USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Chronography of notable events in the history of the Northwest territory and Wayne County > Part 17
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fulness to his birthplace and country. At thirteen years of age, he entered his uncle's store, remaining there for five years, when, having a taste for military life, through the influence of friends, he obtained entrance to the United States encampment at Alleghany, Penn., and was in the regi- ment of Colonel Hamtramack. He accompanied his regiment to lower Ohio, and remained with it for two years, when he returned to Detroit and again engaged with his uncle, and for a few years became asso- ciated with him as a partner. Upon the dissolution of his co-partner- ship he went to Albany, where he owned a small property left by his father, sold it, and purchasing a stock of goods brought them to Detroit and opened a store. In 1805 he married Miss Mary Mott, daughter of Captain Gershom Mott. Captain Mott was in the artillery service with Montgomery, at the seige of Quebec. The fire of 1805 destroying his store and some of his goods, he removed those remain- ing to a small wooden building on Atwater street, near Hastings, then far outside the city. Mr. Williams did a successful business until 1812, when he was made captain of an artillery company by Governor Hull, but having some difficulty with that officer he resigned and voluntarily went into the private ranks. Upon the surrender of Hull he went to Albany, where he remained until peace was declared. On returning to Detroit in 1815 he resumed his mercantile business at the same place, and also dealt somewhat extensively in real estate. In 1829 he built a large warehouse at the foot of Bates street and engaged in the forwarding and commission business, until 1834, when he retired from active mercantile business. In 1815 he was appointed adjutant gen- eral. In 1824 he was elected the first mayor of Detroit, and during his term petitioned Congress to grant to the city what was known as the
Military Reservation. This reservation embraced a valuable portion of lands in the First and Second Wards, between Griswold and Cass, from Larned to the northern limits of the city, including the site of the present City Hall. After many vexatious delays his requests were com- plied with, and thus to the city became, in reality, of great value. Mr. Williams was the first president of the old Bank of Michigan, which position he filled until 1824, when he resigned. In 1832 he was appointed Major General of the First Division of the Michigan Militia, which posi- tion he held at the time of his death, which occurred October 30th, 1854, leaving seven sons and one daughter. Col. John Winder married the eldest daughter, Elizabeth, who died in 1834, and Captain McKinstrey married Mary, the youngest. Ferdinand, the eldest, died at Water- ford, Oakland county. Thomas was in the army and was killed at Baton Rouge, La., during the late rebellion. Theodore, James, John, Devereaux and G. Mott lived in Detroit. All but James are dead.
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CHARLES I. WALKER.
" Aristotle has said-speaking of the laws of his own country-that jurisprudence, or knowledge of those laws, is the principal and most per- fect branch of ethics."-Blackstone.
"True ethics are a handmaid to divinity and religion."-Bacon.
The subject of the present sketch is noted, and is justly recog- nized by his brethren at the bar as being the peer, if not the superior of most of the members of the legal profession, for his knowledge of the application of the laws of jurisprudence, he having made this study a specialty, hence most of the cases conducted by him involve the discussion of questions relating to moral obligation.
Charles I. Walker was born at Butternut, Otsego county, State of New York, April 25, 1814, and on the maternal side is a lineal descend- ant of Edward Rawson, a graduate of Harvard College, who, in 1633 was secretary of the Colony of Massachusetts for forty years, and was specially noted for his opposition to Dudley. His grandfather, Ephraim Walker, married Priscilla Rawson, daughter of Edward Raw- son. Ephraim Walker, the grandfather, erected a house on the corner of Westminster and Walker streets, Providence, Rhode Island, as the family mansion, and here the father, Stephen Walker, was born in 1765. He married for his first wife, Polly Campbell, in 1790, who died in 1795, leaving two children. He married Lydia Gardner, a Quakeress of Nantucket, in 1796, by whom he had eleven children, the subject of the present sketch being one of them. His father removed from Provi- dence to Butternut, N. Y., in 1812. He is recorded as being a man of fair ability, devoted to his family, and to the observance of morality, bringing them up to have a due regard for the principles of honor and integrity. He died in 1834. His mother, Lydia Gardner Walker, is also spoken of as a woman of rare energy and abundant resources. She died at Camillus, N. Y., January 16, 1842.
Judge Walker acquired his early education at the common school, at the age of sixteen began to teach. He in a short time entered a store as clerk, at or near Cooperstown, N. Y. He remained there four years, and in 1834, made a tour through Michigan, returning to Cooperstown, and in the spring of 1835 engaged in the mercantile business on his own account. In 1836, having been appointed the agent of parties owning lands in the West, and to make for them further investments, he sold his stock of merchandise, and after an extended trip through Indiana, Illinois and Michigan, located at Grand Rapids, Michigan, for a year or two. He continued making investments and locating lands for others. In the fall of 1836, he was elected a member of the con- vention called to meet at Ann Arbor in accordance with the Act of Congress requiring the people of the territory to assent through a con- vention of delegates to the boundaries fixed by the Act, pending the admission of the territory as one of the States of the Union.
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In 1837, owing to the suspension of specie payments, occurred a financial crash, which put an end to his investments in lands, and pur- chasing the "Grand River Times," he turned his attention to it as editor. In 1838 he was elected a justice of the peace, and began to read law with the late Chief Justice Martin. The late U. S. District Judge Withy, and Circuit Judge Holmes, were his fellow students. He prosecuted his studies under Judge Martin. In the fall of 1840 he was elected a member of the Legislature. In the fall of 1841 he removed to Brattleboro, Vt., and on completing his studies was admitted to the bar in 1842. He followed the practice of his profession in that State until 1851, when he came to Detroit, where he has since resided.
In 1867, on the death of the late B. F. H. Witherell, Governor Crapo appointed Mr. Walker to succeed him as Circuit Judge of Wayne County Circuit Court. After serving in this position for ten months he resigned, and resumed his practice, which he still continues with marked success.
Mr. Walker was, in his religious convictions, up to the age of six- teen, of the Quaker faith. But after leaving home was thrown into the society of the Presbyterians, and became a member of that church. After removing to Grand Rapids, he aided in, and became a trustee of the Episcopal church. While in Vermont he attended the Congrega- tional church, and on coming to Detroit united with the First Congre- gational church of this city, of which he is now a deacon. Mr. Walker is not sectarian, but is liberal in his denominational views, and his church relationship has been directed by the circumstances surrounding.
As a public man, in addition to his service as Judge, he was appointed by Governor Baldwin one of the Commissioners to visit and examine the law relating to the penal, charitable and reformatory institutions of Michigan. His exhaustive report thereon induced the passage of the existing laws which have proven so salutary and benefi- cent in their operation. He has twice represented the State Board of Charities in the National Prison Reform Conventions-at Baltimore, in 1872, and St. Louis in 1874.
In 1853 he was a member of the Board of Education, and has ever been active in all measures and movements tending to increase the facilities for its acquirement by the masses. In the spring of 1859, he was appointed a professor in the law department of the Michigan University.
The study of the early history of the Northwest has afforded him much pleasure, and the papers read and published by him, giving the results of his research have proved of great interest. Their titles are : " The Early History of Detroit," " De La Motte Cadillac," the " First Ten Years of Detroit," " Early Jesuits of Michigan," " Michigan from
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1796 to 1805," " The Civil Administration of General Hull," and the " Northwest during the Revolution," and several other sketches and biographies. These studies have led him to collect a large library of manuscripts and works relating to the West.
While he has always been identified with the Democratic party, his early Quaker education led him in former days to differ on the slavery question with a large portion of that party. When but twenty- one he was a member of the anti-slavery convention at Utica, N. Y. In 1848 he acted with the Free Soil party, and supported Martin Van Buren against Cass, and in 1854 actively opposed the re-election of Hon. David E. Stuart to Congress.
It is in his private life we find the evidences that he must have had that kind of paternal teaching which has left its impress, and colored his public and political life as well. He does not withhold the hand of relief, the heart of sympathy, or the wise counsel of the head, from the needy, the sorrowing, or the troubled mind.
In 1838 he married Miss Mary A. Hinsdale, sister of Judge Mitchel Hinsdale of Kalamazoo. She died in February, 1864. In May, 1865, he married Miss Ella Fletcher, daughter of Rev. Dr. Flet- cher, of Vermont. Mr. Walker is a member of the Historical and Pioneer Society, and has been the President of the State Society.
BUCKMINSTER WIGHT.
Shakespeare utters the following :
" To thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man."
Buckminster Wight respected himself, thereby winning the love and confidence of others. Those who knew him testify that he had the most just conception of what was due himself, and extended to others no more, and no less, than he demanded for himself, and during a residence of nearly half a century in Detroit, and in his intercourse with its citizens, he practiced "doing unto others as he would have them do unto him."
As a pioneer in the lumber business he became well known throughout the State, and was held in high estimation by that class of its citizens. The late Hon. C. C. Trowbridge, speaking of him in con- nection with the first steam saw mill built in Detroit, says, after the repeated failures of those who built and owned it: "It was not until Mr. B. Wright took it and enlarged it that full development was given to the business." The original owners were E. A. Brush, Josiah R. Dorr and C. C. Trowbridge, who built it in the year 1832, Mr. Wight becoming its owner in 1837.
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Buckminster Wight was a native of the State of Massachusetts and was born at Stourbridge February 5th, 1797. He is of English descent on the paternal side. His father, Alpheus Wight, was born at Medway, Mass., on September 16, 1770. His ancestors emigrated from Isle of Wight, England, and settled in the town of Dedham, Mass., on July 18, 1637. On the maternal side his ancestors were from England and came to America and settled in Haverhill, Mass., in the year 1650. The maiden name of his mother was Miriam Belknap. She was born in Stourbridge, Mass., Feb. 25th, 1772, where she was married February 5th, 1792. His father died at Stourbridge June 30th, 185I, and his mother at the same place November 25th, 1822. Buck- minster Wight married Miss Sarah Marsh in 1820. She was a daughter of Silas Marsh who served through the Revolutionary War, and whose ancestors, John and Sarah Marsh, were from England, and settled in Boston in the year 1670. There were three children born to them, Henry A., Stanley G., Edwin B., whose biography will be found else- where in this book.
In 1830 Mr. Wight visited the Warm Springs, Va., on account of his ill health. On regaining it he came to Detroit with his wife and two sons in the year 1832. The trip from Warm Springs to Detroit was quite an eventful one. It was made across the State, over the mountains, to Guyandotte, Va., on the Ohio river, where, when he arrived, early in February, the rains and melting snows had caused the river to rise very rapidly, and before a crossing could be made, became impassable. Mr. Wight was fortunate in procuring quarters for his family in a brick house. The rising flood soon surrounded it half way up the first story, obliging them and others to live for over two weeks in the upper part of the house, the only communication with dry land being by boat. This was a thrilling period for them, as daily, houses, barns, etc., were carried by with the flood, and often human beings, to whom no assistance could be rendered. When the waters receded a ferriage over the river was made and the tedious wagon trip through Ohio and the black swamp was made to Detroit, where they arrived March 22d, 1832. On his arrival in Detroit he engaged in the stock business, buying cattle in Ohio and preparing them for market on the Cass farm. In 1837 he purchased from Messrs. Rice, Clark & Co. the first steam saw mill erected in Detroit, Mr. Joseph Coffin being asso- ciated with him therein. They enlarged, improved and carried on the business until 1843, when Mr. Coffin retired, and in 1847 Mr. Wight gave his two sons, Henry and Stanley, an interest, who conducted the business, until 1853, under the firm name of B. Wight & Sons, when he retired, leaving it to his sons.
In politics Mr. Wight was an ardent Whig, during the existence of that party. He was elected as alderman in 1848 and State Senator in
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1 1855. His service as juryman in the celebrated railroad conspiracy case, which continued over three months, so impaired his health as to compel his sojourn at the seaside for some time. On his return he took an active interest in Harper Hospital, and for a number of years was president of the board of trustees. Mr. Wight, soon after his arrival in Detroit, became connected with the Presbyterian church, in which he held an official position at the time of the division of the property and the organization of the two churches. He was one of the efficient organizers and contributors to the church of that denomi- nation on Jefferson avenue.
He died November 29th, 1879, at his residence, 415 Jefferson avenue. Mrs. Wight (nce Sarah Marsh) died June 30th, 1884.
ALEXANDER C. MCGRAW.
Prudence is the rule of all virtues. It is the path which leads to every degree of prosperity. In its exercise it is the channel whence self-respect flows, and in its course secures the respect of others. The man who possesses it is able to resist temptation and encounter dangers with spirit and resolution, courageously bears up against disappoint- ments, manfully and unflinchingly speaks the truth, even before kings and princes.
The private, public and business life of Alexander C. McGraw, the subject of this sketch, demonstrates to those who are familiar with him that in a great degree prudence and precision have been the gov- erning influences controlling his action. Alexander C. McGraw was born at Little Britain, Orange county, New York, September 26th, 1809. The farm owned by his father was a portion of the old Clinton estate, known as the " Highlands of the Hudson." It is reported "that Orange county, New York, and Sussex county, New Jersey, produce more applejack than any other two counties in the United States, making, in 1888, 120,000 gallons, from which the government derived a revenue of $100,000."
Mr. McGraw, after improving the educational facilities afforded by the schools of his native town, removed with his father to Michigan, landing at Detroit in the spring of 1830. Here the family remained a short time, while he and his father traveled about the territory in search of a permanent location, and finally fixed upon one in the vicinity of Pontiac, Oakland county, to which they removed and commenced to improve. Mr. McGraw, however, having some knowledge of the shoe business, and not liking farming, opened a shop in the village of Pontiac the first year of the cholera, and such was the fear of it and its spread, that to prevent it reaching Pontiac the militia of the county
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were called out to guard all approaches from Detroit and prevent the panic-stricken residents of the latter from entering Pontiac. Mr. McGraw, being one of the militia, soon grew tired of this guard duty and decided to remove to Detroit. He accordingly packed his goods, and after securing a store on Jefferson avenue, between Bates and Randolph, moved his goods and began the business which he has been continuously engaged in since 1832.
Mr. McGraw occupied this store about nine months and removed to the Dequindre store, on the opposite side of Jefferson avenue. Here he remained until January Ist, 1842, when he was burned out, and moved back to the store first occupied. March Ist, 1842, he moved from this to the store corner of Jefferson and Woodward avenues, known as the "Smart block." Six years thereafter he moved to the corner opposite, known as the "Campau Store," which he occupied until January Ist, 1864, when he moved to the Porter block, corner of Larned street and Woodward avenue, which he occupied six years and four months, until May Ist, 1870, when he moved and occupied what is known as the "Cooper block," from which he is at this date (April 23d, 1890) moving to the new block built expressly for the firm, on the corner of Griswold and Woodbridge streets, where he is now putting in machinery and appliances making it the most perfect shoe factory in the Western States.
During the long period of 58 years in which Mr. McGraw has thus continuously done business in Detroit, he has had several partners, but the style of the firm has always been either "A. C. McGraw" or "A. C. McGraw & Company." Stephen Smith was interested with him at one time. In 1853 Mr. Samuel G. Caskey first became a partner. His relation continues, and, to quote Mr. McGraw, "Mr. Caskey is still the wheel horse of the concern." The firm of A. C. McGraw & Company of to-day is composed of A. C. McGraw, Samuel G. Caskey, Augustus C. and Wm. A. McGraw (his sons), and Theodore S. McGraw, a nephew, the firm name continuing as heretofore, being "A. C. McGraw & Co., Manufacturers and Wholesale Dealers in Boots and Shoes." Mr. McGraw has continued longer, and is the oldest man actively engaged in continuous business of one kind in Detroit.
The character of Mr. McGraw is that of one possessing a desire to recognize his obligation to God, himself, his family and his fellow men without sacrificing one to the other designedly. He is inclined to Presbyterianism in religious matters. In politics' he is an ardent Republican, though never seeking or ever holding a public politica position.
Mr. McGraw has been one of the trustees of Harper's Hospital from the time of its establishment (March 20, 1863), up to the present
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writing (April, 1890). He was one of the trustees named in the deed of Walter Harper, February 3d, 1859, also in that of Nancy Martin dated March 10th, 1859, by which they conveyed certain real estate for the founding of a hospital at Detroit. He has given generously for its support since its establishment, and is a subscriber to the endowment fund of $10,000. He is also one of the managers of the Ladies' Pro- testant Orphan Association. Mr. McGraw has always been a pro- moter of other benevolent and educational enterprises calculated to elevate society and benefit humanity. Although not tied down to the details, he still looks after the business of the firm, and can be found at his office between the hours of ten and twelve, and two and four each day.
July 3d, 1833, he married Miss Eliza French, who was born in Otsego county, New York, in 1809. She died of cholera in August, 1834, leaving no children. In March, 1836, he married Miss Susannah W. Walker, a sister of C. I. and E. C. Walker of this city. Her death occurred in 1842. She left two sons, Dr. Theodore Mc- Graw, who is justly distinguished as a medical practitioner and surgeon, and Edward Walker McGraw, who is a prominent member of the San Francisco bar. October, 1843, he married Miss Susan L. Metcalf. She was a native of the State of New York, and born at Goshen, Orange county, in 1814. They have had one daughter and two sons. The daughter was the wife of Mr. A. H. Muir, agent Merchants' Despatch. She died recently. The sons, Augustus C. and William A., are associated and members of the firm of A. C. McGraw & Co. A niece and adopted daughter of Mr. McGraw is the wife of Mr. Wm. E. Quinby, publisher of the Detroit Free Press.
From Mr. McGraw we obtain the following relating to the late well known pioneer and witty man, Judge Abraham C. Caniff: "He was born at Pittstown, New York, August 26th, 1791. Came to Detroit October 12, 1819. Died March 26th, 1876. Both of his wives, Nancy and Matilda, were born in the same month and year with Judge Caniff. Nancy died Jan. 27, 1837, and Matilda March 18, 1855." Mr. McGraw has kept a diary of current events and incidents relating to Detroit and its citizens from 1830 to the present, which furnishes an interesting history. He has twenty-three grandchildren living. Mr. McGraw was one of the few who, during the speculative period of 1836 and 1837 was not led astray by the excitement of those times, as would appear from the following extract of a letter addressed to Mr. McGraw by A. S. Porter, dated Washington, January 13th, 1842:
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" I learned two days ago, with the deepest sorrow and grief, of the terrible calamity which befel our devoted city on the evening of the Ist inst., and the case of no sufferer has shared more in my sincere
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regret than yours. The few of our business men who were prudent and sensible enough by abstaining from the temptation of speculation to carry themselves through the pecuniary trials of the last four years, preserving their solvency as well as their honor, constituted an im- portant link between the past and the future, and were of a class who, it would seem, merited success and exemption from such terrible cal- amities as this. But Providence has in this instance decided other- wise. The prosperous portion of our community was small enough at best, and every part of it must share in the consequences of the mis- fortune of a public one. I sincerely hope you have not suffered to ruin, and that you may soon resume business under auspices which shall promise and realize that success which attended you up to the fatal night of the conflagration. Very respectfully your friend,
A. S. PORTER."
STANLEY G. WIGHT.
There is a duty required by the fifth commandment under the name of honor. [St. Peter extends its observance to all men; it not only im- plies filial respect, but should also govern business transactions and friendly relations with our fellows. It would appear that the father of the subject of this sketch recognized and practiced these precepts dur- ing life, and had transmitted the desire to imitate them to his son, as the evidence of those who have known both, tends to show that the latter, so far, has exhibited in his manner of life, the same qualities of mind and heart, which so endeared the father to the love and confidence of his fellow citizens.
Stanley G. Wight, is the son of Buckminster Wight, and Sarah (Marsh) Wight, and was born at Stourbridge, in the State of Massa- chusetts, on the 11th day of September, 1825.
He came with his parents to Detroit in March, 1832. On reach- ing his majority he was admitted as a partner with his father and brother, who, under the firm name of B. Wight & Sons, engaged in the lumber business from 1847 to 1853, after which the father retired. He and his brother continued the business until 1878. After that he spent a few years in Leadville, Colorado, and since has made several trips to Europe.
For the past four or five years Mr. Wight has been so afflicted with sciatic rheumatism as to induce his gradual withdrawal from active business.
In September Ist, 1851, Mr. Wight married Miss Nancy M. Rice, the daughter of Leavins and Betsey W. Rice, of Stourbridge, Mass. She was born at Brookfield, Mass., on the 26th day of December, 1828.
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Mr. Wight, notwithstanding his extreme physical suffering, bears in his manners to others the index of a kind genial temperament, indisposed to make his ills the cause of unhappiness to others. Mr. Wight has long been an honored member of the Historical and Pioneer Society, and has always been ready to aid and assist in the promotion of all good objects and enterprises. Although often solicited to accept more important political positions, he has declined, and only served in the following, though never shrinking from the duties or responsibilities imposed by his party or party friends. He was alderman from 1851-3; house representative, 1862-3; water commissioner, 1863-8; board of public works, 1876. Mr. Wight served in the volunteer fire depart- ment from 1843 to IS51, a portion of the time was president and fore- man, also assistant engineer, and one year president of the association. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Wight, Silas Marsh, was a soldier, and served during the Revolutionary War, taking his pay in Contin- ental money, which he had still in possession at his death.
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