USA > Michigan > American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-made Men.: Michigan Volume > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36
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848,323
PARTI Biographical
SISTORY
OF Eminent AND
SELF-MADE MEN
OF THE MICHIGAN. STATE OF
ARTES
SCIENTIA
LIBRARY VERITAS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
TCBROR
Gift of the Smith Family
From the Library of Crapo Smith
REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF MICHIGAN.
FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
BBOTT, JUDGE JAMES, a life-long resident of | his title of Judge. He was appointed a Major of militia Detroit, was born there in 1775; and died March 12, 1858. At the time of his birth, the war of the Revolution was beginning; and Detroit, then in the possession of the British, was but a small settlement of Indians and fur-traders. Born within the space enclosed as the fortified station, he lived to see his native place become a great commercial city. It seems difficult to realize that a single life should have witnessed such changes. At the time of his birth, the entire State of Michigan, except a few little ports along the lakes
by General Hull; and performed the duties of Quarter- master-General during the war, also adding to the duties of these positions those of Receiver of the Land-office, fur-trader, auctioneer, grocer, and numerous other minor matters. He married a daughter of Major Whistler, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, while that gentleman was stationed at Chicago, and brought his bride home to Detroit; making the entire journey from Chicago on horse- back. Judge Abbott was distinguished for his close attention to business. Ile accumulated a handsome property, which he left mainly in the form of real estate, in Detroit. He was scrupulous in his dealings, giving to every one the full measure of his dues, and requiring the same in return. During the last few years of his life, he lived in great retirement, his infirmities precluding any out-door exercise. He died, without suffering, from a gradual prostration and wearing away, as the ripened fruit drops from its stem.
and rivers, was a dense wilderness. The Indians occu- pied the forests, and their canoes dotted the lakes and rivers, while the wolf and the wild-cat roamed unchal- lenged through the forest. Once an important actor in all the interests of the place, Judge Abbott, at the age of eighty-three, had become a unit in its vast population, and was almost lost sight of in the whirl of enterprise. He lived in Detroit under two national sovereignties; and was old enough, at its evacuation by the British, to stand upon the bank of the river, swing his hat, and send a boyish shout of triumph after them. His father was a dealer in furs, and agent for one of the great fur trading companies of those days; and Mr. Abbott grew RNOLD, JOHN MOTTE, D. D., of Detroit, Michigan, was born in South Durham, Greene County, New York, October 15, 1824. His ancestors were English, who settled early in Rhode Island. His father was a Baptist clergyman, who died in 1825. By a series of misfortunes, he lost all his property, and left his family penniless. His invalid widow, with five little children, struggled with severe trials, not the least of which was the ill health of her youngest son, John Motte Arnold. She devoted herself to his care and education until he was eight years old. Ile was a precocious child, taxing the utmost skill of his up in training for that occupation. This was the busi- ness of his life; he spent part of the time as agent for the North-western Fur Company, and afterwards worked on his own account. He was closely connected, in his business relations, with John Jacob Astor, and Pierre Chouteau & Co., of St. Louis. He was appointed Post- master of Detroit about 1808, which office he held until 1832, with some little interruption during the War of 1812. The office of Justice of the Peace was, at that time, an important one, involving varied and compre- hensive duties, and extended territorial jurisdiction. This office he held for many years, and from it derived | instructors with questions upon moral subjects, and
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REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF MICHIGAN.
annoying his seniors, for miles around, by borrowing | has vindicated the sagacity and merit of its founders. It books. When he was nine years old, he signed the | has attained a circulation of five thousand copies in about temperance pledge, and, by this early decision, escaped three years. Doctor Arnold's relations, as largest stock- the family curse. In 1839 he emigrated with his holder, assistant editor, and business manager of the mother to Michigan, and settled in Oakland County, near Romeo. lie taught for several years after his settlement there, and spent every available inoment in reading and study. He perused, indiscriminately, poetry, metaphysics, theology, and phrenology; with- out a tutor, he studied Latin, Greek, Hebrew, stenog- raphy, and algebra. At seventeen years of age, he
Advocate, give him a distinctive prominence in Mich- igan Methodism. The various cares and business engagements incident to his position have not, how- ever, disqualified him for the pulpit. For several years he held the position of Sabbath-school agent in his conference: and he is still usually engaged in Sabbath work, either for his own or other denominations. Few went to a camp-meeting for the purpose of amusement, men in his profession are better known in the State. but was there aroused from his indifference to serious | In person, he is tall and erect, rugged in features, with a things; and, six months later, joined the Methodist | quick, penetrating eye; and, when absorbed in thought, appears to be of a morose disposition. The observer would never infer that he is of a facetious turn of mind, a good story-teller, approachable by the humblest individual, and living in the sympathies of his friends.
Church. His own convictions, and those of his friends, soon marked him for the ministry, but his utter lack of facility of speech, for many years, made his success doubtful. He left the farm, and devoted five years to study at an academy in Rochester, Michigan, founded As a preacher, he is original and suggestive; and, though by Peter Myres. Here he prepared for college, but was he lacks any remarkably popular clement, one may listen prevented from entering by ill health. In 1849 he with profit. His talents are exceedingly versatile, entered the Methodist ministry. He was first stationed rendering him a good conver ationalist, an effective on a four week,' circuit, at Litchfield, embracing debater, and a valuable counselor. He has a wide twenty-two appointments. From there he was sta- ; knowledge of the religious matters of his State, and has filled every office in the gift of the church except that of General Superintendent. As a man, he is
tioned, successively, at Port Huron, St. Clair, Flint, Commerce, Dexter, and Detroit, where he now resides. At the close of his pastorate in the Woodward Avenue above reproach, extremely plain in life and manners, Methodist Episcopal Church, he conceived the project | and generous to a fault. Doctor Arnold is a progressive of establishing, in Detroit, a Methodist Episcopal Book 'and independent thinker; in this respect, he is in ad- Depository for the State; and opened, in a room . vance of most men of scholastic reputation. The twelve feet square, in the third story of the Fisher Block, interests of the church are always safe in his hands; the nucleus of the business which has since grown to such and he is reality interested in all reforms and institu- considerable proportions. His former extensive acquaint- tions tending to ameliorate the condition of society. ance with books gave him excellent qualifications for He has never taken part in politic,, although, during this office. The General Conference of 1864 indorsed ; the war, he was earnestly loyal, and mide his influence the scheme; and he has maintained this important widely felt.
interest of Michigan Methodism until it has reached a sale of sixty thousand dollars per annum. . \, a book- seller, he has aimed to develop a purer taste, instead of pandering to depraved intellectual appetites, and has demonstrated that success may be attained on this higher plane of business. This Depository is a center for the diffusion of standard and religious literature, and is an important factor of denominational influence in the
TKINSON, JOHN, Lawyer, Detroit, of Irish de- scent, was born at Warwick, Canada, May 24, 1841. Ilis father was James Atkinson, and his mother was Elizabeth (Shinners) Atkinson. Mr. Atkinson State. Doctor Arnold has had a controlling influence received his education at home and in the public schools in forming the tastes and directing the studies of the of Port Huron, Michigan. He graduated from the law younger members of the ministry, both of his own and , department of the Michigan University, in March, 1862, and immediately commenced the practice of law, in partnership with Hon. W. T. Mitchell, of Port Huron, under the firm name of Mitchell & Atkinson. The fol- lowing July he entered the army a. Second Lieutenant, being promoted to the rank of Captain in August. In this rank he served in the 22d Michigan Infantry, in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia, until August, 1864,
other denominations, many of whom hold him in filial esteem. One of the most important outgrowths of his business and literary enterprise is the Michigan Chris- tian Advocate, with the founding of which he has been closely identified. After maintaining for years the prac- ticability of establishing a weekly Methodist journal in the State, he united with others, in December, 1875, to form a joint-stock company for this object. The success | when he became Major. Ile was then recalled to Mich-
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REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF MICHIGAN.
igan to organize the 30th Regiment Michigan Infantry, | Alger enlisted in the 2d Michigan Cavalry, and was but, after seven companies had been raised, it was de- cided to take them to fill up the 3d and 4th regiments, which were then organizing. He was appointed Lieu- tenant-Colonel of the 3d Regiment, and served in Ten- nessee and Georgia until the close of the war, when he was ordered, with his regiment, to Texas, and served for a short time on General Custer's staff, as Judge Ad- vocate. He was mustered out of service on the 26th of February, 1866. Mr. Atkinson returned to Michigan in May, 1866, and commenced the practice of his pro- fession, in Port Huron, with John S. Crellen and O'Brien J. Atkinson, remaining until the fall of 1870, when he removed to Detroit. From October 1, 1866, to March 4, 1867, he was Collector of Customs, at Port Huron, under the appointment of President Andrew Johnson. In 1870 he was a candidate, on the Democratic State ticket, for the position of Attorney-General; and, in 1872, for State Senator, but suffered a party defeat in each instance. In his religious views, he is a believer in the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. Feb- ruary 1, 1866, he married Miss Lida Lyons, of San Antonio, Texas, by whom he has had five children. Mr. Atkinson is considered one of the most promising law- yers of Michigan. He is a man of untiring industry and research, possessing an indomitable will; and is also a brilliant advocate. His remarkable success is as much due to the straightforwardness and sincerity of his character, as to his fine abilities.
LGER, RUSSELL A., of Detroit, Michigan, Pine-timber Merchant and Dealer in Pine Lands, was born in the township of Lafayette, Medina County, Ohio, February 27, 1836. When eleven years of age, his parents died. During the next seven years, he worked on a farm in Richfield, Ohio, for the greater part of each year, earning money enough to defray his expenses at the Richfield Academy during the winters. He obtained a very good English education, and was enabled to teach for several winters. In March, 1857, he entered the law office of Wolcott & Upsord, at Akron, Ohio, remaining until March, 1859, when he was ad- mitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of that State. Ile soon afterwards removed to Cleveland, Ohio, and entered the law office of Otis & Coffinbury, where he remained until the fall of 1859. In that year, owing to failing health, caused by hard study and close confine- ment to his business, he abandoned the practice of his profession, and removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he engaged in the lumber business. April 2, 1861, he married Annette H. Henry, daughter of W. G. Henry, of Grand Rapids. In August, 1861, Mr.
mustered into the United States service as Captain of Company C. On the 2d of July, 1862, he was wounded in the battle of Booneville, Mississippi. Owing to the part taken in this engagement, he was promoted to the rank of Major; his Colonel, now Lieutenant-General Sheridan, was, at the same time, promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General. On the 16th of October, 1862, Major Alger was promoted to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 6th Michigan Cavalry; and his regiment was ordered to the Army of the Potomac. June 2, 1863, he was promoted to the Colonelcy of the 5th Michigan Cavalry, his regiment being in Custer's famous Michigan Cavalry Brigade. July 6 he was wounded in the battle of Boonesborough, Maryland. In October, 1864, Colonel Alger's health induced him to retire from the service. He had engaged in all the battles -of the Army of the Potomac, from the time of the invasion of Maryland by General Lee, in 1863, up to that date, except when absent on account of wounds. He took part in sixty-six battles and skirmishes during the war, and was brevetted Brigadier-General and Major-General "for gallant and meritorious services in the field." He was on private service during the winter of 1863-64, receiving orders personally from President Lincoln, and visiting nearly all the armies in the field. In 1865 he removed to Detroit, Michigan, where he has since been extensively engaged in the long-pine timber business, and in dealing in pine lands. He was a member of the firm of Moore & Alger until its dissolution, when he became the head of the firm of R. A. Alger & Co., the most extensive pine-timber operators in the West. In his political views, he coincides with the Republican party.
AGG, DR. JOSEPH H., late of Detroit, was born in the village of Lanesborough, Massachu- setts, December 2, 1797. His grandfather, Joseph Bagg, with four brothers, served in the war of the Rev- olution from 1777 to 1781. His father, Abner Bagg, married Miss Eunice Hall, of Lanesborough. Soon after their marriage, they removed to Oneida County, New York, where he bought a large farm, and supplied it with fine stock; although not devoting his entire time to the cultivation of the soil, he was a successful and prosperous farmer. Two daughters and eight sons were the fruit of this union; and, with the respect for a professional life felt by the people of those times, Mr. Bagg decided that his son Joseph should be a doctor. Though averse to this profession, preferring to study law, Joseph Bagg yielded to his father's wishes. When seventeen years of age, he left the homestead, and went to the beautiful little village of Trenton, New York.
AMERICAN BIOGRAPHICAL
HISTORY OF EMINENTSSELF MADE MEN, PORTRAITILLUSTRATIONS ON STEEL.
·MICHIGAN VOLUME."+-
WESTERN BIOGRAPHICAL PUBLISHING CO. CINCINNATI.O.
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REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF MICHIGAN.
AGG, JOHN S., Lawyer and Editor, of Detroit, | its former owner. Its name was changed to the Water- was born at Lanesborough, Massachusetts, in town Standard, and Mr. Bagg was installed as editor. 1809; and died in Detroit, Michigan, in 1870. In this position, notwithstanding his youth, he exhibited marked ability. In 1835 he resigned and removed to Detroit, Michigan. Soon after, he became proprietor and editor of the Detroit Free Press, a paper now famous throughout the United States. Upon the admis- sion of Michigan as a State, he was appointed State Printer, and at once took high rank among those who molded the institutions of the new commonwealth. In politics, Mr. Bagg was a Democrat of the Jacksonian school ; and, with all the power of his press, which rap- idly gained influence at home and abroad, he upheld and advanced the best doctrines of the best days of the Democracy. He was noted for his careful and honest methods, and his inflexibility of principle. He made the acquaintance of nearly all the leading men in his party. Upon the accession of James K. Polk to the Presidency, Mr. Bagg became Postmaster, and gave thorough attention to the duties of the position until removed by Mr. Taylor. Before this appointment, he had been the sole editor of the Free Press. With a small staff of assistants, he had done an immense amount of labor, and, by his industry and sagacity, had made the paper a power in the land. Upon his retirement from the position, he also severed his con- nection with the newspaper, and removed to the town- ship of Hamtramck. There he purchased a large country place, and devoted his attention to agricultural and horticultural pursuits. In the latter he took much inter- est, and was especially successful in raising fruit. In this, as in every other vocation of his life, he was assiduous in acquiring useful knowledge. Under Mr. Buchanan's administration, Mr. Bagg held the office of United States Marshal for the district of Michigan, in which he acquitted himself with great efficiency. After the accession of Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Bagg retired from official life; but his interest in public affairs never flagged. The civil war, and the subsequent condition of the country, filled him with solicitude. Like many other good men, he feared that American institutions could not bear the strain to which they were sub- jected by the civil war. Mr. Bagg was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He was singularly well in- formed in theological matters, having studied the his- tory of all the ancient and modern sects. He possessed rare and extensive information upon almost every topic of human interest, and was always willing to impart his knowledge. He was very familiar with the best English writers, and was especially fond of the poets. He was unostentatious and even reserved. As a political writer, his style was terse and logical. In 1847, Mr. Bagg married Frances Wells, of Kensington, Michigan. She is the daughter of Doctor Wells, a gen- Although the Puritans of New England, the Dutch of New York, the Catholics of Maryland, and the Cava- liers of Virginia, stand first among the founders of the nation, the men who carried civilization around the great lakes, and across the Alleghanies and the Missis- sippi, must hold a conspicuous place in the history of the progress of mankind. Among these last, the name of John S. Bagg should be held in honorable remem- brance. Owing to the removal of his parents to a new country, his early years were spent in his native place with his grand-parents, where he was surrounded by all the best influences which characterize the homes of intelligent Americans. His training was strict, but not more binding than his natural self-control. Those who knew him at that time state that his instincts were pure, his affections warm, his habits orderly, and his sense of honor high. The Puritan fiber running through his nature showed itself in his morality, business integrity, and devotion to religious and political principles. His demeanor through life was grave and decorous. In his early years, he was beloved in his home and by his| playmates; - one of whom, now an old lady, vividly remembers his tenderness for birds, and his indignant protests against the wanton violation of their nests. This quality, combined with his firm principles, formed a nature both gentle and strong. Upon arriving at the proper age, Mr. Bagg entered, as a law student, the office of Judge Robert Lansing, at Watertown, New York, and remained there until he departed for the West. Judge Lansing was noted, both politically and professionally, in New York; and it is to Mr. Bagg's credit that he soon so won the regard of his perceptor as to become his friend and the confidential manager of his business. Mr. Bagg frequently referred to his rela- tions with Judge Lansing as having been of the highest importance to himself; and, shortly before his death, wrote a letter of grateful acknowledgment. While a student in Watertown, he made the acquaintance of Judge Bronson and his wife, who invited him to become an inmate of their home. There he was surrounded by refined social influences which proved of great value. He cherished the utmost affection for Judge and Mrs. Bronson, and, during his subsequent life, referred to his home with them as affording great benefit to him. To Mrs. Bronson's graceful example, he imputed the con- quest of his natural timidity in society. While engaged in his legal studies, before his admission to the bar, he was in the habit of contributing to the Watertown Free- man,-a newspaper published by his cousin, Thomas A. Smith. In 1834 he received his diploma as attorney-at- law and solicitor in chancery. During that year, the Freeman was bought by Archibald Smith, a brother of | tleman widely known and respected, who is still living.
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at a very advanced age. They have had six children, | Guards, of which he was an officer. He was also a four of whom survive. This meager sketch can afford ; member of the old fire department of Detroit for ten no adequate idea of the sterling worth and public serv-
years. Ile was a Republican, having acted with that ices of Mr. Bagg. Ile not only gave name and position ! party from the time of its organization, although, during to a great journal, under an adverse condition of an his last years, owing to the physical indisposition under which he suffered, he took little active part in politics. early American settlement, but held offices of public trust, enjoyed the confidence of leading state-men, and His early religious training was in the Congregational lived as a worthy citizen. He died in 1870, leaving to Church; but, later in life, although holding no special con- his family and friends the knowledge that he had born "nection with any religions body, he was a patron of the himself justly in all his relations.
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