USA > Michigan > Allegan County > A twentieth century history of Allegan County, Michigan > Part 11
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HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
inson, notified me that there were ladies in the tent, when I directed him to station guards at each of the tents and allow none of the men to enter them. All of the men with the party, except Mr. Davis, I believe, were sleeping on their blankets outside of the tents in different parts of the camp, partially undressed, and as soon as they were aroused sprang from their beds and were immediately placed under guard and allowed time to put on the balance of their clothing, which consumed several minutes, after which the prisoners were gathered together and placed under a regular detailed guard. But before this was fully completed, and before any of the persons occupying the tents had completed their toilet and come out, or a list of the names of the captured parties had been made up, a volley was fired down the road and across the swamp alluded to, and about eighty or one hun- dred rods north of the camp, where the force of twenty-five dismounted men under Lieut. Purinton were stationed. 1 at once ordered the men to resume their places in the column. Leaving Adjutant Dickinson with a sufficient force in camp to gather the rest of the prisoners in and guard them until my return, I in person pushed forward across the swamp with the balance of the command to the aid of Lieut. Purinton, whom I sup- posed to be engaging the force guarding the train, but which proved to be the Ist Wisconsin cavalry under Col. Harnden, whose men had come upon the force under Lieut. Purinton, and through a misunderstanding in the challenge and response each had taken the other for the enemy, it still be- ing so dark that they could not distinguish the uniform, and as I came up the road in column, mounted, we received a raking fire from a dismounted force concealed behind trees and logs which killed one man and severely wounded Lieut. Boutlle. This sad mistake was not discovered until two men were killed in the 4th Michigan cavalry and eight or ten men wounded in the Ist Wisconsin cavalry. As soon as the firing ceased. I returned to the camp and as I recrossed the swamp I was met by Lieut. Dickinson, who. in a hurried way, informed me that he had carried out my order, and who said we had captured an oldish man whom he believed was Jeff Davis, and that he came out of one of the tents dressed up in woman's clothes and attempted to escape as a woman. I got the impression that Mr. Davis had refused to reveal his name up to that time, but will not be positive on that point.
I rode on up to the point where the prisoners were gathered under guard. and, as I approached them, I was accosted by this man, who proved to be Mr. Davis, with the inquiry if I was the officer in command. I re- plied that I was, and asked him in return whom I was to call him. He re- plied that I might "call him what, or whoever I pleased." when I replied that I would call him Davis ; and after a moment's hesitation he said, "That is my name." He then drew himself up in a very dignified and imposing manner and exclaimed. "I suppose you consider it bravery to charge a train of defenseless women and children, but it is theft, it is vandalism." Davis had thrown off the garments constituting his disguise, and was clad in a suit of Confederate gray at the time of my meeting him. I then proceeded to take an inventory of our capture, when I ascertained that we had cap- tured Jefferson Davis, wife and four children: John H. Reagan, his post- master general ; Cols. Johnson and Lubbock, aides-de-camp on Davis' staff ; Burton N. Harrison, his private secretary ; Major Murand, Capt. and Lieut.
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Hathaway, Jeff D. Howell, brother of Mrs. Davis, and midshipman in the rebel navy; thirteen private soldiers, Miss Maggie Howell, sister of Mrs. Davis; two waiting maids and several. servants. We also captured five wagons, three ambulances, about fifteen horses and twenty-five or thirty mules. The train was principally loaded with commissary stores and private baggage, with a few arms and a few boxes of fixed ammunition. After allowing time for the prisoners to breakfast, we started on our return, taking the direct road back to Abbyville, where we arrived at dark on the evening of the same day and encamped for the night. During the night I recalled the remainder of my regiment, which had been left on the day previous under command of Captain Hathaway to picket the line of the Ocmulgee river and scout the country, at the same time sending carriers forward to Macon announcing the results of our expedition. On the morning of the IIth we resumed our march in the direction of Macon, and on the after- noon of that day, when a few miles below Hawkinsville, we met the rest of our brigade just coming out from Macon, and received from them the first knowledge we had of President Johnson's proclamation, accompanied by General Wilson's order offering a reward for the capture of Davis and others. Retaining my independent command I continued my march to- ward Macon, halting for the night two or three miles above Hawkinsville. Moving on again carly in the morning of the 12th, we arrived within fifteen or twenty miles of Macon, where we again encamped for the night.
At this place occurred some incidents which I deem sufficiently impor- tant to warrant a full and specific statement. It will be remembered by those acquainted with the fact that the cavalry command under General Wilson had drawn no regular government supplies since leaving camp on the Tennesee river March 22d, and had been dependent wholly upon the re- sources of the country for substance, and my command was expected to sub- sist by foraging while on this expedition : but. as the country through which we passed was very sparsely settled and a great portion of the land covered with pine forests and unproductive, we found it very difficult to gather the necessary supplies for our men and horses, and my men were really in a suffering condition for food, and as there was a surplus of provisions in the train, I decided to distribute that surplus among my men. After we had got settled in camp that evening, I went to Mr. Davis and informed him of my purpose, requesting him to have his cook set apart from his supplies a sufficient quantity to fully supply his party for a certain number of hours. by which time we would reach Macon, when they could be amply provided for. Mr. and Mrs. Davis, who were both present during the conversation. strenuously objected to the course I proposed, arguing that all the supplies in their wagons were private property, and that I had no right to take them in the manner proposed. and Mrs. Davis said she felt certain that when we got to General Wilson's headquarters all their property would be returned to them and they be permitted to proceed on their journey. After dis- cussing the matter in rather spirited manner for a little time. I told Mr. Davis if he did not feel disposed to have his servant set apart the necessary amount of supplies I would direct my commissary to do so, after which I would distribute the remainder. Mr. Davis became very angry at that and said he had never expected to be compelled to undergo such indignities as that. and if he could have got possession of his arms at the time of his cap-
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ture he would not have been compelled to. To which I replied (perhaps a little acrimoniously, for I had become somewhat irritated at his course) that I did not think the garments worn by him on that occasion were particu- larly adapted to rapid locomotion or the use of fire arms; to which Mrs. Davis retorted, very sharply, saying: "I want you to understand distinctly that Mr. Davis assumed that disguise at my instance." This admission of Mrs. Davis in regard to her husband's disguise was wholly voluntary and drawn out under the circumstances above stated, and was the first con- versation which I had with Mr. and Mrs. Davis in person in regard to the disguise worn by the husband at the time of the capture, and is the same conversation referred to by General Wilson in his "Annals of the War." as occurred at the time I first met Mr. Davis in camp, immediately after the capture. General Wilson is correct in regard to the substance but in error as to time and place. On the morning of the 13th we resumed our march and arrived at Macon at three o'clock p. m., and received orders from Gen- eral Wilson to provide myself with a detail of three officers and twenty men from my regiment and prepare to start for Washington at once in charge of the Davis party. We left Macon by special railway train at seven o'clock p. m., having turned over all private soldiers captured with the Davis party except two, and receiving an accession of Clement C. Clay and wife. Proceeding by the way of Atlanta we reached Augusta at sun- set May 14th, and there received Alexander H. Stephens and General Wheeler and staff, of the rebel army, whom I also took through as pris- oners. We then proceeded by boat via Savannah and Hilton Head to Fortress Monroe, where we arrived at noon on the 19th day of May. Anchoring out in the harbor, I proceeded in person on shore and telegraphed the adjutant general notice of my arrival and received orders to remain at anchor off shore and wait further orders. We remained on board ship until the 22d of May, disposing meanwhile of all the prisoners excepting Davis, Clay, and families, as per orders from the secretary of war. On the after- noon of May 22d Davis and Clay were transferred to the casement of Fortress Monroe and myself and men assigned to quarters within the fort, Mrs. Davis and children and Mrs. Clay still remaining on board the steamer Clyde.
ALBY ROSSMAN was for many years a prominent and honored resident of Allegan and his life was one of such signal usefulness to his fellowmen as to cause his death to be the occasion of deep and widespread regret. At all times he was mindful of the public interests and his efforts were of direct benefit in the community. Born in Aurelius township, Cayuga county, New York, on the 14th of June, 1812, he was a son of George and Ruth (Wood) Rossman, natives of New York and Canada respectively. The father had served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war and his life was devoted to farming and mechanical pursuits. On leaving the Empire state he removed to Ohio at an early day and his wife died there in Madison county. Subsequently he returned to New York and his death occurred at Mount Morris in Genesee countv.
Alby Rossman, the youngest of the six children, was thus early left an orphan and was eight years of age when he went to live with a sister at Springport, New York, where he remained for a year, during which
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HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
time he attended a school that was two miles distant from his home. After leaving his sister he went to Auburn, New York, and was there appren- ticed to learn the trade of a machinist. He worked in a furnace and machine shop for three years and afterward continued at his trade as a journeyman until 1836. In that year he came to Michigan, locating first at Marshall, Calhoun county, where he remained for six months, during which time he built and operated a furnace. In it he ran the first iron and cast the first plow made in Michigan. He then came to Allegan and estab- lished a furnace, in which he made the first sled manufactured in this county. Subsequently he enlarged the scope of his activities by adding to his plant a machine shop, which he established and conducted in connection with his furnace for twenty-nine years. He was thus a most prominent factor in industrial life of the community and he belonged to that class of represent- ative men who, while promoting individual interests, also advance the general welfare. After continuing in the machinist's business for twenty-nine years he sold out and built a small store and several houses. He was one of a company that erected the Chaffee Block, which at that time was the finest in the village. In 1869, however, the building was destroyed by fire and he thus suffered a severe loss. In that year he removed to his farm which he had purchased of the Boston Company, and he laid out fifteen acres in village lots called the Rossman addition. He was thus connected with the material development of the city and his labors were of immense benefit in its growth and progress. Moreover he figured prominently in other ways in connection with the welfare and progress of the town. He was elected justice of the peace and held the office for five years, rendering decisions which were strictly fair and impartial and won him the commenda- tion of all law-abiding citizens. He also served as alderman and village marshal and was superintendent of the water works, the building of which was done under his supervision.
Mr. Rossman was married in 1832 to Miss Angeline Dickinson, a native of New York, and unto them were born two children. The son, George W., married Elizabeth Newcomb, of Ganges, Michigan, a daughter of John and Jane ( Harrison) Newcomb, who were natives of England. George W. Rossman passed away in January, 1889, and his wife died in September of the same year. They left one daughter, Kate E., who is now the wife of Franz Le Isle, of Allegan and she has two children. Elizabeth Camilla and Mary Rossman. Mary A. Rossman is the widow of Captain Frederick Hart, who was the secretary of the Michigan State In- surance Company at the time of his death in 1877, and he won his title as captain of the Adrian Guards. He was also prominent in Masonry and attained the Knight Templar degree. In 1848 Mr. Rossman was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife. He afterward wedded Mrs. Electa Dickinson, the widow of George W. Dickinson. Mrs. Dickinson had a daughter, Cynthia, now the wife of Henry C. Smith. Mrs. Rossman's parents were Chester and Cynthia (Granger) Hooker, natives of Cayuga county, New York. She has three grandchildren. Dr. Charles H. Smith, of Chattanooga, Tennesee, married Edith Hyde and has one son, Lawrence H .; Annie E., the wife of G. H. Buchanan, by whom she has three children, A. Louisa, Laura E. and Lillian Lucile; and Glenn D., married Louie Myers, of Springfield, Ohio, and they have one son, Roger L.
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Mr. Rossman was a strong advocate of Democracy, giving unfalter- ing support to the party from the time he cast his first presidential ballot for Andrew Jackson. His last vote was cast for Grover Cleveland. He was a most liberal and public-spirited man and contributed largely to the erection of the churches and schools of his community, being deeply inter- ested in everything pertaining to the upbuilding and welfare of village and county. He died in Allegan in 1893, at the age of eighty-a most venerable and honored man, whose life at all times had commanded the confidence, trust and respect of his fellow citizens and who left behind him an untarnished nanie.
E. C. RowE, whose intense and well directed activity have made him one of the prominent business men of Allegan county, is one of the stockholders ir the Rowe Brothers Manufacturing Company. This enter- prise is of the utmost value in the town as a factor in its commercial and industrial activity, and in the management of the business Mr. Rowe las displayed thorough understanding of the trade in its practical branches as well as keen business discernment that results in securing upon the market a ready sale of the product. His life record began in Hastings township, Barry county, Michigan. His father, Joseph Rowe, was a native of Eng- land, and when a young man sailed for America. On the voyage he was married on shipboard to Elizabeth Watson, and, bringing his bride to Michigan, 'ne resided for some time in Barry county, where he followed the trade of a stone mason, which he had learned in his native land. He is now engaged in that business in Grand Rapids. In the family are two sons and two daughters, E. G. Rowe being the youngest. The others in order of birth are: Mrs. Minnie Fry. Mrs. Hattie Cable and J. Henry.
At the usual age E. C. Rowe began his education in the public schools near his father's home, and when he had put aside his text-books he learned the trade of spindle carving at Grand Rapids, Michigan, in which he con- tinued for seven years. During the last three years of that time he was in business on liis own account as a partner in the Furniture City Dowel Company, at Grand Rapids. At length the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Rowe and brother removed the machinery to Allegan, where he organ- ized the Rowe Brothers Manufacturing Company, being associated with his brother, J. Henry. After a short time, however, the latter sold his interest. The incorporation took place in 1905 with I. P'. Griswold as president ; J. Henry Rowe, vice-president and manager ; Dr. C. W. Young. secretary, and Fred I. Chichester, treasurer. In 1906 the following officers were elected : B. B. Sutphin, president ; Dr. William E. Rowe, vice-presi- dent : Dr. C. W. Young, secretary ; Fred I. Chichester, treasurer, and E. C. Rowe, manager. The company does all kinds of wood work, spindle work and carving, and has a well equipped plant supplied with the latest improved machinery necessary for work along this line. Its product is now quite extensive and is found to be most salable, for there is a constant demand for the output.
Mr. Rowe was married in Grand Rapids, in 1903, to Irene Brannam, who was born in Lake City. They now have one daughter, Eva E., whose birth occurred in Allegan. Mr. Rowe is a stalwart Republican, interested in the success and growth of his party, yet not desiring office for himself.
Edung way to Pid.
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HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
Fraternally he is connected with the Maccabees. He is regarded as one of the leading young men of the village, energetic and enterprising, with keen insight into business conditions and ready recognition of opportuni- ties, all of which characteristics combine to make him a successful man.
EDWY CAMPBELL REID, whose energy reaches out to many fields of activity wherein the general public has benefited, while at the same time he has promoted individual success, is now editor and proprietor of the Allegan Gasette, and is recognized as a man of influence, who has had much to do with molding public thought and opinion. He has been par- ticularly prominent in local political circles and at the present writing is serving as postmaster of Allegan. Born in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, he is descended in the paternal line from ancestors who through several gen- erations had lived in New Jersey. His mother was a native of Norfolkshire, England. The parents of Mr. Reid removed from Canada to Michigan when he was eighteen months old, so that his education was acquired in the Peninsular state, which has been the scene of all of his business experi- ence. He attended the schools of Otsego, Allegan county, to the age of sixteen years, when he put aside his text-books and entered upon an ap- prenticeship at the Otsego Herald. Since that time his work has been mainly in the newspaper field, in which he has been successively part owner and publisher of the Otsego Record, compositor on the Kalamazoo Telegraph. foreman in the office of the Allegan Democrat. foreman of the Allegan Journal, and finally partner and publisher, with Don C. Henderson, of the last named paper. Thus he made consecutive advancement. becoming well known in the field of journalism, as each forward step brought him a broader outlook and great opportunities, which he has greatly improved. On the first of April. 1882, the partnership with Mr. Henderson was dis- solved and with the aid of friends Mr. Reid established the Allegan Gazette, which he has since built up into a prosperous and influential journal. Allegan is near enough the center of the Michigan southern fruit belt to make horticulture an important interest here, and Mr. Reid has been closely identified with the industry. He has given much attention in his paper to the subject of fruit growing and marketing, and has thus disseminated many useful ideas among the horticulturists of this part of the state. He is, moreover, personally deeply interested in the subject and was for many years secretary of the State Horticultural Society, and has been one of the most efficient promoters of the fine exhibits made by that society at the state fairs and at the Detroit Exposition.
In politics Mr. Reid has always been a Republican. He has been active in committee and convention work in his own vicinity and his opin- ions have frequently been decisive factors in the settlement of some im- portant questions. He has also been a frequent attendant at state conven- tions, either as a delegate or in his newspaper capacity. His fellow towns- men have called him to various positions of public trust and honor. He was for eight years a member of the board of trustees of the state asylum for the insane at Ionia and acted as president of the board a portion of that time. In June, 1898, he was appointed by President Mckinley postmaster at Allegan and by re-appointment of President Roosevelt still fills the position to the entire satisfaction of the general public. He is the censor
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HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
of the county political boss in the Republican party and is a man of much prominence whose influence is widely felt and who always stands for public improvement and progress.
Mr. Reid was married, in 1876, to Miss M. A. Borradaile, of Sodus, New York, who died June 10, 1906. leaving two children. Mr. Reid is an active and helpful member of the Congregational church at Allegan, and affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Foresters, the Maccabees and the United Workmen. He is likewise a member of the executive committee of the Michigan Republican Press Association. His clear views and sound judgment, his thorough understanding of existing conditions in business and political circles, and his desire for permanent improvement and development, supplemented by untiring effort along those lines have made Mr. Reid one of the influential and representative men of Allegan county, while a cordial disposition and social nature have rendered him popular with his fellow townsmen.
FRANK HAWLEY WILLIAMS is serving for the third term as judge of the probate court of Allegan county, and is secretary and treasurer of the State Association of Probate Judges. He has a wide and favorable acquaintance throughout Michigan, and is recognized as one of the dis- tinguished citizens of Allegan county, who has left and is leaving the im- press of his individuality upon public thought and action for the better- ment of the interests of this part of the state. His record stands in contra- distinction to the old adage that "a prophet is not without honor save in his own country." and therefore there is particular interest attaching to his career since he is a native son of the place where he has passed his entire life and so directed his ability and force as to gain recognition as one of the representative citizens of the county. He is actively connected with the profession which has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of any section or community and one which is considered as con- serving the public welfare by furthering the ends of justice and maintaining individual rights.
Judge Williams was born in Allegan, July 12, 1864, and is a grandson of Deacon Erastus Williams, a descendant of one of the earliest settlers of Massachusetts. The grandfather was a farmer by occupation and at one time lived at Stockbridge, Massachusetts, but subsequently removed to Pittsfield, New York, about 1822. He served as captain of a volunteer company at Stockbridge in the war of 1812. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Lumley, was a native of Wales.
Their son, the late William B. Williams. the father of the judge, was born in Pittsfield. Monroe county, New York. July 28, 1826, and died in Allegan on the 4th of March. 1905. He acquired a common-school educa- tion in his native state and also attended the high school at Pittsfield. In early manhood he followed agricultural pursuits through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he engaged in teaching. In 1850 he entered upon the study of law in Rochester, New York, and in 1851 was graduated from an institution then known as the State and National Law School, at Ballston Spa. In the spring of 1852 he became a partner in a law firm, with which he had studied for two years. and in January, 1855, he removed to Allegan. where he remained until his death. continuing in
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active practice of his profession until about three years prior to his demise. In 1856 he was elected judge of probate of Allegan county and was re- elected in 1860. In August, 1862, thinking that his first duty was to his country, he enlisted as a private of Company B. 19th Michigan infantry. of which he was elected first lieutenant. Before reaching the rendezvous of the regiment he was ordered to bring a company to Detroit and as Company I of this command was attached to the 5th Michigan cavalry with Captain Williams in command. In 1863 he resigned on account of physical dis- ability caused by serious illness, and in 1864, as commander in camp, he or- ganized the 28th Michigan infantry, of which he was in charge until the regiment left for the front, when he was appointed by the governor to take the vote of the regiment and that of Michigan soldiers at Louisville. Kentucky. He was also appointed a member of the board of visitors of the University of Michigan.
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