USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Chronography of notable events in the history of the Northwest territory and Wayne County > Part 21
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Few men are better known than J. Wilkie Moore throughout Detroit or Michigan, and on account of his ever cheerful and cordial disposition, it may well be said all are his friends.
The following is furnished as an evidence of the intense interest which Mr. Moore has always manifested in old pioneers, that their names and memory may be preserved, he having called upon each personally, and obtained the information here given:
John E. Winchell, 93 years old ; Elijah Cross, 88; James W. Knaggs, 89; A. B. Weber, 87; Colonel E. Winder, 87 ; Abel R. Torrey, 87; Captain Francis Martin, SI; Russell Robison, 86; Allan Robison, S2 ; Benjamin Farnsworth, 85; Thomas Armstrong, 85; Mrs. David Thompson, 88; Amos Chaffee, 88; Captain Joseph L. Heath, 88; Hamilton Morrison, 84; Alanson Sheley, 82; Francis Reilly, 84 ; John Owen, 81; James F. Joy, 80; William Hall, 88; Francis McWilliams, 92; Horace Hallock, 82; C. H. Buhl, 78; Fredk. Buhl, 88. "Thursday, April 17, 1890, called on Solomon Davis and Mrs. Polly Carlisle, both in their 99th year."
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MYRON OTIS.
Myron Otis, the founder of the township of Greenfield, was born in Schoharie, Otsego county, in the State of New York. He landed in Detroit in 1826, and after spending some time in looking around, and accepting an appointment, and serving as what would be termed the office of deputy sheriff for a year, occupied a tract of land previously entered by his father, Asa H. Otis, whose patent was signed by Presi- dent Jackson, and established the township. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1836 and member of the legislature of 1850. The only settler in what is the township of Greenfield prior to Mr. Otis was an Englishman, named John Strong.
CHARLES FERDINAND CONRAD.
Charles Ferdinand Conrad is a great-great-grandson of Michael Conrad, born at Grass Weiss (Big Meadows), on the Rhine, near the line of Holland. He was Secretary of War of the Netherlands during the thirty years' Religious war between the Prussians and Germans, and was driven from the Netherlands in the contest between the Arminians and Calvinists in the year 1773. He fled first to England and from thence took ship for America, landing at Boston the latter part of that year. He remained in Boston but a short time, removing from thence to Pennsylvania, and settled in Middletown, Dauphin county, where he died in September, 1791. His children were John Jacob, John Nicholas, John Michael, (who is the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch); Mary Elizabeth, who married a Stoll; Eva, who married John Adams Sawyer, and Mary Margaret, who married John Diszler. John Michael Conrad, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born on the Rhine February 28, 1728. He died in 1787, at Middletown, leaving his wife, Christiana, and nine children-Charles, who removed to Pittsburg, Pa., where he resided as late as 1789; Jonathan, John, Henry, Emanuel, Ephriam, Joshua, (the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who married Eva Godfrey); Magdalena, who died in 1799; Christiana, who married Michael Gunman. Joshua Conrad, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born March 10th, 1775, at Middletown, Dauphin County, Pa. He died at Waterloo, New York, October 19th, 1828, leaving a widow whose maiden name was Eva Rodfahn. She was born at Chocolay, York county, Pa., March 6th, 1781, and died at the house of her son, John Conrad, in Trenton, Wayne county, Michigan, Feb- ruary 16th, 1867. The children of Joshua Conrad and Eva Conrad, nee Rodfahn, were: An infant daughter, who died in infancy at Middletown, Pa .; John, born 1799, died August 29th, 1853, at Trenton,
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Mich .: Christian E., born January 14th, 1802; Christiana, born Jan- uary 10th, 1804, at Newtown, N. Y., she died at Hamburgh, Livingston county, Mich., August 13th, 1884; Charles Ferdinand, born at New- town, N. Y., September 15th, 1808, died in Wayne county, Mich., Jan- uary 28, 1882; Sarah, born at Newtown, N. Y., September 19th, 1810; Vincent Mathews, born September 12th, 1812, at Newton, N. Y .; Frederick Schott, born January 25th, 1818, in Fayette, N. Y .; Alex- ander Sill, July 31st, 1820, at Waterloo, N. Y .; Elizabeth B., born May 3d, 1823, in Waterloo, N. Y., died April 10th, 1877, at Wyan- dotte, Mich.
John Conrad, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Middletown, Dauphin county, Pa., October 25th, 1799. He came to Michigan in 1820, and was one of the organizers of the township of Brownstown. On Tuesday, the 16th of November, 1824, he was married to Huldah Hazzard by John Sturgis, Justice of the Peace, at Flat Rock, Wayne county, Mich. She was a native of Vermont, born at Bennington February 10th, 1799. She died at Flat Rock, Mich., May roth, 1837. They had seven children, Christiana, born October 8th, 1826, killed by a log rolling upon her from a building May, 1836; Robert Hazzard, born February 24th, 1828, died February 7th, 1864; Charles Ferdinand, February 24, 1828; Emeline Hopkins, August 30, 1830, died at Centerville, St. Jo county, Mich., March 24, 1853; John, Jr., born October 30th, 1831, died August 21st, 1856, from congestion of the brain; James, born June 21, 1834; David, born May 6th, 1836.
John Conrad married the second time, Miss Mary Barnhart, December 22, 1837. Their children were, Amelia, born October 5th, 1838; Huldah, born March 22d, 1840; Elias, born April 24th, 1842; Arthur, born May 24, 1845, and Ephraim, born June 11th, 1850.
Charles Ferdinand Conrad, the third son of John Conrad and Huldah (Hazzard) Conrad, was born in the town of Brownstown, Wayne county, Mich., February 24, 1828. From a lad he, in many ways, depended upon himself, though his parents did all their circum- stances permitted to secure for him the advantages of an education such as the country afforded; but being alive to the fact that a large family were somewhat dependent upon his father, he early sought means to make the paternal burdens lighter. After acquir- ing a fair business education and a knowledge of books and men, at the age of twenty-three, feeling that he was warranted in so doing, he decided to begin an independent life, and on the 26th day of October, 1851, was united in marriage to Miss Mary Elizabeth Moore- man at Ypsilanti, Mich., the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Seth Reed. Mrs. C. F. Conrad, nce Mary Elizabeth Mooreman, was born at Rawsonville, Washtenaw county, Mich., September 2d, 1835. Five children have been born to them, viz .: Ellen, born at St. Clair,
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Mich., on July 31st, 1853. She married Thomas Snay, and has three children living, Charles, Lulu and Lewis. Orpha Elizabeth, born November 16th, 1855, at Ypsilanti. She married George Hiller, of Detroit, and has two children, Beulah and Ednah. (Mr. Hiller is the binder of this book.) Emma Jane was born at Ypsilanti, Mich., June 18, 1858. She married Philo Parsons Chase, and has four children living, Willie, Mabel, Glen and Ermah. She has lost one, Dan Cleandry Chase. Idah, born at Ypsilanti, Mich., October 20th, 1860, died at Ypsilanti, February 8th, 1871; Clara, born at Ypsilanti October 6th, 1862, married Charles Stebbins, and has one child, Gene- vieve.
Mr. C. F. Conrad, the subject of this sketch, is a man of great enterprise, and possesses more than ordinary energy and vitality, gov- erned and controlled by an intelligent and active mental capacity. He is the projector, and creator, in fact, of numerous enterprises involving millions of money in expenditure and results. For over thirty years he has been engaged in developing the mineral resources of the Upper Peninsular and a large factor in the projection and construction of the railroads of that portion of the State. He is also interested in the rail- roads of the Saginaw valley, and is the owner of a valuable tract of land now leased to the railways in Saginaw. In all the vast enterprises with which he has been connected, he has never consented to the em- ployment of chicanery or dishonorable means to secure or promote their success. While not always successful in their prosecution, yet he is at present the owner and controls many valuable interests in mining, railway and real estate properties.
The character of Mr. Conrad is that of a man, honest in his con- victions of what is due to himself, his family and his fellow men. Modest and unassuming in manner or speech but firm in maintaining his own opinion until logically convinced that it is wrong. He is a fast friend to all that is just and right, but a determined foe to what he conceives to be wrong. He is a Republican in his political views, and, like his great and distinguished ancestor, Michael, of the Netherlands, liberal in his religious convictions and equally ready to sacrifice his liberty and life in their vindication.
DR. MARSHALL CHAPIN.
The early residents of Detroit who may be living, will remember, with much affection and very pleasant recollections, Dr. Marshall Chapin, who was born in Bernardstown (Springfield), Mass., February 27th, 1798, and settled in the then village of Detroit in 1819, when it numbered only five hundred inhabitants, and who established the first drug store in what is now a city of 250,000 inhabitants.
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Dr. Chapin was the son of Doctor Caleb Chapin. First ancestors in America, Deacon Samuel Chapin, who came to America in 1765 with an installment of Puritans, and settled at Boston, Mass.
As the Chapin family has become numerous, it will be of interest to many, and generally to the public, to know that Deacon Samuel Chapin was the ancestor of every Chapin in the United States and also of numerous collateral descendants by marriage in other families.
Samuel Chapin was born in Dartmouth, England, and emigrated with his wife and five children, to New England, America, in 1635. He lived in Boston and Roxbury until 1642, then moved to Springfield, Mass .; was made deacon in the Springfield church in that year, and continued a highly useful life until his death in November, 1675. While in Boston he took the Freeman's oath in 1641, then becoming entitled to vote.
His first child born in America was Japhet, born 1642, and is claimed to be the earliest recorded child born to the Puritans.
His wife, Cicily, sat in meeting in the honorable seats with Mrs. Glover, Mrs. Holyoke and Mrs. Pychon.
She was taken sick and "dyed" February 8th, 1682, having sur- vived her husband six years.
His father, it would appear, commenced farming in connection with the practice of medicine. The name of his mother before mar- riage was Mary Wright, (born June 26th, 1765). She was the daugh- ter of Charles Wright, and died July 10th, 1827. Some of his decendants now reside in Rochester, New York.
During boyhood he worked on his father's farm, attending school during the winter months, and on removal with his father's family to Caledonia, New York, he prepared himself by studying with his father and with Doctor Cynias Chapin (his uncle), of Buffalo, taking his medical lectures at Geneva College, from which he graduated when at the age of twenty-one.
Soon after his arrival in Detroit he was given medical charge of the Fort. It is related, that while dining one day with General Cass, a fire broke out endangering the destruction of that portion of the town. The efforts of the young doctor in extinguishing it were made with such coolness as to attract the favorable notice of the inhabitants, and he was no longer considered a stranger, and was subsequently encour- aged, and his counsel sought by the citizens generally.
In IS23 Doctor Chapin married Miss Mary Crosby, born 1796, daughter of Ebenezer Crosby, born 1764, of Cannisteo, New York. She died in Batavia, N. Y., June 9th, 1841, at the age of forty-five. Soon after his marriage the doctor built him a comfortable home on Fort, corner of Cass, former site of fort and barracks.
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His first store was located on the corner of Griswold street and Jefferson avenue, "M. Chapin & Co.," in 1819; afterward in the next block on Jefferson avenue.
The business established by Mr. Chapin in 1819 was the foun- dation of that now carried on by T. H. Hinchman & Sons.
Dr. Chapin was mayor of Detroit from 1831 to 1833. It was during the prevalence of the cholera in 1834 that Dr. Chapin exhibited that heroism, courage and kindness which endeared him to the citizens of Detroit. Day and night he attended the sick and dying, seeking to infuse hope and courage to the living. He had a faithful assistant in the late C. C. Trowbridge. His exertions at this period made inroads upon his physical constitution, from which he never recovered. He
died December 26th, 1838. It is related " that rich and poor crowded to pay their last respects to a man universally beloved and lamented."
" A good name is rather to be chosen than riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold."
JOHN A. WELLS.
John A. Wells, Cashier of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank from 1833 to 1845, was tall, of rather spare figure, who would at once be recognized as a gentleman of education, refinement and character, never lacking dignity or courtesy. As cashier, he had more general knowledge of banking than any of his contemporaries, excepting only Mr. C. H. Trowbridge. He endeavored to conduct the affairs of the bank systematically, and in accordance with the more approved methods. There was no lack of personal effort, as no engagements otherwise were permitted to interfere with his official duties. The bank was managed successfully and profitably until the general failures of 1839. He remained as the executive officer, aiding to adjust its affairs, until it was ready to resume business in 1845.
JOHN NORTON, FR .*
John Norton, Jr., was Cashier of the Michigan State Bank from 1835 to 1839. His personal appearance will be remembered by only a few in Detroit. He was of medium size, a well dressed and prepossess- ing gentleman of culture, refinement, and prompt business methods and habits. He was ambitious of distinction as a financier, and as such obtained the position of fiscal agent for the State, and was the confi- dential adviser of Governor Mason, assisting him in the management of the five million, loan. Both gentlemen over-estimated their ability, and at the end of the Governor's term they sought more propitious fields for their talents eastward.
* The following sketches, marked *, are from Hon. T. H. Hinchman's work on " Banks and Banking."
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H. K. SANGER .*
H. K. Sanger was appointed Cashier of the Bank of Michigan in IS55. He had occupied a responsible position in a bank at Canan- daigua, N. Y., and was thoroughly well informed in the details and principles of banking. The duties of the office were discharged ably and efficiently under the direction of the experienced President. On the failure of the bank he returned to his former home.
In 1850 a committee from the Michigan Insurance Bank visited him, and secured his acceptance of the cashiership of that bank. He soon took charge of the office and assumed the responsibility of its management. During his administration a large and lucrative business was transacted, far greater than was customary, for the amount of its capital. The duties of cashier were then arduous and exacting, owing to the great variety of currency, fluctuating exchange, and constant demands for loans. Mr. Sanger was a thoroughly competent and accomplished officer, active, reliable and conscientious, who engaged in no outside employment. Failing health caused his retirement in 1861. His death occurred in 1863.
HENRY H. BROWN .*
Henry H. Brown came from Rochester, N. Y., and soon after opened a banking office, which was continued until 1839, when it came into possession of the charter of the Michigan Insurance Company, and commenced a banking business under a clause which it was claimed permitted banking. He was its secretary and cashier from 1839 to 1847, after which he obtained a charter for the Peninsular Bank, of which he was cashier from 1847 to 1857. His tall, well proportioned form, business intelligence and agreeable manners, won him much popular favor as a cashier and citizen. He was a self-educated banker, having commenced in a moderate way, when capital was scarce, and before the precise and systematic methods of later times were practised. The banks managed by him prospered greatly when business was brisk and the calls for coin were not excessive. His extensive acquaint- ance and inherent desire to accommodate and please all friends and customers militated against him when retrenchment became necessary. It was then that his administration proved to be too liberal, and stock- holders and directors encountered trouble and losses. He experienced various mutations of fortune, but bore alike reverses and successes with equanimity.
After quitting banking he entered into warehousing, grain and produce, with his brother-in-law, H. Norton Strong.
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LEVI COOK .*
Levi Cook was President of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank from 1838 to 1845. He was a large, portly, fine appearing man of good business capacity.
As a dry goods merchant, fair dealing and diligence had brought him a fair measure of success. As a bank officer he gave attention to required duties with intelligence. These, however, were of a nominal character, as the bank was under a cloud during the greater period of his administration. He was a plain, strong man, of good judgment, whose frankness, integrity and affability, gave him a marked popularity with all his contemporaries in the city and county. He was also the President of the Bank of St. Clair in 1845. In 1832 he was Mayor of Detroit, and was at one time Grand Master of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Michigan.
ELISHA C. LITCHFIELD .*
Elisha C. Litchfield, Cashier of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank from 1845 to 1851, and President in 1862, was a native of New York State, where he resided until he came to Michigan to assume his official duties. He was of medium size, with strong features, prompt, energetic, with clear, intelligent ideas and eminent executive ability, which fitted him for any official trust. During his connection with the bank his duties were discharged with precision, and a successful busi- ness was done. When more important interests caused him to resign and resume his residence in New York, the State lost a valuable citizen. In connection with his brother, he purchased and carried for- ward to successful completion the Michigan Southern Railway, the history of which enterprise, confronted as it was by difficulties that challenged herculean energy, and great resources of mind and means, will stand out as one of the most remarkable achievements of that era.
CHARLES HOWARD .*
Charles Howard, President of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank from 1846 to 1851, and the first President of the Peninsular Bank, was of medium size, with pleasing features, and prompt in his movements and manner of transacting business. He was a courtly, thoroughly well-read gentleman, of much ability and energy, and was noted for his scrupulous fidelity to trusts committed to him.
His administration as a bank officer was marked by progress and
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a strict adherence to the most approved methods of banking. As Mayor of Detroit, in 1849, his knowledge of affairs, finance, and of the people, particularly fitted him for the office. Mr. Howard removed to New York after the close of his business in this State, where he devoted the close of a long and useful life to the gratification of his literary tastes.
LORENZO W. MASON .*
Lorenzo W. Mason, the eighth President of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank, came to Detroit from Port Huron, Michigan, where he had been a successful merchant and lumberman.
He was about six feet in height, rather spare and inclined forward when walking. His features were regular, and his frank expression and genial manners attracted a host of friends. He was a well-read, enterprising man of business, willing to assume risks-generally successful, public-spirited, generous and ready to render efficient aid to popular public advancement. As a bank officer, his good sense, quick perception and intelligence were valuable in deciding important questions and in the general management of affairs. Personally popular, he was a member of the Constitutional Covention of 1850; a presidential elector in 1848; elected to the State Senate in 1844, and again in 1868, but was defeated two years later by Alanson Sheley, which was the occasion of a pleasantry, for which Mason was famous. A friend said : " Mr. Mason, you are beaten." "No," he replied, promptly : " the fellow is beaten who goes to Lansing to do the work." Mr. Mason died in 1872, deeply lamented.
HENRY N. WALKER .*
Henry N. Walker, lawyer, editor, railway manager, miner and banker, was of medium stature, physically and mentally strong. As a banker, he was associated in the management of the Michigan Insur- ance Bank as director and attorney, and after its close he assumed the chief management of the Detroit Savings Bank, until after the failure of a Lake Superior mining enterprise which he had also undertaken to conduct.
Mr. Walker was an industrious and faithful official, with a plain frank style of speech, of good temper and pleasing manners. His varied duties were discharged with intelligence and promptness, but he over-estimated his ability to succeed in all of such diversified occupa- tions. Had he adopted either of the pursuits, persistent efforts would have brought him a fair measure of success, especially as officer, lawyer or editor. He was a most valuable and useful citizen.
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It should be remembered of him that he made three trips to Europe between 1840 and 1846, to place the bonds of the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad, negotiate the sale of the Great Western Railway and to place the bonds of the latter successfully.
WALTER INGERSOLL .*
Walter Ingersoll entered the service of the Michigan Insurance Company immediately after its commencement of banking. He com- menced as office boy and messenger, and advanced to the position of teller and assistant cashier. His duties, especially as teller, during many years, were discharged with promptness and accuracy, notwith- standing the number and variety of bank bills then deposited, and the mutilated condition of many of them. It was a trying position to the temper, and required quick perception and judgment.
In 1861 he succeeded to the office of cashier, and held the position until the discontinuance of the bank in 1869. His familiarity with details, acquaintance with dealers, knowledge of the value of securities and of paper offered, well qualified him for the duties. He was a faithful and efficient officer, not lacking in decision or courage.
From the close of the bank to his death in 1885, he engaged in no stated employment, but had occasional transactions in real estate. His straight well-formed figure, and his resonant voice, especially in laughter, will be vividly remembered.
FRANCIS PALMS .*
Francis Palms was the President of the People's Savings Bank from its organization until his death.
He was a native of Antwerp, Belgium, and came to Detroit in 1832. He was for a time intimately associated with Joseph Campau, and from him imbibed those impressions which served to guide, and which afterwards resulted in laying the foundation for his course in life, and the accumulation of great wealth.
Subsequently he became interested with Franklin Moore in the purchase of large tracts of mineral and pine lands, which his tenacious will enabled him to hold until they realized to him a large return. This, and his reputation for carefulness, integrity and good judgment, placed him in several positions of responsibility and trust, and especi- ally at the head of the People's Savings Bank. His various duties and trusts always had 'dilligent attention, even after failing health and advancing years had come to him. Reliability was the marked and crowning characteristic of his business life.
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Mr. Palms was a little above the medium, inclined forward in walking, slender in frame, and was not of marked physical appearance. His regular features, broad forehead, and thoughtful eyes, indicated depth of character and financial ability. No liking for politics, or ambition for office was ever revealed. As a quiet and unassuming citizen he preferred only business advancement, and the promotion of his pecuniary interests.
In his latter years, investments in city property was regarded favorably, and was exemplified by the erection of several business blocks on the main thoroughfares of Detroit. His demise occurred in November, 1886, in the 77th year of his age.
HORACE HALLOCK.
Among the early pioneer business men and merchants of Detroit none are better known than Horace Hallock, the subject of this sketch. He has been prominent in the history of the Presbyterian church, in the temperance cause and in all the early anti-slavery movements, hav- ing been the advocate of these reforms in public and private, and exer- cising by his persistent efforts an influence which shaped public senti- ment and paved the way for their establishment upon the firm basis upon which these principles now stand.
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