USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Chronography of notable events in the history of the Northwest territory and Wayne County > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49
Mr. Shearer was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and was a
- 190 -
good and upright Mason, and always sought to practice and inculcate the moral principles of the order. He died September 26, 1881, and leaves a record of having practically demonstrated Goethe's sentiment, used as an introduction to this sketch.
ALANSON SHELEY.
There is an exact geometrical justice, that runs through the universe and is interwoven in the contexture of all things. This is a result of that wise and almighty goodness which presides over all things."-Granville.
" His faith in some nice tenets might be wrong. His life, I'm sure, was in the right."-Cowley.
The man who has risen above the adverse circumstances of early life in struggling with poverty, in restraining evil passions, in avoiding corrupt and vicious associations and surroundings, reaching a compe- tency in worldly wealth, securing the confidence of good men and the respect of a whole community, is entitled to the commendation of, and to be considered a worthy exemplar to the young of all generations.
A review of the life of Mr. Alanson Sheley would seem to furnish an illustration of such a man.
Mr. Sheley was born August 14th, 1809, at Albany, New York. He must have been early deprived of his parents, as we find that at the age of nine years he removed with his grandparents to Jefferson county, New York, and after spending eight years with them working on a farm, at the age of seventeen he commenced to learn the trade of a stone mason with Henry Raught, a builder, at Watertown, N. Y. After a three year's apprenticeship he was employed as foreman in the construction of the Reddie canal, in Canada. In 1831 he took passage on the steamer "Wm. Penn," bound from Buffalo to Detroit, and reached the end of steamboat navigation at that day, August 3Ist, and here he decided to take up his abode. Detroit then contained about two thousand inhabitants, composed of English, French and Indians. He located first in a log cabin, on the corner of what is now Bates and Larned streets. In the summer of 1832 he was given the superin- tendency of the construction of a light house on Thunder Bay, and in July began work with fourteen men. The building was completed the October following. At that period there were but few vessels on the lakes, hence he and his men were brought to Detroit in the schooner "Marshal Ney," then owned by the father of the late Captain E. B. Ward, commanded by Captain John Stewart and which was specially sent for them. On his return to Detroit he began the life of a con- tractor and builder and in 1834 built the First Presbyterian church, on the corner of Woodward avenue and Larned street, which, twenty years after, was burned.
- 191 -
In 1835, the territorial government having granted a charter for the Black River Steam Saw Mill and Lumber Company, Mr. Sheley became its manager. He retained this position until 1855 and then continued the business on his own account until 1858, when he retired. Meanwhile, however, he constructed, in 1851, a four story brick store on Woodward avenue, between Larned and Congress streets, which was occupied by the Hon. Jacob S. Farrand as a drug store, until 1859, when he formed a co-partnership with him under the firm name of "Farrand & Sheley." The firm continued to occupy this store as wholesale druggists until 1872, when they erected one of the largest drug houses in the west, and which is now Farrand, Williams & Co., Mr. Sheley still retaining an interest.
In his religious views Mr. Sheley is Presbyterian, being a member of the First Presbyterian church, in which he has been a ruling elder for forty years. His political convictions were Whig during the exist- ence of that party, and since 1854 are those of an ardent, zealous, Republican. As a public man Mr. Sheley has been a member of the Board of Sewer Commissioners and a member of the City Council, and during the sessions of 1867-68 and 1871-2 a member of the State Senate.
That he has lived a correct life, notwithstanding the many temp- tations he must have encountered in pursuit of his peculiar avocation, is apparent even at this day, as he continues to manage one of the branches of the business house of Farrand, Williams & C'o.
Mr. Sheley is strong in his friendships and generous to those in distress. Although a strict temperance man himself, he is not without sympathy for those who, not possessing his firmness to resist, have yielded to temptation. To such he is ever ready to extend a helping hand, and by kind words seek their reformation.
In business he has been eminently successful, having been influ- enced in its conduct by a due regard for honesty, industry, frugality and the rights of others.
We cannot refrain from relating an incident connected with our first acquaintance, as illustrating Mr. Sheley's tenacity for his friends. Time, 1854; place, Ann Arbor; occasion, congressional convention. His friend, whom he desired to nominate, was found at the opening to be in the minority. The friends of the opposing candidate were very earnest, and in their zeal became somewhat personal in their attack upon Mr. Sheley. He met them in such a good natured manner that after a contest of three hours he had won the sympathy of the dele- gates from one of the counties previously voting for his friend's oppon- ent, thereby securing the nomination of his friend. It was simply a victory for persistent firmness exhibited in a kindly way over local jealousy and misdirected zeal. -
-192 -
On September Ist, 1835, he married Miss Ann Elizabeth Drury, of Detroit, Michigan, daughter of Luther and Annetta Drury. She was born at Plattsburg, New York, October 15th, 1812.
They have one son, George, and two daughters, wives of L. E. Clark and D. W. Brooks, of Detroit.
Although Mr. Sheley has never been abroad, he has been quite an extensive traveler in his own country, always taking his wife and child- ren, and oftentimes children's children, with him. Twice he has visited California and the Pacific coast, and insists he cannot enjoy life without having his family around him. Mr. Sheley has spent his sum- mers, for many years, on Mackinac Island, Michigan, where he has a lovely home, known as Cedar Point Cottage. It is situated at the east end of the island and is surrounded with extensive grounds, having a beautiful outlook on Lake Huron. Here, with the members of his household, he and his good wife extend hospitalities and good cheer to all. On the 14th of August, every year, on the anniversary of Mr. Sheley's birth, an informal reception is held at the cottage, and throngs of friends call to congratulate the old gentleman and wish him many
happy returns. This birthday celebration is quite the event of the season, as the cottage and grounds are beautifully illuminated and fire- works and music add to the attraction of the evening. Mr. Sheley has four grandsons, and in their boyhood he promised them a $1,000 check on their twenty-first birthday, provided they never used tobacco in any form, never drank a drop of liquor, or never used a profane word. Three grandchildren have already reached their majority and been able to conscientiously receive their reward. They are all young men of good habits with every prospect of following in the steps of their much loved and revered grandfather.
ORIN S. GULLEY.
The subject of this sketch believed, and his manner of life furnished the evidence, that slander and evil speaking are the pests of civil society, and the disgrace of every degree of religious or moral professions-the poisonous bane of the dearest friendships and the warmest love of humanity, in short that defamation is never necessary- for suppose a friend or neighbor has faults, are we obliged in speaking of him or her to discover them? All humanity possess some good qualities, and no matter though they be few, if one is to be the subject of conversation, let us refer to the good qualities possessed, or not speak at all. Those who knew Orin S. Gulley, will attest that such was the axiom and rule practiced by him, which governed his actions in private, public and business life.
- 193 -
Orin S. Gulley was born in the town of Victor, State of New York, July 25, 1823. He received his primary education in the district school, and in 1835, came with his parents to Michigan. They settled and made a home in the township of Dearborn, formerly the township of Pekin, where he completed his education, and where he married Miss Martha E. Ladd, October 26, 1847. She was a daughter of Timothy Ladd, one of the early pioneers of Michigan, and a sister of Thomas M. Ladd, who as late as 1858 was a journalist well known in Wayne and Washtenaw counties.
Mr. Gulley learned the printer's trade with Messrs. Wells & Ladd, who published the Detroit Courier in 1841. After working for them sometime he went to New York, and was employed on the New York Tribune with Horace Greeley. In 1844 he returned to Detroit and engaged in the publication of the Michigan Christian Herald, and was connected therewith fourteen years ; meanwhile in partnership with William Smythe he published the Detroit Evening Express. This enterprise proved a failure and he sustained some losses. In 1845, he was the State agent for The National Protestant, a paper published by the Rev. C. Sperry.
In 1859, Mr. Gulley started an office on State street, between Griswold street and Washington avenue. He soon found the building too small, and in 1860 he removed to a building specially erected for him on Larned, between Bates and Woodward avenue, and where he established the well-known printing house of O. S. Gulley & Company.
In 1867 he purchased and improved the property on Larned street, between Woodward avenue and Bates street, to which he removed in 1868, and which is at present occupied by the company he organized, viz .: O. S. Gulley, Bornman & Company, and which is at present composed of John Bornman and Nathaniel Hubbell, general partners, and Mrs. O. S. Gulley, as special. The imprint of this com- pany will be found on the title page of this compilation, as the printers.
Mr. Gulley was one of the organizers of the Lafayette avenue Baptist church, established June 20, 1860, and was closely identified with its growth from that time until his death. He was for many years the superintendent of its Sabbath school. His death occurred June 20, 1878, and he was deeply lamented, not only by his immediate family, but by his church, a large circle of personal friends, and the business community generally. It is said he had hosts of friends and no ene- mies. He was an exceedingly modest man, somewhat retiring in manner, but always cheerful and pleasant. In politics he was a Repub- lican, and while never disguising, did not obtrude his opinions upon others. He never sought or held a public office. He was public spirited and earnest in his efforts to establish institutions calculated to benefit humanity, and elevate society, and in this direction was a liberal giver of time and money.
- 194 -
WILLIAM PENFIELD.
William Penfield, born in the town of Penfield, N. Y., November 24, 1819, came to Michigan with his parents in 1833, for a time assisted his father on the farm during the summer and attended school in winter, and thus obtained a good knowledge of mathematics, thereby fitting him for the avocation he still follows, that of a millwright, and in which he has the reputation of excellence. He has been prominently connected with the Masonic societies and is held in high esteem by all who know him.
OLIVER NEWBERRY.
Oliver Newberry was born in East Windom, Connecticut, on the 17th of November, 1787. He was the son of Amasa Newberry, who with his family removed to Sangerfield, Oneida county, New York, where he purchased a farm. Oliver was at that time twenty-one, and accompanying his father, he for a short time assisted his father on the farm, but becoming restless and desiring to do something for himself, left New York and up to 1812 was engaged in the pursuit of a back- woodsman in Portage county, Ohio. War having been declared with Great Britain, he entered the army as substitute for a Mr. Lyman Day. Mr. Newberry was appointed sergeant of his company and marched with it to Sackett's Harbor, which it did not reach in time to participate in that engagement. Mr. Newberry served out the term for which he had enlisted, and was honorably discharged. He then, with a small stock of goods, went to Buffalo and opened a general retail store. He continued the business at Buffalo until 1820, when he came to Detroit, and established himself in trade. Mr. Newberry became interested in the vessel business in 1826, and gradually added to it, and in 1832 had control of a fleet of eight sail vessels, which ranked among the best crafts on the lakes. 3 He built the steamer Michigan this year, which was the largest steamer on the lakes. From this time he began to build docks and warehouses, and continued to increase the number of his vessels, until he became the leading com- mercial spirit of the northwest. He initiated the organization of the Detroit and St. Joseph railroad company.
That portion of the city known as the Cass farm was conveyed by the government, April 20, 1813, to John W. Macomb and his two brothers, David and William B. Macomb. David and William sold their two-thirds to `General Cass September 9th, 1816, and subse- quently, in October, 1834, he acquired the remaining one-third. In 1835, a company was formed, called the "Cass Company," its object
-195-
being to improve the river front by building docks and warehouses, and in furtherance of the enterprise, in June, 1835, it purchased from General Cass the river front of his farm. This company consisted of DeGarmo Jones, Oliver Newberry, E. P. Hastings, Major Henry Whiting, Charles C. Trowbridge, Elon Farnsworth, Henry S. Cole, E. A. Brush and Augustus S. Porter. They paid $125,000, expended $100,000, and in June, 1840, mortgaged the property to General Cass, and soon after, owing to financial disaster, the whole property and im- provements reverted back to General Cass. Mr. Newberry purchased lots Nos. 1 and 2, upon which he erected a large warehouse and docks, which for a long time was the center of the shipping business of the city, and was the favorite haunt of Mr. Newberry. August 13th, 1855, it was purchased by Messrs. J. L. Hurd & Co. for $68,000.
Mr. G. L. Whitney relates the following to illustrate some of the characteristics of Mr. Newberry: "In 1847 he bought the engine of the steamer Milwaukee for his steamer Nile, for which he gave his notes in payment. They fell into the hands of George L. Smith & Co., known as the ' Wisconsin Fire and Marine Insurance Co.' Some of these notes were not paid at maturity and the steamer Nile was attached at Milwaukee. The Nile was bonded and the notes paid, but this act of George L. Smith & Co. so exasperated Mr. New- burry that he determined to have vengeance. About this time the Milwaukee bankers were running the Michigan Insurance Co. for specie. This was regarded by H. H. Brown, cashier, as a declaration of war, and Brown and Newberry had their mutual causes for retalia- tion upon the Wisconsin money king. The bills of the Milwaukee institution were in general circulation throughout the lake country and the west, and with the facilities at hand it was not a difficult matter to collect them in large sums. It was arranged that Brown should furnish the funds and Newberry do the collecting without charge. The result was that at every trip of the Nile, or of the Illinois, there was a run made upon the Wisconsin Bank, specie being demanded in sums of $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, and on one occasion $71,000. The practice was followed during the whole season. On one occasion Mr. New- berry himself was a passenger in the Nile, and proceeding to the bank presented a package of $10,000, laconically demanding specie. The package was closely scrutinized and the specie counted out, but the privilege of boxes was denied. Mr. Newberry was prepared, and sent to his steamer for sundry bags made by John Bloom for this special purpose, and having received his specie, was about to depart, when the banker in a bland manner said : 'Mr. Newberry, when will your steamer Illinois be here? We want to send some specie to New York.' 'To-morrow,' said Mr. Newberry, 'and we will take your specie at reasonable rates.' 'All right,' said the banker. In the afternoon he
- 196 -
presented another $10,000 package and the money was counted. The next morning he made his appearance with a more bulky package, saying, 'The Illinois will be here this afternoon ; have your specie ready;' when the banker replied, ' We have concluded not to send any specie to New York.' Soon after a truce was made, Mr. Newberry having gratified his revenge."
Mr. Whitney details many more interesting anecdotes, which we have not space to quote.
Mr. Newberry was a self-reliant business man, seldom consulting others. He was not fond of society and rarely mingled with the world, except for business transactions. He possessed indomitable energy and boldness, of which all his operations partook. Detroit is greatly indebted to Mr. Newberry for the benefits its commerce and growth derived from the numerous enterprises originated and carried on by him. Fifteen years prior to his death his business became some- what circumscribed owing to competition, and his prestige as "Admiral of the Lakes" seemed to have departed.
Mr. Newberry died at his home on Fort Street West, now occu- pied by H. H. Walker, July 30, 1861.
JOHN OWEN.
Hon. John Owen was born March 20, 1809, on the river Don, near Toronto, Canada. Came to Detroit in 1818 with his mother, crossing Lake Erie in the steamer Walk-in-the-Water. He attended school under the patronage of Lemuel Shattuck, a very worthy man, who, unfortunately for Mr. Owen, was compelled on account of ill health to return to Concord, Massachusetts, in 1821, and Mr. Owen was obliged to give up school, but through Mr. Shattuck's recom- mendation obtained a situation in the drug store of Dr. Chapin. He continued as clerk until the autumn of 1829, when he became a partner, and remained in this position until the death of Dr. Chapin, in December, 1838. He conducted the business alone until March, 1842, at which time he admitted Theodore H. Hinchman, as a partner under the firm name of J. Owen & Co. The wholesale business of the firm continued to increase in importance until 1853. Mr. Owen then sold his interests and retired from trade, but not from business ; for, through his desire to aid his friends, he had become interested with Gordon Campbell in establishing the Detroit Dry Dock, and with Capt. Arthur Edwards, in vessel interests, and meanwhile had been a director and president of the Michigan Insurance Company's Bank, and president of the Detroit and Cleveland Steam Navigation Company, beside being associated in other financial enterprises.
- 197 -
Mr. Owen has been a member of the city council. In 1841, was appointed Regent of the University by Governor, or Acting Governor, J. W. Gordon, under " Woodbridge and Reform," and although politi- cally opposed, was re-appointed by Governor Barry in 1843. He was elected State Treasurer in 1860, and re-elected in 1862-4.
His connection with the Methodist church dates from 1823, from which period he has been a modest but liberal contributor, and has ever been regarded as one of the chief pillars of that denomination. His time and money in the giving, has not been confined to his own church, but all Christian and benevolent enterprises have been the recipients of his kind generosity.
REV. GABRIEL RICHARD.
Among the distinguished divines connected with the early history of Michigan, none acquired more reputation for being able to accom- modate himself to the circumstances surrounding him than the Very Rev. Gabriel Richard. He was born at Saintes, France, October 15, 1764. It is said his mother was a kinswoman of the eloquent Bossuet. Father Richard was admitted to the priesthood in 1791, and shortly after, on coming to America, reached Baltimore, Maryland, June 24, 1792, from there he was first sent to Kaskaskia, Illinois, and in 1798, on the invitation of Bishop Carroll, came to Detroit as the assistant of Father Levadoux. At that time the jurisdiction of this diocese extended over the Northwest Territory, and the communicants num- bered not more than five or six thousand. During his second year he visited Michilmackinac, twenty miles from Point St. Ignatius, where the Jesuit fathers had over one hundred years before established a mission.
Father Richard was the first to establish a printing press at Detroit, in 1809. He published the first paper in the form of a magazine entitled "Essai du Michigain." He subsequently abandoned the publi- cation, and his press was utilized for printing secular as well as church periodicals. Father Richard served one term as delegate to Congress in 1823. He rendered good service as the representative of the Terri- tory, and was instrumental in securing several enactments, which hastened the settlement and growth of the western country.
Father Richard was a very talented, scholarly man, very devoted to his church and its interests, but alive to all other influences tending to promote and establish good order and government, and when the Methodist Episcopals established a church, he was free to aid and assist in providing facilities.
He died in Detroit in 1832 of cholera, which disease was con- tracted by his devoted exposure in seeking the relief of others.
-198-
HON. f. WILKIE MOORE.
Hon. J. Wilkie Moore, President of the Wayne County Pioneer and Historical Society, is the son of Aaron Moore and Mary Wilkie, and grandson of General Moore, of Massachusetts, and was born at Geneva, N. Y., on the 13th day of May, 1814. His father died in 1817, and his mother a few years after married Peter N. Hard, who for many years was principal of the Geneva Academy. Mr. Moore's stepfather and mother removed to a new farm in the township of Mt. Morris, Livingston county, N. Y., which Mr. Moore, although quite young, helped to clear and work, until the age of sixteen, when he went to learn the silversmith's trade; but at the end of two years he influenced his stepfather to sell out and emigrate to the territory of Michigan. After a five days' sail on the steamer William Penn, they reached Detroit, November Ist, 1833. Mr. Moore not finding employment in Detroit went on foot to Ann Arbor, where he remained a short time, then went to Monroe, Michigan, and engaged as clerk in the "American House," kept by S. S. Parker, and afterwards was employed by the late James McBride in his wholesale provision and grocery store. As soon as he had earned fifty dollars, he invested in forty acres of Government land, which he soon sold for one hundred dollars, and thus began his land speculations, since which he has made buying and selling of land the principal business of his life. He was engaged one year as con- tractor on the Wabash and Erie Canal, being associated with a Mr. Sherman. Differences having arisen between the States of Ohio and Michigan in regard to the boundary line of each, the militia of the respective States were called out to settle it, and Mr. Moore was called to the front in defence of the rights claimed by Michigan, and became an active party to the exchange of the tract of land ten miles wide of lowland for what is now known as the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and which to-day possesses more intrinsic value than the entire half of the State of Ohio. During what is known as the Patriot War, Mr. Moore was employed in a confidential and secret capacity by the general government, for which he received a soldier's bounty of one hundred and sixty acres of land. In 1843 he engaged in the trade of dry goods, boots and shoes, and hardware, at No. 171 Jefferson avenue, Detroit. He also carried on a general real estate business; afterwards was Deputy Collector and Inspector of Customs at the port of Detroit. In 1859 he was appointed United States Consul at Windsor, Ontario, and was the first officer to raise the Consular flag of the United States on the Western borders of what is now known as Ontario. This was at the commencement of our late Civil War. The town of Windsor was at that time full of refugees from the South, who were determined to tear down the American flag; notwithstanding Mr. Moore kept his flag waving, and the Canadian authorities saw the
- 199-
wisdom of protecting it from insult. For several years Mr. Moore has been corresponding secretary of the Q. D. C. S., and at their recent meeting was created a life peer, an honor confered upon but two others in the United States. He has been a member of the Board of Education for many years, and was once elected its Secretary. Was a Deputy- Collector under the late Charles G. Hammond, and also under N. G. Isbell, and Special Agent in the Custom Department under General Henry A. Morrow. He is President of the Wayne County Pioneer Society, also Vice-President of the State Pioneer and Historical Society. When quite a young man he took an active part in the Methodist Episcopal church, was exhorter and leader of the class to which the late United States Judge Ross Wilkins belonged; the Rev. J. A. Baughman at the time being pastor. In later years Mr. Moore has become very liberal in his religious ideas, not believing so much in creeds as in living a good life: "and doing unto others as we would have them do unto us." Mr. Moore has great and kindly feelings toward all animals, especially his pets, a horse, a dog, and canary birds. Mr. Moore is indefatigable in his efforts to maintain an interest in the preservation of information and reminiscences of the early history of the city of Detroit and State of Michigan, devoting the most of his time to that object. Mr. Moore was married to Miss Margaret Berthelet, daughter of the late Henry Berthelet, at Detroit, in the year 1843. His wife died February 18th, 1875. They had but two sons, one died when quite young; his other son, Hon. Joseph B. Moore, has been a member of the City Council, Chairman of the Poor Commis- sioners, has been secretary and treasurer of the Detroit Carbon Company, and is at present cashier of the Peninsular Savings Bank.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.