USA > Michigan > American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-made Men.: Michigan Volume > Part 10
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dience to the Lord's commandments. Upon moving | ting, he went to Leavenworth. Kansas, engaging in busi- to Detroit, in 1853. he was baptized and confirmed, ness there with hi- uncles, Jerome and Justus Ingersoll; he afterward- removed to Valley Falls, in the same State. From early boy hood, he was endowed with earnest piety; and, in the new settlements of Western Kansas, he con- together with his family, by Rev. Jabez Fox, then pas- tor of the New Church in that city. From that time. he labored zealously for the propagation of the doctrine. of the New Church, believing that they are adapted to | tinued the missionary work which he had begun as a many minds that find it impossible to acknowledge the student of the university. The numerous emigrants other forms of dogmatic belief. He took a warm inter- ; with whom he dealt, found in him a friend who consid- est in the affairs of the church in his city and State, and Tered their interests as well as his own. Having decided was in an eminent degree instrumental in the upbuildl- . to close his business in the West, he returned to his ing of the pre-ent prosperous condition of the New ' home on Grosse Isle; his presence was marked by the Church Society in Detroit. In his extensive practice. ; opening of St. James Chapel, in which he led the devo- called often to administer to the heart and mind as well"tional exercise .. Upon the morning of May 20, 1875, as the body, his clear and inteligent faith gave him about a week after his return from the West, he em- power to speak words of counsel and administer comfort barked with his friend and neighbor, Hon. K. C. Barker, that will be ever cherished in the memories that are and two sailor, in an open river yacht, for a sail of ten dearest to very many. At the death.bed, and by the | mile- down the river. When bat a mile distant, and in mourning wife and mother, he talked of the spiritnal'a direct line from their homes on Grosse Isle, the boat world and the life after death, with a familiarity and i suddenly sank from sight. A strong wind and rough confidence. with an intelligence and conviction, that sea prevailed, and. before assistance could reach them, reassured and comforted even where it sometimes aston- all on board were drowned. On receipt of the news of ished. From such talks, many still dave the departure his sudden death, the college society of which he had of their fear of death, and the dawn of a satisfying and been an honored member, and the Great Bend, Kansas, trustful conception of the life hereafter. Doctor brake Mannie Lodge, paved appropriate resolutions to the was a Democrat in his early life, but became interested"memory of thea deceased br cher. We quote two stanzas in the Free-soil agitation, and. at the formation of the from a poem written upon the occasion of his death, by Republican party, became an earnest and firm advocate'a member of the Michigan bar: of its principles. His life. however, was principally " I rom the deep waters, up the shining strand I'nden by mortal eyes, His steady feet have reached the promised land Wheir the green heights arise, Glad with immortal flowers, unearthly bright, Blooming and fragrant in the golden light Of day that never dies, devoted to his profession, in which he was highly esteemed abroad as well as at home. He refused the ! proffered honor of a professor-hip in the Homeopathic! College at Chicago, preferring the cares and pleasure- of practice. His death occurred at Yp-ilanti, Michigan, November 16, 1874, on the fifty-third anniversary of his ( gentle sol: O leart, so pure and brave! How oft, with vision clear, Thy quickened sight has seen the broad wings wave, The crystal walls appear. For thee no sound of dread the billows bore, But broke in music on the lovely shore That seemed forever near." birth. He had been called thither for consultation, and. having returned to the depot to take the last train for his home, was standing upon the side-track, not antici- pating the switching of the train. He was struck by the rapidly approaching engine, and instantly killed. It is the lot of few, indeed, to leave behind them a more honored name, cherished with more grateful affec- tion by young and old.
I'DGEON, ANTHONY MCREYNOLDS, of De- troit, was born January S, 1818, at Stewartstown, county of Tyrone, Ireland. He was the oldest
UDGEON. FREDERICK A., late of Detroit. I son of Joseph Dudgeon and Lydia McReynolds. His Michigan, son of Anthony McReynolds Dud- : father was a native of Dublin, and a prominent citizen geon, was born in Detroit, Michigan, May 26. of that locality: his mother was a daughter of Anthony
1849. He prepared for college in the schools of his native city ; and, having graduated at the high school, completed a course of study at the Michigan University, McReynolds, a leading lawyer in the courts of Dublin, and the north of Ireland. The family were of Scotch Prote-tant origin. Mr. Dudgeon left his native country whence he graduated in 1869. While a student. he wa- ! at the age of eighteen, and came at once to Detroit, one of the editors of the University Magazine, and where, for several years, he was attached to the Amer- proved himself a writer of great merit. After gradua- Fican Fur Company. He was afterwards successful in
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business enterprises, and, for a number of years, was at | which might lead him into active business, he accepted the head of the firin of Dudgeon, Lewis & Graves, in the position of steward on one of the passenger steamers the forwarding and commission business, at the foot of
then plying on the lakes, remaining until 1846, when Woodward avenue. Though Mr. Dudgeon was never he became engaged in a similar occupation on Lake an aspirant for political honors, he was elected Alder- man of the Fourth Ward in 1854. He became President of the Board of Aldermen in 1855; and, in 1858, repre- sented Wayne County in the State Senate,-having for his colleagues the late Colonel Brodhead and Mr. Barns, then the editor of the Detroit Tribune. The records of the Legislative session of 1859 bear witness that in sound judgment, and devotion to his official duties, Mr. Dudgeon had no superior, and few equals, in that body. In 1845, he married Miss Harriet Ingersoll, a daughter of Judge Justus Ingersoll, of Detroit. In 1855, Mr. Dudgeon, having prospered in business, retired from active life. At this time he purchased an estate, and erected a beautiful residence on Grosse Isle, where his later years were passed in the quiet enjoyments of the home circle, which were of a literary as well as social character. In 1869, on the organization of the Republic Insurance Company of Chicago, with a capital of five millions, he went to that city, assumed the duties of Auditor, and soon became President of the company. When the great fire of 1871 terminated the business of the company, Mr. Dudgeon exerted himself to meet its large responsibilities; remaining in Chicago nearly a year for that purpose. In all affairs of a public or pri- vate character, his quick perception, united with a con- scientious performance of duty, commanded the esteem of the community in which he resided. His honorable and successful business career, extending over a period of twenty years, fitly places his name among the repre- sentative business men of the past generation. His private life was upright and exemplary, distinguished by many quiet and unostentatious acts of charity. He was a man of powerful physique, and strong constitu- tion; fond of out-door sports and recreations; possessing a genial spirit, in which was developed, to a marked degree, the faculty of winning and retaining friends. In religious belief, Mr. Dudgeon was an Episcopalian. His death, which was as peaceful as his life was useful, occurred at Grosse Isle, December 22, 1875.
Superior. Any one familiar with the vast commerce which is now seen upon Lake Superior, and who knew Mr. Duncan, will find it difficult to realize that he was present and engaged in the enterprise of taking the "Julia Palmer," the first side-wheel steamer that ever floated on the lake, across the portage of Sault Ste. Marie. In 1849 Mr. Duncan became a permanent citizen of Detroit, and engaged in the business of a brewer and maltster. Detroit was then a comparatively small city, and Mr. Duncan grew with its growth. He brought into business life great personal activity, strict devotion to his chosen pursuits, prudence, sagacity, and never-failing energy. These qualities ensured his suc- cess, and enabled him to lay the foundation of what became an ample fortune. Mr. Duncan early attracted the esteem of his fellow-citizens, and was pointed out as a suitable candidate for political preferment. He was elected Alderman in 1853, and served in that capacity five years. He was the first President of the Common Council, after that office was created by an amendment to the city charter. Mr. Duncan was always a Democrat, and his personal popularity and services to the City Council led to his nomination, in 1861, for the office of Mayor. To this post he was triumphantly elected, and served during the years 1862-63. His administration was distinguished for care- ful attention to city affairs, rigid honesty, frugality, and his particular efforts and influence in favor of the war for the Union. In the fall of 1862, he was chosen as a State Senator from the Second District, and filled the office during the years 1863-64. In 1865 Mr. Duncan retired from active business, his impaired health requir- ing that he should enjoy more recreation and rest. From that time until his death he gave his attention to the management of his large estate, and was a director in several financial and manufacturing corporations. He visited Europe twice, for health and recreation. Ever having manifested a deep interest in the welfare and prosperity of Detroit, after he had retired from active business life his fellow-citizens did not cease to honor him by calling into public employment his intelligence and foresight. In the spring of 1873, upon the organ- ization of the Board of Estimates, a body which has a large control of the municipal expenditures, he was chosen a member at large. In the fall of 1873, the unanimous voice of his party selected him a second time as its candidate for Mayor, but the condition of his health compelled him to decline. Mr. Duncan was a notable example of the sound and practical business qualities which lead to success, and of the personal
UNCAN, HON. WILLIAM CHAMBERLAIN, of Detroit, was born in Lyons, New York, May 18, 1820. His father's family removed from Lyons to Rochester, New York, when he was about five years of age. In the latter city his earlier years were spent, and he received there the advantages of a common-school education. At the age of twenty-one, desiring to engage in some employment for himself, | habits and character which retain public esteem. His
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energy, integrity, and courtesy early gave him a high | and returned to his home in Detroit while yet in his place in the community in which he lived. His popu- minority,- having attained a distinction seldom reached larity never waned, and his friends indulged the hope that his life would be spared for still higher duties in business and political life; but, in the prime of his manhood, the insidious destroyer terminated his useful life, December 19, 1877.
UPONT, CHARLES, of Detroit, Michigan, was born February 12, 1842, in Detroit, Michigan. I
by a mere boy. He had commanded, at one time, one thousand four hundred men and crer one hundred officers, he being the youngest of all. After leaving the army, he served as post-office clerk under William A. Howard. He then became Assistant Assessor in the Internal Revenue Department, under the administration of President Johnson. For six years, he was clerk in the City Assessor's office, and State collector for the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company. In 1874 he was elected Register of Deeds on the Democratic ticket ; in the administration of this office, he so won
He is the son of Charles and Clarissa (Simoneau ) , the esteem and approbation of his fellow-citizens that, Dupont. His father was of French ancestry, and one of |in 1876, he was again elected, for the term which expires the early settlers of Detroit, - having resided there for in 1879. more than forty years. He received his carly education in the public schools of his native city. At the age of eleven, he entered Mr. Holmes' dry-goods store as cash boy, and afterwards accepted a situation as roller boy in the Free Press office. Upon leaving this place, he UFFIELD, GEORGE, D. D., of Detroit. This distinguished man, who has left his impress upon the people of Michigan to as marked an extent, perhaps, as any other one of its citizens, de- serves a much fuller history than can be condensed into the limits of our allotted space. As a scholar, preacher, patriot, and friend, he was earnest and strong; and, as an advocate of the best interests of the people, irrespect- ive of rank, color, or condition, it may be safely said that he had no superior in the State of Michigan. Thirty of the best years of his life were given for the building up of sound sentiment on all questions that involved the highest welfare of the people; and the seed which his brave hand sowed broadcast, not only in the city of his home, but throughout the North-west, has borne and is still bearing abundant and precious har- vests. Hle was born in Strasburg, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on the 4th day of July, 1794; and the spirit of his birthday's independence seemed to have impressed his entire life. His father, for whom he was named, was the son of the celebrated Rev. George Duf- field, of Revolutionary memory; who, in conjunction with Bishop White, was Chaplain of the first Congress of the United States, and, at the same time, pastor of the Pine Street Presbyterian Church, of Philadelphia. Ilis fame as a preacher and a fearless and eloquent ad- vocate of liberty is well known to all students of Amer- ican history. The father of the subject of this sketch was at one time a prominent merchant of Philadelphia, and, for nine years, Comptroller-General of Pennsylvania under the gubernatorial administration of the distin- guished statesman, Thomas Mackean. His son, George Duffield, of whom we write, early showed great aptitude for study, and graduated with honor from the University became a sailor on the old steamer " Forest Queen," under Captain Cattrell. At the outbreak of the civil war, he was serving as an apprentice to his uncle in the drug business; and, although but seventeen years of age, he enlisted, as a private, in the 4th Michigan In- fantry. This regiment was soon ordered to the front; and took part in the battles of Bull Run, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Hanover .Court House, and Walnut Church. At the battle of Gaine,' Mill, Mr. Dupont received a bullet wound that fractured his jaw, and resulted in the loss of the right eye. He was left on the battle-field, reported killed, and was captured by the enemy and confined in Libby prison. He was ex- changed four months later ; and, on returning home, at once engaged in raising the 13th Michigan Independent Battery of Light Artillery. For this service, he was commissioned First Lieutenant by Secretary Stanton. In June, 1864, he received a commission as Captain. When the Confederate Generals, Breckinridge and Early, made their raid on Washington City, Captain Dupont was placed in command of Fort Stevens, with a large body of artillery and infantry troops. During the two days' fight before Washington, on the 11th and 12th of July, 1864, President Lincoln and the Cabinet viewed the combat from the bomb-proofs of Fort Stevens, and Captain Dupont was personally complimented by the President on the excellence of his artillery practice. His battery was afterwards mounted as cavalry, in pref- erence to twenty-two other regular army batteries, and detailed to hunt guerrillas in Maryland and Virginia. After the assassination of President Lincoln, a detach- ment of Captain Dupont's command captured the con- spirators, Atzerodt and Mudd. Captain Dupont was mustered out of service, with his battery, July 1, 1865, | of Pennsylvania, when but sixteen years of age. In June,
Sincerely Yours & 2. Bettune Duffiees
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1811, he took his degree; and, in the autumn of the | tireless researches in the mines of ancient learning, so same year, entered the Theological Seminary of New that he was continually bringing before his people and the public treasures both new and old. The motto of his family, which he carried upon his seal, was broad and noble: Deo, rei publica, et amicis, esto fidelis,-"To God, your country, and your friends, be ever faithful." Fully did he appreciate its injunctions, and faithfully did he live up to its mandate, even to the end of his honorable career. On the 24th of June, 1868, while apparently in perfect health, and engaged in giving welcome to the delegates of the International Convention of the Young Men's Christian Association, then assembling in Detroit, and, when scarcely half through his address, his voice faltered, and, with the expression: "My head reels, I must stop," he fell into unconsciousness, in the arms of General Howard, of the United States army. He was borne to his own home, where, on the 26th of June, 1868, he died, lamented not only by the people of the West, but, to a large extent, by those of the whole country. Among those who knew him well he will long be remembered as a man of great learning ; strict purity of life ; high and holy purpose; conviction strong as walls of granite; and a will which, though held under the control of conscience and judgment, was of that type which we sometimes characterize as Roman; for scarcely in the palmiest days of Rome could there have been found, among patricians or plebeians, one whose firmness was greater than his. As a patriot, no one was in advance of him when the hour of danger dawned. Then his clarion voice was heard, waking and rallying the citizens to the defense of the country. When the national life was threatened, during the dark days of the civil war, he put the banner of his country into the hands of his two sons and sent them, at the head of a Michigan regiment, to the field of battle. He never, even in the darkest day, lost courage or hope; but, by speech, prayer, and personal example, inspired others with his own indomitable spirit. He was the stay and the staff of thousands of loyal hearts, for his patriotism was of no ordinary type; it was such as his country could and did rely upon; and of the same inflexible character as that of his Revolutionary ancestor. In conclusion, we may say of Doctor Duffield, that he was one of those who lived " in the age when men were men, and not ashamed of Heaven."
York, then under the care of the celebrated John M. Mason, D. D. There he spent four years; and, on the 20th of April, 1815, yet lacking a few months of his majority, he was licensed to preach, by the Presbytery of Philadelphia.' From that day until the day of his death, full three and fifty years, he continued faithfully, vigorously, and earnestly to preach the Gospel. In the year 1817, in the city of New York, he married Isabella Graham Bethune, daughter of D. Bethune, Esq., a promi- nent merchant of that city, and granddaughter of the widely known Isabella Graham, whose memory is still fra- grant in the churches of Scotland and America. The late George W. Bethune, D. D., the distinguished orator and lecturer of New York, was a brother of the lady whom Doctor Duffield had chosen for his wife. Doctor Duf- field's first settlement was at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, over the same Presbyterian Church which had formerly enjoyed the pastoral care of his grandfather. Here he remained a settled pastor for about nineteen years, when he accepted a call to the Presbyterian Church of Phila- delphia, formerly under the care of Thomas H. Skinner, D. D. His connection with this church lasted but two years, when he was called to the Broadway Tabernacle, of New York City, where he remained during the month of October, 1838. He then became settled pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Detroit, at that time a large church and the only one of that denomination in the city. Shortly after his arrival in the State, he was appointed one of the Regents of the State University, where his scholarship, experience in collegiate affairs, and earnest devotion to the cause of popular education, enabled him to do much to shape and promote the in- terests of this now widely known institution of learning. In those days, no one man did more effective service for our then youthful university than did Doctor Duffield, as the records of the institution amply disclose. The character of the man of whom we write was that of an untiring investigator after truth, both scientific and moral; an earnest advocate of revealed truth; a deter- mined and obstinate friend of liberty, civil and religious; a strong ally of all engaged in the cause of education and social reforms of every kind; and a sympathizing friend of the distressed in every grade of life. A man, unostentatious in his habits, yet of the highest culture, capable of leading in the most learned circles of science, theology or general literature, and still not ashamed to yield his society to the very lowliest of the poor. With UFFIELD, D. BETHUNE, Detroit, Michigan, son of George Duffield, D. D., and Isabella Graham (Bethune) Duffield, was born in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, where he resided with his parents until their removal to Philadelphia in 1835. He early entered the preparatory department of a will which expelled all fear, even in the presence of overwhelming opposition, he was still as tender-hearted and sympathetic as a woman. He was largely versed in the learning of both ancient and modern languages, reading with ease no less than ten or twelve, and speak- ing several. Ilis preaching was greatly enriched by his | Dickinson College, at Carlisle, and was fitted to enter
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the Freshman Class at twelve years of age, but was ex- | port of the Government, and the cause of the Union. cluded under the rules which restricted applicants to | He has, however, persistently refused to participate in fourteen. He early manifested a talent for languages, the struggle of State or national politics, preferring to follow his profession. In addition to the labors incident to a large professional practice, Mr. Duffield finds oppor- tunity to lend a helping hand to almost every work that has for its object the welfare of the ma-ses. He has ever been an active friend of Sunday-schools, particularly. of mission schools, of which he was one of the earliest advo- cates. He has lately devoted himself earnestly to the work of the "Red Ribbon" movement, having been chosen its first President, and enjoyed not only the respect, but the sincere affection of its eight thousand members. He has also lately originated and caused to be incorporated what is known as " The People's Tabernacle " of Detroit; an association designed to give the poor the privilege of a free Church and free Gospel. All sectarianism is abso- lutely excluded from the scheme by the terms of its articles; and, sustained by some of the most prominent citizens, it is fulfilling admirably the purpose designed by its incorporators. Mr. Duffield enjoys, not only through- both ancient and modern, and is still regarded as one of the best scholars of his day; especially in Greek and Latin, though familiar also with French and German. He remained at school in Philadelphia until 1836, when he entered Yale College. He came to Detroit in 1839, and became, for a time, a student in the office of Bates & Talbut. In 1843 he graduated from the Yale Law School, at New Haven, when still under age. The following year he spent in the Union Theological Seminary, of New York; but, his health becoming affected, he returned to Michigan, where, in the fall of 1843, he was admitted to the bar. In the spring of 1844, he formed a law partnership with George V. N. Lothrop, which contin- ued until 1856; when, the latter essaying a venture into the political field, the partnership was dissolved, although the two members of it have continued in the practice of their profession, side by side, ever since. He was carly elected City Attorney; and then one of the Board of Education, where he served with great usefulness for j out our State, but throughout the East and West, a rep- thirteen or fourteen successive years, in several of which utation for high culture in belles-lettres; having been classed he acted as President of the Board. During this time, [as early as 1860 among the prominent poets of the West. he recast the whole course of study in all the depart- In Coggeshall's volume, entitled Ports and Poetry of the West, the author says: "His poems, while often more the result of spontaneous expression than elaborate labor, evince a degree of poetical talent which promises eminence among the writers of the North-west, if not a still wider sphere." Not a few of his fugitive pieces have been published in the various Eastern collections of poetry ; some without his name, others with his initials merely, while others are openly credited to him. He was, while quite a youth, a contributor to the magazine, published by Willis Gaylord Clark, known as the Knick- erbocker; and has continued not unfrequently to write for others of later date. Though often solicited, he has firmly refused to publish his poems, and the only ones which appear in print are the few gathered in the work already mentioned. Ilis "National Centennial Poem," written for and delivered at the celebration of July 4, 1876, in Detroit, is preserved in the volume, Michi- gan and the Centennial, compiled and published in that year, by S. B. McCracken. With his professional brethren, Mr. Duffield has always stood in the front rank; as well for legal attainments as for industry and fidelity, and for that high professional courtesy which is equally charac- teristic of the true legal gentleman. Among the eminent members of the Detroit bar, there are many who are his seniors in years; but, as Secretary of the Bar Associa- tion for some years past, he has held a position next to its President, who is chosen from among the oldest and most distinguished of its members. In his professional labors he is prompt, punctual, clear, and decisive, and ments and grades of schools, basing his action upon careful experiment continued through a period of two years; his plan remained unchanged for many years thereafter. He is also credited with having originated and established, not without much opposition, - though well supported by two or three other members of the Board,-the High School of Detroit. In 1855, contem- plating a visit to Europe, he declined re-election to the Board, and has never been an active member since, although in full sympathy with its work. After his with- drawal, it was proposed to name one of the school buildings for him, which he declined to have done ; but, subsequently, during his absence from the city, the Board gave his name to the Union Building, on Clinton street, which is still known as "Duffield Union School." For a number of years he was a co-worker in the cause with such men as Hon. James V. Cample, Samuel Bars- tow, Levi Bishop, William D. Wilkins, and others whose names have been identified with the early history of the schools. Mr. Duffield still continues in the active practice of his profession in Detroit, and his career has been marked by industry, ability, and integrity. In politics, he was a Whig from the time he cast his first vote for Henry Clay until the formation of the Repub- lican party, which he at once joined, and of which he has since remained an active and leading member. Not a single Presidential campaign has passed, in which he has not earnestly and eloquently advocated his party candidates, freely giving his time and service to the work. He was especially active during the war in sup- | is a constant worker; his literary labors forming an
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