USA > Michigan > American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-made Men.: Michigan Volume > Part 16
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Michigan building from the pencil of a Michigan artist. While temporarily residing in Chicago, he lost several thousand dollars' worth of paintings by the great fire, | of the Patriot War, barely escaping with their lives
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from the Indian allies of the combatants. Mr. Hopkin's ; power, and no one appealed to him in vain. No man reputation as a business man is of the highest order ;- his engagements are always fulfilled to the letter, and all his business is executed under his personal supervi- sion. Ilis industry and perseverance have been rewarded by the accumulation of a competency; and in society he fills the part of a useful citizen, as well as a self-made and enterprising business man.
in Detroit gave to the unknown poor with a more gen- erous hand, while he contributed liberally to the various charitable institutions of the city. From the time of its foundation until his death, he gratuitously supplied the Industrial School with all the meat needed for its use. Hundreds of poor in the city were the constant recipients of his benefactions, and he was known and esteemed among them as the "poor man's friend." Having in early life known the sufferings of poverty, he knew how to pity and sympathize with the un- fortunate. Their regret was manifested at his funeral, which was attended by hundreds of men, women, and children, who had often had occasion to know that Mr.
ULL, JOHN, late of Detroit, Michigan, was born at Georgetown, District of Columbia, March 31, 1812. Ile is descended from a family which |Hull was their friend, and who had come on this occa- came over to this country in the early part of sion to pay a last sad tribute to his memory. The funeral was one of the largest ever held in the city of Detroit. Ilis death was occasioned by injuries received on being thrown from his buggy in the fall of 1864. Mr. Hull was a life-long Democrat, a strong partisan, and an earnest advocate of the principles of his party. lle was a strong and successful politician, and was a very popular stump speaker, having made a number of speeches during the Presidential canvass of 1864. He possessed great political influence among the working classes, in consequence of his kindness and liberality. At various periods in his life, he occupied positions of trust and responsiblity, always with honor to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He was twice elected an Alderman of Detroit. At the time of his Wayne County, and was the Democratic candidate for the State Senate for the Second Senatorial District. At his death he left an estimable wife and eight sons, all of whom are residents of Detroit, and engaged in business. the seventeenth century, with the original founders of a colony in the State of Maryland. The father of Mr. Hull died when the latter was quite young ; and as soon as the boy was able, he was obliged to earn what he could to aid in the support of the family. As a consequence, his school advantages were necessarily neglected, and his early education consisted of a few months at school each year, for several years. He was, however, very fond of reading, and, throughout his life, kept himself well informed on the various public matter, of the day. Ile was apprenticed to the butcher's trade, in Georgetown, and was engaged there in that business until 1834; when, at the age of twenty-two years, he started for the West to seek his fortune. He first settled at Day- ton, Ohio, where he was occupied at his trade for some | death, he was Chairman of the Board of Auditors for time. He then removed to Columbus, Ohio; and, sub- sequently, to Sandusky, Ohio, where he engaged in business in partnership with his brother. There, in 1840, he married Miss Helen Mar Doraine, and, imme- diately after, removed to Detroit. His business venture in Sandusky not proving successful, he was without a dollar in the world when he arrived in Detroit, literally a stranger in a strange city. With undaunted courage, he at once set to work at his trade; and, by frugality and economy, saved a little money from his wages. This he invested in a judicious manner, and reaped his first harvest, by means of which he was enabled to start in business for himself. This he did on the corner of Campus Martius and Monroe avenue, retaining this location during his whole business career. Being a man possessed of warm impulses, a strong social nature, and course of a few years, he became one of the most suc-
OWARD, HAMILTON G., Lawyer, of Detroit, second son of Jacob M. Howard, was born at Detroit, on the 6th of January, 1845. The record of his distinguished father's life appears elsewhere in this volume. His mother, whose maiden name was Katharine A. Shaw, of Ware, Massachusetts, was noted for her great beauty and brilliancy in early life; and, in later years, for her philanthrophy and strict integrity, his trade rapidly increased ; and, in the ; Christian graces. She died in 1866. Mr. Howard began the study of Latin and Greek at nine years of cessful men, in his branch of business, in the city. At age, under his father's instruction; subsequently attended public and private schools; entered the Sophomore Class of Williams College, Massachusetts, in 1863; and
the time of his death, in 1864, he had amassed a for- tune as a reward of his industry, frugality, and enter- prise. One of his most noted characteristics was his | graduated with honor in 1866, having been elected large-hearted benevolence; he was ever ready to help . President of his class. During a portion of his college the needy and distressed in whatever way lay in his | course, he acted as his father's private secretary, and as
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clerk of the United States Senate Committee on Pacific | dan, where he remained until September, 1858, when he Railroads, residing in Washington in the winter months, entered the Upper Canada College, at Toronto. Being and at the same time keeping up his college studies. He commenced the study of law in his father's office, in 1866, continuing to spend his winters in Washington, as his father's secretary, where he was a daily witness of the great debates on the reconstruction measures of Congress, and the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson. He was admitted to the bar of Michigan in 1866, and to that of Illinois in 1872. He practiced law in Chicago one year, when he returned to Detroit. In 1874 Mr. Howard was nominated by acclamation, by the Republican party of Detroit, for Representative in the State Legislature, but was defeated at the election, together with the remainder of the ticket, by less than one hundred votes,- Mr. Howard running ahead of his ticket in several wards. In 1876 he received an offer, from President Grant, of the position of United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, but de- clined to accept. In the fall of the same year, he was unanimously nominated, by the Republican party, for State Senator from the First Senatorial District, but the district being strongly Democratic, he was defeated, as subsequently in the election of 1877, when honored with the nomination for City Attorney. Mr. Howard has an excellent standing in his profession, and possesses a law library of some twelve hundred volumes. He is a gentleman of fine presence and genial manners. He is unmarried.
especially fond of study, he applied himself diligently, and, at the final examinations of the year, received twelve first-grade certificates out of fourteen subjects, in competition with forty-five students. At the end of the second year's examination, he received the three highest prizes, against an equal number of competitors. In 1860 he left college and entered the employment of his father, who carried on an extensive malt and hop busi- ness in Detroit. In 1861, when only eighteen years of age, his father admitted him as partner, under the firm name of R. Hawley & Son. This firm existed until January 1, 1874, when he bought out his father's share, and, having given one of his clerks an interest in the business, the firm became T. D. Hawley & Co., which is still doing a large business. In 1872 Mr. Hawley bought an interest in the Detroit Daily Union, was chosen a director, and also secretary and treasurer of the com- pany, which positions he held for a year, when he sold out his interest. During this time, he contributed freely to the editorial columns of the paper, gratifying a taste for writing which he has had from boyhood. Mr. Hawley entered actively into the arena of politics as soon as he became a qualified voter. In 1864 he was chosen a member of the Wayne County Democratic Committee; and, in the fall of the same year, was elected, on the Democratic ticket, a member of the Detroit Board of Education, for the First Ward, serving two years from January 1, 1865. The first year, he was a member of the Committee on Teachers, and the second AWLEY, THOMAS DE RIEMER, of Detroit, was born at Erie, Pennsylvania, February 27, 1843. His father is Richard Hawley, a sketch of whose life will be found elsewhere in this volume. His mother, Evangelia (Gardner) Hawley, is a daughter of Colonel John Gardner, who was Captain of a company of volunteers in the War of 1812. He fought at the battle of Plattsburg, and was afterwards Colonel of a regiment of militia in Ohio, which was called out in the Black Hawk War, but was not in active service. His mother's maternal grandfather, Ahimeaz Sherwin, was a drum-major in the Revolution- ary War; and her great-grandmother, named Puchet, was one of a family of Huguenots, who fled from France and settled in Connecticut. The parents of T. D. Haw- ley having removed to Detroit in the spring of 1843, his early education was received in the Barstow and Capitol schools of that city. In 1854 he was sent to the sem- inary in Hopedale, Ohio, where he studied for a year; and, in the spring of 1855, sailed with his parents for Europe, where he spent six months in traveling. Upon his return home, in November, 1855, he was placed in year, Chairman of the Committee on Finance. During his term, he actively participated in two important con- tests,-the introduction of the McGuffey series of readers, and the appointment of Professor I. M. B. Sill as Super- intendent of Schools; in both he was victorious. In the fall of 1866, he was nominated on the Democratic and Workingman's ticket as Representative in the State Legislature, and was the only one of the five candidates on the same ticket who was elected, receiving four hun- dred and seventy-two votes more than any other. Ile served in the Legislature of 1867, and was a member of the Committee on State Affairs. He was leader of the homeopathic party in this Legislature, and was largely instrumental in securing a clause attached to the Uni- versity Appropriation Bill, providing for the appoint- ment of two Professors of Homeopathy in the medical department of the University. He also took the lead of the House in the effort to pass a law making eight hours a legal day's work, succeeding in getting the bill through the House, but not through the Senate. As a member of the minority of the Committee on State affairs, he presented a lengthy report in favor of minority repre- sentation in the election of delegates to the Constitu- a classical school in Detroit, conducted by Doctor Sol- | tional Convention, which was to be held the ensuing
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year. The system which he advocated has since been | energy and courage. He is positive in his opinions, a adopted in the election of the Illinois Legislature, and warm and steady friend, an unyielding and aggressive enemy. Perhaps his most striking characteristic is his untiring mental activity. He is never at rest, but, during the hours in which his business does not demand his attention, is always at work, -reading, studying, writing, investigating, advocating some reform, or attacking some abuse. A man of such traits can not fail to make ene- mies; but he has also many friends, and the people, who desire men of courage and positive qualities to represent them, have, in various political contests, manifested great faith in Thomas D. Hawley. in the election of members of Constitutional Conventions in New York and Pennsylvania. In 1866 he was a del- egate to the National Labor Congress, held in Chicago, and was made Chairman of the Committee on Lectures. In 1870 he was chosen a member and Secretary of the Democratic State Central Committee, serving two years; and, in 1872, was elected a delegate from the first Congressional District of Michigan, to the National Democratic Convention at Baltimore, which nominated Horace Greeley for I'resident. In 1876 he was again elected a member of the Democratic State Central Com- mittee for two years. In the fall of 1876, he was elected Alderman of the First Ward of Detroit, to serve two years from January 1, 1877; and, in January, 1878, was chosen President of the Common Council for that year. INCHMAN, THEO. H., Merchant and Banker, of Detroit, Michigan, was born in Morris County, New Jersey, March 6, 1818. He is the fourth of the ten children, and eldest of the four sons, of John R. Hinchman and Mary De Camp, -both natives of Morris County. Mrs. Hinchman was educated at Morristown, at the academy of Samuel Whelply, (author of Whelply's Compend ), in which Samuel L. Southard, afterwards United States Senator from New Jersey, was a tutor. The Hinchman family, remotely, were engaged in mining iron ore, and in the manufacture of iron in New Jersey ; but, after the War of 1812, the iron inter- est became depressed, and several members of the fam- ily removed to New York City, and engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery trade. Among them was John K. Hinchman, who went to New York in 1825. The celebration of the opening of the Erie Canal oc- curred in that year, and is the first event of importance remembered by the subject of this sketch. Theodore Il. Hinchman attended the public schools of New York, in which he made good progress, and won advanced position. He acquired a love for reading, and at the age of twelve had read Rollin's Ancient History, and many other works of value. When thirteen, he was placed in a retail drug store, where he remained one year; at which time, by the recommendation of Guy M. Hinchman, wholesale grocer, he obtained a situation in the wholesale grocery and commission house of John Johnson & Sons, South street. This was one of the largest establishments in the United States. His em- ployment there was principally office work, collecting, banking, etc .; but he also had sufficient general store work to obtain a thorough knowledge of the business. During his clerk hip with the firm, lasting four years, he was an active member of the Mercantile Library Association, of New York, in which he took a great During the first year of his service in the Council, he was Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means. and as such used his influence to reduce the estimated expenditures of the city, making a reduction of one hundred thousand dollars from the amount voted the previous year. Ile was the first treasurer of the Young Men's Christian Association of Detroit, and was a del- egate from that body to the National Convention of Young Men's Christian Associations in 1870, at Indian- apolis. In 1875 he was elected first Vice-President of the Maltsters' National Association; was re-elected in 1876; again in 1877; and, by the resignation of the President, in January, 1878, he succeeded to that office. In 1871 he was President of the Detroit Literary Adel- phi, a prominent society of that city. In 1861 he made a second visit to Europe, traveling through England, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium. He be- came a member of the Christian Church in 1860, but left it in 1875, to join the Congregational Church, from which he withdrew in one year, having experienced a change in his religious views. He married, March 17, 1863, Mary A. Bartholomew, daughter of Albert M. Bartholomew, formerly a prominent hardware merchant of Detroit, of the firm of Ducharme & Bartholomew. Her grandfather, Martin Bartholomew, was the first captain of the first steamboat ever built, -.. Robert Ful- ton;" and her great-grandfather, Andrew Bartholomew, was a Captain in the Revolutionary War. Her maternal grandfather, Rev. Seth Noble, was the first Presbyterian clergyman in Central Ohio. Mr. Hawley, while con- ducting a large business, devotes much of his leisure to the gratification of his literary tastes. He has taken a deep interest in various scientific subjects, especially in mechanics, chemistry, meteorology, and biology, while his general reading ha, extended over a wide range of literature. Mr. Hawley is a man of slight and apparently | interest. This gave him access to a good library, which delicate frame, but he has great capacity for work ; and, he did not neglect. The knowledge thus obtained has as the record of his life shows, is a man of indomitable | been of great value to him. At that time, romances
Thurs Skurchuan >
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and novels formed no part of that library. In the | the Government, doing his full share in raising men spring of 1836, Mr. Hinchman made the acquaintance and furnishing means to maintain the integrity of the of John Owen, of Detroit; and, having a favorable offer, Union. He has been a Democrat since 1867; and, although never willing to accept a nomination for polit- ical office, was nominated and elected to the State Senate in the fall of 1876. He was a valuable working mem- ber, and a member of several important committees in this body. Mr. Hinchman is rather a practical than a showy man, - a man of deeds rather than words. His work is always so methodical that its results may be anticipated with reasonable certainty. Hence he has never overreached, nor attempted what was beyond his capacity to accomplish. The oversight of a large busi- ness has prevented his enjoying foreign travel, but he has familiarized himself with the social and business life of his own section of country, including the principal points in the North-west; and has made three tours of the Southern States, during which he obtained much information, mercantile, industrial, political, and geo- graphical. removed there to become clerk in the drug and grocery store of Chapin & Owen. In December, 1838, Doctor Chapin, the senior partner, died, leaving Mr. Owen sole proprietor. In March, 1842, Mr. Hinchman was ad- mitted as a partner, under the firm name of J. Owen & Co. September 8, of the same year, he married Louisa Chapin, daughter of the late Dr. Marshall Chapin, former partner with Mr. Owen. The wholesale business of the firm increased, and became of the first impor- tance, when, in 1853, the interest of Mr. Owen was purchased, and a ship chandlery store was opened, which is still carried on. Mr. Ilinchman now has asso- ciated with him in business his three sons, under the firm name of T. H. Hinchman & Sons, severally ad- mitted as follows: the eldest, John M. Hinchman, in 1868; the second, Ford De Camp Hinchman, in 1869; and the third, Charles Chapin Hinchman, in 1874. The sons are now the active partners, and take rank with the most competent of young merchants. The business has steadily increased, and has met with a degree of success that can be attributed only to vigilance in business, OLMES, ROBERT, of Detroit, was born in To- ronto, Canada (Ontario), on the 15th of Decem- ber, 1819. His mother, Hannah Holmes, was born in Toronto, in the year 1802; and died in Detroit, Michigan, in 1852. His grandfather, John McDougal, was Paymaster in the British army for a considerable portion of his life; he then retired upon a life pension, and resided in the neighborhood of To- ronto, as a farmer, until his death, at the age of ninety- six. His father, John Holmes, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1776; and died in Buffalo, New York, in 1836. Robert Holmes was educated in Buffalo. His parents being in poor circumstances, his education was necessarily very limited ; and, at the age of fourteen, he apprenticed himself to a tin and copper smith, in Buffalo. He worked at this trade twenty-one years. He removed to Detroit in 1840, and worked as journeyman at his trade until 1842, when he started in business for him- self. In a very short time, however, he sold his interest, and again worked as a journeyman, continuing in that capacity four years. He then moved to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and again engaged in business for himself. After remaining there a short time, he was prevailed upon by his old employers, Ducharme & Bartholomew, to return to Detroit and take charge of their establish- ment. He continued with them two years, and then succeeded to the business, establishing a new firm, the title of which was Dudley & Holmes. It was conducted under that name until the year 1857. Meeting with reverses at that period, the business was carried on economy in household expenditures, and a desire to have all customers fairly dealt with and satisfied. Mr. Hinch- man formed the determination, as early as 1836, to expend not over half of the yearly income. In 1869 the Mer- chants' and Manufacturers' Bank was organized, and Mr. Hinchman was elected its President, which office he continues to hold. He has engaged in few enter- prises outside of his legitimate business, his best efforts being directed to this one object, and to the discharge of such public trusts as the city or his connection with various societies demanded. Being a Presbyterian by education and preference, he has always given proper attention to the services of his church, and acknowledges his obligation to sustain religious teaching. In 1839 he became a member of the Detroit Young Men's Society, and successively held the offices of Corresponding Sec- retary, Treasurer, and Vice-President .. He is now an honorary member. In that year, he also became a mem- ber of the Fire Department, and continued such, with little interruption, until 1862. In 1867 he was appointed one of the Board of four Fire Commissioners for the city of Detroit, established by act of the State Legislature of that year. This position he continued to hold until the fall of 1876, when, receiving a political nomination, he resigned. He was also a Commissioner of Sewers for five years,-1855 to 1860. Mr. Hinchman was a Whig up to 1860, but has never taken an active part in politics, except in the Clay and Frelinghuysen campaign of 1844. During the civil war, he was ยท a no-party man ; but, with his accustomed decision and under the name of John Holmes, Mr. Holmes' brother; energy of character, lent a strong hand in support of | Mr. Holmes acting in the capacity of manager for him
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until 1861, when he again took charge of the business, | Health ; I'resident pro tempore, and President, of the C'om- and continued to conduct it until the winter of 1863. mon Council. In 1876 he was chosen a member of At that time, meeting with a severe accident, he took the Republican State Central Committee of Michigan, in his present partner, Mr. Edwin F. Webster; and, and was a candidate on the Republican ticket for State being very successful, has since remained an active part- i Senator at the last election ; but, with the rest of his ner. Mr. Holmes belongs to the Episcopal Church, as , ticket, in the city, was defeated. Mr. Hough now holds the position of Secretary of the Republican State Cen- tral Committee.
do all the members of his family. For a period of four years, he has been vestryman in the church ; and has always been one of its most prominent members, ever ready to lend assistance. Mr. Holmes, as a politician, has always felt a great interest in the Republican party, but has never taken any active part in politics. In 1844 he married his first wife, Isabella Erdell, who died in 1855. They had three daughters. Mr. Holmes then married Elizabeth Warren, who is still living. In all
ENNESSY, REV. JAMES, of Detroit, Michigan, a native of Ireland, was born in Kill Parish, Waterford County, on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1824. Ile was the son of William and business matters, Mr. Holmes is universally respected, Catherine ( Doocey) Hennessy. He was carly set apart and is a man of the strictest integrity. He has always borne a high reputation for promptness and honorable dealing among his fellow-men; and is a genial, gener- ous, helpful friend.
for his sacred calling, and passed through the initiatory studie, in his native country. He was ordained a sub- deacon in Waterford, and, in his twenty-second year, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, received his charge as deacon. He went immediately to Detroit, Michigan, and, on the 25th of September, 1847, was ordained as priest and was sent to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to be the assistant OUGH GEORGE W., Detroit, was born in Oakland County, Michigan, in 1842. His father, Hon. Simon Hough, was an early settler in that county, and somewhat prominently connected with its early political history, having held several high positions within the gift of the people. Mr. Hough was educated at the Rochester Academy and the Mich- igan State Normal School, entering the latter institution at the age of fifteen year . In 1859 and isto, he be- of the Rev. Thomas Cullen. From 1850 to 1852 he officiated, not only at Ann Arbor, but also at Marshall. and finally. in the fall of 1852, became resident pastor of St. Mary's Church, Marshall. In May, 1855, he left to officiate in the cathedrals of St. Peter and St. Paul, Detroit, where he acted as assistant until the opening of St. Patrick's, which he had built. Here he remained until his death, October, 1875. Father Hennessy was of weak constitution and retiring disposition, but he was earnest, devout, and indefatigable in his labors for his came principal of the public school at Port Huron, ; parish. His temperament was far from sanguine, and he was subject to fits of despondency, superinduced, doubt- less, by physical weakness. He was tall and slender in early life, but afterwards inclined to corpulency. His faithful ministrations in his parish, and his many excel- lent qualities of head and heart, greatly endeared him to the Catholic community. His death, occurring as it did in the prime of his usefulness, was felt as a public calamity.
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