USA > Michigan > American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-made Men.: Michigan Volume > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36
REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF MICHIGAN.
101
.
102
REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF MICHIGAN.
of the city of Manchester. From this place, he was | farm, and attended, for four or six weeks each winter, elected, in 1826, to the New Hampshire Legislature, in such schools as were afforded to the youth of that time, which then sat Ezekiel Webster, and others afterwards in the newly settled portions of the West. The labor distinguished in national affairs. That Legislature, not-
upon the farm, together with hunting and frequent withstanding strenuous opposition, amended the charter | journeys on horseback through the new country, gave him of Dartmouth College, which gave rise to the famous robust health and great physical endurance. Upon attaining his majority, having determined to adopt the profession of law, and feeling the necessity of a col- legiate education as a preparation therefor, in April, 1844, he entered upon a preparatory course at Ypsilanti. He pursued his studies there for more than two years, and then, with no resources except a firm determina- tion and an earnest faith that he could, by his own exertions, accomplish his object, in September, 1846, he entered the Freshman Class of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. He remained at the Univer- sity four years, graduating with the class of 1850; that being the sixth class of the institution. In August, of the same year, he went to Salem, Mississippi, and there taught school about eighteen months. In April, 1852, he returned to Michigan, entered the law office of Fraser, Davidson & Holbrook, at Detroit, and was case of that name in the laws of corporations. Though a firm Whig, and afterwards a stanch adherent to the principles of the Republican party, he never again ac- cepied any office. Satisfied that a larger field for busi- ness was opening in the great West, Mr. Moore, after a prospecting tour, decided to remove to Detroit. There, in 1832, he engaged in business with Zachariah Chand- ler. Three years later, he entered the grocery trade,. and established the house of Moore, Foote & Co., which. for many years, was known as the largest in the State. Their trade aggregated millions of dollars annually. In 1862 he turned his attention to the manufacture and sale of lumber, and purchased large tracts of pine land in Michigan. He associated with him his brother, Stephen Moore. Mr. Moore was, for twenty years, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and gave largely for the sup- port of every good work. He sustained an unblemished admitted to the bar, January 8, 1853. He has been in name through his long and successful business career. His death occurred January 17, 1877.
constant practice of his profession in the city of Detroit since that time; and, by incessant, persevering, and painstaking labor, has built up for himself a large and profitable business. In pursuing his profession, he was incidentally led to give special attention to admiralty OORE, WILLIAM AUSTIN, Lawyer, of De- troit, was born near Clifton Springs, Ontario ! in every important collision case tried in the Eastern County, New York, April 17. 1823. His father, law, and has made this an important part of his prac- tice. During the past fifteen years, he has been retained District of Michigan. In politics, he has been a Dem- William Moore, was born at Peterboro, New ! ocrat, and an active partisan; but has avoided political Hampshire, April 9, 1787; and his mother, whose maiden name was Lucy Rice, was born at Conway,
offices, and has held none,-except as a member of the Board of Education of the city of Detroit for a number Massachusetts, June 28, 1786. Ilis ancestors, on his of years, and for three and a half years as its President. father's side, were Scotch-Irish, having emigrated from |He was Chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee from 1864 to 1868, and was the Michigan member of the Democratic National Committee from 1868 to 1876. During the civil war, while differing with the Administration in many of its measures, he never wavered in his allegiance to the Government. Ile gave liberally in aid of enlistments, and for the relief of the wounded, and has always recognized the services of our veterans by his sympathy and by his means. Mr. Moore inherited a strong partisan tendency, politically, which has lost none of its intensity by education or the character of his party associations; still, if the line were drawn between party and duty to his conscience, his country, and his God, party zeal would yield to convictions of right. On December 3, 1854, he married Laura J. Van Husan, daughter of Hon. Caleb Van Husan, of Detroit. They have but
Argyleshire, Scotland, to Londonderry, in the north of Ireland, during the reign of James I .. about the year 1612. His great-grandfather, John Moore, was born in Londonderry about 1693; and, in 1718, with about one hundred and twenty other persons, emigrated from Londonderry to America, and settled the town of Londonderry, New Hampshire, where he died in the year 1741. The father of William A. Moore settled in Ontario County, New York, in 1805, and married his wife in the following year. To them ten children were born, seven of whom - six sons and one daughter - attained years of maturity. In 1831, when William A. Moore was eight years of age, his father removed his family to Michigan. He was among the earliest pioneers of the Territory, and settled upon a farm on the Saline River, in the southern part of Washtenaw County, near the site of the present village of Mooreville. Mr. one child, - William V. Moore, born December 5, 1856, Moore, during his boyhood, worked upon his father's | who is a student in the Michigan University, and in the
-
-
.
1
F.
UNIV
103
REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF MICHIGAN.
class graduating in June, 1878. In early youth, Mr. | was seventeen years old he was thrown upon his own Moore received a religious training; but, while he evinced a great reverence for religion, he had never been connected with any denomination until 1877, when he united with the Lafayette Avenue Baptist Church, of Detroit. He has been a Director and attor- ney of the Detroit Fire and Marine Insurance Company, and of the Wayne County Savings Bank, since their or- ganization, in which he was actively engaged. He is also Vice-President and one of the Directors of the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company. As a lawyer, although Mr. Moore has been successful in the trial of cases, his chief merit lies in his ability as a counselor; indeed, as a professional man, he stands on a higher plane than that occupied by the mere lawyer. His acknowledged familiarity with the principles of law; his excellent sense and sound judgment; the judicial and thoroughly independent character of his mind; his ability to see that every question has two sides; his conscientious watchfulness over the interests of his clients; and, above all, his unquestioned integrity,-eminently fit him to act the part of a conciliator and a harmonizer of conflicting views and interests; a part in which he justly takes far greater satisfaction than in pressing litigation, to ever so successful an issue. In private life, he is a cultivated, genial, Christian gentleman. JIis home is the center of a refined and hearty hospi- tality, dispensed without ostentation by himself and wife. Here, surrounded by friends endeared to him by long years and kind deeds, he finds that solace and repose in the interchange of neighborly offices, without which life is divested of half its charms. His friend- ships are firm, self-sacrificing, and enduring. The friends of his boyhood are-all that are left of them- the friends of his maturer years. His character is with- out blemish. His position is assured as a lawyer, as a citizen, as a man. Mr. Moore is still in the prime of manhood, and his firm health and vigorous constitution give promise of many years yet to be added to a useful and blameless life.
resources. After taking the usual preliminary studies, and teaching school to obtain the means, he entered Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, from which he graduated, among the first in his class, in 1829. He then resumed teaching, and, having completed the course of study for the legal profession, was admitted to the bar at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in 1831. Soon after- wards, he removed to the city of Pittsburg, where he practiced for almost a year. In 1833 he removed to Monroe, in the Territory of Michigan; where, after a severe examination, he became a member of the bar of Michigan, and engaged in practice, with bright pros- pects of success. In 1835 a convention was called to frame a constitution for the proposed State of Michigan, of which Mr. McClelland was elected a member. He took a prominent part in its deliberations, and ranked among its ablest debaters. He was appointed the first Bank Commissioner of the State, by Governor Mason, and received an offer of the Attorney-Generalship, but declined both of these offices, in order to attend to his professional duties. In 1838 he was elected to the State Legislature, in which he soon became distinguished as the head of several important committees; Speaker, pro tempore; and as an active, zealous, and efficient member. In 1840 General Harrison, as candidate for the Presi- dency, swept the country by an overwhelming majority, and, at the same time, the State of Michigan was carried by the Whigs, under the popular cry of "Woodbridge and reform," against the Democratic party. At this time, Mr. McClelland stood among the acknowledged leaders of the latter organization; was elected a member of the State House of Representatives ; and, with others, adopted a plan to regain a lost authority and prestige. This party soon came again into power in the State ; and, having been returned to the State Legislature, Mr. McClelland's leadership was acknowledged by his elec- tion as Speaker of the House of Representatives, in 1843. Down to this time, Michigan had constituted one Congressional District. The late Hon. Jacob M. Howard had been elected to Congress, against Hon. Alpheus Felch, by a strong majority; but, in 1843, so thoroughly had the Democratic party recovered from its cCLELLAND, HON. ROBERT, of Detroit, Michigan, was born at Greencastle, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, August 1, 1807. Among his ancestors were several officers of rank in the Revolutionary War, and some of his family connec- defeat of 1840, that Mr. McClelland, as candidate for Congress, carried Detroit District by a majority of about two thousand five hundred. Mr. McClelland soon took a prominent position in Congress among the veterans of that body. During his first term, he was placed on the tions distinguished themselves in the War of 1812, and Committee on Commerce, and originated and carried through what were known as the "harbor bills." The continued confidence of his constituency was manifested in his election to the Twenty-ninth Congress. . At the opening of the session, he had acquired a national rep- utation; and so favorably was he known as a parliamen-
in that with Mexico. His father was an eminent phy- sician and surgeon, who studied under Dr. Benjamin Rush, of Philadelphia, and practiced his profession suc- cessfully until six months before his death, at the age of eighty-four years. Although the family of Mr. McClelland had been in good circumstances, when he | tarian, that his name was mentioned for Speaker of the 14
104
REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF MICHIGAN.
House of Representatives. He declined the office in | be elected for one year, in order to prevent an inter- favor of Hon. John W. Davis, of Indiana, who was regnum, and to bring the State government into opera- elected. During this term, he became ('hairman of the tion under the new constitution. Mr. McClelland was Committee on Commerce, in which position his reports and advocacy of important measures at once attracted elected Governor; and, in the fall of 1852, was re-elected for a term of two years from January 1, 1853. His public attention. The members of this committee, as an evidence of the esteem in which they held his serv- ices, and of personal regard for him, presented him with a beautiful cane, which he retains as a souvenir of the donors, and of his labors in Congress. In 1847 he was re-elected, and, at the opening of the Thirtieth Congress, became a member of the Committee on Foreign Rela- tions. While acting in this capacity, what was known as the "French Spoliation Bill" came under his special charge, and his management of the same was such as to command universal approbation. While in Con- administration was regarded as wise, prudent, and con- ciliatory ; and was as popular as could be expected at a time when party spirit ran high. There was really no opposition ; and, when he resigned in March, 1853, the State Treasury was well filled, and the State otherwi-c prosperous. So widely and favorably had Mr. McClel- land become known as a statesman, that, on the organ- ization of the Cabinet by President Pierce, in March, 1853, he was made Secretary of the Interior, in which capacity he served most creditably during four years of the Pierce administration. Hle thoroughly reorganized
gress, Mr. McClelland was an advocate of the right : his department, and reduced the expenditures. Hle of petition, as maintained by John Quincy Adams, ! adopted a course with the Indians which relieved them when the petition was couched in decorous language j from the impositions and annoyances of the traders, and and presented in a proper manner. This he regarded | produced harmony and civilization among them. Dur- as the citizen's constitutional right, which should not ing his administration, there was neither complaint from the tribes, nor corruption among agents; and he left the department in perfect order and system. In 1867 Michigan again called a convention to revise the State be impaired by any doctrines of temporary expediency. He also voted for the reception of Mr. Giddings' bill for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia.
Mr. McClelland was one of the few Democratic associ- Constitution. Mr. McClelland was a member, and ates, about eighteen in number, of David Wilmot, of Pennsylvania, in bringing forward the celebrated "Wil- mot Proviso," with a view to prevent the further exten- here again his long experience made him conspicu- ous as a prudent adviser and a sagacious parliamentary leader. As a lawyer, he was terse and pointed in argu- sion of slavery in new territory which might be acquired ment ; clear, candid, and impressive in his addresses to by the United States. He and Mr. Wilmot were ; juries. His sincerity and earnestness, with which was together at the time in Washington, and on intimate occasionally mingled a pleasant humor, made him an and confidential terms. Mr. McClelland was in several able and effective advocate. In speaking before the national conventions, and in the Baltimore Convention , people on political subjects, he was especially forcible which nominated General Cass for the Presidency in and happy. In 1870 he made the tour of Europe; 1848, doing valiant service that year for the election of which, through his extensive personal acquaintance with that distinguished statesman. On leaving Congress in : European diplomatists, he was enabled to enjoy much 1849, Mr. McClelland returned to the practice of his | more than most travelers. He married, in 1837, Miss profession in Monroe. In 1850 a convention of the Sarah E. Sabin, of Williamstown, Massachusetts. They State of Michigan was called to revise the State Consti- have had six children,-two of whom now survive.
tution. He was elected a member, and was regarded therein as among the ablest and most experienced lead- ers. His clear judgment and wise moderation were conspicuous, both in the committee-room and on the floor in debate. In 1850 he was President of the Dem- UIR, WILLIAM KER, Detroit, General Mana- ger of the Canada Southern Railway, was born at Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, March 20, 1829. His mother was a descendant of one of the Howies, Covenanters, of Lochgoyne. While a' youth pursuing his studies, he exhibited a taste for railroad mechanical engineering, and also for surgery. As the latter part of each school-day was spent in an engineer- ing establishment, his tastes gradually developed in that direction. Hle improved the opportunities here afforded, and acquired a practical knowledge of mechanical work, ocratic State Convention, which adopted resolutions in support of Henry Clay's famous compromise measures, of which Mr. McClelland was a strong advocate. He was a member of the Democratic National Convention in 1852; and, in that year, in company with General Cass and Governor Felch, he made a thorough canvass of the State. He continued earnestly to advocate the Clay compromise measures, and took an active part in the canvass which resulted in the election of General Pierce to the Presidency. In 1851 the new State Constitution took effect; and it was necessary that a Governor should | which, in subsequent years, proved of great benefit to
./
.
،
--
Eng by EWilliams & Bro NY
N
UNIV.
OF
MICH.
105
REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF MICHIGAN.
him. Upon leaving this department, he soon obtained a | made this new thoroughfare one of the best in the position in the parcel and ticket office of an Ayrshire | country. The passenger trains on this road make faster time than over any other line on the American conti- nent.
railway; and served through all the grades of railroad employment,-in the parcel, ticket, and passenger work, and also in the freight office. He worked early and late, on and off trains, and acquired a knowledge of all the details of railroad work. In the course of a few OBLE, HON. CHARLES, Lawyer, of Detroit, Michigan, was born at Williamstown, Massachu- setts, July 4, 1797. He was the son of Deodatus and Betsey Abigail ( Bulkley) Noble; and grand- son of Hon. David Noble, who, at the time of his death, was Judge of Common Pleas in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Mr. Charles Noble graduated at Will- iams College in 1815, and studied law with his uncle, Hon. David Noble, of Williamstown. He was admitted years, he was promoted to an important position in the engineer's and manager's office. Here he served credit- ably for several years, when he accepted a responsible position in the service of an English railway company. While in the employment of this company, he met Mr. C. J. Bridges, then Managing Director of the Great Western Railway, of Canada, This gentleman offered him an appointment on the latter railroad, which he accepted. Leaving England for Canada, he assumed ! to practice in Berkshire County in 1818. The same the duties of his new position, in October, 1852, before year, he went to the West; and, after a short stay at Cleveland, Ohio, settled in Monroe, Michigan. He entered at once upon the practice of his profession, and remained in Monroe until 1867, when he removed to Detroit. While residing in Monroe, he held the offices of the Legislative Council of Michigan Territory for the first section of the railway between Niagara Falls and Hamilton was opened. Mr. Muir assisted in open- ing the line for traffic; and remained in the service of the company until about 1857. He was then sent to Detroit to take the general management of the Detroit and Milwaukee Railway, in the completion of which, ! two years; Justice of the Peace; Secretary of the Board to Lake Michigan, the Great Western Company had : of Commissioners, negotiating the Indian treaty at St. Joseph; Register of Probate; District Attorney; County Judge; and Lawyer-General of the United States, for the district of country north-west of the Ohio River. He was one of the purchasers of the Michigan Southern Railroad from the State, and the first President of the company. He was also Cashier of the Bank of River Raisin; and, when the bank failed, -which was not at the time he was an officer in it, -he was appointed one of the assignees. In 1867 he removed to Detroit, and formed a partnership with his son, Charles W. Noble, and his son-in-law, George S. Frost, under the firm name of George S. Frost & Co. He continued in this business - the purchase and sale of pine lands - up to the time of his death, which occurred at Detroit, De- cember 26, 1874. The "Obituary Record " of Williams College says, in reference to him: "Older citizens remember Mr. Noble as one of a large number of well- educated men, who, half a century ago, settled in Mon- roe, and influenced, and to a large extent controlled, the politics and what were then regarded as the early enterprises of the State. The results of Mr. Noble's active life are seen and enjoyed through a wide extent of country, by a large and appreciative population. He has left a bright and spotless record, and a memory which will be fondly cherished." Mr. Noble was a man of deep convictions and decided opinions in all matters of religion. In the year 1831, he first connected himself with the Presbyterian Church; and, for a num- ber of years, was a ruling elder in the church of that
taken a large pecuniary interest. Under Mr. Muir's management, this railroad was completed its entire length; thoroughly equipped with rolling stock ; with two magnificent steamships, to ply on Lake Michigan be- tween the western terminus of the road, Grand Haven, . and Milwaukee ; and placed in excellent condition for both passenger and freight traffic. In December, 1865, he resigned his position to accept an appointment as Assistant General Superintendent of the Michigan Cen- tral Railroad, under R. N. Rice, then General Superin- tendent. Ile so acceptably performed the duties of that office, that, in the course of a few years, the Great Western Railway Company offered him the office of General Superintendent of that line, which he accepted. Upon assuming its management, he at once began to improve the road; and, in due time, made it one of the best equipped lines in the country. He changed it from the Canadian broad-gauge-five feet six and one- half inches-to the American gauge,-four feet eight and one-half inches,-added new narrow-gauge rolling stock, and thoroughly organized and equipped it as a connecting link between Western and Eastern lines of railway. Having accomplished this work, he again assumed the superintendence of the Detroit and Mil- waukee road; but, immediately afterwards, retired to accept the management of the new railroad through Canada, with its branches on the American side, known as the Canada Southern Railway lines. He has since been the General Manager of this line; and, having had a life-long experience in railroad matters, and spent denomination at Monroe. Shortly after his removal to many years in organizing new lines of railway, he has | Detroit, he became a ruling ekdler in the First Presby-
106
REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF MICHIGAN.
terian Church there, and so remained until his death. | accepted a situation in the dry-goods house of William Both in Monroe and in Detroit, Mr. Noble had, by his A. Raymond ; and, after two years' service, succeeded to a one-third interest in the business. During his clerkship he had saved three hundred and fifty dollars, to which he added eleven hundred and fifty dollars in borrowed money, making his capital fifteen hundred dollars. From his profits, he soon paid back the bor- rowed money; and, at the expiration of three years, became equal partner with Mr. Raymond. About one year later the senior partner died, and the entire business passed into the hands of Mr. Nall, who is still conduct- ing it on a much larger scale, with characteristic success. He has always avoided political notoriety, preferring to give his entire attention to his business; in this he has been so prosperous that the firm has become widely known. From a small beginning of a few rolls of car- pets, the business has increased so rapidly that Mr. Nall now occupies the finest carpet warehouse in the State. genial manners and sterling integrity, gathered around him a wide circle of friends. He was, in politics, a Whig during the existence of that party; and, subse- quently, acted independently of political organizations, though most frequently voting with the Republican party on national issues. In person, Mr. Noble was of fine appearance, and preserved the vivacity and fresh- ness of mature manhood up to the time of his death. He married, May 16, 1823, at Detroit, Eliza Symmes Wing, daughter of Hon. Enoch Wing, and sister of the late Hons. Austin E. Wing and Warner Wing, of Mon- roc. His wife survives him. They had seven children, three of whom died in infancy. His daughter Elizabeth married Rev. Hannibal L. Stanley, and died in 1849. The children who survive Mr. Noble are: Charles W. Noble, of Detroit, born in 1828; Ellen N. Frost, wife of George F. Frost, of Detroit, born in 1832; and Conwav Noble, of Cleveland, Ohio, born in 1842.
ALL, JAMES, JUN., Merchant, Detroit, is a na- tive of England, where he was born in April, 1828. He came to America, with his parents, in 1832. His father, Rev. James Nall, who was a Congregational minister of considerable reputation in Canada, resolved that his sons should be farmers. In furtherance of this purpose, he purchased a tract of land located in the heart of a forest, about twelve miles north-east of Port Sarnia, Ontario. In the fall of 1844, Mr. James Nall,-then only sixteen years of age, -in com- pany with his brother, set out from their home in Burford, Ontario, to clear a farm in the midst of a dense forest. They spent the winter in hard work, and by spring had cleared eleven acres; but the amount of labor it had taken to accomplish the task caused Mr. Nall to seek other employment. He visited Port Sarnia, and secured a position in the general store of Hon. Malcolm Cam- eron, with whom he engaged for three years, at a salary of sixty dollars for the first year; eighty for the second ; and one hundred and twenty for the last year, including board. At the expiration of the engagement, as a re- ward for faithful services, his employer presented him with ten pounds, Halifax currency ; gave him a letter of recommendation ; and offered to be his security in any situation of trust, in either Toronto or Montreal. Mr. Nall preferred the United States, and Mr. Cameron extended the same generous offer of security there. He received a letter of recommendation addressed to the Hon. Zachariah Chandler, Detroit, Michigan, who gave him employment when he visited the city in 1848. After remaining with Mr. Chandler for two years, he | so impaired that he was, for several years, unable to
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.