USA > Michigan > American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-made Men.: Michigan Volume > Part 7
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ICHIPMAN, JUDGE HENRY, was born July 25, 13) 1784, in Tinmouth, Rutland County, Vermont; and died at Detroit, Michigan. He was one of the early settlers of the Territory, and, in various capacities, performed the full part in shaping its affairs. His father, Judge Nathaniel Chipman, after serving honor- ably as an officer during the American Revolution, was chosen to represent Vermont in the United States Sen- ate. He was also ChiefJustice of the State for many years. He was a man of solid learning and sound sagacity; and was as much resorted to by his neigh- bors, to settle their difficulties in a friendly way, as he was trusted in his public functions as a distinguished statesman and jurist. He was one of the earliest writers upon law in the United States, having published, not only text-books and reports, enriched with valuable annotations and treatises, but also a work on the Prin- ciples of Government. This belongs to a class of pro- ductions called out by the new and peculiar political conditions of the United States, which have been very | pletely as on matters of literature. She was a clear and 5
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ready writer, and was especially brilliant in conversa- ! dered extemporaneous speaking somewhat irksome, and tion. Such a woman could not fail to be a worthy i he preferred writing to speaking. His political views mistress of her household, and a mother who won the were settled and his opinions well defined. In 1841 he strong affection, as well as filial respect, of her children. was made Judge of the District Criminal Court, com- She lived to a good age, and died in the full vigor of , prising, within its jurisdiction, Wayne and some of the her faculties, beloved and lamented. Mr. Chipman first : adjacent counties. He held the office until it was abol- visited Detroit, in company with his father, in 1823. ; ished. This was his last public position, and, after Michigan Territory was then the extreme outpost of | relinquishing it, he continued the practice of law until civilization in the North-west. The population, exclu- his age rendered it burdensome. He furnished articles for the press as often as circumstances called for them, and never gave up the habitual use of his pen. At an sive of Indians, was less than fifteen thousand, and Detroit had no more than fifteen hundred people within its limits. Its business, however, was very large, as it | early period of his life, Judge Chipman became identi- was the center of the fur and Indian trade of the North- tied with the Episcopal Church, and was, during a large west. The society of the place was intelligent and cul- part of the time, either a member of the vestry of St. tivated, and Mr. Chipman had the sagacity to see the Paul's, or a trustee of the Mariner's Church. The latter great promise for its future. He, therefore, decided to was formed, with his advice and assistance, by one of settle in Detroit, and, in 1824, moved there with his hi, old friends and clients. Judge Chipman had nine family. Soon after his arrival, he became associated children, three of whom died in childhood. His oldest with Mr. Seymour in publishing the Michigan Herald, son - Henry Logan Chipman - became a Lieutenant in an ably conducted and popular newspaper. Mr. Chip- man's editorial labors did not interfere with his profes- sional industry, and he soon became well established as a lawyer. He gave up his interest in the paper when the navy, and died at the age of thirty-two. IIe was not only a brave and good officer, but a man of genius, and a writer of much promise. The only remaining son, -John Logan Chipman, -a man of eloquence and he was appointed Chief-Justice of the Court of Wayne | recognized power, is a member of the Detroit bar. The County, which was then the court of ordinary general daughters have inherited the qualities of their parents. jurisdiction. In 1827, on the death of Hon. John
In spite of the apparent frailty of his constitution in Hunt, he was appointed a Judge of the Territorial Su- | early life, Judge Chipman became a hale and vigorous preme Court, to fill the vacancy. At the expiration of 'man, and lived to a good old age. He was of medium the term, he was re-appointed by President Adams, and - height, solidly, though not heavily, built, and of erect held the office until 1832, when he was left out for Do- | carriage. He had clear, bright, blue eyes, and a coun- litical considerations. His colleagues on the bench were " tenance whose expression, though dignified, was usually Solomon Sibley and William Woodbridge, both men of earnest and animated. He was a man of genuine old-fash- eminence. His judicial record was honorable in all ; ioned courtesy, hospitable and friendly, of great, though respects. For several years after leaving the Supreme unostentatious, benevolence. He had perfect control of his temper, and always guarded his expressions. To the day of his death, he never lost his enthusiasm upon subjects which interested him. Except for the maturity of judgment and experience which came from his long Court bench, Judge Chipman remained in public life, attending to his practice and devoting more or less of his time to writing for the press. Upon the organiza- tion of the Whig party, he became an active member, and used his utmost means for advancing its principles. ; and observant life, there was nothing in his style or He continued to labor for it until it was disbanded, upon the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and in
conversation to indicate the lapse of years. He was tolerant of all honest differences, and thought that anticipation of the Presidential election of 1856. He, views which were worth holling needed no apology strongly denounced the Congressional action which re- for being expressed. pealed the compromise. The new party arrangements involved associations which were, in some respects, disagreeable to him, and he thereafter voted independ- ently. Ile was among the few in his own State who! RAPO, HON. HENRY HOWLAND, Governor of Michigan from 1865 to 1869, was born May 24, 1804, at Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massa- chusetts; and died at Flint, Michigan, July 22, 1869. He was the eldest son of Jesse and Phoebe ( Howland) Crapo. His father was of French descent, and was very poor, sustaining his family by the cultivation of a farm in Dartmouth Township, which yielded nothing voted for Bell and Everett, in the election of 1860. Upon the breaking out of the civil war, in 1861, he placed him-elf, unconditionally and zealously, on the side of the Union ; and, in spite of the physical infirm- ities of advancing age, entered heartily into all meas- ures within his reach for helping the country and the army. Judge Chipman wrote with great case and rapid- ity, but his critical taste and desire to be accurate ren- | beyond a mere livelihood. His early life was conse-
Henry H. Grafo,
UNIV. V.
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quently one of toil, and devoid of advantages for intel- | quirements and requirements of a master of the high lectual culture ; but his desire for an education seemed school. In 1832, at the age of twenty-eight years, he to know no bounds. The incessant toil for a mere left his native town, and went to reside at New Bed- subsistence upon a comparatively sterile farm had no charms for him; and, longing for greater usefulness and better things, he looked for them in an education. His struggles to secure this end necessitated sacrifices and hardships that would have discouraged any but the most courageous and persevering. He became an ardent student and worker from his boyhood, though the means of carrying on his studies were exceedingly limited. He sorely felt the need of a dictionary; and, neither having ford, where he followed the occupation of a land sur- veyor, and occasionally acted as an auctioneer. Soon after becoming a citizen of this place, he was elected Town Clerk, Treasurer, and Collector of Taxes, which office he held until the form of the municipal govern- ment of New Bedford was changed,- about fifteen years ;- when, upon the inauguration of the city gov- ernment, he was elected Treasurer and Collector of Taxes, a position which he held two or three years. He was also Police Justice for many years. He was elected Alderman of New Bedford; was Chairman of the Council Committee on Education; and, as such, prepared a report upon which was based the order for the establishment of the Free Public Library of New Bedford. On its organization, Mr. Crapo was chosen a member of its first Board of Trustees. This was the first free public library in Massachusetts, if not in the world; the Boston Public Library, however, was estab- lished soon afterwards. 'While a resident in New Bed- ford, he was much interested in horticulture; and, to obtain the land necessary for carrying out his ideas, he drained and reclaimed several acres of rocky and swampy land adjoining his garden. Having properly prepared the soil, he started a nursery, which he filled with almost every description of fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs, flowers, etc. He was very successful in their propagation and growth, and took much pride in the result of his experiment. At horticultural fairs in Boston and elsewhere, he exhibited from his grounds one hundred and fifty varieties of pears of his own propagation, and one hundred and twenty varieties of roses. In this, as in every thing that he undertook, he always worked intelligently, and for the best results; seeking the best methods, and looking for information to the highest authorities. The interest he took in the subject brought him into communication with the most eminent horticulturists of the country; and the desire to impart as well as to acquire knowledge soon led him to become a regular contributor to the New England Horticultural Journal, a position he filled as long as he lived in Massachusetts. As an indication of the wide reputation he acquired in that field of labor, it may be mentioned that, after his death, an effecting eulogy to his memory was pronounced by the President of the National Horticultural Society, at its meeting in Philadelphia, in 1869. During his residence in New Bedford, Mr. Crapo was also engaged in the whaling business, which was then the great specialty of local enterprise. A fine barque built at Dartmouth, of which he was part owner, was named the "H. H. Crapo," in
money wherewith to purchase it, nor being able to pro- cure one in his neighborhood, he set to work to compile one for himself. In order to acquire a knowledge of the English language, he copied into a book every word whose meaning he did not comprehend; and, upon meeting the same word again in the newspapers and books which came into his hands, would study out its meaning from the context, and then record the defini- tion. When unable otherwise to obtain the signification of a word in which he had become interested, he would walk from Dartmouth to New Bedford for that purpose alone; and, after referring to the books at the library, and satisfying himself thoroughly as to its definition, would walk back - a distance of about seven miles- the same night. This was no unusual circumstance. Under such difficulties, and in this manner, he compiled quite an extensive dictionary in manuscript, which is believed to be still in existence. Ever in the pursuit of knowl- edge, he obtained possession of a book upon surveying ; and, applying himself diligently to its study, became familiar with the theory of this art, which he soon had an opportunity to practice. The services of a land surveyor were wanted, and he was called upon, but had no compass, and no money with which to purchase one. A compass, however, he must and would have; and, going to a blacksmith's shop near at hand, upon the forge, with such tools as he could find in the shop, while the smith was at dinner, he constructed the compass, and commenced life as a surveyor. Still con- tinuing his studies, he fitted himself for teaching, and took charge of the village school at Dartmouth. When, in the course of time, and under the pressure of law, a high school was to be opened, he passed a successful examination for its principalship and received the ap- pointment. To do this was no small task. The law required a rigid examination in various subjects, which necessitated days and nights of study. One evening, after concluding his day's labor of teaching, he traveled on foot to New Bedford, some seven or eight miles, called upon the preceptor of Friends' Academy, and passed a severe examination. Receiving a certificate that he was qualified, he walked back to his home the | compliment to him. Mr. Crapo also took an active .same night, highly elated in being possessed of the ac- | interest in the State militia, and for several years held
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a commission as Colonel of one of the regiments. In | railway aid bills, passed by the Legislature of 1867, speaking of the intimate relations of Mr. Crapo with was of great benefit to the State financially; and his the interests of New Bedford, the Evening Standard of judgment in that matter has been generally approved. that city says :
While serving his last term as Governor, he was attacked "No man connected with our municipal concerns ever had, to a greater extent than Mr. Crapo, the confidence of the people. Ile was exact and methodical in all !; matters of record: conscientious and laboriously per- sistent in the discharge of every duty; clear in his methods and statements in all that appertained to his official transactions. He left, at the end of his long period of service, all that belonged to his department! as a financial or recording officer so lucid and complete . that no error has ever been detected, or any improve- ment made upon his plans." with the disease which terminated his life within one year afterwards. During much of this time, he was an intense sufferer, yet often while in great pain gave his attention to public matters. A few weeks previous to his death, which occurred July 23, 1869, a successful surgical operation was performed, which seemed rapidly to restore him; but he overestimated his strength, and, by too much exertion in business matters and State affairs, suffered a relapse, from which there was no re- bound. The Detroit Tribune closes an obituary notice Insurance, and Secretary of the Bedford Commercial' with the following tribute to his worth :
He was President of the Bristol County Mutual Fire Insurance, companies, in New Bedford; and, while an " In all the public positions he held, Governor Crapo officer of the municipal government, he compiled and showed himself a capable, discreet, vigilant, and indus- published, between the years of 1836 and 1845, five trious officer. He evinced wonderful vigor in mastering
numbers of the New Bedford Directory, the first work of the kind ever issued there. Mr. Crapo removed to Michigan in 1850, having been induced to do so by detail-, and always wrote and spoke intelligently on any subject to which he gave his attention. Michigan never before had a Governor who devoted as much per- sonal attention and painstaking labor to her public investments made principally in pine lands. -- first in . duties as he did. Hi- industry was literally amazing. i Ile was not a man of brilhant or showy qualities, but he possessed sharp and remarkably well-developed busi- ness talent, a clear, practical understanding, sound life. there was not a parer man in the State. So faith- ful, sa laborious, so unselfish, so conscientious a man in official lite is a blessing beyond computation in the healthful influence which he exerts in the midst of the too prevalent corruptions that so lamentably abound in the public service. We have often thought, that, in his plaiune , hi- honesty, hi- fidelity to duty, and in his broad and sterling good sense, Governor Crapo closely resembled the lamented Lincoln. He was a man of the people, and most worthily represented them. His decease is an occasion for public mourning. The State has very few men like him, and can ill afford to spare such an eminently useful citizen. His death will be profoundly deplored throughout our Commonwealth,
1837, and, subsequently, in 1856. He took up his sesi- dence in the city of Flint, and engaged largely in the manufacture and sale of lumber at Flint. Fentonville, | judgment, and unfailing integrity. In all the walks of Holly, and Detroit, becoming one of the largest and most successful business men of the State. He was mainly instrumental in the construction of the Flint and Holly Railroad, and was President of that corpora- tion until its consolidation with the Flint and Pere! Marquette Railway Company. He exhibited a lively interest in the municipal affairs of Flint ; gave his hearty support to the cause of popular education; and was elected Mayor of that city after he had been a resident of the place only five or six years, In 1862 he was elected State Senator to represent Genesce County, and took rank among the leading men of the Michigan [ and a general sympathy will be sincerely extended to his bereaved family."
Senate. He was Chairman of the Committee on Banks and Incorporations, and a member of the Committee on In the prosperity of the city of Flint he was deeply interested, and his old love for agriculture and horti- culture was further stimulated by his removal to a more fertile section of the country. He had an especial fondness for landscape and ornamental gardening; and, attached to his residence in Flint, he had upwards of an acre of land which he took great pride in cultivat- ing. In the town of Gaines, he possessed a farm of about eleven hundred acres, most of which he reclaimed from swamps by a system of drainage that he planned. Extensive improvements upon the farm were made by him from year to year, and it has now developed into one of the finest in the State. Here he made an effort to improve the breed of cattle and sheep, importing Hereford, Short Horn, and Devon cattle; and South- down, Cotswold, and Leicester sheep. The farmers, Bounties to Soldiers. He at once became conspicuous as a legislator; his previously acquired experience and knowledge of State and municipal affairs admirably fitting him for legislative duties. In the fall of 1864, he received the nomination, on the Republican ticket, for Governor of the State, and was elected by a large majority. He was re-elected in 1866, holding the office two terms, and retiring in January, 1869. During the four years he occupied this office, he served the State with unflagging zeal, energy, and industry. The fea- tures which especially characterized his administration were his vetoing of railway aid legislation, and his firm refusal to pardon convicts imprisoned in the peniten- tiary, unless upon the clearest proof of their innocence, or of extreme sentence. Subsequent events and experi- ence have proved, conclusively, that his action in vetoing | recognizing the interest he felt in agricultural pursuits,
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elected him, in 1863, President of the Genesee County | fully in the performance of all her duties. They had ten Agricultural Society, which position he held for a year. children,-one son and nine daughters. His son, Hon. William W. Crapo, of New Bedford, is now Represent- ative to Congress from the First Congressional District of Massachusetts. During the last years of his life, he was a regular con- tributor of articles on agricultural topics to the Albany Country Gentleman. A Flint correspondent of a Detroit paper, in announcing his death, says :
"To say that his death has cast a gloom over our entire city, inadequately expresses the deep sorrow de- picted on every countenance. He has now not only the respect, but the affections, of our citizens. While the State at large will regret his loss as an eminent and upright public officer, we mourn his untimely end as an energetic, influential citizen, a wise counselor, a prime mover in the prosperity of our city, and a kind neigh- bor, who ever stood ready to aid the unfortunate. With his administration of State affairs, the public are famil- iar; it needs no eulogy at our hands. Suffice it to say, that he assumed control at a very critical period, being near the close of the war, when all public affairs were in a very unsettled condition, and when the resources of the State were being taxed to the greatest extent to meet the demands of the General Government. That we emerged from the great contest with a proud record, ranking with the highest for aid and counsel rendered the Government, was attributable, in no small degree, to the foresight and indomitable energy displayed by our lamented ex-Governor, who so well took up and carried forward the patriotic and untiring efforts of his predecessor in the gubernatorial office. The brave boys who sustained the glorious reputation of our State during the last year of the war, learned to love and respect him for the almost parental affection shown them; we know they will always revere his memory, and in this they will be joined by all who knew him."
In the early part of his life, Mr. Crapo affiliated with the Whig party in politics, but became an active mem- ber of the Republican party after its organization. He was a member of the Christian (sometimes called the Disciples') Church, and took great interest in its welfare and prosperity. Mr. Crapo married, June 9, 1825, Mary Ann Slocum, of Dartmouth, a young lady only one year his junior. His marriage took place soon after he had attained his majority, and before his struggles with fortune had been rewarded with any great measure of success. But his wife was a woman of great strength of character, and possessed of courage, hopefulness, and devotion; qualities which sustained and encouraged her husband in the various pursuits of his earlier years. For several years after his marriage, he was engaged in teaching school, his wife living with her parents at the | had his early successes been followed up by General Hull, time, at whose home his two older children were born. our armies would have been spared a year of humilia- tion. When ordered by his General to give up his sword to a British officer, he broke it in despair and indignation. For his gallant services, he was appointed a Brigadier-General in the army of the United States. The brilliant victory of Commodore Perry having swept the enemy's fleet from Lake Erie, the American army, under General Harrison, in the autumn of 1813, landed once more in the enemy's country, determined to wipe While thus situated, he was accustomed to walk home on Saturday to see his family, returning on Sunday, in order to be ready for school Monday morning. As the walk, for a good part of the time, was twenty miles each way, it is evident that at that period of his life no common obstacles deterred him from the performance of what he regarded as a duty. His wife was none the less conscientious in her sphere; and, with added respon- sibilities and increasing requirements, she labored faith- | out the disgrace of Hull's cowardly surrender. Driven
ASS, LEWIS, of Detroit, was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, October 9, 1782. His ancestors were among the early pioneers of New Hamp-
shire. His father, Major Jonathan Cass, joined the Patriot army the day after the skirmish at Lexington, and fought for the independence of the struggling colonies on the fields of Bunker Hill, Trenton, Prince- ton, Germantown, Saratoga, and Monmouth. Like all the men of the Revolution, Major Cass felt the impor- tance of educating the generation that was to guide the fortunes of the new Republic, and spared no pains in preparing his son for the high career which his youth- ful genius and ambition seemed to promise. In the academy of Exeter, that venerable school in which so many great men have received their first literary im- pulses, he not only acquired a knowledge of the clas- sical languages, but formed habits of study which rendered him a ripe scholar. After teaching school for some time in Delaware, where his father was stationed under General Wayne, he set out, in his nineteenth year, for the North-western Territory, to find a new home. He crossed the Alleghanies on foot, and found himself in the heart of a wilderness whose solitude was almost undisturbed. The boy adventurer grew up with that Territory ; and, in fifty years, saw it covered by five powerful States, and inhabited by five millions of people. He studied law with the late Governor Meigs, and was admitted to the bar in 1802. His success was rapid and decided, and in four years he was in the Legislature of Ohio, where he soon rose to distinction. The fol- lowing year he was appointed, by Jefferson, Marshal of Ohio, and continued to fill this office, with great ability, until the War of 1812. At this time he resigned his commission ; and, at the head of the 3d Regiment of Ohio Volunteers, marched to the frontier. He was the first armed American to land on the Canada shore; and,
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