USA > Michigan > American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-made Men.: Michigan Volume > Part 33
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our national history. Mr. Woodbridge studied law at Marietta, having as a fellow-student and intimate personal friend, a young man subsequently distinguished, but known at that time simply as Lewis Cass. Hle graduated at the law school at Litchfield, Connecticut, after a course there of nearly three years; and began to prac- tice at Marietta, in 1806. In June, 1806, he married, at Hartford, Connecticut, Juliana, daughter of John Trum- bull, a distinguished lawyer and judge, and author of the poem " McFingal" which, during a dark period of the Revolution, wrought such a magic change upon the spirits of the colonists. He was happy in his domestic relations, until the death of Mrs. Woodbridge, February 19. 1860. Our written biographies necessarily speak more fully of men, because of their active participation in public affairs; but human actions are stamped upon the page of time, and, when the scroll shall be unrolled, the influence of good women upon the history of the world will be read side by si.le with the deeds of men. How much success and renown in life many men owe to their wives is probably little known. Mrs. Wood-
ILKINS, ROSS, Detroit, was born in Pennsyl- vania. He was educated for the bar in tha: @ State; and removed to the West at an early bridge enjoyed the best means of early education that the day, with a commission from President Jackson a> a country afforded, and her inherited intellectual genius Federal Julge for the Territory of Michigan. In 1837. Fenabled her to improve her advantages. During her and on several subsequent occasions, he was appointed entire life, side by side with the highest type of domes- a Regent of the State University. Besides exerting
"tic and social graces, she manifested a keen intellectu- much influence in his judicial capacity, he has always ality that formed the crown of a faultless character. taken an interest in the public affairs of the State. He
She was a natural poet, and wrote during her life many presided over the first war meeting held in Detroit after ' fine verses, some of which are preserved in a printed the opening of the civil war. He was many years ago memorial essay written on the occasion of her death. appointed a Circuit Judge, and remained in office until ' In this essay, it is said of her : "To contribute, even in the summer of 1870, when he voluntarily retired from matters of minor importance, to elevate the reputation the bench. He died in Detroit a few years afterwards. and add to the well being of her husband in the various stations he was called upon to fill, gave her the highest satisfaction." She was an invalid during much of the latter portion of her life, but was patient and cheerful to the end. "The simple story of her life, from her OODBRIDGE, WILLIAM, Detroit, Michigan, Governor and Senator, was born at Norwich, & Connecticut, August 20, 1780; and died at De. troit, October 20, 1861. He was of a family of three brothers and two sisters. His father, Dudley Wood- bridge, removed to Marietta, Ohio, about 1790. The Life of William Woodbridge, by Charles Lauman, from marriage to her death, was one of love and devotion around the hearthstone of home," says Lauman. Some further reference to the family of this lady will be found in the biographical sketch of Mr. W. W. Backus, in this work. In 1807 Mr. Woodbridge, was chosen a Repre- sentative to the General Assembly of Ohio; and, in 1809, was elected to the Senate, continuing a member, by which this sketch is largely compiled, mentions noth- ' re-election, until his removal from the State. He also held, by appointment during the time, the office of Prosecut-
ing concerning his early education beyond the fact that it was such as was afforded by the average school of ' ing Attorney for his county. He took a leading part in the time. except a year with the French colonists at Galli- the Legislature; and, in 1812, drew up a declaration and resolutions,-which passed the two houses unanimously, and attracted great attention,- endorsing, in the strong- est and most emphatic terms, the war measures of Pres- ident Madison. During the period from 1804 to 1814, the two law students, Woodbridge and C'ass, had become polis, where he acquired a knowledge of the French language. It should be borne in mind, however, that home education was, at that time, an indispensable fea- ture in the training of the young. To this, and to a few studies well mastered, is due that strong mental discipline which has served as a basis for many of the | widely separated. The latter was Governor of the Ter-
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ritory of Michigan, under the historic "Governor and | the Governor, Judges, and others, he was appointed, by Judges" plan, with the indispensable requisite of a Secretary of the Territory. This latter position was, in 1814, without solicitation on his part, tendered to Mr. Woodbridge. He accepted the position with some hesitation, and entered upon its duties as soon as he
President J. Q. Adams, to succeed IIon. James With- erell, who had resigned, as a Judge of what is conven- tionally called the "Supreme Court" of the Territory. This court was apparently a continuation of the Terri- torial Court under the "First Grade" or, "Governor could make the arrangements necessary for leaving Ohio. and Judges" system. Although it was supreme in its The office of Secretary involved also the duties of Col- judicial functions within the Territory, its powers and lector of Customs at the port of Detroit, and, during the duties were of a very general character. In 1832 the frequent absences of the Governor, the discharge of his term of his appointment as judge expiring, President duties also, including those of Superintendent of Indian Jackson appointed a successor, -it is supposed on polit- affairs. Mr. Woodbridge officiated as Governor for ical grounds, -much to the disappointment of the public, about two out of the eight years that he held the office and the bar of the Territory. The partisan feeling of of Secretary. Under the administration of the Governor the time extended into the Territory, and its people and Judges, -which the people of the Territory pre- | began to think of assuming the dignity of a State Govern- ferred, for economical reasons, to continue some time ' ment. Party lines becoming very sharply drawn, Judge after their numbers entitled them to a more popular rep- Woodbridge identified himself with the Whigs. As a resentative system,- they were allowed no delegate in | representa.ive of that party, he was elected a member Congress. Mr. Woodbridge, as a sort of informal agent ; of the convention of 1835, which formed the first State of the people, by correspondence, and also by a visit to Constitution; he was the only Whig elected from the the national capital, so clearly set forth the demand district he represented. In 1837 he was elected a mem- for representation by a delegate, that an act was passed . ber of the State Senate, taking an active part in its pro- in Congress, in 1819, authorizing one to be chosen. Under this act, Mr. Woodbridge was elected, by the con-
ceedings. This sketch has purposely dealt somewhat in detail with what may be called Judge Woodbridge's currence of all parties. His first action in Congress was | earlier career, because it is closely identified with the to secure the passage of a bill recognizing and confirm- early history of the State, and the development of its ing the old French land titles in the Territory according political system. Since the organization of the State to the terms of the treaty of peace with Great Britain, ; Government, the history of Michigan is more familiar, at the close of the Revolution ; and another for the con- "and hence no review of Judge Woodbridge's career as struction of a Government road through the " Black . Governor and Senator will be attempted. He was elected Swamp," from the Miami River to Detroit, thus opening Governor, in 1839, under a popular impression that the a means of land transit between Ohio and Michigan. He affairs of the State had not been prudently administered was influential in securing the passage of bills for the by the Democrats. He served as Governor but little construction of Government roads from Detroit to Chi- | more than a year ; he was inaugurated on the Ist of cago, and Detroit to Fort Gratiot, and for the improve- | January, 1840, and was elected to the Senate of the ment of La Plaisance Bay. The expedition for the ex- ; United States, in the winter of 1841, for the full term ploration of the country around Lake Superior, and in | of six years. His term in the Senate practically closed the valley of the Upper Mississippi, projected by Gov- ; his political life, although he was strongly urged for the ernor Cass, was set on foot by means of representations | Whig nomination for Vice-President in 1848. Soon after made to the heads of the departments by Mr. Wood- his appointment as Judge, in 1828, Governor Woodbridge bridge. While in Congress, he strenuously maintained i took up his residence on a tract of land which he owned the right of Michigan to the strip of territory now form- | in the township of Springwell-, a short distance below ing the northern boundary of Ohio, which formed the, what were then the corporate limits of the city of Detroit, subject of such grave dispute between Ohio and Mich-
where he resided during the remainder of his life. Ilis igan at the time of the admission of the latter into the last years were somewhat embittered by persistent and Union. He served but one term as delegate, during the | finally successful efforts on the part of the city to extend Fifteenth Congress, declining further service on account ' its corporate limits over his property, thereby subjecting of personal and family considerations. Mr. Woodbridge it to city taxation and improvements, and tending to continued to discharge the duties of Secretary of the rob it of the rural beauty upon which he wished his Territory up to the time its government passed into the
closing eyes to rest undisturbed. Both in his public "Second Grade," in 1824. Ile was then appointed one | papers and private communications, Governor Wood. of a Board of Commissioners for adjusting private land | bridge shows himself a master of language ; he is fruit- claims in the Territory; and was engaged also in the ful in simile and illustration, logical in arrangement, practice of his profession, having the best law library in | happy in the choice and treatment of topics, and terse and the Territory. In 1828, upon the recommendation of | vigorous in expression. Judge Woodbridge was a Con-
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gregationalist. His opinions on all subjects were deci- ' the building of the steamers "Western World" and ded; he was earnest and energetic, courteous and "Plymouth Rock," the two largest and most magnificent dignified, and at times exhibited a vein of fine humor, steamers that ever plied on the lakes. They were built that was the more attractive because not too often al- | by Isaac Newton, of New York, to run between Detroit lowed to come to the surface. His letters and addresses , and Buffalo, to connect the Michigan Central and New show a deep and earnest affection, as well for his ances- | York Central railroads. Upon the completion of these tral home, as for friends and family. Writing to a boats, Mr. Wormer was appointed storekeeper at Detroit young man who had solicited his influence in obtaining 'for the Michigan Central line of steamers, and occupied an office, Mr. Woodbridge says: "I am very sorry you that position till the fall of 1857, when the line ceased running their boats, owing to the opening of the Great should have become discouraged in your former and most laudable project of obtaining a competency by your , Western Railway. Mr. Wormer then established a own individual efforts and systematic industry. He who machinery depot at Detroit,-an entirely new branch of is dependent upon office for support in our country, in business. Ilis experience had shown him the difficulty my opinion, depends upon an employment of all other, and expense attending the buying of machinery by the most pitiably servile." And to another: "Absolute Western manufacturers, the purchasers being obliged to subordination among the officers of the department, at ' visit some half a dozen cities in the East in order to Washington ; strict, unmitigated discipline; a blind and | procure as many different machines. He consequently prompt obedience to orders,-are undoubtedly necessary concluded to open a depot in Detroit where any machine in the proper and successful conduct of the affair, there; needed by manufacturers could be obtained. This bu,i- but, while I admit the probable necessity, I can not but ' ness he has continued to the present time, with the deprecate the injurious influence of such despotism upon , exception of the three or four years he spent in the that generous spirit, and proud and manly independence [ army during the civil war. The business immediately of mind, which tend so much to give dignity and eleva- became lucrative, and has, during the past ten years, tion to the character of man. Unreasoning obedience ; reached laige proportions. In 1870 he established a to our superiors in authority is the parent of adulation branch depot at Chicago, which is under the manage- and fawning sycophancy ; and it is fit to be remembered j ment of his oldest son, Henry G. Wormer, who, together that, in all transactions of this life, habit, whether we will or not, almost invariably becomes our master."
with two other sons, Clarkson C. and Frederick F., are partners with him in the business. General Wormer has also engaged in various manufacturing enterprises; has been President of the Rochester Machine Manufac- turing Company, of Rochester, since 1871; is a Director in several other manufacturing establishments, and in the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company. From his early youth, Mr. Wormer had a taste for military pursuits; and in 1842 joined the "Oswego Light Guards," of Oswego, an independent military company, in which he served until his removal from that city in 1852,-the last two and a half years acting as Second Lieutenant. In the fall of 1859, in the city of Detroit, he assisted in organizing an independent military com- pany known as the "Lyon Guards," and was elected its Captain, holding that rank until May 1, 1862, when he resigned. At that time, he received authority from the War Department to raise an independent company for special service in guarding prisoners of war; and, having
FORMER, GENERAL GROVER S., of Detroit, Commission Merchant for Machinery, was born in the city of Auburn, Cayuga County, New York, August 9, 1821. His father, John V. Wormer, was a native of Leigh, Massachusetts; and was a soldier in the War of 1812, participating in the engagements of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane. At the age of twelve years, Mr. Wormer ran away from home to escape a punishment with which his father threatened him; and, without a cent of money, walked to Oswego, obtaining his meals at farm-houses on the way. Here he secured employment in a store as an errand boy, receiving only his board as compensation, while he was also permitted to attend school for two years. He remained in the ! recruited a company, called it the "Stanton Guards." store until 1838, when he was prevailed upon by the
lle received a Captain's commission, from Governor
Captain of a Lake Ontario steamer to go with him for ! Austin Blair, dated May 10, 1862. He was at once two trips as a cabin-boy. Ile then entered the service : ordered to proceed to Fort Mackinaw, to take command of the steamboat company at six dollars per month, and of the post and guard Confederate prisoners, where he remained with them thirteen years. He served one or | remained until September 25, 1862. He was then two seasons as steward, then as clerk, and then was ordered to Detroit, with his command, to be mustered appointed to oversee the fitting up of all the steamers out; the necessity for this service no longer existing. belonging to the American Steamboat Line. In 1851 On the 2d of October following, he was commissioned, he left the employment of this company to superintend . by Governor Austin Blair, as Lieutenant-Colonel of the
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8th Regiment of Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, and aided | the brigade, participating in numerous engagements in in recruiting and organizing that regiment. May 12,
East Tennessee, until April 24, 1864, when, in obedience 1863, he was ordered to take command of the first two | to an order from the War Department, he went to Jack- battalions of the regiment and report to Major-General son, Michigan, and established a draft rendezvous. On the 8th of December, 1864, he was commissioned Colonel of the 8th Michigan Cavalry, and received orders to recruit and organize the 30th Regiment of Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He was transferred to this regiment and mustered in as Colonel, January 9, 1865. He was mustered out of the service, June 30, 1865, at the close A. E. Burnside, at Covington, Kentucky. There they went into camp; the third battalion joining the com- mand May 26, 1863. The regiment was in active service, participating in numerous engagements and skirmishes. At Triplet's Bridge, Kentucky, Colonel Wormer, with his command, after a brisk fight, routed the Confederate General John Evarts, capturing him and nearly all of | of the war, having served three years and two months. his command. At Salt River and Lebanon, Kentucky, | March 30, 1867, he was commissioned, by the President he met" General John H. Morgan, when he made his | of the United States, Brigadier-General, by brevet, "for noted raid through Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. After gallant and meritorious services during the war." In the early part of 1869, he was appointed Aid-de-camp on the military staff of Governor Baldwin, and was re-appointed two years afterwards, serving four years. Hle also served in the same capacity on Governor Bag- ley's staff, during his two terms of service, and holds the same position under Governor Croswell. During the spring and summer of 1877, General Wormer made a tour of Europe, for the benefit of his health, visiting nearly every country and important city on that conti- nent. He has been a Congregationalist since 1862, and for eleven years has been a trustee of the Woodward Avenue Congregational Church, and a director in the Sunday-school. In politics, he has acted with the Whig and Republican parties, but, beyond exercising the right of franchise, has taken no active part in political mat- ters. He married, August 26, 1844, Maria C. Crolius, at Oswego, New York. They have four sons, -Henry G., Clarkson C., Frederick F., and Theodore K.,-all of whom partake of the military spirit of their father. The oldest, Henry G., entered the military service in the fall of 1864, as First Lieutenant in the 30th Regiment, and was mustered out as Captain. Clarkson C. is First Lieutenant of company A, Michigan State troops. Frederick is First Lieutenant in . the Detroit Light Guards; and the youngest son, Theodore, is corporal in the Pelonge Cadets. a short fight at Lebanon, on July 6, he routed and pursued Morgan for sixteen successive days and nights, overtaking him at Buffington's Island, in the Ohio River, July 19, having made a march of four hundred and seventy-three miles. Here Colonel Wormer's com- mand led a vigorous attack on Morgan's forces; and, after a brisk fight of one and a half hours, routed them, driving them two miles into a wood, where his regiment surrounded and captured five hundred and seventy-three prisoners, with their horses and equipments. Twice on this march his regiment was without food for man or beast, except one meal in forty-eight hours. One march of seventy-two miles, from Lawrenceburg to West Point, Kentucky, was made in twenty-six hours, stopping only twice to rest. From Buffington's Island he returned with his command to Covington, Kentucky, July 26, and there took part in scouting, and routing out the Confederate raiders whom they had fought at Stamford. In August, 1863, the regiment crossed over the mount- ains into East Tennessee, with the Twenty-third Army Corps, Major-General Burnside commanding, being in the First Brigade and Fourth Division of that corps. In East Tennessee, Colonel Wormer's command participated in skirmishes and battles at Kingston, Cumberland Gap, Riceville, Clinker's Gap, Post Oak Springs, Washington Ford, Deer Creek, and Prindall's Farm. September 5, 1863, he was placed in command of the First Brigade, Fourth Division, Twenty-third Army Corps; and com- manded the brigade in the battle at Cleveland, Tennessee ; in the terrible fight at Calhoun and Charleston, Septem- ber 25; and at Athens, September 27, with the cavalry ILLIS, RICHARD STORRS, of Detroit, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, February 10, ISIO. Ile is the son of Nathaniel and Hannah (Parker) Willis, and the youngest brother of N. P. Willis and " Fanny Fern." He came of a line of editors and authors, whose record extends back, in unbroken succession, over a hundred years. His grandfather, Nathaniel Willis, Sen., began the publication of the Independent Chronicle in June, 1776, on the corner of Court street and Franklin avenue, Boston, in the same forces of Generals Forrest and Wheeler, estimated at fifteen thousand men. On the 26th of October, 1863, Colonel Wormer, with his brigade, led the attack made ! by the fourth division against Longstreet's army at Sweetwater, Tennessee, which lasted four and a half hours, and in which his brigade lost heavily. October 28, his brigade had a severe fight at Loudon, losing nine men ; and also a desperate battle with General Longstreet's command at Lenoir Station, and again at Knoxville. Colonel Wormer remained in command of | building in which Benjamin Franklin worked as printer. 21
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He continued to conduct the paper until 1784. A file | After some years, he was solicited, by a Congressman of it is still in possession of the family; and the news from Maine, to go to Portland to establish a Republican newspaper, in opposition to the Federal party. He accordingly proceeded to that city; and, after a confer- ence with leading Republicans, founded the Eastern Argus. A certain lawyer of ability at first undertook the editorial management; but, as he sought only his own political advancement, he became obnoxious, and was dismissed. Mr. Willis was then urged to take con- trol. He modestly pleaded his lack of proper education of the various victories and defeats of the American army in the Revolutionary War, in leaded type, are read with as much interest now as were the telegrams during the late momentous struggle between the North an.i South. At the close of the Revolutionary War, Mr. Willis removed to Martinsville, Virginia; and, in 1790, founded the Potomac Guardian, which he edited until 1800. In that year, he removed to Chillicothe, Ohio, where he founded the Scioto Gacette, the first , and e litorial experience; but was overpersuaded, and paper of the then North-western Territory. During the |soon entered upon his new duties. The Argus was vig- Revolutionary War, he was Adjutant of the Boston Regiment; and, at one time, was sent on an expedition to Rhode Island under General Sullivan, who presented
orously maintained by Mr. Willis until it had changed the political character of the State. Under the minis- tration of the celebrated divine, Doctor Payson, of
him with a uniform. He was a fine horseman, and a spir- | Portland, Mr. Willis became interested in religious sub- jects. About this time, he sold the Argus for four thousand dollars; and shortly after conceived the idea one of the committee appointed by the people of Boston of starting a religious newspaper. Such a thing had
ited American; which latter was shown by his taking an active part in the famous Boston Tea Party. He was to remonstrate with Malcolm, the British tax collector. An old picture, descriptive of Malcolm's punishment at the liberty tree, with a representation of the tea party in the background, contains an easily recognizable por- trait of Mr. Willis. This picture was presented by
- never been heard of; and the project was received with the greatest skepticism, even by the clergy. Finally, in 1816, after years of argument and effort, during which he supported himself by printing religious books and tracts, he founded the Boston Recorder, the first religious his son to the Massachusetts Historical Society. The newspaper in the world. The Argus and Recorder are grandmother of Nathaniel Willis, Sen., was a Belknap, a cousin of Jeremy Belknap, D. D. His great-grand- father was Rev. John Bailey, a non-conformist of Lan- cashire, England, who was born in 1644, and was imprisoned for his religious views. He emigrated to America in 1683, and became associate pastor of the First Congregationa! Church in Boston, where he died in 1697. His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Cotton Mather, and he was buried in the cemetery of Tremont street, Boston, where the names of Willis and Belknap mark a number of graves. Ilis portrait descended to Nathaniel Willis' son, who gave it, as the only portrait extant of this eminent divine, to the Mass- achusetts Historical Society. Nathaniel Willis, second, was first introduced to types and journalism by his father, at Martinsville, Virginia, in the office of the Potomac Guardian. The old office was standing just before the late war, and a crayon sketch was made of it by Colonel Strother, " Porte Crayon," and presented to Mrs. R. S. Willis. One of the duties of young Na- thaniel Willis consisted in "riding post," as it was called, with a tin horn and saddle-bags,-the primitive mode of delivering papers. After six years' service, he returned, at the age of fifteen, to Boston, and entered still published, and their history and influence are well known. Subsequently, Mr. Willis originated the plan of another paper, at that time equally novel, -a paper distinctively for youth. The idea found expression in the Youths' Companion, which also was the first paper of the kind in the world. It was published in connec- tion with the Recorder, and was equally successful and remunerative. It also is still in existence. Mr. Willis lived to be ninety years old. Nathaniel Parker Willis, his eldest son, was the editor of three papers, - the New York Mirror, the Corsair, and the Home Journal. As a poet and author, his fame is too fresh and abiding to require special mention. Joseph Buckingham, the veteran editor and fastidious critic of the Boston Courier, once wrote of him: "Whom merely to mention, is sufficient to awaken a sentiment of esteem and admira- tion for one of the most agreeable prose writers that our country has produced; and a poet whose numbers will live to delight a future age, and place him in the foremost rank of those who have invested wit with modesty and decorum, and added grace and innocence to the refinements of fashion." Sarah Payson Willis, "Fanny Fern," was the fourth daughter of Nathaniel Willis; and, like her eldest brother, became famous by the office of the Independent Chronicle, with which his her writings. Her style was new and entirely distinct- father had formerly been connected. Here, in the same room in which Benjamin Franklin had once worked, Mr. Willis was employed. His only recreation was his ! military drill with the "Fusileers," under Captain John ive, and her wit, freshness, and strong common sense procured admirers in both hemispheres. She was buried with her father and brother at Mount Auburn. Richard Storrs Willis was a student of Chauncey Hall, and Brazier, a company which has become historic in Boston. | later, of the Boston Latin School, under the neighbor-
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