Mr. Stevenson has greatly improved it since his pur-
chase. Some of the very best farm buildings and stock barns in the
township are to be found there. In 1873 he, with his son Jasper,
purchased five houses and lots on Michigan and Erie streets, in
Adrian city, and established the A. Stevenson & Son lumber and
coal yard, which has ever since been one of the important and pros-
perous business enterprises of Adrian. In 1882 he erected a fine res-
idence, corner of Dennis and Union streets, in Adrian, where he has
resided to this time. Mr. Stevenson, since his residence in Lenawee
County, has been an active, prosperous farmer and business man.
He is interested with his son, Jared W., in carrying on his farm,
feeding sheep and shipping stock. He is also still at the head of
the firm of A. Stevenson & Son in the lumber and coal trade, his
son, Frank A., attending to the active business. December 4, 1844,
Archimedes Stevenson married Miss Susan Elvira Whitney, daugh-
ter of Jared and Susan Whitney, of Elbridge, N. Y., and they had
four children, as follows: Jared W., born in Jordan, Onondaga
County, N. Y., March 13, 1848; Edward Jasper, born same place,
November 5, 1850. He married Miss Minnie Hall of Tecumseh in
1874. They had two sons, George Edward and Fred Covert. He
died November 12, 1881. His wife, Minnie, died December 24, 1897;
Frank A., born at the same place, April 12, 1852, married Miss
Laura E. Bradley, daughter of R. J. and Laura W. Bradley, of
Adrian, and they have two children, Alice L. and William H. Mrs.
Laura E. (Bradley) Stevenson was born in Adrian May 11, 1851.
Mamie S. Spingler, born February 5, 1857, adopted child. Her
parents came to Blissfield in 1858. Her mother was Mrs. Frances
L. (Whitney) Spingler, a sister of Mrs. A. Stevenson, and died of
fever, in November, 1860, at Blissfield. Miss Spingler has always.
been a member of the Stevenson family. Mrs. Susan Elvira (Whit-
ney) Stevenson was born in the town of Onondaga, N. Y., January
6, 1821, and died in Adrian, Mich., March 5, 1898, after a happy
married life of fifty-four years. Her parents were natives of Con-
necticut, of Puritan stock, and were pioneers in Onondaga County.
SILAS A. SCOFIELD was born in Lysander, Onondaga County,
N. Y., October 5, 1826, his ancestors coming from Scotland. He
was reared on a farm until he was fifteen years of age. From the
age of 12 he worked the homestead on shares, and accumulated some
264
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
$350, which he gave his father for the balance of his time until he at-
tained his majority. He was a natural tradesman, and first began
clerking in a store at Plainville, N. Y., where he remained between
two and three years.
At this time he received from his brother-in-
law an offer which led him to engage in peddling looking-glasses,
pictures and picture frames. Later he engaged in the same busi-
ness for himself, and then se-
cured a one-third interest in
his brother-in-law's business,
in which they carried on a
quite extensive trade. He had
reached the age of twenty
when he suddenly decided to
go West, and started for Wa-
tertown, N. Y., with his horses
and wagon, peddling as he
went. He set out for Gorham,
O., where he had relatives.
The following spring he lo-
cated in Adrian, where he sold
furniture, and resided there
until the fall of 1851, when he
went to Morenci, opening a
similar store there. From that
time until his late sickness Mo-
renci was his home-the place
where his best physical and
mental powers were expended;
where he finally established a
successful business, and where

Silas A. Scofield.
he was a potent factor in the general welfare of the town. Fires devas-
tated his establishment, but he was never the sort of man who gives
up because of misfortune. He became noted far and wide as an un-
dertaker, and he personally had charge of over 3,000 funerals up to the
time that his activity in that respect ceased. We have referred to
him as a village-maker. Besides all that he did in and for Morenci,
he established the village of Scofield, in Monroe County. He cleared
up considerable land there, and furnished the Canada Southern with
all of its ties, timber and piling from the State line of Ohio to the
Detroit river, also furnished 40 miles of telegraph poles. He
built a depot, furnishing the funds himself, and otherwise helped
the place. He did much altogether in giving mechanics and other
laboring men employment, in the manufacture of furniture and cof-
fins in the earlier days, and in other lines in a later period. He also
busied himself in inventing sundry devices, the most important of
which was his casket fastener and other articles connected with the
mortuary trade. These devices have made the name of Scofield
noted in many parts of the country, as they are largely used, and
RECORD OF Lenawee COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
265
contributed to a considerable degree to his financial success in con-
nection with the extensive furniture store, of which he was the head.
The factory where these articles are made is one of our valuable in-
dustries. The automatic rug machine was Mr. Scofield's invention,
and at one time had a large sale. Mr. Scofield had an alert mind
and was an indefatigable worker, continuing his active labors con-
siderably beyond the time when the majority of men are ready or
forced to retire. He was married to Miss Emily A. Wakefield, his
now bereaved wife, January 1, 1850, and they were the parents of
six children, three of whom are dead, namely: Andrew, aged 8
years; Josephine, aged 19; Vernon, 16 years. Those living are: Mrs.
F. E. Cawley, of Morenci; Ernest Wilber Scofield, his father's faith-
ful and efficient partner since 1884, and Mrs. M. E. Keyes, of Detroit.
There are eight grandchildren. Mrs. Emily A. (Wakefield) Scofield
was born in Thompson, Windham County, Conn., June 29, 1831. Mr.
Scofield belonged to a family of 12 children of whom there are six
living, Mrs. P. A. Rae, of Fremont, Neb.; Mrs. Eliza Simmons,
Nora, Ill.; James A. and William N. Scofield, also of Nora; John
B. Scofield, of Carson City, Mich., who was at the funeral, and Mrs.
Adele Winchell, of Lysander, N. Y. Mr. Scofield was not a poli-
tician, yet took a keen interest in local and general politics, and
kept himself well informed, always having pronounced views. He
voted the Republican ticket. Such, in brief, is the life work of an
enterprising, industrious, valued citizen-one whose life labors form.
a conspicuous place in the annals of Morenci, and whose name will
long be perpetuated. Ernest W. Scofield was born in Morenci,
Mich., September 9, 1863, and has always lived there. He was edu-
cated in the public schools of Morenci, and at a business college in
Detroit. He became a partner in his father's extensive business in
Morenci, January 1, 1884. Since his father's death he has become
the sole owner. He is the owner of the only electric lighting plant
in the village, and carries on an extensive manufactory of casket
shell hardware, devices patented by his father and himself. He is
one of the largest dealers in furniture, carpets and undertaking
goods in Southern Michigan, and employs from ten to twelve men
permanently. December 29, 1886, Ernest W. Scofield married Miss
Mertie V. Packer, daughter of Isaac D. and Lavina C. (Catscaddon)
Packer, of Morenci, and they have had five children, as follows:
Harold W., born May 14, 1888; Gladys L., born April 18, 1890, died
February 18, 1896; Marguerite E., born June 18, 1892; Eleanor V.,
born October 11, 1899; Ernest W., born September 8, 1901. Mrs.
Mertie V. Scofield was born in Morenci, July 18, 1863. Her father,
Isaac D. Packer, was born in Berks County, Pa., April 2, 1819, and
was the son of Eli and Ann (Thomas) Packer, of Center County,
Pa. He came to Michigan in 1851, first settled in Medina, and
afterwards in Seneca, where he died June 20, 1897. Mrs. Lovina C.
Packer was born November 1, 1821, in Center County, Pa., her
father being a native of Ireland, and her mother of Scotland. She
died in Morenci, October 9, 1902.
266
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL


William W. Bliss.
Mrs. Elizabeth G. Bliss.

The old Homestead, erected by Hervey Bliss, in Blissfield Village.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
267
W. IRVING BLISS was born in Blissfield, Lenawee County,
Mich., December 23, 1840. His father, William W. Bliss, was born
in Raisinville, Monroe County, Mich., March 28, 1817, and was the
oldest son of Hervey and Nancy Bliss, the first settlers and founders
of Blissfield, after whom the
township and village were
named. William W. Bliss
came to Lenawee County in
December, 1824, with his par-
ents, and ever after resided in
Blissfield, with the exception
of about four years, which he
spent in Hillsdale. When a
young man he embarked in
the mercantile business in
Blissfield, in company with
James T. Kedzie. After a
partnership of about five years,
Mr. Kedzie withdrew, Myron
E. Knight taking his interest.
The firm of Bliss & Knight ex-
isted until 1861, when Mr.
Knight's interest was pur-
chased by W. W. Bliss & Son.
The business was carried on
by this firm until 1885, when
the son, W. Irving Bliss, pur-
chased his father's interest.
W. W. Bliss was one of the
foremost men of Blissfield, and
was highly regarded. His
honorable career as a business
man and citizen, during his
entire life, endeared him to
all who knew him. He held
many political offices, and was
postmaster, member of the
School Board, an elder in the
Presbyterian church, in addi-
tion to many other positions
of trust and honor. He died
at his home in Blissfield, Jan-
uary 4, 1897. William W.
Bliss married Miss Elizabeth
G. Knight, daughter of Ros-
well W. and Hannah (Granger)
Knight, and became the par-
ents of three children, as

W. Irving Bliss, of Blissfield.

Charles M. Bliss, of Toledo.
268
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
follows: W. Irving, born as above; Roswell L., born June 8, 1845,
died September 6, 1847; Charles M., born August 16, 1849, resides in
Toledo, Ohio. Mrs. Elizabeth G. (Knight) Bliss was born in North
Almond, Allegany County, N. Y., February 16, 1818, and now
(1903) resides in Blissfield, in good health. Her parents were pio-
neers in Blissfield and Riga. W. Irving Bliss, subject of this sketch,
has spent most of his life in Blissfield, and is the only male member
of the Bliss family who now resides there. He was brought up in
the mercantile business, and it is only on account of poor health
that he is not actively engaged at this time. For many years he
was interested in a "general store," and was closely identified with
all the business, public and social progress of Blissfield. He has
served several years upon the Village Board, and was on the School
Board nine years.
He is now interested in a real estate business,
loaning money, and looking after and renting his property in village
and country. He does a prosperous insurance business. May 23,
1867, W. Irving Bliss married Miss Rose E. Whitman, daughter of
Jephtha and Alvira (Mitchell) Whitman, pioneers of Lenawee
County, settling in Adrian previous to 1830. Mrs. Rose E. (Whit-
man) Bliss was born in Morenci, this county, March 10, 1849. [For
a complete history of the Bliss family, see Almond L. Bliss' record
in this volume.]
REV. GEORGE HUMPHREY was born in Pittsburg, Pa.,
August 5, 1849. He came to Michigan with his parents in 1852 and
settled in the city of Adrian. His father, Thomas Humphrey, was
born near London, England, where he resided until about the year.
1847, when he came to America. He was like many another English-
man, when a young man he married the girl of his heart's choice,
and was disinherited. He learned the carpenter's craft and on com-
ing to America, followed that trade in Pittsburg and Beaver, Pa.,
until his death, which occurred at Beaver, in 1850. About the year
1840, he married Miss Anna White, of Windsor, near London,
England, where she was born, and where her parents resided.
1852 she married her second husband, John C. Smith, with whom
she came to Adrian. She was the mother of eight children, four by
each husband. She died in Palmyra, this county, November 7, 1860.
George Humphrey, the subject of this sketch, was left an orphan in
his eleventh year, and became a township charge, but was inden-
tured by the County Poor Commissioners to W. H. Colvin of Pal-
myra, where he remained until he was nineteen, when he purchased
his remaining two years' time of service. No orphan was ever more
fortunate in finding a good home, or kinder or more sincere friends,
than were Mr. and Mrs. Colvin. During his service there he was
allowed three months' schooling each year. He became so anxious
for an education, that in 1869 he became a student of Adrian Col-
RECORD OF LENAWEE County, MICHIGAN.
269
lege, where he remained two years. In the spring of 1871 he en-
tered the scientific department of Hillsdale College, where he re-
mained for two terms, when his health failed him and he was
obliged to abandon study for a time. In the fall of 1871 he pur-
chased his present farm home on Sections 8-5 in Palmyra township,
this county. Following this purchase he taught six terms in the
graded school at Palmyra village. His farm consists of 166 acres
which, since his marriage, he has given intelligent and successful
attention. At the age of eighteen years he became a convert of the
Palmyra Presbyterian church, and being of a spiritual and religious
nature, made deep and fervent study of all moral and religious
thought. He was called to the ministry by the congregation, which
petitioned the Presbytery to license him to fill its pulpit with the
end in view that he be ordained and installed as its pastor. In the
spring of 1889 he was licensed to preach, and after taking the neces-
sary course of study in theology, he was ordained and installed. For
a period of five years he was the stated supply of the Blissfield Pres-
byterian church. The Palmyra Presbyterian church is known as
one of the most prosperous in Lenawee County. March 21, 1872,
George Humphrey married Mrs. Sarah C. Latham, youngest daugh-
ter of George and Mary Ann Colvin, of Palmyra, and they are the
parents of six children, as follows: George C., born February 13,
1875, married, June 25, 1902, Eva Doty, daughter of William and
Caroline (Raymond) Doty, of Raisin, and resides in Lansing, where
he is a professor of animal husbandry in the Agricultural College;
Ethel C., born June 15, 1876, a teacher in the public schools of Lud-
ington, Mich.; Thomas W., born May 24, 1878, at home; Edwin L.,
born June 30, 1879, married, December 25, 1902, Miss Beulah Atwell,
daughter of Herrman and Elizabeth Atwell, of Palmyra, and a res-
ident of Palmyra; Elizabeth A., born February 5, 1883, at home;
Mary A., born November 29, 1886, at home. Mrs. Sarah C. Hum-
phrey was born February 28, 1846, in Palmyra, this county. Her
father, George C. Colvin, was born in Cranston, Providence County,
R., I., January 6, 1808. He came to Michigan in 1831, took up land
in Raisin, in 1833, but finally located on Section 15, in Palmyra,
August 6, 1834, he married Miss Mary A. Rogers, daughter of Dea-
con Obediah and Lydia (Reed) Rogers, of Raisin, and they became
the parents of six children, Mrs. Humphrey being the youngest.
[For the ancestry of Mrs. Humphrey see pages 167 and 304, Vol. 1,
Whitney & Bonner's History and Biographical Record of Lenawee
County.]
HON. WILLIAM SEWARD WILCOX was born in the town of
Riga, Monroe County, N. Y., April 25, 1819, and came to Michigan
with his brother-in-law, Ira Bidwell, September 18, 1836. His par-
ents were Austin and Clarissa Wilcox, who, during the childhood of
our subject, removed from Riga to Bergen, Genesee County, N. Y.,
270
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL

Hon. William S. Wilcox.
and purchased a farm. Here Mr. Wilcox, Sr., established a farmers'
hotel, a stage line, and became postmaster, the son, William S., liv-
ing at home and assisting until he was seventeen years old. In 1836
he came west to Milan, Ohio, where he engaged as clerk in the dry
goods store of Mr. Ira Bidwell. That fall Mr. Bidwell removed his
stock of goods from Milan to the then growing village of Adrian,
Mr. Wilcox coming with him. Here Mr. Bidwell prospered, and for
many years was a respected and leading citizen. Mr. Wilcox re-
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
271
mained in his employ until 1840, when he became a partner in the
business, continuing four years. In 1844, in the spring, Mr. Wilcox
commenced business for himself, with a new and suitable stock of
dry goods. He was successful in this venture, and during the fol-
lowing ten years, a portion of the time taking in as partners Justus
H. Bodwell and William D. Tolford. In 1854 he sold out to Bod-
well, Carey & Clay. He at once engaged in the hardware business,
and opened a store, the firm being Wilcox & Chappell. This firm
continued for about eighteen months, when Mr. Chappell withdrew,
and Mr. Wilcox carried on the store until 1867, when his brother
Henry became a partner. In 1873 the firm name was changed to
Wilcox Bros. & Co., when George A. Wilcox, son of W. S., was
taken in. In 1864 William S. Wilcox was elected to the Michigan Leg-
islature, was re-elected in 1866, and was chairman of the ways and
means committee. He was elected Mayor of Adrian in 1865. In
1870 he was elected State Senator, and was chairman of the finance
committee. In 1869 he was appointed by Gov. Baldwin, State Prison
Inspector, and was at once elected chairman of the Board.
He was
elected President of the Michigan State Insurance Company in 1866,
which position he held for seventeen years. In 1863 he was elected
President of the Oakwood Cemetery Association, and held the office
at the time of his death. He became an active member of the
Adrian Volunteer Fire Department in 1841 and continued until the
paid department was organized in 1867. He became superintendent
of the Baptist Sabbath School in 1839, and for over fifty-one years
he faithfully filled that posi-
tion. In 1880 he became in-
terested in banking, and after
that time gave most of his at-
tention to the interests of the
Commercial Exchange Bank of
Adrian. He was a man of
large affairs, and did much for
the upbuilding of Adrian. He
erected two fine residences,
and in both instances added to
the beauty and importance of
the city. He was active and
liberal in every public enter-
prise, and his good judgment
and business ability were
sought in every public under-
taking. He died in Adrian,
September 15, 1893, beloved
and respected by all classes of
citizens. William S. Wilcox
was twice married. His first
wife was Miss Sarah Frances

Mrs. Sarah Frances Wilcox.
272
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Clay, daughter of Rev. Bradbury S. and Mary (Raymer) Clay, and
they had three sons, two of whom died in infancy, George A. being
the only survivor. Mrs. Sarah Frances Wilcox died February 12, 1852.
August 17, 1854, Mr. Wilcox married Miss Josephine Southworth,
daughter of Dr. William Southworth, of Avon Springs, N. Y. There
were no children by this marriage. Mrs. Josephine Wilcox died in
Adrian in October, 1897. She was a lady of much intelligence and
possessed rare literary ability, being highly esteemed by all who
knew her. Previous to her death, she bequeathed the sum of five
thousand dollars to Oakwood Cemetery Association, for the purpose
of constructing an entrance way to the beautiful grounds, to the
memory of her husband.
JOSEPH H. SMITH was born in Cambridge, Lenawee County,
Mich., April 26, 1853. His father, William H. Smith, was born in
Onondaga, N. Y., April 16, 1831, came to Michigan with his par-
ents in 1833, and settled on Section 4, in Cambridge, this county,
in 1836. He followed farming until he was about twenty years old,
and helped in clearing up a new farm. When' they located in Cam-
bridge he assisted his father in cutting a road for a distance of
nearly four miles to get to their land, which was located on Stony
Lake. About the year 1851 he went to learn the carpenter's trade,
which he still follows. He has been a resident of Tecumseh for
many years. In 1849 he married Miss Julia Herrick, and they had
six children, four of whom are now dead, Joseph H. and Charles D.
being the survivors. Mrs. Julia (Herrick) Smith was a native of
Ireland, was born June 12, 1830, and came to America with her par-
ents in 1844. She died in Tecumseh, this county, August 22, 1897.
Joseph H. Smith, the subject of this sketch, can trace his ancestry
back for five generations. His great-great-grandfather was Aaron
Smith, who was born in 1745, and always lived in Worcester, Mass.,
where he died in 1840. His son Aaron was born in the same place
in 1773, and died there in 1848. His son, Henry Smith, was also
born in Worcester, in 1798, emigrated to Onondaga, N. Y., in
1803, coming to Michigan in 1833. He died in Cam-
bridge, this county, in 1891. Joseph H. Smith was educated
in the district schools of Cambridge, and at Adrian College.
When he was seventeen years old he went at carpenter work, and
served five years' apprenticeship, after which he followed contract-
ing and building until 1883, when he removed to Tecumseh and took
charge of a lumber yard and sash and blind factory. In April, 1893,
he organized the Tecumseh State Savings Bank, and he became its
cashier, which position he holds at the present time. Previous to
organizing this bank he was cashier of the bank of O. P. Bills &
Co. for five years. He was township clerk of Cambridge for four
RECORD of LenawEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
273
years. Has served in Tecumseh as township clerk and treasurer,
and village treasurer, and three terms as president of the village of
Tecumseh, his last term expiring in March, 1903. He is also serv-
ing his tenth year as trustee of Tecumseh High School. He is a
member of the Presbyterian church, and has served as trustee for
five years. He is a prominent Mason, has held nearly all the chairs
in his lodge, and is a member of Adrian Commandery, No. 4,
Knights Templar. January 1, 1877, he married Miss Mary F.
Rogers, daughter of R. L. and Susan A. Rogers, of Cambridge, and
they have had two children, as follows: Laverne W., born in Cam-
bridge, this county, October 10, 1877, graduated from Tecumseh
High School in 1896, entered S. W. Anderson's dry goods store in
Tecumseh, where he remained five years, and is now in his second
year with W. C. McConnell, in Adrian; Lena F., born in Cambridge,
this county, January 19, 1883, is a graduate of Tecumseh High
School class of 1900, at home. Mrs. Mary F. Smith was born in
Cambridge, August 22, 1854. Her father, R. L. Rogers, was a pio-
neer of Cambridge, where he now resides. He was born in Steuben
County, N. Y., February 3, 1831. Mrs. Susan A. Rogers was born
in Erie County, Pa., September 1, 1833. They were married Sep-
tember 28, 1853.
JOHN W. DEWEY was born in Cambridge, Lenawee County,
Mich., March 17, 1841, and has always lived on the farm upon which
he was born. His father, Francis A. Dewey, was born at Three
Rivers, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, February 25, 1811. He
came to Michigan with his parents in 1829, and settled in Tecum-
seh. In 1836 he took up from the government 160 acres of land on
Sections 17 and 18, in Cambridge, and ever after resided in that
township. [For the full family record of Francis A. Dewey, see
Whitney & Bonner's History and Biographical Record of Lenawee
County, Vol. 1, page 375; also the Life of Admiral Dewey, and the
Dewey Family History, published in 1898.] John W. Dewey, subject
of this sketch, was born upon the farm on which he now lives. He
always followed farming for a business, and has been reasonably
successful. He has never been an active politician or sought after
office, but has given his attention to domestic affairs and the gen-
eral welfare of his township. When he was seventeen years old he
became a member of St. Michael's Episcopal church of Cambridge.
Ever active in church work, he has been superintendent of the Sun-
day School for more than thirty years, with an attendance of from
sixty to eighty scholars. The parish was organized in 1843, by Rev.
William N. Lyster, and the society built a fine brick church in 1855,
near Cambridge Junction. Mr. Dewey has been an officer in the
18
274
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
church for forty-one years. April 3, 1866, John W. Dewey married.
Miss Caroline White, daughter of Samuel and Ann (Smith) White,
of Cambridge, and they are the parents of three children, as follows:
Anna H., born April 21, 1867, married December 12, 1894, Emery D.
Neeley, has two children, Leroy J., born June 17, 1897; Glenn D.,
Francis A. Dewey, of Cambridge.
born October 31, 1899; Lydia
Bell, born October 9, 1869,
died April 12, 1875; Bessie L.,
born October 2, 1879, mar-
ried March 21, 1900, Percy
I. Alderdyce. Mrs. Car-
oline (White) Dewey was
born November 5, 1843, in
Cambridge township. Her
parents were natives of Sus-
sex, England, where they were
married in 1830, and immedi-
ately came to the United
States, first settling near Pal-
myra, N. Y., where he fol-
lowed his trade of carpenter
and joiner until 1836, when he
came to Michigan and settled.
in Cambridge, this county.
He died there February 20,
1892, aged 81 years. His wife
died in Cambridge, June 22,
1877, she being the mother of
eight children.

AARON R. TUFTS was born in Stafford, Genesee County, N.
Y., April 21, 1825. His father, Aaron Tufts, was born in Massa-
chusetts, November 5, 1803, and resided there with his parents until
1821, when he emigrated to Genesee County, N. Y., where he after-
wards purchased a farm and lived until his death in 1882.
The an-
cestors of the Tufts family in America were Irish, and naturally be-
came patriots, some of whom participated actively in the Revolu-
tionary war, as well as the war of 1812. About the year 1822 Aaron
Tufts married Mehitable Persons, daughter of Eli Persons, of Gen-
esee County, and they had six children, Aaron R. being the first
son, and fourth child. Mrs. Mehitable (Persons) Tufts was born in
Connecticut, and died in Genesee County, N. Y., in her 29th
year. Aaron R. Tufts, subject of our sketch, lived with his father
until he was twenty-one years old. He followed farm work until
1850, when he came to Michigan, having saved about $500 in money.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
275
In November, 1850, he purchased of Sumner W. Rice, one hundred
and sixty acres of land on Section 3, in Seneca, this county, and has
resided there ever since. In 1855 he purchased an adjoining 80 acres.
Since that time Mr. Tufts has devoted all his time and energies to
systematic, intelligent farming, and by applying himself to his own
affairs, and giving serious and reasonable attention to the public
weal, he has been successful in his efforts. His methods have been
progressive, and his ideas that mixed farming is the most lucrative
and pleasant have been demonstrated to his satisfaction. Mr. Tufts
has his ideals, and one of them is a comfortable and commodious
home. He has been fortunate enough to be able to gratify his taste
and desire, in building, under his personal supervision, one of the
most complete rural homes in his township, and perhaps, the county.
We are pleased to be able to give a fine illustration of it. To fully
appreciate its completeness and imposing appearance, a visit is
necessary. It is one of the beauty spots of old Lenawee, where beau-
tiful homes and pastoral scenes abound. Mr. Tufts is located about
thirteen miles from Adrian, and seven miles from the village of Mo-
renci. January 17, 1850, Aaron R. Tufts married Miss Margaret Ann
Perry, daughter of Roswell and Dolly Perry, of Bethany, Genesee

20 1000
Home of Aaron R. Tufts, Seneca.
276
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
County, N. Y., by whom he has had four children, as follows: Flor-
ence V., born December 25, 1851; Eva A., born January 1, 1855,
married Harvey Upton, of Medina, and has three children; Mary
Ann, born December 27, 1859, married Thomas Clarkson of Seneca;
Charles L., born March 8, 1865, resides at the homestead, married
Miss Ida M. Deline, October 21, 1885, has three children, as follows:
Bertha M., born August 12, 1888, Altha N., born July 15, 1890;
Alice M., born February 16, 1896. Mrs. Margaret Ann (Perry)
Tufts was born in Pavilion, Genesee County, N. Y., March 5, 1830,
Her father was a native of the State of New York, and died there,
in Erie County, in 1840. Her ancestors were English, but her grand-
father was a soldier in the Revolution. Her mother was a native of
Genesee County, N. Y., born in 1786, and came to Michigan after
the death of her husband, to reside with her daughter, and died in
Seneca, this county, in 1865. Mrs. Margaret Ann (Perry) Tufts
died at her home in Seneca, April 2, 1890. October 28, 1892, Aaron
R. Tufts married Frances M. Winship, daughter of W. L. and Emma
Winship, of Fairfield, this county.
RICHARD A. BURY was born in Albany, N. Y., February 20,
1830. He was the son of an Episcopal clergyman, Rev. Richard Bury,
who came West as rector of St. Paul's church in Detroit in 1832. It
was during the residence of the family in Detroit, that the son, the
subject of this sketch, was educated in the famous school of the Rev.
Moses H. Hunter, at Grosse Isle, Mich., his education being finished
in the schools of Cleveland, Ohio. From the age of twenty he was
in business for himself and made a mark in the lumber traffic.
In 1862 he moved to Adrian, opening a lumber yard and planing mill,
on the lot bounded by Frank, Church, Locust and Center streets.
He removed later to the corner of Michigan and Division streets,
where he took in D. M. Baker as a partner. January 1, 1872, he was
appointed lumber agent of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern
Railroad, selling his interest in the lumber business to Mr. Baker.
He retained his position with the railroad until the time of his death.
He was a member of Adrian Lodge, No. 19, F. & A. M., Adrian
Chapter, No. 10, R. A. M., and one of the oldest members of Adrian
Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar. He gave freely of his time
and money to the construction of the present Masonic Temple in
Adrian. He was a member of Michigan Consistory, Ancient Ac-
cepted Scottish Rite, and was made a member of the Supreme Council
of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Thirty-third Degree, at
Boston, on August 28, 1872. In religious work, born and raised in
the fold of the Protestant Episcopal church, he never wavered in his
allegiance: every effort to strengthen and upbuild he aided to the
RECORD OF Lenawee counTY, MICHIGAN.
277
extent of his ability. He served as senior warden of Christ church
nearly forty years, and for many years was superintendent of the
Sunday school. Always deeply interested in the welfare of the city
of Adrian, in the days of the old volunteer fire department, he was
for many years an enthusiastic member. He served several terms as
member of the school board, and one term as Mayor. September 5,
1854, he was united in marriage to Caroline Louisa Choate, daugh-
ter of Nathan and Louisa (Kimball) Choate, she being born at Derry,
N. H., March 29, 1832, and moving with her parents to Adrian,
during her early life, dying at Adrian, February 28, 1882. The
children by this union were Frank Choate Bury, of Detroit; Mrs. W.
E. Germaine, of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Richard Alfred Bury,
of Cleveland, Ohio. March 27, 1883, he was united in marriage to
Mrs. Mary W. Hoag. Mr. Bury died at the family home on Division
street, June 6, 1902.
RUFUS MERRICK was born in Corinth, Orange County, Ver-
mont, April 15, 1800. He was the oldest son of Joseph and Sarah
(Herriman) Merrick, who were natives of Rockingham County, New
Hampshire. Joseph Merrick was the son of Joseph and Judith (Lit-
tle) Merrick. Joseph Merrick, Sr.,, was also a native of New Hamp-
shire, and a farmer of Rockingham County. Joseph Merrick, Jr.,
was brought up a farmer. When he was a young man he went to
Corinth, Vt., and followed farming for a few years. In 1802 he moved
to New Hampshire, and finally settled at Newburyport, Mass., where
he followed ship carpentering until 1812, when the war broke out
and business was suspended. He returned to New Hampshire, and
finally back to Corinth, Vt., where he lived until 1816. In the spring
of that year he left Corinth with an old horse team and sleigh, with
his wife and eight children, for the State of New York, having no
definite point of destination. He got as far as Brutus, (now Sennett)
Cayuga County, in March, when the snow went off and he was com-
pelled to stop. It so happened that an abandoned log house stood
near by, which he took possession of and occupied for several days,
until he could find a more comfortable place. He settled there and
finally purchased a farm and lived there until 1834, when he sold
out and came to Michigan, settling in Adrian, purchasing eighteen
acres of land, all of which is now in the city, and comprises that
portion lying west of South Main street and south of Merrick street.
The old house built by him on South Main street, near Cross street,
is still standing (1903). He died in Adrian, January 9, 1854. Mrs.
Sarah Merrick also died in Adrian, March 2, 1870. Rufus Merrick
lived with his parents until the spring of 1817, when he went to
Auburn, N. Y., and learned the cabinet maker's trade with Abijah
Keeler, remaining there until he was twenty-one, when he went to
278
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Kingston, Canada, worked six months and returned to New York.
He worked in Auburn one year, in Elbridge, Onondaga County, eight
years, and in 1830 he came to Michigan, arriving in Adrian in Octo-
ber, where he resided until his death, January 2, 1882. There were
but three frame houses in Adrian at that time. He immediately
opened a cabinet shop, and during the first nine months his cash re-
ceipts were only 75 cents. There was nobody to buy his work, or need


Rufus Merrick.
Mrs. Artemicia Merrick.
his services, nor money to do business with. He struggled along
until the tide of emigration set in in 1834, and from that date for
many years he flourished. During the summer of 1830 he purchased
of A. J. Comstock a mill privilege, and in the fall of 1832 he built a
cabinet and chair shop which he carried on for about thirty years.
In 1854 he changed his shop into a flouring mill, and in 1856 he sold
it. For several years, in connection with his furniture shop and
mill, he carried on wool carding and cloth dressing, and in 1850 he
had a large lot of cloth in the mill that had been dressed and was
ready for delivery. One night the whole lot, valued at about $400,
was stolen. Old "Sile" Doty was afterward indicted by the grand
jury for the robbery, but the indictment and proofs were destroyed
when the court house was burned in 1852. In 1832 he purchased of
A. J. Comstock the lot upon which his house now stands on West
Maumee street, consisting of about one acre, for which he gave a
wooden clock and a bedstead. In 1834 he built a house on it, and in
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
279
1846 built the large brick residence. In 1821, at Rochester, N. Y.,
Rufus Merrick married Sarah Robbins, by whom he had three chil-
dren, two of whom died in childhood. George W., born in Auburn,
N. Y., March 16, 1834, died in Adrian, April 18, 1892, where his
widow, nee Rachel Lovisa Wright, still lives (1903). He afterwards
married Mrs. Artemicia Hunt, widow of Morris Hunt and daughter of
William and Huldah Stone, by whom he had three children, as fol-
lows: Philo, died at the age of fourteen months; Rufus P., born in
Adrian, November 17, 1842; Sarah E., born in Adrian, October 7,
1844. Mrs. Artemicia Merrick was born in Burlington, Conn., April
12, 1810, and came to Michigan with her husband, Mr. Hunt, in
1838. She died September 14, 1885, at Adrian. Her parents were
natives of Burlington, Conn., where her mother died. Her father
afterwards went to Lima, Ohio, living there until his death. Rufus
P. Merrick, after serving three years in the Civil War, married Marie
Antoinette Ripley, they making their home in Adrian until the year
1886, when, with their four children, they removed to Charlotte,
Mich., where they now reside. Their son, Lauren E., served in the
war with Spain, and is now married and living in Detroit, Mich.
Two daughters are married and living in or near Charlotte, and one
is at home with her parents. Sarah E. Merrick married on October
13, 1863, John S. Nash. They shortly after removed to Toledo,
Ohio, where their daughter, Ida Luella, was born, returning later
to Adrian. It was the daughter's privilege to minister to her par-
ents in their last days, her father, Rufus Merrick, passing from
earth January 2, 1882, at the ripe age of eighty-two years, in active
usefulness until within the last two weeks, his first warning of the
end coming to him in a fall upon the floor while standing at his
wood-turning lathe at his customary occupation. From this time he
was confined to the house, but very little to his bed, and his final
succumbing was unexpected, the physician's verdict on the previous
day being that he would recover. His wife, Mrs. Artemicia Merrick,
survived him three years and eight months, passing away Septem-
ber 14, 1885. She lives in the memories of her children and others
who knew her as the faithful mother and kindly neighbor, a life-
long member of the Baptist church and largely endowed with the
chiefest grace-charity. After the death of John S. Nash, Febru-
ary 1, 1886, his widow and daughter removed to Des Moines, Iowa,
where they now reside. In 1897, fifteen years after the departure to
the spirit world of Rufus Merrick, the railroad engine shrieked its
rapid flight across the grounds he once owned and occupied. Rem-
iniscently his children and grandchildren see him in his favorite.
seat at the east porch window, commanding an extended outlook
over the tract now occupied by the railroad, and think what an in-
teresting diversion it would have afforded him who always took
such profound interest in the city's progress and in improvements of
whatever kind. But even in his day, the possibility of a railroad on
the present site was not unconsidered.
280
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL


Mrs. Harriet H. Knapp.
Hon. Cornelius Knapp.
For a complete record of the life of Hon. Cornelius Knapp, see
Whitney & Bonner's History and Biographical Record of Lenawee
County, Vol. 1, page 457; also see Biographical Album of Lenawee
County, page 1004.
JAMES S. WILCOX was born in Whitesboro, Oneida County,
N. Y., September 10, 1821. His father, Morris Wilcox, was born in
the same place, June 12, 1796, died June 6, 1879, and was the son of
Reuben, born 1762, and Hannah Wilcox, born 1760, who were na-
tives of Connecticut, pioneers of Oneida County, N. Y., and located
on government land in the township of Whitesboro, where they died
respectively in 1853, aged 91 years, and 1837, aged 76 years. Morris
Wilcox was raised a farmer, but became a mechanic and contractor,
building many of the first large buildings in Utica. He constructed
the locks on the Chenango Canal at Utica, and was in the employ of
the State of New York for many years. He was a prominent man
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
281

Mr. and Mrs. James S. Wilcox.
in Utica, and held important public offices there. During the latter
portion of his life he filled the office of Justice of the Peace, suddenly
dying in office. About the year 1817 Morris Wilcox married Miss
Phoebe Brown, daughter of Nathan and Hannah Brown, of Leonards-
ville, Madison County, N. Y., and they became the parents of six
children. Her parents were pioneers in Madison County, where
they were farmers and became prominent citizens. James S. Wilcox
was born on a farm near Utica, N. Y., where he received a limited
education. When he was twelve years old he left home and went
to Norwalk, Ohio, where he found employment and remained several
years. Most of his time was spent in merchandizing, and at the age
of about twenty-one he was made manager of a large general store.
In 1848 he went to Milan, Ohio, where he was engaged in merchan-
dizing until 1852, when he went to New York city, and for two years
traveled for a wholesale cloth house. In 1854 he went to Utica and
engaged in the flour and grain trade. In 1864 he came to Michigan
and settled in Adrian. In 1864-5 he engaged in the sheep business,
buying in Ohio and driving to Illinois. In 1866 he was in the em-
ploy of the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana Railroad Com-
pany, as clerk to Supt. J. E. Curtis. In 1867 he organized a com-
pany for the manufacture of woodenware, at Toledo, Ohio. The
firm was known as Wilcox, Kidder, Treat & Co., Mr. Wilcox being
the manager. In 1867 a large fire wiped the factory out of exist-
ence. In 1868 he engaged in the life insurance business, and was
very successful. He has followed this calling for 35 years, and at
82 years of age is as energetic for business as many much younger
March 3, 1847, James S. Wilcox married Miss Eudotia M. Stur-
men.
282
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
gis, daughter of Thaddeus B. and Eudotia (Beach) Sturgis, of Nor-
walk, Ohio, and they are the parents of four children, as follows:
James M., born in Milan, Ohio, March 31, 1848, married Miss
Mary Wood of Adrian, has three children and resides in Grand Rap-
ids, Mich. Lewis S., born in Milan, Ohio, July 29, 1852; Jennie E.,
born in Utica, N. Y., October 3, 1859, married H. N. Montague,
May 13, 1886, is the mother of two children, and resides at Caro,
Mich. Mattie L., born in Utica, N. Y., February 7, 1861, married
W. H. Burnham, May 13, 1889, is the mother of three children, and
resides in Adrian. Mrs. Eudotia M. (Sturgis) Wilcox was born
June 6, 1826. Her father, Thaddeus Burr Sturgis, was a native of
Connecticut, born October 22, 1800, died in California, July 31, 1850.
He was the son of Lewis B. and Charlotte (Belden) Sturgis. Lewis
B. Sturgis represented his district in Congress for twelve years, and
was a prominent lawyer. Her mother, Eudotia (Beach) Sturgis,
born in Marcellus, N. Y., October 16, 1806, was the mother of eight
children, the daughter of Dr. Bildad and Hannah Beach of Mar-
cellus, N. Y., and died at Utica, N. Y.. May 15, 1859.
ORLANDO WESTGATE was born in Raisin, Lenawee County,
Mich., December 24, 1838. His father, Jeremiah Westgate, was
born in Niagara County, N. Y., December 19, 1792. He was reared
a farmer and lived with his parents, Jonathan Westgate, in Niagara
County, N. Y., until 1834, when he came to Michigan and took up
160 acres of land on Section 27, in Raisin township, where he lived
until his death, which occurred in May, 1871. He was born and
reared a Quaker, and was always an active member of that denomi-
nation. He was one of the founders of the Raisin Centre Quaker
church, was very active in the construction of the first building and
was a constituent member. He was a good citizen, an honorable
man, and thrifty farmer. In 1835 Jeremiah Westgate married Mrs.
Dorcas Bowerman Kayner, and they had ten children, Orlando be-
ing the second child and son. Mrs. Dorcas Westgate was born in
Niagara County, N. Y., October 15, 1812, and died in Raisin, this
county, in December, 1853. Orlando Westgate is a native of Lena-
wee County, and has always lived in Raisin township. He was
raised a farmer, and was educated in the country district schools,
one term at Hillsdale College, one term at Aunt Laura Haviland's
Raisin Institute, and finished at the Raisin Valley Seminary. His
home is on Section 33, in Raisin, opposite his father's homestead.
He has a comfortable home and a desirable farm. In February,
1865, he enlisted in what was then known as the New 11th Michigan
Infantry, and served in Major General Thomas' Division at Chatta-
nooga and Knoxville. At the close of the great Rebellion, he re-
RECORD OF LENAWEe county, MICHIGAN.
283
turned home after a service of only seven months, with an honorable
discharge. He has served his township as Treasurer, and Moder-
ator of his school district, No. 7, for seventeen consecutive years.
He is a member and one of the trustees of the Raisin Center Friends
church, and is also a trustee of the Raisin Valley Seminary. No-
vember 25, 1869, Orlando Westgate married Miss Mary L. Moore,
daughter of Samuel D. and Mary Moore, of Raisin, and they had
five children, as follows: Estella M., born November 5, 1870, mar-
ried Charles E. Gorton, November 15, 1894, and they have one child;.
Chester O., born March 25, 1872, married Miss Alice Haviland,
March 22, 1894; Orpheus A., born August 29, 1873, married Miss
Jane Bird, and they have one child; Lorena, born April 8, 1876,
married George R. Miller, August 27, 1896, and they have three
children; Mary Mable, born April 11, 1878, married William Ken-
nedy, July 3, 1901, and they have one child. Mrs. Mary L. West-
gate was born in Lancaster, Pa., and came to Michigan with her
parents, who were pioneers in Washtenaw County. She died in
Raisin, November 5, 1879. March 31, 1881, Orlando Westgate mar-
ried Miss Ellen J. Bowerman, daughter of Moses and Zilpha Bower-
man, of Raisin, and they have had five children, as follows: Fanny
E., born July 16, 1882; Charles H., born July 30, 1885; Lewis A.,
born April 2, 1887; Millard C., born February 19, 1891; Lloyd G.,.
born April 13, 1893. Mrs. Ellen J. Westgate was born in Raisin,
this county, September 9, 1852. Her father, Moses Bowerman, born
in Niagara County, N. Y., November 27, 1811, was a pioneer in
Raisin, where he died December 18, 1896. Her mother, Mrs. Zilpha
(Haviland) Bowerman, was born in Niagara County, N. Y., January
9, 1812, and died in Raisin, July 9, 1896. She was a minister of the
Society of Friends, and descended from Quaker parentage of several
generations standing. Moses Bowerman took up land on Section 33,.
in Raisin. Soon after the railroad went through the farm, and the
ridge road cutting through another way, he became dissatisfied and
sold. In 1839 he bought the farm upon which he afterwards lived
and died. Charles Haviland came to Michigan in 1832, and took
up a half section of land, the west half of Section 34, donating about
three acres of land for church purposes. Afterwards his son Daniel
and daughter Martha obtained part of the land. Later the daugh-
ter sold her part and went West and the son traded with a brother.
The brother died, and after several changes it has at last come to be
the home of a granddaughter of the original owner, Mrs. Orlando
Westgate.
CHARLES C. WAKEFIELD was born in Morenci, Lenawee
County, Mich., February 16, 1841, and has spent the most of his life
in his native village. His father, Dennis Wakefield, was born in
Thompson, Windham County, Conn., in November, 1809. He was
the son of Moses and Nancy (Kimball) Wakefield, of Thompson,
284
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Conn. Moses Wakefield was a soldier in the Revolutionary War,
and his wife, Nancy, supported herself and family of three children
while her husband was doing battle for liberty. Dennis Wakefield,
after receiving a common school education, and working out for
about three years, came to Michigan in 1834, and entered govern-
ment land on Section 2, Town 9, Medina, this county. He after-
wards entered additional land until he owned over four hundred
acres in Medina. In July, 1839, he married Miss Abigail F. Crosby,
daughter of Charles and Abigail Crosby, of Ypsilanti, Mich., and
they had two children, Charles C. being the oldest. Mrs. Abigail F.
Wakefield died in March, 1845. Mr. Wakefield was married to Miss
Charity Scofield in 1847, who died in April, 1851. They had two
children. He was next married to Miss Amanda Crover, of Worces-
ter, Mass., who is still living in Morenci. Mr. Wakefield died in
Morenci, June 1, 1886. He was an active and thrifty man, and as
a pioneer and citizen was highly respected. He did his share in
making all improvements and in helping to make a new country a
pleasant abiding place. Charles C. Wakefield, subject of this
sketch, was educated in the public schools of Morenci, and at Hills-

TIGHE
Residences of Charles C. Wakefield and his son, Cassius Wakefield, Morenci.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
285.
dale College. He commenced
an active business career at
Pioneer, Ohio, where, in 1862,
he engaged in a general mer-
cantile business, and continued
there for six years. In the
spring of 1868 he returned to
Morenci, and purchased a plat
of ground, erected a suitable
building and established an
exchange bank, then known as
C. C. Wakefield & Co., and
has continued in that business
ever since. In 1898 the bank
was reorganized under the
State law, and is now known
as the Wakefield State Bank,
Mr. Wakefield being the Pres-
ident. Mr. Wakefield is also
quite largely interested in
farming, and owns some four
hundred acres of good land in
Ohio and Michigan. Novem-
ber 3, 1864, Charles C. Wake-
field married Miss Josephine
O. Rogers, daughter of James
and Lucy H. Rogers, of Pio-
neer, Ohio, and they have had
five children, as follows: Lu-
ella J., born November 17,
1865, and died in infancy;
Dennis K., born in Morenci,
this county, May 14, 1869, and
died at the age of one year;
Cassius E., born in Morenci,
February 10, 1872, a licensed
Methodist minister, married,
June 25, 1896, Miss Bertha
Rose, daughter of Dr. Rose,
of Ann Arbor, Mich., has two
children, and resides in Mo-
renci; Abigail G., born Octo-
ber 9, 1875, married, October
20, 1898, William Hamilton,
has one child and resides in
Morenci; Eva L., born Janu-
ary 13, 1878, died June 11,
1901. Mrs. Josephine O.

Dennis Wakefield, Morenci.

Charles C. Wakefield, Morenci.
286
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
(Rogers) Wakefield was born April 3, 1846. Her parents were na-
tives of Massachusetts, and were pioneers of Lenawee County, hav-
ing settled in Medina among the first white people. They after-
ward removed to Pioneer, Ohio, where they both died.
EDWARD SERVICE was born in Fairfield, Lenawee County,
Mich., March 29, 1841. His father, John Service, 1st, was born in
Scotland. [For his family record see sketch of John Service, 2d, in
this volume.] Edward Service has always lived in Fairfield, this
county, and has followed farming. He owns a farm of 140 acres on
Sections 35 and 26, and also owns a home in the village of Jasper,
where he now resides. On the 11th day of August, 1862, he en-
listed in Company I, Eighteenth Michigan Infantry, and served
three years in the great Rebellion. He is a member of David Becker
Post, G. A. R., of Ogden Centre. He has served as Highway Com-
missioner for two years, Township Drain Commissioner two years,
and Justice of the Peace twelve years. He is also engaged in sell-
ing Deering farm machinery. August 22, 1869, Edward Service
married Miss Carrie Lane, daughter of Lyman and Nancy (Cost)
Lane, and they are the parents of six children, as follows: Herbert
L., born September 15, 1870, resides in San Francisco, Cal.; Edith
L., born September 20, 1873, married, September 15, 1897, Carlton
G. Arnold, and resides in Fairfield; Bertha May, born August 31,
1876, married Harry Van Marter, March 16, 1898, has one son, and
resides in Ogden; Mildred F., born February 13, 1878, married
George W. Taylor, April 9, 1902, and resides in Ogden; Carroll C.,
born October 19, 1879, married Miss Mary Hinckley, and resides in
Fairfield; Alice L., born March 29, 1882, at home. All born in
Fairfield. Mrs. Carrie (Lane) Service was born in Fairfield, this
county, January 6, 1849. Her father, Lyman Lane, was born in
New London, Conn., January 9, 1804, came to Michigan in 1835, and
died in Fairfield, January 24, 1885. His ancestors came from the
Isle of Man, William McLane being one of them. He changed his
name to Lane, and his branch of the family has ever been known as
Lane. Mrs. Nancy (Cost) Lane was born in Loudoun County, Va.,
March 10, 1808. Her father was a native of Germany, who settled
in Virginia. She died in Fairfield, January 21, 1877.
JAMES W. WIGHTMAN was born in Lodi, Seneca County, N.
Y., March 9, 1842, where he resided until the spring of 1882, when
he came to Michigan and located in Morenci, Lenawee County.
He was educated in the Starkey Seminary, in Yates County, N. Y.
His father, John M. Wightman, was born in the town of Hector,
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
287
Tompkins County, N. Y., and was the son of John and Ruth Wight-
man, who were pioneers of Tompkins County, and was the under
sheriff that hung Guy C. Clark, the first murderer in Western New
York. John M. Wightman was a shoemaker, and carried on the
business in Hector for many years. He came to Michigan in 1873,
and settled in Colon, St. Joe County, where he died in 1879. About
1834 he married Miss Eliza-
Nivison,
beth Nivison, daughter of
John A. and Elizabeth Nivi-
son, of Tompkins County, N.
Y. They had five children,
James W. being the only son.
John A. Nivison was a sol-
dier in the war of 1812, and
then resided at Black Rock, on
Niagara River, where all his
property was destroyed. His
titles were burned, and he was
evicted by the British. He
and his wife died in Tompkins.
County, N. Y. Mrs. John M.
Wightman, died in Hector, N.
Y., in October, 1859. James
W. Wightman, the subject of
this sketch, was first employed
as a school teacher, and after-
wards learned the paper hang-
ers' trade, which he followed
until 1861, when he enlisted in
the 23d New York Infantry,
where he served two years as musician. He then enlisted in the
50th New York Engineers as 3d sergeant, and remained there until
the close of the great Rebellion, in June, 1865. After the war he
followed different avocations until 1872, when he commenced the
study of the law. He assumed practice in 1874, and in November,
1888, was admitted to practice in the Michigan courts at Adrian.
In December of that year he opened an office in Tecumseh, this
county, where he continued until he was made postmaster at Tecum-
seh on February 15, 1899. At that time he formed a partnership
with G. R. Gillespie, and his law business is still being carried on.
February 27, 1867, James W. Wightman married Miss Susan Mc-
Duffee, daughter of Nelson and Nancy McDuffee, of East Varick, N.
Y., and they had two children, who died in infancy. Mrs. Susan
Wightman died at Morenci, Mich., January 22, 1888. September
18, 1890, he married Mrs. Clara B. Boyce, who was born in Cherry
Valley, N. Y., April 14, 1837. She was the widow of Isaac Boyce,
of Raisin. She was the mother of three children, all of whom
are dead.

James W. Wightman.
288
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
MAJOR SEYMOUR HOWELL was born in Buckinghamshire,
England, August 12, 1841, and came to the United States with his
parents in 1856. His father, Rev. James Howell, born January 9,
1810, was a native of Wales, and became an Independent Minister
of some note in England, as well as a missionary to Jamaica. In
the year 1836 he married Miss Amelia Franklin, born January 26,
S
US
1810, and four children were
born to them, Seymour being
the third child and son. Af-
ter preaching in England for
several years and seeing con-
siderable service as a mission-
ary, they came to this country
and first settled in Sharon,
Washtenaw County, Mich.
Here Mrs. Howell died in 1856,
Mr. Howell afterwards going
to Canada, where he died in
Toronto, in 1881. Major Sey-
mour Howell was 13 years old
when he came from England.
He was given the advantages
of a good common school edu-
cation, since which time he has
made his own way in the
world. His first employment,
when about 14 years old, was
on a farm, which he followed
until 1861, when he enlisted in
Company F, 6th Michigan In-
fantry, and upon the organization of the company, was made second
lieutenant. His first service was under General Butler at Ship
Island, Miss., and he participated in the capture of Forts Jackson
and St. Phillip, and Baton Rouge, La. He was with General Banks
at Port Hudson, and at the reduction of Forts Gaines and Morgan in
Mobile Bay. In 1862 he was promoted to First Lieutenant, and in
July, 1863, to Captain. In August, 1864, he was commissioned Ma-
jor of his regiment. He was mustered out of the service August 20,
1865. After his discharge from the army and return home, he en-
gaged in railroading, becoming a clerk in the freight office of the
Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw Railroad, He was afterward in the
employment of the Ft. Wayne & Jackson Railroad, in the freight de-
partment, and then became general freight agent of the Eel River
Railroad for about eight years. He came to Adrian in March, 1881,
with the Peninsular Car Company, where he had an interest, and
assisted in the management. In 1884 he entered the banking firm
of T. J. Tobey & Co., of Adrian. In 1885 the firm name was changed
to Howell, Baker & Co., Mr. Tobey retiring. In 1898 Mr. Howell

Major Seymour Howell.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
289
withdrew from the bank to accept the appointment of Additional
Paymaster, with the rank of Major, in the U. S. Volunteer army,
and served through the Spanish war. In 1899 he was ordered to the
Philippines, where he remained for some time. In July, 1901, he
was commissioned Paymaster in the Regular Army, with rank of
Captain, and ordered back to the Philippines in May, 1902. In
1903, while in active service in the Philippines, he was promoted to
the rank of Major, and ordered home for examination. April 6,
1864, Seymour Howell married Miss Eliza Kellogg, daughter of
Hiram and Jane (Ward) Kellogg, of Genoa, Livingston County,
Mich. They had two children, as follows: Maud A., born in
Sharon, Washtenaw County, Mich., September 2, 1871, married
Howard T. Taylor, May 27, 1885, has two children, Seymour H.,
born in Adrian, August 16, 1888, and Harriet K., born in Adrian,
June 2, 1892, resides in Adrian. One child died in infancy.
Eliza (Kellogg) Howell, was born in York, Washtenaw County,
Mich., April 24, 1845. Her father, Hiram Kellogg, was born in
Geneseo, Livingston County, N. Y., January 28, 1820, married Miss
Jane Eliza Ward, April 9, 1843, and died at Genoa, Livingston
County, Mich., April 1, 1892. Mrs. Jane Eliza (Ward) Kellogg was
born in Syracuse, N. Y., June 2, 1824, and died at Saline, Mich.,
March 24, 1852.
Mrs.
GEORGE A. WILCOX was born in Adrian, Mich., and is the
only surviving representative of the Hon. William S. and Sarah F.
(Clay) Wilcox. [For his family record see sketch of the Hon. W. S.


George A. Wilcox.
Mrs. Susette R. Wilcox.
19
290
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Wilcox in this volume.] George A. Wilcox has always resided in
Adrian, and is today one of the prominent, active, representative
business men of the city. He was educated in Adrian, supplemented
by a scientific course in Douglass University, of Chicago. He began
his business career in his father's hardware store in 1865, and became
a member of the firm of Wilcox Bros. & Co., in 1873. This is one of
the oldest and most successful hardware stores in Southern Michi-
gan, having been established by the Van Brunt Bros. about the year
1850, went into the hands of W. S. Wilcox in 1854, and has ever since
been a most successful business enterprise. In 1889 the firm was re-
organized and consisted of W. S. Wilcox, George A. Wilcox and W.
A. Staniford, and is now known as the Wilcox Hardware Company,
George A. Wilcox being the senior member and manager, W. A.
Staniford being the only surviving partner. It is classed today
among the largest, most reliable and complete hardware stores in
Michigan. George A. Wilcox is Vice President and one of the largest
stockholders and directors of the Adrian State Savings Bank, Presi-
dent of the Oakwood Cemetery Association, Treasurer of the Adrian
Telephone Company, Vice President of the Citizens Light and

Residence of George A. Wilcox, No. 42 South Main Street, Adrian.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
291
Power Company, Director in the Gibford Razor Strop and Gibford
Automatic Pin Company, Treasurer of the Lenawee County Mutual
Protection Association, and a stockholder in many other business enter-
prises in Adrian. His capacity for business seems to have no limit, as
he is always foremost in any proposition or enterprise promising to
promote the business volume or importance of his native city. July 15,
1874, George A. Wilcox married
Miss Susette R. Berry, daugh-
ter of James Berry of Adrian,
and they have had three child-
ren, as follows: S. Frances,
born in Adrian, Sept. 24, 1875,
married John Blaine Keating,
May 15, 1901, and resides at
Winthrop, California; William
Seward, born in Adrian, Feb-
ruary 10, 1878, and died in
Tucson, Arizona, June 13,
1900; one child died in infancy.
Mrs. Susette R. Wilcox was
born in Adrian, Mich. Her
father, James Berry, was born
in Manchester, England, in
1811, came to the United States
with his father, George Berry,
who was a silk weaver, and
settled in Paterson, N. J.
James Berry learned the car-
penter's trade in the city of
New York. He came to Adrian in 1836, and for nearly fifty years
carried on business here. He was a prominent, pushing, enterpris-
ing citizen, engaging in general building, construction, the lumber
business, etc., etc., and platted Berry's addition to the city of Adrian
when it was still a wilderness. He died in Adrian, March 12, 1886.

James Berry.
JAMES NELSON CHAPPELL, son of James Gilmore and
Eliza (Butts) Chappell, was born May 2, 1841, at Palmyra, New
York, on the farm adjoining that on which lived the father of Ad-
miral Sampson, and near where Joseph Smith dug up the stone tab-
lets containing the Mormon Bible. He moved to Geauga County,
Ohio, in 1851, and at the outbreak of the Civil War was attending
Hiram College, of which James A. Garfield was principal. As he
was not yet of age, and could not obtain his parents' permission to
join Garfield's regiment, he joined the "Squirrel Hunters," (Home
292
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Guards), and afterwards enlisted in Company I, 30th Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, and Company F, 182d Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving
through the war. He was at Franklin and Nashville, under General
Thomas, and in the campaign around Petersburg and Richmond,
under General Ben Butler. He moved to Morenci in 1865, and
March 19, 1868, was married to Emma A. Baldwin, (born August 2,
1842), daughter of Hon. Elias Jones Baldwin, and Olive (Payne)
Baldwin, of Morenci. Mr. Baldwin was a direct descendant of
Henry Baldwin, of Woburn, Mass., who was prominent in early
days. Since his marriage, Mr. Chappell has resided continuously in
and around Morenci. He has been a Deacon in the Methodist church
for many years, was Postmaster at Morenci during Benjamin Harri-
son's administration, and was afterward Township Supervisor for two-
terms. His father, James G. Chappell, is still living at the age of 86.
His family consists of two sons, Ralph Hubert, born July 3, 1871, and
Claude Clark, born August 2, 1872. Ralph H. graduated from the
Morenci High School, class of '89, and entered the U. S. Naval
Academy in May, 1890, where he graduated in the Engineer Corps,
class of '94. July 8, 1896, he was married to Jane Catherine Biays,
daughter of James Philip and Rebecca (Daingerfield) Biays. Mr.
Biays was a descendant of Col. Biays, of Maryland, and John Han-
son, of Maryland, both prominent in Revolutionary days. They
have two sons, Hubert Biays Chappell, and Kenneth Baldwin Chap-
pell. October 12, 1900, he resigned from the navy to accept the po-
sition of Inspector of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, under
the Treasury Department. Claude C. Chappell graduated also at the
Morenci High School, class of '91, and after several years as agent
and operator with the Wabash Railroad, returned to Morenci to take
a position in the Wakefield State Bank. He was married September
8, 1897, to L. Luella Gardiner, daughter of Josiah and Hannah
(Judge) Gardiner, of Adrian, and they have one daughter, Leo Bess
Chappell.
MARVIN A. PACKARD was born in Macedon, Wayne County,
N. Y., April 14, 1831, and came to Michigan with his parents in
1838. His father, Ira Packard, was born in Macedon, N. Y.,
February 15, 1799, and died in Madison, this county, February
24, 1845. His parents were Bartimeus and Abigail Packard, na-
tives of Massachusetts, who removed to Wayne County, N. Y., when
they were young. The ancestors of the Packard family in America
were Samuel and his wife, Elizabeth Packard, who came from
Wymondham, a parish in the southeastern part of England, and set-
tled in the Massachusetts colony, August 10, 1638. They brought one
daughter, Elizabeth, with them. They became the parents of twelve
children, seven sons and five daughters. At this time there are in
America two thousand families, direct descendants of Samuel and
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
293
Elizabeth Packard, of Massachusetts Colony. Bartimeus, born in
1769, and Abigail Packard, born in 1772, had a family of ten chil-
dren, and died on the farm they took from the government in Wayne
County, N. Y., aged respectively 85 and 80 years. Here Ira Pack-
ard was raised and lived until he came to Michigan in 1838. Ira and
Amanda Packard were the parents of seven children. They were

Residence of Marvin A. Packard, Seneca.
married in Macedon, N. Y., in 1828. After the death of Ira Pack-
ard in 1848 Mrs. Amanda Packard married Gilbert Mann, and died
December 7, 1877. She was the daughter of David and Lucretia
Compton, of Bridport, Vt. Marvin A. Packard, the subject of
this sketch, lived at home in Madison, this county, where he got his
schooling, with the exception of two terms in the Medina Academy,
until he was twenty years old. In 1851 he went to California, tak-
ing the Panama route. He landed at the Golden Gate on January
1, 1852. He remained in California for about two years, but was not
satisfied with his success in the mines, and returned home and com-
menced farming on his own account. In 1864 he purchased a farm
on Section 14, in Seneca, and still resides there. The accompanying
picture of his home will convey a good idea of its beauty and com-
fort. His farm consists of 238 acres. Packard Station on the De-
troit Southern Railroad, is located on this farm. For more than
thirty years Mr. Packard has followed dairying and mixed farming,
and his farm is among the best in the township. May 25, 1853,
294
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Marvin A. Packard married Miss Elsie Phetteplace, daughter of Asa
and Hannah (Waters) Phetteplace, of Madison, and they have had
two children, as follows: Frank A., born in Madison, January 28,
1858, married Miss Lillie Montgomery in 1879. They have had
three children, one of whom, Ira J., is living; Mary Edna, born in
Seneca, December 7, 1868, married Horton C. Rorick, September 17,
1891, has three children and resides in Toledo. Mrs. Elsie (Phette-
place) Packard was born in Hartland, Niagara County, N. Y., No-
vember 28, 1831, and came to Michigan with her parents in 1833.
Her father was born in Queensbury, N. Y., January 30, 1788, and
died in Madison, this county, November 19, 1865. Her mother,
Hannah Waters, was born near Lake George, N. Y., March 24, 1793,
and died in Madison, this county, September 9, 1885. Asa and Han-
nah Phetteplace were the parents of seven children. Mrs. Packard,
who was the youngest, and her sister, Mrs. Rial Niles, are the only
survivors. The ancestors came from England.
AMBROSE B. PARK was born in Adrian, Mich., November
12, 1853. His father, Jonathan S. Park, was a native of Connecti-
cut, and was born at Preston in 1803. He was the son of Shebuel
Park, whose ancestors were Puritans, and came to America in 1630.
Jonathan S. Park came to Michigan in 1836, and settled in Adrian.
His first work for a livelihood was teaching school in Connecticut,
but upon coming to Adrian he engaged in the Mercantile business.
and soon opened a grocery store. He continued in that line of trade
until 1865, when he retired from business. He was an early member
of the First Presbyterian church, was a faithful worker, and did his
share in building up the strong and prosperous society. He died in
Adrian, August 3, 1869. January 1, 1850, Jonathan S. Park married
Emily Berry, daughter of Judge Jonathan and Bathsheba (Greene)
Berry, of Adrian, and they had five children, Ambrose B. being
the oldest son. Mrs. Emily (Berry) Park was born near Albany, N.
Y., in 1819, and died in Adrian, in July, 1896. Her parents were
natives of New England, and her father was a soldier in the war of
1812. Ambrose B. Park, the subject of this sketch, has always lived
in Adrian, and was educated in the public schools. His first em-
ployment was in merchandizing, becoming a clerk in L. G. Berry's
store in 1869. In 1870 he went with W. S. Carey, in the dry goods
business, and in 1877 he opened a store on his own account, at 32
West Maumee street. The next year, 1878, he removed to
the old W. S. Carey store, No. 4
No. East Maumee street,
his present
and remained there until 1885, when he erected
store, No. 17 South Main street. His business has been a
prosperous one from the commencement, and Mr. Park has long
been considered one of the leading business men of Adrian. He is
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
295
identified with some of the largest manufacturing institutions of the
city. November 19, 1879, Ambrose B. Park married Miss Emma M.
Young, daughter of Charles and Rhoda Young, of Adrian, and they
have three children, as fol-
lows: Robert C., born August
22, 1880; Frederick E., born
July 2, 1883; Florence H.,
born March 25, 1892. Mrs.
Emma M. Park was born in
Adrian, April 26, 1857. Her
father, Charles Young, was
born in Ithaca, N. Y., April 5,
1824. He came to Michigan
with his parents, Adam and
Lana (Deafendorf) Young, in
1836, and settled in Clinton,
this county, in 1837. Charles
Young lived in Clinton until
December, 1852, when he re-
moved to Adrian, and at once
engaged in the manufacture of
sash and blinds, the firm being
Aldrich & Young. About the
year 1860 he engaged in the
grocery business and remained
in that trade until 1890. May
8, 1850, Charles Young mar-
ried Miss Rhoda Aldrich,
daughter of Gersham and
Mary Aldrich, who lived on

Ambrose B. Park.
Section 36, in Adrian, and they had four children, Emma being
the oldest daughter. Mrs. Rhoda (Aldrich) Young was born in
Massachusetts, April 4, 1826, came to Michigan in 1834, and died in
Adrian, December 12, 1897. Her parents were of Quaker origin.
DELOS M. BAKER was born in Buffalo, N. Y., May 26, 1838.
His father, Albert M. Baker, was born at Eden, Erie County, N. Y.,
February 17, 1817, and his ancestors came from New England. He
was educated in Buffalo, and studied law in the office of Le Grande
and George L. Marvin, at that time prominent attorneys of that city.
Soon after completing his law studies, he was married, came to
Michigan, and settled in Adrian, November 27, 1838. Immediately
after his arrival in Adrian he opened a law office and formed a part-
nership with Peter R. Adams, of Tecumseh. Upon the arrival of
296
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL

Delos M, Baker.
A. L. Millard in Adrian, then a young lawyer, a partnership was
formed which lasted many years, known as Baker & Millard. Early
in the 50's Mr. Baker was appointed attorney of the Michigan South-
ern & Northern Indiana Railroad, (now the Lake Shore) which posi-
tion he held until his death, July 20, 1860. Mr. Baker was an active
citizen, always interested in the growth of Adrian. Coming here in
an early day, he soon became prominent in all the contemplated im-
provements, and with all other early settlers, his idea of building
RECORD of Lenawee countY, MICHIGAN.
297
up a commercial centre was uppermost. He was active in establish-
ing churches, schools, and many social, moral, religious and educa-
tional institutions. He took an active part in politics, was a Whig
in principle, and was elected Justice of the Peace in the town of
Madison, although he resided on Maumee and Broad streets. The
township line between Adrian and Madison ran through his house.
His sleeping room being in Madison, made him a voter there. His
justice office was in both townships, but he established the "court"
on the Madison side and thus dispensed justice. In religion he was
a Presbyterian, an active member of the Adrian church, and for sev-
eral years previous to his death served as an Elder. August 3, 1837,
Albert M. Baker married Miss Sarah Keeler, at Eden, N. Y. This
marriage resulted in two children, as follows: Delos M., born in
Buffalo, N. Y., May 26, 1838; Sarah J., born in Adrian, Feb-
ruary 22, 1841, and died June 25, 1844. Mrs. Sarah Baker was
born October 9, 1816, at Auburn, N. Y. Her parents were of
New England origin. She was born and reared in the Pres-
byterian church, and was active in church work as long as
she was able to attend to the duties. Delos M. Baker came to
Adrian when he was about six months old, and it has been his home
ever since. He was educated in the Adrian schools. He commenced
his business career in the hardware store of Hon. W. S. Wilcox, in
the spring of 1862. After about four years service there, in the
spring of 1866 he formed a partnership with R. A. Bury in the lum-
ber business. This partnership continued about seven years, when
Mr. Bury retired, and Mr. Baker has carried on the business ever
since. He now handles all kinds of building materials, and can sup-
ply everything needed in the construction of a building excepting
hardware. He also, in connection, sells all kinds of coal used in
this locality. Mr. Baker has never been active in politics, and never
held an office, but has never failed to do a citizen's duty of attend-
ing primaries and voting. In early life he united with the Presby-
terian church in Adrian, and for thirty years has been one of its
trustees. Mr. Baker is President of the Lenawee County Savings
Bank, succeeding the Hon. J. R. Bennett, and director of the Page
Woven Wire Fence Company, President of the Adrian Building and
Loan Association, President of the Adrian Telephone Company, and
Vice President of the Y. M. C. A. He is also a stockholder in sev-
eral other manufacturing concerns. January 27, 1863, at Milwaukee,
Wis., he was married to Miss Julia E. Blount. There were no chil-
dren by this marriage. After a long residence in Adrian, where she
became well and favorably known, she died December 22, 1881. No-
vember 18, 1885, Mr. Baker married Miss Mary K. Goodman, of
Glens Falls, N. Y., by whom he has had two children, as follows:
Albert G., born September 24, 1886, and died February 23, 1889;
Helen K., born April 7, 1890, and now at home. Mrs. Mary K.
Baker was born in Bolton, N. Y., October 13, 1851. Her parents
were natives of New York, and her father resides at Glens Falls, N. Y.
298
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
SAMUEL YOUNG was born in Hopewell, Bedford County, Pa.,
January 2, 1848, and came to Michigan with his parents in 1852.
His father, John Young, was also born in Hopewell, Pa., February
11, 1811, the son of a soldier in the Revolution who served through
the war, and his stories of hardships and escapes are matters of his-
tory. John Young was reared a farmer, and always followed that
vocation. He resided in Bedford County until about the year 1852,
when he, with his wife and twelve children came to Michigan, and
settled on Section 33, in Ogden, this county. He resided on this
farm until 1884, when he disposed of it and removed to Weston, this
county, where he died February 4, 1885. John Young was twice
married, first to Miss Elizabeth Smith, of Bedford County, Pa.
They were the parents of thirteen children, as follows, John, Jr.,
born October 18, 1833; Henry, born October 24, 1836; Mary Ann,
born March 12, 1837; Alfred, born April 27, 1838; William, born
July 13, 1839; Sarah M., born September 26, 1840; George, born
December 15, 1841; Martha, born April 27, 1843; Samuel, born Jan-
uary 2, 1848; Simon, born August 26, 1849; Jennie E., born April
28, 1850; Susan, born March 20, 1852, all of whom were born in
Bedford County, Pa. Alvina was born in Ogden, May 21, 1854.
Mrs. Elizabeth (Smith) Young was born in Bedford County, Pa.,
March 12, 1810. Her parents were natives of Germany, and were
early settlers in Bedford County. She was a woman of remarkable
force and vitality, and died from a malignant attack of erysipelas,
March 20, 1862. Samuel Young, the subject of this sketch, came to
Michigan when he was about four years old, and has ever since
called Ogden his home. He was educated in the schools of Ogden,
and finished by a thorough business course in Evans' Business Col--
lege, of Adrian. He was reared a farmer, and when he was about 25-
years old he purchased a timber tract of 70 acres, on Section 19, in
Ogden, and at once commenced to make a home. He afterwards
purchased 30 acres on Section 29. In 1889 he purchased the Elisha
Luke homestead of 70 acres, on Section 20, where he now resides.
This is regarded as one of the most desirable and pleasant farm
homes of the township. In 1887 he went to Los Angeles, Cal., where-
he purchased a home and engaged in the real estate business for two
years. He was very successful in his efforts, and during the two
years became treasurer and one of the directors of the Edgemont
Land and Water Company. He held this position, which involved
the handling of large amounts of money, until his interests in Mich--
igan required his return, and he resigned and came back to his home
in Ogden. In 1891 he went to Chicago and again conducted a suc-
cessful real estate business for five years. In 1896 he once more re-
turned to his home in Ogden to oversee his farming interests. Since
that time he has remained in Ogden. Being public spirited and
active in all matters of general interest, he has taken a prominent
part in local and national affairs, and has served his township four
years as Clerk, three years as Town Treasurer, and two years as
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
299
School Inspector. He is a member and chairman of the High School
Board at Ogden Center, and has always taken an earnest interest in
education. He is an active politician, and affiliates with the Repub-
lican party. He is a man of genial and social traits, that make him.
very popular and in constant demand to serve his neighbors in many
ways. He is full of enterprise and push, and was one of the first.
promoters of the present splendid telephone system of the township,
and is and has been for some time engaged in promoting an electric
railroad across the township. To him all is success and victory. He
is a prominent member of Ogden Grange, the County Pomona
Grange and the State and National Granges. November 6, 1873,.
Samuel Young married Miss Rosetta C. Luke, only daughter of
Elisha and Sarah Luke, of Ogden, and they have one son, Al-
mon M., born in Ogden, September 5, 1874, married Miss Ruth M.
Dunning, and resides in Chicago. Mrs. Rosetta C. Young was born.
in Ogden, March 19, 1856. Her father, Elisha Luke, born in Port--
age County, Ohio, June 20, 1830, was the son of Elijah and Eliz-
abeth Luke, and now resides in Los Angeles, Cal. He was an early
settler in Ogden, where he married Miss Sarah Wilcox, April 28,
1855. She was born July 18, 1833, and is still living. Mrs. Sarah
Luke was the daughter of Aaron and Azubah Wilcox, of Palmyra,
this county.
Elijah Luke came to Ogden and took up government.
land on Section 20. His family consisted of ten children, all of
whom settled around him, and it was for many years known as the
"Luke neighborhood."
JAMES FARRAR was born in Troy, N. H., June 29, 1820.
His father, Daniel Farrar, was born, probably in Troy, N. H., in
1782. In 1653 John and Jacob Farrar came to America from Lan-
cashire, England. They established the town of Lancaster, Mass.,.
and also founded the Farrar family in this country. James Farrar,
the subject of this record, was a direct descendant of Jacob Farrar in
the sixth generation. The early days of our subject were passed
among the hills of New Hampshire, and under the shadow of Mount
Monadnock, where he received a common school education. At the
age of 18 years he went to Boston and engaged in the dry goods bus--
iness, but soon becoming "homesick," a few months found him back.
in the old home. He then found employment nearby, and after one
year's service in a country store, again went to Massachusetts and
procured employment at Royalston. After about three years' active
service in merchandizing, he finally purchased the interest. of Capt.
Howe, who was at that time a partner of L. R. Damon, in Fitzwil--
liam, N. H., the firm becoming Damon & Farrar. They remained
at that place about two years, when the business was disposed of.
In the fall of 1853 they came to Adrian, and established a dry goods-
300
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
-store in the Jermain block, Maumee street. A good business was
built up, and the firm of Damon & Farrar became well-known and
popular among the people of Lenawee County. Mr. Farrar was an
active business man and took an interest in all public affairs. He
built a handsome home on the corner of South Main and Merrick
streets in 1855, and in 1868-9, together with Mr. Damon, erected the


Mrs. Clara Farrar.
James Farrar.
large double house on East Maumee street, Adrian, where the fam-
ilies now reside. In 1860 the firm of Damon & Farrar was dissolved,
and Mr. Farrar purchased a half interest in the F. J. Buck hard-
ware store. After ten years in the hardware business, he purchased
the Loomis machine shop on South Winter street, which was suc-
cessfully carried on until 1883, when the shop and machinery were
destroyed by fire. He immediately associated with Messrs. Knapp
& McKenzie in building a large brick foundry for the manufacture
of brick and tile machinery. The Armory block on South Winter
street was built by Mr. Farrar and J. C. Rowley in 1884. About this
time he sold out his interest in the foundry to Gen. William Hum-
phrey, and retired from active business. He was for a long time an
ardent member of the Presbyterian church of Adrian, and served as
trustee for many years, until his death, December 8, 1890. January
1, 1852, at Warwick, Mass., he married Miss Clara Brown, daughter
of Russell and Clarissa (Waite) Brown, by whom he had three chil-
dren, only one of whom is living, Ida Russell, born in Adrian, Mich.,
July 2, 1862, now the wife of T. M. McFarland, of Cambridge, Ohio.
Russell Brown was born in Hubbardston, Mass., November 8, 1791,
and died July 10, 1871, at Warwick, Mass. His wife, Clarissa
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
301
(Waite) Brown, was born in the same place, June 25, 1797, and died
in Adrian, Mich., May 26, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were de--
scendants of the early Puritans of Massachusetts. The old homes
and birthplaces of Mr. and Mrs. Brown are still standing in Hub-
bardston. They are remarkably well preserved, and present in these
"modern days" fine specimens of the architecture and building skill
of the Revolutionary era.
DEACON ASAPH K. PORTER was born in Covert, Seneca
County, N. Y., March 26, 1812, and is the only man in Fairfield
township that still resides on the land he took up from the govern-.
ment in 1833, his deed for 160 acres on Section 7 being signed by
President Andrew Jackson. Mr. Porter has lived continuously on
this farm for seventy years, and now in his ninety-second year, is in


Asaph K. Porter.
Mrs. Rachel Porter.
good health and retains all his faculties to a remarkable degree. He
sprung from hardy English stock. His great-grandfather, Joshua
Porter, who came from England early in the 17th century, was a
pioneer in Connecticut, where he raised a large family. In an In-
dian conflict he was killed, and his body burned by the savages. His
son, John Porter, grandfather of our subject, afterwards emigrated
to Tompkins County, N. Y., where he was a pioneer, and raised a
302
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
family of nine sons and three daughters. Lewis Porter, father of
our subject, was a pioneer in Seneca County, N. Y., where he cleared
up a farm, and had a family of twelve children. His oldest son,
Asaph K., was a pioneer in Lenawee County, Mich., and had a fam-
ily of nine children. This certainly shows a wonderful record of
pioneer life, covering a period of over three centuries. Mr. Porter

Residence of Asaph K. Porter, Fairfield. This Photo taken in 1902. Notice cherry tree in fore-
ground, set out in 1836.
has always been an active, energetic citizen, alive to the best inter-
ests of the community, and while he was always ready to do battle
for the material welfare of the early settlers, he never neglected the
religious, moral and ethical side of life. He was instrumental in or-
ganizing schools, churches and Sunday schools. A Baptist church
was organized in 1838, and he gave an acre of land for the church
building, besides assisting in its construction. The church is now
known as the First Baptist church of Weston. It affords us great
satisfaction to present the accompanying portraits of Mr. and Mrs.
Porter, whose life work has been so much to descendants and many
friends. We also show a fine picture of the comfortable home,
erected in 1853, on the spot where the first log cabin stood. April
6, 1836, Mr. Porter was married to Miss Rachel Glazier,
daughter of Walker and Cornelia Glazier, of Covert, Seneca
County, N. Y., and nine children were born to them, as fol-
lows: Edwin C., born February 24, 1837, a farmer of Fairfield;
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
303
Walker G., born October 19, 1839, farmer of Fairfield, was a mem-
ber of the 18th Michigan Infantry, and served for three years in the
war of the Rebellion; James T., born December 12, 1841, died Octo-
ber 7, 1851; Sarah C., born June 24, 1844, died September 26, 1851;
Lewis T., born September 27, 1846, a resident of Morenci; Emma L.,
born November 7, 1849, died February 3, 1850; Jane, born August
17, 1851, wife of M. L. Foster, of Frontier, Hillsdale County; Ro-
salia, born October 22, 1855, wife of E. C. Chandler, of Steubenville,
Ohio; Ezra H., born January 31, 1859, always resided at the old
home. Mrs. Rachel Porter was born in Peekskill, N. Y., May 10,
1818, and died at her home in Fairfield, January 29, 1894. Her
father was born June 16, 1789, and died September 7, 1873. Her
mother was born April 1, 1791, and died March 18, 1856.
DR. JAMES HENRY REYNOLDS was the son of Madison
and Augusta (Moon) Reynolds, of Avon, Lorain County, Ohio, hav-
ing settled there in 1810. Mrs. Reynolds father was the first settler
of the town of Avon. Her people were originally from the Green
Mountain State, while Mr. Reynolds', Sr., parents were from the
Empire State. Our subject was born in Amherst, Lorain County,
May 14, 1845. At the age of 6 years his parents moved to Peters-
burg, Monroe County, where he resided until 1868. He was a stu-
dent there in the public schools, and was prepared for college at the
Ypsilanti Seminary. He served in the army about two years, and
was mustered out May 7, 1865, before he was twenty years old. He
was a member of Company G., Sixth Michigan Heavy Artillery, and
performed the duties of hospital steward. On his return from the
army Mr. Reynolds took up the study of medicine with Dr. D. W.
Loree, of Ridgeway, this county. He attended medical lectures at
the U. of M., and graduated from the Detroit Medical College in
1871. Dr. Reynolds practiced medicine in Palmyra for fifteen years,
and removed to Adrian in 1883, where he remained in practice until
1895. On account of failing health he gave up his lucrative prac-
tice and assisted in the organization of the Bond Steel Post Com-
pany, and was made secretary and advertising agent, which he held
for two and one-half years, when he disposed of his interests and
accepted a position, October, 1897, with the Page Woven Wire
Fence Company, as advertising manager, which he still retains, and
it is an open secret that to him belongs no small share of the credit
of the perfection to which this department has been brought. Dr.
Reynolds is known as a man possessed of a large fund of information
on this line, giving much study and care to the duties of his office.
Dr. Reynolds makes all advertising contracts and supplies all the
copy, sees to the novelties, and represents the company at the Na-
304
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
tional Manufacturers' Associations. He is an honorary member of
the National Agricultural Press League, treasurer of the Farmers'
National Congress, and one of the committee on transportation.
He is a student every day of his life, and is quite a traveler, having
visited nearly every large city in the United States. Dr. Reynolds
has always voted the Republican ticket, because they could not raise
Democrats near Oberlin, O.,
where he was brought up.
He held the office of super-
intendent of schools of Pal-
myra township in the days
when that officer had to ex-
amine teachers and visit the
schools. He was twice
elected Town Clerk and has
served as health officer
many years. He was U. S.
examining surgeon for pen-
sions on the board at Adrian
for six years, and for five
years he was surgeon for
the Lake Shore Railroad
Company at this point. Dr.
Reynolds dropped out of
politics and had not at-
tended a caucus for ten
years, but in the spring of
1901 he was elected Mayor
of the city of Adrian. It
was mainly through his ef-
forts that the city was bonded and given the start towards the im-
provements which are now taking place. Also the settlement with
the Lake Shore road about the Centre street bridge was left almost
entirely to him, which every citizen realized was very favorable to our
city. It was under his administration that the work was laid out and
estimates agreed upon for the paving of North and South Main streets,
East Church, Michigan and West Maumee streets, and the city
bonded for $50,000 to pay for these improvements. October 21, 1869,
Dr. Reynolds was married to Miss Margaretta V. Steele, of Palmyra.
This union was blessed with two children, Miss Bertha L., now the
wife of J. H. Early, of Rockford, Ill., and Miss Florence L., who
resides at the homestead. In the Masonic bodies Dr. Reynolds has
been worshipful master of Palmyra lodge, high priest of Blissfield
Chapter, R. A. M., T. I. M. of Adrian Council of Royal and Select
Masters, and eminent commander of Adrian Commandery, No. 4, K.
T. He is past commander of Woodbury Post, G. A. R., and has
held the office of esteemed lecturing knight of the Adrian Lodge of
Elks, No. 429, for three years. Dr. Reynolds has done much towards

Dr. J. H. Reynolds.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
305
the advance and upbuilding of his adopted city, using his time and
means. During the past few years he has erected one of the largest
and finest business blocks in Adrian, situated on North Main street
and known as the Reynolds Block. His home is pleasantly located
at No. 7 Broad street.
CHARLES HAHN was born Mecklenberg, Germany, March 7,
1853, and came to the United States in 1870, first settling at Liberty
Centre, Ohio. He resided there until 1876, when he removed to
Ogden, this county, and soon after purchased a farm on Section 16.
In 1884 he sold his first purchase, and bought the farm where he

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hahn, of Ogden.
now resides, on Section 10. Mr. Hahn came to this country when he
was seventeen years old, with a brother and two sisters. The par-
ents had died in Germany some years before. Since that time his
remaining two sisters have come to this country. All his relatives
reside in Ohio. He came to the United States penniless, and had
20
306
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
agreed to pay for his passage after his arrival, which he did. He
has been blessed with good health and a resolute purpose, and has
succeeded remarkably well. After a struggle of thirty-three years
he has reached a safe haven, and owns an Ogden farm of one hun-
dred and sixty acres, with good buildings and comfortable surround-
ings. He is engaged in general farming, and is a successful feeder
of cattle and hogs. December 23, 1875, Charles Hahn married Miss
Catherine Huttenlocker, daughter of Andrew and Mary Hutten-
locker, of Huron, Ohio, and they are the parents of four children, as
follows: Joseph A., born January 1, 1877; William F., born June 8,
1879, died April 25, 1901; Ezra A., born October 11, 1883; Lydia
L., born January 16, 1888; Mrs. Catherine Hahn was born in
Sandusky, Ohio, March 3, 1855. Her parents are natives of Wir-
temberg, Germany, came to America about the year 1850, first set-
tling in Sandusky, Ohio, where they resided for about two years,
when a farm was purchased in Huron, Ohio, where Mr. Huttenlocker
still resides. His wife died there December 23, 1894.
HUDSON W. CONKLING was born in Walkill, Orange County,
N. Y., December 24, 1821, and came to Michigan with his parents
in 1833. His father, Samuel G. Conkling, was born in Orange County,
N. Y., April 11, 1797. [For his family record see Whitney & Bonner's
History and Biographical Record of Lenawee County, Vol 1, page
111.] Hudson W. Conkling lived with his parents until he was about
nineteen years old, when he went to learn the carpenter's trade with
Alonzo Murray, one of the pioneer builders of Tecumseh.
lowed carpentering and building for several years, when he went
into the Anderson & Brewer foundry as pattern-maker. It was but
a few years after this that he became a partner in the business, and
continued there until 1889, when he disposed of his interest. Since
that time he has devoted his time to his farming interests. Mr.
Conkling well remembers the construction of the old horse railroad
that run from Palmyra, where it connected with the Erie & Kalama-
zoo Railroad that then run from Toledo to Adrian. The road was
built from Palmyra to Clinton, and was first operated by horse
power about 1839. The track of this road was made of 2x4 hard
maple strips, laid upon larger timbers or stringers. The road was
operated on this track until about 1842, when the iron strap rail was
used and a small locomotive took the place of horses. Joseph Tucker
was the engineer who run the first locomotive into Tecumseh. The
Globe mills were built in 1836-7 by Stillman Blanchard and Mr.
Gardner, of Troy, N. Y. After the county seat was removed to Adrian
in 1836, the court house was at once utilized as a school house,
and was called a "branch" of the Michigan University. Mr. Conk-
RECORD Of Lenawee COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
307
ling's earliest recollection of the teachers in this school included
Judge S. C. LeBaron, Perley Bills and Miss Brown, who afterwards.
became Mrs. Bills. Mr. Conkling remembers an oak tree that was
cut on Section 12, in Raisin, that measured over eight feet in diam-
eter, made many thousand staves of best cuts, besides three eleven
foot rail cuts. December 31, 1842, Hudson W. Conkling married Miss
Caroline Gray, daughter of Hugh and Mary (Sinclair) Gray, of
Raisin, this county, and they have had four children, as follows:
Frances Elmira, born in Tecumseh, July 23, 1843, married L. C.
Blood, and resides in Lansing. She is the mother of four children,
Dewitt C., born in Tecumseh, died at the age of five years; Henry
C., died in infancy; Sarah Jane, born in Tecumseh, November 11,
1864, married Joseph B. VanNess, was the mother of two children,
Gertrude and Lester H. She died in Tecumseh, May 6, 1889. Mrs.
Hudson W. Conkling was born in Livonia, Livingston County, N.
Y., June 4, 1824, and came to Michigan with her parents in 1831.
Her parents were natives of Ireland, and came to the United States
with their parents when they were children, and settled in Northum-
berland County, Pa.
DAVID METCALF was born in Davenport, Delaware County,
N. Y., October, 21, 1827. His father, Ira Metcalf, was a native of
Connecticut, and was born September 10, 1794. When a young man
Ira Metcalf removed to Delaware County, N. Y., purchased a farm
in Davenport township, and resided there until 1851. He then emi-
grated to Fox Lake, Dodge County, Wis., where he purchased a
large farm in the township of Trenton, and resided there until his
death, which occurred at Fox Lake, Wis., August 24, 1875. October
28, 1816, Ira Metcalf married Miss Sarah Goodrich, daughter of Seth
Goodrich, and they had five children, David being the third son and
fourth child. Mrs. Sarah Metcalf was born in Delaware County,
February 15, 1796, and died at Fox Lake, Wis., September 30, 1866.
Her father, Seth Goodrich, was a very early settler in Delaware
County, N. Y., raised a family of eleven children, and resided there
until his death. David Metcalf, the subject of this sketch, lived
with his parents on the farm in Delaware County, N. Y., until 1849,
when he removed to Wisconsin, and settled on Fox River Reserva-
tion, among the Indians. At that time the land had not been sur-
veyed. He "squatted" on the land, where he built a log house, and
other buildings. There were three families in the colony that Mr.
Metcalf was a part of, but at the end of one year, Mr. Metcalf traded
his chances on his claim for a surveyed tract near Fox Lake. After two
years' hard work on this farm, his health failed him, and he engaged in
merchandizing in Fox Lake village, where he remained until the spring
of 1858. At that time he removed to Watertown, engaged in railroad-
308
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
ing on the great thoroughfare now known as the Milwaukee & St.
Paul Ralroad, and remained there until 1861, when he was ap-
pointed mail agent, his route being between Milwaukee & La Crosse.
He remained in the mail service for over three years, but owing to
ill-health, resigned in favor of a veteran in the Rebellion. He after-
David Metcalf.
Mrs. Amelia Metcalf.
wards returned to railroading
and besides filling many other
positions, was made purchasing
agent of the Milwaukee & St.
Paul Railroad, and remained in
that capacity until 1871, when
he was appointed by S. S. Mer-
rill, General Manager, General
Roadmaster of all the lines of
the M. & S. P. Railroad, east
of the Mississippi River. He
laid the track now in use be-
tween Chicago and Milwaukee,
and completed the work in
1873. He continued in the
service of the company in va-
rious responsible and import-
ant positions until 1882, when
he resigned and moved to
Michigan. On coming to
Michigan he settled in Adrian,
and purchased a home on the
corner of Clinton and Toledo
streets, known as the Ira Buck
home. In 1883 he engaged in
the dry goods business in
Adrian, the firm being Metcalf
& Co., and remained in trade
until 1889. He was one of the
organizers, and is a stock-
holder and director of the
Commercial Savings Bank of
Adrian, and has been con-
nected with many other im-
portant business enterprises of
the city. He built a fine resi-
dence on State street in 1889.
For several years he was a
trustee of the Bay View Camp
Ground Association, and was
its secretary for nine years.
He is President of the Na-
tional Voting Machine Com-


RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
309
pany of Adrian. He was for six years the resident member and
treasurer of the State Industrial Home for Girls, at Adrian, serving
from 1893 to 1900, and is also President of the Board of Trustees
of Adrian College.
He has been for several years a trustee of the

Residence of David Metcalf, No. 10 State Street, Adrian.
Young Men's Christian Association. March 26, 1849, David Met-
calf married Miss Amelia G. Gibbs, daughter of Benjamin F. Gibbs,
of Harpersfield, Delaware County, N. Y. Mrs. David Metcalf was
born in Harpersfield, November 12, 1828.
DR. LUCIAN GREGORY NORTH was born in Tompkins
County, N. Y., October 29, 1850. His father, John C. North, was
born in Tompkins County, January 5, 1820, and was the son of
Joshua and Jemima (Hedden) North, who were pioneers there, be-
ing natives of Pennsylvania. They were married January 5, 1808,
and at once took up a new farm in Tompkins County. John C.
North was always a farmer, and was an unassuming, honorable and
sincere man.. His life was passed in doing his duty as he saw it,
310
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
and he was respected in his community. In 1860 he came to Michi-
gan with his family, and after spending two years in Delhi, Ingham
County, he removed to Parma, Jackson County, where he resided
five years, when, owing to declining health, he gave up farming,
and removed to Tecumseh, where he died March 31, 1879. January
5, 1850, he married Miss Abbie Jane Gregory, daughter of Elijah and
Dr. L. G. North, Tecumseh.
Amy (Ketchum) Gregory, of
Tompkins County, and they
had two children, Dr. Lucian
G. being the oldest. The sec-
ond child was a daughter,
Amy, who died near Lansing,
Mich., in 1861. Mrs. Abby
Jane North was born in Tomp-
kins County, N. Y., Septem-
ber 27, 1824, and is still living
in Tecumseh with her son.
Dr. Lucian G. North followed
farming until he was seven-
teen years old. On coming to
Tecumseh, in 1867, he attended
the high school for two years.
The next five years were
passed in a sash, door and
blind factory. In 1874 he took
up the study of medicine with
the late Dr. I. S. Hamilton,
and graduated from the medi-
cal department of Michigan
University in June, 1877. He
then remained in Ann Arbor

in post-graduate work for two years, during which time he was sec-
retary of the Faculty of the Department of Medicine and Surgery.
In June, 1879, he came to Tecumseh and formed a partnership with
the late Dr. Hamilton for the practice of medicine and surgery,
which continued for two years. He has occupied his present office
since that time. For the past nineteen years he has been a member
of the Tecumseh School Board, and for eighteen years its secretary.
He has been a member of the Baptist church for twenty-five years,
and was superintendent of the Sunday school for upwards of twenty
years. During the first two or three years of his practice it was a
hard struggle, but at this time he occupies a prominent place in the
community. He is a member of the Lenawee County Medical So-
ciety, the Michigan State Medical Society, and the American Medi-
cal Association. He is the local surgeon for the following railroads:
Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, the Detroit, Toledo & Milwaukee,
and the Detroit Southern. September 3, 1878, Dr. North married
Miss Ida M. Stevens, daughter of Asahel and Lucia (Bowen) Stev-
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
311
ens, of Tecumseh, and they have two children, as follows: Naomi
S., born December 7, 1879, is a graduate of Kalamazoo College, and
is now a teacher in Kalamazoo High School. Cuyler S., born Sep-
tember 7, 1882, a student at Kalamazoo College. Killed by Michigan
Central passenger train while on a visit to Albion, Mich., June 6,
1903. When they entered the first grade of the Tecumseh public
schools their father was a member of the Board of Education, and at
the close of a twelve years' course, representing the board, he.had
the satisfaction of presenting them with their diplomas. Mrs. Ida
M. North was born at Cooperstown, N. Y., September 13, 1853.
Her father, Asahel Stevens, was born in Springfield, N. Y., and
he was the son of James and Rhoda (Parmelee) Stevens. Asahel
Stevens was a seafaring man, and before his marriage had visited
nearly every important seaport in the civilized world."
COSPER RORICK was born in Seneca, Lenawee County,
Mich., October 8, 1838. His father, Estell Rorick, was born in
Deckertown, Sussex County, N. J., April 21, 1809, where he lived
until 1834. He was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Wilson) Rorick,
natives of Sussex County. The Rorick ancestors were German, and
the Wilsons were Irish. Estell Rorick was brought up a farmer,
and always followed that calling. In 1837 he came to Michigan
and purchased land on Section 7, in Seneca, this county, but subse-
quently sold out and purchased land in Dover. After residing a few
years in Dover he again removed to Seneca and purchased a farm
on Sections 8 and 17, where he resided until his death, which oc-
curred September 14, 1880. February 7, 1836, Estell Rorick married
Miss Hannah Breese, daughter of Elias and Deborah (Bennett)
Breese, of Horse Heads, N. Y., and they had four children: Cosper;
Deborah Ann, who married Philetus Spear; Lovina A., who married
Dr. C. F. Bennett; Mary Melissa, who married Sylvester K. Por-
ter. Mrs. Hannah (Breese) Rorick was born in Horse Heads, N. Y.,
January 1, 1804, and died in Seneca, October 30, 1896. Cosper
Rorick, subject of this sketch, has always lived in Lenawee County,
and was educated in the district schools of his township, Barrows'
Academy in Medina, and at Oak Grove Academy, in Medina village.
He has always lived on a farm, and followed that business until
1894, when he located in the village of Morenci, where he now re-
sides. While engaged in active farming he was largely interested
in dairying, and for twenty-five years had a cheese factory on his
farm. He also handled considerable live stock (cattle and hogs) and
fitted them for the market. At one time he owned seven hundred
and sixty acres of land, nearly all in one body. He erected fine
buildings, among the very best in the township, and has always
312
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL

Cosper Rorick, Morenci.
taken pride in keeping them in good repair. He erected a good res-
idence in Morenci, where he lives and is now engaged in looking
after his property interests. He is a Director and Vice President of
the First National Bank of Morenci. He never took to politics, and
never sought or held a political office. June 30, 1861, Cosper Rorick
married Miss Alice Horton, daughter of Samuel and Lucina Horton,
of Fairfield, and they have had four children, as follows: George
Herbert, born June 28, 1864, married, September 17, 1885, Mary
RECORD OF LENAWEE county, MICHIGAN.
313
Edith Kennedy, has two children, and resides on the home farm in
Seneca; Horton C., born December 6, 1866, married Mary Edna
Packard, September 17, 1891, has three children, and resides in
Toledo, Ohio; Eva May, born July 28, 1873, married George H.
Crane, September 16, 1897. They have one child, and reside in Mo-
nessen, Pa.; Leila Estell, born June 5, 1880, married Albert V. Foster,
September 16, 1903, and resides in Morenci. Mrs. Alice (Horton)
Rorick, was born in Lafayette, Medina County, Ohio, March 26,
1842, and died May 19, 1891. [For her family history see Hon.
George B. Horton's record, in this volume.] November 21, 1894,
Mr. Rorick married Miss Amie C. Spaulding, daughter of Leonard
L. and Cordelia (Jacobs) Spaulding, of Detroit, Mich. Her father, a
native of Vermont, was born in 1809, and died in Jonesville, Mich.,
in 1884. Her mother was a native of London, Canada, born January
6, 1823, and died January 31, 1885.
ISAAC H. MOSHER was born in Raisin, this county, August
31, 1835. His father, Thomas Mosher, was born in Stanford, Dutchess
County, N. Y., December 26, 1806, and was the son of Joshua and
Sarah (Hoag) Mosher, who were also natives of Stanford. They
were married about the year 1800, Sarah being the daughter of Paul
Hoag, a birth-right Quaker. Joshua and Sarah Mosher became
the parents of eleven children. In 1808 they removed to Laurens,
Otsego County, N. Y., where they lived for several years, but finally
settled on a farm near Skaneateles, where Sarah died in 1860, and
Joshua in 1863. The ancestors of the Moshers and the Hoags were
Quakers, and originally came from New England to the State of
New York. Hugh Mosher came from England some time in 1600.
Thomas Mosher lived with his parents until he was twenty-one years
old, and became both miller and farmer. In 1827 he left home, and
in 1828 he went to Niagara County, N. Y., and purchased sixty acres
of land of the Holland Purchase Company. Here he made a home
and lived until 1832, when he came to Michigan, arriving in Adrian
in May. He at once took up 160 acres of land in Madison, about six
miles south of Adrian, where he resided until 1851, when he sold to
Elisha Hinsdale, soon after purchasing a farm in Raisin, of Noah
Tindall. January 15, 1834, Thomas Mosher married Miss Lucy
Baker, daughter of Moses Baker, a Quaker pioneer. They had two
children, as follows: Isaac H., born in Raisin, August 31, 1835;
Sarah, born in Raisin, and married Moses Comfort. Mrs. Lucy
(Baker) Mosher was born in Macedon, Wayne County, N. Y., No-
vember 25, 1809. She came to Michigan with her parents in the
spring of 1832, and settled in Fairfield, this county. She died at the
home of her son-in-law, Moses Comfort, in Raisin, in the 79th year
314
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
of her age.
Thomas Mosher died December 9, 1887. Isaac H..
Mosher, the subject of this sketch, lived on the homestead in Raisin,.
until the spring of 1887, when he purchased his present fine farm
home on Section 36, in Cambridge. Since his residence in Cam--
bridge Mr. Mosher has engaged in special lines of farming, and his-

Residence of Isaac H. Mosher, Cambridge.
success establishes the fact that close attention and intelligent ap-
plication to specific lines bring reward. For the past fifteen years
Mr. Mosher has been engaged in raising young poultry for market,
and annually ships many thousands of broiler chickens to New York.
It is worth a visit to his farm to witness the process of producing
"spring chickens" at all seasons. Mr. Mosher also makes a specialty
of producing the finest quality of dairy butter, and is a breeder of
choice Jersey stock. He now has a herd of twenty-four cows and heif-
ers, from the best Jersey families in the country, the head of the herd
being a choice specimen of the Rysland family. His butter finds
ready sale in eastern markets at top prices. January 17, 1861, Isaac
H. Mosher married Miss Elizabeth Hoag, daughter of Hazael and Sadie
(Hallock) Hoag, and they have had four children, as follows: Lucy
E., born January 23, 1862; William T., born March 15, 1867, married
Miss Jessie Johnson, of Alpena, October 2, 1901; Arthur E., born
February 21, 1870, on the home farm; Katherine M., born February
14, 1874, married Chauncey A. Graves, July 28, 1898, has one child,
J. Russell, born March 31, 1903. Mrs. Elizabeth (Hoag) Mosher
was born in Kalamazoo, Mich., July 20, 1833. Her father was born
in Vermont, April 3, 1796. Her mother was born in Peru, New Jer-
sey, April 27, 1802, and died June 17, 1888.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
315
NATHANIEL HENDERSON was born near the city of Ar-
magh, North of Ireland, March 27, 1824. His father, John Hender-
son, and his grandfather, George Henderson, were born at the same
place. His great-grandfather, John Henderson, was born in Ayr-
shire, Scotland, in the village of Kilmarnock. When he was about


Mrs. Mary Henderson.
Nathaniel Henderson.
eight years old, during the reign of Charles II., he fled with his par-
ents to the North of Ireland to escape the persecutions by the Presby-
terians, of those known as the Dissenters. Before leaving Scotland his
father was hunted by English soldiers, and was driven to some of
the Highland fastnesses, where he was kept alive by his young son
George secretly carrying him food and drink until the family could
escape. All of these men, who lived to be very old, handed down
their history and the story of their sufferings, from father to son.
The home that was secured in Ireland, during the reign of Charles.
II., is still in the hands of the family, and is now occupied by Na-
thaniel Henderson's brother's family. The mother of Nathaniel
Henderson, the subject of this sketch, was also of Scotch origin, and
her ancestors settled in Ireland under the same circumstances as the
Hendersons. She was a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Simp-
son) Graham. Her brother, Samuel Graham, came to the United
States in 1836, settled on Section 28, in Ogden, this county, and was
one of the organizers of the township. In January, 1852, the sub-
ject of our sketch, wrote from his home in Ireland to his uncle for
information regarding the advisability of his coming to America..
316
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Mr. Graham at once replied: "I think it is the best thing you can do;
by working hard you can get a good living here." On the 28th of the
following June, Mr. Henderson arrived in Ogden. After a stay of a
few weeks with his uncle, he went to Tecumseh, where he found em-
ployment, and resided for nearly seven years. He worked for Judge
Stacy for three years of the time. During this period he purchased
a farm on Sections 9 and 16, in
Ogden, and paid for it. In
the spring of 1859 he moved to
his land in Ogden, and com-
menced clearing. It was cov-
ered with water and heavy
timber, but Mr. Henderson
succeeded in making a beauti-
ful farm, and believes he has
done as much as any other
man to improve Lenawee
County. He has a farm of 240
acres with fine buildings,
fences, etc. The land is tiled
and drained scientifically, and
is as productive as land can be
made. Mr. Henderson has re-
tired from farming, and now
resides in Madison, near
Adrian, in the most comfort-
able manner. Two brothers
followed Mr. Henderson from
Ireland, and settled in Ogden.
One died the following year;
John, who now resides on Section 28, Ogden, was a soldier in the
great Rebellion. November 28, 1858. Mr. Henderson married Miss
Mary Dunlap, daughter of William and Elizabeth (White) Dunlap,
of Tecumseh. One son only has resulted from this marriage, as fol-
lows: William J., born in Tecumseh, October 20, 1859. Mrs. Hen-
derson's parents were born near Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland.
Their ancestors were Scotch Dissenters. Mrs. Henderson came to
Michigan in 1835, with her parents, and settled in Tecumseh. She
was born in Philadelphia, February 16, 1833.

William Henderson.
JOHN C. TOLFORD was born in Dover, Lenawee County,
Mich., October 2, 1856. His father, John W. Tolford, was born in
Haverhill, Mass., January 14, 1826, where he lived until he was
about seven years of age, when he came to Michigan with his par-
ents, Hugh and Hannah Tolford, and settled in Dover township, on
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
317
Section 36, in 1833, where he resided until his death, which occurred
January 12, 1900. Hugh Tolford died in January, 1861, and Han--
nah Tolford died March 20, 1866. John W. Tolford was first mar-
ried to Miss Sally Ann Tenbrooke, by whom he had one son, Frank
W. Mrs. Sally Ann (Tenbrooke) Tolford died in August, 1851.
November 24, 1854, he married Miss Matilda Stumbaugh of Seneca,.

Residence of John C. Tolford, Dover.
daughter of John and Susan Stumbaugh, who were pioneers and
settled on Section 2, in Seneca. By this marriage there were six
children, four of whom are still living. Mrs. John W. Tolford was
born in Southampton, Franklin County, Pa., and came to Michi-
gan with her parents. She still resides on the old homestead in
Dover. John C. Tolford, the subject of this sketch, has always lived
in the township of Dover, and has always followed farming. He
owns a farm on Section 36, in Dover, and as an evidence that he is a
thrifty and progressive man, we show a fine engraving of his tasty
and comfortable home. He is a member of Seneca Lodge, K. P.,
and an active member of Fruit Ridge Grange, having filled the
prominent chairs of the Lodge. Mr. Tolford has been twice mar-
ried. August 14, 1878, he married Miss Kate Ellis, daughter of
Alvin and Mabel Ellis. She died from a malignant attack of ery-
sipelas February 19, 1879, six months after her marriage. October
21, 1880, he married Miss Mary E. McCabe, of Seneca, daughter of
Alexander and Harriet McCabe. By this marriage three children
have been born, as follows: Fred A., born June 19, 1883; J. Forest,
born August 29, 1888; Van R., born January 28, 1891. Mrs. Mary
318
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
E. Tolford was born in Monclova, Lucas County, Ohio, October 5,
1855, and came to Michigan in 1876. Her father was born in Cum-
berland County, Pa., March 3, 1827, and died in Morenci, September
20, 1900. Her mother was born in Bucks County, Pa., April 28,
1830, and now resides in Dover.
MURRAY L. ROBINSON was born in Tyre, Seneca County,
N. Y., May 6, 1839. His father, Morgan L. Robinson, born near
Springport, Cayuga County, N. Y., February 27, 1804, was raised a
farmer, and afterwards maintained a saw mill in the town of Tyre,
until his sudden death, March 21, 1840, He was the son of Giles
Robinson, a surveyor and pioneer in Cayuga County, N. Y., and rep-
resented the seventh generation of the Robinson family. He was a
descendant of John Robinson, who was born in England, in 1576, and


Murray L. Robinson.
Mrs. Carrie L. Robinson.
died March 1st, 1625. John Robinson 1st was a minister in a Puri-
tan church at Layton, England, and the records show that he was
afterwards chosen pastor of the Puritan church in Nottingham
County, in 1606, afterwards going to Amsterdam in the winter of
1607-8, and back to Layton in 1610, where he died. In 1629 John
Robinson's widow and children came over to Plymouth colony in
Massachusetts. The names of two sons are known: Isaac, who set-
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
319
tled in Scituate, and John, near Cape Ann. Isaac 2d removed to
Barnstable in 1639, and was disfranchised by Governor Prince in
1659, because of his opposition to the laws against the Quakers. He
was restored by Governor Winslow in 1673, having commenced the
settlement of Falmouth in 1660. So far as is known Giles Robinson
is the first of the family to leave New England. He emigrated to
New York and settled in Cayuga County, about the year 1800.
visited Michigan in 1857, and died at his home in New York May 1,
1859. Murray L. Robinson, subject of this sketch, represents the
ninth generation. He came to Michigan with his mother, Mrs.
Amanda M. (Daboll) Robinson, and family of six children, and set-
tled on Section 15, in Adrian township, where he now resides. The
family consisted of five sons and one daughter. In 1865 a saw mill
was built on the farm, and has always been know as the "Robinson
Bros.' Mill." Mr. Robinson followed farming at home until 1862,
when he enlisted in Company F, 4th Michigan Cavalry, and served.
throughout the great Rebellion. He enlisted under Col. R. B. Rob-
bins, of Adrian, who went as Captain of Company F. Mr. Robinson
was made Corporal, and served until July 1, 1865, when he was mus-
tered out at Nashville, Tenn. His regiment was very efficient dur-
ing the entire war, and participated in the historical event of the
capture of Jeff Davis, near Hawkinsville, Ga., May 9, 1865. Mr.
Robinson relates many hardships which his company and reg-
iment encountered. In the spring of 1864, after recruiting the regi-
ment at Nashville, it was ordered to join General Sherman on his
historic march to Atlanta. On leaving Nashville the roll of his
company showed 100 men, but after the surrender of Atlanta, only
nine men were present or accounted for. Of course there were a num-
ber of men on detached service, and absent from other causes, be-
sides the killed and wounded. Although Mr. Robinson was in
nearly all the battles the regiment was engaged in, he was never
wounded or injured, and was only disabled from sickness about one
week during his three years of service. No regiment did better or
more valiant service than the 4th Michigan Cavalry, and the surviv-
ing members feel a just pride in its history and record. February
26, 1868, Murray L. Robinson married Miss Carrie L. Chambers,
daughter of Thomas and Annie (Lyke) Chambers, and they are the
parents of one child, Lilly M., born January 21, 1869, married George
S. Russell, June 20, 1888, was the mother of one child, Roy P., born
March 1, 1890. She died April 6th, 1890. Mrs. Carrie L. Robinson
was born June 30, 1846, in Fairfield, this county. Her parents were
natives of New York, came to Michigan in 1834, and settled on Sec-
tion 8, in Fairfield, where they resided until 1861. At that time they
disposed of their home in Fairfield and purchased a farm on Section
16, in Adrian township, where Mrs. Chambers died, February 21,
1880, and Mr. Chambers died August 21, 1894. Mrs. Amanda M.
(Daboll) Robinson was born in Connecticut, April 13, 1806, and died
in Adrian township, August 24, 1883.
320
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
BENJAMIN L. HICKS was born in Bristol, Ontario County, N.
Y., June 14, 1820, and came to Michigan with his parents in 1835.
His parents, Ephraim and Mercy Hicks, both natives of Massachusetts,
were pioneers in Ontario County, N. Y., and also Lenawee County,
Mich. Ephraim Hicks was a man of sterling qualities, having been
reared among men who never faltered in time of need. His boy-
hood days were spent in a Puritan atmosphere, and his young man-


Benjamin L. Hicks.
Mrs. Nancy J. Hicks.
hood was passed among scenes of trial and triumph over the primi-
tive in nature, and strife and war in human affairs. He was a sol-
dier in the war of 1812, and was at Buffalo when the British burned
that city. He settled on Sections 6 and 7, in Ogden, this county, in
1835, where he took up two 80 acre lots from the government and
purchased two from John T. Comstock. Here he resided until his
death, which occurred May 12, 1879. He was the first supervisor elected
from the township of Ogden, in 1837, and was again elected in
1841-2-3. He was a man highly respected by all, and enjoyed the
confidence and esteem of the people of Ogden for more than forty
years. In 1816 he married Mercy, daughter of Benjamin and Eliza-
beth Lincoln, of Taunton, Mass., and they were the parents of two
children, Benjamin L., and Nancy M., who was born in Bristol, On-
tario County, N. Y., May 9, 1818, became the wife of William B.
Freeman, and died in Ogden. Mrs. Mercy Hicks was a woman of
many virtues, and gladly shared with her husband all his trials
and triumphs. She was a typical pioneer and devoted mother. She
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
321
was born in Taunton, Mass., March 5, 1785, and died in Ogden, this
county, August 26, 1844. Benjamin L. Hicks, the subject of this
sketch, came to Michigan when he was about fifteen years old, and
lived on the same place in Ogden for sixty-six years. No person in
Ogden township was better or more favorably known. His life was
active and his career an honorable one. He assisted his father in
clearing up the large farm. It will be impossible for the present
and future generations to realize what it meant to clear a farm out
of the virgin forests of Ogden. Yet our subject never faltered, but
rather struggled the harder when the great obstacles confronted
him. To clear this land was not all, but it must be ditched and
tiled to make it tillable. All this work he did, besides finding time
to give attention to all public duties and questions that concerned
the common welfare. He was a man of sterling qualities and un-
blemished character, and enjoyed the confidence of all who knew
him. He served his township several times as supervisor, was also
elected treasurer, and perhaps settled more estates than any man in
Ogden. He lived to the good old age of eighty-two years, and died
in Ogden, June 7, 1902. November 12, 1844, Benjamin L. Hicks
married Miss Nancy J. Walker, daughter of Eliakim and Nancy
Walker, of Salem, Washtenaw County, Mich., and they were the
parents of one child, that died in infancy. Mrs. Nancy J. (Walker)
Hicks was born in Bristol, Ontario County, N. Y., August 22, 1824,
and died in Ogden, April 18, 1847. April 14, 1863, he married Miss
Juliana B. Freeman, daughter of William and Betsy Freeman, of
Ogden. She was born in Attleboro, Mass., June 28, 1822, came to
Michigan with her parents in 1842, and died in Ogden, January 25,
1890.
J. WALLACE PAGE was born in Rollin, Lenawee County,
Mich., November 17, 1843. His father, Olson Page, came to Michi-
gan in 1834, and first located in Rome, this county, but remained
there only about eighteen months, when he removed to Rollin and
settled on Section 21, where J. Wallace was born and raised. It
was in district schools that his rudimentary education was obtained,
but later he attended Adrian High School, and also spent some
time at Adrian College. At the breaking out of the Civil War, in
1861, the young man's patriotism was aroused and he considered it
his duty to do what he could for liberty and country. He therefore
enlisted before he was eighteen years old in the 17th Michigan In-
fantry, but his older friends prevented his going into service until Oc-
tober, 1863, when he enlisted in Battery F, Michigan Light Artillery.
under Captain Byron D. Paddock, then and now of Coldwater. The
21
322
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL

J. Wallace Page, President of the Company and Manager of Adrian plant.
From Atlanta
battery was with General Sherman to Atlanta.
with the 23d Army Corps went back to Nashville, Tenn., to resist
Hoods attempt to capture that city; from thence to Golds-
boro, N. C., where it again joined Sherman's army. Mr. Page
was discharged from the service July 3, 1865, and returned
home. On the day of his arrival back at the farm he celebrated the
event by running a mowing machine during the afternoon. From
that time he has followed the peaceful pursuits of life, and gave his
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
323

Charles M. Lamb, General Superintendent and Manager of Monessen, Pa., plant,
attention to farming for more than twenty years. Mr. Page's
choice was to be a farmer, but during that period the fact was
forced upon him that one of the greatest needs and growing neces-
sities, owing to the scarcity of timber, was some kind of fencing
that would be practical and efficient. He at once gave his atten-
tion to the subject. Wire was the material he experimented with in
many different combinations, and finally adopted as a whole, and the
324
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
initiatory work was begun. A rude wooden loom was made, by the
assistance of a friend, Austin Fitts, a neighboring farmer, in the
little village of Rollin, this county. After much work a section
of woven wire fence was made, the business fairly launched,
and Mr. Page put it up on his own farm. His neighbors
talked about it, and many acquaintances said he was wasting
his time and would lose his whole property in fooling and ex-
perimenting with the new fangled patent fence. But of course he
persisted, and then another even younger farmer, a cousin, only a
lad in years, Charles M. Lamb, came forward with certain improve-
ments for the loom, which were adopted, and from that time on the
two have worked hand in
hand for the advancement
and success of anything
which promised improve-
ment in fencing. The work
was pushed until they de-
veloped a machine that made

a
woven wire fence that
would stand the test and
met the approval of the pub-
lic. He put up more fence
for himself and for his neigh-
bors, who were now willing
to admit and embrace "a
good thing." Later Mr.
Page, with a small kit of
tools, but a big chest of hope
and confidence, located at
Adrian and started making
his fence in a small brick
shop on the site where now
stands the largest woven
wire fence plant in the
world. In 1889 a company
was incorporated. After the
organization of the company business still prospered and the merits.
of the fence became more generally recognized. It will be
understood that Mr. Page was the pioneer in the woven wire
fence idea, and had no precedents to go by, and when assisted by
capital and the fertile brains and indomitable business courage of
such men as Mr. Charles M. Lamb and Frank E. Harvey, the farm-
ers soon came to see the practicability and importance of Mr. Page's
conception of a fence. Since that time the business has steadily
grown. When it is realized that it is yet less than twenty
years (1885) that Mr. Page was experimenting with a rude
wooden loom in an old wagon shop in Rollin, with his neighbors
laughing at his "cranky" idea and foolish efforts, the result seems
Frank E. Harvey, Superintendent of Adrian
Plant.

PAGE PENCE C
Bird's Eye View of the Page Woven Wire Fence Company's Plant at Adrian, Mich., where six hundred workmen are employed. This great factory is
exclusively devoted to the manufacture of woven wire and ornamental iron fence.
326
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
marvelous. He is now the president of a prosperous company, which
operates two great plants, one at Adrian, Mich., employing six hun-
dred workmen, and one at Monessen, Pa., with seven hundred work-
men. Add to this six thousand local agents, one hundred and fifty
traveling men, with ninety-five office people, showing a busi-
ness of $3,000,000 in 1902, and it will be seen what Mr. Page, in his
quiet, unassuming way, has accomplished. His product has found
a great demand, and there are many other companies following in
in the wake. In 1898 it became necessary for the company to erect
large mills in which to manufacture the special wire used by the
company in its fencing. These mills were built at Monessen, 39
miles above Pittsburg, on the Monongahela river. April 2, 1902,
the Page Woven Wire Fence Company was reincorporated under the
laws of New Jersey, with a capital of $6,000,000. The officers and
directors then elected are still in service, as follows: J. Wallace
Page, Adrian, president; Austin Clement, Chicago, vice presi-
dent; C. M. Lamb, Monessen, Pa., second vice president and
manager of the Monessen plant; secretary, Arthur B. Cody,

PAGE WOVEN WIRE FER
PAGE WOVEN WIRE F
View of the Page Woven Wire Fence Company's Plant at Monessen, Pa., showing the
furnaces, bloom, billet and rod mills, and also the mill manufacturing the
specially spring-tempered, Page process wire.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
327
Chicago; treasurer, Leslie B. Robertson, Adrian; Charles E.
Locke, J. Charles Davis, H. B. Parsons, New York; S. W. Mc-
Munn, D. N. Hansen, Chicago; D. M. Baker, John E. Carr, Adrian.
In 1900 Mr. Page was one of the Michigan delegates appointed by
the National Association of Manufacturers to attend the Reciproc-
ity Congress at Washington; he has served several years as a mem-
ber of the Adrian school board, and is also a trustee of the First
Methodist church of Adrian. Mr. Page was married to Miss Alice
Morehouse of Albion, Mich., March 14, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Page
have three children, two sons, Charles H., of Adrian, Homer, attend-
ing Cornell University, and one daughter, Miss Bertha, now the
wife of Leslie B. Robertson, of Adrian, who is treasurer and assist-
ant secretary of the company.
WILLIAM H. SCOTT was born in Palmyra, Lenawee County,
Mich., May 8, 1855, and has always resided in this county. His
father, George L. Scott, was born near Cork, Ireland, in 1812. He
came to the United States about 1830, and settled in Lima, N. Y.
In 1837 he came to Michigan, and afterwards purchased land of
George Crane, in Palmyra. He died in Blissfield, December 2, 1893.
George L. Scott married Miss Roxie Miller, daughter of Benjamin
F. Miller, of Lima, N. Y., and they had six children. Two sons
died, soldiers in the great Rebellion, William H. being the fifth child
and fourth son. Mrs. Roxie (Miller) Scott was born April 10, 1815,
in the town of Lima, Livingston County, N. Y., and died in Bliss-
field, this county, December 28, 1886. William H. Scott, the sub-
ject of this sketch, has always been a farmer, and now owns a por-
tion of the Norman B. Carter farm, on Section 8, in Ogden. His
house was erected by Mr. Carter, and was the first frame house con-
structed in the township. Mr. Scott has greatly improved and mod-
ernized it, and is fast making a desirable home. He believes in
modern methods of farming, and engages quite largely in feeding
stock for market. He owns 100 acres of Ogden land, which is evi-
dence of thrift and prosperity. April 26, 1879, William H. Scott
married Miss Mary A. Cook, daughter of Paul and Ann Cook, of Pal-
myra, this county, and they have two children, as follows: Alice M.,
born in Ogden, this county, July 16, 1887, student in Blissfield High
School; Roscoe W., born in Ogden, June 11, 1893. Mrs. Mary A.
(Cook) Scott was born in Palmyra, this county, September 19, 1861.
Her parents, natives of Yorkshire, England, came to this country in
1850, and settled in Palmyra. Her father, born May 20, 1826, and
her mother, born March 16, 1828, both reside in Palmyra.
328
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
TOM S. APPLEGATE. For a period of nearly thirty years
the subject of this sketch was a prominent figure in the political, so-
cial and commercial affairs of Adrian, Lenawee County, and the
State. He was born in Blandford, Dorsetshire, England, June 8,
1838, and died of heart failure in the city of Adrian, Mich., Decem-
ber 27, 1891, being consequently in his 53d year. The senior Apple-
gate, who was a sturdy specimen of upright English manhood, de-
cided to come to America in 1849. He therefore sold out all his bus-
Tom S. Applegate.
GREC
Mrs. Harriet M. Applegate.
iness interests, that of
master baker, and
landed in New York
with his wife and Tom
S., the only son, Janu-
ary 2, 1849. After a
brief experience in the
metropolis, he moved
to Utica, and later to
Rome, Oneida County,
N. Y., where he fol-
lowed the business to
which he had been
trained for many years,
accumulating a com-
fortable competence.
The son, who attended
school more or less in
the old world, rounded
out his education in
the City Academy at
Utica and the High
School at Rome. While
yet a mere youth he
manifested a predilec-
tion for the printer's
craft and a liking for
the lighter lines of
literature. In further-
ance of this special
bent, he entered the
office of the Rome Sen-
tinel, then a potent
power in Democratic
politics in the center of
the State. In a few
years he moved to
Brooklyn, N. Y., to
profit by the greater
scope afforded in such


RECORD OF LENAWee counTY, MICHIGAN.
329
a much more comprehensive field. In October, 1863, Mr. Apple-
gate came to Adrian and purchased an interest in the Daily and
Weekly Watchtower, a paper founded by R. W. Ingalls, a pioneer in
the craft of Faust and Franklin, and the accepted organ of Democ-
racy in Southern Michigan. In 1865 Mr. Applegate bought out
his associates, and subsequently sold his interest to General William
Humphrey. Under the new regime, the sheet became Republican,
and it has remained so ever since. It was rechristened The Times.
Two years later the Expositor was absorbed, and the paper has since
been known as the Times and Expositor. The paper experienced
many changes in management and in proprietorship, during all of
which Mr. Applegate continued the ruling and dominating spirit.
In the fall of 1867 Captain J. H. Fee purchased an increased interest,
and the firm was known as Applegate & Fee, until 1885, when Mr.
Applegate secured the sole proprietorship, which he maintained up
to the date of his untimely death. Mr. Applegate was a power in
Republican politics. He served eight years as member of the state
central committee, during six of which he was chairman of the exec-
utive board. He was also chairman of the congressional committee
for the district six years. Governor Croswell appointed him a mem-
ber of the board to locate the State School for the Blind, and he was
for ten years a member of the board of control of that institution.
He was a member of the Chicago Press Club, the Inland Press and
various state associations. Mr. Applegate was married in 1870, to
Miss Harriet Maria Sinclair, daughter of Hon. D. D. Sinclair. One
child died in infancy. After his death in 1891, she assumed personal
management of the Times and its incidental business interests. A
woman of advanced education, fine culture, liberal reading and ex-
tended observation, she possessed all the qualifications essential to
secure success in her novel as well as responsible self-assumed task.
Her relations with her employes were almost ideal, and she herself
often used to speak of the office organization as "The Times Fam-
ily," and the high standard and irreproachable tone of the paper, as
well as its commercial integrity and business interests, were more
than maintained for the ten years during which she controlled its
management. Her death, which occurred June 14, 1901, was a
tragedy in which she was not alone. While taking a ride in the city
of Flint, where she had gone to attend a meeting of the State Press
Association, she, her sister, Mrs. William Humphrey, Major Buck-
ingham and daughter, were run down by a train on the Flint & Pere
Marquette Railway. Before they could fairly realize their fate, all
four had probably perished.
JOHN SERVICE, SR., was born in Lanarkshire, Parish of
Bothwell, Scotland, April 14, 1813, and came to the United States
with his mother in 1818. His father, James Service, was born in the
330
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
same place, in 1784. He resided there until early in the year 1817,
when he came to Philadelphia, Pa. Thomas Leeper, a wealthy
man of Philadelphia, had sent to Scotland for a gardener and farmer,
and Mr. Service answered the call. On leaving his old home in Scot-
land, he was given a most commendable character, as follows:
James Service.
BOTHWELL, 19th Feby., 1817.
James Service, the bearer, has
been employed from his infancy in
the labours of husbandry, and is es-
teemed by all who are acquainted
with him as a most excellent work-
man. He has also the character of
an honest and upright, as well as an
industrious man, and if he shall be
engaged to overlook any farming
establishment, for which we under-
stand he is now making application,
we have no doubt, from what we
know of his qualifications, that he
will give full satisfaction to his em-
ployer.
JAMES CREECH,
Farmer to the Right Honorable Lord
Douglas.
Mat. Baillie, St., Bothwell Castle.

Mr. Service left Scotland in
February, and upon his arrival
in Philadelphia, he at once en-
gaged his services to Mr.
Leeper, where he remained for
about three years.
In 1820 he purchased a new farm in Susque-
hanna County, Pa. He remained on his farm until 1825, when he sold
out and removed to Canandaigua, N. Y., where he resided until 1840,
when he came to Michigan. He at once purchased land in Hillsdale
County, but resided in Fairfield, this county, until his death, which
occurred in 1867. In the year 1803 James Service married Miss
Janet Scott, and they were the parents of nine children. Here we
insert the following certificate, to show the Scotch system of pre-
serving family records:
"These are to certify that James Service, farmer, road maker, hedger and
laborer, &c., in the town of Bothwell, and Janet Scott, his spouse, are the par-
ents of the lawful children after mentioned, whose names, birth days, and days
on which they were baptised, are all regularly entered in the register of the
Parish of Bothwell, and stand as under, viz.:
William Service, born 23d February-baptised 5th July, 1807.
Mannie Service, born 12th September-baptised 1st October, 1809.
John Service, born 14th April-baptised 30th May, 1813.
Isabel Service, born 24th December-baptised 10th September, 1815.
BOTHWELL, 15th August, 1817.
The above, extracted and certified by William Allan, Parish Clerk and in-
structor of said parents and children."
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
331
Regarding the birth of Mrs. Janet Service, we give the Scotch
certificate, as follows:
"These are to certify that Janet Scott, lawful daughter of John Scott, shoe-
maker, in New Orbiston, and of Marian Crawford, his spouse, was born upon the
10th, and baptised upon the 17th April, 1785.
Extracted from the register of the Parish of Bothwell, 15th August, 1817.
By WILLIAM ALLAN, Parish Clerk.
He
John Service, Sr., was the
second son and third child of
James and Janet Service.
was brought up a farmer and
gardener, and came to Michi-
gan in 1840 and settled on
Section 31, in Fairfield. After

Ed-
about two years he became
dissatisfied and traded for a
farm on Section 29, where he
resided until his death, which
occurred in March, 1863.
John Service, Sr.. married Miss
Mary Carroll, of Canandaigua,
N. Y., and they were the par-
ents of seven children, as fol-
lows: Sarah, married Harvey
Hill, and resides in Grand
Rapids, Mich.; John, Jr., a
resident of Berkeley, Califor-
nia. He married Miss Julia
Warner, and they are the par-
ents of eleven children:
ward, resides in Jasper this
county; Robert, resides in
Fairfield; William, resides in
Seneca, this county; Cather-
ine, married Joshua Carpen-
ter, and died in Fairfield; Isa-
bella, married Clarence Hough,
and resides in Morenci, this
county. Mary (Carroll) Service
died at her home, on Section
20, in Fairfield. John Service
Jr., went to California in 1859,
and is there a very success-
ful farmer. He resides at
Berkeley, near Oakland. He
made the trip overland, from
Warsaw, Ind., with ox teams.
July 3, 1867, John Service, Jr.,
married Miss Julia Hall War-
John Service, Sr.

Mrs. Mary Service.
332
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
ner, of Auburn, Placer County, California, and they have had eleven
children, as follows: Walter Warner, born April 26, 1868, died No-
vember 22, 1878; Lewis Hall, born April 27, 1870; Wilber Pomeroy,
born June 5, 1871, died November 17, 1878; Hubert E., born May 15,
1873; William Roscoe, born October 24, 1874; Ida Irene, born


Mrs. Julia Service.
John Service, Jr.
March 24, 1877; Robert Roy, born at Weston, Mich., June 4, 1879;
Lulu Karolena, born January 29, 1881; Lydia Rose, born December
16, 1883; John Henry, born in Auburn, Cal., August 31, 1888; Law-
rence Edward, born in Auburn, August 31, 1890. All of the chil-
dren except those noted were born in Ceres, Cal. Mrs. Julia (Hall-
Warner) Service's parents died when she was an infant, and she is
not certain of her age or birthplace.
WILLIAM MCCOMB, 2d, was born near Glasgow, Scotland, Feb-
ruary 1, 1822, and came to the United States in 1835. His father, Wil-
liam McComb, 1st, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, August 15,
1796. When a boy he learned the linen weaver's trade in Ireland. About
the year 1814 he went to Scotland as a linen bleacher, but in 1822 he
returned to Ireland, on account of illness of his wife. In the spring
of 1831 he landed in New York, settling near Mt. Morris, N. Y.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
333
In the spring of 1837 he came to Michigan, and for about one year
lived near Adrian. In February, 1838, he moved to the township of
Ogden and settled on land he had taken from the government, on
Section 20. This land he cleared and improved, and that was his
home until his death, which occurred January 27, 1864. He was
twice married, first to Miss Betty McMurry, who was born in An-
trim County, Ireland, about 1800, and died there in 1829. She was
the mother of three children, William 2d being the youngest. In
1834 William McComb 1st married Mrs. Mary (Glasgow) Johnson,
of Danville, N. Y., and they had five children. Mrs. Mary McComb
died in Ogden, this county, June 11, 1894. She was born in Loch
Gael, Antrim County, Ireland, December 25, 1803. William McComb
came to Lenawee when he was 15 years old, and has resided here
ever since. His father's land was in an Ogden Swamp, two miles
from any habitation, and it was his lot to assist in making a home,
there. He worked with a will and a home was soon made
in the dense woods. He lived with his parents until he was
about 26 years old. In 1845 he purchased 40 acres of State
school land, on Section 16, in Ogden, where he now resides. He
cleared this up and has added 40 acres more, all of which he has cul-
tivated and improved. He has built good buildings, tiled the land,
(some of it the second time) and made a very desirable home. There
were not over a dozen families in the township when Mr. McComb
first came in, and land could be had for five dollars an acre, that now
cannot be purchased for one hundred. Mr. McComb has been an ac-
tive man in the township. He served as School Director and Town-
ship Treasurer two terms. He has assisted in building roads and
bridges, and all necessary improvements for the betterment of the
township. March 21, 1848, William McComb married Miss Eliza-
beth Luke, daughter of Elijah and Abigail Luke, of Ogden, and
they had four children as follows: Reuben, born April 14, 1849,
died October 22, 1851; Sarah A., born March 28, 1851, married Nel-
son Frazier, November 6, 1877, is the mother of six children, and re-
sides in Hudson city, this county; Mary E., born March 16, 1854,
married Andrew Comstock, February 14, 1894, has two children, and
resides at Santa Monica, Cal.; William J., born February 17, 1856,
married Miss Alice Wotring, February, 1877, has eight children and
resides in Coleman, Midland County, Mich. Mrs. Elizabeth (Luke)
McComb was born in Ohio in 1825, and died in Ogden February 17, 1856.
Her parents were pioneers in Ogden. November 10, 1857, he married
Mrs. Mary E. (Smith) Hampton, and they have nine children, as fol-
lows: Allen M., born August 31, 1858, married Miss Ida Crockett,
November 25, 1886, has two children and resides at South Ogden.
Robert, born July 28, 1860, died Sept. 16, 1874; Martha J., born Sep-
tember 9, 1862, married Charles Willbee, March 25, 1891, has five
children and resides in Whiting, Indiana; Anna, born September 3,
1863, at home; Elijah S., born February 18, 1865, married Miss
Louisa Jenkins, March 16, 1887, has six children, and resides in
334
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Ogden; Carlos, born January 6, 1866, married Miss Ellen Savage,
February 5, 1900, resides in Toledo; George R., born March 31,
1867, married Miss Esta M. Heckert, has four children, and resides
in Ogden; Leonard A., born November 30, 1868, married Miss Naomi
Stephens, June 15, 1893, has two children, and resides in Ogden;
Dana S., born October 14, 1870, married Miss Edna Houghtby, Sep-
tember 11, 1895, has two children, and resides in Ogden; May, born
April 6, 1874, died September 16, 1874. Mrs. Mary E. (Smith) Mc-
Comb was born in Bloom, Seneca County, Ohio, September 16, 1835.
Was married to Tallman Hampton, of Delta, Ohio, in 1854, and they
had one child, Alice, who married Oscar Fry in 1876, and died
August 1, 1878, aged 24. She left one daughter.
HON. MARSHALL REED was born in Richmond, Ontario
County, N. Y., August 21, 1833. His father, Wheeler Reed, was born in
Vermont, May 28, 1788, and went with his father, Phillip Reed, who
was a revolutionary soldier under Gen. Stark, at Bennington, to On-

William Barrus, Sr., and Wife
Mr. Barrus was a pioneer
Methodist Minister in this county.
tario County, N. Y., in 1795. Phillip Reed was born in 1756, and was
the son of Jacob Reed, a seafaring man, of Saybrook, Conn. Wheeler
Reed was one of the earliest settlers of Ontario County, N. Y., and
always lived there, becoming a prosperous and wealthy farmer. He
was twice married, and was the father of nineteen children, ten
daughters and nine sons. By his first wife he had four children.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
335
His second marriage was about 1817, with Miss Hannah Risdon, sis-
ter of his first wife, who became the mother of fifteen children,
Marshall and his twin sister being the eleventh and twelfth. Mrs.
Hannah (Risdon) Reed was born at Richmond, N. Y., September
16, 1798, and died at her home, February 2, 1877. Wheeler Reed
died May 12, 1867, at Richmond, N. Y. Marshall Reed lived with
his parents on the farm until he was twenty-one years old,. In 1854
he came to Michigan and settled on Section 33, in Rome. Being an
active, intelligent and public-spirited man, he soon became promi-
nent among his fellows in all local affairs. He served eleven years

William and Mary Ann Barrus.
as Justice of the Peace, and held other township offices. He was a
Republican in politics, and was elected to the State Legislature in
1874. He served on many of the important committees, and labored
earnestly for his constituents. He was a prosperous farmer, and
successful stock raiser. In 1866 he sold his farm in Rome and pur-
chased another on Section 34, in Cambridge township, where he re-
sided at the time of his death, which occurred December 16, 1891.
November 22, 1855, Marshall Reed married Miss Julia A. Barrus,
daughter of William and Mary A. (Allan) Barrus, of Rome, and
three children were born to them as follows: Fred P., born Septem-
ber 1, 1857, married Miss Elsie Russell, November 12, 1878, has two
children and resides in Cambridge; Alice C., born January 26, 1859,
married Jackson B. Daniels, February 25, 1885, has one daughter,
and resides in Cambridge, Byron L., born September 10, 1861, mar-
ried Miss C. Maud Willetts, September 11, 1885, has one daughter,
and is commissioned in the U. S. Revenue Service as First Lieuten-
ant and executive officer on the Revenue Cutter Mackinac. Mrs.
336
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Julia (Barrus) Reed was born in Rome, Lenawee County, Mich.,
August 22, 1839. Her father, William Barrus, Jr., was born in Vil-
lenova, Chautauqua County, N. Y., October 17, 1812. His early
life was spent in New Hampshire. His father, William Barrus, Sr.,
was of New England parentage, his father being a revolutionary
soldier. William Barrus, Sr., was a Wesleyan Methodist minister,
came to Michigan in 1830, being one of the first ministers in the
county. William Barrus, Jr., was about eighteen years old when
he came to Michigan in 1830, with his parents. In 1835 he was a
soldier in the "Toledo War. In 1836 he settled in Rome and fol-
lowed farming as long as he did business. He died at the home
of his daughter, in Cambridge, May 29, 1898. In 1836, William
Barrus, Jr., married Mary Ann Allen, who was the first to teach a
school west of Adrian, and they had two children, Julia A. being
the youngest. Mrs. Mary Ann (Allen) Barrus was born in Rich-
field, Otsego County, N. Y., February 25, 1811, came to Michigan.
with her mother, Mrs. Rhoda (Brown) Allen, in 1830, and died in
Cambridge, this county, February 26, 1894.
ROBERT SERVICE was born in Fairfield, Lenawee County,
Mich., January 29, 1843. [For his family record, see biography of
John Service, in this volume.] Fairfield township, in the County of
Lenawee, has always been the home of Robert Service, the subject of
this sketch. He was born and raised on a farm, and was educated
in the country schools of his township. August 11, 1862, he enlisted
in Company I, Eighteenth Michigan Infantry, and served as a sol-
dier in the great Rebellion until his discharge, the 26th day of June,
1865. He is a member of David Becker Post, No. 25, of Ogden, is a
charter member of Jasper Lodge, I. O. O. F., 481, is a member of
Fairfield Grange, No. 278, and also a member of Dora Rebecca
Lodge, No. 369, of Jasper. Immediately upon his return from the
army he went to work by the month on a farm, and continued in
that employment for about five years, when he rented a farm for
several years. In 1872 he purchased land on Section 20, where he
resided until 1880, when he sold his home and purchased a farm on
Section 36, where he now resides. He has served two years as com-
mander of David Becker Post, G. A. R., one year as noble grand, I.
O. O. F., Jasper Lodge, No. 481. He has been twelve times elected
Township Road Commissioner. December 4, 1870, Robert Service
married Miss Aline R. Lane, daughter of Lyman and Nancy Lane,
pioneers of Fairfield, and became the parents of two children, as
follows: Maude E., born March 23, 1875, married, March 19, 1896,
to Samuel C. Blain. She became the mother of one daughter, and
resides in Fairfield; Vern, born September 13, 1880, at home. Mrs.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
337
Aline R. (Lane) Service was born in Fairfield, this county, March
23, 1847, and died in Fairfield, March 26, 1885. December 15, 1885,
Robert Service married Miss Nellie Hubbard, daughter of Edwin F.
and Lovina Hubbard, of Madison, and they have two children, as
follows: Elsie M., born September 10, 1888; Freida E., born Sep-
tember 3, 1895. Mrs. Nellie (Hubbard) Service was born February
21, 1864. Her father, born May 3, 1812, was a native of Massachu-
setts. He came to Michigan in 1850, located in Palmyra, afterwards
removing to Madison, where he died July 10, 1881. Her mother,
also a native of Massachusetts, was born November 19, 1823, and re-
sides in Fairfield.
ELIAS B. RORICK was born in Horse Heads, Chemung County,
N. Y., December 9, 1831, and came to Michigan with his parents in
December, 1836. His father, William Rorick, was born in Decker-
town, Sussex County, N. J., March 30, 1805, and was the son of
Jacob and Elizabeth (Wilson) Rorick, who were natives of Sussex
County. The ancestor of the Rorick family was a German, who set-
tled in Sussex County, N. J., early in the 18th century. The ances-
tors of the Wilson family were Irish. William Rorick lived in Sus-
sex County until 1826, when he went "West," and settled in the
"Lake Country" in the State of New York. He purchased land
near Horse Heads, and lived there until the fall of 1836. In Decem-
ber, that year, he started for Michigan with a team of horses, com-
ing through Canada, and crossed the Detroit River from Windsor on
the ice. From Detroit he came to Adrian, and finally settled on Sec-
tion 18, in Seneca township, this county. Here he was successful
and continued to purchase land from time to time until he owned
some 200 acres. He resided on this farm for about 35 years. He
was a thrifty, successful business man, and was held in high esteem
by all who came in contact with him. He became a victim of ill
health, and about 1875 removed to the village of Morenci, where he
died, January 15, 1898. May 22, 1830, William Rorick married Miss
Phoebe Ann Breese, daughter of Elias and Deborah (Bennett)
Breese, Horse Heads, N. Y., and they had five children, as follows:
Elias B., John C., Jacob M., Estell H. and Lussetta. Mrs. Phoebe
(Breese) Rorick, was born in Horse Heads, N. Y., October 27, 1811,
and died in Seneca, this county, September 1, 1858. Elias B. Rorick
was reared a farmer, and was educated in the primitive country
school house, supplemented by a three months' course in the Medina
Academy, J. M. Barrows, principal. At the age of seventeen years
he went to Adrian, and for two years was engaged as clerk in the
then large and prosperous hardware store of George L. Bidwell. In
1852 he went to Corning, N. Y., and for two years acted as clerk in
a dry goods store. In the winter of 1854-5 he went to Cleveland,
22
338
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Ohio, and spent three months in Fulsom's Commercial School. In
the spring of 1854 he went to Green Bay, Wis., where he was en-
gaged for six months in the fish business with a Cleveland, Ohio,
firm. The next two years he spent at Ontonagon, as manager of
the Evergreen Bluff copper mine. He returned home in the spring
of 1856, making the trip from
Ontonagon to Green Bay with
dogs and Indians. In April,
1856, he went to Kansas in the
height of the "Border Ruf-
fian" troubles, and witnessed
many thrilling scenes. He
soon found employment in the
government corps of topo-
grapical engineers who were
selecting a route for a future
railroad to San Francisco. He
remained in this service for
about six months, and returned
home in December. In the
year 1857 he went back to
agriculture, which he followed
for about three years, when
he went to Aurora, Ill., and
farmed it for about seven
years. In 1867 he went to
Chillicothe, Mo., purchased a
small farm, and remained there
until 1869, when he returned
and went on his father's farm.
In April, 1873, he removed to
the village of Morenci and
went into the employ of J. P.
Cawley & Co. in the general mercantile business. That fall he went
to work for Rothrock, Cawley & Green, in the hardware business,
and has been engaged in that trade ever since. In April, 1876, he
purchased a half interest in the store, in company with Henry E.
Green. He was for 27 years express agent and six years postmaster
in Morenci. In 1896 he was made cashier of the Bank of Morenci.
In 1900 a national bank was organized, and Mr. Rorick was elected
president, which position he now holds. He has acted as Town
Clerk for six years, and has served on the public school board for 25
He is a member of the Congregational church, and affiliates
with the Republican party. August 25, 1857, Elias B. Rorick mar-
ried Miss Mary A. Corwin, daughter of George E. Corwin, of
Batavia, Ill., and they had three children, as follows: Luella, born
in Seneca, this county, June 9, 1858, married Pearly Cawley, of Mo-
renci, was the mother of three children, and died in Fayette, Ohio,

Elias B. Rorick.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
339
November 27, 1899; William B., born in Aurora, Ill., August 12,
1861, resides in Morenci, and is engaged in the hardware business;
George C., born same place, November 29, 1863, died July 11, 1889.
Mrs. Mary A. (Corwin) Rorick was born in Watkins Glen, N. Y.,
March 14, 1835, and died in Morenci, March 23, 1895. September
21, 1899, Mr. Rorick married Miss Amelia Shepherd, of Morenci.
She was born in Monroeville, Ohio, March 16, 1850. Her parents
were English, and were early settlers in Huron County, Ohio. They
afterwards removed to Fulton County, where they resided for many
years. Her mother died in Morenci, June 9th, 1898.
HENRY A. ANGELL was born in Newport, Herkimer County,
N. Y., September 14, 1826. His father, Ezekiel Angell, was born
in Providence, R. I., August 6, 1802. He always lived in Newport,
and learned the trade of blacksmithing and edge tool maker with Silas


Mrs. Adelia Angell.
Henry A. Angell.
T. Clark. He carried on a large shop for many years, and in 1848
disposed of his business to his oldest son, William W. In those days
a blacksmith was expected to make anything that a person wanted
in iron or steel, from a horse shoe to axes, scythes and butcher knives,
and Mr. Angell was known the country round as an expert work-
340
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
man.
March 30, 1823, he married Miss Cynthia Brown, daughter of
Essuck and Ruth Brown, and they had nine children, eight of whom
lived to maturity, Henry A. being the second child. Mrs. Cynthia
(Brown) Angell was born in Cheshire, Mass., August 12, 1802, and
died in Adrian, Mich., August 18, 1886. Her father, Essuck Brown,
was born in Cheshire, Mass., and died in Newport, Herkimer County,
N. Y., December 27, 1819. His ancestors came from England, and

Residence of H. A. Angell, 96 East Maumee Street, Adrian.
his father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Ezekiel Angell
died in Newport, N. Y., February 24, 1868. His ancestors came
from England in 1636, when two brothers named Angell settled on
Block Island, opposite Providence, Rhode Island, and from these
men the Angells in the United States spring. Henry A. Angell,
the subject of this sketch, lived in his native town until he was
about 17 years old. Here he received a common school education,
and worked in a country store for some time. In 1844 he went to
Springfield, Mass., and became an apprentice in the extensive foun-
dry and car wheel works of T. and W. C. Wasson. He remained
there for nine years, when, in the spring of 1853, he came to Adrian,
Mich. He immediately made a contract with the Michigan South-
ern & Northern Indiana Railroad to provide car wheels for that
company. He at once erected suitable buildings, put in the necessary
RECORD Of Lenawee County, MICHIGAN.
341
equipment, and for many years continued the business very success-
fully. In 1869 Mr. Angell enlarged his capacity and commenced
the building of railroad cars. In this enterprise Mr. Angell em-
ployed more men in his shops than were employed in all the other
shops in Adrian. At one time 800 men were on his pay rolls, which
amounted to $20,000 per month. Besides being so largely interested
in manufacturing, he also made some profitable investments with
Alger, Smith & Co., in the lumber interests of Michigan. He was
elected Mayor of Adrian in 1877, and has always been greatly inter-
ested in the prosperity and growth of the city. October 4, 1849,
Henry A. Angell married Miss Adelia Sizer. They had one
child, Adeleta S., born in Adrian, April 9, 1855, and died July 10,
1864. In 1875 they adopted a bright little girl and conferred upon
her the name of Maggie Angell. She was born in Boston, Mass.,
February 22, 1855, married September 19, 1883, Ebbert E. Russell,
and now resides in Chicago. She is the mother of three children.
Mrs. Adelia (Sizer) Angell was born in Sheffield, Mass., August 27,
Her father, Amandas Sizer, was born in Chester, Mass., De-
cember 4, 1804. For many years he resided in Springfield, Mass.,
where he died, November 14, 1850. About the year 1829, Amandas
Sizer married Miss Elizabeth M. Collins, daughter of Nathaniel and
Mehitable Collins, of Chester, Mass., and they had four children,
Mrs. Angell being the oldest. Mrs. Elizabeth M. (Collins) Sizer
was born in Chester, Mass., October 21, 1810, and died in Adrian,
Mich., February 22, 1902.
LEONARD S. MANN was born in Rome, Lenawee County,
Mich., September 7, 1853. His father, Daniel Mann, was born in
Oxford, Grafton County, New Hampshire, March 3, 1812, and was
the son of Captain Ira Mann and Fanny (Bailey) Mann of the same
place. December 26, 1839, Daniel Mann married Miss Anna Stod-
dard, daughter of Whitman and Rhoda Stoddard, of Rome, by whom
he had six children, as follows: Loretta, born April 4, 1842;
Charles, born May 7, 1844; Daniel W., born July 24, 1846; George
W., born September 11, 1848; Philip I., born February 13, 1851.
Leonard S. Mann, the subject of this sketch, has resided in Rome,
Lenawee County, Mich., since his birth. He lived with his parents
on the farm in Rome until he married Miss Carrie Andrews, Febru-
ary 20, 1876. She was the daughter of Ami and Cordelia (Cotton)
Andrews of Rome, Lenawee County, Mich. After marriage he
worked his father's farm for five years, when he purchased a farm
of 80 acres adjoining his father's. He kept this 80 acre farm one
year, selling out and purchasing his present home of 80 acres, and
has since added to it until he now owns in a body 260 acres. He
was elected Supervisor of Rome township in the spring of 1898, and
342
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
has been re-elected every year since, holding the office at the pres-
ent time, 1903. Leonard and Carrie (Andrews) Mann have three
children: Bertha, born April 19, 1877; Mable, born June 2, 1886,
and Hazel, born February 10, 1892. Mrs. Carrie (Andrews) Mann
was born in Darien township, Genesee County, N. Y., December
10, 1854. Her father, Ami Andrews, was born in Attica, Genesee
County, N. Y., March 17, 1824, and came to Michigan, settling in
Rome, Lenawee County, in 1861. He died in Rome, June 22, 1868.
November 5, 1849, Ami Andrews married Miss Cordelia Cotton, and
they had three children. Daniel Mann, father of Leonard, died in
Rome, January 21, 1892. Anna, his wife, died in Rome, September
1, 1901.
NELSON BALDWIN was born in Medina, Lenawee County,
Mich., February 3, 1843. His father, Charles M. Baldwin, was
born in Windsor, Berkshire County, Mass., February 28, 1806, where
he lived and was reared on a farm. He remained there until 1833.
when he came to Michigan, took up government land, it being the


Nelson Baldwin.
Mrs. Sarah A. Baldwin.
w. ½ of the n. e. 4, Section 18, Fairfield, the deed being dated May
27, 1833. He made some improvements and lived there until 1835,
when he traded his land for property in Genesee County, Mich.,
but never moved there. He at once purchased a farm on Sections 24
and 25, in Medina, this county, where he lived until he was fatally
injured by a horse, and died April 3, 1852. He was the son of
Ephraim and Triphena B. Baldwin. Ephraim, born in 1771, died
RECORD OF LENAWee counTY, MICHIGAN.
343
in 1839, was the son of Samuel and Millicent (Cutter) Baldwin, of
Massachusetts, where Samuel was born July 28, 1743. The Bald-
win ancestors came from England and settled in Woburn, Mass., in
the 17th century. July 29, 1834, Charles M. Baldwin married Miss
Martha K. Mitchell, daughter of William and Clarissa Mitchell,
of Palmyra, this county, and they were the parents of seven chil-
dren, three of whom, Cyrus M., of Morenci, Ophelia, wife of Charles
Blanchard, of Morenci, and Nelson, still survive. Mrs. Martha K.
Baldwin was born in Massachusetts, February 1, 1810, and died in
Medina, this county, August 27, 1864. Nelson Baldwin, subject of
this sketch, lived for fifty-five years on the farm upon which he was
born, and still owns a portion of it. In 1898 he removed to Morenci,
where he now resides. He still gives his attention to his farm, and
is living in the most comfortable manner. October 15, 1863, Nelson
Baldwin married Miss Sarah A. Sims, daughter of Richard and Susan
Sims of Seneca, this county, and are the parents of four children, as
follows: Martha E., born October 26, 1864, married E. E. Spear,
December 29, 1885, has four children, and resides in Morenci; Flor-
ence O., born August 24, 1867, and died January 1, 1888; Theresa
A., born December 22, 1870, died March 29, 1885; Earl Nelson, born
November 3, 1878, married Miss Mertie Rorick, October 7, 1900, has
two children, and resides in Fayette, Ohio. Mrs. Sarah A. (Sims)
Baldwin was born near Rochester, N. Y., April 3, 1842, and came
to Michigan with her parents in 1852. Her father and mother are
both natives of Harwell, England. They came to the United States
in 1837, and settled near Rochester, N. Y. Richard Sims was born
May 18, 1790, and died May 17, 1865. His wife, Susan (Dandridge)
Sims, was born June 27, 1800, and died September 27, 1865.
ANDREW J. SUTTON was born in Morenci, Seneca township,
Lenawee county, Mich., January 1, 1837. His father, William Sut-
ton, was born in Junius, Seneca County, N. Y., May 2, 1808, where
he lived until he was about sixteen years old, at which time he went
to Lyons, Wayne County, N. Y., and learned the carpenter's trade.
He was the son of John Sutton, who was a revolutionary soldier,
going into the Continental Army when he was sixteen years old,
and taking part in many important battles in New Jersey and the
Carolinas. He died at his home in Seneca County, N. Y., in 1825.
William Sutton resided in Lyons, N. Y., until the spring of 1835,
when he came to Michigan, first settling in Adrian, and took up
80 acres of Land on Section 34, in Adrian township (where Adrian
College now stands). He soon after sold out, removed to Seneca,
Section 6, Town 9, built a double log house, and kept the first pub-
lic house in what is now the thriving village of Morenci. In 1838
344
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
he purchased 160 acres of land in Gorham township, Fulton County,
Ohio. He resided there until 1870, when he purchased 120 acres in
Seneca township, this county, where he resided until his death,
which occurred in October, 1892. June 29, 1829, William Sutton
married Rebecca Burnett of Ontario County, N. Y., and they became
the parents of fifteen children, nine of whom are still living. Mrs.
Rebecca Sutton died in Seneca, this county, June 1, 1886. She was
born in Phelps, Ontario County, N. Y., June 27, 1812. Andrew J.
Sutton, the subject of this sketch, being a native of Lenawee County,
is satisfied to make it his home. He lived with his parents until he
was eighteen years old, when, in 1855, he went to Lansing, where,
after a year or so, he purchased an interest in a livery stable, and
remained until September, 1861. At that time he enlisted in the 16th
Michigan Infantry, Company G, Captain Meyers, and served a little
over three years in the army of the Potomac, 1st Division, 5th Army
Corps. He served two years as orderly for General Butterfield. He
participated in forty-five engagements, including the siege of York-
town, battles of Williamsburg, Malvern Hill, Gettysburg, Second
Bull Run, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness and Petersburg. He was
mustered out at Petersburg, Va., in October, 1864, and returned to
Michigan. He at once purchased the east half of the old Simon D.
Wilson farm, on Section 31, in Seneca township, where he now re-
sides. Since that time he has lived a quiet life, and has been reason-
ably prosperous. April 29, 1859, Andrew J. Sutton married Miss
Esther M. Webb, daughter of William and Jane (Wright) Webb, of
Lansing, and they have had two children as follows: One child
died in infancy; Archie W., born in Lansing, March 27, 1860, grad-
uated from Michigan Agricultural College, class of 1884. He mar-
ried, October 21, 1886, Miss Dora E. Russell, and they had two chil-
dren, Glen and Vaughn. The mother died November 1, 1899. Mrs.
Esther M. Sutton was born in Batavia, N. Y., July 19, 1841. Her
parents were natives of Northamptonshire, England, and came to
the United States in 1838. They moved to Michigan in 1841, and
settled near Mason, Ingham County. Mr. Webb built the third log
house in Lansing, and being a carpenter by trade, assisted in build-
ing up and establishing the present Capital City. He died there
February 22, 1849. His wife, Mrs. Jane Webb, died in Morenci,
April 24, 1899, aged 78 years.
PROF. THOMAS WALLACE was born in Petersburg, Va.,
January 25, 1852, where he received a limited education. He fol-
lowed different pursuits, and resided in Virginia until the spring of
1877; when he came to Adrian. Early in life he took to books, and
for many years was a constant reader and close observer. He was
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
345
always interested in anatomy and felt a sympathy for all suffering
humanity. He was a good nurse and delighted in administering re-
lief to the sick and unfortunate. He discovered that he possessed
unusual powers, and carefully studied the effects of his treatment
upon the afflicted. He con-
tinued to study, and whenever
opportunity presented itself to
relieve pain and suffering, he
did so, but never called him-
self a doctor, or thought he
was or ever would be. He
persisted in the work and line
of thought bearing upon his
ability to relieve suffering.
After some considerable time
of close application, he be-
lieved he had discovered a new
science, called it Myo-pathy,
and commenced the treatment
of diseases. During the past
ten years he has been actively
engaged in relieving the af-
flicted. He has performed
some wonderful cures, and re-
lieved much suffering, at the
same time receiving the com-
mendation of many of the best
local and other physicians. He
has scores of testimonials from
persons who have been cured
by him of the most stubborn
and incurable" troubles.
The Professor's time is now
entirely taken up with his
numerous patients at his Phy-
sician's Auxiliary Retreat, 51
West Maumee street. He has
a large correspondence and
numerous invitations to visit
other cities professionally.
His fame has grown until it is
not uncommon for him to re-
ceive calls to the city of New
York, or Chicago, and inter-
mediate points. The Profes-
sor gives no medicine, but im-
parts a life and vigor to his
patients that astonishes the

Professor Wallace.

Mrs. Louise Wallace.
346
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
wisest practitioners. There is abundant evidence of the good work
the Professor has done, and Myo-pathy as practiced by him is
worthy the attention of the afflicted. Prof. Thomas Wallace was
married at London, Ontario, June 2, 1895, to Miss Louise Reid. Her
parents were natives of Kentucky, and have resided in London for
many years. There have been no children by this union, but Mrs.
Wallace is a worthy helpmate to the Professor in his large and suc-
cessful practice.
REV. HOWARD B. TAFT was born in Van Buren, Onondaga
County, N. Y., August 8, 1830, and removed with his parents to
West Barre, Fulton County, Ohio, in 1844. His father, Deacon
Amos Taft, was born in Barre, Vt., April 11, 1797, and was the son
of Peter and Phoebe (Wheaton) Taft. In 1680 Robert Taft came
from England, settled at Mendon, Mass., and founded the Taft fam-
00

Mrs. Harriet C. Taft.
Rev. H. B. Taft.
ily in America. Deacon Amos Taft left his native town, in Ver-
mont, when he was a young man, and settled in Onondaga County,
N. Y., November 12, 1820, he married at Camillus, Onondaga County,
N. Y., Miss Sally Bailey, daughter of Ebenezer and Silvia Bailey,
who were pioneers in Central New York. They had eight children,
Howard B. being the fourth son and sixth child. Mrs. Sally
(Bailey) Taft was born at Fort Ann, N. Y., February 11, 1799, and
died at West Barre, Fulton County, Ohio, in April, 1871. Deacon
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
347
Amos Taft was a farmer, owned a large farm in Fulton County,
Ohio, and was a prominent man there. He was postmaster at West
Barre for many years, was Deacon in the Baptist church for fifty
years, and was superintendent of the Sunday school for the same
length of time. He died while on a visit to Elkport, Iowa, August
20, 1880, but is buried beside his wife at West Barre, Ohio. Rev.
H. B. Taft, the subject of this sketch, was raised a farmer, assisted
his father in clearing his new land in Ohio, and lived at home until
1851, when he went to Maumee City, Ohio, to attend school. He
soon became an assistant teacher there. He remained there for
some time, preparing for a college course. In the spring of 1855 he
entered Kalamazoo College, where he remained for about six years,
when, 1861, he graduated from the theological department, having
graduated in 1859 from the classical course. In the fall of 1861 he
accepted a call from the Baptist church at Perrysburg, Ohio, where
he was ordained and remained for three years. In 1864 he was in-
stalled as pastor of the Baptist church at Salem, Mich., where he re-
mained until 1870. That year he went to Otsego, Mich., where his
health failed him. In 1871 he accepted a charge in Fairfield, now
the Weston Baptist church. He preached here for eight years,
when, in 1879, he went to White Pigeon, Mich., in charge of the
church there, and remained until 1888. He then went to Paw Paw,
Mich., remaining until 1891. Then to Tekonsha in 1891-93; Mt.
Vernon, Mich., 1894-98; Medina, this county, 1899, since which
time he has resided at Weston, this county. Owing to ill-health
in 1899, he has not been active, and has only preached occasionally
as a supply. June 30, 1861, Rev. H. B. Taft married Miss Harriet
C. Cole, daughter of Rev. A. H. and Lydia Cole, of West Barre,
Ohio, and they had two children, as follows: Miner C., born at
Perrysburg, Ohio, July 19, 1862, married Miss Mary Jean Hoag,
September 8, 1892, has four children and resides at Kalamazoo,
Mich., where he is city civil engineer; George W., born in Salem,
Mich., July 17, 1865, married Mary Boyden in 1889. Had two chil-
dren, (twins) born in Japan, November 2, 1890. He was a Baptist
missionary to Japan for eight years, and is now pastor of the Oak-
mont, Pa., Baptist church. Mary (Boyden) Taft died in Japan, No-
vember 2, 1890. He was married a second time to Miss Jessie R.
Humpstone, and they have three children. Mrs. Harriet C. (Cole)
Taft was born in Spencer, Ohio, December 20, 1835, and died at
Salem, Mich., March 4, 1868. November 26, 1869, Rev. H. B. Taft
married Miss Emma F. Brigham, daughter of Dexter and Deborah
(Shaw) Brigham, and they have two children, as follows: Erwin
B., born in Fairfield, this county, July 2, 1872, is a Baptist preacher,
now located at Prescott, Arizona; Mary Alice, born in Fairfield,
this county, October 7, 1878, a teacher in the public schools at
Homer, Mich. Mrs. Emma F. (Brigham) Taft was born in Harris-
ville, Alcona County, November 10, 1842. All Mr. Taft's children
were graduates of Kalamazoo College.
348
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
MARTIN L. ROBERTSON was born in Preston County, West
Virginia, March 15, 1840, and came to Michigan with his parents in
1854. [For his family record see James Robertson's sketch on an-
other page in this volume.] Mr. Robertson was fourteen years old
when he came to Ogden, this county, where he has made his home
ever since. At that time Ogden was a wilderness of swamp and
big timber. He assisted in clearing the land, ditching out the
swamps and subduing the soil to its present stumpless condition
and prairie-like appearance. There are no better or more productive


Martin L. Robertson.
Mrs. Rachel Robertson.
farms in Michigan than are found in Ogden, and Mr. Robertson has
160 acres on Sections 22-3 that are equal to the best in fertility and im-
provements. During the past 30 years he has cleared and "stumped"
more than 120 acres of the land, and besides ditching and tiling it
he has put on the fine improvements now in evidence. He is one of
the thrifty and prosperous men of Ogden, and his home is one of the
most interesting and instructive in Lenawee County. The writer
has visited many hundred homes of pioneers and prominent citizens,
but in no other place have we found so many relics, valuable speci-
mens of semi-tropical fossils, shells, quartz, minerals from sea and
land, and samples of wood, tropical fruits, flowers, shrubs, etc. The
home is also adorned with many pictures and decorations of friends,
and scenes both north and south. In 1885 his health failed him,
and that fall he went to Florida. Since that time he has passed six-
teen winters there, besides three whole seasons. He knows about
orange growing, and fully realizes what a killing frost will do for
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
349
the luscius fruit. He invested largely in fruit land near Anthony,
and was successful in the culture of oranges, lemons, pears, grapes,
etc., until the big freeze in 1895. Since that time he has disposed
of most of his interests there, still holding his home in the town.
Mr. Robertson has spent some time in Cuba, and is of opinion the
island is blessed with the finest and most equable climate, the rich-
est and most fertile soil, and the most salubrious and charming win-
ter home in the world. March 27, 1871, Martin L. Robertson
married Miss Rachel Richardson, daughter of John and Lucy
Richardson, of Ogden, and they are the parents of two
children, as follows: George M., born in Ogden, October
12, 1874, married Miss Celia Sawyer, has one child, Irene
Alouise, born November 29, 1899, and resides in Ogden; John H.,
born in the same place, March 23d, 1881, at home. Mrs. Rachel
Robertson was born in Ogden, April 4, 1852. Her father, a native
of the State of New York, was an early settler in Ogden, where he
died February 16, 1887, aged 86 years. Her mother was born in Lo-
raine County, Ohio, May 10, 1826, and resides in Adrian.
ADOLPHUS A. SCHUYLER was born in Cicero, Onondaga
County, N. Y., May 6, 1853, and came to Michigan with his parents
in 1855. His father, James Schuyler, 2d, was born in the same
place, April 29, 1823, and was the son of James Schuyler, 1st, who
had a family of nine children, and was related to General Schuyler
of revolutionary fame, whose ancestor, Philip Pieterson Schuyler,
came from Germany in 1650. James Schuyler, 2d, was brought up
on a farm, but learned the cooper's trade, which he followed for
many years. When still a young man, he went to Racine, Wis.,
where he carried on a large cooperage business for several years,
when, in 1852, he returned to the State of New York. In 1855 he
came to Michigan and settled on Sectiou 36, in Raisin, this county.
In 1881 he sold out and removed to Leoni, Jackson County, Mich.,
where he died, June 22, 1895. February 18, 1845, James Schuyler,
2d, married Miss Charlotte Wright, daughter of John R. and Luna
(Williams) Wright, of Cicero, N. Y., and they were the parents of
eight children, Adolphus A. being the second son and fourth child.
Mrs. Charlotte Wright (Schuyler) was born in Camillus, Onondaga
County, N. Y., July 9, 1829, and now resides in Leoni, Mich. Adol-
phus A. Schuyler, the subject of this sketch, was only about three
years old when he came to Michigan, and has resided in this county
ever since. He has always followed farming, and now lives on Sec-
tion 25, in Rome, where his farm consists of 175 acres. He gives his
attention to mixed farming, and keeps a superior herd of milch cows.
350
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
He feeds cattle and sheep and crops his land with the best paying
cereals. March 19, 1876, Adolphus A. Schuyler married Miss Ella
A. Walworth, daughter of Cornelius and Paulina Walworth, of
Rome, this county. They are the parents of six children, as follows:
Maude E., born January 19, 1877, married John Yeutter, August 20,
1902, and resides in Ogden, this county; Perry W., born September
19, 1880; Pauline, born March 27, 1883; Marcus A., born June 18,
1886; Harry, born August 22, 1888; Alice M., born April 30, 1893;
all born in Rome. Mrs. Ella A. (Walworth) Schuyler was born in
Rome, this county, November 13, 1852. Her father was born in
Ovid, Seneca County, N. Y., July 25, 1808, and was killed in a rail-
road accident near South Bend, Ind., June 28, 1859. He came to
Michigan in 1829, and first settled in Wayne County. He was a sol-

Mr. and Mrs. Adolphus A. Schuyler.
dier in the "Toledo War." In 1833 he came to this county and set-
tled on Section 21, in Adrian township. He afterwards purchased a
farm on Section 35, in Rome, where he lived at the time of his death.
December 28, 1830, Cornelius Walworth married Miss Paulina Slo-
cum, daughter of Benjamin and Lydia (Bennett) Slocum, of Ply-
mouth, Wayne County, Mich.. and they were the parents of eight
children, Mrs. Schuyler being the youngest. Mrs. Paulina (Slocum)
Walworth was born in Perrington, Monroe County, N. Y., July 22,
1813, and came to Michigan with her parents in 1825. Her father,
Benjamin Slocum, was in the war of 1812. His father, Benjamin
Slocum, was a native of Rhode Island, moved to Adams, Berkshire
County, Mass., and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War in Col.
Benjamin Symond's regiment. Mrs. Paulina Walworth died in
Rome, this county, September 16, 1900.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
351
• jouchh!
HIRAM H. BLOOD was born in Dunstable, Hillsborough
County, N. H., May 22, 1813. His father, Joseph Blood, was prob-
ably a native of New Hampshire, born July 28, 1781, and was a sol-
dier in the war of 1812. He was the son of David Blood, also of
New Hampshire, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army.
His wife was Sally Putnam, a niece of General Israel Putnam. Jas-
per Blood moved from New Hampshire to Galway, Saratoga County,
N. Y., in 1817, where he resided for about ten years. In 1826 he
moved to Carlton, Orleans County, Western New York, where he
died August 19, 1827. About the year 1806 Joseph Blood married
Miss Mehitable Fallansbee, daughter of James and Sarah (Senter)
Fallansbee, of Hillsborough County, N. H. Mrs. Mehitable Blood
died in Seneca, this county, December 19, 1865, in the 81st year of
her age. Her mother lived to be over 90 years old. One brother,
Samuel Senter, died at the age of 97. Hiram H. Blood, subject of
this sketch, was about fourteen years old when his father died, leav-
ing his mother with a family of nine children. Hiram had the ad-
vantage of the country schools of Orleans County, and when he was
about eighteen years old he commenced to teach school. This he
followed for five or six years, and then went to farming. In 1842
he came to Michigan, first settling in Franklin township, this
county, but in 1844 he purchased a farm on Section 26 in Seneca
township, where he now resides. He has been a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church for more than seventy three years.
One of the first presiding elders that he remembers was Elder Fill-
more, brother of Millard Fillmore, who afterwards became President
of the United States. Elder Fillmore was on the scaffold at Buffalo
when the three Thayers were hung. Mr. Blood, now in his
ninety-first year, is in remarkably good health, and enjoys the con-
fidence and esteem of the entire township of Seneca. January 14,
1837, Hiram H. Blood married Miss Emeline Kent, daughter of Robert
and Julia (Swift) Kent, of Lyndon, Orleans County, N. Y., and they
had six children, as follows: Horatio H., born in Carlton, Orleans
County, N. Y., September 18, 1838, was a soldier in the great Rebel-
lion, and died in the service, April 6, 1864; Elsie Louisa, born in
the same place, December 26, 1840, married, January 19, 1860, to
Thomas Turner, has four children, and resides at Lakeside, Berrien
County, Mich.; Aristine, born in the same place, July 18, 1842, at
home; Ellen Irene born in Seneca, this county, October 4, 1847, died
September 10, 1888; Mary Elizabeth, born in the same place, De-
cember 19, 1851, married, April 1, 1873, Henry Roney, has two chil-
dren, and resides in Seneca; Joseph Harlan, born same place, Feb-
ruary 4, 1856, married, June 10, 1887, Miss Ollie Beecher, has three
children, and resides at North Baltimore, Ohio. Mrs. Emeline
(Kent) Blood was born in Vermont, March 27, 1814, and died in
Seneca, this county, February 17, 1894.
352
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
"
William A. Whitney.
WILLIAM A. WHITNEY
was one of the earliest settlers
in Adrian. He came to Mich-
igan with his parents in 1828,
and after that date called
Adrian his home. He was a
man of honor, integrity and
intelligence. His pioneer ex-
perience was always an inter-
esting theme with him, and
his recollections of the first
events, the original settlers,
etc., etc., were most vivid. In
his later life he devoted much
time to pioneer work. He
called the first meeting to or-
ganize a County Pioneer So-
ciety, and was the first secre-
tary of the society. He devoted
two years of hard work in as-
sisting in preparing and pub-
lishing the first history of
Lenawee County. [For a his-

tory of his life see Whitney & Bonner's History and Biographical
Record of Lenawee County, Vol. 1, pages 280 and 86. Also see
Biographical Album of Lenawee County, page 183.]
JOHN A. BENNETT was born in Scioto County, Ohio, March
17, 1830. His father, Rev. Moses Bennett, was born in the State of
New York, September 6, 1787. [For further history look at Lena-
wee County Album, page 758.] John A. Bennett, the subject of
this sketch, removed with his parents to Rollin township, Lenawee
County, Mich., in October, 1835, where he lived until 1853, when he
married Miss Rhoda M. Smith, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth
(Reed) Smith. He then moved to his present farm of 80 acres, on
Section 32, in Cambridge township, Lenawee County, Mich., where
he has resided ever since. They had born to them eight children,
and have four now living named as follows: George E., born May
17, 1854; Eugene T., born October 20, 1855; Elizabeth M., born
August 2, 1859; J. William, born January 2, 1870. George E. Ben-
nett, March 9, 1882, in Cambridge, married Miss Helen Maxwell,
daughter of John and Charlotte Maxwell, and they had four chil-
dren, named as follows: Lynn M., Dewitt, Inez and Lotta. Mrs.
Helen Bennett died August 3, 1894. Lynn M. Bennett died September
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
353
6, 1888. Eugene T. Bennett, June 1, 1880, married Miss Frances
Humphrey, of Rome, Mich., daughter of John and Rhoda (Bennett)
Thompson. They had two children, as follows: David E., born
April 21, 1889; Nettie, born September 12, 1892. Elizabeth Bennett,
December 27, 1881, married Eugene C. Turner, of Woodstock.
They had three children, named as follows: Roy J. and Ray G.,
twins, born September 24, 1887; Edward B., born April 30, 1890.
J. William Bennett, June 3, 1896, married Mabel Church, of Wheat-
land township, Hillsdale County, Mich., daughter of Alonzo and
Helen (Potter) Church. They had one child, named Elery LaVere
Bennett, born July 22, 1897. Mrs. Rhoda M. (Smith) Bennett was
born in Kent County, England, February 13, 1829. Her father, Jo-
seph Smith, was born in Kent County, England, April 13, 1786. He
married Elizabeth Reed who was born April 12, 1786, about the year
1810, in Kent County, England. They had nine children, Mrs.
Rhoda (Smith) Bennett being the youngest. She emigrated to the
United States in 1837, coming to Cambridge, Lenawee County, Mich.
Joseph Smith died in Cambridge, Mich., April 20, 1861. Elizabeth
(Reed) Smith died in Cambridge, September 22, 1865.
JOHN E. CARR was born in Baltimore, Md., May 28, 1865.
His father, James Carr, was also a native of Baltimore, where he
was born, December 3, 1830. His parents, natives of Glasgow,
Scotland, came to the United States about 1828, and settled in Bal-
timore, where they ever after resided. James Carr lived in Balti-
more until 1868, when he removed to Chicago. While a boy he was
bound out" in Baltimore to learn pattern-making. He was in the
employment of the government at Washington, and assisted in re-
pairing the Monitor after the famous encounter with the Merrimack
in Hampton Roads in 1862. On going to Chicago he became con-
nected with the Illinois Manufacturing Company and came to
Adrian in the winter of 1869-70, when that institution established
itself here. After the destruction of the company's works by fire,
Mr. Carr went to Cincinnati, in the pattern and foundry department
of a large railroad supply house, and remained there until 1883,
when he returned to Adrian. Here he engaged in the manufacture.
of a fountain pen, and carried on business for some years. He was,
at the time of his death, January 10, 1903, in the experiment de-
partment of the Page Woven Wire Fence Company. July 6, 1854,
James Carr married Miss Annie E. Colton, daughter of
William and Elizabeth Colton, and they became the parents of
eleven sons, only two of whom are living, John E., born as above,
and Charles H., born in Baltimore, June 17, 1867. Mrs. Annie E.
23
354
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
(Colton) Carr was born in Leicester, England, May 3, 1836, and
came to America in childhood with her parents. Her father,
William Colton, was a native of London, and her mother, Elizabeth
Cooper, a native of Leicester, England. Mrs. Carr still resides in
Adrian. John E. Carr, subject of this sketch, came to Adrian when
he was about four years old,
and with the exception of a
few years, he has spent his
life here. He was educated
in the public schools of Adrian,
and West Covington, Ky. He
also graduated from a business
college in Cincinnati, with
high honors. He spent about
two years in a law office in
Cincinnati, and then went to
learn the trade of pattern-
maker, with his father. But
the avocation was not con-
genial, and upon his return to
Adrian, in 1883, he drifted
into newspaper work, serving
for several years with the
Adrian Times and the Tele-
gram as reporter. Then he
went into merchandizing and
book-keeping. In February,
1895, he became a clerk in the
cashier's office of the Page
Fence Company. In August,
1895, he was made cashier of
the company, which position
he still holds. In 1902 he be-
came a director of the com-
pany, and was re-elected in
1903. Mr. Carr has inaugurated a system of book-keeping for the
company that is quite unique. It meets the peculiar necessities of
the large and complicated business, and has proved very satisfac-
tory. He is a charter member of Lenawee Tent, No. 452, K. O. T.
M., was the first Record Keeper, and subsequently Sir Knight Com-
mander. He is the Grand Treasurer for Michigan, of the Fraternal
Mystic Circle. He has been for many years an active member of the
Baptist church, having united with it in Covington, Ky., March 5,
1882. He has been an earnest worker in all departments, and has
served several years as trustee and clerk of the board. He has been
three times president of the local B. Y. P. U., and twice president of
the Associational Union, In 1898 he was elected secretary and
treasurer of the State B. Y. P. U., and in 1902 treasurer. In 1903

John E. Carr, Adrian, Mich.
RECORD Of Lenawee County, MICHIGAN.
355
he was elected State President. For about nine years he was ed-
itor of a monthly publication called "Our Church." He was one of
the foremost promotors of the building of Dorcas Chapel, and was
secretary of the building committee. He has been active in Sunday
school work, and has served as assistant superintendent for five
years. At the National B. Y. P. U. at Baltimore, in 1895, he pre-
sented a paper, the subject being, "Our Conventions; How Can We
Increase Their Efficiency." He was a candidate for Mayor of
Adrian, on the Democratic ticket, in the spring of 1903. He has
also been the candidate of his party for other important offices.
September 6, 1888, John E. Carr married Miss Kate Decker, daugh-
ter of John and Kate (Miller) Decker, of Adrian, and they have two
children, as follows: George Lee, born February 12, 1890; Ralph
Lavere, born July 28, 1897. Mrs. Kate (Decker) Carr was born in
Adrian July 23, 1869. Her father is a native of Germany, and came
to the United States a child. Her mother is a native of Adrian,
and was born, February 7, 1847. Her parents were natives of Ger-
many.
CLARK L. BURDICK was born in Fairfield, this county, Jan-
uary 29, 1839.
His father, Arunah Burdick, was born in Connecti-
cut, in June, 1801. When a young man he removed with his par-
ents, Joshua and Sarah Burdick, and settled near Utica, N. Y. He
resided there until 1833, when he came to Michigan and settled on Sec-
tion 32, in Fairfield, this county, taking up 60 acres of government
land. He resided thenceforth on this farm, where he died in his 87th
year, in November, 1887. In 1829 he married Miss Cornelia Crosby, of
Brookfield, N. Y., and they had five children, Clark L. being the fourth
child. Mrs. Cornelia (Crosby) Burdick was born October 9, 1810,
and died in Fairfield, this county, February 25, 1901. Clark L.
Burdick has always lived in Fairfield, and resides on Section 29.
He also owns a portion of his father's homestead, on Section 32.
He was educated in the schools of his district, and the High School
at Lyons, Ohio. He taught school for eighteen successive winters,
but always has considered he was a farmer. He has done his share
of clearing up the country and improving it, and his home is a com-
fortable and happy one. June 17, 1866, Clark L. Burdick married
Miss Angeline Jameson, daughter of Daniel and Harriet Jameson, of
Fairfield, and they have two children, as follows: Harriet, born in
Fairfield, April 13, 1870, married Lemuel M. Thompson, April 2,
1896, has two children, and resides at Lyons, Ohio; Helen, born in
the same place, August 7, 1877, married John Paulson, January 5,
1899, and resides in Fairfield. Mrs. Angeline (Jameson) Burdick,
born at Trumansburg, Tompkins County, N. Y., April 24, 1849,
came to Michigan with her widowed mother in 1864. Her father,
356
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Daniel Jameson, was born in Trumansburg, N. Y., May 24, 1812,
was a merchant for many years, and died at Trumansburg, June 15,
1836. Her mother, Mrs. Harriet (Russell) Jameson, was born July
10, 1817, and died in Fairfield, this county, January 1, 1900.

Alton F. Pratt.
Mrs. Mary E. Pratt.
In
ALTON F. PRATT was
born in Palmyra, Lenawee
County, Mich., September 20,
1846. His father, Harvey
Pratt, was born in Dryden, N.
Y., July 8, 1816, and was the
son of John and Eliza Pratt,
who were farmers of Dryden,
N. Y. Harvey Pratt
Pratt was
brought up a farmer, and when
a boy worked for a farmer
named Deacon Blossom on land
now covered by the city of
Rochester. He lived there un-
til he was twenty-one.
1836 he came to Michigan and
settled in Palmyra, this county,
having a sister, Mrs. Eliza
Pierce, who had settled there
some little time before. He
afterwards purchased 80 acres
of land on Section 16, in Bliss-
field, where he resided until
his death, May 30, 1885. In
1845 Harvey Pratt married
Miss Chloe Barrett, daughter
of Benjamin and Chloe (Har-
rison) Barrett, of Williamston,
Mass., and they had seven
children, as follows: Alton
F., born as above; Albert H.,
born in Blissfield, this county,
January 22, 1848; Seymour B.,
born same place, May 4, 1850;
Henry J., born same place,
August 6, 1855; Ida Belle,
born same place, February 22,
1857; John T., born same
place, November 21, 1858;
Minnie Arline, born same

RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
357
place, March 18, 1866. Mrs. Chloe (Barrett) Pratt was born in Man-
chester, Bennington County, Vt., June 22, 1826, came to Michigan
with her mother and brother, Seymour Barrett, in the spring of
1832, and still (1903) resides in this county. Alton F. Pratt, sub-
ject of this sketch, was brought up on the banks of the Raisin river,
in Blissfield township. Here he was educated in a log school house,
with slab seats, where he graduated the spring he was ten years old.
His services were then needed in the capacity of ox driver, etc. In
1861 he commenced work for
the Monroe branch of the
Michigan Southern Railroad.
He was afterwards employed
on the survey of the Canada
Southern Railroad, between
Trenton, Mich., and Fayette,
Ohio. In 1869 he went with
the Elkhart Railroad shops,
where he remained for ten
years, mastering the trade of
locomotive machinist. In 1880
he entered the employ of the
N. Y. P. & O., now the Erie
Railroad, and remained in the
shops at Galion, Ohio, for
twenty-two years. He is a
member of Galion Lodge, F.
and A. M., 414, and Crawford
Chapter, 142, R. A. M. He is
also a member of Eastern Star
Lodge, No. 47, of Galion.
September 22, 1870, Alton F.
Pratt married Miss Mary E.
Letter, daughter of Hugh and Mary Ann Letter. They became the
parents of one child, Carrie, born in Elkhart, July 11, 1876, and died
July 19, 1879. An adopted child, Edna A. Pratt, born near Akron,
Ohio, April 8, 1885, now at home. Mrs. Mary E. (Letter) Pratt
was born in Leicester, England, in 1840, came to this country with
her parents in 1843, and settled in Concord, N. H. Her father was a
native of Leicester, England, was born April 19, 1812, and died in
Blissfield, this county, October 3, 1879. Her mother, a native of
the same place, was born February 27, 1815, and died in Blissfield,
May 5, 1895. Mrs. Mary E. (Letter) Pratt died in Galion, Ohio,
May 20, 1899. November 12, 1902, Alton F. Pratt married Mrs.
Joan (Mitchell) Letter. She was born in Dayton, Ohio, January 31,
1853. Her father was the Hon. Thomas D. Mitchell, and her
mother was Rachel Clark, whose father, Amos Clark, was a pioneer
of Montgomery County, Ohio.

Mrs. Chloe Pratt.
358
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
THOMAS G. MEAD was born in Macedon Center, Wayne
County, N. Y., May 10, 1848. His father, Thomas W. Mead, born
in Dutchess County, N. Y., August 23, 1814, was from a lineage of
Friends. His ancestors were Friends, he was raised a Friend, and
was a leading member of the society. He was a farmer all his life.
He came to Michigan in 1870, and resided in Raisin township, on
Section 16, where he died March 27, 1888. November 1, 1837,
Thomas W. Mead married Miss Sarah S. Hoag, daughter of Ben-
jamin and Anna Hoag, of Macedon, Wayne County, N. Y., and they
had three children, as follows: Richard T., born in Macedon,
Wayne County, N. Y., May 11, 1839; John H., born in the same
place, September 29, 1844, and Thomas G. Mrs. Sarah S. (Hoag)
Mead was born in Macedon, Wayne County, N. Y., November 13,
1819, and still resides in Raisin. Thomas G. Mead came to Michi-
gan in 1869, and settled on Section 16, in Raisin, this county. His
brother, Dr. Richard T. Mead, had come to Michigan in 1865, and
settled in Adrian. The doctor was a graduate of the Albany, N. Y.
Medical College, was a surgeon in the 79th New York Highlander
regiment, during the Civil War, and after the discharge of the regi-
ment he was in the Grant General Hospital of New York City until
the close of the war. He became one of the most noted and success-
ful surgeons in Michigan. He resided in Adrian until 1871, when
he went to Manistee, Mich., where he ranked among the most prom-
inent physicians in that part of the state. In 1866 he married Miss
Jennie A. Young, of Adrian. She died in February, 1898. The
doctor died October 10, 1900. The doctor's coming to Michigan.and
favorable impression of the country, was what induced Thomas G.
to come. He has followed farming since his residence in the county,
and is one of its prosperous and wide-awake citizens. September 9,
1875, Thomas G. Mead married Miss Elizabeth R. Sutton, daughter
of Asa U. and Sarah A. Sutton, of Raisin, and they have two chil-
dren, as follows: Olive S., born January 14, 1877, married Janu-
ary 14, 1897, James Hageman, has one child, and resides at Oxford,
Mich.; Richard T., born March 8, 1882, married, May 27, 1903,
Miss Anna McClure. Mrs. Elizabeth S. Mead was born in Raisin,
this county, November 22, 1854. Her father was born in New York
city, January 2, 1818. He was the son of Isaac and Sarah Sutton,
who were very early settlers in Battle Creek, Mich. He died in
Raisin, October 27, 1871. Her mother was Sarah A. Satterthwaite,
daughter of Samuel and Hannah Satterthwaite, who were among
the first settlers of Tecumseh. She was born in New Jersey, Janu-
ary 15, 1820, and died in Raisin, December 26, 1873.
LORENZO DOW MEECH was born near Rochester, N. Y.,
September 24, 1824, and came to Michigan with his parents in 1836.
His father, Peter Meech, was a native of Scotland, and came to
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
359
America when a young man.
He first settled in the State of New
York. He lived several years in Monroe County, where he married
Miss Catherine Wells, daughter of Andrew and Lettie Wells, and
they raised a family of nine children. Peter Meech and his family
came to Michigan in 1836, and for a short time stopped in Madison,
but finally settled in Rollin,
where they both died. Lo-
renzo D. Meech came to Mich-
igan when he was twelve years
old, and settled in Madison,
this county. He was educated
in the district schools of the
township, and always followed
agricultural pursuits. Com-
ing here as he did in the early
settlement of Michigan, he
grew up with it and became
an active and thrifty citizen,
taking a lively interest in the
growth and development of
the county. He always resided
in Madison township, where he
filled several public offices and
positions. For nine years he
was overseer of the county in-
firmary, and was efficient and
active during the construction
of new buildings which were
erected during his administra-
tion. He was a man of strong
characteristics, and showed
his Scotch ancestry in his
tenacity to anything he be-
lieved, or any cause he es-
poused. During his active ca-
reer he owned six different
farms, and still owned three
at the time of his death. He
was a self-made man, having
earned every dollar he ever
possessed. He died at his
home on Sections 19 and 30,
in Madison, October 1, 1886.
January 13, 1847, Lorenzo D.
Meech married Miss Clara
Robbins, daughter of Thomas
and Catherine (Wilson) Rob-
bins, of Madison, this county.

Peter L. Meech.

Mrs. Carrie Meech.
360
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
They had three children, as follows: Cyntha J., born August 20,
1847, married H. C. Cunningham in 1866, have one child, and reside
in Madison; Peter L., born May 29, 1856; Emma A., born February
25, 1860, married John Cadoo, December 3, 1883, have three children,
and reside in Madison. Mrs. Clara (Robbins) Meech was born in
Portlandville, Otsego County, N. Y., February 12, 1824, and died in
Madison, this county, December 11, 1902. Her parents, Thomas
and Catherine (Wilson) Robbins, were natives of Hempstead, Rock-
land County, N. Y., came to Michigan in 1836, and settled in Madi-
son, this county. They had nine children. Peter L. Meech, the
subject of this sketch, is a native of Lenawee County, and now owns
and resides on the farm where he was born. He was reared a
farmer, and follows that avocation, together with the handling and
feeding of cattle for the market. His home is on Section 30, Madi-
son. He is a member of Madison Grange, the Gleaners and the
Maccabees, Tent 145, Adrian. September 28, 1876, Peter L. Meech
married Miss Carrie Saunders, daughter of Charles F. and Mary
(Nevin) Saunders, and they have six children, as follows: Clarence
D., born December 10, 1878, died October 5, 1880; Nora May, born
November 23, 1882; Forest L., born December 30, 1885; Florence
Hazel, born April 19, 1887; Floyd L., born December 7, 1891;
Blanche D., born April 7, 1894. Mrs. Carrie (Saunders) Meech was
born in Adrian City, April 7, 1855. Her parents were early settlers
of this county, and came from the State of New York.
HENRY C. PRATT was born in Reading, Seneca County, N.
Y., December 5, 1832, where he resided until 1838, when his parents
removed to Peru, Huron County, Ohio. His father, Franklin Pratt,
was a native of Connecticut, and was the son of Russell Pratt, who
was also a native of Connecticut, but became a pioneer upon the
shore of Cayuga Lake, in Seneca County, N. Y. He became a pros-
perous farmer, and owned several negro slaves. During the war of
1812-14 he was U. S. Quartermaster under General Knox. He was
born and raised under Puritan influences, and traced his ancestry
back to the Mayflower. Franklin Pratt was reared a farmer, but
after his removal to Ohio, he engaged in the timber and lumber bus-
iness, and became a successful dealer in ship timber. In 1855 he
sold his interests in Ohio and came to Michigan, purchasing a farm.
on the n½ of s e 4, Section 33, in Fairfield. This became the fam-
ily home, and is still owned by one of his sons. During his resi-
dence on the "Western Reserve" in Ohio, he was an active aboli-
tionist and one of the "stockholders and directors of the under-
ground railroad." As a resident of Fairfield he was highly re-
spected, and was regarded as an honest, enterprising and exemplary
RECORD OF LENAWee counTY, MICHIGAN.
361
man. He died in Fairfield, April 20, 1874. Franklin Pratt married
Miss Hannah Holloway, daughter of Benjamin and Susan (Willson)
Holloway, of Ovid, N. Y., and they were the parents or nine chil-
dren. Mrs. Hannah Pratt was born in Ovid, N. Y., and died in Fair-
field, this county. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania. Her
grandfather was a native of Valley Forge, Pa., and was very famil-
iar with the scenes and sufferings of Washington's army during that
memorable winter. Henry C Pratt, subject of this sketch, was ed-
ucated in the district schools of his neighborhood, with the excep-
tion of nearly two years spent at the Academy at Norwalk, Ohio.
He taught his first school when he was seventeen years old, follow-
ing that occupation for six years in Ohio. He came to Michigan in
1856, and at once opened a select school in what is now known as
District No. 7, Fairfield. During the following twenty years he fol
lowed teaching. In 1859 he purchased his father's farm in Fair-
field, which he still owns. He has been elected Justice of the Peace,
served two years as Supervisor, and has filled township school
offices for many years. In January, 1882, he was admitted to the
bar, and for several years he practiced law in Adrian. He has
always been an ardent Republican in politics, and during the past
thirty years has been employed by the Republican State Committee
as a speaker during political campaigns. He is one of the oldest
campaign speakers in Michigan. He was a candidate for the Leg-
islature in 1880, but was defeated by only 92 votes by William Cor-
bin, Democrat. He retired from active practice in 1890 and is now
living a quiet life upon his farm in Fairfield. July 5, 1858, Henry
C. Pratt married Miss Sarah M. Nash, daughter of Mar-
vin and Abigail Nash, of Madison, this county, and they are
the parents of six children, as follows: Orland F. and
Orville L., (twins) born April 15, 1863; Arthur H., born October 13,
1871; Vinnie R., born April 20, 1874, married Dr. Sion H. Jurden,
and resides in Clayton, this county. Two children died in infancy.
Mrs. Sarah M. Pratt was born in Macedon, Wayne County, N. Y.,
September 13, 1835. She came to Michigan with her parents in
1840, and settled in Madison, this county. Her father, born in Ham-
ilton, Madison County, N. Y., in 1804, died in Madison, in 1879.
Her mother was born in Perrington, Monroe County, N. Y., March 4,
1813, and died in Madison, this county, in June, 1875.
DAVID A. PRICE was born in Genoa, Cayuga County, N. Y.,
May 10, 1832, and came to Michigan with his parents in 1838. His
father, Aaron Price, was born in Newark, N. J., August 19, 1799.
He lived in Newark until he was about twenty-four years old, and
learned the weaver's trade. About the year 1823 he went to Cayuga
362
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
County, N. Y., where he purchased a farm and carried on the weav-
ing business. He prospered there reasonably well, until 1837, when
he emigrated to Michigan, but finally settled just over the line in
the town of Gorham, Lucas County, Ohio. At this time the Indian
chief Bawbeese was located in a temporary camp nearby, and many
notable incidents occurred during the first winter. Just about the
time cold weather set in, Chief Bawbeese had two deerskins tanned
and ready for use, and was about to start for Canandaigua village,
in the southwestern portion of Lenawee County, to sell the skins to

Mr. and Mrs. David A. Price.
The chief, who
Philo Wilson, who kept a general store there.
could talk English very well, told Mr. Price what he was about to
do. Mr. Price said if he could make moccasins he would buy the
skins. The chief said "you pay hard money and buy the skins, I
send squaw to make moccasins." The trade was made, and in a few
days the family was provided with moccasins for the winter. Baw-
beese was a very friendly and intelligent Indian. In the spring of
1864 he came to Adrian, where he died July 12, 1889. In 1825 Aaron
Price married Miss Jemima W. Barrows of New York city, and they
had seven sons, three of whom are living. Mrs. Jemima (Winings-
Barrows) Price was born in New York city, November 15, 1800, and
died in Adrian, February 19, 1889. The ancestors of the Price fam-
ily came from Germany, while Mrs. Jemima W. Price's parents came
from England. David A. Price, the subject of this sketch, was only
six years old when he came to Michigan, and since that time he has
resided in or near Lenawee County. He was educated in the district
schools, and learned the carpenters' and builders' trade, which he
followed in Adrian for many years. He was in the employ of the
RECORD OF Lenawee COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
363
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad for twenty-one years.
He has been fairly prosperous in his business relations, notwith-
standing many years of bad health. September 6, 1863, David A.
Price married Miss Lucy A. Bailey, daughter of Ruggles and La-
vantia H. Bailey, and they had one daughter, Alice G., born July
26, 1864, and died August 4, 1872. Mrs. Lucy A. (Bailey) Price
was born in Palermo, Oswego County, N. Y., May 4, 1845, and went
with her parents to Medina County, Ohio, in 1848, afterwards re-
moving to Williams County. Her parents subsequently removed to
Hillsdale County, Mich., where her father died November 5, 1890,
aged 74 years. He was a native of Connecticut, and was born No-
vember 30, 1816. Her mother was born in Massachusetts in 1817,
and is still living in Hillsdale County.
THE BOND STEEL POST COMPANY, of Adrian, was organ-
ized January 19, 1895, with a capital stock of $40,000.00. The stock-
holders consisted of George W. Bond, A. M. and N. B. Keeney, J.
H. Reynolds, David Metcalf, Major Seymour Howell, Col. W. F.
Bradley, Robert H. Bradley, D. M. Baker, Dr. A. M. Stephenson, C.
R. Miller, C. B. Pennock and Howard T. Taylor. The first board
of directors was composed of George W. Bond, C. R. Miller, A. M.
Keeney, David Metcalf, J. H. Reynolds and Howard T. Taylor.
The directors elected the following officers: George W. Bond, pres-
ident; David Metcalf, vice president; J. H. Reynolds, secretary,
and Seymour Howell, treasurer. The company was formed for the
purpose of manufacturing a steel fence post, a most excellent article
patented by Mr. George W. Bond. A steel fence post, however, was
a new thing, and considerable effort was required to get it intro-
duced. In 1897 the company was awarded a four years' contract by
the United States Government to furnish steel letter box posts. This
post was selected from a score or more of samples submitted by
other competitors, on account of its superior qualities. The contract
was renewed at the expiration of four years, and as a result many
thousands of these posts are rendering Uncle Sam good service in all
the large cities of the country. During the year 1898 the controlling
interest of the company passed into new hands. A reorganization
followed. The board of directors was reduced from seven to five
and consisted of Walter Clement, Nathan L. Clement, Col. W. F.
Bradley, Henry N. King and Myron H. Hoisington. The new board
organized by electing Walter Clement, president; Col. W. F. Brad-
ley, vice president; Myron H. Hoisington, secretary and treasurer.
The development of the free rural delivery service created a demand
for a metal receptacle for the farmers' mail. The Bond Steel Post
Company, quick to seize the opportunity thus afforded, originated
and produced a neat, strong, and serviceable rural mail box which
364
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
has met with a very wide sale throughout the entire section of the
country. The output has increased from 15,000 in 1900, to 200,000
in 1903. In order to more fully meet the demand made by this new
departure it was necessary to purchase and equip with new and
special machinery another factory, which also included a thoroughly
modern galvanizing plant. Since the reorganization of the com-
pany, Captain Henry N. King, a mechanical engineer and an old
pioneer of Lenawee County, has had the superintendency of the op-
erating department. Much credit is due him from a mechanical
standpoint for the high excellence of the company's products. For
the great development of the business, and the high commercial
standing that the company now enjoys, the credit is due to the ex-
ecutive officers, and especially to the president, Walter Clement, and
the secretary, M. H. Hoisington. Their constant attention has
been given to the business, and while they have found a market for
the product, Mr. King has produced an article that met the de-
mands in workmanship and quality. In January, 1903, the cap-
ital stock was increased from $40,000 to $100,000. The volume
of business has also increased from $10,000 in 1896 to $200,000 in
1903.
JAMES FRANCIS MILLER was born in Portland, Maine,
June 29, 1868, and came to Michigan with his parents in 1870. His
James F. Miller.
father, James Miller, was born
in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1830.
He came to America in 1862,
settling at Portland, Maine,
where he resided until 1870,
when he came to Michigan
and settled on Section 22, in
Raisin township, where he
died March 5, 1883. At Glas-
gow, May 18, 1851, James
Miller married Miss Margaret
Jane Francis, daughter of
James and Sarah Francis, of
Glasgow, Scotland, and they
have had seven children,
James F. being the sixth child
and third son. Mrs. Margaret
(Francis) Miller was born in
Glasgow, Scotland, in Janu-
ary, 1834. James F. Miller,
the subject of this sketch, was
brought up on a farm, and
lived with his parents until

RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
365
he was twenty-three years old. He came to Lenawee County when
he was two years old. He was educated in the district schools of
his neighborhood, and graduated from Raisin Valley Seminary. In
1891 he came to Adrian and accepted the position of assistant
superintendent of the Adrian Street Railway Company, under
the late Joseph H. Blain. He remained in this service until
1893, when he became a salesman for Grinnell Bros., music
dealers, No. 11 North Main street, Adrian. In this calling he was
very successful, disposing on the most satisfactory terms to all
concerned, pianos, organs and musical merchandise in Lenawee and
surrounding counties, for this reliable firm, until 1896.
that year he was promoted to manager of the branch house at
Adrian, which position he is still holding. His energy and business.
capacity have been placed favorably before the community. His
management has established a first-class music house in Adrian, and
he has accumulated for himself a desirable and comfortable home.
May 17, 1892, James F. Miller married Miss Lulu West, daughter of
Almond and Minerva (Haviland) West, of Raisin, and they have two
children, as follows: Gertrude Ann, born in Adrian, Mich., June
15, 1894; Geraldine Lucile, born January 17, 1901. Mrs. Lulu
(West) Miller was born December 28, 1869.
SOLOMON FORCE. 2d, was born in Fairfield, June 1, 1847.
His father, Solomon Force, 1st, was born at Tonawanda, N. Y.,
where his parents were pioneers, and where he resided until 1833,
when he came to Michigan and settled in Adrian township, this
county. He made several changes, but finally settled in Fairfield,
where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1870. He was
married three times and was the father of fourteen children, and
stepfather to six others. He was a good mechanic, and was very
useful to the settlers in making chairs, tables, etc., besides supply-
ing them with grain cradles and many other necessary implements.
July 12, 1846, he married Mrs. Catherine (Van Santford) Ferguson,
of Fairfield, and they had four sons, Solomon being the oldest.
Mrs. Catherine Force was born in Middletown, N. Y., October 15,
1808, and died in Adrian, Mich., July 4, 1897. Solomon Force, 2d,
has always resided in Fairfield, and was reared a farmer. He now
owns a fine farm home on the s. e. 4 of Section 29. He was edu-
cated in the district schools of his township. For many years he
followed cheese making, but now gives his entire attention to farm-
ing. March 17, 1872, Solomon Force, 2d, married Miss Emma J.
Service, daughter of James and Elizabeth Service, of Fairfield, and
they are the parents of six children, as follows: Adelbert H., born
June 20, 1873, and died September 6, 1875; Jane E., born August 13,
1876, a school teacher in Fairfield; Luke Harvey, born May 1, 1878,
366
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
at home; Clarence A., born July 11, 1881, at home; Lela G., born
August 13, 1885, at home; Bertha L., born August 2, 1889, at home.
Mrs. Emma J. Force was born in Canandaigua, N. Y., November
27, 1849, and came to Michigan with her parents in 1852. Her
father was born in Philadelphia, Pa., January 5, 1818, and still re-
sides (1903) in Fairfield, this county. Her mother was born in
Edinburg, Scotland, in 1817, came to America in 1836, alone, and
was married in 1841. She died in Fairfield, this county, May 27,
1872. [For full account of Mrs. Force's ancestors, see John Service's
record in this volume.]
PETER L. BAILEY was born in Dover, Lenawee County,
Mich., November 9, 1848. His father, Samuel A. Bailey, was born
near Rome, N. Y., November 11, 1811, where he resided until he
was about twenty-four years old. His father, Samuel Bailey, was
a farmer, and was a pioneer in Rome, Oneida County, N. Y., where

O...
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel A. Bailey.
he always resided. About the year 1800 Samuel Bailey married
Miss Sally Black, and they raised a family of eleven children, Sam-
uel A. being the oldest son and fourth child. Samuel A. Bailey
was brought up on a farm. In 1835, he came to Michigan, and in
1837 took up 160 acres of land in Dover, on the north town line ad-
joining Rollin. He resided there a year or two, made some improve-
ments, and traded for a farm near Dover Centre, where he resided
RECORD OF LENAWEe county, MICHIGAN.
367
until 1851.
After a short residence in Rollin, where he carried on a
blacksmith shop in connection with his farm, in 1854, he purchased
a farm on Section 19, in Madison, where he resided until 1885, when
his eyesight failed him, and he quit active business. In 1838 he
married Miss Betsey Ann Meech, daughter of Peter and Catherine
(Jackson) Meech, and they had eight children, as follows: Sally,
born March 9, 1840, married Henry E. Crane, of Madison; Nancy,
born November 14, 1844, married Lyman Fisk, of Dover; Catherine,
died at the age of nine years; Peter L., born in Dover, November 9,
1848; Samuel J., born in Dover; Alexander, born in Rollin, and
died in infancy; Daniel, born in Madison, and died in infancy; Tru-
man E., born in Madison, married Elma Faultenburg, and has two
sons. Mrs. Betsey Ann Bailey was born in Monroe County, N. Y.,
in 1820, and died in Seneca, in February, 1895. Samuel A. Bailey
died in Adrian, May 2, 1902. Peter L. Bailey, the subject of this
sketch, was raised a farmer, was educated in the schools of the
county, and attended two terms at Adrian College. He was twice
married, first to Miss Helen L. Clark, daughter of John R. and
Emilie E. Clark, of Adrian, November 4, 1869, by whom he had
three children, all of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Helen L. Bailey
died October 31, 1873, in Madison. October 26, 1874, our subject
married Miss Jennie Andrew, daughter of Tilgham and Christine
Andrew, of East Newmarket, Dorchester County, Md., by whom he
has had one child, Anna C., born September 3, 1875, married Charles
S. Benedict, July 3, 1901. Mrs. Jennie Bailey was born in Balti-
more, Md., July 9, 1863. Her father, Tilghman Andrew, was born
near Federalsburg, Md., February 9, 1815, and died there Novem-
ber 3, 1892. Her mother, Christiana Andrew, was born on a farm
near the Washington church, now Hurlock, Md., March 18, 1819,
and died February 3, 1894.
His
DAVID A. GALLOWAY was born in Toledo, Ohio, May 28,
1838. His father, Almond C. Galloway, was born in Palmyra, Wayne
County, N. Y., February 2, 1816. His father, John Galloway, was
born in Herkimer County, N. Y., December 2, 1786. He only lived
in that county a few years, when his father, Captain James Gal-
loway, moved to Wayne County, and settled in Palmyra, in company
with two other pioneers, General Swift and General White.
son, James Galloway, now (1903) resides on the old farm. These
three families were the first settlers of that town. John Galloway
was then a small boy, and made the trip from Herkimer County to
Palmyra in a bag, with an older sister. His parents took a large
sack, and put his sister on one side and himself on the other, and hung
them over the back of a horse, just as an old-fashioned doctor did
his saddle bags. He lived in Palmyra, with his parents, until he
368
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
was married, when he purchased a large farm, and lived on it until
the spring of 1824, when he emigrated to Michigan, sailing from
Buffalo to Detroit on the first steamboat on the lake, and the first
trip ever made by the boat-the "Pioneer "-arriving in Detroit
about the 1st of May. He left his family in Detroit until he went to
Pontiac, purchased a new farm and a yoke of oxen, and returned to
Detroit and moved his family upon the land. He lived there about
eleven years, when he sold out, went to Toledo, and bought a large
David A. Galloway.
Mrs Emily H. Galloway.
farm, where he lived several
years, when he again sold out
and purchased another large
farm in Raisinville, Monroe
County, where he lived until
his death, October 14, 1851.
About the year 1805 he mar-
Miss Elizabeth Cornell, of Pal-
myra, N. Y., by whom he had
four sons, Almon C. being the
youngest. Mrs. Elizabeth
Galloway was born in New
York about the year 1787, and
died in
Palmyra, Wayne
County, N. Y., March 17, 1818.
Almon C. Galloway was
brought up a farmer, and lived
with his father until he was
about nineteen years old. He
received a limited education,
and has always been a farmer.
In 1834 he went to Palmyra,
N. Y., and remained there un-
til August 1837, when he came
back, and lived near Toledo,
about one year. In August,
1838, he purchased one hun-
dred and sixty acres of new
land, on Sections 5 and 8, in
Adrian township. He was
obliged to cut a road for half a
mile to get to the land. He
lived there for sixteen years,
and cleared up one hundred
acres, and fenced the entire
place. He first built a log
house and log barn, but after-
wards built a good frame house
and a large frame barn. He
had a good orchard which he


RECORD of Lenawee County, MICHIGAN.
369
raised from seed brought by his wife from New York. In the spring
of 1854 he sold the farm to John D. Kaiser and purchased one hun-
dred and fifty acres on Section 13, in Adrian township, where he
now lives. Since he purchased this farm he has erected a fine large
brick house with several barns and sheds. This house burned March
19, 1893. Since that occurrence a good house has been erected on
the same spot. March 16, 1837, he married Miss Calista A. Knowles
daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth Knowles, of Palmyra, N. Y.,
by whom he has had three children, as follows: David A., born as
above; Elizabeth A., died in infancy. Duane C. Galloway was born.
in Adrian township, January 29, 1844, married Miss Maggie M.
Chittenden, May 22, 1876. They have one daughter, Lucy E., born
January 26, 1878. Mrs. Maggie Galloway died July 31, 1894. He
resides on Section 6, in Palmyra, this county. Mrs. Calista A. Gal-
loway was born in Orwell, Vt., January 11, 1816. Her parents were
both born in New Hampshire, but were early settlers of Palmyra,
N. Y., and came to Michigan in 1847. Mrs. Knowles died in Febru-
ary, and Mr. Knowles in August, 1851. David A. Galloway, subject
of this sketch, lives on the homestead, on Section 13, in Adrian
township. December 22, 1863, he married Miss Emily H. Rogers,
daughter of Ira and Nancy (Tomer) Rogers, and they had two chil-
dren, as follows: Almon D., born October 3, 1869, married Miss
Flora Van Doren, daughter of Edmund and Elizabeth Van Doren,
and they have one son, George R.; the second child was Calista
E., born July 19, 1876, married William H. Small, and resides in
Fenton, Mich. Mrs. Emily H. (Rogers) Galloway was born in
Cambridge, this county, June 22, 1845, and died in Adrian township,
June 12, 1892. David A. Galloway was married the second time,
March 26, 1896, to Mrs. Eliza (Lanning) Jay, and there is no issue.
HON. JOHN H. COMBS was born in Rome, Lenawee County,
Mich., December 22, 1861, and has always resided there. His father,
Dr. Henry P. Combs, was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., June
19, 1820, and was the son of John and Maria S. (Platt) Combs.
John Combs was a native of New Hampshire, but removed to
New York when a young man. He settled in Onondaga County,
and in 1816 married Miss Maria S. Platt, daughter of Henry S.
Platt, a pioneer of that part of the Empire State. He died there at
the age of thirty-four years. Mrs. Combs afterwards married.
Joseph Rhoads, and came to Michigan in 1838, settling in this
county, and died at the age of sixty-two. Dr. Combs lived with his
mother until he was eighteen years old, attending the district
schools of Adrian. About the year 1840 he commenced the study of
medicine, and followed it closely, and after graduation at the Cleve-
24
370
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL

Dr. H. P. Combs, of Rome.
land, Ohio, Medical College, in 1845, he began the practice of medi-
cine in Rome township, this county. He at once became very suc-
cessful and popular in his profession, which he faithfully followed
until 1865, when he retired from active practice. He became one of
the best known and most popular men in his township. He took an
active interest in public, religious and educational affairs. In poli-
tics he was first a Whig, but became a Republican after 1854. In
1857 he was elected to the Michigan Legislature, and in 1863 he was
re-elected to the same body. He served as School Inspector and
Township Clerk for several terms, and was County Superintendent
of the Poor for thirteen years. He was a most faithful and honor-
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
371
able public officer, and to the end of his life commanded the respect
and confidence of all classes. In the fall of 1857 Dr. Combs married
Miss Lucy A. Sharrar, who was born in Clyde, Wayne County, N.
Y., March 30, 1834, and they became the parents of two children,
as follows: John H., born as above, and Alice E., born in 1872,
died in infancy. Mrs. Dr. Combs came to Michigan when she was
three years old, and passed through all the stages of pioneer life,
but a happy marriage and a genial home made her a bright and
much respected woman. She lived fifty-seven years in the house
where she died, December 2, 1898.. Her husband, Dr. Combs, died
three years before, January 1, 1895. Her parents, David and Pa-
melia (Langdon) Sharrar, were pioneers of Wayne County, N. Y.,
and came to Michigan in 1835. David Sharrar was born in Mary-
land in 1807. Mrs. Pamelia Sharrar was born in Wayne County, N.
Y., March 30, 1834, and died in Rome, this county, May 18, 1881.
Hon. John H. Combs, subject of this sketch, was educated in the
district schools of Rome until he was seventeen years old, afterwards
spending the school years of 1877-8 at Adrian College. He gradu-

Farm home of Hon. John H. Combs, Section 23, in Rome. It is said the first log house in the
township was built very near this site.
372
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
ated from Goldsmith's Detroit Business College in 1881. After
graduation he returned to his farm home. He served as School In-
spector for five years, Township Clerk four years, and Supervisor
four years. He was elected to the Michigan Legislature of 1901-2,
on the Republican ticket, over W. H. Hayden, of Tecumseh, by a
majority of 107, in a hardly-contested canvass. He was re-elected
in 1902, over Don H. C. Bowen, of Tecumseh, by a majority of 224.
He served as chairman of the committee on Education and member of
the committee on College of Mines and the committee on Apportion-
ment. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs, during
political campaigns, and is a convincing speaker. June 11, 1884,
John H. Combs married Miss Nellie E. Williams, daughter of John
D. and Mary J. (Downer) Williams, of Detroit, Mich., and they have
one daughter, Alice Elizabeth, born in Rome, this county, Decem-
ber 9, 1886. Mrs. Nellie E. (Williams) Combs was born in Utica,
N. Y., November 1, 1863, and came to Michigan with her parents,
who settled in Detroit in 1871. Her father, John D. Williams, was a
native of New York, son of David and Joanna Williams, being born
in Rotterdam, near Schenectady, December 18, 1807, and died April
18, 1893. His ancestors were from Holland. August 8, 1844, he
married, at Utica, N. Y., Miss Mary J. Downer, who was born in
New Lisbon, N. Y., August 9, 1823, and now resides in Philadel-
phia, Pa. Her ancestors were English, and settled in New England
early in the country's history.
WILLIAM S. G. MASON was born in Hector, Tompkins
County, N. Y., December 9, 1821. His father, David Mason, was a
native of Massachusetts, and was born about 1791.
When a young
man he went to Tompkins County, N. Y., where he lived a few years.
He then removed to Chautauqua County, N. Y., where he purchased
a farm in the wilderness, which he partially improved. March 4,
1821, David Mason married Miss Temperance Palmer, daughter of
Japheth and Anna Palmer, of Tompkins County, N. Y., and they
had five children, William S. G. being the oldest. Mrs. Anna
(Palmer) Mason was a native of New York, and died in Medina,
this county. David Mason died at North East, Pa., in 1836. Wil-
liam S. G. Mason, subject of this sketch, at an early age removed
with his parents to Chautauqua County, N. Y., then a dense wilder-
ness, inhabited largely by Indians and wild beasts. After en-
during the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, his
father sold out and removed to North East, Erie County, Pa., where
he died. This left our subject, at the age of fifteen, the eldest of
five children, to struggle with poverty and care for an invalid
mother. By the loss of his father he was deprived of all further op-
RECORD OF LENAWee counTY, MICHIGAN.
373
portunity for obtaining an education, besides losing a kind parent
and wise and affectionate counselor, at a time when most needed.
After a few years his mother married again, and he started for the
West. He settled in Townsend, Sandusky County, Ohio, where he
passed several years in working for farmers by the month. About
the year 1843 he purchased eighty acres of land in Townsend. July
6, 1845, W. S. G. Mason married Miss Mary Ann May, daughter of
Rev. Isaac and Rachael (McMillan) May, of Townsend, Ohio, and
they have had five children, as follows: Angeletta R., born August
8, 1846, married December 30, 1866, Alfred A. Abbott, has three
children, and resides in Morenci; Anna M., born August 13, 1848,
married November 27, 1873, Charles Leonard, has two children, and re-
sides in Manton, Rexford County, Mich.; Alice P., born July 25, 1850,
married, December 9, 1880, George W. Woodworth, has two children,
and resides in Medina, this county; Winfield S., born July 27, 1852,
married March 28, 1874, Miss Abigail Densmore, has three children,
and resides in Chicago; William F., born August 15, 1856, married,
January 1, 1880, Miss Ella L. Abbott, has two children and resides
in Chicago. All were born in Townsend, Sandusky County, Ohio.
Mrs. Mary Ann Mason was born in Townsend, January 24, 1825.
Her father, Rev. Isaac May, was a native of New Hampshire, and
became a Free Will Baptist minister when he was about twenty years
old. He married Rachel McMillan and emigrated to Ohio, settling
in Sandusky County, where he was the only minister in his locality.
He died there at the age of 78 years. Mrs. May died in the same
county, in October, 1830. About the year 1857 W. S. G. Mason re-
moved with his family to Fairfield, this county. Here he united
with the Free Will Baptist church. He was elected Deacon of the
church, which office he held until 1872, when he moved to Fulton,
Ohio. Here he remained about twenty-five years. In 1897 he re-
moved to Morenci, where he and his wife now reside.
ALPHEUS J. ROBERTSON was born in Preston County, West
Virginia, January 28, 1837, and came to Michigan with his parents
in 1854. [For his family record see sketch of James Robertson, in
this volume.] Alpheus J. Robertson was sixteen years old when he
came to Michigan, and assisted his father in making a home in Og-
den township, this county. He lived at home until he was twenty-
one years old. In 1860 he purchased 40 acres of land on Section 15,
in Ogden, where he lives at the present time. Since his first pur-
chase he has added to his holdings until he is now the largest indi-
vidual land owner in his township, and the heaviest taxpayer. His
farm consists of 320 acres, 290 of which are under cultivation. This
land was all in the woods and under water when he purchased it,
374
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
and through his own labor and personal efforts he has cleared.
it, removed the stumps, ditched, tiled and subdued, until now
it is among the most valuable farming land in Michigan. Nearly
all the stumps are removed on 290 acres, and it is well fenced
and improved, Very few men can show better or more satisfac-


A. J. Robertson.
Mrs. Julia J. Robertson.
tory results from personal effort. May 6, 1866, Alpheus J. Robertson
married Miss Julia J. Wilcox, daughter of Abner P. and Statira
(Varnum) Wilcox, of Fairfield, and they have two children as fol-
lows: Eugene H., born in Ogden, February 22, 1867, resides in
Boulder, Colo.; Alonzo E., born same place, March 5, 1872, married
Miss Bell Spencer. They have one daughter and reside at Mason
City, Nebraska. Mrs. Julia J. (Wilcox) Robertson was born in
Milan, Monroe County Michigan, March 6, 1845, Her father was a
native of the State of New York, and died in Seneca, this county, in
his 80th year. Her mother was born near Toronto, Canada, and
is still living in Seneca, in her 85th year.
EUGENE C. TURNER was born in Woodstock, Lenawee
County, Mich., June 16, 1857. His father, George H. Turner was
born in Seneca County, N. Y., December 9, 1823, and was the son of
Caleb Sutton and Leah (Waldron) Turner, of the same place. Early
in 1832 Caleb Sutton Turner and family emigrated to the State of
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
375
Michigan and settled in Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County. In 1837 he
moved to Lenawee County and settled in Adrian township, liv-
ing there until December 12, 1850, when he died. In Febru-
ary, 1854, George H. Turner married Mary J. Beers, daughter
of Charles and Keziah (Wade) Beers, of Adrian township,
Lenawee County, Mich., and they had three children, Dewitt
C., Josephine G. and Eugene C. In December, 1855, George
H. Turner and family moved to Section 31, Woodstock township,
Lenawee County, where he had bought 228 acres of land, improving
the same and erecting fine farm buildings. In 1874 Dewitt C. Tur-


George H. Turner.
Mrs. Mary J. Turner.
ner married Frances Shales, December 31. He lived on a portion of
the 228 acres until his death, July 11, 1896. Josephine G. Turner
married George L. Hickox, October 1, 1874, and died in Osseo, Hills-
dale County, October 13, 1881. Eugene C. Turner, the subject of
this sketch, has resided on this Section 31 farm in Woodstock, Lena-
wee County, since his birth. He lived with his parents until his
marriage to Elizabeth M. Bennett, daughter of John A. and Miriam
(Smith) Bennett, December 27, 1881. October, 1882, George H.
Turner and wife, Mary J. Turner, moved from the farm to Adrian
city, where, January 28, 1884, Mary J. Turner died. George H.
376
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Turner lived in the city of Adrian until his death, September 18,
1888. George H. Turner's mother, Leah (Wolson) Turner, died on
the Woodstock farm, aged 81 years, in the year 1877. Eugene C.
and Elizabeth (Bennett) Turner had three children, Ray G. and Roy
J., (twins) born September 24, 1887; Edward B. Turner, born April
30, 1890. Roy J. Turner died October 12, 1894. Eugene Turner
and wife are still working the old Woodstock farm and edu-
cating their two remaining boys, Roy G. and Edward B. Although
Mr. Turner is not a graduated veterinary, he is very successful
among his neighbors in his treatment of all diseases that horses,
cattle and other domestic animals are subject to. He makes no pre-
tension as a professional, but assists his neighbors when called upon.
[For Mrs. Elizabeth (Bennett) Turner's family history, see John A.
Bennett's record, in this volume.]
GEN. WILLIAM HUMPHREY was born in Canandaigua, N.
Y., June 12, 1828, coming to Michigan with his parents in 1838. His
father, John Humphrey, was born in Hopewell, Hunterdon County,
N. J., May 21, 1798. When seventeen years old John Humphrey
went to Geneva, N. Y., and commenced in 1815 to learn the black-
smith's trade with Moses Hall. In 1825 he married Miss Jane Hall,
a daughter of Moses Hall. In the winter of 1828 he went to Canan-
daigua, N. Y., and established a foundry and machine shop, which
he carried on for about ten years. He then sold his business in Can-
andaigua, and in 1838 came to Michigan, and settled in the town-
ship of Wheatland, Hillsdale County, where he had previously taken
up 160 acres of land. With his family he located upon this land,
Occupying a shanty made of split logs, only sixteen feet square.
With some improvements, the family occupied this abode for four
years, before a better and larger log house could be built. He was a
resolute man, with force and strength of character sufficient to over-
come all the difficulties and vicissitudes of a pioneer life. He was
well-informed and took a general interest in all public affairs, hold-
ing many positions of trust and honor. Besides serving several
terms as Supervisor, in 1844 he was elected to the State Legislature.
He died at his home in Wheatland, October 16, 1870. His wife,
Miss Jane Hall, whom he married at Geneva, N. Y., January 1, 1825,
was born at Geneva, N. Y., April 13, 1809, and died at Jackson,
Mich., while visiting her son, July 20, 1879. She traced her ancestry
back to John Hall, Sr., who was an Englishman, and the first settler
of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, in the valley of the Passaic. Wil-
liam Humphrey, the subject of this sketch, spent his childhood and
youth on a farm, and depended for his education on the district
schools of Hillsdale County, until 1848, when he went to Geneva, N.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
377
Y., where he had the advantage of two school years, afterwards
attending a commercial institute at Cleveland, Ohio. In the fall of
1857 he came to Adrian and engaged in the mercantile business as a
clerk, where he remained, with the exception of one year, when he
taught school at Williamsport, Pa., until the first call for troops in
1861, at the breaking out of the great Rebellion. May 25, 1861, he
was mustered in at Ft. Wayne, Detroit, as captain of Company D.,
2d Michigan Infantry, receiving his commission from Gov. Austin
Blair, April 25, 1861. He took
In
part in the first battle of Bull
Run. In 1862 he served in the
Peninsular campaign, in Gen.
Phil. Kearney's division; and
also engaged in the second
battle of Bull Run. In the fall
of 1862 he took part in the bat-
tle of Fredericksburg, under
Gen. Burnside. In 1863 he ac-
companied Burnside to Ken-
tucky, and the following May
was commissioned as colonel
of the 2d Michigan Infantry.
In June he was ordered to
Vicksburg, taking part in the
siege, and also took part in
Sherman's campaign against
Jackson in Mississippi.
August his regiment returned
to Kentucky, and in Septem-
ber started on the East Ten-
nessee campaign. He took
part in various skirmishes
about Knoxville, and at Fort
Saunders, where Longstreet
was repulsed with fearful loss,
he had command of a brigade. In the spring of 1864 his regiment
was ordered to the Potomac, and he served in Grant's cam-
paign against Lee, participating in the battles of the Wilderness,
Spottsylvania and all the engagements up to October, when he was
discharged on account of expiration of service. During the summer
of 1864 a part of the time he had command of a brigade and was
breveted brigadier general to date from July 30, 1864. The follow-
ing is in brief the war record of Gen. Humphrey: Captain 2d In-
fantry, April 25, 1861. Colonel February 16, 1863. Wounded in ac-
tion at Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864. Brevet brigadier general
United States Volunteers August 1, 1864, "for conspicuous and gal-
lant service both as regimental and brigade commander throughout
the campaign." Mustered out September 30, 1864, and honorably

Gen. William Humphrey.
378
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
discharged. After his retirement from the army and return to
Michigan, Gen. Humphrey purchased the Daily and Weekly Watch-
tower, of Adrian, taking possession Saturday, September 9, 1865,
and on the following Monday, September 11, issued the Daily
Times. He continued as one of its editors until 1866, when he was
elected Auditor General of Michigan, and upon taking office aban-
doned all editorial work. He filled the office of Auditor General for
four successive terms, and in 1875 was appointed Warden of the
Michigan State Prison at Jackson, occupying this position for eight
years. In 1883 he became interested as a partner in the Adrian
Brick and Tile Machine Company. In 1890 he was appointed post-
master at Adrian by President Harrison, and held the office for
four years. He died at his home in Adrian, January 12, 1898. Oc-
tober 9, 1867, Gen. William Humphrey married Miss Mary E. Sin-
clair, daughter of Daniel D. and Elizabeth Sinclair, of Adrian,
Mich. One child was born to them, Kate, who was born in Lan-
sing, Mich., December 31, 1872. Daniel D. Sinclair was born in
Broadalbin, Montgomery County, N. Y., April 16, 1805, learned the
tailor's trade and followed merchandizing for many years. He
came to Michigan in 1834, and settled in Adrian in 1835. He held
many political offices, and was a member of the first Legislature
that convened at Lansing in 1848-9. In 1849 he was commissioned
Brigadier General by Governor Ransom, and was afterwards in the
service of the Michigan Southern railroad for many years. He was
elected Supervisor of his ward in Adrian for seventeen successive
years. His parents, Duncan and Christie Sinclair, were natives of
Glenlion, Perthshire, Scotland, and came to America in 1798. In 1834
he married Miss Elizabeth Hyde, of Brockport, N. Y., and they had
six children, as follows: Henry H., Mary Elizabeth, Harriet Maria,
Edward W. and Daniel C. One child died in infancy. Mrs. Mary
E. Humphrey was born in Adrian, Mich., June 18, 1844. Mrs. Hum-
phrey was active in Grand Army and Relief Corps work, both locally
and throughout the state, and at the encampment at Flint at the time
of her death gave the greetings of the W. R. C. to the G. A. R., her
efforts on that occasion being such as to make her friends proud of
her. She was for seven years treasurer of the local Relief Corps,
holding that office at the time of her death. She was also identified
with the Adrian Woman's Club, and had taken a prominent part in
educational and philanthropic work. She was a woman of rare ac-
complishments and high social standing. The city of Adrian never
was more startled than on the morning of June 14, 1901, when the
following dispatch was posted on the bulletin boards, and the citizens
fully realized its import:
FLINT, June 14.-One of the most appalling accidents that ever happened in
this city took place at the Hamilton avenue crossing of the Pere Marquette rail-
road at 9 o'clock this morning, when the Detroit fast express, No. 2, due here at
9. struck a carriage which was driven by Major George W. Buckingham, and
also occupied by his daughter Anna, Mrs. Tom S. Applegate and her sister,
Mrs. William Humphrey, of Adrian, all of whom were instantly killed.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
379
No two ladies in Adrian were better known or more highly re-
spected, and their death so shocked the community that it was not
until after the funeral on the following Sunday that all could fully
realize the terrible fact.
JAMES ROBERTSON was born in Martinsburg, Berkeley
County, W. Va., October 22, 1808. He was the son of John and Mary
(Surgen) Robertson, of Martinsburg, W. Va. John Robertson was
the son of Alexander Robertson, who was a native of the North of
Ireland, and descended from the Scotch dissenters. James Rob-
ertson was brought up among the mountains and woods in Berkeley


James Robertson.
Mrs. Elizabeth Robertson.
County, Va., and lived there until after his first marriage to Miss
Barbara Pitzer, daughter of Andrew Pitzer, which occurred April 6,
1832. They had one son, John W., who was born February 26, 1833.
Mrs. Barbara (Pitzer) Robertson was born in Berkeley County, W.
Va., February 23, 1807, and died in Preston County in 1833. About
the year 1810 he removed with his parents, when two years old, to
Preston County, W. Va., and settled near Maple Run, now Aurora,
where he resided until February, 1843, when he again sold his hold-
ings, emigrated to Wayne County, Ohio, and settled on land near
Wooster. After a residence there of about seven years, he purchased
a farm of unimproved land near Medina, Ohio, which he cleared up,
and within five years erected buildings, fences, etc. In 1854 he sold
his farm in Medina and came to Michigan, settling in Ogden, this
380
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
county. His first purchase here was the old Truman-Sheldon farm
on Section 22, of 200 acres. He continued to purchase land in the
township until at one time he owned nearly 1,700 acres. His family
now owns about 1,200 acres of this land. At the time of his settle-
ment in Ogden the township was an unbroken wilderness, almost
impenetrable for man or beast. A large portion of the surface was
covered with water, and thousands of acres of what is now the most
valuable and productive land in Michigan was then traveled over
with flatboats and cotton-wood dugouts." Mr. Robertson, with
his sons, succeeded in clearing, ditching and suduing over 1,000
acres, which is now the most desirable farm land in Lenawee County.
He succeded in comfortably locating all of his large family in Og-
den, and became one of the wealthiest and most prominent men of
his township. For four years he did a successful mercantile busi-
ness at Ogden Centre, where he was also postmaster. His home was
the most hospitable place in the township, and his good wife was
the best known and most highly respected woman in the community.
In February, 1880, his health beginning to fail, he went south.
boarded the train at Blissfield, went as far south as the railroad
would carry him, and finally, arriving at the end of the track, in
Florida, purchased an orange grove near Ocala, in Marion County. He
afterwards purchased a home in Anthony, in the same county, where
he lived until his death, which occurred May 26, 1898. He was a man
of much more than ordinary ability, with the requisite moral and
physical courage to undertake large enterprises and carry on success-
ful business ventures. On the 27th day of March, 1834, James Rob-
ertson married Miss Elizabeth Heckert, daughter of Peter and
Maria Heckert, of Maple Run, now Aurora, Preston County, W. Va.,
and they became the parents of twelve children, as follows: George
P., born in Preston County, W. Va., March 15, 1835; Alpheus J.,
born same place, January 28, 1837; Josephus M., born same place,
September 20, 1838; Martin L., born same place, March 15, 1840;
Isaiah W., born same place, April 11, 1842; Caroline L., born in
Canaan, Wayne County, Ohio, August 29, 1844, married Nicholas
V. Hile; Alexander F., born in Milton, Wayne County, Ohio, De-
cember 22, 1846; Emily V., born same place, December 4, 1848, mar-
ried Edwin Lee; Sarah J., born in Medina, Ohio, May 9, 1851, married
George W. Wilt; Alonzo P., born in Medina, Ohio, June 14, 1853.
A pair of twin boys died in infancy. Mrs. Elizabeth (Heckert) Rob-
ertson was born in Preston County, Va., April 15, 1815, and died in
Ogden, this county, December 23, 1882.
FREDERICK JAMES BUCK was born on Washington street,
New York City, June 21, 1847. In the summer of 1854, when only
seven years of age, his parents came to Michigan, locating in Adrian.
His father, George Henry Buck, was born in Bennington, Vt., Au-
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
381
gust 9, 1819, and when he reached his majority he left the parental
roof to commence life's battles. In 1840 he landed in New York city,
and in 1841 was united to Miss Ellen Cavanaugh, by whom he had
ten children, all of whom are dead with the exception of Frederick
J. Buck and Mrs. Rose Englehart, of Adrian. George Henry Buck
died at Monroe, Mich., Octo-
ber 5, 1890. Mrs. Ellen (Cav-
anaugh) Buck was born in Ire-
land, December 4, 1830, and
came to America with her par-
ents when a child only two
weeks old. She died at
Adrian, Mich., July 2, 1863. In
1863 George H. Buck and three
sons, Frank H., John D. and
Charles E. Buck, entered the
service of their country, the
father and John D. enlisting in
the Twenty-seventh Michigan
Infantry, while Frank H. and
Charles E. enlisted in the Eigh-
teenth Michigan Infantry. At
the breaking out of the war
Frank H. enlisted in the Second
Michigan Infantry, and after
serving some months, was dis-
charged. All returned home
at the close of the war with
the exception of Charles E.,
who died of typhoid fever at Decatur, Alabama, in 1864. Charles
E. was the twin brother of Frederick J. Frederick J. Buck, the sub-
ject of this sketch, went with his parents to Rome Center in 1856,
locating on the Bertram farm, where he lived for a few months,
then went to "Coontown," (now Addison) where he resided until
the spring of 1857, when he returned to Adrian. His boyhood days.
were taken up with hard work, there being a large family and he
did his share towards their maintenance. He had but little school-
ing, and what knowledge he has acquired was learned in a print-
ing office. From 1859 to 1863 his family, known as the Buck Family,
toured Michigan and Ohio giving concerts. At the city of Detroit,
October 13, 1863, Frederick J. Buck enlisted in Company I, Twenty-
seventh Michigan Volunteer Infantry as a private, being only 16
years of age, and served to the close of the war. He was detailed
as a drummer boy, and it was his duty, as well as all musicians,
during an engagement, to assist in carrying the wounded comrades.
from the field of action to the regimental hospital, and he has had
some very narrow escapes. He took part in twenty battles, among
them the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor,

Fred J. Buck.
382
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Petersburg, siege and capture of Petersburg. He was mustered out
of the service July 26, 1865, receiving an honorable discharge. At
the close of the war Frederick J. Buck went to work on a farm near
Bloomfield Center, Oakland County, Mich., where he learned to till
the soil. February 22, 1869, he landed in Hudson and entered the
Gazette office as "devil." The Gazette at that time was owned and
edited by the late W. T. B. Schermerhorn. In the summer of 1873
Mr. Buck moved to Adrian and entered the Journal office, then run
by the late Japheth Cross. That fall he entered the composing room
of the Adrian Daily Press, located in the basement of the Masonic
Temple. He was promoted to foreman of the composing room,
which he held until July, 1880, when he went to Sault Ste. Marie,
and took charge of The News of that place. August 24, 1884,
Mr. Buck returned to Adrian and took cases in the composing room
of The Adrian Daily Times and Expositor, on which paper he has
been employed ever since. October 7, 1899, he was placed on the
reportorial staff by the late Mrs. Harriet M. Applegate, who con-
ducted the paper at that time, and under the new management of
The Times was retained as such, which position he still holds. Mr.
Buck is a member of Woodbury Post, No. 45, G. A. R., having
held various offices from commander down. He belongs to Maple
City Lodge, No. 39, K. P., and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church of Adrian. August 1, 1872, Frederick J. Buck married Miss
Mary Elizabeth Pratt, of Hudson. This union was blessed with five
children, as follows: Jennie May, born at Hudson, Mich., May 30,
1873. She was married to Francis Marion Drake, June 19, 1895.
They have one daughter, Irene Moreland, born at Adrian, Mich.,
April 2, 1896; Lena Rose, born April 6, 1876, died September 29,
1876; Lizzie Ellen, (better known as Daisy) born July 2, 1879, mar-
ried Arthur Vincent Cole, October 26, 1899. They have two sons,
Francis Vincent, born March 25, 1901, and Frederic Lisle, born
October 3, 1903; Joseph Fred, born January 24, 1888, at home;
Dora Glendelle, born January 26, 1891, died July 22, 1891. Mrs.
Mary Elizabeth (Pratt) Buck was the daughter of James B. and
Dolly Reed (Lyons) Pratt, of Hudson, this county. She was born in
Medina, Lenawee County, June 22, 1853. Her father, James B. Pratt,
was born in the State of New York, November 6, 1824, and died at
Hudson, Mich., December 13, 1875. Dolly Reed (Lyons) Pratt was a
native of New York State, and was born in 1831, and died at Hudson,
Mich., January 8, 1864.
DARIUS CROSS was born in Rowe, Franklin County, Mass.,
June 5, 1814. His father, Jude Cross, was born in Bucklin, Frank-
lin County, Mass., October 15, 1773. His father, Abel Cross, came
from England and settled in Bucklin, early in 1700. He was a sol-
dier in the French and Indian War, and was taken prisoner by the In-
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
383
dians and imprisoned in Detroit for two years, when he made his
escape and returned to Massachusetts. He afterwards served
through the Revolutionary War. Jude Cross was a farmer, and
always lived in Franklin County, Mass. He was the father of fif-
teen children, and died in Rowe, December 26, 1852. He was mar-
ried twice. First to Mary Ware, of Bucklin, February 7, 1793. She
died in Rowe, September 11, 1819. He next married Susannah
Wheeler, of Zoar, Mass., in 1820. She died March 30, 1859. Darius
Cross lived in Bucklin until the fall of 1837, when he came to Michi-

Mr. and Mrs. Darius Cross.
gan and took up 80 acres of land in Medina township. He chopped
off an acre or so, and sold out to a man named Perry. He after-
wards purchased land near Madison Centre. He has resided in Mad-
ison ever since. Mr. Cross has always been an active man. He
early in life learned to play the snare drum, and his father, being an
expert fifer, he, with two brothers, composed a "martial band" that
was in demand at every "general training" in his native country.
Mr. Cross, when in his 89th year, challenged any man of his age in
the county to a drumming contest. He had been drumming for
more than 70 years, and is still expert with the sticks, always on
hand when there was an opportunity to make music. August 15,
1837, he married Miss Lucretia Ranny, daughter of Jessie and Ruth
Ann (Flowers) Ranny, of Ashfield, Franklin County. Mass., by
whom he had six children: Edwin D., born in Madison, Lenawee
County, Mich., July 20, 1840, married January 1, 1866, Susan A.
Potter. She died January 24, 1892. They had one child, Japheth,
384
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
born March 3, 1869; Ruth Ann, born in Madison, March 3, 1842,
married George Cross, June 9, 1870. They have one child, Christo-
pher, born May 30, 1872; Orpha Eulana, born in Madison, April 1,
1848, died March 17, 1849; Ella Amanda, born May 25, 1846, died
September 16, 1851; Ella Adelle, born in Madison, August 1, 1851,
married Edgar L. Dalton, November 15, 1876. She was the mother
of four children. She died at Tyre, Mich., May 10, 1885; Cora
Belle, born in Madison, January 29, 1859, and now resides in Madi-
son. Mrs. Lucretia Cross, was born in Ashfield, Franklin County,
Mass., February 24, 1819. Her parents raised a family of nine chil-
dren, and Mrs. Cross is the only survivor. Since the above was writ-
ten Mr. Cross has passed away, having died at his home in Madison,
August 3, 1903.
HOWARD M. HOPKINS was born in Clyde, N. Y., December
15, 1841, and came to Michigan with his parents in the fall of 1844.
His father, Aaron Hopkins, was born in Nassau, N. Y., in 1794,
where he resided until 1844, when he came to Michigan and settled
on Section 16, in Rome, this county. After coming to Michigan, he
only lived about three months, dying December 5, 1844. In March,
1836, he married Miss Phebe Marks, at Nassau, N. Y., and they
had four children, as follows: Betsey Ann, who in 1861 married
John Crandall, and died in Rome, November 5, 1865; Harriet, who
married Darwin Markham in 1865, has two daughters, and resides
in Rollin, this county; Howard M., born as above; Frank, was a
member of Company E., 3d Michigan Cavalry, served through the
great Rebellion, and died in Chicago, Ill., December 29, 1871, aged
27 years. Mrs. Phebe (Marks) Hopkins was born in Nassau, N. Y.,
in 1806. After the death of her husband, Aaron Hopkins, she, in
1847, married Paul Spink, of Hanover, Jackson County, Mich. She
resided in Hanover until 1872, when she came to Rome, this county,
to visit her son Howard, and died at his home in November of that
year. Howard M. Hopkins, the subject of this sketch, came to
Michigan when he was three years old. He made the trip with his
parents in a covered wagon and team of horses, from Nassau, N. Y.
His father's death left his mother with four small children in
almost a destitute condition. Our subject and his older sister were
adopted by Jeremiah Ferguson, who brought them up and gave them
a good home. The keenest gratitude is felt for Mr. and Mrs. Fergu-
son by both Mr. Hopkins and his sister, as no helpless children ever
fell into kinder hands. Our subject had all the advantages of the
district schools of Rome, and during the winter of 1860 he attended
Adrian College. He was raised on the farm he now owns and
lives upon, and has always followed farming. September 16, 1861,
Howard M. Hopkins enlisted in Company E, 3d Michigan Cavalry,
RECORD of lenawee COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
385
and served three years. He participated in sixteen engagements
and skirmishes, and was constantly on scouting service. On his re-
turn from the army he at once engaged in farming on his homestead
on Section 21, in Rome. He has served his township as Highway
Commissioner, School Inspector, and was County Superintendent of
the Poor for three years. He is a member of Woodbury Post, G. A.
R., No. 45, of Adrian; also of Maple City Lodge, K. P., No. 39, and
Adrian Lodge, No. 429, B. P. O. E., and charter member of Rome
Grange. January 1, 1866, Howard M. Hopkins married Miss Delia
A. Teachout, daughter of Isaiah and Mary (Howland) Teachout, of
Rome, and they have had two children, as follows: Maud, born in
Rome, March 16, 1867, married Eugene Hopkins, has three children,
and resides in Lockport, Ill.; Eugene C., born in Rome, February
15, 1871, married Miss Millie Dowling, of Rome, and has two
daughters. Mrs. Delia (Teachout) Hopkins was born in Rome,
this county, August 22, 1846. Her father, Isaiah Teachout, is still
living in Rome township, in his 81st year, having been born in
Wayne County, N. Y., in 1822. Her mother, Mrs. Mary (Howland)
Teachout, was born in Wayne county in 1822, and died in Rome,
this county, September 27, 1872.
THE MICHIGAN GRANITE COMPANY of Adrian, was or-
ganized twenty years ago, by Messrs. King & Connely. Its career
has been a successful one from the beginning, until it is now one of
the largest and most complete plants of the kind in Michigan, and
one of the prominent and important industries of Adrian and Lena-
wee County. In riding over the county in doing our work, we have
noticed most of the cemeteries are well kept and attended, showing
due respect to the dead. Many of them contain beautiful marble
and granite monuments to the memory of the pioneers, who have
gone to their reward. This seemed so fitting, and at the same time
so feeble a mark of love, honor and respect for the noble dead, who
did so much, and died as they had lived, in the hope and faith of the
great future and beneficent heritage they were leaving their loved ones
in homes and productive soil. These pioneers came here, many of
of them, from comfortable homes in the East, and braved the dangers
of the forest, the pestilence of the swamps and the pitiless and in-
hospitable solitude of the forest. They have left beautiful homes
and farms, cities and villages with all the comforts and opportuni-
ties of the best portion of the earth, as our heritage. The Great
Infinite Power will fully reward them, we all believe, but it remains
with us to mark their resting places with fitting tablets, wrought
into beautiful shapes by the most skillful workmen. For this ser-
vice to our beloved we can honestly recommend the Michigan Gran-
25
386
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL

THE MICHIGAN
GRANITE GO
THE MICHIGAN GRANITE
IMENTAL WORKS
THE MICHIGAN GRANITE CO.
MONUMENTAL WORKS
View of the Michigan Granite Company's Works, Nos. 7 and 9 Dennis Street, opposite City Hall, Adrian.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
387
ite Company. Mr. King is a native of Maine, and his familiarity
with the rugged rocks of his native state fits him for his calling of
working out beautiful and artistic designs from the imperishable
granite. Mr. Connely is a native of Ireland, and his early life was
passed among the bright green hills of the Emerald Isle, and his
memory of the beautiful landscapes, the treacherous bogs and the
Giant's Causeway, all wrought by Infinite hands, enables him to
blend the ideal, the beautiful and material in such fashion that it
makes it possible to suit the most exacting and fastidious taste.
Both Mr. King and Mr. Connely are practical granite workers, hav-
ing learned their business with the largest and most successful firm
in the United States at that time, the C. H. Harwick Company, of
Quincy, Mass. They work both in granite and marble, and no mon-
ument is too large or imposing, or no slab too small for them to pro-
duce with dispatch and satisfaction.
JOSEPH H. BELL was born in Glastonbury, Hartford County,
Conn., November 18, 1818. His father, Josiah Bell, was a native of
Glastonbury, Conn., being born there about 1783. He was a farmer

Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Bell, Rollin.
and lived there until 1836, when he came to Michigan with his
family of eight children. He settled on Section 28, in Rollin, this
county. He lived on this farm until his death. About the year
1804 he married Sabina Norcut, of Chatham, Conn., and they had
388
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
nine children, as follows: Norcut, Henry, Nelson, Josiah H., Frank-
lin, Charlotte, Watson, James and Erastus. All came to Rollin except
Norcut, who died when he was about fourteen years old. Joseph H.
Bell, the subject of this sketch, lived with his parents until after he
was twenty-one years old. In 1847 he settled on Section 28, in Rol-
lin, where he now resides. His home is near the village of Rollin,
and has been entirely cleared and improved by himself. June 6,
1847, Joseph H. Bell married Miss Ann Eliza Brownell, of Rollin,
and they had five children, as follows: Nathan, born March 9, 1848;
Alice E., born September 22, 1849; Cleora, born November 19, 1854;
Irwin J., born September 27, 1862 Elmira R., born December 31,
1864. Mrs. Ann Eliza (Brownell) Bell was born in Ann Arbor,
Mich., February 14, 1829, and died in Rollin, January 8, 1866.
Since the death of his wife, Mr. Bell has resided at his home in Rol-
lin, always having some of his children with him. His home farm
contains 160 acres, the Cincinnati Northern Railroad passing
through it. He has two other farms, one being in Rollin, and the
other in Hudson township, besides a tract of land containing over
600 acres in Texas. During his long residence in Rollin, Mr. Bell
has endeavored to do his full share for all public improvements and
assist in the general welfare of the township.
HON. GEORGE B. HORTON was born in Lafayette, Medina
County, Ohio, April 17, 1845. His father, Samuel Horton, was born
in Lincolnshire, near Boston, England, December 9, 1818. Mr. Hor-
ton lived in England until he was about seventeen years old, when
with a schoolmate he emigrated to the United States. The voyage
from London to New York was most distressing and unfortunate,
seventeen passengers perishing from starvation and exposure, while
all on board suffered nearly to the point of death from lack of neces-
saries of life. The vessel was one hundred and four days at sea,
finally landing at Castle Garden, N. Y., where Mr. Horton passed
six weeks in recovering strength sufficient to leave the place. Dur-
ing this confinement he was robbed of nearly all the money he had,
but finally managed to get as far as Troy, N. Y., where he found em-
ployment in the lumber woods of Herkimer County. He remained
in Herkimer County for three years, where he prospered reasonably
well, and found his future wife. In 1839 he went back to England
and took possession of a little property his father had left him. He
returned in 1840, was married in 1841, and that fall removed to Me-
dina County, Ohio, purchased a farm in Lafayette township, and re-
sided there six years. In the fall of 1847 he sold out and returned
to the State of New York, residing for three years in Niagara
County. A resolute, thrifty man, he was not satisfied; the oppor-
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
389
tunity and the ideal home he was seeking were not to be found
there, and in 1851 he emigrated to Michigan and purchased a farm
on Section 6, in Fairfield, this county. In 1853 he commenced the
manufacture of cheese, and with a dairy of ten cows, he was the first
man in Michigan to manufacture that desirable edible for the gen-
eral market. He met with
special success at once, as his
product was good, and it soon
became sought after by mer-
chants. He steadily increased
his dairy, and in the spring of
1866, erected the first cheese
factory in the State. He was
an enterprising, honorable,
unassuming man, and by his
probity, honest dealing and
the quality of his product soon
became a leading farmer and
dairyman in the West. More

grew to
At the
It
than a score of other cheese
factories were afterwards
operated in the county, and
the business soon
large proportions.
time of his death, April 25,
1872, he owned 469 acres of
land and about fifty cows.
was February 14, 1841, that
Samuel Horton and Miss Lu-
cina A. Perkins, daughter of
Joseph and Harriet Perkins,
of Salisbury, Herkimer County,
N. Y., were married. By this
marriage there were three
children, George B. being the
only son. Mrs. Lucina A.
Horton was really the first
cheese maker in Michigan
from a commercial point of
view. She learned the busi-
ness in Herkimer County, be-
fore her marriage, and super-
intended her husband's cheese
making from the very com-
mencement and for eight years
thereafter. Mrs. Lucina A.
Horton was born in Salisbury,
Herkimer County, N. Y.,
Samuel Horton.

Mrs. Lucina A. Horton.
390
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
April 14, 1822, and now resides in the village of Morenci, this
county. George B. Horton always followed farming and remained
at home with his parents. At the death of his father he assumed
all the responsibilities of the farm and the cheese business, and has
carried it on ever since. He purchased the interests of the heirs.
in the estate, and has added to it until he now owns seven hundred
acres of cleared land and one hundred acres of virgin forest. His
residence, built in 1888, is one of the finest and most complete farm

Hon. George B. Horton and wife, Mrs. Amanda Horton.
homes in Michigan, and Mr. Horton is one of the most prosperous
and thorough-going farmers in Lenawee County. His cheese business
has grown into something enormous. During the year 1901 his pro-
duct amounted to 1,500,000 pounds, and the business is still growing.
He is a great lover of rural life, and is prominently identified with
all movements and societies pertaining to farming. He was a char-
ter member of Weston Grange, now known as Fruit Ridge Grange,
and served as master twenty years. The Fruit Ridge Grange hall,
which stands on Mr. Horton's farm, is one of the most complete
buildings of the kind in the United States. It is equipped with a
large library, museum, stage and fixtures, together with every con-
venience. He assisted in organizing the Lenawee County Grange,
and was its master six years. He has always been active and prom-
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
391
inent in State Grange work, was on the executive committee six
years, was elected Master of the State Grange in 1892, and has occu-
pied that position continuously up to the present time. Mr. Horton
assisted in organizing the present Lenawee County Agricultural
Society, and has served as its president during the past twenty-five
years. He was president of the State Dairymens' Association, and
has been for ten years the Michigan delegate to the National
Grange. Always a Republican in politics, he was elected to the
State Senate of 1890-1, and served sixty days, but was unseated on a
charge of ineligibility, because of holding a commission as postmaster
at Fruit Ridge, notwithstanding the fact that his resignation as post-
master was sent in before the election. In March, 1902, the repre-
sentative members and leading men in the Republican party of Lena-
wee County met in Adrian, and after a thorough conference, resolved
that Mr. Horton was the unanimous first choice for candidate for
Governor, and pledged a solid county delegation to the State Conven-
tion in his behalf. Later, in April, Mr. Horton, after giving the
matter due deliberation, announced himself a candidate. He would

Farm Home of the Hon. George B. Horton, Fruit Ridge, in Fairfield.
392
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
make no fight for it, but abide the best judgment of the convention.
The point in his life that he takes especial interest in, is the success
that has followed his efforts in all special lines. His record as a
farmer stands foremost in his county. He has found time beside
looking after personal matters to do what good he could, as he saw
the good, in benefiting his fellow man. When he was made Master of
the State Grange there were 210 subordinate Granges; now there are
650, and the membership has more than trebled. He was made pres-
ident of the Lenawee County fair when it was bankrupt. He at once
reorganized the society, and under his careful management it has
grown to be the largest permanently located fair in Michigan.
January 3, 1878, George B. Horton married Miss M. Amanda Brad-
ish, daughter of Norman F. and Caroline Bradish, of Madison, this
county, four children resulting as follows: Alice L., born Septem-
ber 27, 1878, married Sidney Spitzer, April 22, 1903, and resides in
Toledo; Norman B., born July 18, 1881; Samuel W., born May 3,
1884; Carrie L., born April 17, 1887. All were born in Fairfield.
Mrs. Horton was born in Madison, this county, June 18, 1854. [For
her family annals see History and Biographical Record of Lenawee
County, Vol. 1, page 455.]
JOHN W. SELL was born in Preston County, W. Va., Novem-
ber 23, 1844. His father, Enos Sell, was born April 11, 1820. He
was always a farmer, became a large land owner, and was one of the
prosperous and prominent citizens of Preston County, W. Va. He
was an active and earnest adherent of the Methodist Protestant
church, was a class leader and devout member up to the time of his
death, which occurred March 3, 1900. He was a pioneer in West
Virginia, residing there for more than 60 years. Enos Sell married
Miss Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Eli and Margaret Smith, of
Preston County, W. Va. They were the parents of nine children,
John W. being third child and second son. Mrs. Elizabeth (Smith)
Sell was born in Preston County, Va., July 24, 1817, and died there
in 1870. John W. Sell was raised a farmer, and was educated in
the district schools of his neighborhood, which were poor indeed.
His time was principally passed in work, as become the ideas of his
sturdy Pennsylvania-Dutch Ancestors. He followed farming in
West Virginia until 1872, when he came to Michigan and settled in
Ogden, this county. In 1876 he purchased 40 acres of heavy tim-
bered land on Section 23, cleared it up and ditched it. Since that
time he has added to it until he now owns 126 acres of the very best
of land, under cultivation, free from stumps and tile-drained.
good farm buildings, and a very desirable home. He has served his
township as Treasurer for two terms, and for many years has been
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
393
Overseer of Highways. He is a prominent Granger, and has filled
the office of Overseer for three successive years, being now Master of
Ogden Grange, 660. He has taken the 7th degree of the order,
which is the highest degree in the Grange. He is a member of
Fairfield Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 260, and has passed the chairs.
He has been twelve years a director of the Lenawee County Agricul-
tural Society, from Ögden, and a member of the executive committee
for three successive years. For many years he has taken an active
interest in the Lenawee County Pioneer Society, and served as vice
president in 1902. Mr. Sell has a taste and tact for stock raising,
and is a successful breeder of Holstein cattle, Poland China hogs,
Mammoth bronzed turkeys, and barred Plymouth Rock fowls.
He has for many years taken great interest in breeding Holsteins,
and believes he has as pure bred and desirable a herd as can be
found in Southern Michigan, having taken many premiums at the
various county fairs within his reach. He has been quite successful
in his experiments in producing new varieties of seeds and grains.
March 23, 1865, John W. Sell married Miss Margaret A. Roth,
daughter of John and Maria Roth, of Allegany County, Md., and
they are the parents of nine children, as follows: Henry E., born
in Preston County, W. Va., December 18, 1865, married Miss Lena
Sigert. They had four sons; Henry E., died July 19, 1896; Emma
E., born same place, June 13, 1868, married John H. Heckert. They
had two children; Luther H., born same place, August 24, 1870,
died February 18, 1871; Walter A., born in the same place, Febru-
ary 21, 1872, married Miss Bertha Brown, and they have had two
children; William D., born in Ogden, July 31, 1874, married Miss
Florence Sebring. They have three children; Alpheus J., born in
Ogden, September 22, 1877, married Miss Maggie Sebring, and they
have one child; Meta L., born in Ogden, September 21, 1881;
Hervey L., born in Ogden, April 15, 1884, both at home. Mrs. Mar-
garet A. (Roth) Sell was born in Allegany County, Md., August 15,
1843. Her parents were natives of Hanover, Germany. They came
to America and settled in Maryland when they were children.
John Roth was born September 23, 1819, and died in Tucker County,
W. Va., in 1896. His wife, Maria (Fredlock) Roth, was born May
10, 1821, and died in Maryland, in December, 1878.
EDWIN L. BAKER was born in Madison, this county, January
5, 1847, in a small log house on the s. w. 4 of Section 35, about one-
half mile north of Fairfield village. He has no recollection of ever
seeing the house of his nativity, but is very familiar with the local-
ity. [For his father, Rufus Baker's history, see record in this vol-
ume, page 142-3-4.] Edwin L. Baker has always resided in
394
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Lenawee County, and was educated in the schools of his township
until about the year 1859, when he attended one term at D. A.
Dodge's select school at Canandaigua. He afterwards went one
winter to Isaac O. Savage's select school at the Round School house
in Fairfield township. In the years
Edwin L. Baker.
Mrs. Clara E. Baker.
1861-2 he attended four fall and
winter terms at Raisin Valley
Seminary, Daniel Satterth-
waite, principal. In the win-
ter of 1867-8 he entered East-
man's Commercial College at
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where
he graduated in the spring of
1868. In the winter of 1869
he attended a select school in
Fairfield village taught by C.
M. C. Cook. During vacations
he was employed at his fath-
er's farm and cheese factory,
and considered himself a full
hand. At the age of twenty-
one he became a partner with
his father, the firm being
known as Rufus Baker & Son.
The business consisted of the
manufacture of cheese, gen-
eral dairy farming and the
handling of live stock. In
1872 the firm opened a whole-
sale cheese house in Adrian,
and carried on a successful
business under the personal
management of E. L. Baker
until 1878, when the firm was
dissolved. The business was
then consolidated with Clark,
Shattuck & Ladd, and the new
firm name was Clark, Baker &
Co., the business being that of
wholesale cheese factors and
pork packers. In 1887 the
firm built the Riverside Can-
ning Works, and engaged in
canning apples, tomatoes,
pumpkin and squash. About
1890 Mr. J. R. Clark withdrew,
when the firm became Baker &
Shattuck. In 1893 the busi-
ness was incorporated as


RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
395
Baker, Shattuck & Co. In about two years Mr. Baker purchased
Mr. Shattuck's interest, and in 1897 the business was incorporated
as Riverside Company, Mr. C. N. Turner taking an active interest
therein, becoming the manager, Mr. Baker retiring from active par-
ticipation. Since that time Mr. Baker has been engaged in real estate
and insurance business, besides conserving the interests of his cheese
factory, farm property, etc. Mr. Baker is an active adherent of the
First Baptist church of Adrian, being a member of its Board of
Trustees for over twenty years, and since the death of Hon. W. S.
Wilcox has been president of the board. He is also Treasurer of
the Board of Trustees. He is a member of Adrian Lodge, No. 19,
F. & A. M., a director in the Adrian Building and Loan Associa-
tion, and a director in the Commercial Savings Bank and the Na-
tional Voting Machine Company. In 1885 Mr. Baker purchased the
interest of Thomas J. Tobey in the banking firm of T. J. Tobey &
Co., the new firm consisting of Seymour Howell, E. L. Baker and
W. B. Thompson, under the firm name of Howell, Baker & Co. In
1888 this bank was reorganized as the Commercial Savings Bank of
Adrian, Howell, Baker & Co.'s interest being transferred for stock
in the new organization. Mr. Baker is a stockholder in many of the
important manufacturing industries of Adrian. March 23, 1871,
Edwin L. Baker married Miss Clara E. Bates, daughter of Talcott
and Elvira H. S. Bates, of Fairfield, this county, and they have had
six children, as follows: Mabel Irene, born in Fairfield, January 24,
1872, married September 18, 1889, to Carlton N. Turner, has two
children and resides in Adrian; Dora Estelle, born in Adrian, July

Residence of Edwin L. Baker, No. 30 Dennis Street, Adrian.
396
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
10, 1874, married October 19, 1898, Lucien N. Culver, and died April
14, 1899; Clara Marie, born March 1, 1876, married January 1, 1900,
Elwyn C. Fisher, has two children and resides in Battle Creek,
Mich.; Bertha Louise, born December 24, 1882, a student at Pratt
Institute, Brooklyn, N. Y.; Edwin L., Jr., born March 2, 1886, at
home; Kathryn Mar, born August 4, 1888, at home. Mrs. Clara E.
(Bates) Baker was born in Norton, Summit County, Ohio, January,
6, 1855. Her father was a native of Summit County, was born De-
cember 21, 1826, and came to Michigan in 1856 and settled on Sec-
tion 1, in Fairfield, this county. He was elected Supervisor of Fair-
field for one or two terms. He afterwards sold his farm in Fairfield,
and removed to Fayette, Ohio. In 1859 he took the overland route
to Pike's Peak, going from there to California, returning in 1866.
He died at his home in Fayette, Ohio, December 23, 1901. Novem-
ber 28, 1850, he married Miss Elvira H. Sparhawk, of Summit County,
Ohio, and they had four children, Mrs. Baker being the second.
The first child died in infancy. The other children are Arthur
Bates, a farmer of Fayette, Ohio, and Miner L. Bates, now pastor of
the Warren, Ohio, Christian church. January 1, 1904, he becomes
the pastor of Christian church, at Orange, New Jersey. Her mother,
Elvira H. Sparhawk, was born in Summit County, Ohio, April 16,
1827, of New England ancestry, and died in Fayette, Ohio, July 28,
1893.
LADD JOHN LEWIS was born in the township of Orangeville,
Wyoming County, N. Y., December 22, 1845. He was third child of
John Ladd and Lois (Squier) Lewis. The Lewis family was prom-
inent in Rhode Island, and in the Revolutionary War, one of the
members serving on General Washington's staff. The line dates
back to 1661, when John Lewis, who came from Wales, settled in
Westerly. The homstead, built by Jonathan Lewis of the fourth
generation, in 1740, is still standing and occupied. The father of
our subject, John Ladd Lewis, was born at Exeter, R. I., May 1,
1811, went to Orangeville, Wyoming County, N. Y., in 1818, and
died in Johnsonburg, the same township, January 24, 1889. His wife,
Lois (Squier) Lewis, the daughter of Gurdon and Dolly (Foster)
Squier, was born near Fosterville, Cayuga County, N. Y., August
27, 1819. She died at Johnsonburg, November 5, 1900. Her grand-
father, Jonathan Foster, fought at Bunker Hill, and her father was
in the war of 1812. Ladd John Lewis, subject of this sketch, was
brought up a farmer, and was educated in the district schools of his
neighborhood. At the age of fifteen he commenced working by the
month, and subsequently spent one winter at Genesee Seminary, in
Alexander, N. Y. He taught school for three winter terms, and
graduated from Eastman's Business College, at Poughkeepsie, in
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
397
1865. In 1869 he removed to Grand Rapids, Mich., where he became
interested in the manufacture of agricultural implements, the firm
being Henry S. Smith & Co. During his residence in Grand Rapids
he was quite active in public affairs, served six years on the school
board, and was two years its president. He twice declined the nom-
ination for Mayor on the Republican ticket and refused to become
a legislative candidate. In
THE ADRIAN
KNITTING
COMPANY
THE
The Adrian Knitting Works.
1884 Mr. Lewis sold his inter-
est in Grand Rapids and re-
moved to New Hartford,
Oneida County, N. Y. Here
he purchased an interest in the
Utica Tool Co. The Company
was located at Washington
Mills. He remained here some
time, when he became associa-
ted with his son in the owner-
ship and management of a knit-
ting mill at Sauquoit. In 1900
he came to Adrian with his
brother, George H. Lewis, and
purchased the property now so
favorably known as the Adrian
Knitting Mills. An incorpo-
rated company was organized
to be known as the Adrian
Knitting Company, officered as
follows: President and Manager, Ladd J. Lewis; Vice President,
Benjamin F. Graves; Secretary and Treasurer, George H. Lewis.
The product of the mill consists entirely of one line of underwear,
that of children's cotton, heavy weight. No wool garments are
made, and the output is rapidly increasing. Within the three years
this mill has been in operation, the business has grown to an annual
aggregate of about $200,000. About one hundred people are
employed, and the product is absorbed by jobbing houses in
the larger cities between Boston and San Francisco, and St.
Paul and New Orleans. The mill is equipped with the most im--
proved machinery, with every convenience and comfort for em-
ployes, and is the only one of its kind in Michigan. The Messrs.
Lewis, who give their entire attention to the management of the
mill, are already well known in Adrian as solid, enterprising and
honorable business men, of sagacity and integrity. The Adrian
Knitting Mills compose one of the leading industries of Adrian.
During the year 1903 Mr. Ladd J. Lewis purchased the fine residence
property, No. 4 Division St., the former home of Rial Clay, a pic-
ture of which can be seen on page 260 of this volume. The domes-
tic relations of the gentlemen are as follows: September 22, 1870,
Ladd John Lewis married Miss Alice M. Eldridge, daughter of Sam-

398
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
uel S. and Samantha (Gill) Bailey Eldridge, of Warsaw, N. Y., and
they have had six children, as follows: Ladd J., Jr., born July 5,
1871, married Miss Frances E. Campbell, 1898, has one son, Myron
C., and resides at Sauquoit, N. Y.; Nellie Lois, born August 5, 1876,
married Frank H. Williams in 1898, has three children and resides
in Adrian; Alice Louise, born December 15, 1878; Francis E., born
June 22, 1893; Two children died in infancy. Mrs. Alice M. (El-
dridge) Lewis was born in Gainsville, Wyoming County, N. Y.,
January 8, 1848.
George Hawkins Lewis was born July 4, 1862, in Orangeville,
N. Y. He resided with his parents on the farm until 1879, when he
went to Grand Rapids, Mich., and attended school until 1881, when
he returned home and engaged in merchandizing in Johnsonburg.
In 1888 he went to Warsaw in the dry goods trade, where he served
as Village Clerk for four years, remaining there until 1900, when he
came to Adrian. February 11, 1885, George H. Lewis married Miss.
Ella M. Hoy, daughter of George and Lucy C. (Stone) Hoy, of John-
sonburg, N. Y., and they have had five children, as follows: Vera
Mabel, born November 27, 1887; Carroll Hoy, born August 21, 1890;
Raymond McKinley, born February 24, 1896. Two children died in
infancy. Mrs. Ella M. (Hoy) Lewis was born in Orangeville, Wy-
oming County, N. Y., April 11. 1863.
Charles W. Gregg.
CHARLES W. GREGG
was born in Pekin, Niagara
County, N. Y., December
12, 1852, and came to Mich-
igan with his parents in
1858, settled in Dansville,
Ingham County.
He was
educated in the schools at
Dansville, and graduated
from Devlin's Business Col-
lege at Bay City. He then
went to Jackson, and in
1873 engaged with the Bor-
tree Manufacturing Com-
pany and remained in their
employment for eighteen
years. He started in as of-
fice boy and worked along
until he became manager of
the concern. In 1890 he
purchased the Stowell
House, at that time a new
hotel in Jackson, which he

RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
399
made very successful and popular. In 1898 he became the pro-
prietor of the Bailey House, in Ionia, and in 1901 he came to Adrian
and purchased the Lawrence House. Mr. Gregg has proved to be a
very popular landlord and successful business man. In coming to
Adrian the name of the hotel was changed, after being known for
nearly forty year as the Lawrence House, to the Hotel Gregg, and
the patronage has been phenomenally good under Mr. Gregg's man-
agement. He is a
careful and conserv-
ative business man,
having never made
a failure in his busi-
ness career. Mr.
Gregg is the son of
William and Judy
(Cooper) Gregg, na-
tives of New York,
who came to Michi-
gan in 1858. Wil-
liam Gregg was a
soldier in the great
Rebellion, enlisting
in Company E. 26th
Michigan Infantry,
in 1861, and served

The Hotel Gregg.
three years and seventy days. He died in Mason, Mich., September
14, 1900, aged 72 years. Mrs. Judy Gregg still lives (1903) in Ma-
son. October 21, 1875, Charles W. Gregg married Miss Alpha
Higgins, daughter of Nelson and Lucy A. Higgins, of Char-
lotte, Mich., and they have one son, Walter Charles, born in
Jackson, Mich., September 26, 1878, married Miss Luella Hennessey,
of Jackson, Mich., October 25, 1898. He is interested in the hotel
business with his father, and gives his entire attention to it. Mrs.
Alpha Gregg's father, Nelson Higgins, was born in London, Eng-
land, in 1818, came to America when he was sixteen years old,
and settled in London, Canada. In 1844 he married Miss Lucy A.
Harrington, and six children were born. Mr. Higgins died in Char-
lotte, Mich., November 14, 1901. Mrs. Lucy A. Higgins was born.
in Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1829, and was the daughter of Joseph and
Mary (Gee) Harrington, who were among the first settlers of Ann
Arbor. Mrs. Higgins is still living (1903) in Charlotte, Mich.
The fine hotel property located on the corner of Maumee and Winter
streets, in Adrian, now known as Hotel Gregg, is the legal and nat-
ural descendant of the old Michigan Exchange, the first public
house and the first frame building erected in Adrian. In the sum-
mer of 1828 Isaac Dean, who was the father-in-law of Addison J.
Comstock, the first settler and founder of Adrian, built a good-sized
frame building on the present site of the Hotel Gregg, and chris-
400
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
tened it the Michigan Exchange. The house was formally opened July
4, 1828, with a dance in the ball room of the second story. Mr. Dean
kept the house for about ten years, when he rented it, and after-
wards sold it to George C. Knight. August 28, 1848, he sold the
property to Eber Adams, of Rochester, N. Y., the consideration be-
ing $5,500. Mr. Adams took immediate possession of the house,
and became one of the most popular and widely known landlords in
Southern Michigan. That was in the days of the old stage coach
and it was no uncommon occurrence to witness the arrival of ten or
fifteen stages in one day. Mr. Adams continued to keep the house
until February 19, 1856, when he sold it to James Brackett, of Roch-
ester, N. Y., consideration, $9,000. Mr. Brackett was well off and
a man of enterprise, having faith enough in the future of Adrian to
make a proposition to the citizens that seemed to meet with general
approval. There was a feeling that the old hotel did not meet the
requirements of the town, and that it was time to have a new and
modern hostlery in Adrian.. It was proposed to give a bonus to Mr.
Brackett, and at a meeting a paper was drawn by the late Judge F.
C. Beaman. The paper was dated Adrian, February 17, 1859, and
following are the subscriptions to the bonus:
-$200 00 A. Clement...
J. J. Newell..
50 00
G. L. Bidwell
200 00
E. C. Winter..
50 00
John V. Lyon --
50 00
I. N. Wells..
25 00
W. S. Wilcox..
100 00
W. H. Stone...
25 00
James Berry.
100 00
R. R. Beecher.
20 00
L. G. Berry-
200 00
P. Stone..
100 00
Rogers & Hurlbut.
50 00
E. L. Clark..
100 00
W. E. Kimball..
75 00
A. S. Berry..
100 00
M. H. Roberts--
25 00
A. Howell...
5 00
C. M. Croswell..
20 00
F. C. Beaman.
25 00
W. J. Schloss-
75 00
Livingston & Holberg..
25 00
A. J. Chappell...
25 00
E. C. Perkins..
50 00
T. D. Ramsdell & Co....
D. K. Underwood...
50 00
H. A. Angell.
50 00
100 00
There was also another condition to the agreement, of which
there is only a portion in existence, but there is enough to show
what it was, it seems to be a resolution passed by a meeting, as fol-
lows:
"Resolved, That we the undersigned agree and hereby bind
ourselves to sell 130 tickets at ten dollars each for a festival to be
given on the opening of the new Exchange, to be built by James
Brackett within the present year on the site of the old Exchange,
the money arising from the sale of tickets as above to be paid to
said Brackett and the keeper of the new house."
The opening took place in the winter of 1859-60 and it was a
red letter day in Adrian. The banquet and dancing party was a
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
401
grand affair, the elite of the city being in attendance. The late
Colonel Dwight A. Woodbury was the first landlord of this new
house, and continued as such until 1862, when he entered the army
as Colonel of the Fourth Michigan Infantry. Upon Colonel Wood-
bury's departure Mr. Brackett brought his family to Adrian, and re-
mained until the following spring. April 1, 1863, Willis T. Law-
rence purchased the property of Mr. Brackett and immediately took
possession. During the next thirty-seven years he owned the house,
naming it the Lawrence House, making many changes and improve-
ments and building the large addition on the north. In November,
1890, Mr. Lawrence sold to Col. O. H. Green, of Boston, Mass. April
30, 1891, Col. Green sold to Charles J. Patch, of Boston, and May 30.
1893, Mr. Patch sold to Horace F. Wyatt. June 1, 1901, Mr. Wyatt
sold the entire property to the present owner and popular landlord,
Charles W. Gregg, who has thoroughly overhauled and refurnished
the building, and it is now one of the very best two dollar a day
houses in Michigan. It is supplied with all modern conveniences,
with steam heat and electric lights in all of its one hundred rooms.

MICHICAN-EXCHANCE
The above engraving shows the old Michigan Exchange, erected in 1828 by Isaac
Dean. This was the first framed building erected in Adrian, and also the first
hotel, standing on the site of the present Hotel Gregg. This house became a
popular public resort, and for over thirty years stood as a land-mark of pioneer
days. It sheltered many men of note, among the most prominent, perhaps, was
the Hon. Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts, in 1838, the Hon. Lewis Cass; and
Horace Greeley greeted his admirers from the balcony in 1857. The fine pair of
horses in the foreground shows a team owned by Eber Adams, who had an ad-
miration for good horses.
26
402
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
THOMAS MEASURES, 2d, was born in Deeping, St. James,
Lincolnshire, England, January 4, 1840. His father, Thomas Meas-
ures, 1st, was born in the same place, in 1794. He always lived
there, and raised a family of thirteen children. He married Miss
Mary Tansley, who was also born in Deeping, St. James, in 1796,
and died there in 1868. Thomas Measures, 2d, subject of this
sketch, lived with his parents until he was fourteen years old, when
he was indentured to the trade of blacksmith and machinist. He
served seven years to learn the trade, and after following it for
a few years, in 1861 he started in business for himself in Deeping,
St. James. He was quite successful in his business venture, and
carried it on until 1871, when he sold out, came to the United States,
and settled at Lyons, Ohio. He remained in Lyons four years,
when, after making a tour of Texas, he returned and started in bus-
iness at Seward, Ohio. In 1884 he purchased a farm on Section 29,
in Ogden. This was then a new farm and was most of the year
covered with water, but at this time there is not a better or
more productive piece of land in Michigan. He has erected good
buildings and has it under perfect subjection. He has twice been
a candidate for member of the Legislature. November 3, 1862,
Thomas Measures, 2d, married Miss Sophia Langley, daughter of
William and Ann (Ball) Langley, of Wadenhoe, Northamptonshire,
England, and they have five children, as follows: Henry, born in
Deeping, St. James, England, January 29, 1864, married Emma.
Blair, and resides at Ai, Fulton County, Ohio; William, born same.
place, August 12, 1865, married Rosa Young, of Ogden, and resides
at Coleman, Mich.; Mary Ann, born same place, May 6, 1867, mar-
ried A. J. Pence, of Ogden Centre; George, born same place, May
29, 1869, married Ida Ross, of Ogden, and resides in Ogden; John
Thomas, born at Lyons, Ohio, November 29, 1871, married Miss
Blanche Locke, and resides in Ogden. Mrs. Sophia (Langley)
Measures, was born at Wadenhoe, England, May 14, 1844. Her
father always followed farming, and was on one farm all his life as
child, boy and overseer. He died at the age of 76 years.
Her
mother was a native of Winnick, Huntingtonshire, and died at the
age of 74 years. Mr. Measures has a bit of history relating to his
christening and the church where it occurred. The church has
stood for about 700 years, and there is much interesting history con-
nected with it:
DEEPING, ST. JAMES, LINCOLNSHIRE, ENGLAND.
In an old county paper, an interesting document, a Terrier, bearing date
June 18, 1724, has been found at the Vicarage. We give the following extracts:
Deeping, St. James Vicarage:
One vicaridge house consisting of tow Bayes of Buildings, the walls built
with studd and mortar and covered with Thack, one floore of ston and the other
of cordes, two chambers the floores both of them of Cordes. One outhouse con-
RECORD OF Lenawee counTY, MICHIGAN.
403
sisting of one baye of Buildings the walls of studd and mortar and covered with
Thack.
CUSTOMS DUE FROM PARISHONERS TO IMPROPRIATOR.-The several cus-
toms from parishoners are as followeth: Sir Francis Whichcote receiveth all the
com tithe, Hemp and Flax and touching of Easter offerings, hee receiveth for a
mare and foale one peney, for a cow and calf tow peneys and for a strap milch
cow one peney. He receiveth of every seven piggs one and giveth the parishon-
ers three half peneys and under seven piggs the parishoners payeth a half peney
a pigg; hee receiveth likewise of seven lambs one and payeth the parishoners
three half peneys and under seven he receiveth a half peney a lamb; and for
wool he receiveth the tenth fleece or tenth pound; and for grass hee have in some
of our meadows and pastures tithe acres, and where none he receiveth tow
pounds an acre for grass.
FURNITURE OF CHURCH.-The furniture belonging to the church is one
surplice and hudd, tow communion clothes, one wooling one linning, one pewter
flagon and pewter cupp, likewise one silver cupp containing in weight ten
ounces and a half, with this inscription on itt, R. L. and R. B. Churchwardens
of St. James, Deeping, in the year 1632. As to bookes there is tow Comon
Praire bookes, a large bible, a booke of homileyes and a large register booke.
In the steeple five bells and a clocke.
THOMAS BAMFIELD, Vicar.
THOMAS MEASURES, Churchwardens.
THOMAS WATSON,
}
GEORGE P. ROBERTSON was born in Preston County, W.
Va., March 15, 1835. His father, James Robertson, was born October
22, 1808. [For the history of the Robertson family, see James Rob-
ertson's record in this volume.] George P. Robertson, subject of this
sketch, lived in West Virginia until the spring of 1844, when he
removed with his parents to Canaan, Wayne County, Ohio. The
family lived there for some time, when a removal was made to Mil-
ton township, in the same county. After a residence there of about
three years, Mr. Robertson purchased a piece of wood land in La-
fayette, Medina County. Here the family resided until 1854, when
still another move was made, this time to Ogden, this county, where
a large tract of land was purchased on Sections 15 and 22. Some
of this land was chopped over and quite a clearing been made. But
with a family of seven boys a good farm was soon worked out. Our
subject stayed at home until he was twenty-one. In 1855, immedi-
ately after gaining his majority, he purchased forty acres on Sec-
tion 16, in Ogden. In fourteen years from that time he owned one
hundred and twenty acres of finely cleared and well-drained land,
with good house and two barns, fully stocked and out of debt.
Since that time he has enjoyed life and exerted a wholesome influ-
ence in the neighborhood. His enjoyment was in improving his
404
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
home and making it comfortable and attractive for his family and
friends. He still owns this farm in Ogden, but resides in the city of.
Adrian, where he fills an important position with the Page Woven
Wire Fence Company. In politics Mr. Robertson has always been a
Republican and a zealous supporter of all party measures. He is
George P. Robertson.
Mrs. Mary F. Robertson.
liberal in his religious views
and defends and supports all
good endeavors. June 12,
1865, George P. Robertson
married Miss Mary F. Rich-
ardson, daughter of John and
Lucy (Rice) Richardson, of
Ogden, and they have had
four children, as follows:
Pearlett A., born May 27, 1866,
married Dr. W. E. Scriber,
has three children and resides
in Detroit; Alice E., born No-
vember 14, 1868, married W.
B. Sheffield, who was killed in
a railroad accident in March,
1899. She has four children,
and lives in Adrian; Cora B.,
born April 22, 1870, married
John W. Rohloff, and resides
in Ogden; Leslie B., born
June 18, 1872, married Miss
Bertha Page and resides in
Adrian. Mrs. Mary (Richard-
son) Robertson was born in
Loraine County, Ohio, June
20, 1847. Her father, was a
native of New York, and was
born in Oswego, May 15, 1801.
He came to Michigan and set-
tled in Ogden, this county, in
1850, where he died February
16, 1887. He was twice mar-
ried, his first wife being Mary
Marion, who died in Richland
County, Ohio. He afterwards
married Miss Lucy Rice, and
they had nine children, Mrs.
Robertson being the oldest.
Mrs. Lucy (Rice) Richardson
was born in Loraine, Ohio, in
May, 1826, and now resides in
Adrian.


RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
405
HON. ALVAH G. STONE was born in Charlton, Worcester
County, Mass., March 2, 1852. Mr. Stone came of Revolutionary
stock on the paternal side, his great-grandfather being one of the
famous minute men, and afterward a captain in the Continental
Army. Mr. Stone's mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Ward,
was a direct descendant of General Artemus Ward, the first com-
mander of the American army. Mr. Stone's early boyhood was
spent among the Massachusetts hills and in the township of Me-


Hon. Alvah G. Stone.
Mrs. Lucy J. Stone.
dina, this county, where his grandfather, Captain N. S. Stone, and
his sons, Nahum and Charles, and his daughter Nancy, came at an
early date, they being among the first settlers in the Bean Creek
Valley. Of this family, Nahum and Charles, after clearing up farms.
and raising families in Medina, removed to Olivet, in this State,
where Charles died in 1887, and Nahum, following his children
ever westward, still lives at the advanced age of 93 in Tacoma,
State of Washington. The daughter, Nancy, married Clark Per-
kins, also a New England man, and resided in Adrian until the
death of Mr. Perkins in 1866. His widow, now Mrs. Collins, resides
with Mr. Stone in Medina. Mr. Perkins will be remembered by the
more elderly citizens of Adrian as a prominent building contractor
and mason of the early sixties. The masonic temple, the Brackett
House, now Hotel Gregg, the Methodist Protestant church, and
406
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
many other buildings being monuments of his skill as a builder.
Gardner, the third son, father of the subject of this sketch, was the
only one to remain in the East. In 1876, Mr. Stone was united in
marriage to Miss Lucy J. Clark, of Millis, Norfolk County, Mass.
Miss Clark was a member of one of the oldest families in New Eng-
land, eight generations of her family residing on one farm about
17 miles from Boston, the original deed of which came from a king
of England, and recites in its bounds that on the west it "borders on
the wilderness." Soon after this marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stone came
to Michigan, locating at Medina, and began the avocation of farm-
ing, first renting a farm and afterward purchasing the farm just
south of Medina village. This family is composed of three sons: E.
Stacey, who resides on the farm; Stanley C., who is with the
Thompson Banking Company, of Hudson, and Harry G., who is a
student at the Michigan Agricultural College. Mr. Stone has
always been a Republican in politics, and has for many years taken
an active part in public affairs, holding numerous offices of public
trust, among which are School Inspector, Justice of the Peace and
Member of the Legislature from the Second District of Lenawee,
which office he now holds. Among the more important of Mr.
Stone's official acts is the joint authorship of the famous "Colby-
Stone Primary Election Bill," and the "County Normal Training
Bill," of which much is expected in the future. Mr. Stone is also
prominently mentioned as a candidate for the office of State Land
Commissioner. Mr. and Mrs. Stone are members of the Baptist
church at Medina, and in common with many other families of the
county, have done their little part religiously, socially and financially,
of making Lenawee one of the grandest counties in the State.
LEONARD BECK was born in Feichtwangen, Bavaria, Ger-
many, February 2, 1840. His father and mother, Michael and Bar-
bara Beck, were born in the same place about the year 1800. They
came to America in 1847, bringing a family of four children. They
bought a piece of land about three miles south of Monroe, Mich.,
where the family settled. Mr. Beck died in March, 1848. Here the
family was raised by Mrs. Beck, and kept together until they were
able to take care of themselves. Mrs. Barbara Beck lived in Mon-
roe until her death in February, 1889. Leonard Beck was seven
years old when he came to the United States. He was educated in
the German school in Monroe and was confirmed in Trinity German
Lutheran church there. When seventeen years old he went to learn
the trade of carpenter and builder. In 1861 he came to Adrian with
Christian Kaumier, to build St. John's German Lutheran church,
corner of Church and Locust streets. August 7, 1862, he enlisted in
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
407
Company F, 4th Michigan Cavalry. During his service Mr. Beck
was made Commissary Sergeant of his company, and although he
was not detailed in the squad which captured, he was a witness of
the triumphal return to Macon, Ga., of the party with its celebrated
and notorious captive, Jeff Davis, on the morning of May 10th, 1865.
Mr. Beck served three years, and his first experience in a real battle
was at Stone River, Tennessee. He was also at Chickamauga, and
went with Sherman to Atlanta. Mr. Beck was discharged from the
army in July, 1865, and returned to Adrian. He at once went to
work again for Mr. Kaumier, and remained with him until 1873,

Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Beck.
when the firm of Beck & Vogt was organized. This firm is still do-
ing business, and is the oldest firm of builders in Southern Michi-
gan. They built the German Catholic church, the city hall, the
Wheeler block, the three Dr. Reynolds stores, Odd Fellows' hall,
seven buildings at the State Industrial Home, the elegant farm
home of Hon. Geo. B. Horton, at Fruit Ridge, besides many fine
dwellings and business buildings in Adrian. October 31, 1866, Leon-
ard Beck married Miss Augusta Knab, daughter of Charles
Knab, of LaSalle, Monroe County, Mich., and they are the par-
ents of seven children, as follows: Amelia W., born August 10,
1867, married Charles Egan, has one child and resides in Adrian;
Louisa J. R., born July 13, 1870, married Frank Stage, has four
children and resides in Zanesville, Ohio; Frederick C., born Septem-
ber 6, 1873, resides in Adrian; William A., born August 6, 1875, re-
sides in Adrian; Ida M., born May 3, 1879; Augusta L., born No-
vember 15, 1881; Emma M., born October 13, 1884. Mrs. Augusta
408
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
(Knab) Beck was born in LaSalle, Mich., October 3, 1844, and died
in Adrian, February 19, 1890. October 20, 1892, Leonard Beck mar-
ried Miss Louisa Stibor, daughter of Frederick and Resena Stibor, of
LaSalle, Mich., and they have one son, Norman F. L., born July 18,
1894. Mrs. Louisa (Stibor) Beck was born in LaSalle, Monroe
County, Mich., December 5, 1859. Her parents, natives of Bavaria,
Germany, were farmers, and settled in LaSalle, Monroe County, in
1847.
DARWIN H. WARREN was born in Dover township, Lena-
wee County, Mich., May 21, 1839. His father, Isaac Warren,
was born in Farmington, Ontario County, N. Y., September 11,
1812, and came to Michigan with his parents, Samuel and Lucinda
Warren, who settled on Section 24, in Dover, this county, in May,
1834. Samuel was a native of New Jersey, and a descendant of Gen.
Joseph Warren, of Revolutionary fame. His wife was Lucinda
Dewey, a native of Massachusetts, of Scotch descent. Samuel and
Lucinda Warren had a family of seven children, and when they
settled in Dover, 400 acres of land was purchased. Mr. Warren died
on this homestead in January, 1858. His wife died May 11, 1880.
Isaac Warren was the oldest of his father's family, and was about
twenty-two years old when he came to Michigan. March 7, 1838,
he married Miss Delia A. Vail, of Madison, this county, and that year
settled on Section 32, in Dover, where they lived the remainder of
their lives. Mr. Warren died there February 11, 1883, and Mrs.
Warren died March 6, 1887. Isaac Warren was of Quaker antece-
dents, but became a Methodist, and from 1843 to the end of his life,
was a prominent member and active worker in that church.
He was
Sunday school superintendent and class leader for many years. He
also served as Supervisor of his township, besides filling other town-
ship offices. Mrs. Delia A. Warren was also an active Christian
worker, and for eight years she filled the important position of Pres-
ident of the South Dover Woman's Foreign Mission Society, and was
a woman of rare qualities of character. She was the mother of five
children, two of whom were soldiers in the great Rebellion: Dar-
win H., as above; Homer, a member of Company I, 18th Michigan
Infantry, was taken prisoner March 24, 1863, at Danville, Ky. He
was paroled and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, where he died April 7,
1863; Harriet L., married Milo Bovee, of Dover; Isaac N., married
Nancy Halstead, of Dover; Melvin, was a teacher in Seneca, and
died there December 26, 1871. Darwin H. Warren, subject of this
sketch, has always lived in Dover, and was educated in the district
schools and at the Oak Grove Academy at Medina. He was brought
up a farmer, taught school two terms, and August 11, 1862, enlisted
in Company I., 18th Michigan Infantry, serving throughout the
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
409
great Rebellion, being honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn.,
July 26, 1865. He immediately returned home and purchased his
present farm on Section 31, in Dover. He has greatly improved his
farm, built a fine brick house, together with other necessary build-
ings, all of which are models of modern farm conveniences and com-
forts. We are pleased to be enabled to show a fine engraving of
this comfortable and hospitable home, typical of Lenawee's intelli-
gence and progress. For eighteen years Mr. Warren has been sec-
retary of the 18th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Association, and
August 26, 1903, was elected president for the ensuing two years.
He has filled the offices of School Inspector, and Director and Drain
Commissioner. He is a member of Rowley Post, No, 358, G. A. R.,
and has filled some of the most important chairs. In politics he is a
Prohibitionist, is a member of the M. E. church, and has been super-
intendent of the Sunday school, and class leader, for many years,
since the death of his father. September 5, 1865. Darwin H. War-
ren married Miss Ann M. Austin, daughter of Jonathan W. and
Lydia (Moore) Austin, of Dover, this county, and they have had
three children, as follows: Eva E., married Levi J. Deline, of Do-

Residence of D. H. Warren, Dover.
410
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
ver; Harriet E.; Delia L.
Mrs. Ann M. Warren was born in Dover,
this county, August 18, 1840. She taught school for five years pre-
vious to her marriage. Her father was a native of Salem, Mass.,
and her mother was born in Bradford, Vt. They were married in
Bradford, and in 1830 came to Michigan and were among the very
first to take up land in the present town of Fairfield, this county.
They afterwards removed to Seneca, and then to Dover, where Mr.
Austin died September 9, 1864, and his wife passed away July 30,
1871.
HON. WILLIAM H. WIGGINS was born in the town of
Floyd, Oneida Couny, N. Y., April 8, 1839. His parents were An-
nin and Sarah (Tennent) Wiggins, who afterwards removed to
Wyoming County. where they lived for about fifty years. Annin
Wiggins was born in New York city, October 9, 1805. Sarah (Ten-
nent) Wiggins was born in Rhode Island, October 6, 1807. Annin
Wiggins died at Lagrange,
N. Y., January 13, 1892. His
wife, Sarah A. Wiggins, died
February 9, 1902. William H.
Wiggins was one of a family
of ten children, and only lived
at home until he was old
enough to earn wages. His
schooling consisted of attend-
ing the district schools and
one term at the Middlebury
Academy. His first work was
for a brother-in-law, and in
1861 he came to Michigan, lo-
cating in Washtenaw County,
and at once engaged in ped-
dling patent medicines. After
about six months of peddling,
he again turned his attention
to farming, and rented 320
acres of land near Manchester,
and in four years he saved
enough to purchase a farm of
sixty acres in Bridgewater
township. Here he resided until 1873, when he sold out and came
to Lenawee County, and purchased a farm of the late Judge Beaman,
near the centre of Adrian township. Here he resided for a number
of years and succeeded well in farming, and made a choice and at-

Hon. William H. Wiggins.
RECORD Of Lenawee COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
411
tractive home. In 1874 he was elected Township Clerk, and so sat-
isfied his constituents that he served in that capacity for seventeen
successive years, or until 1890, when he was elected County Treasurer.
During his service as Township Clerk he also served as School In-
spector and settled several important estates. In 1884 he was
elected a member of the Legislature on the Democratic ticket over
the late John G. Mason. In 1890 he was elected County Treasurer
over Thomas Temple, a popular Republican candidate, and was re-
elected treasurer in 1902 over Art. Retan. He resided in Adrian
during his service as treasurer, and soon after sold his farm in
Adrian and purchased the Cheselton Baker farm on Section 9, in
Madison, where he resided until 1903. He then retired from active
farming, and is now living a more leisurely life on a small home-
stead on Section 10, in Madison. Mr. Wiggins was for ten years
treasurer of the Lenawee County Agricultural Society, and also
treasurer of the Lenawee and Hillsdale Farmers' Picnic Society, and
has twice served as president of the picnic association that meets
annually on the shores of Devil's Lake. He is a member of Adrian
Lodge, F. and A. M., and is a prominent Granger. January 3,
1865, William H. Wiggins married Miss Ellen M. Shipman, and
three children were born to them: Mary O., born April 4, 1867,
Agnes Irene, born August 12, 1868, and died September 27, 1869;
William S., born August 14, 1870. Mrs. Ellen M. Wiggins was born
in Warsaw, N. Y., October 29, 1841, and died November 9, 1870.
August 16, 1871, Mr. Wiggins married Clarissa A. Russ, of Cam-
bridge, this county, and two children were born of this marriage:
Arminnie B., born July 4, 1875; Laverna May, born October 29,
1880. Mrs. Clarissa A. Wiggins was born February 19, 1845, and
died December 29, 1885. September 21, 1887, Mr. Wiggins married
Mrs. E. J. Stevenson, daughter of the late A. D. Hall, of Tecumseh,
three children being born to this union: Bessie, born August 23,
1888, and died June 22, 1891; Milford Clare, born June 15, 1890;
Harriet H., born September 18, 1894. Mrs. E. J. Wiggins died De-
cember 23, 1897.
OREN E. GREEN was born in Medina, Lenawee County,
Mich., November 14, 1835, being the second child born in the town-
ship. His father, Noah K. Green, was born in Windsor, Berkshire
County, Mass., December 24, 1808, and was the son of Noah and
Sarah (Davis) Green, natives of Windham County, Conn. Noah
Green was born August 20, 1761, but went to Windsor, Mass., where
he became a farmer and resided until his death, December 31,
1833. He was three times married, and was the father of fourteen
children. He descended from Henry Green, who, with his wife,
412
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
came from Greenwich, England, in 1629, and assisted in founding
the Salem Colony in Massachusetts. Noah Green was a soldier in
the continental army, and remained to the end of the Revolutionary
struggle. He was a cousin of General Nathaniel Green, of Rhode
Island, also of Revolutionary fame. After the war he became prom-
inent in political affairs, and held many important offices. He was
a man of honor and probity, and his large family became prominent
members of society. Noah K. Green, father of our subject, was
reared and educated in his native county, where he lived until June,
1835, when he came to Michigan. He settled in Medina, this
county, purchasing 280 acres of land on Sections 25 and 36. He as-
sisted in organizing the township of Medina in 1837, and in 1842 he
was elected Supervisor, and served in that capacity for seven years.
He was again elected in 1852, serving one year, and in 1859 he was
elected and served two years. In 1849 he was elected to the Michi-
gan Legislature, and was re-elected in 1861 and 1863. He died at
his home in Medina, May 8, 1886. November 5, 1834, Noah K.
Green married Miss Esther E. Baldwin, daughter of Ephraim and
Tryphena Baldwin of Windsor, Mass., and they had four sons, as
follows: Oren E., born as above; Noah T., born October 13, 1837;
George D., born February 28, 1841; Henry, born November 7, 1849.
Mrs. Esther E. Green was born in Windsor, Mass., August 14, 1807.
Oren E. Green, subject of this sketch, was born and has always re-
sided on the farm he now owns. He attended the first school opened
in Medina township, Miss Amorette Belden being the teacher. Mr.
Green is a prominent farmer of his township, is a thrifty and honor-
able business man, being a most worthy descendant of the Green
family, and representative of the sturdy pioneers of Lenawee County.
He is a member of the Congregational church of Morenci, is a Re-
publican in politics and a farmer of excellent taste and discretion.
April 29, 1859, Oren E. Green married Miss Lucy M. Rogers, daugh-
ter of James and Lucy (Cottrell) Rogers, of Hillsdale, Mich., and
they have had five children, as follows: Alice F. and Agnes L.,
(twins), born November 7, 1862. Alice married Prof. E. A. Con-
ditt, April 23, 1884, had one daughter, Louise, born December 28,
1889. Prof. Conditt died in Chicago, May 11, 1893. Agnes L. mar-
ried W. F. Smith, July 28, 1887, and has four children, as follows:
Stanley J., born November 20, 1888; Charles O., born April 7, 1890;
Willard F., born March 10, 1892; Agnes L., born May 17, 1894, died
in St. Paul, December 20, 1897. George R. Green, born March 5,
1865, died March 27, 1876; Lura M., born November 22, 1880, mar-
ried Dr. M. Sutton September 9, 1903; George W., born September
12, 1882. Mrs. O. E. Green is a native of Medina, where her par-
ents settled in 1837. Her father and mother were natives of Massa-
chusetts. Mr. Rogers died in 1846, and Mrs. Rogers died January
28, 1897.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
413
JAMES WILLIAM KIRK was born in Adrian, Mich., March
28, 1859. His father, James L. Kirk, was born in Walsoken, Nor-
folk, England, August 12, 1832, and came to the United States in
1852. He was the son of Gabriel and Mary Ann (Lowis) Kirk, who
were natives respectively of Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, and were
farmers. James L. Kirk came to America when he was about
twenty years old, and first settled in Buffalo, N. Y. In the fall of
1854, he came to Adrian and found employment with Martin Hollo-
way in carpenter and joiner work. He afterwards went to work for
the late Daniel A. Loomis, and assisted in the construction of many
of the first large brick build-
ings and fine residences in
Adrian, among them the Un-
derwood block, the central
school building, etc. In 1855
he purchased a lot that was
surrounded by a rail fence and
wholly unimproved, and that
fall put up a house 12x20.
The lot is now situated on
Spring street, and has been
his home from that time. In
the spring of 1887 he was
elected Street Commissioner of
Adrian on the Republican
ticket and served one year.
In the spring of 1894 he was
appointed overseer of the city
poor and served in that ca-
pacity for nine years. April
8, 1856, James L. Kirk mar-
ried Miss Hannah Judge,
daughter of Moses and Han-
nah Judge, of Wisbech, Cam-
bridgeshire, England, and

James W. Kirk.
they have had three children, as follows: J. Will, born as above;
Eva E., born June 24, 1860, married Oscar M. Baker August 4, 1890,
and resides in Adrian. The first child died in infancy. Mrs. Han-
nah (Judge) Kirk was born in South Brink, Wisbech, Cambridge-
shire, England, September 22, 1831, and came to the United States
with her sister, Rachel, in 1855, coming direct to Adrian, where her
brother, Isaac Judge, lived, on Budlong street. Her parents never
left England, and died at their home in Wisbech. J. Will Kirk,
subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of his na-
tive city. When he was still quite a lad he expressed a desire to
learn the jeweler's trade. In the fall of 1873 he entered the employ
of Wm. F. King, and while learning the technical part of watchmaking
and patiently mastering the mysteries of repairing and adjusting a
414
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
delicate timepiece he also found time and opportunity to develop his
taste for music and harmony. Mr. Kirk remained with Mr. King
for about nine years, and April 1, 1882, embarked in business for
himself, at No. 3 South Main street, where for nearly twenty-two
years he successfully served the public. He removed to his present
quarters August 10, 1903. While in Mr. King's employ he developed
a taste and mastered music, becoming a member of the old Knights
Templar band, the Light Guard band, and the Adrian City band,
the latter under the leadership of Elwood Irish. This band went to
New Orleans in 1884, as the brigade band to the Supreme Lodge
of Knights of Pythias, and in competition with many other organ-
izations, carried off the first prize, $150 in gold. Mr. Kirk was also
for ten years identified with Hunt's orchestra of Adrian.
He is a
member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, Chapter, Knights Templar
No. 4, Shriners, Knights of Pythias, Elks, Maccabees and Na-
tional Union. He is a director in Waldby & Clay's State bank. He
was elected Mayor of Adrian in 1897, and was re-elected the follow-
ing year. He is a public-spirited man, and has done his full share
in promoting the commercial, moral and social interests of Adrian.
September 20, 1881, J. Will Kirk married Miss Mary Annie Page,
daughter of James and Frances Page of Grand Rapids, and they
have four children, as follows: James Ralph, born October 2, 1883;
Hazel Frances, born October 14, 1887; Blanche Hannah, born Octo-
ber 9, 1889; Ruth, born March 15, 1894. Mrs. Mary Annie (Page)
Kirk was born in Des Moines, Iowa, April 28, 1859. Her parents
were natives of England, her father being born in Huntington-
shire, September 4, 1833, and died in Eaton Rapids, Mich. Her
mother was born in Gloucestershire, March 18, 1833, and still re-
sides in Eaton Rapids, Mich.
JOHN W. BALDWIN was born in Oxford, Ontario, Canada,
January 28, 1831, and came to Michigan in 1837. His father, John
Baldwin, was born in Fredericksburg, N. Y., April 22, 1786. He
was a farmer and about the year 1818 he removed to Canada and
settled at Oxford, where he purchased a farm with a grist mill and
saw mill upon it. He remained there until 1837, when he came to
Michigan and settled in Madison, this county. He was twice mar-
ried, first to Miss Lydia Torry of Cazenovia, N. Y., and they had
seven children, John W. being the youngest. She died in Oxford,
June 17, 1833. His second marriage occurred August 5, 1841, to
Miss Abigail Shumway, of Madison, this county, and they had one
child, now Mrs. Matilda Cheney, of Jasper. Mrs. Abigail Baldwin
died in 1873. John Baldwin died August 7, 1858. John W. Bald-
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
415
win, subject of this sketch, was only six years old when he came to
Michigan. He was raised a farmer, and was educated in the dis-
trict schools of Madison. He remained with his father as long as he
lived, working on the farm summers and teaching school winters.
November 15, 1854, John W. Baldwin married Miss Ann Eliza Brad-
ish, daughter of Nelson and Phoebe (Wilson) Bradish, and they had
eight children, as follows: Nelson J., born August 26, 1855; Wil-
liam H., born February 7, 1857, married Miss Orlena J. Inglehart,
August 28, 1886, has five children and resides on Section 15, in
Madison; Riley M., born October 11, 1859, died in May, 1869;
Florence E., born June 5, 1861, married William O. Maynard, No-
vember 15, 1883, has three children and resides in Adrian; Julia
Amina, born May 26, 1864, married Daniel F. Schwab, December 10,
1889, has one child and resides in Herndon, Kansas; Nettie G.,
born July 31, 1868, married Jacob M. Smith, August 28, 1896, has one
child and resides in Sherlock, Thurston County, Washington; Olive
G., born July 5, 1876, married John A. Osborn, December 20, 1898,
has one child and resides in Madison. One child died in infancy.
Mrs. Ann Eliza Baldwin was born in Madison, this county, January
16, 1835. Her parents came to Michigan in 1828, two weeks after
their marriage. They located in Madison, and it was three months
after the bride arrived in the woods before she saw any white per-
son except her husband. Their first child was the first to be born
in the present township of Madison. Nelson Bradish was born in
Wayne County, N. Y., in 1803, and died in Madison, May 9, 1875.
His wife, Phoebe, who was born in Rockland County, N. Y., in 1803,
died in Madison, April 11, 1879. October 25, 1887, Nelson J. Bald-
win, who resides on Section 15, in Madison, married Miss Mary J.
Wilmot, daughter of William and Celina Wilmot, of Holdridge, Neb.,
and they have five children, as follows: Lois J., born April 17, 1890;
John W., Jr., born May 18, 1892; Ruth M., born December 9, 1893;
Bessie E., born August 2, 1897; Laura G., born April 15, 1899. Mrs.
Mary J. Wilmot Baldwin was born in Glamorganshire, England, De-
cember 6, 1868, and came to the United States with her parents in
1870, first settling in Illinois, but afterwards located in Nebraska.
ANDREW VOGT was born in Amherst, Erie County, N. Y.,
September 28, 1848. His father, Michael Vogt, was born in Auch-
ausen, Bavaria, Germany, in 1811. He learned the linen weaver's
trade, and followed that business until he came to the United States
and settled near Buffalo, N. Y., in 1847. He purchased a small
farm in Amherst, Erie County, and resided there until the spring of
416
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
1866. At that time he came to Michigan, and settled in the city of
Adrian, where he died September 14, 1893. Under the laws of Ger-
many at that time a couple could not get married without the pos-
session of a certain amount of money. Mr. Vogt and his intended
wife had the requisite amount of money, but decided to expend it in
another way, and paid their passage to America. Upon arriving at
Buffalo, Michael Vogt and Miss Margaretha Colthouse were married
in the spring of 1847. She was born in Auchausen, Bavaria, No-
vember 23, 1809, and died in Adrian, July 4, 1885. Andrew Vogt,
ever
the subject of this sketch,
came to Adrian when he
was about eighteen years
old. He learned the carpen-
ter's trade with Christian
Kaumier, and has followed
that business ever since.
He remained with Mr. Kau-
mier for about seven years,
when in the spring of 1873,
the firm of Beck & Vogt
was organized and has con-
tinued successfully
since. During this time
this firm has built many
of the very best buildings
in Adrian and Lenawee
County. Several of the
finest cottages at the State
Industrial Home were also
constructed by them. This
is one of the oldest firms in
Adrian, and is regarded as
among the successful busi-
ness enterprises of the city.
He was six years Alderman
of the Second ward. Octo-
ber 24, 1873, Andrew Vogt married Miss Louise Ruppert of Hud-
son, and they were the parents of seven children as follows: Henry
G., born in Adrian May 7, 1875, married Miss Edna Weaver. They
have one daughter and reside in Jackson, Mich.; Edna M.,
born in the same place, December 10, 1883; Alma M., born same
place, January 3, 1887. Four children died in infancy. Mrs. Louise
(Ruppert) Vogt was born in Hudson, Mich., October 17, 1850, and
died in Adrian, September 18, 1887. February 17, 1892, Andrew
Vogt married Miss Margaret Schatzberger, daughter of George P.
and Margaret M. (Eich) Schatzberger, of Adrian. She was born in
Adrian, November 4, 1857. Her parents were natives of Wirtem-
berg, Germany, but were married in Adrian about fifty years ago.

Andrew Vogt.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
417
HON. WILLARD STEARNS. Since 1867 the subject of this
sketch has been a resident of the city of Adrian, coming to Lenawee
County in 1851 from Cherry Valley, N. Y., where he was born Octo-
ber 3, 1838, the second son born to Willard and Lucinda Stearns.
His father died July preceding, leaving the young wife to battle
alone along life's journey, and to a loving mother's devoted care and
training, was due his education and much of his success in life. In
1851 his mother married Henry Bowen, Sr., and at once came with
him to his home in Franklin,
where Mr. Stearns passed his
boyhood days upon a farm, till
he was eighteen, when he
taught his first school in the
Sebring district in Ogden.
He had attended district school
three months in the year, and
in the spring of 1858 entered
the State Normal School,
graduating in 1862. He en-
tered the army in July, 1863,
enlisting in Company H., 11th
Michigan Cavalry, and was
mustered in as First Lieuten-
ant of the company, serving
till the winter of 1864, when
he resigned and shortly after
his return was secured to teach
the district school in the
Payne district, two miles north
of Rome Center. He gradu-
ated from the law department
of the University in 1867, and
at once formed a partnership
with Gov. W. L. Greenly,
which continued until the lat-
ter's death. He was elected in 1871 County Superintendent of
Schools for Lenawee County, over Mr. Drake, of Medina, by 10 ma-
jority, in a vote of over 8,000, being the first Democrat elected in the
county for 20 years. In 1872 he was the Democratic nominee for
Superintendent of Public Instruction, and in 1876 was on the ticket
as a candidate for Secretary of State. He was elected Justice in
1875, and has served ten or twelve years as an alderman in the coun-
cil. He was postmaster of Adrian under Cleveland for five years,
and in 1888 was the Democratic nominee for Congress, making the
most vigorous personal campaign ever waged in the district, and
while he received more votes than had ever before been cast for Con-
gress by either party, he was defeated by Captain Allen. In 1898 he
made the race for Circuit Judge, and the next spring was elected.

Hon. Willard Stearns.
27
418
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Mayor of Adrian, and re-elected in 1900, and defeated in the third
nomination in 1901 by Dr. J. H. Reynolds by 83 votes. The nominal
Republican majority in the city was during this time, about 300.
Mr. Stearns took charge of the Press in 1878, and has since con-
ducted one of the most vigorous Democratic papers in the State, and
can daily be found at his office looking after the liveliest weekly in
Michigan. He was married May 5, 1868, to Martha E. Porter, in
Batavia, Mich., and to them were born four children, Harry P.,
Frances L. and Virginia, now of Adrian, and Jennie, wife of George
B. Kimball, of Chicago. Mr. Stearns has been Master of Greenly
Lodge, F. & A. M., Noble Grand of Adrian Lodge, No. 8, I. O. O.
F., Commander of Woodbury Post, G. A. R., and Chancellor Com-
mander of Maple City Lodge, 39, K. of P. At present he is a mem-
ber of the Board of Education, having been chosen in July, 1903.
Charles W. and Mary E. Sutton.
in
CHARLES W. SUT-
TON was born in Me-
dina, Lenawee County,
Mich., October 25, 1861.
He was educated
Medina, and resided
there until about 1893,
when he went to Mer-
cer, Penn., and en-
gaged in the dairy
business. In 1898 he
went to California,
and now resides at
Pasadena, where he
Owns a fruit ranch,
and is engaged in other
lines of business. Sep-
tember 10, 1896, he
married Miss Mary E.
Shannon, of Mercer,
Pa., where she was
born March 25, 1859.

RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
419
DAVID W. GRANDON was born at Graysville, Greene County,
Pa., January 19, 1859. He was the oldest son of Isaac M. and Eliza
M. Grandon. He attended district school until 14 years of age,
when he was apprenticed to the printing trade in the Republican of-
fice at Waynesburg, the county seat of Greene County. Here was
hard work, plenty of it, and small pay, $1.00 a week and board.
Following the bent of printers in those days, after serving two or
three years in the Republican office, he started out into the world to
secure new experiences and new ideas concerning the business. He
held various positions in numerous offices, working at Cameron,
Philippi, Cairo, W. Va., and
at McArthur and other points
in Ohio. Then he returned to
Greene County and taught
school one winter just to keep
up the family reputation, mak-
ing the fifth generation who had
taught in the district schools.
Later Mr. Grandon took entire
charge of the mechanical de-
partment of the Democrat at
Weston, W. Va. He also worked
on the Republican at the
same place. He then went to
Kentucky, where he was em-
ployed for some time at Lex-
ington, Versailles and Wil-
liamston. Returning again
to Weston, W. Va., in 1885,
in company with the Hon. An-
drew Edminston, he started
the Weston World, and in a
few months had made it the
leading local paper of the
county. Considering the field

David W. Grandon.
too small, after conducting the paper for about two years, he sold the
business and went to Charleston, W. Va., where he accepted the
foremanship of the Charleston Daily Star, and in order to keep fairly
busy started Grandon's Grapic, devoted to the interests of temper-
ance in West Virginia. This was continued about two years. Then
Mr. Grandon came to Michigan on the invitation of the Prohibition-
ists of Lenawee County, arriving at Adrian, May 30, 1888. Next day
in company with Hon. G. P. Waring and M. P. Brown, the plant of
the defunct Lance was purchased at Hillsdale. The first issue of
the revived Lance was printed at Hillsdale and appeared June 9,
1888. The office was then moved to the third story of the Metcalf
block in Adrian. Having but a small outfit of type, sufficient only
to print four pages, five columns to the page, and no newspaper
420
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
press, it was found impossible to secure the press work done in any
Adrian printing office. The forms were taken to Tecumseh and
printed in the Herald office in that town. This was continued about
three months when a Prouty hand power press was installed and the
paper printed at home. In 1890, the Center, which was the Prohi-
bition party paper for the State of Michigan, was consolidated with
the Lance and the name of the Michigan Messenger adopted for the
new enterprise. Two editions were issued, one for the State with a
circulation running from 5,000 to 7,000 each week, and the second
devoted to the local interests of Adrian and Lenawee County. The
local edition of the Michigan Messenger proved so popular with the
home people that it soon became necessary to make it a semi-weekly,
making it the first semi-weekly to be published in the county of
Lenawee. The paper continued to grow and prosper and soon be-
came a recognized factor in the newspaper field. Feeling that the
field in Adrian was large enough for two daily papers, on December
3, 1892, M. W. Redfield, an old newspaper man, and Elmer E. Put-
nam put out the first issue of the Adrian Daily Telegram. The
Messenger office had the contract for printing the paper, and it was
issued in this way for several months. Early in 1893 the State
edition of the Michigan Messenger was sold to Dr. Henry A. Rey-
nolds, of Pontiac. The business was moved away and the name
changed to Living Issues. The Daily Telegram had won many
friends in Adrian and the management not being in a position to
continue it, Mr. Grandon and B. J. Kingston, of Jackson, purchased
the paper on June 5, 1893, and succeeded in bringing the little paper
rapidly to the front, the partnership continuing until the spring of
1898, when Mr. Grandon became sole owner. The Semi-Weekly
Michigan Messenger was issued during this period by Mr. Grandon,
and was a winning paper with the county people. In August, 1898,
a Thorne typesetting machine, the first one in Lenawee County, was
installed in the office, the operator being Miss Fanny Smith, the
justifier, O. E. Cummer, and the distributor boy, Charles Ihrke.
The combined output the first day was only 15,000 ems, but this team
soon became proficient, and made a record of over 50,000 ems in one
day. On November 4, 1899, The Semi-Weekly Michigan Messenger
was changed into The Tri-Weekly Telegram and the business con-
tinued to grow until it became necessary to add a more modern type-
setting machine and a Mergenthaler Linotype, a line-casting ma-
chine, with but one operator, was installed in September, 1902.
This was the first linotype ever brought to Lenawee County, and
proved as much superior to the Thorne typesetting machine as that
machine was to hand composition. On January 5, 1903, The Tri-
Weekly Telegram was merged into The Adrian Daily Telegram,
which has since been supplied to the people of the villages and rural
routes in lieu of the weekly, semi-weekly and tri-weekly. The daily
paper proved so gratifying to the patrons and the circulation in-
creased so that the capacity of the cylinder press was passed and it
RECORD OF Lenawee COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
421
became necessary to install a faster press. So on June 10, 1903,
The Telegram was printed on a new Duplex Perfecting press, print-
ing from a roll, and capable of printing both sides, cutting, pasting
and folding as high as 6,000 perfect four, six or eight page papers
per hour, as the occasion demanded. As The Telegram had been
the first to install nearly all new features in the printing business
in Lenawee County, it was fitting that it should be the first to estab-
lish an up-to-date press of this character. Mr. Grandon is a man of
honor and strong principles, and has won many friends by his
straightforward expressions of affairs as he sees them. Throughout
his whole course he has held to his belief that temperance was the
best thing for the people and has aided the cause in many ways.
He has associated himself with numerous fraternal orders, being a
member of Adrian Lodge, No. 19, F. & A. M., Maple City Lodge,
No. 39, Knights of Pythias, Adrian Lodge, No. 429, Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks, Adrian Tent, No. 145, K. O. T. M. M.,
Court Adrian, 1078, I. O. F., Adrian Lodge, No. 137, A. O. U. W.,
and Adrian Temple, No. 26, Rathbone Sisters. At Weston, W. Va.,
March 5, 1882, Mr. Grandon was united in marriage with Miss
Elizabeth Dakan. Six children were born of this union, all of
whom are living. The children are George Gordon, born at Wes-
ton, W. Va., July 12, 1883; Eliza Delphia, at Weston, W. Va., De-
cember 1, 1885; Preston Finch, at Charleston, W. Va., February 6,
1888; Jennie Lind, at Adrian, January 4, 1890; Lizzie May, at
Adrian, October 21, 1891, and Dessa Marguerite, at Adrian, June
21, 1894.
WILLIAM PAYNE was born in Adrian, Mich., June 2, 1848.
His father, George F. Payne, was born in Knook, County of Wilt-
shire, England, November 3, 1821. He was the son of Robert K.
Payne, who was born at Crockerton, in the Parish of Long Bridge,
Deverill, England, in 1796. All of the family back to 1680 lie buried
in Long Bridge church yard. R. K. Payne emigrated with his fam-
ily to America in 1831. They settled in Little York (now Toronto),
where his wife Mrs. Ann Payne, mother of George F. Payne, died
September 4, 1834. He married Mrs. Sarah Crown and removed to
Toledo in 1836. In 1838 he removed to Chatham, County of Kent,
Ontario. He was the first governor of Kent County Jail, and held
that office for seventeen years, when he retired to private life. He
was also a member of the school board of the town of Chatham for
twenty-five years. The Payne School of Chatham is named after
him. George F. Payne, when his father left Toronto, was learning
the book-binding and blank book business. He lived in that place.
until 1847, when he removed to Detroit and formed a co-partnership
with A. Richmond. In 1848 he sold his interest to Mr. Richmond
422
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
and removed to Adrian. In 1848 he established the Adrian Blank
Book manufactory and book-bindery. October 25, 1842, he married
Caroline Bartley, daughter of William and Mary Ann Bartley, by
whom he had eight children. He died in Adrian, April 14, 1887.
Mrs. Caroline (Bartley) Payne, who still resides in Adrian, (1904),
was born in Newport, Isle of Wight, October 25, 1826. Her father,
William Bartley, was born in Motcomb, County of Dorset, England,
July 6, 1794. Her mother, Mary Ann Bartley, was born in Newport,
Isle of Wight, February 4, 1799, and died at her son's, in Butler,
Mo., January 9, 1873. William Payne, subject of this sketch, was
reared and educated in Adrian,
and after learning the trade of
book-binder and blank book
maker with his father, he
went to Cleveland, Ohio, where
he resided, following his trade
for nearly nineteen years. In
1882 he sold out his business
in Cleveland, and soon after
entered the U. S. postal ser-
vice as postal clerk between
Chicago and Syracuse, N. Y.,
but when President Cleveland
came in, being a busy Repub-
lican worker, he was asked to
step down and out. He then
went to Youngstown, Ohio,
and took charge of the book-
binding department of the
Youngstown publishing com-
pany. He remained there until
1887, when, upon his resigna-
tion, he was presented with
numerous tokens of regard.
Mr. Payne returned to his old
home in Adrian at the death
of his father in 1887, and pur-
chased the book bindery and business so long and successfully oper-
ated by him, and has proved himself a competent business man and
good citizen. During his residence in Cleveland Mr. Payne became
a member of the gallant and popular military company so long and
favorably known as the Cleveland Greys. At the inauguration of
President Garfield this company went to Washington as his body
guard, Mr. Payne being present. He was also one of the four men
detailed as the special guard over the remains during the funeral at
Cleveland. Mr. Payne is an active, energetic citizen, and is inter-
ested in the growth and progress of his native city. He has been
elected four successive times a member of the common council of

William Payne.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
423
Adrian. For two years he has served as chairman of the claims and
finance committee, and also championed the proposition to bond the
city for $50,000 for sewers and paving. The measure was carried at
a special election. Mr. Payne is also the originator and promoter
of the resolution passed by the Adrian city common council to curb
and boulevard the streets of the city. He is a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church and several societies, among which are the
following: Adrian Commandery, Knights Templar; Adrian Chap-
ter, R. A. M.; Adrian Lodge, F. & A. M.; Adrian Chapter, Order
of the Eastern Star; Adrian Tent, Knights of Maccabees, of which
he is a past commander, and upon retiring from the office he was
presented with a past commander's jewel by the Tent. He is also a
member of the Knights and Ladies of Security. February 24, 1868,
William Payne married Miss Emily Bowen Oles, of Morenci, Mich.,
and three chilren were born to them, as follows: Cora Adelaide,
born at Cleveland, Ohio, August 12, 1872, married Carl J. Parish, of
Adrian, May 16, 1899, and resides in Toledo; Willie Colgate, born
same place, September 16, 1874, and died July 6, 1875; Minnie
Emily, born same place, July 8, 1877, married Ozro Lee Curtis, Sep-
tember 22, 1897, has one child, Kenneth J., born November 8, 1898.
Mr Curtis was killed by lightning at his home in Rome, this
county, July 13, 1899. Mrs. Curtis is a teacher in the Adrian public
schools. Mrs. Emily B. (Oles) Payne was born in Toledo, Ohio,
January 18, 1847, and died at Cleveland, Ohio, February, 6, 1879.
August 15, 1881, William Payne married Miss Ella I. Shorten, of
Cleveland, Ohio, and they became the parents of three sons, all of
whom died in infancy. Mrs. Ella I. Payne was born at Saratoga,
N. Y., January 15, 1855.
JAMES H. MAY was born in York, Sandusky County, Ohio,
April 19, 1827. His father, Rev. Isaac May, was born in Strafford,
Vermont, in October, 1796, and when a boy moved with his parents to
Livingston County, N. Y., where a farm was purchased, and a hotel
was kept for many years. In 1824 Isaac May removed to Sandusky
County, Ohio, and soon after purchased a farm. He became con-
verted and for many years preached for the new settlers, first in the
Christian denomination, then becoming a Methodist, but finally be-
came a Free Will Baptist, and until the end of his life affiliated with
that church. He took up 80 acres of government land in Townsend
township, Sandusky County, which he improved and lived upon for
fifty years. He added 80 acres to his first purchase, which he im-
proved and never encumbered. At his death December 5, 1874, it
was found the deed had never been recorded in the county. In 1815
he married Miss Rachel McMillan, and five children were born to
424
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
to them, James H. being the fourth. In 1829 Rachel May died, and
the following year he married Nancy McMillan, a sister of Rachel,
and they had seven children. James H. May, subject of this sketch,
lived with his father until he was about nineteen years old, when
he purchased his time and went for himself. He then went to the
Geauga Seminary for two years, being a student at the same time with
James A. Garfield and his wife. During the next three years Mr.
May taught school in Sandusky County. In 1848 his health failed
him, caused by over study, and he went West in hope of recovering
and returning to school. He went to Chicago, and from thence to
Green Bay and into the Wisconsin lumber woods. He made several
trips down the Mississippi river as far as St. Louis with lumber
rafts, and was quite successful financially. He was taken ill with
fever and returned home, where, after some six months, he recovered,
and purchased a small farm in Sandusky County, where he resided
until 1861. That spring he came to Michigan and purchased a farm
on Section 3 in Fairfield, this county. When the first call for troops
came in 1861, Mr. May assisted in raising a company of three
months' men, but did not succeed in getting them accepted by the
Governor, as the quota was filled before his company was reported.
Afterwards most of the men went into the army under the first three
years call.
Since 1861 Mr. May has resided on his farm in Fairfield.
He was active in filling Fairfield's quota of soldiers in the great

Residence of James H. May, Fairfield.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
425
Rebellion, and has been active in all public matters ever since. He
was for ten years the Fairfield Director of the Lenawee County Ag-
ricultural Society, and has been a strong church adherent. For
many years he was superintendent of the Free Will Baptist Sunday
school. July 21, 1853, James H. May married Miss Olive W.
George, daughter of Joseph and Sarah George, of Townsend, San-
dusky County, Ohio, and they became the parents of three children,
as follows: Lois A., born September 10, 1855, married James
Crego, March 4, 1888; Cora E., born June 29, 1868, died in infancy;
William F., born September 23, 1858, married Miss Minnie White,
October 18, 1876, and they had one son, Carlton W., born December
7, 1878, resides in Hudson. Mrs. Olive W. (George) May was born
in Townsend, Ohio, May 4, 1834, and died April 1, 1893. Her father,
Joseph George, was a native of Vermont, born in 1795, was a soldier
in the war of 1812, and was the son of a revolutionary soldier. Her
mother was Sarah McMillan, a native of New Hampshire.
THE LESH & YOUNG COMPANY, engaged in the manu-
facture of hardwood lumber, located in Adrian in January, 1899.
The members of this company have been engaged in this line of bus-
iness for about twenty years, and are
familiar with all the markets and the
probable demand for their product
throughout the country. Joseph H.
Lesh, president of the company, is a
son of John H. Lesh, who was engaged
in the lumber business at Goshen,
Ind., for a quarter of a century, and
was one of the largest manufacturers
of hardwood lumber in the United
States, having mills throughout In-
diana and Illinois, and handled the
product of other mills. The mill at
Adrian is up-to-date in all its details,
being supplied with band saws and all
the best modern machinery. It is un-
der the immediate charge of Mr. J. F.
Young, treasurer and general man-
ager, who resides in Adrian and is
fully identified with the city's inter-
ests and business prosperity.
many years Mr. Young was identified with John H. Lesh, as timber
buyer in Indiana, and afterwards operated a band mill at Milford,
Ind., until 1899 when he removed to Adrian. Mr. H. G. Young is

For
Joseph H. Lesh, President.
426
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
the secretary of the Lesh & Young Company, and also resides in
Adrian, devoting all his time to the lumber business. He is a son
of the general manager, and divides his time in looking after other
mills and in traveling in the company's interest. The Adrian mill


J. F. Young, Treasurer and Manager.
H. G. Young, Secretary.
is operated to its full capacity, the logs being gathered from the sur-
rounding country, wituin a radius of fifteen miles. The product of
the mill is about 3,000,000 feet per year, and a ready market is
found both East and West.
HON. LEWIS C. BAKER was born in the township of Adrian,
Lenawee County, Mich., February 18, 1844, and has always lived on
the farm he now owns. His father, Norton Baker, was born in
Manchester, Ontario County, N. Y., December 9, 1802. He was the
son of Joseph M. Baker, who was born in Massachusetts, February
19, 1780, but soon after his parents moved to Rutland, Vt. He lived
in Rutland until he was about nineteen years old, when he went to
Ontario County, N. Y., and soon after purchased a new farm in what
was then the town of Farmington. He lived there until the spring
of 1833, when he emigrated to Michigan and finally purchased land
from the government in the town of Rome, this county, where he
settled. He cleared the farm and lived upon it until the last few
years of his life, and died in Rome, May 27, 1872. About the year
1800, he married Miss Sally Cruthers, of Phelps, Ontario County, N.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
427
Y., by whom he had
eleven children, six
sons and five daugh-
ters, Norton being the
oldest. Mrs. Sally
Baker was born in Half
Moon, New York, in
1778, and died in Rome,
this county, Septem-
ber 15, 1851. Norton
Baker never had much
school advantages, his
father being a pioneer
in Ontario County, N.
Y., where schools were
very "few and far be-
tween" in those days.
He spent most of his
time on his father's
farm and in a distil-
lery, until he was about
twenty-eight years old.
He came to Michigan
in the spring of 1833,
with his father, and
took up the w½ of
the s.w. ½, and e. part
of the s. w. frac'l 4 of
section 7, in Adrian
(then Logan). Sep-
-tember 12, 1830, he
married Miss Almeda
Howland, daughter of
Jonathan and Mary
Howland, of Manches-
ter, Ontario County,
N. Y., by whom he
has had ten children,
as follows: Sarah M.,
born in Manchester,
N. Y., July 10, 1831,
now the wife of Dr.
Willard Perkins, of
Franklin, this county;
Isaac H., born in Man-
chester, N. Y., Sep-
tember 20, 1833, died
in
Adrian, April 3,

Hon. Lewis C. Baker.

Mrs. Mary Jane Baker.
428
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
1852; Ellen L., born in Adrian, October 2, 1835, now the wife of
George Gambee, of Adrian; Lois A., born in Adrian, October 24,
1837, died March 12, 1852; Mary E., born in Adrian, October 23,
1839, now the wife of George Hunt, of Rome, this county; Roxanna
I., born in Adrian, June, 8, 1841, died April 2, 1852; Lewis C.,
born in Adrian, February 18, 1844, a farmer, and owns the home
farm; Frank I., born in Adrian, October 29, 1845, died June 2, 1862;
Almeda A., born in Adrian, January 3, 1848, died February 16,
1852; Ava E., born in Adrian, October 25, 1854. Norton Baker
died March 15, 1880. Mrs. Almeda Baker was born December 6,
1812, and came to Michigan with her husband in 1833. Her father
was born in Adams, Massachusetts, in 1789, and was a pioneer of
Ontario County, New York. He came to Michigan in 1846, and pur-
chased a farm in Adrian township, where he died in 1871. Her
mother was born in Gloucester, Rhode Island, in 1786, and died in
Adrian, in September, 1846. Mrs. Baker died February 26, 1897, in
Adrian. Lewis C. Baker, subject of this sketch, was born in the
house where he now resides, on Section 7, in Adrian township. He
was educated in the district schools and about two school years in
Adrian College. He was brought up a farmer and has always fol-
lowed it. He commenced for himself when about twenty years old,
and carried on his father's farm for several years, or until the death
of his father, March 15, 1880. He then rented the place of his
mother, and paid his four sisters for their interest in the homestead,
which consisted of 160 acres on Section 7, in Adrian. At the time
of his mother's death, February 26, 1897, he had paid all claims and
came into possession. His farm now consists of 340 acres, with two
sets of buildings. Many of the best buildings he has erected during
the past few years. Mr. Baker was elected Justice of the Peace in
1878, Supervisor of the township in 1880, and served seven successive
years. In 1890 he was elected to the House of Representatives in the
Michigan Legislature. In 1893 he was elected a director in the
Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of Lenawee County, serving
nine years, and was elected president in October, 1892, which office
holds two years. January 9, 1868, Lewis C. Baker married Miss
Mary Jane Thomas, daughter of Henry and Louisa Thomas, of
Adrian, and three children have been born to them, as follows: Kate
I., born February 7, 1874, a teacher in Chicago public schools; Nor-
ton, born April 23, 1877, married Miss Mattie Starin, November 12,
1896, has one child, Ruth, born June 26, 1898, and resides on the
farm; Maude Ione, born May 18, 1879, married Edward Kohler,
August 22, 1901, has one child, Lewis E., born April 21, 1903.
Mrs. Mary Jane (Thomas) Baker was born in Adrian township,
February 20, 1850. Her parents were natives of Orleans County, N.
Y., and came to Michigan when children. Her father was born
March 24, 1825, came to Michigan when he was eight years old.
Her mother was born March 30, 1827, and died September 28,
1895.
1
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
429
MAJOR JAMES M. HOLLOWAY was born in Adrian, Mich.,
March 20, 1867. His father, Martin Holloway, a native of England,
was born near Bristol, August 25, 1810. He learned the carpenter's
trade in his native place, and followed that business until 1840, when
he came to the United States and settled in Adrian. He resided there
the balance his life, and was an active, honorable and enterprising
citizen. He died Au-
He was
gust 21, 1895.
three times married,
and was the father of
six children. His first
marriages were in
England, but the last
occurred in Tecumseh,
this county, in 1857,
when he married Mar-
garet Stevens, who be-
came the mother of
two sons, Charles M.
and James M. Mrs.
Margaret (Stevens)
Holloway was a native
of the State of New
York, was born in
1826, and came to
Michigan with her
parents, Charles D. and
Theodocia Stevens, in
1828. They settled in
the present township
of Franklin, this
county. She died in
Adrian, June 9, 1885.
Major James M. Hollo-

Major James M. Holloway.
way, subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools and
Brown's Business College of Adrian. At the age of about seventeen
years he went to learn the iron moulders trade at the Adrian Brick
and Tile Machine Company's foundry. He remained with this com-
pany until 1895, when he was elected collector of taxes for the city
of Adrian, and served as collector and treasurer for three years, re-
fusing to continue in the office longer. In the spring of 1898 he was
in the employ of the Page Fence Company, when the call for troops
for the Spanish-American War came out. He had been captain of
of the Adrian Light Guard, known as Company B., First Michigan
Infantry, for some years. The company at once responded to the
call for troops. On the 26th day of April it left Adrian and was
mustered in at Island Lake, as Company B, 31st Michigan Infantry.
The command was immediately sent forward to Chickamauga Park,
430
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Ga. After remaining there four or five months they were ordered
to Knoxville, remaining about three months. They were then or-
dered to Savannah, Ga., where the regiment sailed for Cuba about
January 1, 1899. The regiment remained in Cuba until the end of
the war, and returned home in May, 1899, after a service of some
thirteen months. During his career in Cuba Captain Holloway was
promoted to Major of the 31st Michigan Infantry. Soon after his
return from Cuba Major Holloway was engaged as superintendent of
construction of the Coldwater Cement Works. In July he received a
dispatch from the Adjutant General of Michigan that he had been
recommended as Captain in the 30th U. S. Infantry, for foreign service,
which was declined "with thanks." In the fall of 1900 he became a
salesman for the Page Fence Company, where he remained until Jan-
uary 1, 1902, when he engaged with the American Steel and Wire
Company, of Chicago, with headquarters in Chicago. July 24, 1889,
James M. Holloway married Miss Jennie Garrity, daughter of Patrick
Garrity, of Ann Arbor, and they have three children, as follows: May,
born April 24, 1890; Clarabelle, born March 14, 1892; Genevieve, born
January 10, 1895. Mrs. Jennie Holloway was born July 24, 1865.
Her mother died in her infancy and she has very little knowledge of
her ancestry.
CAPTAIN HENRY N. KING was born in Bridgewater, Wash-
tenaw County, Mich., March 26, 1839. His father, Rufus S. King,
was a native of the State of New York, and was born in the town of
Augusta, Rockland County, where he was married to Miss Mary E.
Nichols, daughter of Solomon Nichols, in 1830. Shortly after his
marriage he came to Michigan and located in Adrian township, this
county. After a short residence here they returned to their old
home in New York, but subsequently returned and located on a farm
in Bridgewater, Washtenaw County. They became the parents of
ten children, five sons and five daughters, our subject being the sec-
ond. Here the family resided and the parents died. Henry N. King,
subject of this sketch, was educated in his native township, in a log
school house, with common slabs for seats. When he was sixteen
years old he left home and went to work on the construction of the
Jackson branch of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad.
In 1855 he went to Clinton, this county, where he learned the trade
of millwright, including that of pattern-making and carpenter and
joiner work. After completing his apprenticeship, he engaged in
business on his own account in Washtenaw County. In 1859 he went
to Adrian, where he followed his trade until 1861. June 15, 1861,
he enlisted as a volunteer soldier and assisted in raising a company
for the Union Army. He was assigned to Company F, 47th Ohio
Infantry, and was commissioned First Lieutenant, first rendezvouing
at Camp Clay, and then at Camp Dennison, Ohio, being ordered to
record of LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
431
the field in West Virginia, August 28, 1861, under general Rose-
crans. The war record of the 47th O. V. V. I. is a most honorable
one, and Captain King participated in nearly every action in which
the regiment was engaged during its nearly four years' service. He
was badly wounded at Resaca, Ga., on May 14, 1864. Following is
a fairly correct list of the battles, skirmishes and incidents the 47th
engaged in from 1861 to 1865:
Battle of Carnifex Ferry, W. Va., Sept. 10, 1861.
Skirmish at Sewall Mountain, W. Va.
Skirmish at Miller's Ferry, W. Va.
Battle of Louisburg, W. Va., May 12, 1862.
Skirmish at Cotton Mountain, Sept. 11, 1862.
Skirmish at Camp Piatt, W. Va., Sept. 12, 1862.
Battle of Charleston, W. Va., Sept. 13, 1862.
Skirmish at Steel's Bayou, Miss., March 24, 1863.
Siege of Vicksburg, May 18, 1863, to July 4, 1863.
Siege of Vicksburg, assault of May 19, 1863.
Siege of Vicksburg, assault of May 22, 1863.
Siege of Jackson, Miss., July 9-16, 1863.
Battle of Mission Ridge, Tenn., Nov. 24-25, 1863.
Skirmish at Snake Creek Gap, Ga., May 10, 1864.
Battle of Resaca, Ga., May 13-16, 1864.
Assault of Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864.
Skirmish of Pumpkin Vine Creek, May 26, 1864.
Battle of Dallas, Ga., May 27–29, 1864.
Skirmish at New Hope Church, Ga., June 1-3, 1864.
Skirmish at Big Shanty, Ga., June 7-8, 1864.
Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Ga., June 9-26, 1864.
Assault of Kennesaw Mountain, Ga., June 27, 1864.
Battle of Nickajack Creek, July 3-4, 1864.
Skirmishing at Chattahoochee River, July 5-10, 1864.
Skirmish at Decatur, Ga., July 18-21, 1864.
Battle of Atlanta-Gen. Hood's first sortie, July 22, 1864.
Battle of Atlanta-(Ezra Chapel) Gen. Hood's second sortie, July 28, 1864.
Siege of Atlanta, July 29 to August 30, 1864.
*Battle of Jonesboro, Ga., August 31 to Sept. 2, 1864.
*September 1st, 1864, Capt. King had command of the regiment, and continued in command
until after the battle of Jonesboro.
After a service of three years and nine months in the army, he
returned to Adrian, November 8, 1864, and at once engaged in con-
tracting and building, which he followed until 1868, when he de-
voted his entire time to stair-building and wood carving, being very
successful in that line of work, and finding ready employment in
Michigan, Ohio, and as far west as Omaha, Nebraska, where he ex-
ecuted the carved work in the court house. He followed this work
until 1888, when he accepted the proffered position of superin-
tendent of construction by the American Water Works Company.
432
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
He went to Omaha December 24, 1888, and took charge of the con-
struction of the water works system there under contract, and built
the pumping station at Florence, six miles north of the city. He also
erected nearly four thousand feet of river work on the Old Muddy,
which stands today as a monument to his skill in engineering. This
entire plant cost $4,000,000. He superintended the construction of
the Alton, Ill., water works, and the Denver, Colorado, works, which
cost $2,000,000. Captain King made the plans for the Fort Worth,
Texas, water works, and was
consulting engineer during the
construction, and the Ameri-
can Water Works Company
received $5,000 for his services.
Mr. King remained with this
company for four years, or
until 1891, when, owing to the
financial depression, the busi-
ness was suspended and Mr.
King returned to Adrian.
Soon after his return home he
again engaged in architecture,
contracting and building. He
erected the first steel building
put up in Adrian, for the
Lamb Fence Company. Feb-
ruary 26, 1899, he accepted the
position of superintendent and
mechanical engineer of the
Bond Steel Post Company, of
Adrian, which position he still
occupies. He is, the inventor
and patentee of the Rural
Mail Box that is manufactured
by the company, and which
has met with such a large sale
throughout the United States.
He is also the originator and patentee of the street signs and United
States city letter box and letter box fastener, for attaching the letter
box to the Bond post. April 4, 1864, while at home on a veteran
furlough, Captain H. N. King married Miss Frances E. Bolles,
daughter of Frederick E. and Sarah A. Bolles, of Chelsea, Washte-
naw County, Mich., and they have had four children, as follows:
Frederick E., born September 20, 1868, died February 13, 1896;
Mary Adelaide, born March 27, 1871, died August 5, 1871; Harry
R., born May 2, 1872, and resides in Chicago; Florence B., born
February 8, 1880, at home. Mrs. Frances E. (Bolles) King was
born in Chelsea, Mich., August 27, 1839. Her parents were pioneers
of Washtenaw County, settling in the town of Sylvan in 1837.

Capt. Henry N. King.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
433
DEACON OLIVER C. HOTCHKISS was among the first
settlers of the Bean Creek Valley, settling in Medina with his par-
ents in 1834. We are pleased to be able to show good portraits of


Mrs. Mary Hotchkiss.
Oliver C. Hotchkiss.
Mr. Hotchkiss and his worthy wife. For a full family history see
Whitney & Bonner's History and Biographical Record of Lenawee
County, Vol. 2, page 470.
WELLINGTON C. SMITH was born in Fairfield, Lenawee
County, Mich., January 1, 1845. His father, Nelson Smith, was
born in Macedon, Wayne County, N. Y., March 21, 1815. His father,
Ezekiel Smith, a native of Acton, Mass., was born in 1779, being
the son of Ezekiel Smith, who was born in 1756, and was an active
patriot all through the Revolutionary period of the nation's struggle
for liberty. October 5, 1841, Nelson Smith married Mrs. Delia
(Morris) Dunn, widow of Jefferson Dunn, and they had three chil-
dren, as follows: Mary E., born August 28, 1842, married Samuel
D. McKenzie, of Adrian; Wellington C.; Fanny, born October 23,
1846, died October 3, 1865. [For full particulars of Mrs. Delia
(Morris) Smith, who died July 26, 1895, at the home of her daugh-
ter, in Adrian, at the age of 91 years, see Whitney & Bonner's His-
tory and Biographical Record of Lenawee County, Vol. 2, pages
28
434
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
170-1-2, and Vol. 1, pages 472-3.] Wellington C. Smith has
always resided in Fairfield township and now lives in the village of
Weston. He was brought up a farmer, and still owns the farm he
was born on in Section 6, now known as Fruit Ridge. His father
being interested in horticulture and engaged to some extent in the
nursery business, he early developed a taste for fruit and flower de-
velopment. For many years he gave his attention largely to farm-

Mr. and Mrs. Wellington Smith, Weston.
ing, but in 1890 he moved to Weston, having in 1883 erected a cold
storage building there for the purpose of handling and shipping fruit.
In good fruit years he has shipped as many as 18,000 barrels. In
years when the crop was short at home he has shipped in, either
from New York or Missouri, as many as 10,000 barrels, to supply
the home market. He has an orchard in Weston containing 800
apple trees, and 2,000 peach trees of the choicest varieties. In 1888
he erected at Weston a first-class fruit evaporator, which has been
successfully carried on ever since. In 1891 he became interested in
the manufacture of the Weston Windmill, which has proved eminently
satisfactory to all patrons, and is still engaged in its manufac-
ture. January 1, 1874, Wellington C. Smith married Miss Elizabeth
A. Poucher, daughter of Abram and Laura A. (McKenzie) Poucher,
and they have five children, as follows: Fanny E., born May 26,
1877, married, August 27, 1894, William Younglove, and resides in
Adrian, but are both engaged as teachers in the Industrial School at
Lansing; Mary E., born February 27, 1879, married, June 29, 1898,
Rev. Walter E. Burnett, of Detroit Conference M. E. church, and
has one son; Laura D., born January 5, 1881, at home; Nelson,
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
435
born February 10, 1891, at home; Morris A., born April 19, 1893, at
home. Mrs. Elizabeth A. (Poucher) Smith was born in Seneca,
Lenawee County, Mich., November 25, 1857. Her father was a na-
tive of Claverock, Columbia County, N. Y., and was the son of An-
drew and Elizabeth (Miller) Poucher. They came to Michigan in
1846 and settled in Adrian. [See Anthony Poucher's record in Vol.
2, Whitney & Bonner's History and Biographical Record of Lena-
wee County.]
GEORGE WASHINGTON LARWILL, son of Jeremiah and
Susanna Langdon Larwill, was born January 2, 1840, at Brixham-on-
Tor-Bay, on the coast of Devonshire, England, one of the most beauti-
ful and historic spots on the shores of the United Kingdom. On the
jetty of the port today stands a massive lime-stone shaft bearing
the words: "On or near this spot William, Prince of Orange, first
put foot on English soil." The brief but bloody warfare that fol-
lowed the debut of the Dutch adventurer is embalmed in history.
The mother came of good old South of England ancestry. The pa-
ternal predecessors were among the Huguenot refugees who flocked
to England with the remnant of their fortunes, following the at-
tempted massacres. The name will be recognized as an anglicized
corruption of a prominent French Patronymic. Larwill Pere was a
great admirer of American institutions, as the selection of our sub-
ject's name will indicate. In 1850, after several previous visits, he
emigrated with his family and settled in Brooklyn, N. Y. There
were five children: John Clark, now of Cleveland; Susie M. South-
gate, San Francisco; George W., Adrian; Alfred Langdon, Brook-
lyn, N. Y., and Clara A., now of Cleveland. George received such
limited educational advantages as could be expected at his age, after a
brief period spent in the common schools of two countries. At the age
of 12 he absented himself one day without leave and took a position
as boy in the press room of the Brooklyn Times. Here he remained
eleven years, gradually advancing to the position of city editor.
During this interval he mastered the art of short-hand, and by dili-
gent use of the "midnight oil" remedied some of the deficiencies.
of his earlier education. From '61 to '63, he was associated with
William Wood, a brilliant young English journalist, in the publica-
tion of the Rome, N. Y., Sentinel, a paper which had been founded
by Mr. Ralph Waldby. Here he formed a friendship with the late
T. S. Applegate, which continued 30 years without interruption.
In the fall of '63 the young men mentioned came to Adrian and asso-
ciated themselves with the pioneer printer and publisher, R. W.
Ingalls, in the issuance of the daily and weekly Watchtower, under
the firm name of Larwill, Applegate & Co. A year later he sold
out to his associates, to accept a responsible situation in St. Louis.
436
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
His profound and practical knowledge of the printing art and all
the details of journalism made him too desirable a man to spare and
he was induced to remain. This he has done through various rota-
tions of management, and as he has jocularly expressed it, after con-
tinuous service of forty years, he "expects to die in the harness."
While making no sort of personal pretentions, Mr. Larwill is a man.
of more than average versatility. Besides being an expert in the
printing art, he is a ready and graceful writer, a reliable reporter, a
clever mechanician, a poet, composer and musician. Although pos-
sessing no ambition for personal prominence, he has filled one or
two local offices, and for a quarter of a century been an active figure
in public affairs. In 1860, November 14, he was married in Brook-
lyn, N. Y., to Annie I. Pickard, a native of Bedworth, Warwickshire,
England. Her father was an extensive ribbon manufacturer, the
first to utilize the Jacquard loom in Great Britain, in the face of
bitter social and trade opposition. He conceived the idea of
bringing that important industry to America. In 1850, with his
family, a fine complement of machinery and a little company of his
most expert workers, he embarked for New York, on the sailing ship
Roscius. The voyage was one of the most tragic in trans-Atlantic
history. Beset by storms, the vessel made very little headway.
Ship fever broke out in the over-crowded craft, and for days in succes-
sion each setting sun saw the burial of the dead at sea. Mr. and Mrs.
Pickard and other members of the little industrial colony succumbed.

Residence of George W. Larwill, No. 11 Front Street, Adrian.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
437
The captain, first and second mates, and ship's doctor followed their
unfortunate charges. Water and provisions became short, and
finally, after three months' struggle for preservation in the face of
the most hopeless odds, the ill-starred ship was taken into New
York by the third mate, a mere boy, aided by a passenger with some
knowledge of navigation, and the survivors of the ship's crew. Can-
non were fired and flags displayed when the weather-beaten barque
sailed up New York bay. And this divergence marked the first
practical attempt at ribbon-making in America. Three children.
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Larwill: Minnie S., at Rome, N. Y.,
September 24, 1861; Harry L., at the same place, September 28,
1863; Isabel, at Adrian, February 13, 1868. Minnie became the
wife of Maurice S. Knapp, September 17, 1890, and passed away one
year later. Harry L. was elected Judge of Probate for the County
of Lenawee, and assumed the responsibilities of his office January 1,
1901. On the third day of September, 1889, he was united in mar-
riage to Miss Josephine Hardy. Two sons have come to complement
he family circle, Langdon H. and George R. Isabel performs the
duties incident to the office of Probate Register. All three were
graduates of Adrian High School.
ALFRED EDWARDS was born in the city of Adrian, October
19, 1843. His father, Daniel S. Edwards, was born in Glenville,
Schenectady County, N. Y., February 8, 1807, being the son of
Henry, born April 24, 1768, and Sally (Baker) Edwards, born Au-
gust 22, 1769, at East Hampton, Long Island, N. Y. The ancestors
of the Edwards family were Welch. The ancestors of Sarah (Baker)
Edwards came from England and settled on Long Island, New
York. Daniel S. Edwards came to Michigan in 1837 and settled in
Adrian. In his youth he learned the carpenter's trade in Ballston,
N. Y., and followed that business in Adrian until 1850, when he
purchased a farm on Section 30, in Adrian township, where he re-
sided until 1872, when he went to Rome Center. He resided there
for a few years, and removed to Adrian, where he lived until his
death, May 14, 1885. He was a prominent citizen of his township,
and filled many positions of trust. He served many years as Justice
of the Peace and Notary Public. October 20, 1836, Daniel S. Ed-
wards at Gorham, Ontario County, N. Y., married Miss Caroline A.
Foskett, and they had five childen, Alfred being the third. Mrs.
Caroline A. (Foskett) Edwards was born in Pompey, Onondaga
County, N. Y., September 2, 1807, and died in Adrian, November
22, 1850. Her father, James Foskett, was a native of Connecticut,
and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He married Miss McClure,
who was a native of Scotland, and became the mother of seven
438
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
children. Alfred Edwards, subject of this sketch, was about six
years old when his father purchased the farm in Adrian township.
He was educated in the country schools and about two terms at the
Normal School at Ypsilanti. He has always been a farmer and now
owns his father's homestead on Section 30, in Adrian. His resi-
dence is a stone house, built by his father in 1857, and he has the
most vivid recollection of picking up stone all over the farm and
piling them up ready for use in the structure. Since Mr. Edwards
arrived at manhood he has been active in public affairs, and has
been a candidate for public office many times. He is a prominent

Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Edwards, Adrian township.
Granger and was the first master of Adrian Grange. In 1897 the
Patrons' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Lenawee County was
organized, and Mr. Edwards was elected president, which position
he still holds. He has been a successful farmer, and now owns 260
acres of land, having sold one farm in 1903. February 29, 1872,
Alfred Edwards married Miss Julia Elizabeth Knight, daughter of
William and Anna (Smead) Knight, of Adrian township, and six
children, the first of whom died in infancy, have been born to them
as follows: Gertrude Agnes, born August 13, 1876, graduated from
Michigan University in June, 1901, and married, December 25, 1902,
Lee Mighell, a lawyer of Aurora, Ill.; Merrick Knight, born June 25,
1880, just graduated from the Michigan University; Sarah Elizabeth,
born December 21, 1881, just graduated from the Michigan University;
Mary Sophia, born September 23, 1884, student at Michigan Univer-
sity; Julia Caroline, born February 13, 1887, student at Adrian High
School. Mrs. Julia Elizabeth (Knight) Edwards was born in Adrian
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
439
township, Lenawee County, January 2, 1845. She was a graduate
under Prof. Estabrook, at Ypsilanti, and was a student at the Mich-
igan University, she being the first lady freshman to be admitted.
Her father, William Knight, was an early settler of Adrian town-
ship, locating there in 1834. He first took up land in Rome, but
afterwards exchanged for land on Section 18, in Adrian, which he
owned until his death in November, 1901. He was a native of Mas-
sachusetts, and was born at Northampton, January 17, 1807. He
was the son of Erastus Knight, whose father, Joshua Knight, came
from England and settled in Connecticut. William Knight was a
prominent resident of Adrian township for over 67 years. December
24, 1834, William Knight married Miss Anna Smead, daughter of
Rufus and Anna (Hawks) Smead, and they had seven children,
Mrs. Edwards being the fourth child. Mrs. Anna (Smead) Knight
was born September 14, 1810, and died July 4, 1885. She came to
Michigan with her parents, from Massachusetts, in 1834. She was
a pupil of Miss Mary Lyon before the founding of Mt. Holyoke Col-
lege, at South Hadley, Mass.

was
JOHN I. KNAPP
born in Ridgeway, Orleans
County, N. Y., November
24, 1825, and was the first
white child to be born within
the present limits of the
village of Medina, N. Y.
His father, John Knapp,
was born in Mamaroneck,
Westchester County, N. Y.,
August 22, 1785. He was
the son of Peter and Dina
(Guyon) Knapp, who were
natives of Westchester
County. Peter Knapp was
born February 25, 1755, and
married Dina Guyon, May
18, 1775. He was the direct
descendant of Nicholas
Knapp, an Englishman, who
settled in Westchester
County, N. Y., in 1630, and
died there in April, 1670.
Peter Knapp was a revolu-
tionary soldier, and served
in Captain Abram Mead's
company, and marched to
John and Mamre Knapp.
440
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
the relief of Boston, being in the battle of Lexington. He was
discharged from the service as Corporal, June 23, 1777. He
afterwards became a private in the Westchester County Militia,
Third Regiment, Captain Samuel Haight, becoming a "Minute
Man," which carried with it land bounty rights, as shown in "New
York in the War of the Revolution." About the year 1806 he re-
moved to Onondaga County and took up land in Spafford township
on his land warrant. Here his family grew up, and he died there
April 13, 1839. His wife, Dina Guyon bore him twelve children,
John Knapp being the fifth child. She was born May 7, 1757, and
died October 17, 1835. John Knapp was raised a farmer, and first
commenced in Onondaga County, but finally went to Ridgeway in
Orleans County and purchased a farm. He resided there until May,
1834, when he came to Michigan, bringing his family of wife and
three children, and all his possessions with his own horse team, and
finally settled on the w½ ne 4 of Section 2, in Medina, this county.
He came in company with Cook Hotchkiss, his brother-in-law, and

2
00000
6000
000
3
John I. Knapp's Family: No. 1, Mrs. Ellen (Willey) Knapp; No. 2, her daughter, M. Adella, nee
Kedzie; No. 3, Hattie E., nee Lambie; No. 4, Frank W. Knapp.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
441
they took up the ne 4 of Sec. 2. Mr. Knapp cleared up his farm, and
lived there until 1841, when he sold out to the Medina Milling Com-
pany, and removed to Fairfield, purchasing two hundred acres on
Sections 19 and 20, where the village of Weston now stands. He
resided there until 1870, when he became feeble in health, and went
to Adrian to reside with his son, John I., where he died January
17, 1874. February 13, 1806, John Knapp married Miss Mamre
Hotchkiss, daughter of John C. and Mary (Chittenden) Hotch-
kiss, of Delhi, Delaware County, N. Y., and they were the
parents of eight children, as follows: Mary C., born October 25,
1807, died August 13, 1826; Hannah I., born December 6, 1809.
Still living, (1903) in Yates, Orleans County, N. Y., married John
Gambel, and is the mother of nine children; Amos S., born Febru-
ary 24, 1812, died in Napa, Cal., January 15, 1898; Nancy C., born
February 3, 1815, died October 11, 1830; Abigail, born April 18,
1817, married John D. Sutton, was the mother of nine children, and
died May 9, 1896; Lauren H., born April 7, 1820, died August 2,
1822; Lauren H., Second, born February 26, 1823, died April 7,
1836, being the first death in the township of Medina; John I., as
above. Mrs. Mamre (Hotchkiss) Knapp was born in Cheshire, Conn.,
May 30, 1786, and died in Adrian, July 27, 1877. John I. Knapp,
subject of this sketch, lived with his parents on the farm in Fair-
field, assisted in clearing up the land, and followed farming. In
November, 1860, he was elected Treasurer of Lenawee County, and
removed to the City of Adrian in January, 1861, to assume the duties
of his office. He was re-elected in the campaigns of 1862 and 1864,
serving six years in all. He followed different lines of business after
retiring from office until 1870, when he entered the U. S. mail ser-
vice, and for two years served as railway mail clerk. In 1873 he was
promoted to the office of Postoffice Inspector at large, succeeding
Charles Redfield, removed, no special field being assigned to him,
and holding the office four years. During Mr. Knapp's service as
special agent many important cases were entrusted to him. One in
particular, where two postal clerks were dismissed from the service,
being suspected of robbing the mail of registered letters. After a
thorough investigation it was found that the thefts had been made
in a certain important postoffice, and that the postmaster was the
guilty party, who had at the same time robbed his office clerks of
their stipend by false reports to the government. Through Mr.
Knapp's efforts the suspected postal clerks were exonerated and re-
instated, one of whom traveled several hundred miles to come to
Adrian to thank Mr. Knapp for his efficient work on the case.
Knapp's official career was one of fidelity and hard work, and was
the means of breaking up many bad features in the mail service. The
department at Washington recognized his salutary labors, and in
acknowledgment of his services on one occasion he received the fol-
lowing letter:
Mr.
442
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
POSTOFFICE DEPARTMENT,
OFFICE CHIEF OF DIVISION,
SPECIAL AGENTS AND MAIL DEPREDATIONS.
WASHINGTON, August 5, 1873.
I have also received the copy of "Doctor Young's Marriage Guide," which I
shall place in the hands of Special Agent Comstock, of New York, whose especial
business it is to attend to cases of that kind. You and he have rendered more
efficient service in breaking up this kind of traffic than all the other agents for a
few years past, and I trust your success will encourage you to persevere in break-
ing up the establishments of all who are engaged in this immoral and debasing
business.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
C. COCHRAN, JR.,
Chief Division.
In 1880 Mr. Knapp engaged in the mannfacture of brick and tile
machinery with the late James Farrar and J. C. McKenzie. In 1883,
March 9, the factory then located on Winter street, Adrian, was en-


John I. Knapp.
Mrs. S. Viola (Wood) Knapp.
tirely destroyed by fire, the firm sustaining a loss of about $20,000.
Immediately after this disastrous fire, which destroyed all patterns
and machinery, steps were taken to rebuild, and during the summer
of 1883 the large structure now known as the Brick and Tile Machine
Works, was built and supplied with new machinery and appoint-
ments. This is one of the largest foundery and machine shops in
Southern Michigan, being 304x60 feet, two stories high, and 1,250,000
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
443
brick were used. Mr. Knapp remained in the business about
eighteen years. Since 1897 Mr. Knapp has not been engaged in any
line of business. In March, 1902, he commenced the arduous work,
in connection with Mr. R. I. Bonner, of soliciting, compiling and
publishing this volume, in commemoration of his long life as a citi-
zen and pioneer of Lenawee County. He came to the county before
he was nine years old, and has resided here, boy and man, ever
since. He has outlived all of his business associates, and now, in
his 79th year, is as rugged and ambitious as he was thirty years be-
fore. Mr. Knapp has been a member of the Lenawee County Pio-
neer Society since its organization, and has been the president of the
society during the past four years. He is also a vice president of the
State Pioneer Society. April 24, 1851, John I. Knapp married Miss
Ellen Willey, daughter of Henrick and Lois (Harrison) Willey, of
Blissfield, and they became the parents of five children, as follows:
Mary C., born in Fairfield, March 10, 1852, and died July 29, 1856;
M. Adella, born February 9, 1855, married George E. Kedzie April
12, 1881, and four children were born to them, as follows: Rose-
mond H., born in Denver, Colorado, June 15, 1884; Malcolm K.,

Residence of John I. Knapp, No. 41 Maumee Street, Adrian.
444
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
born in Ouray, Col., August 26, 1888; Margaret A., born same
place, September 21, 1889; Robert S., born in Durango, Mex., April
8, 1898, and resides in Lansing, Mich. Harriet E., born in same
place, January 1, 1858, married John C. Lambie, January 10, 1883, and
they had three children, as follows: Ellen J., born in Adrian, Mich.,
October 27, 1883; John K., born July 12, 1886; Josephine W., born May
3, 1889. John C. Lambie died in Adrian, March 25, 1893; Herbert,
born December 29, 1860, and died December 30, 1863; Frank W.,
born in Adrian, August 8, 1865, married Miss Maud Hotchkiss, has
one daughter and resides in Denver, Colorado. Mrs. Ellen (Willey)
Knapp was born at Potsdam, N. Y., July 30, 1829. She came to
Michigan with her parents in 1836, settling in Blissfield, this county
She died while on a visit to her daughter, Mrs. Kedzie, in Chi-
huahua, Colo. Her father, Henrick Willey, was born in 1788, and
January 12, 1812, married Miss Lois Harrison, at North Adams, Mass.,
where she was born. They had nine children, as follows: Rich-
ard H., born November 26, 1812, died in infancy; Catherine D., born
January 22, 1814, married Obed F. Worth, November 28, 1841, and
died in Blissfield, November 30, 1845; Cornelia Maria, born Novem-
ber 27, 1815, married Ormal Sackett, January 8, 1837, died in Bliss-
field, July 20, 1848; George H., born December 31, 1817, married
Maria Valentine in November, 1845, and died in Blissfield February
20, 1848; Job, born February 5, 1821, married Miss Rachel Worth,
December 24, 1845, and died in Blissfield; Almond, born October 28,
1823; died October 21, 1825; Jerusha, born September 11, 1827, died
October 6, 1841, in Blissfield; Ellen, as above; Mary, born December
22, 1831, died February 25, 1835. Mrs. Lois (Harrison) Willey died
in Blissfield, June 9, 1871. Henrick Willey died in Royalton, Ohio,
in August, 1859. Job Willey was a merchant all his life, and was
successful, amassing a large property, but in the latter part of his
life met with heavy losses. He was an upright, exemplary man, be-
3060
The Kedzie Family: Rosamond H., Malcolm K., Margaret A. and Robert S., grand-

children of John I. and Ellen Knapp.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
445
ing highly esteemed by all who knew him. June 18, 1885, John I.
Knapp married Miss S. Viola Wood, daughter of Zebina and Huldah
Wood, of Adrian. She was born in Columbia, Loraine County,
Ohio, May 3, 1838, and came to Michigan in 1840 with her parents,
settling in Wheatland, Hillsdale County. Her father, Zebina Wood,
was born in Macedon, Wayne County, N. Y., August 14, 1805, and
married Miss Huldah Church in 1831. They had three daughters,
as follows: Mrs. S. Viola Knapp, as above; Mrs. Sarah V. Stowell,
born in Wheatland, Hillsdale County, December 29, 1840, resides in
New York City; Emma C., born same place, July 7, 1848, now Mrs.
A. M. Clark. Zebina Wood died in Adrian, Mich., May 18, 1875, and
his wife, born in Ontario, N. Y., July 19, 1806, died in Adrian August
10, 1895. At the opening of the State Industrial Home for Girls at
Adrian, in 1881, Mrs. John I. Knapp, then Miss S. Viola Wood, was
the first officer appointed by the Board of Control. After serving four
years as Matron, she received the following upon her resignation:
INDUSTRIAL HOME, May 7, 1885.
MY DEAR MISS WOOD:
I am requested by the Board of Control to send you this expression of their
friendship. The resolution was adopted upon receiving your resignation as
Matron of Central Cottage:
Resolved, That the Board of Control in accepting the resignation of Miss
Viola Wood desire to express their appreciation of the faithfulness with which
for four years she has discharged the onerous duties pertaining to her position
here. Coming into the service as she did, with the opening of the institution,
we cannot but feel that the degree of success which has been attained in carrying
out the charitable intention of the State is, in a large measure, due to her wise
counsels and efficient labors.
The Members of the Board of Control of "The State Industrial Home for
Girls."
Ever your friend,
ELIZA S. STEBBINS,
Clerk of Board.

The Lambie Family: Ellen, John K. and Josephine, grandchildren of John I. and Ellen Knapp.
446
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
WILLIS E. ALCHIN was born in Rollin, Lenawee County,
Mich., November 22, 1855, and has always lived on the shore of
Round Lake. His father, Thomas Alchin, was born in Maidstone,
Kent, England, October 29, 1823. He was the son of Charles and
Mary Alchin, who were the parents of eleven children, Thomas be-
ing the seventh child. Charles Alchin was a farmer in England,
but came to the United States in 1830 with his family, first settling
in Western New York. They resided there until 1844, when another
move was made, and the family came to Michigan and settled on
Section 14, in Rollin, this county. After several years' residence he
finally sold out and moved to Bushnell, Montcalm County, where
he died in 1879. He was twice married, his first wife dying of par-
alysis in 1848. Thomas Alchin was about twenty-one years old
when he came to Michigan, and soon after purchased land on Sec-
tion 14, and settled on the bank of Round Lake. He was always a
farmer, and a thrifty, honorable man. In 1854 he united with the
Methodist Episcopal church, being ever after an active, earnest and
consistent Christian worker. Before coming to Michigan, he met
with an accident by falling from a load of wheat. In falling he
struck upon his head, dislocating his neck in such a manner as to
turn his face over onto his left shoulder. He lay in that condition for
about twenty-four hours before a physician could be found who could
perform the operation of setting his neck back in place. Strange to
say, he survived the shock, and lived to a good old age, dying at his
home in Rollin, July 23, 1901. October 21, 1847, Thomas Alchin
married Miss Mary S. Town, daughter of Nathan and Irene (Tomp-
kins) Town, of Rollin, and they had two children, as follows: Cor-
nelia G., born March 18, 1849, married F. M. Griswold, October 21,
1878, has eight children, and resides in Hudson, this county; Willis
E., as above. Mrs. Mary S. (Town) Alchin was born in Norwich,
Ontario, Canada, October 29, 1828. Her father, Dr. Nathan Town,
was born in Berkshire County, Mass., July 15, 1792. His father
was of Irish extraction and always lived in Massachusetts. His
mother was of Scotch extraction and always lived in Massachusetts.
Nathan Town lived in Massachusetts until he was a young man,
when he went to the State of New York. He only lived there a short
time when he went to Norwich, London district, (now Oxford
County,) Canada, where he settled and lived until 1838. When he
was a young man he studied medicine, and after his location in
Canada, commenced to practice and was a successful physician. In
1836, what is familiarly known as the "Patriot War," broke out,
and the doctor was in sympathy with the patriots. In 1837 he was
arrested on a charge of treason and imprisoned in the Hamilton jail
for nine months, when he, with others, was sentenced to be hung.
A short time before the day set for the hanging a reprieve came
from Queen Victoria, and he was banished from the Province. He
was compelled to leave before he could settle his affairs or get his
family ready to move. He immediately went to Detroit, arriving
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
447
there in November, 1838, where he remained until his family came.
He then went to Hanover, Jackson County, where he lived until the
following spring, and in May, 1839, located government land on the
shore of Round Lake, in Rollin, this county, on Section 11, where he
lived until his death, which occurred October 28, 1854. The doctor
did very little at farming, but devoted his entire attention to the
practice of medicine, which he followed up to the time of his last
sickness. He was the second physician to locate in Rollin, Dr. Hall
being the first. March 25, 1813, he married Miss Irene Tompkins,
of Herkimer County, New York, who when young associated with
the renowned Beecher family, by whom he had six children, as fol-
lows: Eliza, born January 23, 1817, was the wife of Orin Avery.
She died in Norwich, Canada, July 9, 1838; Julia, born August 31,
1819, was the wife of Abram Swartout, and died in Denham, Canada,
October 3, 1876; Cornelia, born December 10, 1821, married W. B.
DeLong of Norwich, Canada, and died October 5, 1889; George F.,
born April 5, 1825, a farmer of Rollin, died February 5, 1890; Mary,
S., as above; William B., born July 23, 1830, was a graduate of Mich-
igan University and became a prominent physician. At the death of
his father he took up his practice in Rollin, occupied the old home-
stead, and for about fifty years was engaged as an active physician.
He died at his home in Rollin, March 31, 1903. All of the children
were born in Norwich, Canada. Mrs. Irene Town was born in Wat-
erbury, Connecticut, May 11, 1793, and died in Rollin, July, 1859.
October 27, 1853, Dr. William B. Town married Miss Elmina C.
Smith, daughter of Americus and Martha (Beal) Smith, pioneers of
Lenawee County. Mrs. Elmina Town was born in Fairfield, this
county, August 29, 1835, and now, 1904, resides in Hudson. August
13, 1879, Willis E. Alchin married Miss Alice D. Briggs, born April
13, 1860, daughter of Oris and Adelia (Field) Briggs, of Mottville,
Mich. Mr. Alchin has always been a farmer, but has found time
to give attention to public duties. When a young man he taught
school for several terms. In politics he has always been a Democrat,
and from 1884 to 1888 he was Deputy Sheriff under A. K. Whitmore,
and from 1898 to 1900, under John C. Iffland. He now resides on
the homestead on the bank of Round Lake, so long occupied by his
grandfather, Dr. Nathan Town, and his uncle, Dr. William B.
Town.
GRANT FELLOWS was born in Hudson township, Lenawee
County, Mich., April 13, 1865. His father, Nelson H. Fellows, and
his mother, Sarah M. Perry, were both natives of New York, and
early settlers in Medina, this county. Grant Fellows was educated
in the public schools of Hudson, and read law in the office of L. R.
Pierson of that city. He was admitted to the bar December 11,
wile kaur
448
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL

Grant Fellows.
1886, and opened a law office in the city of Hudson, January 1, 1887,
where he is now practicing his profession. He formed a co-partner-
ship with B. D. Chandler in the spring of 1890, which partnership
continues to the present time. This is one of the prominent law
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
449
firms of Southern Michigan, and especially of Hudson and Lenawee
County. Mr. Fellows is a strong advocate and able pleader at the
bar, and is acknowledged to be among the most eloquent public
speakers in Michigan. He is an active and energetic Republican
politician, and has for many years taken a prominent part in State
and National political campaigns. On the hustings he is sought
after by his party leaders, and has devoted much time and energy to
public speaking in this and other States. He is a Mason, a Knight
of Pythias and an Elk, and has never held or sought public office.
JOHN D. SUTTON was born in Brutus, Cayuga County, N.
Y., April 13, 1803. He was the son of Jeremiah and Hannah
(Smally) Sutton, of Sussex County, N. J. Jeremiah Sutton was
born in Sussex, August 8, 1774, and died May 8, 1848. His wife,
Hannah, was born in the same county, July 6, 1780, and died

Mr. and Mrs. John D. Sutton.
June 23, 1855. John D. Sutton came to Michigan in the winter of
1835-6, and took up 160 acres of land on Section 11, in Medina,
where he resided until his death, which occurred July 25, 1877.
He cleared up and improved 140 acres, built good buildings and
raised a large family. He was a thorough farmer, an honor-
29
450
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
In
able and enterprising man, and a highly respected citizen.
the early days of the settlement he never shirked a duty or respon-
sibility, and was progressive and ready for any service. Septem-
ber 18, 1836, John D. Sutton married Miss Abigail Knapp, daughter
of John and Mamre (Hotchkiss)
Lewis I. Sutton.
Mrs. Alice Sutton.
Knapp, of Medina, this county.
This was the first wedding to
take place in the township.
There was not a minister in
that portion of the county at
that time, and the ceremony
was performed by Deacon
Cook Hotchkiss, the first Jus-
tice of the Peace elected in the
township. They became the
parents of nine children, as
follows: Mamre A., born
May 10, 1839, and died in Har-
vey, Ill., in October, 1891;
William M., born July 2, 1841,
enlisted in Company I, 11th
Michigan Infantry, in 1862,
and died at Bardstown, Ky.,
of measles, January 21, 1863;
Martha J., born October 13,
1843, married S. W. Curtis,
and resides in Hudson, this
county; Lewis I., born July
26, 1846; Millard F., born
September 13, 1849; Hannah,
born January 6, 1852, died at
the age of four years; Ellen
S., married Abram Luyster,
and resides at Pasadena, Cal.;
Mary, born September 6, 1858,
died in infancy; Charles W.,
born October 25, 1861. Lewis
I. Sutton, who now owns the
old homestead on Section 11,
in Medina, has retired from
active business and now re-
sides in Clayton Village. No-
vember 11, 1868, Mr. Sutton
married Miss Alice Camburn,
daughter of John and Marga-
ret Camburn, of Seneca, this
county. Two children were
born to them as follows: Hat-
tie, born September 19, 1869,


RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
451
married A. S. Baker, November 28, 1895, resided in Clayton,
had one daughter, born April 5, 1902. Mrs. Baker died Novem-
ber 14, 1902; Fred, born August 15, 1878, and resides in Clayton.
Mrs. Alice (Camburn) Sutton was born in Seneca, this county,
April 26, 1846. Her parents were among the very first settlers in
Medina township, and her father outlived all the original pioneers
of the township. [Since the above was written Mr. Lewis I. Sutton
has died, passing away at his home January 12, 1904.]
A PIONEER MILL. The engraving here presented shows the
old "Red Mill," which was erected by Addison J. Comstock and his
brother-in-law, Isaac Dean, in 1829. It was the second flouring mill
to be put in operation west of Monroe or Toledo.
The first mill in Lenawee County was built by Wing, Evans &
Brown, in Tecumseh, in 1826. It is truthfully related that a rock
was found about a mile and a half from the mill site, which was
worked into a mill-stone and used for several years, being capable
of grinding ten bushels of grain per hour. This mill at Tecumseh
was one of the very first in the interior of Michigan Territory.
The old "Red Mill" at Adrian, was the second, and proved a
great advantage to all the incoming settlers. For some years after

Old Red Mill, erected in 1829.
452
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
its successful operation, it became a source of flour supply for the
first settlers who located in this region, and as far west as Cold-
water, and in some instances, White Pigeon Prairie and Goshen,
Ind.
The original structure was quite small. By reference to the en-
graving it can be easily seen where a large addition was later built
on. It was for many years operated by water, but as the water sup-
ply became inadequate and unreliable, steam power was added. The
building was destroyed by fire November 25, 1884, but the original
stone foundation of one of the oldest "land marks" in Lenawee
County can still be seen.
RICHARD I. BONNER was born in Pembroke, Genesee
County, N. Y., March 7, 1838. His father, Thomas E. Bonner, was
born in London, England, in 1804, where he lived until he was old.
enough to be put to a trade, when he was sent to Bath and appren-
ticed to a locksmith and brass-worker. He served seven years ap-
prenticeship, and returned to London, where he was engaged in his
business until 1830. He received three valuable medals from differ-
ent industrial societies, and the highest commendations from the
industrial journals of London, for his workmanship and improve-
ments in locks. He was also a designer and engraver on wood or
metal, and taught drawing at one time in London. He came to
America in 1830, and settled in the city of New York, where he
opened a business place and manufactured locks and brass work, and
followed designing and engraving. There were only three other
engravers in the city at that time. He subsequently went to Newark,
N. J., and carried on an extensive business until 1834, when he
moved to Buffalo, and in company with John W. Davock, did a large
business until 1839, when, owing to ill-health, he sold out and came
to Michigan, settling in Livingston County, where he purchased a
farm. He afterwards disposed of his farm and went to Ypsilanti
and engaged in business. In 1845 he moved to Tecumseh. In 1846.
he came to Adrian, and moved his family there April 1, 1847. He
carried on a brass foundry and general jobbing shop in Adrian un-
til the spring of 1851, when, owing to ill-health he again sold out
and started for Oregon, but died at Vevay, Ind., at the home of his
brother-in-law, John Henry, May 17, 1851. He was one of the first
in Adrian to have his life insured, and the policy was one of the
first paid. He had many warm friends wherever he was known;
was social, companionable and generous, with a fund of knowledge
on all subjects that interested or agitated the people during his life-
time, that made his society sought after, and his opinions and judg-
ment valuable. He was, undoubtedly, the most skillful and best me-
chanic, in every sense of the term, that could be found in the West,
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
453
at the time of his death. He was an expert in all branches of metal
working, a great lover of art, and was possessed of a peculiar genius
for engraving, drafting and inventing new designs and models. De-
cember 25, 1828, he married, at St. Luke's church, in the Parish of
St. Luke, London, Miss Mary Wynn, by whom he had four children,
as follows: Mary A., born in the Parish of Shoreditch, London,
December 1, 1829, married John Armstrong; Elizabeth, born in


Richard I. Bonner.
Mrs. Margaret M. Bonner.
Newark, N. J., July 22, 1831, married Samuel Mandeville; Thomas
E., born in Newark, N. J., October 8, 1832, resides in California;
Samuel George, died an infant. Mrs. Mary Bonner was born in
London, and died in Buffalo, N. Y., November 20, 1835. May 23,
1837, he married Miss Grace W. Illenden, daughter of Richard and
Sarah Illenden, by whom he had five children, as follows: Richard
Illenden, born March 7, 1838; Sarah Maria, born at Pembroke,
Genesee County, N. Y., May 9, 1839, now the widow of Franklin B.
Nixon, of Adrian; Mary Jane, died in infancy; John Davock, born
in Ypsilanti, Mich., April 7, 1842, now of Washington State; Wal-
ter George, born in Ypsilanti, June 16, 1844, now of Eureka, Hum-
boldt County, California. Mrs. Grace W. Bonner was born at Wood-
church, Kent, England, May 7, 1816, and died in Adrian, December
26, 1860.
[For her family connection see Richard Illenden's record
454
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
in this volume.] Richard I. Bonner commenced to learn the art of
printing January 2, 1854, in Adrian, in the old Expositor office, with
those thorough and practical printers and publishers, S. P. and T.
D. Jermain. He served an apprenticeship of four years, and has
followed the business in some capacity, with the exception of a few
years, ever since. In 1860 he became a partner in the Expositor of-
fice with S. P. Jermain and Marcus Knight. In 1865 Page & Bon-
ner leased the office and run the Daily and Weekly Expositor one
year. In January, 1867, Mr. Bonner established the Adrian Journal,
a Democratic paper, and was its editor for several years. In 1873 he
John S. Brown.
Mrs. Sally Brown.
engaged with Wm. A. Whitney, and went with him to Philadelphia
and New York, to purchase the presses and material for the Daily
and Weekly Press office. He selected all the material, which cost
about $8,000, superintended the arrangement of the office, set up the
presses, started them, putting them all in full and perfect operation,
wrote the salutatory of the paper, and was superintendent and one
of its editors for over five years. He commenced the publication of
the "History and Biographical Sketches of Lenawee County," in
company with Wm. A. Whitney July 7, 1879, and published two
volumes. In the early spring of 1881 Mr. Bonner commenced the
publication of the Evening Record, the first two cent daily paper in
Adrian. This enterprise was successful, but owing to ill-health he
sold the plant to S. W. Beakes in the fall of 1884. He then engaged
in an out door calling for some years and in the spring of 1894,
went to Virginia, where he purchased a farm and engaged in oyster
1


RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
455
growing in the York river. He afterwards sold his Virginia prop-
erty and went to Washington, D. C., where for about one year and
a half he was editor of the old National Intelligencer. In 1900 he
went to Philadelphia and engaged in journalistic work.
He re-
turned to Adrian in the spring of 1902, and in company with Mr.
John I. Knapp commenced work on this volume, The Illustrated
History and Biographical Record of Lenawee County. March 24,
1863, Mr. Bonner married Miss Margaret M. Brown, daughter of
John S. and Sally Brown, of Adrian, and they have one son, John
S., born in Adrian, Mich., November 11, 1864. Mrs. Margaret M.
(Brown) Bonner, was born in Adrian, Mich., March 4, 1842. Her
father was a pioneer in Lenawee County, coming to Michigan in
1833, first settling in Rome. He was born in Canada in 1815, and
died in Adrian October 29, 1877. Her mother was born in Clarence,
Erie County, N. Y., March 2, 1818, and died in Adrian, July 24,
1872.

John S. Bonner and Family.
John S. Bonner, the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. I. Bonner, was edu-
cated in the public schools of Adrian, and early became a journalist,
which calling he has always followed, with the exception of about
two and one-half years. In 1901 he went to Para, Brazil, South
America, as Vice and Deputy U. S. Consul, at that important sta-
tion at the mouth of the Amazon river. During his residence there
he mastered the Portuguese or Spanish language, and profited by a
valuable experience. He has had a good newspaper training, having
been employed on many of the largest newspapers, both East and
West. December 23, 1897, John S. Bonner married Miss Mabel
Clayton, of Washington, D. C., and they became the parents of three
children, as follows: Priscilla, born in Washington, D. C., February
456
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
17, 1899. Two sons, Albert and Perry, (twins) died in infancy. Mrs.
Mabel (Clayton) Bonner was born in New York city, December 23,
1870. Her father is a native of Maine, of English and Dutch ancestry,
his mother being a Stuyvesant. He served all through the great
Rebellion, was severely wounded at the battle of Antietam, was in
Libby Prison, was brevetted Colonel and commanded a regiment at
Gettysburg. He was for many years in the War Department at
Washington, and is now engaged in business in Cuba. Mrs. Clayton
is a native of Pennsylvania, of English ancestry.

ADRIAN
BRICK&TIL MACHINE CO.
The Adrian Brick and Tile Company's plant.
The above engraving shows the Adrian Brick and Tile Machine
Company's plant, situated on Water street, between College and
Michigan avenues. It is the largest foundry and machine shop plant
in Southern Michigan. It was built in 1883, the company then con-
sisting of James Farrar, John I. Knapp and Joseph C. McKenzie.
The size of the building is 304 feet long and 60 feet deep, and required
1,250,000 brick in its construction.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
457
EDWARD FRENSDORF was born in Hudson, Mich., Novem-
ber 28, 1863, and has always lived in Hudson. His father, Louis
Frensdorf, was born in Beuern, near Frankfort, Germany, April 15,
1833, and was the son of Edward and Bertha Frensdorf, of Beuern,
where Mr. Frensdorf was a merchant. Louis lived in his native city
until he was about twenty years old, when he was drafted for service

Louis Frensdorf, Hudson.
in the German army. Not liking a soldier's life he managed to
avoid the conscripting officers, and came to the United States, land-
ing in New York in 1853, soon after going to Cincinnati, but being
an unsophisticated German boy he drifted about some, finally com-
ing to Michigan, first stopping in Jonesville for a short time, then
at Hillsdale, and finally settling in Hudson in 1857. In 1858 he
opened a grocery and provision store on the south side of Main
street and commenced buying farmers' produce. He was quite suc-
458
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
cessful in his business and soon became a prominent citizen. He was
a young man of good attainments, but wholly unacquainted with the
language and business methods of his adopted country. In order to
equip himself for the work he had undertaken, he applied his spare
time to the study and understanding of his surroundings. He com-
menced with a very limited
capital, but his courage and
perseverance soon assured his
success. He ultimately became
the most prominent buyer of
grain, wool, pork, hides and
general produce in Hudson,
and in fact Lenawee County.
He soon took an active interest
in public affairs, espousing
the Democratic side of politics,
and in his later life filled
many offices of honor and im-
portance. He was much in-
terested in his home city, and
heartily endorsed all public
improvements inuring to the
city's welfare. He was a mem-
ber of the public school board,
served several years as Alder-
man, and was elected president
of the village of Hudson in
1890. In 1891 he was appointed
a member of the State Board of
Railroad Commissioners, by
Governor Winans. This ap-
pointment came unsought, and
was filled with credit to himself and the State. He was a stock-
holder in nearly all of the manufacturing companies of Hudson, and
a stockholder and director in the Boies State Savings Bank. He
largely assisted in the locating and building of the Cincinnati
Northern Railroad. He became a leader among his fellows. He
was thrifty, generous and honorable, and for forty years was an
influential factor in the commercial, political and social affairs of
Hudson. He died at his home May 10, 1896. February 21, 1857,
Louis Frensdorf married Miss Caroline Rosenfield, of Baltimore,
Md., and they had six children. Edward Frensdorf was the only
son, and became a business partner with his father in 1888. Since
that time he has been actively engaged. At the death of his father
he continued the business, and is now, as was his father, the
leading wool and grain buyer in Southern Michigan. His business
interests are quite large and his career is very successful. He is
President of the Globe Fence Company of Hudson, Vice President

Edward Frensdorf.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
459
of the Detroit Times Company, Director of the First State Bank of
Hillsdale, Director of the Boies State Bank of Hudson, Director of
the Western Shoe Company of Toledo, and is a stockholder in many
other important industries. He has served his city as Alderman,
and was elected Mayor of Hudson, on the People's ticket, in 1903,
by the largest majority in the history of the city. In politics he is a
Democrat, and is earnest in his advocacy of progress with economy.

Residence of Edward Frensdorf, Hudson, Mich.
ABRAM LUYSTER, JR., was born at Warsaw, Rensselaer
County, N. Y., October 18, 1854. His father, Abram Van Black
Luyster, was born at Fishkill, Dutchess County, N. Y., February 14,
1812, and died at Port Ewen, Ulster County, N. Y., August 25, 1895.
October 11, 1840, he married Miss Jane Osborn, who was born at
Fishkill, July 25, 1826, and died at Prattville, Mich., February 25,
1885. They were the parents of six children, all born in Warsaw,
N. Y., as follows: Clarissa Jane, nee Vine, born April 12, 1843, re-
sides in Grand Rapids, Mich.; Charles E., born February 28, 1845,
460
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
was a soldier in the great Rebellion, enlisted in the 16th New York
Heavy Artillery, in February, 1862, was mustered out in April, 1865,
and died at Eastmanville, Mich., February 16, 1867; Alice A., born
November 15, 1848, died January 21, 1852; Henrietta, nee Ellsworth,
born September 3, 1851, resides at Port Ewen, N. Y.; Abram, as


Mrs. Sarah Ellen Luyster.
Abram Luyster.
above; Polhemus, born January 26, 1858, and died October 13, 1862.
Abram Luyster, subject of this sketch, came to Michigan and settled
in Medina, this county, June 27, 1877. March 1, 1882, he married
Sarah Ellen Sutton, born August 13, 1856. They removed to Pasa-
dena, Cal., January 25, 1900, where they now reside.
STEPHEN W. CURTIS was born in Ira, Cayuga County, N.
Y., March 17, 1831. His father, David Curtis, was born in Cam-
bridge, Washington County, N. Y., February 9, 1802.
He was
reared a farmer and always followed it. When a young man he
joined the State Militia and rose in rank to the office of Colonel.
He remained in the militia until 1840, when he came to Michigan.
Upon his departure for his new home in the then Western wilder-
ness, he sold his uniform and military trappings for more than one
hundred dollars. In the fall of 1840 he sold his farm in Otsego
County, came to Michigan with his family, and settled on land on
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
461
Section 11, in Hudson, this county, that he had purchased in 1833.
He was an active, thoroughgoing man, and soon made a comfortable
home. He died at his home in Hudson, May 15, 1877. David Curtis
was a son of the Rev. Stephen Curtis, who was a native of New
England, a Baptist minister, and first married Elizabeth Sawin.


Mrs. Charlotte Curtis.
David Curtis.
He was the father of eleven children, as follows: Benjamin, born
April 17, 1800. David, born February 9, 1802; Stephen, born Febru-
ary 22, 1804; Eliza, born July 4, 1806, married Peabody Cook; Syl-
vester, born July 15, 1808; Delonson, born May 28, 1811; Leroy,
born May 6, 1813; Ethan W., born August 18, 1815; George, born
September 6, 1817; Anna Maria, born November 11, 1820; Leonard,
born April 20, 1822; Solomon, born in 1825; Loomis, born in 1829.
Rev. Stephen Curtis was married three times. For his second wife
he married Edna Sawin, sister of Elizabeth. His third wife was
Polly (Loomis) St. John, who died in 1858. He died in 1837. Polly
Loomis became the mother of seven children by her first marriage to
William St. John, as follows: Frederick, Samuel, John, Orton,
Charlotte, Sophronia and Mary Ann. The ancestors of the Curtis
and Loomis families were English and settled in New England.
February 7, 1830, David Curtis married Miss Charlotte St. John,
daughter of William and Polly (Loomis) St. John, and they
became the parents of ten children, as follows: Stephen W., as
above; David C., born in Ira, Cayuga County, N. Y., May 31, 1832;
Charlotte E., born in the same place, October 12, 1833, married Dr.
Newcomb, and resided in Oakville, Mich.; Mary Ann, born in Ot-
462
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
sego County, N. Y., May 20, 1835, married Wesley Terpening, and
resides in Findlay, Ohio; David C., 2d, born same place, October
16, 1836; Eveline, born same place, July 10, 1838, married William
Wirt, and resides in Wheatland, Hillsdale County; Cornelia and Cor-
delia, (twins) born same place, July 16, 1840. Cornelia married B.
L. Phelps. She died March 10, 1896. Cordelia married Isaac Ben-
edict, and resides in Culbertson, Neb.; Elizabeth, born same place,
September 13, 1842, married Curtis Garrison, and resides in Hills-


Mrs. Martha J. Curtis.
Stephen W. Curtis.
dale; Julia, born in Hudson, Mich., March 22, 1844, married H. B.
Mosher, and resides in Buda, Ill. Mrs. Charlotte (St. John) Curtis
was born in Chagrin village, Ohio, October 17, 1807, and died in
Hudson, this county, January 10, 1876. Stephen W. Curtis, the sub-
ject of this sketch, was nine years old when he came to Michigan,
and has resided in Hudson township, this county, ever since. He
has always followed farming and handling and shipping stock.
For thirty years he shipped stock to Buffalo and New York. His
farm consists of two hundred acres, on Section 10, in Hudson town-
ship, with good buildings and other improvements. He has always
been an active citizen, and much interested in the prosperity and
growth of county and state. He served for two years as President
of the Lenawee and Hillsdale Farmers' Picnic at Devil's Lake. He
has always been interested in politics, but never been an office-
seeker. September 14, 1857, Stephen W. Curtis married Miss
Jennette Ladd, daughter of John and Betsy Ladd, of Victor, Ontario
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
463
County, N. Y., and they had two children, as follows: Adeline,
born in Hudson, September 9, 1861, married A. D. Rowley, and died
November 29, 1896; George W., born same place, July 4, 1865.
Mrs. Jennette (Ladd) Curtis was born in Victor, N. Y., in 1832, and
died in Hudson, February 18, 1866. February 19, 1868, Mr. Curtis
married Miss Martha J. Sutton, daughter of John D. and Abigail
(Knapp) Sutton, of Medina, and they have had three children, as
follows: William J., born December 13, 1869; Frederick L., born
February 25, 1873, died December 30, 1873; John D., born October
26, 1874, married April 12, 1899, Miss Viola Seams, daughter of
Andrew and Alice A. Seams, and they have two children, as follows:
Mildred E., born August 22, 1901; Harland J., born October 5, 1903.
Mrs. Martha J. (Sutton) Curtis was born in Medina, this county,
October 13, 1843. She was the second daughter of John D. and
Abigail (Knapp) Sutton, whose family record appears on another
page in this volume. Mrs. Curtis was educated in the dis-
trict schools of Medina, and at Oak Grove Academy, of Medina
village. She became a successful teacher for several years, and
taught school in Seneca and Hudson townships previous to her mar-
riage. Mrs. Curtis has for many years been a correspondent for the
Hudson Post, and furnishes all the news items of her locality. She
has for many years been an ardent member of the Baptist church,
and has exerted a strong and salutary influence among all friends.
and acquaintances.
THE LAMB WIRE FENCE COMPANY. Adrian has many
prosperous enterprises and manufacturing institutions within its
limits, and among the most important is the Lamb Wire Fence Com-
pany. The plant of this institution is located in the eastern part of
the city, near the Wabash and the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern
railroads. It is comparatively a new corporation, being organized
in 1897. Henry C. Shattuck, John W. Allen, Charles G. Hart, Byron
L. Shaw, Otis Clapp, and a few other gentlemen well known locally,
were the organizers and orginal stockholders of the company. The
patents and experimental machine were purchased from H. R. Lamb,
who was at that time operating in Tecumseh. In 1898 the corpora-
tion erected its first building in Adrian, which is now known as
loom room No. 1. This building contained 11,000 feet of floor space,
and the entire operations of the company during the year 1898 were
carried on therein. In the meantime new machinery was developed
and two additional looms added to the equipment. Commencing
with 1899, as the business increased, additions were made to the
plant from time to time, until the present great factory was com-
pleted in 1903. This is without doubt the largest and most complete
manufacturing plant in Southern Michigan, having an aggregate

LAMB FENCE
BEST ALONG THE PIKE
LAMB FENCE
BEST ALONG THE PIKE
THE BEST ALONG THE PIKE
EFENCE LAMB WIRE FENCES
000000
The Plant of the Lamb Wire Fence Company, Adrian, Mich.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
465
floor space of 131,800 square feet. The capital of the company has
been increased from time to time until now (1904) it is $500,000, all
of which is fully paid in cash. The capacity of the plant as it
stands at this writing is one hundred miles of fencing per day. The
product of this factory has met with a phenomenal demand, the
farmers of the United States and in many foreign countries recog-
nizing its merits and worth almost universally. The sales are enor-
mous and the business is steadily increasing. This corporation is
recognized as one of the greatest and most important enterprises in
Lenawee County. The officers and directors of the corporation are
as follows: President, Charles G. Hart; Vice President, James V.
DeFoe; Secretary, Byron L. Shaw; Treasurer and Manager, Will-
iam H. Burnham. Directors, Charles G. Hart, Byron L. Shaw, James
V. DeFoe, A. D. Ellis, Frank W. Prentice, R. A. Watts, W. H.
Burnham.
WILLIAM F. KING was born in Stirling, Scotland, September
11, 1832, being the son of Peter and Christian (Archibald) King, of
Stirling. He resided there until his twenty-first year, came to
America in 1856, and arrived in Adrian July 2, that year. He re-
ceived a common school education, and at the age of fourteen he
went to learn the watchmaker's trade with William Harvey, in Stir-
ling, serving an apprenticeship of six years. After working there
one year as a journeyman he went to Greenock, on the Clyde, and
worked nearly three years. In the spring of 1856 his former
associate in Scotland, James Thompson, wrote him to come to
Adrian, where employment was awaiting him with the pioneer jew-
eler, James J. Newell, and in the fall of 1861 he went into partner-
ship with Mr. Newell. This firm existed until May, 1863, when
Mr. King withdrew, subsequently forming a partnership with James
Thompson in the watch and jewelry business. The firm of Thomp-
son & King existed until December, 1871. In 1866 Thompson &
King erected the fine brick store on the south side of Maumee street,
in Adrian, now occupied by Wood, Crane & Wood.
Mr. King
erected a fine residence on Dennis street, and also the one he now oc-
cupies on South Winter street. He has also done much besides to
build up and beautify Adrian. In 1871 he opened a jewelry and
book store, which he carried on until 1878, when he sold out his en-
tire stock of books and stationery to W. B. Mumford, and since that
time has paid his attention exclusively to the jewelry business. He
is now the oldest jeweler in business in Lenawee County, his two
sons being associated with him. Mr. King is a prominent Mason,
and has held all the positions in the Subordinate Lodge, Chapter,
Council and Commandery. In politics he is a conservative with
Democratic proclivities. Theologically he is Presbyterian, having
30
466
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL

William F. King.
been brought up in that church in Scotland, and socially Masonic.
He has served as a trustee of the Presbyterian church in Adrian for
over forty years. June 4, 1860, he married Miss Sarah M. Pegler, of
Adrian, by whom he has had four children, as follows: S. Helen,
born in Adrian, March 22, 1861, was educated in the public schools
RECORD OF Lenawee County, MICHIGAN.
467
of Adrian, and graduated in music at Adrian College. She was
twelve years at the State Industrial Home, and for six years assist-
ant superintendent. She died October 27, 1903; Jessie Isabelle,
born March 28, 1874, died January 11, 1895; William F., Jr., born in
Adrian, November 10, 1864; Charles E., born in Adrian, March 9,
1871, married Miss Etta E. Mawdsley, December 25, 1900, has two
children, as follows: Helen M., born October 22, 1901; Marjorie
Isabella, born March 6, 1904. Mrs. Sarah M. King was born in Lon-
don, Ontario, October 21, 1834. She came to Michigan and settled
in Monroe with her parents when an infant. She afterwards
moved to New Brunswick, N. J., with her parents. In 1849 her par-
ents came back to Monroe where they died.
CHARLES HUMPHREY was born in Canandaigua, N. Y.,
October 31, 1834, and moved with his parents to Michigan, and set-
tled in the woods in the township of Wheatland, Hillsdale County,
in 1838, and was a brother of Gen. William Humphrey, whose record
will be found in this volume. He received a good common school
education, afterwards teaching school winters and working on his
father's farm summers for several years. In 1858 he went to Caron-
delet, Mo., where he engaged in teaching school until 1861, when
he came to Adrian and engaged as clerk for C. B. Ackley, and
remained there nearly one year, and May 13, 1862, purchased J. D.
Baker's stock of books and stationery and built up a large and suc-
cessful business, continuing until the autumn of 1889, when he dis-
posed of all his interest to G. Roscoe Swift. Mr. Humphrey was
the publisher of the first edition of "Tiffany's Justice Guide," and
"Tiffany's Criminal Law," as revised by Judge Andrew Howell,
having published four editions of the "Guide," and one of the
"Criminal Law." In 1890 he purchased William Corbin's half in-
terest in the Adrian Packing Company, and in January, 1895, dis-
posed of said interest. He was elected Alderman of the Fourth ward
in 1883, and served one term, during which he introduced and car-
ried the resolution through the council to build the city hall, and also
to establish the wood and hay market. In April, 1895, Mr. Hum-
phrey was elected Justice of the Peace in Adrian, was re-elected
in 1899 and in 1903, and is now 'serving his third term. He is a
popular magistrate among the legal fraternity. October 9, 1863,
he married Caroline Riehl, daughter of Nicholas and Amelia
Riehl, of St. Louis, Mo., by whom he has had three children,
as follows: Willis L., born June 4, 1865, and died Au-
gust 15, 1873; John C., born December 13, 1872; Carolyn A.,
born November 17, 1874, a graduate of the Adrian public schools
and the University of Michigan. She taught modern languages in
the Nashville, Tenn., University four years, was teacher of lan-
468
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
guages in the Saginaw High School, and is now (1904) a teacher of
modern languages in Jackson, Mich., High School. Mrs. Caroline
Humphrey was born in Carondelet township, St. Louis County, Mo.,
May 28, 1841. Her parents were natives of Alsace, then a province
of France, and came to America and settled on a farm in Carondelet
in 1836, where her father died in 1851. Her mother died in 1890.
CHANNING WHITNEY was born in Adrian, Michigan, De-
cember 28, 1842. He was the son of Richard H. and Nancy (Flagg)
Whitney, pioneers of Lenawee County, who came to Michigan from
Massachusetts early in 1831, and settled in Adrian. His mother
died when he was but nine years of age, and a year later his father
found him a home with Joshua W. Thurber, of Madison township,
where he spent five years of his life, learning the habits of industry
and the secrets of gaining wealth from the products of the soil. The
Lenawee County farmer had few luxuries in those days. The young
Whitney was assigned a room close to the roof of the old log house,
and on winter mornings would awake to find the blankets on his cot
covered with snow which had sifted in between the logs during the
night. About this time an event occurred which undoubtedly had
an influence in determining his life work. On the occasion of a
visit to Adrian the young farm apprentice was taken to the bank and
while waiting for his employer's business to be transacted was greatly
impressed with the sight of so much money changing hands, the
heavy railings and ponderous safes and the serious dignity of the
official in charge as he handled the funds and attended to the wants
of his patrons. Subsequent visits to Adrian and to the bank in-
creased his boyish interest, and day by day there grew in his mind
the firm resolve that some day he would have a bank and his name
in gilded letters over the door. This dream was later to be realized.
At the end of his five years on the farm he found himself in the pos-
session of about one hundred dollars, which his father invested for
him, and he often stated that from that time there was not a day
when it had not drawn interest, thus laying a foundation for a grow-
ing fortune. He now attended school in Adrian until he was seven-
teen years of age, when he engaged as clerk in Clark & Hall's dry
goods store in Adrian, remaining there until 1860. In the spring of
1860 he entered the service of the Government in the Adrian post-
office under the late Charles Redfield, P. M., remaining until the
fall of 1864, when he went to Natchez, Miss., and entered the Com-
missary Department of that post, Captain_Edward L. Whitney, his
brother, being Commissary at that time. In the spring of 1865 he
returned to Adrian and again entered the postoffice. In the fall of
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
469

Channing Whitney.
1865 he formed a partnership with the late S. A. Powers in the mer-
chant tailoring business in Adrian, which partnership continued un-
til after the death of his father, Richard H. Whitney, in 1867. His
father left a large estate and he was entrusted with the administra-
tion of the same, the work taking all of his time for something over
a year. In the summer of 1869 he formed a co-partnership with the
late J. E. Parker, of Washington, D. C., and engaged in the hard-
ware business in Adrian, continuing the same until the spring of
470
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
1874. All this time the thought of some time going into the bank-
ing business had been growing upon him, and finally deciding that
there was an opportunity for another bank in Adrian, he closed out
his hardware store and in the spring of 1875 entered the Second Na-
tional Bank of Toledo, Ohio, for the purpose of gaining some prac-
tical knowledge of the banking business. He had always had a
taste for book-keeping and the severe work in the city bank devel-
oped him into a skilled accountant. He was urged to continue with

ESIDENT
Interior of Channing Whitney & Co.'s Bank, No. 18 W. Maumee St, Adrian, Mich.
the Second National in Toledo, but as all his interests were in
Adrian he decided to hold to his original intention and open his bank
in his native city. In June, 1877, he opened the doors of his institu-
tion to the public under the name of Whitney's Commercial Ex-
change Bank; it was a private bank, he being the sole owner.
was located at No. 18 West Maumee street, the same building in
which he had formerly worked as a boy in the postoffice, and a build-
ing he had purchased the year before. The bank offered to pay 5 per
cent. compound interest on deposits, the regular rates at that time;
Chas. G. Wesley, now a prominent merchant, was the first book-keeper.
The boyish dream of years before, never lost sight of, had been real-
ized. The bank had the usual experience of new institutions, and at
first business did not come rapidly, but the young banker kept stead-
ily at it, gaining the confidence of the community step by step, un-
til in September, 1878, Mr. William H. Stone, who was conducting a
private bank across the street, died, his bank was closed, and almost
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
471
the entire business of Mr. Stone came over to the Whitney bank.
From that time on the bank was an assured success.
A few years
later Mr. Whitney took in Mr. F. J. Remington as a partner, and
upon Mr. Remington's retirement the late Wm. S. Wilcox became
associated with Mr. Whitney and the business ran as the Commercial
Exchange Bank of Whitney & Wilcox, which solid institution, known
to every farmer of Lenawee County, continued to be one of the city's
leading banks until June, 1893, when Messrs. Whitney & Wilcox
organized under the State law as the Adrian State Savings Bank.
As an example of the careful and conservative manner in which
Messrs. Whitney & Wilcox conducted their affairs, it was found that
during all the years they had been in business, they had lived en-
tirely out of their own outside personal incomes and the entire net
profits of their bank had been allowed to accumulate year by year,
forming a surplus fund for the protection of their depositors. Mr.
Whitney was elected cashier of the newly organized Adrian State
Savings Bank, and was its largest individual stockholder. In 1894
he retired from active management on account of poor health,
and in order to give his personal attention to his large real estate
holdings. Missing, however, the activities of business life, a year later
he opened a private bank under the name of The Commercial Exchange
Bank of Channing Whitney & Company, with a capital of $75,000,
starting in handsomely equipped quarters at No. 18 West Maumee
street, and having his son, Charles S. Whitney, associated with him.
Mr. Whitney's honorable methods and wide acquaintance in the city
and county secured at once for the new bank a generous share of
the public patronage, and he was conducting the affairs of this in-
stitution with his usual marked success when he was suddenly called
to the "Great Beyond" on November 15, 1902, in the fifty-ninth year
of his age.
His death came as a distinct shock to the business and
social life of the city where he and his bank had so long been an im-
portant factor. During his long and honorable business life
he had been prominently connected as stockholder and officer of
various local manufacturing and business enterprises. He was
always a firm believer in the ultimate growth and future prosperity
of his native town, and no subscription for factory, railroad, public
building or improvement that had for its motive the betterment of
Adrian was ever without his name on it for a generous amount. In
politics he was a staunch Republican, and did all he could to advance
the cause of that party and of sound money. Channing Whitney
was of a genial, sunny disposition, always ready with a pleasant word
of greeting, and while he was a great sufferer from a chronic malady
during the last years of his life, it was his pride to conceal it as far
as possible, and be at his desk at the bank even when in pain. As
a banker he was careful and conservative, and often stated with
satisfaction that in all the years he had been in business, through
financial calm and storm, his bank had never failed to open its doors
at nine o'clock, and every one of its many thousand depositors had
472
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
T
always received every dollar of their money upon demand. While
Mr. Whitney received a substantial share of his father's large estate,
the habit, early acquired, of self-denial in personal expenditure, to-
gether with careful and judicious investment of his profits in the
banking business, increased his capital steadily, and at his death he
left an estate valued at over $100,000, the bulk of which was invested
in bank stock and productive real estate. Mr. Whitney had a warm
and generous heart for the worthy poor and unfortunate, and many
can today bear testimony to the help in time of need that he ex-
tended to them. He loved his friends, and was ever ready to take
up their battles and make their cause his own. Early in life he be-
came a member of the First Baptist Church of Adrian, and was
always a tireless worker in behalf of that denomination, serving as
deacon, trustee and church treasurer for many years.
He was prom-
inently connected with Adrian Lodge, No. 8, of Odd Fellows, took a
great interest in their work, and a day before his death had received
official notification of his nomination for Grand Treasurer of Michi-
gan Grand Lodge of that order. September 22, 1867, Mr. Whitney
was married to Ellen M. Cornell, daughter of Asa and Fanny Cor-
nell, of Adrian, and by whom he had one son, Charles Seward Whit-
ney, who was born March 21, 1870, and is now auditor and director
of the Adrian State Savings Bank. Mrs. Ellen M. Whitney was
born in Adrian, June 21, 1844, and now resides at the family home-
stead, corner of South Main and South Winter.

Residence of Channing Whitney, No. 61 South Main St., Adrian, Mich.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
473
THE ADRIAN TIMES AND EXPOSITOR is the oldest news-
paper in Southern Michigan published continuously from the date.
of its establishment. Its history covers the whole period of the set-
tlement, development and growth of Lenawee County. October 22,
1834, Rensselaer W. Ingalls brought to the raw little village of
Adrian from New York a small
printing outfit and began the
publication of the Adrian Ga-
zette and Lenawee County Re-
publican, which appeared
weekly for many years. Mr.
Ingalls was an able and honor-
able newspaper man, but his
patronage was small, and
paper supplies difficult to pro-
cure. Were it not for the legal
printing which was abundant,
he could not have sustained
his first venture into the west-
ern newspaper field. To please
all parties Mr. Ingalls de-
clared his paper neutral, but
soon discarded that false pre-
tense, changed the name to
The Adrian Watchtower, and
advocated Jacksonian democ-
racy, with marked ability and
success. His first office was
located near the Maumee street
bridge. In 1849, fifteen years.
after he founded the first pa-
per in Lenawee County, Mr.
Ingalls was appointed State printer under Governor Ransom's ad-
ministration, and held the position four years. That office and his
newspaper combined earned him a competence, and he erected the
Watchtower building, a three-story block on East Maumee street,
which was the home of that paper and its successor, the Adrian
Times, until 1883, when the plant was moved to the Armory block,
on South Winter street, which had just been completed by J. C.
Rowley. R. W. Ingalls was proprietor and publisher of the Watch-
tower, first as a weekly, and later a daily and weekly, until 1863,
when he, after 30 years of successful newspaper work in Adrian, sold
the whole property to Larwill, Applegate & Champion. Messrs.
Larwill and Applegate had learned the printing business in Brook-
lyn, N. Y., had been employed in Rome, N. Y., and came to Adrian
in October, 1863, fully competent to carry on the venture they under-
took. Dr. J. H. Champion had been connected with the Watchtower
as an editorial writer for some years. Mr. Larwill sold his interest

Rensselaer W. Ingalls, the Pioneer Printer of
Lenawee County.
474
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
in 1865 with the intention of going to St. Louis, Mo., but was finally
persuaded by Mr. Applegate to remain and take charge of the office.
This he did, and from that time up to the present has been faithful
to his trust, being still in the employ of the Times Company. On
Saturday, September 9, 1865, the entire plant of the Watchtower
was sold to Gen. William Humphrey, and on the following Monday
the paper appeared as the Adrian Daily and Weekly Times, com-
pletely changed in politics and public policy, Mr. Applegate still re-
maining. In the fall of 1866 General Humphrey was elected Auditor
General of Michigan, and in 1867 sold his interest in the Times to
Dr. Ragan and Prof. Lowrie, then of the Adrian College faculty,
when the firm became Ragan, Lowrie & Applegate. In the fall of
1867 Capt. J. H. Fee purchased the interest of Dr. Ragan, when the
firm name was changed to Lowrie, Applegate & Fee. In 1868 Pro-
fessor Lowrie retired and for nineteen years the paper was published
by Applegate & Fee. In 1885 Mr. Applegate became the sole pro-
prietor, which continued until his death, December 27, 1891, where-
upon his widow, Mrs. Harriet M. Applegate, at once assumed the
personal management of the paper and carried it on successfully un-
til her tragic death in a railway accident at Flint, Mich., June 14,
1901.
THE EXPOSITOR.
In 1843 S. P. and T. D. Jermain established the Weekly Expos-
itor as a rival to the Watchtower, and at once it became the recognized
organ of the Whig party. Jermain Brothers were bright, ambitious,
enterprising men, and they soon firmly established a tri-weekly
edition, which was a success from the start. In 1854, upon the or-
ganization of the Republican party, "Under the Oaks" at Jackson,
the Expositor at once fell in line and became the leading Republican
paper in Southern Michigan, the late Francis R. Stebbins being the
political editor. Jermain Brothers built in 1852 what was then re-
garded as a huge four-story office block on the north side of East
Maumee street, facing the Watchtower building, whence the editors
hurled defiance at one another as occasion demanded: The building
was constructed with special reference to accommodating the princi-
pal offices of the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana railroad.
Several rooms were occupied as railroad offices and the rest of the
building was devoted to the printing business. The Messrs. Jer-
mains had been successful in securing the major part of the printing
required by this great thoroughfare, and the office was well equipped
with type and machinery for doing the work satisfactorily. In 1857
the railroad moved its headquarters from Adrian to Toledo, and
most of the printing followed. That year the Jermain Brothers
dissolved their partnership, T. D. withdrawing, and in company
with Horace Brightman, then also a citizen of Adrian, purchased
the Milwaukee, Wis., Sentinel. In 1859, S. P. Jermain took in as
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
475
partners in the publication of the Expositor Marcus Knight and
Richard I. Bonner. The Tri-Weekly Expositor, together with the
weekly, were successful publications. In 1860 public policy as well
as party exigency demanded a daily publication. Early in the year
of the famous Lincoln campaign, Mr. Henry E. Baker, of Detroit, an
experienced and able newpaper man, was induced to come to Adrian
and take a quarter interest in the office. He at once became the
editor and political director, and during the years of the great Re-
bellion his talent and energy were devoted to the cause. Mr. Baker
and Mr. Bonner are the only persons now alive who were directly
interested with the publication of the paper. In 1868 the Expositor
building and plant were purchased by the late Dr. John Kost, who
carried on the business for about one year, when the Expositor was
absorbed by The Adrian Times, afterwards being known as The
Times and Expositor.
THE TIMES PRINTING COMPANY.
In September, 1901, Thomas A. Dailey came to Adrian from
Washington, D. C., where he was in the employ of the government,
and began to organize a local corporation for the purpose of secur-
ing sufficient capital to purchase the Times property. With him
came DeWitt Wessell, from Jackson, Mich., a practical printer and
newpaper man, who had been employed in The Jackson Citizen office
24 years. Together they took $9,000 of the stock and the remaining
$7,000 was subscribed by Adrian people. The new company was in-
corporated October 8, 1901, with $16,000 cash capital, which was im-
mediately paid for The Times plant, good will and business, and
October 12 the new owners took possession, with Mr. Dailey as editor
and manager, and Mr. Wessell as city editor. The present officers of
the corporation are Thomas A. Dailey, President; DeWitt Wessell,
Vice President; Leslie B. Robertson, Secretary; Burton E. Tobias,
Treasurer. A marked increase in the business of The Times Printing
Company necessitated enlarged facilities. The old Weekly Times,
which had been issued in two parts for several years, was changed
to a tri-weekly, an 8-column folio, which together with the Daily
Tintes was, at the beginning of 1904, enlarged to eight pages of
six columns each. The building on South Winter street, which had
served as its home for more than twenty years, became so crowded
that a new location was rendered imperative, and on December 28,
1903, The Times Printing Company purchased the Abel Whitney
homestead, No. 40 East Maumee street, a beautiful lot, measuring five
by fifteen rods, and on the west half of this site The Times is now
erecting its home, a building measuring 33x130 feet, which, when
completed, will be one of the finest printing plants in Michigan. It
is being equipped with every modern appliance for the rapid, eco-
nomical and systematic production of newspapers and printed mat-
476
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
ter. The building will be heated by steam and lighted by both gas
and electricity. Nothing will be omitted to make it a model print-
ing plant.
THOMAS A. DAILEY,
editor and manager of The Adrian Times, is a native of Michigan,
born in Grand Rapids, October 24, 1852, at which time his father
was operating a line of river boats in company with Daniel Ball. In
1856 the family moved to Niagara County, N. Y., in 1862 to Toledo,
O., and in 1868 to Somerset, Hillsdale County. Thomas A. Dailey
was educated in the public
schools of New York, Ohio and
Michigan. He entered Hills-
dale College in 1869, taught
school in the winter and wrote
for various newspapers during
his college course, and after
the destruction of Hillsdale
College by fire in 1873, he went
to the University of Notre
Dame, at South Bend, Ind.,
where he graduated, subse-
quently receiving the degrees
of Master of Arts and Master
of Sciences. He took the full
law course, received a univer-
sity diploma, was admitted to
the bar in Michigan, Indiana
and Illinois, practicing for a
brief time, joined the Page
Exploring Expedition in the
Rocky Mountain region, re-
turning taught in the public
schools of South Bend, and was
superintendent of schools at New Carlisle, engaged in the publica-
tion of a morning paper in South Bend and an evening paper at
Elkhart, and was interested in various mercantile enterprises until
failing health sent him to the Gulf coast of Texas, where he re-
mained four years, during which time he served as professor of
mathematics and rhetoric in Goliad College, of which Dr. A. A.
Brooks, of Ann Arbor, was president. He traveled extensively dur-
ing those years, edited a Texas weekly for amusement, and became
a prolific writer for many publications. Returning to Michigan in
1882, and declining a professorship in the Texas University at Aus-
tin, he was in October of that year united in marriage with Miss
Ella Isabella Davison, of Somerset, Hillsdale County, and went di-
rectly to Winona, Minnesota, where he took charge of a large news-
paper, book and job office which was highly successful. On the ex-

Thomas A. Dailey,
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
477
piration of his lease he traveled in the West, but for family reasons
returned to Michigan and took an editorial position on the Jackson
Citizen with Hon. James O'Donnell, engaging actively in politics.
Mr. O'Donnell was a member of Congress eight years and Mr. Dailey
had charge of the important editorial work of that period. In the 51st
Congress Mr. Dailey was appointed clerk of the committee on educa-
tion, and was subsequently variously employed in the government
service at Washington and as private secretary for Congressman
O'Donnell. He was recognized as an authority on tariff and eco-
nomic questions, has written many stories, poems and romances
for pastime, has at intervals filled editorial positions on the Chi-
cago Times and Tribune and on the Detroit Tribune, but always
liked best the small city with its simple comforts and congenial
friends, who make life worth living. Mr. and Mrs. Dailey have one
daughter, Miss Cecil Eloise, now a student in the Adrian High
School.
JOB WILLEY was born in Potsdam, N. Y., February 5, 1821,
and came to Michigan with his parents in 1836, settling in Bliss-
field. He married Miss Rachel Worth, December 24, 1845. He

Mr. and Mrs. Job Willey.
was a merchant all his life, a successful business man, and highly
respected. He died in Blissfield. His wife now resides in Petoskey,
Mich. For a record of the Willey family see page 444 of this
volume.
{
478
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
THE CITY OF HUDSON,
By an act of the Michigan Legislature Hudson became a
city in 1893. It is the second place in importance and population
in the county.
It is situated on Bean Creek, on the county
line been Lenawee and Hillsdale counties, in the township of Hud-
son, surrounded by a most excellent farming country, and its busi-
ness men are ever alert to the best interests and growth of the city.
The great trunk line railroad between Chicago and New York, the
Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, and the Cincinnati Northern rail-
way, running north and south, pass through the city. Besides
these two important thoroughfares, the Toledo and Michigan Elec-
tric railroad, now being constructed from Coldwater east to Adrian

FE
Central Public School Building, Hudson, Mich.
RECORD Of Lenawee COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
479
and Toledo, will put Hudson on another very important line with
interurban service. The manufacturing interests of the city are
important and prosperous, while a large amount of farm products
are handled, altogether making Hudson a commercial center of
much importance. The city is supplied with a good system of
waterworks, which affords adequate fire protection as well as a sup-
ply for manufacturing and domestic purposes. There is now about
three-quarters of a mile of cobble-stone paving, but the subject of
brick pavement is agitating the people, and it is a question of but a
short time before the streets will be well sewered and paved. A
good electric light system is in active operation. The city is well
supplied with churches, and the public school system will compare
favorably with any city in Michigan. Below we give a list of the
MAYORS SINCE THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY,
S. E. Lawrence, 1893.
S. E. Lawrence, 1894.
Herbert E. Loyster, 1895.
Charles B. Stowell, 1896.
Henry C. Hall, 1897.
Henry C. Hall, 1898.
William N. Derbyshire, 1899.
Orrin R. Pierce, 1900.
Orrin R. Pierce, 1901.
Orrin R. Pierce, 1902.
Edward Frensdorf, 1903.
Edward Frensdorf, 1904.
The public schools of the City of Hudson were consolidated by
act of the Legislature in 1891, and since that time the facilities for
doing good educational work have been materially increased. The
Board of Education consists of six members, and three convenient
buildings accommodate the pupils. The Central Building, located
on one of the most beautiful spots in the city, a picture of which we
show, is situated upon a large lawn and shaded play ground. The
school library contains over 1,600 volumes of carefully selected
books.
480
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
A REMINISCENT POEM.
The following poem was written by the late Dr. Henry Knapp,
an old resident and active citizen of Adrian. Coming to Adrian in
an early day, his family growing up amidst the hope and early strug-
gles of the community, his sympathy ever remained with it. The
sentiment and pathos expressed will find a lodging place in many a
heart. Dr. Knapp left Adrian many years ago, owing to enfeebled
health, and found vigor and new life on the Pacific Coast. The
poem was written in 1875:
Hail, Adrian! long ago our home,
"Sweet Home," where oft our fancies roam.
In eighteen hundred forty-nine,
We joined our fortunes unto thine;
For twenty years through good and ill,
We strove our mission to fulfill.
Witnessed thine early, eager strife,
To struggle into larger life,
And soon through skill and enterprise,
Lovely homes and mansions rise;
All thy borders spreading wide,
Improvements strewn on every side,
College, schools and churches brought
Influence, dignity, and taught
Science, culture, morals, art,
All combining to impart
Wealth and honor, virtue, fame,
To thy far-extolled good name.
Then we parted.
Health and leisure,
Then we sought in greater measure,
Far beyond the western prairies,
High among the grand sierras,
Where beneath Nevada's mountains,
Gold and silver have their fountains,
And where California's rivers
Pour continuous Golden treasures,
Where perpetual summer reigns,
And blooming flowers bedeck the plains.
Here we sought and found new vigor,
Freed from Adrian's wintry rigor.
But what though these golden treasures,
From a thousand hills and rivers,
Pour continual at our feet?
And what though these myriad flowers,
Waft perfume in fragrant showers,
Bathing us in incense sweet?
Yet from these untold attractions,
And unnumbered wild distractions,
Oft we turn our wistful eyes,
Yearning toward the orient skies,
Where our precious dead reposes,
'Neath fair Oakwood's" vines and roses;
While we wait this side the River,
Till permitted to pass over,
With the friends of forty-nine,
Who have passed the border line.
With Watson, Comstock, Tiffany,
Enshrined in grateful memory,
Bonner, Bodwell, Baker, Berry,
Billings, Bidwell, Beecher, Carey,
Hart, Jermain, and Barnard, Brown,
Linnell, Ingalls, Whitney, Stone,
Truax, Nixon, Cornell, Strong,
Harwood, Lothrop, Hoyt and Cook,
Ramsdell, Cooper and Phillbrook,
Goldsbury, Dean and Underwood;
Beaman, Bennett, Benedict, Sinclair,
Spaulding, Wilcox, French and Sayer,
Kimball, Clark, Wright and Tayer,
Dennis, Cleveland, Croswell, Owen,
Wood, Bixby, Winans, Bowen;
Fathers Randolph, Sword and Todd,
Always walking close with God;
Sister, daughter, father, mother,
Warner, Dodge and many another,
Woodbury, Smith and others,
Dear lamented soldier brothers,
Cooley and dear Ira Buck, pure types
Of perfect manhood, fully ripe;
O, the mournful, long procession,
Moving on to take possession
Of their crowns and palms of conquest
Over earth and all its unrest.
But despite these sad reflections,
Still our love and warm affections,
"Backward roll the wheels of time,"
Till again we meet together,
As of yore, at friendships shrine
Grasping hands each with the other,
As in days of "Auld Lang Syne,"
Ere they crossed the border line.
Frequent then in gladsome mirth,
Neighbors gathered round our hearth;
Oft enjoying social meetings,
Festivals and kindly greetings;
Christmas, New Years and Thanksgivings,
Graced by dearest wife's good livings;
Business prosperous, children merry,
Minds improving, gay and cheery,
Music filling all our dwellings,
Up from sweetest voices swelling;
O, these memories oft returning
Fill our hearts with homesick yearning,
And in fancy we live o'er
All these happy scenes once more.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
481
JAMES MCINTYRE was born in Copenhagen, Lewis County, N.
Y., March 12, 1839. His father, John McIntyre, was born in County
Antrim, Ireland, in 1808, where he resided until 1830, when he came
to America, first settling in Montreal, Canada. He lived there about
one year, and then moved to Rochester, N. Y. In 1833 he purchased
a farm near Copenhagen, where he resided until his death, which
occurred May 12, 1876. His parents were Scotch, and went to Ire-


James McIntyre.
Mrs. Adelia M. McIntyre.
land with the Dissenters during the religious persecutions. John
McIntyre, when a boy, learned the linen weavers' trade, following it
in Ireland and while he lived in Montreal, and also about one year
in Rochester, N. Y. September 20, 1834, John McIntyre married
Mrs. Mary Rice Stuart, and they had seven children, James being
the third child. Mrs. Mary (Rice) McIntyre was born in County
Antrim, Ireland, in 1804, came to the United States with her parents
Robert and Mary Rice, in 1833, and settled in Harrisburg, Lewis
County, N. Y. She died there August 3, 1872. James McIntyre,
subject of this sketch, was brought up a farmer and lived with his
parents until December 26, 1861, when he enlisted in Company K.,
94th New York Volunteer Infantry, and served two years in the
great Rebellion, when he was discharged for disability. His regi-
ment was in the Army of the Potomac and was detailed to duty
around Washington, Alexandria and Northern Virginia. In the fall
of 1864 he came to Michigan and settled in the township of Ridge-
way, this county, purchasing a farm on Section 8, where he resided
until the fall of 1875, when he sold out and purchased the Hiram
31
482
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Raymond farm on Section 24, in Raisin township, which he still owns.
He left the farm in 1901 owing to the physical disability of himself
and wife and now resides in the village of Holloway. December 20,
1865, James McIntyre married Miss Adelia M. Lowe, daughter of
Justus and Mary (Lamberson) Lowe, of Ridgeway, this county, and
they have three children, as follows: Ellisse Justus, born in Ridge-
way, February 19, 1867, married September 24, 1892, Miss Carrie
Gray. They have two sons, Loyal D., born August 20, 1893, and
Kenneth A., born July 3, 1895, and reside on Section 24, in Macon;
James C., born February 5, 1873, married December 23, 1896, Miss.
Viola E. Wildey. They have three children, James E., born Septem-
ber 22, 1898, Mary Mildred, born May 20, 1901, John Donald, born
April 22, 1903, and reside on Section 26, in Raisin; David W., born
January 23, 1875, married, April 15, 1903, Miss Cora E. Gray, has
one son, Albert Earl, born February 10, 1904, and resides on Sec-
tion 24, in Raisin. Mrs. Adelia M. (Lowe) McIntyre, was born in
Ridgeway, this county, October 11, 1844. For her family relation
see Coonrod L. Lowe's record in this volume. She was educated in
the district schools of Ridgeway, and graduated at the State Normal
School at Ypsilanti, in the full English Course, March 19, 1863. She
taught school in Lenawee County continuously from that time until
her marriage. She has always been active in the Ladies' Aid So-
ciety, and in the First Presbyterian church of Raisin, was president
of the James Henry Eaton W. R. C., No. 118, at Britton for nine
years, and was Lady Commander of Osgood Hive, No. 285, L. O. T.
M., for four years at Holloway. Her eye sight failed her in 1898,
and she has been practically blind since that time.
MINOR DAVIDSON was born in Macon, this county, May 8,
1833, being one of the very first to be born in the township. His
father, Simeon Davidson, was born in Lodi, Seneca County, N. Y.,
June 26, 1804. He was the son of John and Catharine Davidson, who
were natives of New Jersey, and pioneers of Seneca County, N. Y.
Simeon Davidson was raised a farmer, but he learned the carpenter's
trade, which he followed for several years. He came to Michigan
in 1831, and settled on Section 30, in Macon, this county, and resided
there until 1854, when he 'purchased a farm on Sections 25 and 36, in
Tecumseh, consisting of 670 acres, at the same time owning 160
acres in Macon. The farm which he purchased in Tecumseh was
considered nearly worthless. The soil was light, and it had been
"run out," but Mr. Davidson thought he could bring it up, which he
succeeded in doing, and made it one of the most desirable and pro-
ductive farms in the county. He cleared off about 200 acres of it,
built good buildings, etc. During the first few years of his residence
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
483
in Lenawee County, he followed his trade, when not obliged to work
on his farm. He built many of the first houses, barns, mills and
bridges in the northern portion of the county, and after the county
began to be settled, and the people were able to build, he engaged in
contracting and building, employing a gang of men. No man in the
northern half of Lenawee county was better known than he. His
first settlement in Macon
was at a time when the
country from Tecumseh to
Monroe was an almost un-
broken wilderness, when the
few scattered pioneers were
poor in this world's goods,
with little to sustain them
but strong muscles, stout
hearts, faith in God and
their own unflinching ener-
gies. If he had but little
to spare in those trying days
of pioneer life he was ever
ready "without money and
without price" to divide
that little with those more
destitute than himself.
When a log cabin was re-
quired to shelter an emi-
grant and his family, he
was the first invited to the
raising, and the first to re-
spond to the call, and when
frame dwellings of more
pretensions succeeded the
primitive structures, unless
he could be present with his
cheering voice as master of
the occasion, the raising
would frequently be postponed until convenient for him to attend.
In fact, as one of our most enterprising, energetic and liberal minded
men, he was long and favorably known throughout Southern Michi-
gan. As a farmer he was eminently successful; as the auctioneer
of Northern Lenawee his services were regarded as indispensa-
ble. In all public measures for the promotion of the social, re-
ligious, moral and educational interests of his neighborhood, and
for the general development of the resources of the country by rail-
road or otherwise, he was ever ready to bear his full share of the
burden. He was liberal without extravagance, economical without
meanness, a good husband, a kind parent, and as a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, a christian without offensive zeal, or

Simeon Davidson.
484
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
undue pretension, ever ready to aid the poor and sympathize with
the afflicted; it is not strange that from an early period to the day
of his death, he was almost universally greeted wherever known, by
the familiar name of "Uncle Sim." Although of ripe age, he passed
away in the midst of an active and useful life, regretted by the
whole community. He donated liberally for the construction of the
fine brick church edifice at Ridgeway village, giving over $4,000 to


Mrs. Catherine E. Davidson.
Minor Davidson.
the building committee. About the year 1829 Simeon Davidson mar-
ried Cerena Miller, daughter of Capt. Isaac and Anna Miller of Lodi,
N. Y., by whom he had five children, as follows: George W. and
Clarissa, deceased; Minor M., born in Macon, this county, May 8,
1832, a farmer of Tecumseh; Jehiel, born same place, May 19, 1835,
a resident of Tecumseh village; Francisco, born same place, May 23,
1838. Mrs. Cerena Davidson, was born in Lodi, N. Y., and died in
Macon, this county, in March, 1840. Her parents were of German
extraction. They came to Michigan about 1833, and settled in Ma-
con, this county, where they both died. Minor Davidson, subject of
this sketch, has always lived in Lenawee County, and followed farm-
ing. He was educated in the district school at Ridgeway village,
and lived with his parents until his marriage. In January, 1855, he
purchased a farm in Macon, on Section 32, where he resided until
1862. At that time he sold out and purchased a home, consisting of
165 acres, on Section 36, in Tecumseh. At the death of his father
in 1874 he came into possession of about one hundred acres of the
homestead, including the buildings, which he has since occupied.
RECORD OF Lenawee County, MICHIGAN.
485
His farm now consists of 311 acres, all in one body. He carries on
mixed farming, and has been quite successful in breeding and raising
short horn cattle. March 7, 1855, Minor Davidson married Miss
Catherine E. Van Vleet, daughter of Peter P. and Lois (Swarthout)
Van Vleet, of Ridgeway, and they have had two children, as fol-
lows: One child died in infancy. Eunice D., born in Ridgeway,
September 1, 1857, married, January 13, 1892, Daniel T. Hall, and
has three children: Hazel C., born November 3, 1893; Russell D.,
born November 13, 1894; Donald T., born December 16, 1896. Mrs.
Hall is a graduate of the Tecumseh public schools, and took a Chau-
tauqua course, graduating in stenography. Mrs. Catherine E.
Davidson was born in Ridgeway, August 9, 1836. Her parents were
natives of Lodi, Seneca County, N. Y., and came to Michigan in
1832, first settling in Macon, but finally removed to Section 30, in
Ridgeway, where they died.
COONROD L. LOWE, of Ridgeway township, owns a fine
tract of land within its limits, comprising 300 acres on Sections 5, 7
and 8. The residence is located on Section 7, and is a substantial
and commodious building, flanked by a good barn and all other
structures required for the shelter of stock and the storing of grain.
The land is finely located, lying partly on the Ridge road, and was
purchased from the government by John Palmer. Mr. Lowe pur-
chased the property in 1870, and removed here from Ridgeway town-
ship, where he had settled on Section 36 soon after his marriage.
Mr. Lowe has spent his whole life in Michigan, having been born
June 25, 1838, in Raisin township, a little over a year after the Ter-
ritory had become a State. He received a better education than most
boys of that day, being the pupil of Prof. Esterbrook, at Ypsilanti,
for some time. His tastes, however, confined him to farming pur-
suits, and upon returning home from school, he settled down con-
tentedly, and prepared to follow in the footsteps of his honored
father. While a student at Ypsilanti young Lowe had made the ac-
quaintance of Miss Emma Smith, to whom he was married October
29, 1859, at that city, Prof. Esterbrook officiating at the ceremony.
Mrs. Lowe is a native of England, having been born near the city of
Leeds, February 26, 1839. Her parents, Charles H. and Mary (Clayton)
Smith, were also of English birth and parentage, the father a tailor
by trade, who followed his occupation in his native town until com-
ing to the United States, in 1842. Soon after his arrival upon
American soil, he sought the western country, and located at the
little town of Ridgeway, in this county, where he followed his trade
a few years. Farming, however, at that day, was probably more
lucrative than tailoring, and Mr. Smith finally purchased a tract of
timber land on Section 4, Ridgeway township, of which he took pos-
486
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
session, felled the trees and cultivated a portion of the soil, and
there, with his excellent wife, spent the remainder of his days. His
death occurred about 1872, and the mother surviving about one year
and a half, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Lowe. The
wife of our subject was the eldest of five children comprising the
household of her parents, four daughters and one son. One daugh-


Mrs. Emma Lowe.
Coonrod L. Lowe.
ter died at the age of two years. The other children are all married
and settled in comfortable homes of their own. They all received a
fair education in the district school, and remained mostly under the
home roof until taking life partners. Mr. and Mrs. Lowe became
the parents of two children: Jessie, the wife of William Birdsell,
a well-to-do farmer, who is at present residing on his homestead of
120 acres in Saline township, Washtenaw County, and Charles C.,
who remains on and manages the old homestead in Ridgeway. Mr.
and Mrs. Lowe are Free Methodists religiously. Mr. Lowe has
represented Ridgeway township on the Board of Supervisors for a
period of nineteen years, has served as Justice of the Peace sixteen
years, and Road Commissioner nine years. Politically he is a Dem-
ocrat. He has represented his district for eight years on the Board
of Directors of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of
Lenawee County. As a public spirited citizen he has been active in
every way for the upbuilding of his township and county. Mr.
Lowe has traveled quite extensively, is a good conversationalist, en-
joys life, and although past sixty-five years of age, seems in the
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
487
prime of life, with a love for kindness and hospitality, and no
worthy person goes from his door hungry or in need. Justus Lowe,
father of Coonrod L. Lowe of the above sketch, was a very early


Hon. Justus Lowe.
Mrs. Justus Lowe.
settler of Ridgeway, and became one of the most prominent men of
his township. With much force of character and grace of mind and
heart he was highly honored and respected. He died in Ridgeway,
January 5, 1895. To show his standing among his religious friends,
we use the following certificate:
EXHORTER'S LICENSE.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
This certifies that Justus Lowe, having been examined by us concerning his
gifts, grace and usefulness, we judge that he is a suitable person to be licensed as
an Exhorter in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and we accordingly authorize
him to officiate as such, subject to the requirements of the Discipline of said
church.
Signed, by order of the Quarterly Conference of Ridgeway Circuit, in the
Adrian District, this 30th day of July, 1861.
JONATHAN BLANCHARD,
Presiding Elder.
[For a complete sketch of Justus Lowe's life see Whitney &
Bonner's History and Biographical Record of Lenawee County, Vol.
1, page 210.]
488
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL

EYE
EAR. HOSE
THROAT
PHYSICIAN
SUBGCON
The Abel Whitney Homestead, No. 42 East Maumee Street, Adrian, now owned and occupied
by Drs. M. R. and Esli T. Morden.
The engraving shown above is a photographic view of the old
Abel Whitney homestead, No. 40 East Maumee street, Adrian. The
house was erected by A. W. Budlong previous to 1840, and was one of
the largest and most imposing homes in the then Village of Adrian.
Mr. Budlong purchased the lot 5x15 rods of Addison J. Comstock
May 7, 1834, it being a part of the original plat of the Village of
Logan, afterwards named Adrian, laid out by Mr. Comstock in
March, 1828, consisting of forty-nine lots. February 16, 1843, the
property was purchased by Abel Whitney, the price being $1,300.
Mr. Whitney occupied it as a home from that time until his death,
which occurred October 18, 1899, a period of fifty-six years. At the
death of Mr. Whitney Frank W. Clay was appointed administrator
of the estate, and December 28, 1903, he sold the old landmark to the
Adrian Times Printing Company, which is erecting a modern print-
ing office on the west half of the lot. March 22, 1904, Drs. M. R.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
489
and Esli T. Morden purchased the east half of the lot upon which
stands the residence, and they now occupy the lower floor, which
has been fitted up for offices.
ALMOND W. BLISS was born in Deerfield, Lenawee County,
Mich., July 17, 1845. His father, Hiram W. Bliss, was born in
Raisinville, Monroe County, Mich., June 1, 1822, and came to Lena-
wee County with his parents and settled in Blissfield in 1824. He
lived in Blissfield, was educated in the primitive schools of that new


Mrs. Julia A. Bliss, Deerfield.
Almond W. Bliss, Deerfield..
settlement, and was reared on a farm. October 27, 1842, Hiram W.
Bliss married Miss Lovica Carey, of Blissfield, now Deerfield, and
they had six children, Almond W. being the second. In 1845 Hiram
W. Bliss purchased a farm on Section 2, in the present town of Deer-
field, where he resided until his death, which occurred September
24, 1898. His wife, Lovica Bliss, was a native of the State of New
York, was born August 7, 1822, and died in Deerfield, March 28, 1902.
Almond W. Bliss, subject of this sketch, now lives on the farm
where he was born and brought up. This farm he has always called
home, notwithstanding he has passed some years in other employ-
ment. In 1880 he went to Adrian, and for eight years was in the
employ of the Lake Shore Railway Company. In 1887 he went to
490
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Toledo, where he resided nearly eleven years. In 1898 he returned
to his farm in Deerfield, where he now resides. [For a complete
history of the Bliss family and the first settlement of Blissfield and
Deerfield, see A. L. Bliss' rec-
ord on page 207 in this vol-
ume.] October 12, 1865, Al-
mond W. Bliss married Miss
Julia A. Armitage, daughter
of William and Philinda (Vin-
cent) Armitage, of Deerfield,
and they have two children, as
follows: Daniel W., born in
Deerfield, December 18, 1869,
married, October 12, 1892,
Miss Myrtle M. Chase, and
resides in Toledo; May El-
nora, born in Deerfield, March
14, 1874. Mrs. Julia A. (Ar-
mitage) Bliss was born in
Spring Creek, Warren County,
Pa., June 10, 1848, and came
to Michigan with her parents
in 1865. Her father was a na-
tive of New York, was always
a farmer, and died in Deer-
field, this county, November
28, 1897. Her mother was also a native of New York, and died in
Deerfield, November 10, 1898.

Miss May Elnora Bliss.
JOHN D. CURTIS was born in Hudson township, this county,
October 26, 1874. His father, Stephen W. Curtis, was born in
Ira, Cayuga County, N. Y., March 17, 1831. For the history of
the Curtis family see the record of Stephen W. Curtis in this vol-
ume. John D. Curtis, the subject of this sketch, has always lived
in Hudson township, on the home farm, which he operates on Sec-
tions 10 and 13, in Hudson. General farming is carried on, together
with a fine herd of cows for dairy purposes. A special effort is also
made to handle good horses, and the choicest hogs obtainable, and
considerable stock is fed for market. April 12, 1899, John D. Curtis
married Miss Viola Seams, daughter of Andrew and Alice Adell
(Stockwell) Seams, of Rome, this county, and they have two chil-
dren, as follows: Mildred Ellen, born August 22, 1900; Harland J.,
born October 5, 1903. Mrs. Viola (Seams) Curtis was born in Rome,
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
491
this county, October 22, 1878. Her father was born in Adrian,
Mich., December 12, 1857. March 16, 1877, he married Miss Alice
A. Stockwell, who was born in Rome, this county, May 2, 1857.

John D. Curtis and Family.
They had two children, Mrs. Curtis and Minnie Louise, born Jan-
uary 18, 1888. Mr. Seams' ancestors came from England, and his
wife's father came from Vermont.
492
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL

The above engraving shows one of the Pioneer Giants of Lenawee County forests.
It stands in a timber tract in Seneca, owned by the Hon. Geo. B. Horton.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
493
FORESTRY AND ITS IMPORTANCE.
The accompanying engraving is made from a photograph taken in
August, 1902, by Frank P. Ford of Adrian, of a timber tract in Sen-
eca township, owned by the Hon. Geo. B. Horton. The giant white.
oak tree in the foreground, it is more than likely is the largest of its
species in the county. It is twenty-three feet in circumference at the
point where a tree is usually cut for falling, and is apparently as
healthy and thrifty as any tree in its neighborhood. It stands as
a survivor of the sacrifice of its fellows, that has been going on in
Lenawee County during the past seventy-five years. If it could tell
the story of its life, how it has stood there and watched the destruc-
tion of the magnificent forest that covered the county over, and seen
its genus go in heat, and smoke and waste until it now stands alone,
a majestic sample of nature's original handiwork, it would be almost
thrilling in its details. The old comrades gone, the elements, the
storm king, the floods and tempests of each succeeding season are
borne bravely and alone. As we mortals measure time, this tree's
life must run back for hundreds of years, into the misty past. If it
could tell us of all it has witnessed; the splendors of the glorious sun-
rise, the beautiful halos of the evening sunset, of the lightning's
flash and the awful mutterings of the coming tempest that threat-
ened to destroy! What a story of perhaps a thousand years of such
experiences. To endure such an existence baffles human power to
realize.
Mr. Horton is very proud of this forest giant, and while he
lives it will be protected from vandalism. Mr. Horton has at
least one hundred acres of timber that he is protecting from all in-
trusion, and is allowing it to assume as far as possibble, nature's
ways. He is a strong advocate of forest culture, and fully realizes
the calamity that will befall the American people when the timber
is gone.
Dr. Ferrow, one of the best experts in forestry in the world,
says:
"The extensive and absolute destruction of forest cover in West-
ern Asia and portions of Eastern and Southern Europe has desolated
vast regions and transformed them into lifeless deserts. Such rapine
has sterilized almost beyond recovery the once highly productive re-
gions of Sicily and Algeria; and in our own country we can point
to similar results already apparent, as in Wisconsin, where over
494
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
4,000,000 acres have practically been turned into deserts, in Missis-
sippi and other portions of our domain, where erosion carries the
fertile soil into rivers, occasioning, in addition to its loss, disturb-
ance of favorable water stages and expenditures in river and harbor
bills."
This means not alone the loss of a great source of wealth, but
it carries with it changes in our climate. Every year this country
consumes two and a quarter billion cubic feet of lumber in construc-
tion; it consumes fifteen billion cubic feet of wood for fuel; it uses
twenty-seven million cubic feet of railroad ties, thirty million cubic
feet of fences and a billion cubic feet for other purposes, making a
draft on the forests every twelve months of the stupendous total
of eighteen billion cubic feet!
This means, in cash, a value of over a billion dollars a year,
and, in addition, there is an annual loss by fire of over twenty mill-
ions of dollars.
Behold some of the results which have already come! Most of
the white pine forests have been cut down. In the Northern and
Eastern States the oak and hickory have been nearly exhausted.
There is a scramble all over the country for trees and this applies to
the new regions of Canada.
What will happen in the course of a few generations is a case of
simple mathematics-unless something is done in intelligent
forestry.
Following is a most excellent discussion of Farm Forestry,
by the Hon. George B. Horton, of Fruit Ridge, Master of the Michi-
gan State Grange, before the Michigan Forestry Commission in
1902:
"In a country in which the people are still living, who have passed
through the pioneer process of timber destruction, it is difficult to
arouse interest in a scheme of timber preservation. If we consider
the perpetual public and individual needs subserved by timber, and
the influence of tree and forest growth upon humidity and tempera-
ture; and if we further consider the value of such natural conditions
as cause trees to spring forth from the ground and flourish to beau-
tify and benefit the home, farm, and the general landscape of our
State, it cannot be otherwise than that our people will gradually be
brought to see the importance of the forest as an accompaniment of
the farm.
"Those who can see no value in trees except the money which
may be secured from their destruction are lacking in elementary
farm education. People who cannot look beyond the almighty dol-
lar may continue for a time to say that mere sentiment protects and
provides for tree and forest growth, but this leads to the query:
What of a person or a people untempered or unswerved by senti-
ment? Sentiment is one of the marked discriminating differences
between the higher and lower grades of civilization. Without senti-
ment man degenerates into the condition of the savage. D. Stew-
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
495
art, a noted Scotch mental and moral philosopher, of over a century
ago said, "The word sentiment agreeably to the use made of the
word by our best English writers, expresses in my own opinion, very
happily, those complex determinations of the mind which result
from the co-operation of our entire rational powers, and of our moral
feelings." Those who stand for tree and forest production and pro-
tection can feel that their position is made stronger by being forti-
tified by sentiment. We may further ask of the "business is busi-
ness" man, what acts of ours can really stand the test of time if not
tempered by sentiment? There is, however, a purely business side.
to the forestry question, and if our acts are guided by wisdom, the
benefits need not all go to future generations, as laudable as such
preparation and foresight for the benefit of our children would seem
to be. Fuel, fencing,, building and repairs, wind brakes to crops,
and store houses of moisture are of sufficient pecuniary value to re-
ceive sober consideration.
"Nature so provided Michigan as to make it a favorable founda-
tion for a state of model homes, provided with many of the best
gifts to man. If, at the beginning through some general plan under
our system of sectional division of land, there could have been saved
in the center of each section, in compact form from the rear ends of
the surrounding farms eighty to one hundred acres of the virgin for-
ests as a permanent preserve, who would now fail to sing praises to
the wisdom of the fathers? If such wise forethought had governed
and should henceforth be perpetuated, our children, our children's
children, and all people would continue the praise giving. Such
early provision under permanent protection would have solved for-
ever the whole forestry question, except on the part of the general
government, where large mountain tracts are desirable for preser-
vation.
"Forestry as applied to such large tracts may be all right in a
way, but as a general policy, the benefits to be derived are too remote
from the great mass of people. The question must touch the farm
and must contemplate supplying in part or in whole the present and
natural needs of woods for various farm purposes. Any system en-
couraging reforestation or planting and protection of forest which
the State may adopt should consider what may be termed "Farm
Forestry" of first and greatest importance. While all our people
have lost forever what they might have enjoyed through some gen-
eral and perpetuated plan, established when Michigan was a terri-
tory, it is not too late to save something from the wreck. A large
majority of the farms of the State possess some portions of land
which have not been entirely cleared of trees, and which would, if
now given a chance, soon lay the foundation for a valuable wood lot.
The one thing above all others which prevents a natural replac-
ing of trees and a continuation of dense forest conditions is the prac-
tice of allowing farm live stock to run at large over the wood lots.
As large trees come to maturity and are removed the process of cut-
66
496
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
ting, drawing out logs and clearing up the tops for fuel, results in
considerable openings in the woods if the tree taken out had a broad
and sweeping top such as most large trees possess. This opening
lets in the sun and a new life begins at once. Various kinds of trees
will spring forth from the ground and during the first year will make
quite a start. Now, if the farm stock is allowed to enter the forest
domain the little tender seedlings soon disappear to satisfy the appe-
tite of the cattle. The natural regrowth of forest trees thus being
prevented the ground soon becomes grassed over and reforestation
is made more difficult. On the other hand if all farm stock could be
excluded and nature allowed to work out her own methods of recu-
peration, each successive year's growth assisted and mulched by an
undisturbed annual and perennial surface growth would soon form
a thicket of such trees as are most natural to the conditions and soil.
It is understood that where wood lands have been so handled as to
prevent the effort of nature in reforestation, and to encourage grass
to take possession of the ground the woods have become open and
nothing is growing from the ground to take the place of the large
trees as they are from time to time removed. This open condition
may also occur because the low thicket having grown up to trees of
considerable size and the ground being so shaded that underbrush is
killed out. Whatever the conditions it is disastrous to forest growth
and perpetuation on the farm to allow cattle and other farm stock to
run at large among the trees. We may as well expect to perpetuate
the human race in the presence of some policy or condition which
results in the destruction of all the children.
"The situation fully stated is this: First. The growth, protec-
tion and perpetuity of a proportionate acreage of the farms of Mich-
igan to forest cover is for the highest benefit to the individual and
the State. Second. To subserve these conditions such lands pre-
served in forest cover must be so fenced as to exclude all farm live
stock. Third. In all processes of removing the mature trees care
must be taken to destroy and injure as little as possible the under-
growth of young trees even to the smallest seedlings. Fourth.
Fourth. Pro-
tecting and encouraging laws enacted in behalf of increasing forest
areas should be along these lines of farm forestry.
"In many cases in which farm stock has been allowed to com-
pletely destroy all undergrowth, and in which the lands fenced off
for a future farm forest preserve are considerably cleared and
grassed over, a system of planting will be necessary to fill some
especially barren places.
"To exempt from taxation a proper proportion of farm acreage
under conditions of strict exclusion of all farm stock for forest devel-
ment, will be an undoubted encouragement, and in support of this
plan some system of bounties under strict requirements will not only
assist in checking the common disregard of tree preservation but
will also tend to establish a more general sentiment among the people
favorable to planting trees and perpetuation of forests."
Record of lenawEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
497
PIONEER INCIDENTS.
It is almost impossible for the present generation to realize that
within the lifetime and memory of many who are still residents, Len-
awee County, which now boasts of so much wealth and refinement,
so many beautiful homes, with at least fifty thousand intelligent,
industrious people, was covered with an almost impenetrable forest,
and inhabited by wild animals and predatory tribes; that wolves
howled and made night hideous in their ferocious attacks upon the
isolated settlers, where today elegant farm homes, and beautiful
villages and hamlets beautify and enliven the landscape.
It is hard for our younger people to believe it, but the boy or
girl who came here seventy years ago, needs no stretch of imagina-
tion to recall all the realities of life in the virgin forest. So deter-
mined, so resolute and so thrifty were those brave pioneers who
came to Michigan to make homes and fortunes, and advance civiliza-
tion, that, nothing daunted, they persisted and won the great battle.
Their struggles for victory, for betterment and for independence
typified their love of liberty, and was emblematic of their ancestry.
They suffered, many sickened, some died, but their work was
marked out, Puritan faith buoyed them up, their isolation intensi-
fied a resolute purpose, and we of today are unconsciously enjoying
the fruits of their heroic sacrifices. Who can do the pioneers justice?
Who can say too much regarding their great victory?
Many incidents could be related to remind the present genera-
tion of how the fathers and mothers and the youth of those days
were employed and amused. And they had enjoyment and "fun,"
but not of the present day sort. No; they could chop down the
tree, pile the brush, burn the log heap, heap up the brands. They
could chase the wild deer, fight the hungry bear, tree the coon, enjoy
the odorous skunk, listen to the dolorous howls of the timber wolf,
the drumming of the grouse, the hooting of the owl, and the wailing
of the wind through the forest. It was robust, if not exhilerating
"fun" for the boys and girls, and a serious and strenuous problem
for the parents.
Many incidents happened that seemed momentous then, which
to us of today seem quite ludicrous. Mr. John I. Knapp, who came
with his parents, John and Mamre Knapp, in 1834, at the age of
nine years, remembers many incidents that were indelibly impressed
upon his mind. In 1834 his father cut a road through from the
32
498
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
"Warren Settlement" in Dover, to where the village of Medina now
is, a distance of nine miles, and built the first log house, 24x26, in
the present township of Medina, and two men and a boy, assisted by
a yoke of oxen, put up the structure.
One night, in 1834, the household was awakened by the loud
squealing of a pig enclosed in a log pen. At once surmising the
cause of the commotion, Mr. Knapp, with his gun and dog, went to
the relief of the animal, and found it in the close embrace of a bear,
who was taking a meal from the back and shoulder of his victim.
The gun and the dog scared away the bear, and the pig returned,
got well, and prepared himself, as all hogs should, for the pork
barrel.
There were many reptiles, some harmless but repulsive, and
some venomous and dangerous. The one most dreaded and avoided
was the Massasauga, or black rattle snake. This repulsive snake
was a constant menace and danger to all, particularly the children,
and much suffering and many deaths resulted from the bite, during
many years after the settlement began. One night Mrs. Knapp
heard one shake his rattles as he came in the "cat-hole" in the
door. A tallow candle was lighted by Mr. Knapp, and the snake,
which proved to be a large one, was dispatched. These snakes.
often exuded a sickening odor, and the pioneer dog, as well as the
pioneer himself, soon became familiar with it, which caused the death
of thousands of snakes. No Massasauga was allowed to escape, as he
was a common and dangerous enemy. Mr. Knapp remembers his
father killing a large "Sauger" one day, when twelve youngsters
ran out of the dead snake's mouth, each with one rattle on the tail.
It was found to be the habit of the mother snake to swallow her
brood in time of danger. The young snakes, which were killed,
were about nine inches long.
Haying and harvest in the early years of the settlement, proved
the most dangerous season. A constant watch was kept for these
pests, and thousands were cut to pieces with the scythe. It often
happened that while loading hay or grain in the field, snakes would
be pitched up to the loader, and then there was a tussle and scram-
ble but always a dead snake.
John Knapp and Abel Platt followed a wolf, that had been
caught in a trap without a clog, about six miles one day, and with
the assistance of the faithful dog captured him alive in Hillsdale
County. Not knowing about the bounty in that county, they se-
curely tied the enraged beast and carried him back to Medina, where,
after showing him to a sick woman, who had often heard the howl
but never saw a live wolf, dispatched him and received the bounty.
At another time Abel Platt called for Mr. Knapp and his dog
and gun to assist him in capturing a bear and two cubs. The bear
track was followed to a tree, which was cut down. The old bear
was wounded and the cubs killed, but the ammunition was exhausted.
The wounded bear was followed in the direction of Mr. Platt's
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
499
house, where upon arrival, Mrs. Platt was found actively engaged in
barricading the doors and windows against the persistent entrance
of the enraged brute. Mr. Platt siezed his axe and attempted to kill
the animal, but was soon disarmed and chagrinned to see the bear
make off in the direction of her dead cubs. She was finally killed.
As a boy, John I. Knapp attended the first school in Medina
township, which was taught by I. S. Hamilton, afterwards so long
and prominently known in Tecumseh as Dr. Hamilton.
It no doubt will seem strange to most of the present people of
Adrian to be told that the little creek now slowly meandering
through the city, was in 1844 a large stream and at some seasons
of the year a raging river, that overflowed its banks. What is
known now as Lawrence Park was often under water. Near where
the Detroit Southern Railroad depot now stands, once stood a large
two story building, known as the Merrick Furniture Factory. In
that building Rufus Merrick carried on the manufacture of bedsteads,
chairs, bureaus, etc., Amos Aldrich wool carding and cloth dressing,
and William Nixon the manufacture of wagon hubs. This was not
Alexander Mandeville owned a factory, making sash, doors
and blinds. That building was situated directly north of land
owned by John Mills, who lived where the Mineral Springs Hotel
now stands. At that time the dam across the river was directly
west and continued to the Merrick building, the river running around
close to the bank on the west and north of the present Lawrence
Park, (see old map of the original water power which was consid-
ered very valuable.) This description of the Adrian water power
leads to an explanation of how and why the old bed of the river be-
came changed.
About the year 1845 or '46, George C. Knight came from Massa-
chusetts, some said from Boston, and bought the old Franklin Hotel,
built by Isaac French in 1831, which had been discontinued as a pub-
lic hostelry, and one night it was "removed by fire." Mr. Knight
built upon the old hotel site in 1847, a brick block, running from
the present Franklin alley on Main street, south three stores. To
get the brick for that purpose, he started a brickyard on the present
Lawrence Park, taking the clay from the west bank of the river,
wheeling it over on planks, moulding, drying and burning on the
Park.
The hole from whence the clay was taken is still to be seen, and
a stranger might wonder what freak of nature caused the bank to
assume its present shape.
After Mr. Knight had gotten a large amount of brick almost ready
for the kiln, there came an extremely high stage of water, and his
brickyard was in imminent danger of being inundated. Mr. Knight
persuaded Mr. Mandeville to open the watergate and allow the water
to run under his mill. The action of the flood cut away the dam,
the whole river rushing through, and instead of a little tail race, it
became the bed of the river. Mr. Mandeville, being blind, was not
500
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
aware of the situation or the danger. It saved the brickyard, but
about ruined the water-power.
Mr. Knight, fearing a recurrence and not wishing to take any
chances, served an injunction on Mr. Mandeville to prevent his re-
pairing the dam until the brick were out of danger. Thus Mr.
Knight showed his gratitude to Mr. Mandeville for his kindness.
RAISIN VALLEY SEMINARY,
This popular educational institution was founded in 1850, by
the Friends of Adrian Quarterly Meeting. Its honorable and success-
ful career of over fifty years has given it a prestige and good name,
which is a legacy not to be lightly esteemed.
From time to time the school has been endowed by the generosity

View of Raisin Valley Seminary.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
501
of the friends of the institution, Moses Sutton alone having given
over $23,000 as gifts and endowment.
It was a pioneer school in Michigan, and during its period of
existence has been recognized as a most helpful and stimulating in-
fluence, not only in its immediate and surrounding country, but
throughout the length and breadth of the land.
Conspicuous among its principals have been James P. Jones,
son of Eli Jones, Daniel Satterthwaite, Oliver G. Owen, Benjamin
F. Trueblood, Erastus Test, William W. White and Fred R. Hath-
away.
While the school is under the management of Friends, its doors
stand open to any who seek an education, irrespective of denomina-
tional or religious views.
The seminary is located in Lenawee County, Michigan, four
miles northeast of Adrian, on the road leading to Tecumseh, and is
within half a mile of Birdsall station on the Detroit Southern Rail-
road.
The officers of the Seminary are: President, J. Hoag, Adrian,
Mich.; Secretary, May J. Taylor, Tecumseh, Mich.; Treasurer,
Joseph Salter, Adrian, Mich. Jonathan Dickinson, Jr., A. M.,
Principal.
502
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
COUNTY SCHOOL STATISTICS.
County Commissioner of Schools M. W. Hensel has furnished us
with the following statistics regarding the schools of Lenawee
County, excepting the cities of Adrian and Hudson, where he has no
jurisdiction, for the year 1902:
School population...
12,628
School enrollment.
Number of ungraded school districts, one teacher in school..
9,606
177
Number of graded school districts...
19
Number of school houses...
208
Number of teachers necessary to fill schools.
307
Estimated value of school property..
8410,070
Average school year in months....
9
Number of different teachers employed during the year{
males
80
females
285
Total number of teachers employed at one time.
307
Total wages of teachers..…….
$91,723.01
Average wages of teachers per month females
males
46.31
30.36
Number of volumes in school libraries.
Primary school money for 1903...
School library money for 1903..
31,601
$39,004.20
552.30
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
503
THE BANKS OF LENAWEE COUNTY,
There were twenty-one banks in Lenawee County in 1903, with an
aggregate capital and surplus of $1,123,860, and deposits amounting
to $5,551,052. These banks are well distributed throughout the
county, and supply the cash facilities for doing the large business
that is daily transacted.
Probably no county in Michigan has a better or more safe and
conservative list of bankers, and men who have the interest and
prosperity of the people at heart. All the banks are established on
a sound basis and enjoy the utmost confidence of the business
community.
Following is a list of the different banks, showing their loca-
tion, capital, surplus and deposits in January, 1903:
Capital.
Surplus.
Deposits.
Adrian Waldby & Clay's State Bank....
$55,000
$13,350
$720,120
66
State Savings Bank..
60,000
49,870
1,004,042
66
Commercial Savings Bank.....
110,000
22,000
550,000
Lenawee County Savings Bank…….
100,000
25,000
580,000
Addison, O. B. Bowen..
10,000
Blissfield, State Bank..
20,000
7,500
300,000
66
Jipson-Carter State Bank..
25,000
8,000
244,310
Britton, Bank of Britton.
4,000
1,000
3,000
Clayton, Exchange Bank...
100,000
Responsibility.
Clinton, Exchange Bank..
60,000
Responsibility.
Deerfield, Bank of Deerfield…….
20,000
Hudson, Boies' State Savings Bank..
75,000
35,680
387,930
66
Thompson Savings Bank..
100,000
20,000
746,530
Jasper, Bank of Jasper..
25,000
Responsibility.
Morenci, First National Bank..
25,000
8,610
161,840
Wakefield State Bank..
30,000
14,000
390,000
Ogden, Bank of F. S. Phillips..
130
35,090
Tecumseh, Lilley State Bank..
40,000
13,000
183,000
66 State Savings Bank.
26,000
7,600
180,000
Weston, Bank of Weston.
4,550
60,190
Onsted....
2,500
6,070
Total
$867,500
$256,360
$5,551,052
504
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
THE CHEESE AND BUTTER INTEREST.
Lenawee County was the first in Michigan to engage in the
manufacture of cheese, and Samuel Horton and Rufus Baker were
the first to establish factories, in 1866. The product of these facto-
ries was put upon the market and immediately found a ready sale,
and Lenawee County at once became a factor in the cheese markets
of the country. The business has steadily grown from that time
until now there are many factories, located in different parts of the
county. It is impossible for us to give the exact number of cows
involved in the cheese and butter interests, within our limits, but
practical men can easily estimate when the aggregate product is
known.
We herewith give the product of each cheese and butter factory
for the year 1902, thus showing the magnitude of this branch of
agriculture.
George B. Horton, of Fruit Ridge, Fairfield township, operated
the following factories, and marketed the product:
Pounds of Pounds of
milk.
cheese.
Home factory.
Sand Creek factory.
Fairfield factory.
1,250,000
125,000
1,400,000
140,000
1,500.000
150,000
Jasper factory.
2,000,000
200,000
Weston factory,
1,225,000
125,000
Seneca factory.
1,300,000
130.000
Canandaigua factory.
1,750,000 175,000
Hudson Center
1,500,000
150,000
Lyons, Ohio
1,500,000
150,000
13,425,000
1,345,000
Baker & Jurdon, Riverside factory, Adrian, Mich………
1,808,307
184,563
C. C. Colvin & Son Clayton factory..
858,886
88,809
Medina factory, C. C. Colvin & Son….
1,603,272
162,217
P. T. Bogart, Adrian township_factory.
308,482
34,350
Eugene Jenkins, Rome Center Factory.
437,424
42,719
L. W. Baker, Wolf Creek and Pentecost factories.
1,250,000
125,000
William A. Beebe & Son, Tipton factory.
1,041,669
103,144
S. S. Beatty, Morenci factory..
1,456,228
148,597
Lime Creek factory, S. S. Beatty.
1,251,659
128,739
Peebles factory, Rollin..
Brown Bros., Ogden Center factory.
D. W. Rhead, Hudson cheese factory.
1,000,000 104,000
1,250,000
131,000
RECORD OF LENAWee counTY, MICHIGAN.
505
Butter Factories,
Most of the dairy business of this county is centered in the man-
ufacture of cheese. As will be seen above twenty-one factories are en-
gaged in cheese making, while there are only four devoted to butter.
The largest butter factory in Lenawee County is operated by
Edward Mott & Co. at Tecumseh. This firm has several stations
where milk is received and the cream separated, after which it is taken
to Tecumseh to be worked into butter. The output of the Tecumseh
Creamery is about 1,500 pounds per day.
The Locust Farm Creamery, owned by A. B. Graham, is located
on his farm on Section 19, in the western part of Madison township.
Mr. Graham keeps about forty cows of his own, and in 1902 made
57,054 pounds of choice butter.
The Cadmus Creamery is operated by L. McLouth & Son, at
Cadmus Village. During eight months in the year the output is
two hundred pounds per day, and about one hundred pounds per day
for the other four months.
The Morenci Creamery is owned by the Ohio Dairy Company
and has recently been transformed into a condensing factory. A
large amount of milk is condensed daily, and the product sold in
bulk.
The Hudson Creamery Co. is located in the City of Hudson, and
is operated by H. E. Loyster. The factory was opened in April,
1902. In 1903 the product amounted to 46,020 pounds.
In 1902 a canvass of cheese factories of the State by Labor Com-
missioner Griswold showed that they consumed 140,893,073 pounds
of milk. It requires ten pounds of milk to make one of cheese, so the
cheese production was 14,044,575 pounds, of a total value of $1,473,-
517. There are 150 factories in the State, 62 having been estab-
lished since January 1, 1900. Seventy-three of the factories are
owned by indviduals.
The number of persons
was 7,134, and the number
at wages of $40.26 a month.
sold in Michigan.
supplying cheese factories with milk
employed by the factories was 298,
Sixty-four per cent. of the product is
The total milk product in 1902 is shown in the report as follows:
Manufactured into cheese, 140,893,073 pounds; manufactured into
butter, 334,180,960; made into condensed milk, 50,419,282, bringing
the total amount delivered to factories, 525,493,315 pounds, and its
aggregate value is placed at $6,087,069.
506
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
LIVE STOCK,
The live stock industry in Lenawee County is a very important
one. Probably no other agricultural specialty involves as much cap-
ital, distributed among so many farmers. The stock in question
consists of cattle, sheep and hogs, fattened for market.
It is claimed that Hillsdale leads all other counties in Michigan
in sheep feeding, and that Lenawee County is a good second.
In fat cattle, we are not positively informed, but believe that
Lenawee stands among the first. Among the townships, Ogden
leads all the others, sending to market in 1902 fully 2,600 head of
well-fattened steers. Add to this 9,600 hogs, fattened after the
steers, and it shows a thrifty and prosperous township. Very few
sheep are fed in Ogden.
The township of Adrian and Madison probably lead in sheep
feeding. The largest feeder in Adrian is Jay Stevenson, who annually
feeds from 1,000 to 1,500 head. In Madison the Illenden Bros. feed
about the same number. The stock is mostly lambs, purchased in
the fall in Chicago, coming from the western ranges. It is impos-
sible to state the number of sheep annually fattened in this county,
but it is estimated by those who are closely identified with the busi-
ness, that the number will reach from fifty to seventy-five thousand.
Hogs are an unknown quantity, and it would be impossible to
estimate the number marketed. It is safe to say, however, that this
animal returns the farmer more actual money than any other variety
of stock, because he breeds them himself, and realizes all their profit.
The number of carloads of live stock taken to market from the
different stations along the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern and
Wabash Railways in Lenawee County in 1902, aggregated fully
1,232. Besides these carload lots, several hundred head were driven
into the Toledo markets from the southern and eastern townships.
Baled Hay.
To further show what the farmers are doing it is proper to say
that this same year two thousand one hundred carloads of baled hay
were shipped out of the county. Each car contained from ten to
eleven tons, making an aggregate of about twenty-two thousand
tons.
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
507
THE WOOL CROP.
That wool is an important product of Lenawee County the fol-
lowing figures will show. The reports for 1902 indicate that the
principal buyers from the growers of the county purchased 506,382
pounds, the price ranging from 14 to 17 cents.
The prominent buyers in 1902 in the county were:
L. Frensdorf & Son, Hudson...
Charles W. Kimball, Adrian.
William H. Rogers, Adrian..
Charles E. Rogers, Adrian….
Otis Clapp, Adrian..
Mark Rorick, Morenci..
H. C. Hayward, Morenci...
Clark Knowlan, Dover..
190,000 pounds
155,000
66
62,838
66
45,000
66
17,000
66
14,000
10,000
66
12,000
64
Bunch lots amounting to fully 100,000 pounds were also pur-
chased from smaller dealers in the county.
Mr. Frensdorf, at Hudson, during the year handled about 1,200,000
pounds, his business being largely outside the county.
-508
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
ERRATA,
On page 135, Dr. D. K. Underwood, on thirteenth line from commencement
of sketch, read "1630."
Page 409, D. H. Warren, second line, read "June 26."
Page 212, thirty-third line from top of page, Mrs. F. B. Stebbins died "Jan-
uary" and not October.
Page 32, seventh line from bottom of page, should read George "Green"
and not Breen.
OMISSION.
The following was received by the publishers after Albert B. Graham's
record [see page 246] was in type: Smith Thompson, son of Benoni and Anna
Thompson, was born July 14, 1829, in Schoharie County, N. Y., and came to
Michigan with his parents in 1836, who settled in this county in that year. Smith
Thompson and Lucinda Phillips were married February 27, 1853, and they had
two children: Mrs. A. B. Graham, of Madison, and Mrs. J. L. Wood, of Lynch-
burg, Va. Smith Thompson died January 11, 1892. His wife, Lucinda Phillips,
was born June 16, 1835, in the State of New York, and came to Michigan with
her parents when a child. She died January 8, 1881. Benoni Thompson was
born in Schenectady, N. Y., June 4, 1791. In 1800 he moved to Schoharie and
came to Michigan in 1836. In 1814 he married Anna Jones, and they had nine
children. Benoni Thompson died in Ingham County, Michigan, May 31, 1877.
His wife, Anna, died in October, 1873.
INDEX.
Historical and Statistical,
Adrian Brick and Tile Plant.
456-
66
Brown's Business College.
50
66
College.
50-
66
High School in 1840.
48-
66
Public Schools...
43
66
The Third Settlement.
18.
66
Times and Expositor.
473
Banking Resources and Statistics of Lenawee.
503
Blissfield, the Second Settlement.
16
Brown, Gen. Joseph W., the First Pioneer of Lenawee..
66
Church Organizations, First.
32
Cheese and Butter Industry.
504
Clayton
29
Clinton
28
Comstock, Hon. Addison J., the founder of Adrian.
68
County Offices, the Old..
31
County School Statistics.
.502
Deerfield
29
Eminent Men of Lenawee.
63
Errata
508
Forestry and its Importance
493
Frontispiece, Pioneer Log Cabins..
Hay.
.506
Haviland, Mrs. Laura S.
70
Hudson, the Second City.
Judges of Probate.
26-478
66
Last Hunt, The…….
30
Live Stock Interests of Lenawee..
506
Mayors of Adrian for 50 years.
63
Michigan
9
Morden, Drs. M. R. and Esli T.
488
Morenci...
27
Newspapers of Lenawee County.
Omission..
61
.508
Pioneer Incidents.
497
Pioneer Mill, A.:
451
Poem, A Reminiscent
480
Railroad History.....
56
Sheriffs of Lenawee County.
61
State Industrial Home for Girls.
53
Seminary, Raisin Valley.
500
Tecumseh, the First Settlement.
10
Unincorporated Villages...
29
Wool
507
510
INDEX
Alchin, Willis E..
Allen, John..
Biographical Records.
.446
Edwards, Alfred..
437
206
Eldridge, Col. Nathaniel Buel..
233
Anderson, John C..
181
Ellis, Amaziah DeEstine.
.110
Angel, Henry A...
339
Elliott, Col. Lyman S..
140
Applegate, Tom S.
328
Everiss, Joseph E...
112
Bailey, Peter L...
.366
Farrar, James..
299
Baker, Dr. Vincent A..
97
Faxon, Thomas J..
94
Baker, Albert G..
142
Fellows, Grant…..
.447
Baker, Rev. Jacob.
148
Force, Solomon 2nd.
365
Baker, Joseph M..
256
Frensdorf, Edward….
.457
Baker, Delos M...
295
Furman, Dusenbury J..
.130
Baker, Edwin L...
393
Galloway, David A...
367
Baker, Hon. Lewis C...
426
Geddes, Hon. Norman.
79
Baldwin, Samuel Cutler.
132
Gilbert, Warren..
223
Baldwin, Nelson..
342
Goff, Warner W..
99
Baldwin, John W.
414
Graham, Albert B., (see Omission).
246
Baragar, Abram W.
245
Grandon, David W..
419
Bates, Winslow.
201
Graves, Col. Benjamin F..
159
Beal, Warren M..
249
Green, William.
101
Beaman, Hon. Fernando C..
73
Green, Orin E..
411
Beck, Leonard….
406
Green, James H..
175
Beers, Edward W..
173
Green, Jonathan H..
198
Bell, Joseph H...
387
Gregg, Charles W..
398
Bennett, Hon. Joseph R..
125
Gustin, Charles F..
166
Bennett, John A..
352
Hahn, Charles.
305
Bertram, Ezra, Jr..
179
Hart, Henry.
213
*Bliss, Almond L..
207
Hensel, Michael Wesley.
187
Bliss, W. Irving.
267
Henig, Charles E...
253
Bliss, Almond W..
489
Henderson, Nathaniel.
315
Blood, Hiram H..
351
Hibbard, William R..
252
Boies, Hon. John K..
204
Hicks, Benjamin L..
320
Bond, George W....
103
Hixon, Mrs. Maria H..
113
Bond Steel Post Company.
363
Holland, Thomas R...
165
Bonner, Richard I...
452
Holloway, Major James M..
429
Buck, Frederick James.
380
Hopkins, Howard M..
384
Burdick, Clark L..
355
Horton, Hon. George B...
388
Bury, Richard A..
276
Hotchkiss, Deacon Oliver C..
433
Cadoo, John
182
Hough, Flavius J....
76
Carpenter, James L..
120
Howell, Major Seymour..
288
Carpenter, Edward J.
148
Howell, Dr. George.
238
Carpenter, Hon. Joel..
150
Humphrey, Rev. George.
268
Carr, John E..
353
Humphrey, Gen. William.
.376
Chappell, James Nelson.
291
Humphrey, Charles.
.467
Clark, DeWitt C..
182
Illenden, Richard.
219
Clay, Frank W...
258
Jipson, Webster C..
184
Cleveland, Edgar F.
169
Johnson, Squire.
128
Combs, Hon. John H.
369
Kayner, Charles..
171
Conklin, C. A....
253
King, Capt. Henry N..
430
Conkling, Hudson W..
306
King, William F..
465
Crane, William.
87
Kirk, James William.
413
Crockett, William.
83
Kirby, John..
81
Cross, Darius.
382
Knapp, Eugene Byron.
202
Curtis, Stephen W.
460
Knapp, Hon. Cornelius.
280
Curtis, John D...
490
Knapp, John I...
439
Dailey, Thomas A..
476
Knight, William H..
123
Davidson, Minor.
482
Knowlan, Clark...
199
Dewey, John W..
273
Lamb Wire Fence Company.
463
*See errata.
INDEX.
511
Lane, George.
193 Service, Edward..
286
Lane, James T..
92
Service, John, Sr..
-329
Larwill, George Washington.
435
Service, Robert..
336
Lesh & Young Company.
425
Sims Frederick..
197
Lewis, Ladd John..
__396
Smith, Hon. Henry C..
...217
Lilley, Lucius..
.177
Smith, David Sr..
.185
Linnell, James C..
..106
Smith, Joseph H..
_272
Lowe, Coonrod L..
..485
Smith, Wellington C..
433
Luyster, Abram, Jr..
-459
Spielman Bros.' Nursery.
..250
Mace, Wendell A...
.164
Stearns, Hon. Willard.
.417
Mann, Leonard S..
341
Stebbins, Francis R...
225
Mason, William S. G..
372
Stevenson, Archimides.
_261
May, James H..
423
Stone, Hon. Alvah G...
405
Mead, Thomas G...
358
Sutton, Andrew J...
343
Measures, Thomas, 2nd.---.
402
Sutton, Charles W..
418
Meech, Lorenzo Dow.
358
----
Sutton, John D....
449
Merrick, Rufus.
277
Taft, Rev. Howard B..
Metcalf, David.
---346
307
Tayer, Alfonso R...
.157
Michigan Granite Company.
385
Teachout, Franklin Dewey
88
Miller, Capt. Charles Rollin.
241
Tingley, Samuel, Jr..
119
Miller, James Francis..
..364
Titus, Franklin.
-168
Moreland, Robert S..
152
Tobias, Burton E..
..190
Morden, Marshall R..
174 Tolford, Robert J.:
95
Mosher, Isaac H..
313
Tolford, John C....
316
McComb, William 2nd.
332
Tufts, Aaron R..
274
McIntyre, James..
481
Turner, Eugene C.....
374
Nash, Nathan
191
*Underwood, Dr. Daniel Kingsley.
135
North, Dr. Lucian Gregory.
309
Underwood, William Allen...
156
Packard, Marvin A..
292
Vogt, Andrew.
.415
Page, J. Wallace..
321
Wakefield, Charles C..
283
Park, Ambrose B..
..294
Waldby, Ebenezer I..
109
Payne, William.
421
Walker, Charles M..
244
Porter, Cullen R..
139 Wallace, Prof. Thomas.
_344
Porter, Deacon Asaph K..
301
*Warren, Darwin H...
408
Pratt, Henry C...
360
Weatherby, William.
116
Pratt, Alton F..
356
Welch, Daniel..
105
Price, David A..
361
Westerman, Hon. Walter S..
85
Reed, Hon. Marshall.
334
Westgate, Dr. Julius E...
161
Reynolds, Dr. James Henry.
303
Westgate, Orlando.
282
Reynolds, Wesley.
201
Whaley, George E..
196
Robertson, James..
379
White, Lewis A..
188
Robertson, George P.
403
Whitney, Mrs. Dorcas (Fisk).
.228
Robertson, Martin L..
348
Whitney, William A..
352
Robertson, Alpheus J.
373
Whitney, Channing..
-468
Robertson, Isaiah W..
133
Wightman, James W..
286
Robinson, Murray L..
318
Wiggins, Hon. William H..
410
Rorick, Cosper.
311 Wilcox, Henry
194
Rorick, Elias B..
337
Wilcox, Hon. William Seward.
269
Schureman, Samuel T..
145
Wilcox, James S..
280
Scofield, Silas A..
263 Wilcox, George A..
289
Scott, William H..
327
Willey, Job...
477
Schuyler, Adolphus A..
349
Woolsey, John W..
229
Sell, John W...
392
Woolsey, Rudolph A.
230
Sellick, Charles W.
114
Young, Francis.
237
180
Young, Samuel.
227
Service, James Jr..
-298
Service, William B..
*See errata.
1
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
DATE DUE
28-1987
SEP 0 3 1997
SEP 20 1988
APR6 1999
APR 1 0 1989
02 1998
JUN 161998
JAFEB221710
JUN 28-1994
JUNM 15:19995