USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Chronography of notable events in the history of the Northwest territory and Wayne County > Part 39
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Although not a member of the Wayne County Pioneer Society, he is entitled to the consideration due a pioneer, for his contributions towards the present prosperous condition of the city of his adoption.
JOHN S. JENNESS.
John S. Jenness, now of Detroit, presents to us a man who by patient industry and frugality, combined with an even temperament and a strict regard for truth and integrity has made himself worthy of the confidence and respect of his fellow men.
The early years of John S. Jenness were spent on his grand- father's farm and in acquiring an education such as the district schools of his native town afforded. At the close of his school days he engaged in teaching and as clerk in the mercantile business, until at the age of twenty-two, when he left his native State and removed to the city of New York. He remained here a short time and then accepted a situation as salesman in a mercantile house at Newark, N. J., with which he continued until the spring of 1837, when contracting the western fever he removed to Michigan, arriving in Detroit, May 29th, 1837, just as the Territory was being merged into a State, and at once engaged in merchandising. In 1844 he removed to Romeo, Macomb county, where he continued to sell goods until 1846, from thence going to Almont, Lapeer county, where he dealt in general merchandise and in the manufacture of lumber. During his residence here he was instrumental in starting a new enterprise for Michigan, viz: the manu- facture of starch from potatoes, but at the end of six years, the rot set in, and the owners changed the plant into a flour and saw mill. (He, how- ever, made in one season ninety tons of starch of an excellent quality). In 1865 he was elected a member of the Legislature, and in 1867 to the Senate. In the latter body he acted with ex-Governor Jerome and others in opposing the passage of the bill authorizing town, city or village corporations to issue bonds in aid of railway construction; bills for about forty projects of that character having been introduced, several of which were passed notwithstanding their opposition, but were vetoed by Governor Crapo, the reaction in the Senate sustaining his veto. This was considered the most important legislation of the session, for while other legislative questions were left to three mem- bers to work out, five were assigned to these measures, and it was only through the persistent and sagacious efforts of Mr. Jenness and his four or five associates that the whole policy was defeated. Mr. Jenness
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held the office of president of the village corporation two terms, declin- ing all further official honors which were tendered. He in 1871 closed up his business affairs at Almont and removed to Detroit where he has since resided.
Mr. Jenness having grown up under the influence of his ancestors in their belief in the policy of the Democratic party, by the time he became old enough to vote he had interested and informed himself as to the tenets of the political parties far enough to decide to affiliate with the policy of Henry Clay's " American system " of protection to home manufacturers, and cast his first vote with the Whig party, to which he adhered until the Republican party was organized, and has continued to act with that party up to the present time.
In his religious views he is a Protestant and prefers the polity of the Congregational church, of which he is a member.
John S. Jenness was born at Newberry, Orange county, Vermont, April 27th, 1813. On the paternal side he was of English antecedents. He was the son of Thomas Jenness, who was born at Deerfield, New Hampshire, in 1775. He was the son of Colonel Thomas Jenness, of Revolutionary fame, who was also a native of New Hampshire. His mother was the daughter of Col. John Smith, of Newberry (also a soldier of the Revolution). Her maiden name was Abigail Smith. She was born at Newberry, Vt., in 1783.
Thomas Jenness and Abigail Smith were married at Newberry, December 26th, 1802. They had two sons and one daughter, the subject of this sketch being the second son. Thomas Jenness, the father, died suddenly while absent from home in 1813, and his mother at East Corinth, Vt., in 1873.
In September, 1842, Mr. Jenness married Miss Lucy M., the daughter of S. D. Jenness, of Topsham, Vt. They have two daugh- ters living, Mrs. Ronald Kelly and Mrs. James S. Goodrich, both resi- dents of Detroit.
ROBERT W. KING.
Robert W. King, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in the city of Pittsburg, October 10, 1821.
His paternal grandfather, John King, was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1737, and emigrated with his parents to Pennsylvania in 1745. He served creditably as a captain in the Revolutionary War, and in other ways served his country in a public capacity. He was the first white settler in Erie county, Pa., where he died, December 20, 1826, at the ripe old age of eighty-nine.
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His maternal grandfather was born in 1745, in Charlotte county, Virginia. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers in Virginia. He also served in the Revolutionary Army. After the war he emi- grated to western Pennsylvania, settling in the borough of Washing- ton, twenty-five miles from the city of Pittsburgh, where he died, May, 1833.
Both of his grandmothers were Pennsylvanians, their ancestors being among the very earliest settlers.
His father, Robert King, was of Irish descent, and was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, in November, 1775. The maiden name of his mother was Charlotte Lytle. She was of American descent, and was born in Baltimore, Md., on the 30th day of May, 1786.
His parents were married at Washington, Pa., June 6, 1809. They had five sons and two daughters, of whom none except himself are now living. His father died at Detroit, October 18, 1852, and his mother at Pittsburgh, in 1840.
In boyhood, at the age of ten years, he commenced to work. Mr. King attended the various common schools of Pittsburgh, and Jefferson College, Cannonsburgh, Pa., for two years, and obtained a good business education. At the age of twenty-two he left Jefferson College, intend- ing to return and finish his course, but circumstances caused him to change his mind. He came west and settled in Detroit in the spring of 1843, and from that time he has resided continuously in this city.
From his first arrival up to the fall of 1848, he was engaged in the crockery trade with the late Frederick Wetmore, with whom he was acquainted prior to his coming to Detroit. Deciding to engage in busi- ness for himself, he located on the corner of Wayne street and Jeffer- son avenue, and continued the crockery and glassware business in that store until 1877, when he removed to 103 Woodward avenue, and associated his son with him under the firm name of R. W. King & Son.
Being afflicted with sciatica, in 1887, he retired from business, and his son, Louis B., took Mr. Lewis E. Klugh as a partner. The firm is at this date known as King, Klugh & Co., wholesale and retail dealers in china, glass and queensware, 103 Woodward avenue.
During the years intervening between 1843 and 1887, while apply- ing closely to his business, he has still found time to gratify his taste for reading, and there are few topics treated upon by the current literature of the past or present, but are familiar to him. Mr. King has been a member of the First Congregational church for over forty years, and has been active in promoting its influence over the younger members and attendants, as superintendent for a number of years of the Sabbath school. He was President of the Young Men's Christian Association in 1860 and 1861, and President of the Young Men's Literary Society,
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in 1862. He succeeded Rev. Dr. George Duffield, as Trustee of Harper Hospital in 1868, which position he still holds; was Secretary of the Board from 186S to ISSO, and Treasurer from 1872 to ISS6.
Was a member of the Board of Education eleven years, one of which he served as its President.
Has served as a member of the Board of Estimates nine years; of the Board of Aldermen three years; was a member of the old Fire Department from 1844 until its affairs were finally closed, three years of which time he served as Secretary; and was Secretary and Trea- surer of the Board of Trade from 1860 to and including 1863.
Comment is unnecessary as to the manner of his life, as in the dis- charge of the duties and responsibilities connected with the various religious, moral, educational and business positions held by him, he must have gained the confidence of the public, and won their recogni- tion as being a Christian gentleman, an upright public servant, and an honest man.
In April 22, 1846, he married Miss Eliza Buhl, sister of Frederick and Christian H. Buhl, two well known citizens of Detroit. Of six children by this marriage, two only are now living: Louis B., and a daughter, wife of the Hon. Charles Kent, of this city.
GEORGE KIRBY.
George Kirby is a native of the State of Massachusetts, was born in Berkshire county in 1806 and came to Detroit in 1838. He has witnessed the growth of Detroit from a population of 8,000 to 255,000. During all this time, until within a few years past, he has been identi- fied with the leather interests of the city, and actively engaged in pro- moting material improvements and enterprises which have tended to make Detroit what it is to-day.
Mr. Kirby was married to Miss Clarinda S. Tracy, of Maysville, N. Y., August 18th, 1833. They have three children, May S. Kirby, Elizabeth P. Kirby and George T. Kirby.
Mr. Kirby is now enjoying the fruits of a successful business life, based upon principles of integrity, combined with energy and industry, in its conduct.
ERVIN PALMER.
Bossuet, the noted pulpit orator of France, says: "A man not spoiled has no need of proof as to his free agency, for he feels it, and he does not feel more clearly that he sees, hears or reasons, than he feels his power to deliberate and choose."
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It is in evidence that the subject of this sketch has demonstrated by his manner of living that he holds himself responsible for his motives and acts. Amid all the vicissitudes of his early and later life, with its hardships, temptations and disappointments, his childhood's impressions, and in mature years, his reason, seemed to have governed his action in the maintenance of good and antagonizing evil, in the belief " that he who is diligent in seeking good procureth favor, but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him."
Ervin Palmer was born in the town of Exeter, Otsego county, State of New York, October 10th, 1832. On the paternal side he is of English descent and German on the maternal. Gilbert Palmer, his father, was born in Stonnington, Conn., where his ancestors settled on their emigration from England in the year 1629, and where branches from the Palmer family still reside. This name figures prominently in the early history of Connecticut, among those who took an active part in the French and Indian wars, and on the side of Independence during that of the Revolution.
When quite a boy his father removed from Stonnington, locating in the town of Exeter, Otsego county, N. Y., where Gilbert, on arriving at manhood, married Hannah Herkimer, a descendant of General Herkimer, of Revolutionary fame, whose ancestors came from Germany and located large tracts of land in the Mohawk valley. Her grandfather gave the name to Herkimer county.
Gilbert Palmer must have been a man of energy and independence of character. He taught school in the winter and worked at his trade (that of a cooper) during the summer, and was recognized as the chief man in the town, as soon after his marriage he was chosen Justice of the Peace, which he continued to hold until his removal to the Terri- tory of Michigan in 1833. On his arrival he decided to locate in the town of Exeter, Monroe county, where he purchased from the govern- ment a large body of land which he cleared and improved, leaving to his family at his death (in 1840) a fine farm. He was a man very much thought of by his neighbors, taking much interest in church and educational affairs, becoming not only prominent in his own town but throughout Monroe county, and was appointed Justice of the Peace by Stevens T. Mason, which position he held until Michigan became a State, and was then duly elected. His commission is now preserved by his son, Ervin, the subject of this sketch.
Ervin Palmer is the youngest of five sons born to Gilbert and Hannah Herkimer Palmer, and is the only one living. There was one daughter, who married Lewis Welch, and they resided in Monroe county, which county he represented four years in the State Senate. She is a widow, and still living.
Mr. Palmer remained with his widowed mother on the farm until
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he reached the age of seventeen; meanwhile, by improving the oppor- tunities afforded in his town, and having acquired a good English edu- cation, he decided to take a collegiate course. After spending one year in the Baptist College at Kalamazoo preparatory, he entered the Michigan University in 1853, from which he graduated June 27th, 1857, and immediately commenced the study of law with Messrs. Howard, Bishop & Holbrook, of Detroit. He prosecuted his studies with them for a year, and completing them with the Hon. G. V. N. Lothrop, he was admitted to the bar by the Supreme court in 1858, and after spend- ing a little more than one year in the office of Mr. Lothrop as his office clerk, he established a practice in Detroit.
In the fall of 1860 Mr. Palmer was elected Circuit Court Com- missioner for Wayne county, and at the expiration of his term of office formed a co-partnership with John Ward. The law firm of Ward & Palmer continued for over twenty years, at the end of which, on its. dissolution, Mr. Palmer associated his eldest son, Harry E., with him in the practice of law, the firm being at present Palmer & Palmer.
The religious convictions of Mr. Palmer induced him to unite with the Congregational church on coming to Detroit, though in boy- hood, he was a member of the Methodist church. His relations with his church in Detroit have been pleasant for himself, helpful to his fel- low members, and useful to the church at large, both in its spiritual and material welfare and growth.
Mr. Palmer has been identified with the Republican party since its organization, ready day or night to give his aid in promoting its suc- cess and being positive and independent in character, is somewhat aggressive in his action and efforts.
As a citizen he has ever given his earnest support to all measures and enterprises tending to improve his adopted city in moral, edu- cational and material growth.
As a lawyer he ranks as the peer of any at the bar, is respected by his professional brethren, and by the several courts of the United States and this State. He never loses clients, is noted for his devotion to their interests, rarely resorts to the courts if a case can be adjusted outside of it, and is always careful in the preparation of his causes before going to trial.
In 1860 Mr. Palmer married Miss Emma L. Humphrey. She was born in London, Eng., of English parents, and came to this country when she was fourteen years old. Mrs. Palmer is a woman of more than ordinary executive ability, as is shown by the government of her family and domestic affairs, thus relieving her husband of many cares and imparting to her children, by precept and example, truths and principles by which to guide and govern their future life and conduct, and fit them to be good and useful members of society.
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They have eight sons and two daughters. Mrs. Alice Palmer Henderson, of Minneapolis, is a regular contributor to the press of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and as such has acquired emin- ence. Harry E., associated with his father, as law partner; Lewis William, traveling agent for Messrs. Berry Bros .; George P., a student in the Minnesota University; Charles Gilbert, salesman for Phelps, Brace & Company, wholesale grocers, Detroit; Ervin Richard and John W., students in Detroit High School; Herbert V. and Zelda Mae, attending public school, and Alfred Wood, the youngest.
LYMAN BALDWIN
Was a member of the First Congregational Church of Detroit from its organization until his death, was prominent and efficient in all enterprises and measures in the interest of humanity, education and morals. In business, he enjoyed the confidence of a large circle of acquaintances. He was born in Western county, Connecticut, March 27, 1802. After attending the public schools of his native town, and gaining a know- ledge of the saddlery and harness making trade, he engaged in business at Bridgeport, Connecticut, until 1837, when he removed to Auburn, N. Y., continuing in business there till 1843, when he removed to Detroit, where under the firm name of Baldwin & Hayden, he carried on the wholesale and retail saddlery and harness business until his death, which occurred December 17, 1875.
December 22, 1826, Mr. Baldwin married Miss Maria Booth, of Bridgeport, Connecticut. She survived his death but a few years. The children who survived them are Mrs. William B. Wesson, Mrs. Russell, Mrs. Butterfield, Mrs. Glover, and a son.
Mr. Baldwin was one of the original members of the First Congre- gational church of Detroit, being a deacon from 1844 up to the time of his decease.
In politics, Mr. Baldwin was Republican, and was elected by his party, Sheriff of Wayne county, in 1854. While not a politician in the common meaning of the term, he was active in promoting the success of his party in a modest, unassuming manner.
In bearing, he was cordial and cheerful, sympathizing with the un- fortunate, both in kind words and deeds.
In all reforms, whether in morals, education, or the means to improve the health and material growth of the city, he was liberal with his time, influence and money.
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HON. ELLIOTT TRUAX SLOCUM.
Colton says: "It is with antiquity as with ancestry, nations are proud of the one and individuals of the other."
Hon. Elliott Truax Slocum has reason to, and should be, proud of his ancestry, especially as he is of Michigan birth and springs from a line which suffered much, not only to make his native State what it is, but on the paternal side to contribute blood and treasure, in the struggle for American independence.
Elliott T. is the only son of Giles B. Slocum and Sophia Maria Brigham Truax. On his paternal side he can go back ten generations to Anthony Slocum, who is recorded as one of the forty-six " first and ancient " purchasers of the territory of Cohannet, now Massachusetts. Next came Giles Slocum, the common ancestor of all the Slocums whose American lineage has been found to date from the 17th century. He was born in Somersetshire, Eng., and settled in Portsmouth town- ship, Rhode Island, in 1638, where he died in 1682. Then followed respectively the generations of Samuel, Giles, Joseph, Jonathan, Giles, Jeremiah and Giles B., the father of Elliott T.
He should be equally proud of his maternal ancestor, Col. Abra- ham Caleb Truax, who at the surrender of General Hull, refused to recognize its terms, escaped through the lines and was the first who communicated with Perry, and subsequently conveyed the intelligence of his victory to the resident Americans of Detroit.
Elliott T. Slocum was born at Trenton, Wayne county, in 1839. In boyhood he was one of the leaders of his companions, and notwith- standing the pecuniary circumstances of his family were better than most of his associates, he is said never to have presumed to arrogate more than his equal rights with other boys.
In accordance with his own inclinations and the wishes of his parents, he prepared for a college course with the Rev. Moses Hunter, of Grosse Isle, and graduated at Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., in the class of 1862. The Rev. Dr. Eliphalet Nott, then its president, signed Mr. Slocum's diploma, conferring the degree of Bachelor of Arts, which was one of the last signed by that celebrated divine.
In 1869 he took his second degree, Master of Arts, from the Uni- versity of Michigan. The studies in those degrees include a course of civil engineering and surveying, in both of which Mr. Slocum is well skilled, both theoretically and practically.
After graduating he immediately engaged with his father in super- vising and looking after their large land, lumber and farming interests, meanwhile as a born American taking more or less interest in politics and in familiarizing himself with the questions relating to political economy. His investigations at that early period of his life have proved
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of value to him in enabling the intelligent exercise of views and opinions by which to regulate his own, as well as the actions of others in matters connected with governmental affairs.
In 1869 he was elected State Senator on the Republican ticket, from the Third Senatorial District, which was strongly Democratic, and served with honor to himself and to the satisfaction of his constit- uency. In the many important senatorial contests of Michigan, Mr. Slocum has taken an active part and from them, as from other public matters in which he has likewise taken great interest, he has acquired a wide personal acquaintance. He was one of the first directors of the Chicago and Canada Southern Railroad, and was assigned the duty of pro- curing for it the right of way. This difficult undertaking he accomplished without sacrifice to the public or the Railway Company. In all his private and public acts he exhibits the manner and spirit which charac- terized his ancestors.
In 1886 he was appointed a member of the Board of Park Com- missioners of the city of Detroit, and until recently was its president where he did excellent service, and by constantly supplying and causing to be executed new and original ideas, he proved himself a most com- petent and faithful member. To his service is due much of the beauty and development of the Island Park.
Mr. Slocum made two trips to Europe, where, being naturally attracted by the wonderful dykes of Holland, by which vast tracts of lowlands have been reclaimed from the sea, he spent some time in studying the methods and results of the Dutch engineers. The know- ledge thus gained, together with a careful study of the parks of Europe, came into useful play in the smaller field of Belle Isle Park.
Those who know Elliott T. Slocum appreciate him for his inde- pendence of thought and acts and the frankness with which he presents and advocates his views without demanding that others should endorse or adopt them.
He succeeded his father as trustee of the Saratoga Monument Association of New York, and with George William Curtis, Hon. S. S. Cox, Hon. John H. Starrin and others, took an active interest in the erection of one of the finest monuments in the world on the battlefield of Burgoyne's Surrender, at Schuylerville, N. Y., near the home of his father's family.
In the management of extensive business interests left by his father and in the creation and development of new projects, Mr. Slocum has displayed good judgment and has been uniformly successful.
He is a director of the Detroit National Bank, and a member of the Grosse Pointe, Detroit and Michigan Clubs.
He was married July 30th, 1872, to Charlotte Grosse, daughter of the late Ransom E. Wood, an old resident and wealthy capitalist of Grand Rapids.
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HENRY STARKEY.
It requires courage, as Helvetius expresses it, to remain ignorant of useless subjects which mankind generally value.
The subject of this sketch was a practical man, and what he sought in life was what would afford ends beneficial to his fellows. This led him to investigate and determine that which would benefit humanity and contribute most to the physical interests of the community and times in which he lived. Educated in this school when but a mere boy, he engaged with a printer and learned to compose and put in form his own and the thoughts of others, and to deduce therefrom the obliga- tion of man to society, to his country, and the general good of mankind.
Henry Starkey was born in Binghamton, N. Y., in 1828. His father was a physician of high standing, devoted to his profession, and when Henry was five years of age, emigrated to Michigan in 1833, and settled in Kalamazoo. From this period Henry Starkey became iden- tified with Michigan.
After a preliminary education at the district schools, he took a primary course in the Michigan University. Abandoning the regular course he went into a printing office, and while there became imbued with the idea that the military service would best subserve the duty and business of life, and therefore enlisted in a company of mounted riflemen in the regular army, and participated in all the battles with Mexico, until the peace treaties were signed.
At the close of the Mexican war he came to Detroit and went on the Detroit Free Press, then conducted by Wilbur F. Story. Subse- quently he organized the Detroit Typographical Union, and represented it in the National Convention of Typographers at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1854. As one of the corps of the Free Press he continued in its ser- vice until appointed Clerk of the first Recorder's Court, which position he occupied until the breaking out of the late civil war, when he entered the Fifth Michigan Cavalry, and was appointed a lieutenant in Company H and participated in all the battles of that regiment until after the bat- tle of Gettysburg, when, owing to an injury which disabled him, he was honorably discharged.
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