USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan > Part 1
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Gc 977.401 W27b 1153987
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01715 7980
GENEALOGY 977.401 W27B
PAST AND PRESENT
OF
WASHTENAW COUNTY MICHIGAN BY
SAMUEL W. BEAKES,
TOGETHER WITH
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
OF MANY OF ITS PROMINENT AND LEADING CITIZENS AND ILLUSTRIOUS DEAD
Ge 977.401
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO: THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING CO. 1906
Dedicated to the Pioneers of Washtenaw County
PREFACE.
1153987
T
HE publishers take pride in presenting this volume to the public. The historical part is the work of Samuel W. Beakes, of Ann Arbor, and the citizens of the county are to be congratulated on his services being secured by the publishers, as no man in the county is better qualified for the task. A perusal of the volume will show that his work is well done.
The biographical part of the work is the compilation of well qualified men, those long experienced in the business. They have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by their enterprise and industry, brought the county to a rank second to none among those comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of their life struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelligent public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an influence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and records how success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of many, very many, who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued the "even tenor of their way," content to have it said of them, as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy - "They have done what they could." It tells how many in the pride and strength of young manhood, left the plow and the anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peace once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not be lost upon those who follow after.
Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which would otherwise be inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunity possible given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written; and the publishers flatter themselves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition to biographical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given.
The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give the information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally some member of the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of the interested one would be withheld. In a few instances men never could be found, though repeated calls were made at their residence or place of business.
February, 1906.
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING CO.
W W WINES
Biographical.
WILLIAM WALLACE WINES.
William Wallace Wines, deceased, was a pio- neer merchant and leading business man of Ann Arbor for many years, and also figured in finan- cial circles as the vice-president of the Ann Arbor Savings Bank. Watchful of opportunities and making the best of his advantages, he carried his business interests forward along progressive lines and belonged to that class of representative American citizens, who, while promoting indi- vidual success, also contribute in large measure to the general welfare. He came to Ann Arbor about 1848, being at that time a man of thirty- two years. He was born in Canterbury, Con- necticut, on the 20th of November, 1816, his par- ents being Daniel Benjamin and Dorothy B. (Hebbard ) Wines, both of whom were natives of Connecticut, where the father spent the greater part of his life. He was a shoemaker by trade. and followed that pursuit in the Charter Oak state until his later years, when he retired from active business cares and removed to Ann Arbor. residing with his son here until his death. His wife passed away in Augusta. this state.
William Wallace Wines was only twelve years of age when he left home and went to New York city, where he attended the public schools. He acquired a good education and afterward ac- cepted a position as clerk in a store in New York city and was likewise employed in other busi- ness there. His time was thus passed until 1841. when he came to Washtenaw county, Michigan. as one of its early settlers. Taking up his abode
in Ypsilanti, he there purchased a lumber mill and was engaged in the manufacture of lumber for several years, or until 1848, when he came to Ann Arbor. The embryo city offered him a good field of labor, and from that time until his death he was closely associated with the commercial de- velopment and substantial progress of this place. Here he entered into partnership with Mr. Becker under the firm style of Becker & Wines. and they were engaged in the dry-goods business together for several years. On the expiration of that period they dissolved partnership, and Mr. Wines was afterward associated with other part- ners, eventually admitting Charles H. Worden to a partnership. The latter is now retired from ac- tive business cares but makes his home in Ann Arbor. and is represented elsewhere in this work. Their store was located at No. 120 South Main street, and they conducted the largest retail dry- goods business of any firm in the city. The rela- tion between them was maintained until the death of Mr. Wines, and the buisness constantly grew in volume and importance, returning to them an excellent income. Progressive in all that they did. following modern lines of business activity and instituting methods that neither sought nor required disguise, they enjoyed a trade which yielded them a profitable return upon their invest- ment and made their house one of the valued fac- tors in mercantile circles here. Mr. Wines also became one of the stockholders of the Ann Arbor Savings Bank, and for many years was its vice- president, acting in that capacity up to the time of his death.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
Mr. Wines was united in marriage in Bridge- hampton, Long Island, to Miss Elizabeth H. Baker, a native of that town. They became the parents of three children. Nancy, the eldest, is the widow of Edwin Hadley, who was born near Indianapolis, Indiana ; but his parents were na- tives of South Carolina. He acquired his pre- liminary education in a Quaker school of Rich- mond, Indiana, after which he attended the uni- versity at Ann Arbor, taking up the study of law. which he completed in the Albany Law School. at Albany, New York, graduating about the same time the Civil war broke out ; and he afterward enlisted in Company E, Twenty-sixth Michigan Infantry. He took part in a number of important engagements, and at the battle of the Wilderness was seriously wounded, receiving a bullet wound in the knee. This bullet was never extracted, and Mr. Hadley suffered from his injuries throughout his remaining days. For a time he was in the hospital at Georgetown, D. C., and he was never able to return to active service, but was ap- pointed judge advocate of the court marshal in New York city, acting in that capacity for six months. He then returned home and he and his wife went on a visit to Indianapolis, where he was also appointed judge advocate of the court. remaining at that place until he received his dis- charge from the army. He then went to Adrian, Michigan, where he entered upon the practice of law, being accorded a large and lucrative client- age, and for three terms he served as circuit court commissioner of Lenawee county, and was also commissioner in bankruptcy. He was attorney for the Pere Marquette Railroad and had a grati- fying private practice, which he conducted suc- cessfully until his death, his devotion to his clients' interests being proverbial. Subsequent to his demise, Mrs. Hadley returned to Ann Arbor, where she has since made her home. There were four children by that marriage: Elizabeth, now the wife of L. E. Chapin, a resident of Canton, Ohio, where he is engaged in the practice of civil engineering, and who is a graduate of the State University of Michigan ; William H., who was a clerk in the Ann Arbor Bank for five and a half years, and is now cashier of a bank of
Leavenworth, Washington, where he resides ; Annie L., the wife of Grant White, a prominent attorney of Piqua, Ohio, who was also a student in the State University ; and Edwin V., who re- sides in New York city, where he is connected with a wholesale paper house.
The second child of William W. Wines was Dr. Henry H. Wines, now deceased, who was a graduate of the medical department of the uni- versity here, and also of the Bellevue Hospital Medical College in New York city. He after- ward located in Adrian, Michigan, where he practiced until his death, which occurred July 2. 1868. He had married Henrietta A. Henion, who is now the wife of C. C. Jenkins, and resides in California. Fannie Wines always resided with her parents, and since her mother's death has made her home with her sister, Mrs. Hadley. The latter owns a large and pleasant home at No. 832 University avenue, and Miss Wines owns resi- dence property on Monroe street, and together they own their father's old business block on South Main street, which they rent to Willian Goodyear & Company, the leading dry-goods merchants of the city.
The death of Mr. Wines occurred on the 21 st of December. 1889, and his wife survived until June 16, 1892, when she, too, passed away. He was a republican in his political views and took an active interest in the work and success of the party. He and his wife held membership in the Presbyterian church, to which their daughters also belong ; and he was greatly and helpfully in- terested in the church work, and acted as one of the trustees for many years. His life was honor- able and upright and commended him to the con- fidence and good will of all with whom he was associated. In matters relating to the welfare of the community, he was public-spirited, and his co-operation could be counted upon to further public progress. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to the poor and needy, and within the closer circle of his social associates he won warm friendships, based upon the appreciation of his many sterling traits of character. He be- came well-to-do and was recognized as a promi- nent and representative citizen of Ann Arbor.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
WILLIAM BACON.
William Bacon is a representative of commer- cial interests in Chelsea, being a partner in the Bacon-Holmes Produce Company, which was formed in 1901. He was born in Gloucestershire. England, in 1852, a son of Rev. John and Ann ( Pound ) Bacon. The father was a minister of the Wesleyan church and died in 1864. In the family were eight children. John, James, Jo- seph, Mary. Jabez, William, Lillian and Edward. Of these. James. Jabez. Mary. Edward and William all came to America.
William Bacon spent the first twenty years of his life in the land of his nativity and acquired a good education in the schools of England with the hope of obtaining employment as a book- keeper in a bank, but changing his plans he crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1872 and made his way at once to Chelsea. Here he secured employment from C. H. Kempf, a dealer in lumber and produce, with whom he remained for about a year, when in 1872 he went to Fow- lerville, where he learned the tinner's trade. In 1876 he returned to Chelsea, where he began work for R. Kempf & Brother, and remained with that firm for two years, when he engaged in the lum- ber business on his own account as a member of the firm of Kempf. Bacon & Company. This association was maintained until Igor, when the partnership was dissolved, and in that year the William Bacon-Holmes Lumber & Produce Com- pany was formed and has since been a factor in the commercial interests of Chelsea. They deal in lumber. coal, wood, lime, cement, grain, wool. apples and other produce, and by reason of a wide and favorable acquaintance and unassailable business reputation Mr. Bacon has developed an excellent business since the establishment of the present firm. He has the general management of the interests of the house and has secured a large and profitable patronage.
In 1877 occurred the marriage of William Ba- con and Miss Lois Congdon, a daughter of the late James Congdon, of Chelsea, and one of the founders of the village. This marriage has been blessed with seven children, Beatrice, William E.
G., Ethel, Josephine, Paul O., Martha W. and Ruth.
Soon after coming to America Mr. Bacon took out his naturalization papers and has since been a loyal and public-spirited citizen of the United States. Since obtaining the right of franchise he has given unfaltering support to the republi- can party and is a firm believer in its principles. He has been called to a number of township offices, having in the 'zos served for two terms as assessor, while for six years he was village trus- tee. He was also elected president of the village and filled the office at that time for four consecu- tive years and later at another period for three years. He has also been supervisor of the town- ship for five years, school director for four years and in October, 1904, was appointed auditor of the county by the board of supervisors for a term of three years, but owing to a new law passed by the legislature the office was made elective and his appointment ceased to be of effect, but in April. 1905. he was elected county auditor for a period of four years, and is the present incumbent, his present term extending until 1900. In all of his public duties he has been prompt and faithful. allowing nothing to interfere with a capable per- formance of the duties that devolve upon him. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Olive lodge. No. 156. A. F. & A. M., Olive chapter. No. 1440, R. A. M., and No. 194 council. R. & S. M. He is likewise connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He owes his advancement entirely to his own efforts, for he came to Amer- ica with very limited capital, but possessed. how- ever. a strong purpose. unfaltering determination and laudable ambition, and upon those qualities as a fomnidation has builded the superstructure of success.
OTTO D. LUICK.
Otto D. I.nick, filling the position of county treasurer, but residing upon the old home farm in Lima township, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Washtenaw county. his grandfather and his father having settled here
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
when this part of the state was a frontier district, and the work of improvement had hardly been instituted. The latter, John D. Luick, is indeed a native of Lima township, where he is still liv- ing, and throughout his active business career he has carried on farming. David Luick, the grandfather, was a native of Germany, and taking up his abode in the new world, he became one of the original white settlers of Lima township. where he died, during the early youth of his grandson Otto. He assisted in reclaiming this district from the domain of the red men and in contributing to the early substantial improvement of Washtenaw county. John D. Luick, reared amid the environment of pioneer life, early be- came familiar with farm labor, and as an agri- culturist has kept pace with ideas of modern progress in relation to farm methods. He married Miss Catherine Laubengayer, who died at the age of thirty-six years, leaving two daughters and a son, Amanda, Otto D. and Bertha, the last named being the wife of Edward Beach.
Otto D. Luick acquired his early education in the public schools of Lima township, and after- ward enjoyed the advantage of a course in the Ypsilanti Business College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1891. He then went to Chicago, Illinois, where he filled a position as bookkeeper for a year, but the close confinement of the store proved detrimental to his health, and in consequence he returned to Lima, where he resumed farming operations on the old homestead, carrying on the work of field and meadow until his election to office. It was in 1904 that he was chosen county treasurer of Washtenaw county, which position he is now capably filling, his term of incumbency covering two years.
In his political views Mr. Luick has always been a stalwart republican. Prior to his election to the present office he was township clerk of Lima township for eleven years and was also school inspector for two years. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, and in the lodge has held various offices, acting as chan- cellor commander at the present time.
Although his official duties call him daily to Ann Arbor, Mr. Luick still maintains his resi- dence upon the home farm in Lima township.
He was married in 1897 to Miss May L. Wood, a native of Lima township, and a daughter of John J. Wood, one of its early settlers and a lead- ing farmer. Their home has been blessed with three children, Leigh M., Beulah B. and Gerald G.
PROFESSOR JAMES CRAIG WATSON.
Professor James Craig Watson, deceased, as- tronomer, author and professor, who for some years was a member of the faculty of the State University at Ann Arbor, was born in Middle- sex, Canada, on the 28th of January, 1838, his parents being William and Rebecca (Bacon) Watson, who were natives of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, and there resided for many years. The father engaged in teaching in the Keystone state, and eventually removed to Can- ada, where he remained for several years, when he came to Washtenaw county, Michigan, set- tling here at an early day. Renting a farm near Ann Arbor in the vicinity of the present site of the State University, he engaged in fruit raising. devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1878. His wife passed away at the home of their son Edward in Grand Rapids.
After acquiring a common school education, Professor Watson entered the Michigan Univer- sity, pursuing a full course and being graduated with high honors in the class of 1857. He was the first pupil of the famous astronomer. Dr. Brunnow, who was then director of the observa- tory and professor of astronomy in the University of Michigan. Soon after his graduation in 1858, Professor Watson was appointed instructor in mathematics in the university and also assistant observer. The following year Dr. Brunnow re- signed and Professor Watson became his suc- cessor in the chair of astronomy, which he filled during 1859 and 1860. In the latter year he ac- cepted the chair of physics in the university, oc- cupying the same for three years, at the end of which time he was appointed professor in as- tronomy and director of the observatory upon the recommendation of many of the leading astrono-
James Patent
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
mers of the country. This honor came to him when he was only twenty-five years of age, and he continued to fill the position until 1879. when he resigned to accept the professorship in astron- omy in Wisconsin University at Madison and was also director of the observatory. While there he became ill and passed away November 23. 1880. In the meantime he had gained national fame through his knowledge and research in astron- omy. In 1867 he had been elected a member of the National Academy of Sciences and was also honored by election to membership in the Ameri- can Philosophical Society in 1877, and in the Royal Academy of Sciences in Catania, Italy, in 1870. In the same year he was the discoverer of twenty-three asteroids, for which he was awarded a gold medal by the French Academy of Sciences. He was also the discoverer of two comets, one on the 29th of April, 1856, and the other on the oth of January. 1864. Professor Watson was also appointed judge of awards at the Centennial Exposition. He received the degree of Ph. D. from the University of Leipsic in 1870 and from Yale College in 1871. while in 1877 Columbia conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Law.
Professor Watson was placed by the govern- ment of the United States in charge of the expedi- tion to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, to observe a total eclipse of the sun in 1869. He also received a government appointment in 1875 to go to Pekin. China, to observe the transit of Venus, and after completing this mission he and his wife made a trip around the world from west to east. They were presented to the khedive of Egypt and while in that country surveyed the base line of Egypt. measured the pyramids and also taught mathe- matics to an officer of the Royal Guards, for which favors the khedive rewarded Professor Watson with the decoration of the Knight Com- mander of the Imperial Order of the Medjudieh of Turkey and Egypt. The khedive also loaned the professor and his party a diabahah ( a sort of houseboat ) and crew to man the same, in which to make a trip up the Nile. Thus national and in- ternational honors were from time to time con- ferred upon him, showing his high position in the public regard as a representative of the great
science which he made his specialty. Moreover, he gave to the world a number of valuable con- tributions to astronomical literature. He was the author of a "Popular Treatise on Comets," pub- lished in Philadelphia in 1860, the author of "Theoretical Astronomy." published in Philadel- phia and London in 1868 (which has since been a standard work on the subject) the author of a "Report on Horological Instruments," and also the "Tables for the Calculation of Simple and Compound Inter- est and Discount." that was published in Ann Arbor. In addition to all this he was correspond- ent for many papers, but not alone in the field of scientific writing and instruction did he display his varied talents and ability, for he figured quite conspicuously in local business concerns. In 1870 he became associated with B. J. Conrad in the book and stationery business in Ann Arbor, in which he continued for four years. In 1872 he became interested in the Ann Arbor Print- ing and Publishing Company, now the publishers of the Daily Register, and af- ter the retirement of Dr. A. W. Chase, Professor Watson was elected president and thus continued his connection with the company until his death. He was for several years the actuary of the Mutual Life Insurance Company, and in various business interests displayed a capability that is often lacking in the scholar.
Professor Watson was married in Scio town- ship to Miss Annette Helena Waite, a daughter of Benjamin W. and Lois Ann ( Hicks) Waite, both of Auburn, New York. The father became an early settler of Washtenaw county and owned a large farm in Scio township, but during the greater part of his residence in this county lived retired, leaving the operation of his farm to others. In public affairs he was prominent and influential, serving as a member of the legislature for one term and filling various county offices, to which he was called by his fellow townsmen, who recognized his worth and ability. He exercised wide influence in public affairs and left an impress of his individuality for good upon the public life of his community. Both he and his wife died in Dexter. They left two daughters: Mrs. Wat- son : Mrs. Dr. Ritter, who is residing with her
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
sister ; and two brothers, Wiro W. Waite, of Portland, Oregon, who is the inventor of Waite's improved mining drill; and Benjamin W. Waite, who is a retired farmer living in Ann Arbor.
Professor Watson was reared in the demo- cratic faith, but at the time of General Grant's candidacy became a republican, and afterward voted with that party. Both he and his wife were members of the Congregational church and took an active and helpful interest in its work. He built a fine residence on South University avenue, but on removing to Wisconsin, sold that property. Subsequent to his death his widow returned to Dexter. where she resided with her parents for eighteen years, after which she returned to Ann Arbor, and two years ago she built her present home at No. 212 Twelfth street, which is one of the attractive residences of the city.
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