USA > Michigan > American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-made Men.: Michigan Volume > Part 3
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copper and iron, which had then been discovered to John Battle, kept a public-house, but left the Green Isle exist in that country in large quantities, the fact creat- in 1831, for a home in America, settling first at Toronto, ing considerable excitement. The party spent several ; where he was occupied m the commission business until months in making explorations, coa-ting from the Sauht 1838. Removing to Chicago, he engaged in the grocery to Marquette in a Mackinaw boat : located various min. 'and provision trade; and, in 1839, carried on the same ing lands, and built several houses on Isle Royale. |business at Dresden, on the line of the Illinois and They returned to Detroit in the fall, after having ex- | Michigan Canal. In 1842 he sold his stock and invested
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his means in pork, which he shipped to St. Catherine's, | he was confirmed by a unanimous vote. Hle consented Canada, where the work then in progress on the Wel- ! to serve only at the earnest wish of the Mayor, K. C. land Canal created a local demand for provisions, and | Barker, that he would do so during the remainder of realized a handsome profit. He settled in St. Catherine's, ! his official term, and on his promise that he would use and died there in 1843. James Battle attended school | his influence to have the salary increased. It was soon at St. Catherine's; and, in the spring of 1846, went to; after fixed at five hundred dollars per year, the duties Toronto, and engaged as an apprentice with a tin and of Fire Marshal being performed by another officer,- copper smith. Upon the failure of his employer, at the at that time, Mr. William Champ. Mr. Battle was re- end of a year, he went to Hamilton, where he worked | appointed Chief Engineer successively in 1866 and 1867, at his trade for nearly a year; and. in the spring of by Mayor M. I. Mills. In the last-named year, the 1848, came to Detroit. After various adventures and department passed under the control of the Fire Com- changes, consequent upon hard times and other circum- missioners, created by act of the Legislature; and, in its stances, he completed his trade in 1852, and then worked reconstruction, Mr. Battle was appointed Chief Engineer a year in Port Huron. Subsequently, until iSpo, he was ' and Fire Marshal, which position he still holds. In 1873 in Detroit, most of the time in the capacity of foreman it became a question whether he should sacrifice his of shop, when he engaged in business for himself, carry- private business or his official position, as he could not ing it on successfully for fourteen year -. Prior to the | do justice to both; but the Commission voted an increase year 1800, the Detroit Fire Department was composed of salary, making it two thousand dollars, instead of exclusively of volunteer hand-engine companie-, and fifteen hundred ; and. soon after disposing of his stock took rank amongst the most efficient in the United in tra le, Mr. Battle has since devoted his entire time and States, being known far and wide for it- chivalry and attention to the duties of his office. The efficiency of discipline. Mr. Battle became one of its members in the department is the best enlogy that could be passed 1848; and, after serving in all position- up to that of , upon Mr. Battle', administration ; and his long continu- foreman of his company, he wa-, in iSoo, elected second ance in a line of duty which was first entered upon as a assistant engineer of the department. then numbering pastime, and his retention and promotion in it without about eight hundred. At this time, the introduction of | his own seeking, through political changes and against steam fire-engine- made a change in the internal police personal ambitions, are the best testimony to his fitness of the department, and the office of Fire Marshal was jand faithfulness. Mr. Battle was united in marriage, created. This officer had charge of the entire wants of , September 12. 1854. to Aun Moran, of Detroit. Eleven the department, including supplies, repairs, etc .; while the, children have been born to them, only four of whom - Chief Engineer and his assistants had supreme command two boys and two girls - are living.
at fires. In 1861 Mr. Battle was strongly recommended by his friends in the department for Chief Engineer, and was elected over two competitors. The following year, the office of Fire Marshal being vacant. he was desig- nated to perform its duties also, and continued to hold both positions until the spring of 1863. when he de- clined further service. The pay of the Chief Engineer.
RADY, GENERAL. HUGH, Detroit, Michigan, was born at Standing Stone, Huntingdon County, : Pennsylvania, July 29, 1768, and was the fifth prior to 1860, had been seven hundred dollars per year; json of John and Mary Brady. Ilis father was a Captain but, upon the creation of the office of Fire Marshal, it j in the 12th Pennsylvania Regiment of the Revolutionary was reduced to four hundred dollar -. Mr. Battle, while army ; and was actively engaged with this regiment doing double duty, received two dollars per day, at the until after the battle of Brandywine. when he was same time giving attention to his private business. His ordered home to protect the Western frontier from the old love for the department, however, continued; and iravages of the Indians. Ile became celebrated as a he connected himself with one of the hand-engine com- pioneer and Indian hunter in Western Pennsylvania, as panics, of which he was elected foreman, and was often did also his sons, -Samuel, James, and John. Mr. Brady called upon at fires to take the place of the Chief Engi- was born during the excitement preceding the war; neer, in the absence of that officer. In the fall of 1864, he and was reared at a time when no one was safe from was strongly mged by members of the department and by the savage. While yet a boy, he lost his father and two the Mayor of the city to again accept the position of Chief brothers at the hands of the Indians. His mother was Engineer, -this officer being then appointed by the Mayor left a widow with two sons; and many a time the and Council, instead of being elected by the department, j brothers walked side by side through the field, one on as formerly. Ile peremptorily declined, at the salary " guard with a musket, and the other holding the plow. then paid ; but, in January, 1865. his name was sent to In this way they raised what crops they could to pro- the Council by the Mayor, without his knowledge, and , vide for the wants of the family; and devoted their
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leisure hours to mental improvement. At frequent ' sword when his country was in danger, and as willing intervals. Mr. Brady joined small parties formed to make to lay it down at the dawn of peace. As a citizen, he raids on the Indians, when they became troublesome or was free from reproach, winning the esteem of all who encroached on the settlements. This gave him an carly knew him. It has been said of General Brady, "that insight into their manners and habit, of warfare, and . he rendered affection and love to his children and grand- engendered a taste for army life. In 1792 he received. ; children; kindness and generosity to his kinsmen; cor- from General Washington, a commission as Ensign in , diality and courtesy to his friends; public spirit and General Wayne's army. He took part in the renowned , liberality to the community; and his best blood, his Indian campaign which wrestel Ohio and Kentucky sword, and his body to his country." General Brady from the hands of the savages, and terminated in a de. died in Detroit, AApril 15, 1851, at the advanced age of cisive victory, on the 20th of August, 1704. He con- eighty-three years, His death was the result of an acci- tinued with the army until the following July, when he dent, caused by his runaway horses. He was a man of returned to his home in Pennsylvania, remaining unnl fine physical appearance, being over six feet in height, the winter of 1798-99. Ile then received, from President and, at the time of his death, as straight as an arrow. Adams, an appointment as Captain; and served with ! the army until it was disbanded. After -pending a few months at home, he became tired of a life of idlene-s, and, in company with his brother, malertook the im- provement of a large tract of wild land which they owned. The land was situated on a branch of Be Ma. honing River, about fifty miles from Pis -bars, near the
R RODIE. WILLIAM, M. D., Detroit, Michigan, was hoga at Fasley Court. Buckinghamshire. Eng- " In.d. July 28, 1523. His father was a native of present town of Indiana. During tha: - emerr. they Perthshire, Scotland. While still a youth, He acquired built a grist-mill and a saw mill. All their provicon- such a proficiency in horticulture that, at the age of had to be carried a distance of thirty nales, on here- twenty one, he was appointed horticulturist to the back, but the woods abundantly supplie! them with Pawley Court estate. The cholera of 1831 and 1832 game. Mr. Brady remained here until IS 7. when, b .- affected his business, and he emigrated to America in IS33. and scared oa a fum about twelve miles west of
coming convinced that his fortune coall iet be made in that enterprise, he removed to Northumberland. Rochester. Detto Brodie is the eldest of five children. where he resided until 1812. The war again call. I him le pin -nel his studies under the tuition of his father, to the front. He received a commission from Mr. J. !. and atten ied the district school for two months of each ferson, and joined the army of Western Canada, serving year. At the age of twenty-one, he became a pupil in with it during the entire campaign, and taking part in the colle, iate institute of Brockport, New York, where all the battle, with great credit. He was promoted to he remained three years, and paid his expenses by work- the command of the 22d Regiment of Infantry, and re- ing during the vacations. A badly treated accident that ceived, at the battle of Lundy's Lane, a wound which befell his brother turned Doctor Brodie's attention to- disabled him for further service during the war. C'pon ! wards medicine; and, in 1847, he went to Michigan the reduction of the army, in [19, he was transferred , and became a student in the office of Dr. William to the Coloneley of the 2d Infantry, then stationed at Wilson, of Pontiac. While there, he paid his expenses Sackett's Harbor, New York, where he remained for six ' by working in the harvest and hay fields, and serving years. In 1825 he was placed in command of the North- 'as clerk in the post office during the winter. After spend- western Territory, having his head-quarter- at Detroit, ing a year in study in Michigan, and a year in Massa- Michigan. He received charge of the various tribes of | chusetts and Vermont, he entered, in 1549, the College Indians, and superintended the removal of several tribes of Physicians, in New York, and graduated in 1850. to the country west of the Mississippi River. From He then commenced the practice of his profession in this period, he became identified with the State of Mich- Detroit. From 1850 until Iser, he was surgeon to St. igan, as one of her prominent citizen .. General Brady Mary's Hospital. For this and other positions, he is rendered valuable service during the Black Hawk Waar : indebted to his valued friend, the late Zina Pitcher, and did much to allay the troublesome border difficultie, M. D. Doctor Brodie was also surgeon of St. Andrew's known as the Patriot War. At the breaking out of the and St. George's societies. He was, for some time, Sec- Mexican War, although having passed the age for active retary and Vice-President of the American Medical field service, he took a prominent part, superintending Society ; for three years he was editor of the Peninsular the raising and equipment of troops, and shipping sup- " Journal of Medicine and Surgery, published at Detroit. plies to the seat of war. In October, 1805. he married He wa, one of the first members, and has been Vice- Miss Sarah Wallis. As a soldier, he was eminent for President and President of the Audubon Society, organ- bravery and faithfulness, ever ready to take up the , ized for the purpose of enforcing the laws against the
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wrongful killing of game, and for the collection of zoo- ' principle,, he dedicated one-tenth of his income to logical specimens. In 1850 he became a Mason; hel benevolent purposes during his life; and, prior to his filled, successively, the offices, and became Master of ; death, made a large bequest of landed estate for charita- the oldest lodge in Michigan. He also took the degree ble objects. The successful career and strong charac- of Royal Arch Mason. Under the first proclamation ! teristics which mark the subject of this sketch, have of President Lincoln, for three months' troops, Doctor' their root far back in an ancestry inspired by indomi- Brodie was commissioned Surgeon of the 1st Regiment | table energy, and governed by firm principles, Mr. Michigan Volunteers. During the first battle of Bull , Beecher's father, a millwright and machinist, pos- Run, he took charge of the wounded, and narrowly sessed a genius for invention, being the inventor of the escaped capture. After this term of service he was ap- " revolving grain-cleaning fanning-mill; the automatic pointed, by President Lincoln, Brigade-Surgeon, with ' button-maker : endless band-saw ; automatic water-feeder orders to report to General Fremont, in Missouri. Het for steam boilers; endless belt horse-power; steam-ship accompanied the Sixth Division of the army to that propellers; and many other machines. As is the case State, where it went into winter quarters at Sedalia. I with most inventor, hi, expenditures in developing his For political reasons, this appointment was not contumed plans kept pace with his income, so that his acquisitions by the United States Senate, and Doctor Brodie re- were small. Mr. Beecher's mother was the daughter turned to Detroit. In 186; he was elected Allerman' of a farmer, and her early care and training had much of the First Ward of Detroit; in iSoo he pre-ided over to do with shaping the course of his after life. At the the Common Council; he wa. Chairman, and. for same age of nine, Le commenced earning his own living, years, President of the Board of Health. It is to him that gaining his subsequent education by a hand-to-hand Detroit is mainly indebted for the lateral sewer ystem struggle with necessity in the practical school of life, of drainage, which has made it one of the most health- aided by such books as he could obtain, and as he ful cities. Doctor Brodie was one of the first members could find opportunity to study. Whether he worked of the Detroit Medical Society, of which he has been a chore boy ; wagon-maker's apprentice ; broke up coal, Secretary and President; he has also filled the same I pig-iron, and castings at the New Haven foundry; acted offices in the Wayne County Medical Society. He was a> blacksmith's assistant ; or was journeyman to a car- a delegate from the State Medical Society to the Inter- penter and joiner, he was always earnest and faithful. national Medical Congress, and attended the sessions of He assisted a mill-wright in building a factory, and in that body at Philadelphia, in IS;6. In November, 1851, ' putting up water wheels, shatting, and machinery, for Doctor Brodie married, at Pontiac. Mi-, Jane Whitfield, the tiest large brea Icloth manufactory in Waterbury, daughter of James Whitfield, of Monk Sherbourne, Connecticut, acquiring a very good knowledge of the Hampshire, England. They have two sons and one, trade. He worked on machinery, and boat and bridge daughter. The youngest son is preparing for the medi- building, designing to become a merchant when the cal profession. Doctor Brodie is liberal in his religious 'opportunity should offer. During the panic in New views; he is a regular attendant of the Episcopal Church, ยก York, caused by the cholera, in 1832, an oil merchant and has filled the office of vestryman. He is active and and master painter found himself entirely destitute of earnest, sincere and fearless. He is liberal and honor-" help; and Mr. Beccher, then a boy of seventeen, ob- able in all his dealings, and simple in hi, mode of living. [ tained a situation with him, becoming a fair painter Doctor Brodie enjoys an honorable reputation, both in and glazier, and a very efficient confidential clerk. professional and private life, and merits the gratitude ; This position failing him, on account of the proprietor's and esteem of his fellow-citizens for his useful public closing out his business, he became porter in a ship- services.
chandler's store, at twenty dollars per month, handling chain cables, ropes, anchors, ship rigging, and supplies. Hle remained here several months, and then entered a dry-good, house a- porter, with a salary of three hun-
EECHIER, LUTHIER, Capitalist and Real Estate | dred dollars, which was doubled the second year, and Operator, of Detroit, was born February 16, 1815, , the third year was made twelve hundred. The house 3 at Cheshire, Connecticut. He is the eldest son ; was burned in the great fire of 1836, and Mr. Beecher of Benjamin Dutton and Parmelia (Tuttle) Beecher.
was the last man to leave the establishment; coming out His paternal grand-parents were both left orphans dur- fof the basement with some valuable, just as the roof ing infancy; his grandfather, Benjamin Beccher, being, fell in. Declining a very liberal offer from his employ- bound to a farmer at the age of seven years. When' ers to continue in their business, he purchased a stock twenty-one, he went out into the world, his only pos- of Yankee notions, calico, sheeting, cigars, etc., with sessions being a suit of homespun, a Barlow knife. and | which he came to Detroit. Here he sold half his stock a Spanish silver half-dollar. Guided by strict religious ! for Michigan "wild-cat" money, and proceeded to a
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Suthro Beccher
UNIK
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place near Rock Island, Illinois. Not feeling the fullest | the political troubles of IS60-61, with consequent busi- confidence in his Michigan money, he traded it, with ness failures, and loss of confidence, so shattered Mr. the balance of his stock, for a farm, a saw-mill, water- Beecher's fortunes, that, in the event of his death, his
. sheep on the open prairie. After working until spring to improve his purchase, he found his health broken, and his money all gone to men much sharper than any
power privileges, a two-horse team, a wagon, a promise estate would have been hundreds of thousands in debt. of a quarter-interest in a country store, and a flock of His health and mind alnost gave way under this pres- sure; but, after six months' enforced rest, he again set to work, and, during the past eighteen years, has recovered from former losses, and has, for some time, been the he had ever known. Returning to New York, he con- largest tax payer in the city and State. Ilis property, structed a number of hand-grinding grain-mills, and however, is largely unproductive, and consists of branch other useful farm implements; and, with a stock of railroads, Marquette iron rolling-mills, furnaces, mines, goods bought on credit to the value of about three thou- docks, and river fronts, hotel property, and other real sand dollars, returned to Detroit, and opened a store, 'estate, principally in and around Detroit. Mr. Beecher where he readily sold his goods and machines at a fair i, a Republican in politics; is in favor of free home- profit, and became permanently established in bu-j- stead-, and a home market for our manufacturing in- ness. He was, for many year-, a large buyer and ship- j dustries, and of exporting more than we import; but per of wool, having shipped the first large lot from | he is al-o in favor of ignoring party politics in local Detroit. He rewarded his clerks, and others whom he ' elections, and voting for the best men. Ilis clear per- found worthy, by giving them a partnership interest in ceptions in political economy lead him to disapprove his business. He was an operator in real estate. buy- the creation of public indebtedness in times of peace, ing and holding for investments. He took an active and he therefore opposed making municipal debts in interest in the purchase and sale of the Michigan Con- |aid of railroads, -which was in such popular favor in tral Railroad, by the State, in 1846. He give the land, Michigan about the years 1807-70,-and a heavy local and furnished fifty thousand dollars cash capital, to debt in the city of Detroit for the construction of a establish the Detroit Bridge and lon Works, in the [ park in 1573. He has, however, always favored liberal western part of the city, which has contributed so | appropriations for popular education; and his philan- much towards the improvement of that locality. His thropic nature has made him zealous in his personal first wife, Maria I. Williams, to whom he was mar- efforts for devising some better means of amusement ried in 1845, died in 1850. Her death, and that of two for the working people and their families. He would of his children, with care and overwork, caused his doubtless, ere this, have carried out some plan for this health to give way; and, in the spring of 1851, he went purpose by use of his own means, but for the difficul- to Europe, and visited the World's Fair, at London, ties, embarrassments, and losses to which he has been and the principal countries on the continent, returning subjected in attempts to do so. He has always been with restored health in the fall. During the trip, he : an earnest advocate of temperance, and believes that made arrangements for importing goods directly from education, good social privileges, and healthful govern- Europe, which, for many years, gave him advantages | ment, with industry and correct principle-, are the best not enjoyed by his competitors in trade. In 1852, ! preventives of intemperance. Though his religious prin- taking four young men as partners, Mr. Beecher gave ciples are of the orthodox New England type, he be- up the general dry-goods trade, and established an lieves that familiar teaching in the Sunday-schools is more beneficial to the masses than much preaching. In 1852 Mr. Beecher married his second wife, Mary .1. Wilkins, daughter of David Wilkins and Anna Wyglie, exclusive trade in carpet-, doing business both in De- troit and Chicago. He bought out all the other deal- ers in the latter city; and, establishing the well-known Carpet Hall there, was, for a number of year-, at the of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, who, for twenty-five years, head of the largest carpet trade in the North-west. In has brought sunshine and comfort to his home, always 1856, having a surplus capital, he was induced to loan aiding him in his work, and in carrying out charitable both capital and credit to a Western railroad enterprise. "and benevolent enterprises. In the midst of his multi- Ilis associates being unable to meet their engagements, farious business cares, Mr. Beccher has been a constant the whole burden wa- thiown upon him, and he made reader of newspapers, and thus kept himself thoroughly the great mistake of risking the entire accumulation- conversant with the current questions and events of the of a life-time, together with his business reputation, in day. His mind and memory serve him well in conver- an effort to save about one-third of his estate. In rais- ; sation and discussion upon all subjects, especially those ing a sum of something more than five hundred thou- | relating to American and English progress during the sand dollars, in a close money market, he sacrificed | past fifty years. It would be useless to attempt to ana- more than twice that amount in the forced sale of valu- I lyze a character like that presented by Luther Beecher. able real estate and securities. The panic of 1857, and | Ilis prominent traits are seen in his works. Hle has an
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indomitable will and energy, unflagging industry, clear ' his academie life. This attachment was never broken, perceptions,-especially in the direction of business ven- although the two men were bitterly hostile in politics. tures,-extraordinary executive abilities, and principles Upon arriving at Cleveland, Mr. Bates was sea-sick and firm as granite, - the stuff, in fact, good citizens are homesick, and remained but about a week, most of the made of; to which may be added the sympathetic be- time in the office of John W. Allen. May 13, 1533, he nevolence of a woman, and the affectionate tenderness ; crossed to Detroit, where his kinsman, Henry S. C. le, of a child, that do not grow old and dull with years, then one of the most eloquent members of the bar, was but are always quick and demonstrative, though often in full practice as one of the firm of Cole & Porter. As imposed upon. "Live and let live," has ever been hi, Mr. Bates was not yet of age. and could not be admit- business, social, and religious creed.
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