USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Chronography of notable events in the history of the Northwest territory and Wayne County > Part 14
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In 1837 he left with his parents his native State for what were then called the swamps of Michigan, settling in the township of Novi, Oakland county. He encountered all the privations, dangers and diseases incident to pioneer life, meeting them with intelligence, cour- age and firmness.
Mr. Woodman has been prominently identified with all educa- tional and moral enterprises, giving his time and energies to their establishment.
He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of the State of Michigan in 1850, and although the youngest member of the body except two, we find him by the debates favorably recorded as being with the Hon. J. D. Pierce and Isaac E. Crary, of Calhoun county, advocates and authors of the present Homestead Exemption law and
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our present free school system, which has done much to secure that legislation which has made Michigan second to no other State for her educational system.
Mr. Woodman possesses a good legal knowledge, obtained without going through the law school or the routine of study under a precep- tor, and was admitted to the bar of this State and the State of New York on account of his actually being able to convince his examiners that he had the knowledge of law requisite. He now is in the prac- tice of his profession at Northville, Michigan.
In 1840 Mr. Woodman married Mary A. Hungerford, daughter of Uriah Hungerford, an early pioneer, of Plymouth, Mich. She died December 3, 1868, at Novi, Mich., leaving four sons and one daughter. August 11th, 1870, Mr. Woodman married Mrs. Lavina Stillwell, a sister of the first wife. She has two daughters by her first marriage. Mr. Woodman's eldest son, J. Hamilton, entered the service of the United States during the late civil war August 9, 1862, as sergeant of Company "I," 22nd Inft. Regt., Michigan Volunteers ; first lieutenant, July 8, 1863 ; captain, December 6, 1863 ; honorably mustered out June 26, 1865.
From Mr. Woodman's own lips we learn the following items of his history : When his father died in 1838 the family were left penniless. He in his twenty-second year, the eldest of the six children, a few days after the funeral of his father, borrowed one dollar of a neighbor and rode on horseback to Pontiac to consult a lawyer about settling his father's estate. Calling upon the Hon. F. J. Drake he made known his business, took out the dollar and told him he wanted the worth of it in legal advice. Mr. Drake told him how to manage to settle the estate and bid him put the dollar in his pocket, and if at any time he wanted legal counsel to call and he could have it freely. Mr. Wood- man rode home much encouraged, returned the borrowed money and went to work on the farm. At the meeting of Oakland county bar, to take action on the death of Hon. F. J. Drake a few years ago, Mr. Woodman was present, being a member at that time, and with many others spoke of the many virtues of Judge Drake. When Mr. Wood- man was nominated in Pontiac in 1850 for a member of the Consti- tutional Convention, he had on a pair of borrowed boots and coat and a borrowed hat by his side. When the news of the attack on Ft. Sumpter by the Southern Confederacy in 1860 reached Novi, a meet- ing of citizens being held at the school house, Mr. Woodman was called out and made a short speech on the situation, pledging himself to do all in his power to put down the rebellion. The late Senator Z. Chandler, in a public address soon after the war commenced, gave Mr. Woodman the credit of making the first war speech made in Michigan. He kept his promise well, enlisted his own son and went twice to the
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seat of war and spent his time in camp and hospital, nursing sick and wounded soldiers.
His son's life was spared and he returned. Had he fallen, like many others, in his country's defence, Mr. Woodman could have said, with Cato, "Thanks be to the gods, my son has done his duty."
NOAH M. WELLS.
The subject of this sketch was the first pastor of the First Presby- terian Church in Michigan and of Detroit. He was born at Bemish Heights, Saratoga county, New York, was baptised in the Episcopal church at New Lebanon, New York, at the age of thirteen. Soon after a preparatory course, he entered Union College, from which he gradu- ated at the end of four years. He organized the first church at Browns- ville, New York in IS25. He states that at the time he came to Detroit there was no church organization, but there was what was called the First Presbyterian Church, which was in fact neither Pres- byterian or Congregational, so that after consultation they concluded to begin anew and organized a Presbyterian church with thirty-six members, which is now known as the First Presbyterian, of Detroit. He became the pastor of this new church and at the end of eleven years was succeeded by the Rev. John P. Cleaveland. His health being somewhat impaired, he engaged in secular business for a time and then taught a branch of the Michigan University. Subsequently he was appointed chaplain in the army and was stationed at Prairie du Chien. He labored for a time at Galena, from thence he supplied the church at Maumee City for a short time, when he came to Detroit in the employ of the Western Seaman's Friend Society and took charge of the Bethel work, in which he continued for six years, when the infirmities of age compelled his retirement from active work. He then removed to the township of Erie, Monroe county, and took up his residence with his son, where he died at the age of ninety-seven.
Father Wells, as he was called, was a remarkable, industrious and enterprising man. It is said that he was not converted until he reached the age of twenty-one, and only began his theological studies at the age of twenty-two. He was not a brilliant man, but was full of intellect and a laborious student. He was not a bigot, but his affection for his own church was strong, and he devoted all his energies of mind and body in promoting its success. He was married three times and leaves one son and two daughters.
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JOHN WINCHELL.
On a pleasant day there may be seen driving along the streets of Detroit an elderly lady, accompanied by a still older looking man, but one who seems in the comparative vigor of his mental powers, so much so that if asked to note changes which have been made in buildings or other improvements and compare the past with the present, his eyes brighten and he will give you a ready and comprehensive picture of the former, as compared with the present city.
John Winchell was born at Kingsbury, Washington county N. Y., March 22d, 1797, and came to Michigan in 1833. He served during the war of 1812-14 and was wounded at the battle of Lundy's Lane for which he now draws a pension of $24 per month.
In 1826 Mr. Winchell married Miss Sarah Brand, by whom he had seven children, of whom but three are living.
The elderly lady referred to is his daughter, Mrs. Alice Barthol- omew, with whom he lives, in the house built fifty-four years since by himself, No. 123 Fort Street East.
Mr. Winchell was a school teacher for many years after coming to Detroit, and taught the first district school established under the laws of the territory providing for system and support of public schools.
Mr. Winchell, during the term of President Cleveland, visited Washington and had an interview of an hour with him and was much gratified by his reception by the President.
In religious matters his inclination and belief is of the Baptist per- suasion. He has never mixed in politics and never held an office.
THOMAS ARMSTRONG.
"When God created the first man, he placed him in the Garden of Eden to dress and keep it. So that even in a state of innocence, we cannot conceive it possible that man could have been happy if inactive. God gave him work to do and his employ- ment contributed to his happiness. For the structure of his body, as well as his mind plainly proves, that he was never intended for a merely contemplative life."
This would seem to be the belief of the subject of this sketch, as during his whole life, thus far he has been an active man, active in business, in the cultivation of enterprises promoting good feeling and the exercise of charity among his fellows. In his dealings with humanity, he believes that when doubt hesitates, candor should prompt, and when justice balances, mercy should prevail.
Thomas Armstrong was born in Buffalo, N. Y., October 13th, 1821, and is of New England ancestry, some of whom still reside in those States, and are in possession of the lands settled and improved by his forefathers in the days of the Pilgrims.
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His father followed the sea prior to his removal to Buffalo, and then for a series of years sailed the lakes, commanding the largest sail vessel on the western waters. Thomas began his active life at the early age of twelve, for we find that he left home in 1833, and spent two years at Toronto, Canada. Returning to Buffalo in 1836, in September, he took passage on the brig "Indiana," Captain Gus. McInstry, for Detroit and the western lakes. After laying up several days, the brig proceeded on her voyage, reaching Michigan City about October 4th. By this time travelling by water had become monoton- ous, and he determined to stop over. Remaining there over half a year, he decided to return to Buffalo by land (there being no public conveyance or railroad at that time), and commenced his journey on foot through the State of Michigan. As the country was but sparsely settled, he often found it difficult to procure lodgings and meals, and several times on the way was compelled to go without either. But with that determination, since characteristic of the man, not to yield but to surmount any obstacles, and a readiness to accommo- date himself to the opposing circumstances, after a tedious tramp of a week or more, he reached Adrian, where he took the "strap iron railroad" for Toledo. There he spent his last quarter for a night's lodging, and the following morning was about starting on foot for Detroit, where he had a brother, when he learned that a steamer was about to leave for Buffalo. He determined to get passage on her, and accordingly went on board, and hiding his baggage, began to assist the hands to load wood, and when the vessel was ready to start, he again stepped aboard as one of the hands, and in this manner worked his passage to Buffalo. This steamer was the old "Charles Townsend," and as she stopped for wood at every port between Toledo and Buffalo, he says he earned his fare.
After remaining at Buffalo for about two years, he decided to come to Detroit, where he has resided since June, 1838.
He commenced life in Detroit as an apprentice to Mr. Henry Glover, who was then the principal merchant tailor in the city. In 1844 he started business on his own account, and established in a small way a hat and cap store. His trade increased, and in 1848 he added a department for manufacturing furs, regalia, banners and uniforms for the Masons, Odd Fellows and other societies and military organiza- tions. He continued in this line of business until 1872, closed up his business, and soon after, with his son, E. A., established the business in which they are now engaged: "Manufacturers of Banners, Military and Society Equipments," and are now located at 261 and 263 Wood- ward, and 114 and 116 Washington avenue. They now have a trade which extends to almost every State in the Union, also in Canada, and are constantly adding to their custom and their facilities. Edward A.,
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and Frank S., his sons, have the active management of the business, leaving him to take that rest which the arduous labors of his long and active life demand.
When Mr. Armstrong came to Michigan, Detroit was a small French town, containing a population of less than 5,000 inhabitants. He has seen it grow to the number of 272,000. Then, there was not a single paved street or sidewalk; now it has thirteen miles of paved streets, and seventeen miles of sewers. Then it had no fire department and no water supply, except from wells and a small hydraulic power which brought water from the river-about 100,000 gallons yearly, and no police force. Now its fire department, which controls fourteen steam fire engines, three chemical engines, and seven hook and ladder companies, employ a force of two hundred and fifty men and sixty horses. Its water supply to-day equals 14,500,000,000 gallons per year, and its police force numbers three hundred and fifty men and twenty horses. Then there were no steam manufactories. Now they are numbered by hundreds. Then there were no parks. Now they abound. All these changes have been witnessed by him, and to promote them he has done his part in a liberal but unostentatious manner. Mr. A. is now full of life and spirit-he enjoys good health, with his mental powers unimpaired, and his kind, genial manner unchanged.
GENERAL HUGH BRADY.
General Hugh Brady, who was well and favorably known to the older citizens of Michigan as a soldier and as a man of public spirit and enterprise, was a native of Pennsylvania and born at Standing Stone, Huntington county, July 20th, 1768. He was a son of a Revo- lutionary soldier who was a captain in the 12th Regiment of Pennsyl- vania at the battle of Brandywine, after which he was detached from the army and sent west to protect the frontier against Indian depre- dations, when he became distinguished as an Indian fighter, and subse- quently lost his life, and those of his two sons, at the hands of the Indians, leaving his wife a widow with the subject of this sketch and one other son dependent upon their own energies and hands for sup- port. In 1792 he received from General Washington a commission as ensign in the army of General Wayne, and accompanied him in his campaign against the Indians of Ohio and Kentucky. He remained with the army until 1795, when he returned to his home in Pennsyl- vania. In 1798 he received a captain's commission from President Adams and remained until the army was disbanded. He then, in company with his brother, occupied a tract of wild land owned by the family on the Mahoning river near Pittsburg. They built mills and
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made other improvements, but after remaining there until 1807 he removed to Northumberland, where he resided until 1812. When war was declared between England and the United States, he accepted a commission from President Jefferson and again went to the front. He served during the Canadian campaign, was promoted to the command of the 22d Regiment of Infantry and was so severely wounded at the battle of Lundy's Lane as to disable him from further service in the field during the remainder of the war. In 1819, by the reduction of the army, he was assigned to the colonelcy of the 2d Infantry, then stationed at Sackett's Harbor, New York, where he remained for several years, and in 1825 was placed in command of the Northwestern Territory, with headquarters at Detroit, and from this time until his death was identified with Michigan and its interests.
In October, 1805, General Brady married Miss Sarah Wallis. The late Samuel Brady, whose sketch will be found in this work, was a son of this marriage.
General Brady, on the 15th of April, 1851, was riding out, and on nearing the head of Monroe Avenue, his horse took fright and, run- ning away, threw him out of his carriage, injuring him so that he expired almost immediately. The venerable Col. James W. Knaggs says of General Brady: "It was his practice, on the day before holi- days, to quietly visit all the poor families in Detroit and present them with provisions, clothing and other necessaries."
COLONEL WILLIAM D. WILKINS.
" This is my solemn injunction to the son to whom I bequeath the saber carried by me in the Mexican war : That whenever his country is engaged in war, either with foreign or domestic foes, he is to use the best efforts which God may give him in the military service of his country."-Extract from the will of Colonel William D. Wilkins, dated April 28, 1861.
He was a man, genial, courteous, possessed of ready wit, a fund of general knowledge almost wonderful, an imagination, tender, poetic and rich, a humor sunny but free from cynicism, a fine command of language and a logical mind.
Colonel William D. Wilkins was born in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1827. When but five years of age his parents brought him to Detroit, which was his home from that period till his death. He laid the foundation of an education here. On completing it he began the study of law but never practiced it. His tastes were military. He was one of the founders of the Detroit Light Guards and when war was declared with Mexico he volunteered his services and became a member of the regiment commanded by the late Alpheus S. Williams, under whom he
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won the reputation of a brave and gallant soldier. In 1850 he became clerk of the United States District Court, which position he held until 1870. April 24th, 1861, he was made Brigade Inspector of State Troops at Fort Wayne, which position he held during the first summer of the civil war, and in August was appointed Assistant Adjutant-General on the staff of the late Gen. A. S. Williams. At the battle of Cedar Mountain, August 9th, 1862, he was taken prisoner, sent to Libby prison and was paroled a month later. On the 2d of May, 1863, at the battle of Chancelorsville, he was again taken prisoner and the second time sent to Libby prison and was liberated on parole June 2d, 1863. August 29th, on account of disability, he was compelled to resign. Subsequently he was breveted Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel of Volunteers for gallant and meritorious services during the war. He always took a deep interest in educational matters and for a long time was a member of the Detroit School Board, and for a number of terms its president. He will be long remembered for his devotion to popular education. One of the public schools bears his name. Latterly he had taken some interest in politics and was a popular speaker with the Democracy. His old commander, Gen. A. S. Williams, was greatly indebted to Col. Wilkins for his first election to Congress. He visited Europe three separate times, and his letters published in the "Detroit Free Press," detailing his travels, proved exceedingly interesting as well as instructive.
As an evidence of the estimation in which he was held, and as a token of their appreciation, the teachers of the public schools of Detroit, on the eve of his departure for the seat of war, June 20th, 1861, presented him with an elegant sword. In a memorandum attached to his will he requests that this sword be substituted for the saber which he carried in the Mexican war and which was taken from him when captured at the battle of Cedar Mountain.
No better diagnosis of the characteristics of the man and the love and regard for him and his noble qualities of head and heart can be given than that expressed in the following resolutions, adopted at a regular monthly meeting of the Detroit Light Guard: "The last assembly is again sounded; brave Wilkins, the last to hear and obey. A comrade has fallen from our ranks. Yet the soldier never dies. Wilkins is assigned to another command. He is now dressing to the right in the columns of comrades and heroes who have left us. He is with Fairbanks, Whittelsey, LeFavour, Roberts, Speed, Elliot, the brave Williams and the generous Bagley, and a host of honored dead. In life none loved the Light Guard more than he whom we now mourn and to whose memory our brightest recollections will ever cling.
"Colonel William D. Wilkins was among the first to sign the original call for the organization of this company. He was elected its
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secretary and First Lieutenant, serving under the lamented Williams, our first Captain. Even then (1855) he had achieved military honor and won special distinction for brave conduct in the Mexican war. An active member of the company until the first call for troops in 1861, when he was the second man in Michigan to offer his services-served again in his country's cause, and to the laurels of a Mexican campaign he added those of a rebellion. Cerro Gordo to Chancellorsville! Bright jewels in a hero's crown. In later years Colonel Wilkins took an active interest in the company, and until death was a true friend and father to us.
" We mourn his loss with profound sorrow. Brave, generous, kind hearted, chivalrous and noble. With an admiring people we honor his record of valor and worth, yet he seemed nearer and dearer to us."
Colonel William D. Wilkins died at his residence in Detroit March 3Ist, 1882, leaving a widow, the daughter of the late Hon. C. C. Trowbridge, and four children. Mrs. Otto Tillman, Ross Wilkins, who is a graduate of Heidelberg University, Germany, Charles Trow- bridge Wilkins, a graduate of the Michigan University, now one of the law firm of Black, Moran & Wilkins, and present assistant United States District Attorney, and Mary T. Wilkins. His remains were borne to the grave and buried in Elmwood cemetery by the Detroit Light Guard, with military honors.
JOHN ROBERTS.
The subject of this sketch, John Roberts, was born in Wales, November, 1790. In 1800 his parents emigrated, bringing him with them, and first located in Philadelphia, and in ISOI moved to Utica, N. Y. In 1820, after receiving a fair English education, he proceeded to Buffalo and took passage on the steamer "Walk-in-the-Water " for Detroit. For several years he carried on a soap and candle factory on the bank of the river, where he had constructed a wharf on Atwater, between Bates and Randolph streets, and soon after connected with it a grocery store. In 1834 he enlarged his store and took as a partner his brother, R. E. Roberts. The fire of 1837 burned them out. Then the firm took a store in a block built by Trowbridge and Farnsworth, opposite the Michigan Exchange. In 1839 they moved to the Eldred block on the north side of Jefferson avenue, between Griswold and Woodward. In IS4I the firm dissolved, John buying his brother's interest, and continued business, and also the soap chandlery on the dock, until 1846, when he sold out to Mr. N. Tomlinson, who converted it into a dock and tannery, and retired from business. In the cholera
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year of 1832 he was chairman of the committee to prevent its spread and mitigate its evils, rendering important service. He was also colonel of the first Michigan regular State militia. He was a stock- holder and one of the directors of the Old Michigan Insurance Com- pany's Bank, one of the founders of St. John's Episcopal Church, and the oldest Mason in the city, being one of the first members of Zion Lodge No. I, the oldest Lodge in the State or city. He was an early member of this Society.
In 1825 he married Miss Sanderson, daughter of Captain Sander- son, of Detroit. They had two girls and one boy. The son, Mr. D. W. Roberts, of San Francisco, and Mrs. Jeremiah Vernor, of Detroit, are living. He died April 13th, 1881. A widow, his second wife, and his brother, Robert E. Roberts, survived him.
ROBERT MCCLELLAN.
Hon. Robert McClellan was born August Ist, 1807, at Green- castle, Franklin county, Pa. He was descended from the heroes of the War of Independence, several of his ancestors having been officers of rank in that, and subsequently in the War of 1812. They were among the first settlers of Franklin county, and founders of Green- castle. His father was a distinguished physician, and a student of the celebrated Dr. Benjamin Rush, and practised with great success until six months before his death, which occurred at the age of eighty-four years.
Mr. McClellan graduated at Dickenson College, in 1829, among the first in his class. He was admitted to the bar at Chambersburg in 1831. He then went to Pittsburg, where he practised for a time, and in 1833 removed to Monroe, Michigan Territory. In 1835 he was elected a Member of the Convention for the proposed State of Michi- gan. He was the first Bank Commissioner appointed in the State by Governor Mason, and was offered the Attorney-Generalship of the State. Both of these offices he declined to accept. In 1838 he was elected a member of the State Legislature. He was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1843, and the same year a Member of Congress. He was re-elected to the 29th Congress, and in 1847 for a third term. Mr. McClellan was a member of the convention which nominated General Cass for the Presidency, and also in that of 1852, which nominated Franklin Pierce. He was also member of the State Constitutional Convention of 1850. In 1851 he was elected Governor, and re-elected in 1858. At the organization of the Cabinet by Presi- dent Pierce, he was invited to take the position of Secretary of the Interior, whereupon he resigned as Governor, and filled this position
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for four years most creditably. He was again a member of the Consti- tutional Convention of his State in 1867.
For a number of years prior to this he had held the position of Solicitor for the Grand Trunk Railway, but the duties becoming too burdensome for his health he resigned, and retired from active practice.
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