USA > Michigan > Early history of Michigan, with biographies of state officers, members of Congress, judges and legislators > Part 10
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RICHARD E. MORSE.
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1835-6, was born in Otsego county, N. Y., in 1809. He came to Ypsilanti, Mich., in 1833, and engaged in practice as a physician. He was surgeon of the Michigan forces in the "Toledo war;" was postmaster of Ypsilanti from 1837 to 1841; and United States consul to Curacoa from 1862 to 1865. He died at Curacoa in 1865 and was buried there. A Democrat until 1861, then a Republican.
EDWARD G. MORTON
Was born in St. Albans, Vt., Dec. 15, 1812. When four years old his parents removed to the state of New York, where he lived until 1834, when they came to Monroe, Michigan, where Mr. Morton lived
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until his death, with the exception of two years at Detroit. He had few educational advantages, and in all attended school less than a year. At the age of fourteen, at his own request, he was apprenticed for six years, to learn the trade of a printer, at $35 a year and board. For more than forty years he was connected with the newspaper press. As a writer he was sharp, incisive and keenly alive to the weak points of the enemy, and politically was always a Democrat. He was Representative in the legislatures of 1849-50-53-63-64-65, and was state Senator in 1869-70-71-72. He was a member of the consti- tutional convention of 1867. He held various local offices, and was mayor of Monroe in 1851. His services as a legislator were not small, but he particularly distinguished himself in securing the establish- ment of the insane asylum at Kalamazoo, and the asylum for the deaf, dumb and blind at Flint. No man was more efficient in estab- lishing the asylum for the insane than Mr. Morton, and a speech made by him on that subject in March, 1865, was published in the journals of both Houses, was republished in the journal of insanity in New York, and 2,000 copies were printed for free distribution, of which he said it was " the greatest compliment he ever received for public service." He died at Monroe, Dec. 15, 1875.
EUROTAS MORTON,
Representative from Wayne county in 1841, was born in Hatfield, Mass., July 31, 1799. and came to Detroit in 1837. He soon after- wards removed to Rawsonville, and engaged in active business as a merchant. He held the local offices of postmaster and justice of the peace for many years during his residence at Rawsonville. His later years were passed at Ypsilanti, as a retired capitalist, where he died Jan. 7, 1876. He was a Whig, and subsequently a Republican in politics.
HENRY C. MORTON
Was born in Genesee county, N. Y., in 1817. He received a common school education. He came with his parents to Michigan in 1934, and early became interested in the development of Benton Harbor. with his father, Eleazar Morton. He was prominent in politics and business, and as a Republican, was Representative in 1863-4. He was the first post master of Benton Harbor, and was a leader in building the ship canal which has made the village prosperous.
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WILLIAM F. MOSELY,
Representative from Saginaw in 1837, was the second practicing lawyer in Oakland county, and was admitted to the bar in 1825. He was judge of probate and prosecuting attorney of Oakland county, prosecuting attorney in Genesee county, and also in Shiawassee county. He died in 1860.
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CHARLES MOSHER
Was born at Chatham, N. Y., Jan. 2, 1822. He settled in Scipio, Hillsdale county, in 1842. In 1849 and 1850 he and his brothers laid out the village of Mosherville, named in honor of their father. They built a saw and grist mill. He is a practical miller and followed that business for twenty years. Originally a Whig, he became a Republican, but of late years has been a Prohibitionist. He was a Representative in 1863-4-77-9. In 1884 he was the prohibition candi- date for congress in the second district, and in 1886 their candidate for lieutenant governor.
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JABEZ S. MOSHER,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1849, was born in Spring- port, N. Y., and came from there to Jackson's mills, in Addison. Mich., about 1810. In politics a Democrat. Died about 1856.
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JAMES B. MOSHIER
Was born July 19, 1820, at Warrensburg, N. Y. He removed to Genesee county, Michigan, in 1852. He was supervisor of Fenton. and held other town offices. He was a Representative in 1871-2-5. By occupation a merchant, in politics a Democrat.
THOMAS H. MOSHER
Was born at Union Springs, N. Y., Oct. 18, 1815. He received a com- mon school education, and attended the Cayuga academy one year. He was a clerk in his father's store from 1831 to 1836, when he came to Cambridge, Michigan, and with John Hart carried on a general store until 1848, at Springville, where he built a store for himself. With A. S. Berry he built the " Lake Mills " near Springville, which he owned and operated after 1856. He was supervisor and town clerk, and in 1844 was Representative.
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WILLIAM MOTTRAM,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1843, located at Nottawa prairie in 1834, as a physician, and for years had an extensive prac- tice in St. Joseph county. In 1851 he removed to Kalamazoo, where he still resides. He has been president of the local medical society, and a delegate to the American medical association.
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LUTHER V. MOULTON,
Representative from Kent county in 1879, was born in Howard, Mich., Sept. 27, 1843. In 1858 he removed to St. Joseph, and in 1836 engaged in photographing at Muskegon. In 1871 he removed to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and in 1875 returned to this state and located at Grand Rapids. Politics, national. Has written and published a work on finance.
JULIUS MOVIUS,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1850, was born in Han- over, Germany, Nov. 11, 1812. He came to this country in 1833, and settled at Ypsilanti, Mich., in 1838, where he remained until 1849, when he removed to Detroit. In 1852 he removed to Buffalo, N. Y., which was his home until his death, Oct. 14, 1871. He was at first a merchant, and then engaged in railroad business. He was general agent of three great railroads of Canada, and afterwards general agent of the Michigan Central. He married Mary L. Vibbard in 1839, and two children, Edward H. Movius and Mrs. George J. Sco- ville, both of Buffalo, N. Y., are now living. He was a man of un- usual ability, and well and widely known.
HORACE MOWER
Was born in Woodstock, Vt., and was a graduate of Dartmouth col- lege. He was admitted to the bar in Vermont, came to Kalamazoo in 1838 and engaged in practice. He was Representative in 1847. He was afterwards a federal judge in New Mexico. He died Dec. 11, 1860. He was a fine classical scholar, a good lawyer, gentlemanly in his manners, full of wit and humor, and a master of irony and satire. He was one of the ablest whig leaders in Michigan, and had great influence with his party.
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ZEBINA M. MOWRY,
Representative in 1848, and member of the constitutional convention of 1850, from Oakland county, was born in Berkshire, Mass., September 20, 1804. By profession a physician, a Democrat until 1866, then a Republican. Removed to Michigan from Madison county, N. Y., in 1838, and settled on a farm in the town of Ann Arbor until 1841, thence to Milford, where he commenced the practice of medicine with H. K. Foot. He died August 1, 1874.
GILBERT MOYERS,
Senator from Allegan county in 1857-8, was born in Macomb county, Mich., September 13, 1833. By profession a lawyer, practiced his profession in Allegan county and was prosecuting attorney. Enlisted in the 3d Michigan cavalry, was made captain September 7, 1861; major, February 27, 1863; lieutenant colonel, August 13, 1862; re- signed and was honorably discharged December 21, 1864. In 1865 he removed to Memphis, Tenn., where he still resides engaged in the practice of his profession.
JAMES MULHOLLAND,
Representative from Monroe county in 1840 and 1848, was born in Olean, N. Y., in 1803. He came to Michigan in 1806. By occupation a farmer, politically a Democrat. Was deputy sheriff of Monroe county for several years, and for several years a supervisor. Died in 1871.
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SAMUEL MULHOLLAND
Was born in Monroe county, Mich., February 10, 1811. By occupa- tion a farmer. Lived first in Vienna, and afterwards in Erie. He was a Representative in 1849, 1857-8-9, and Senator in 1861-2.
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JOHN MULVEY,
Representative from Marquette county in 1887, was born in Carrick- on-Shannon, Ireland. February 20, 1833. He received a common school education, and emigrated to America in 1852, settling in Mar- quette county in 1855, where he has since resided. Mr. Mulvey has held various offices of trust in Negaunee, having been president of the village, a member of the common council, city assessor, school
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trustee, and a member of the board of supervisors for ten years. He is a contractor by occupation, and owner of improved real estate in Negaunee. He was elected as a Democrat to the Michigan legisla- ture of 1881-2. In April, 1886, he was unanimously elected mayor of Negaunee. Mr. Mulvey was a Democrat until 1884.
EDWARD MUNDY
Was born in Middlesex county, New Jersey, August 14, 1794. He graduated at Rutgers college in 1812. He studied law and com- menced practice in his native county. In 1819 he emigrated with his family to Illinois and engaged in practice, but after a time returned to New Jersey and became a merchant. In 1831 he removed to Ann Arbor, Mich., where he became a justice, and from 1833 to 1835 was associate territorial judge. In 1835 he was a delegate from Washte- naw county to the first constitutional convention, and was a leading member of that body. He was the first lieutenant governor of Michi- gan, and held that position from 1835 to 1840. He then resumed the practice of the law and was successful. From March, 1847, to April, 1848, he was attorney general. He was also prosecuting attorney, and regent of the University. In 1918 he was appointed by the governor and Senate judge of the sixth judicial circuit and associate justice of the Supreme Court. By this appointment his residence was changed from Ann Arbor to Grand Rapids. He continued as judge until his death, March 13, 1851, when he was succeeded by Judge Martin. He was a dignified presiding officer and an able judge. He was a man of fine personal appearance, and well liked both in public and private life. In religion an Episcopalian, in politics a Democrat.
ORRIN W. MUNGER
Was born November 17, 1837, in Huron county, Ohio. He came to St. Johns, Mich., in 1856. By occupation a merchant. During the war was U. S. assessor for the first division of the sixth district. He was a Representative in 1865. A Republican until 1872, now a Dem- ocrat. He is president of the state bank at St. Johns.
WILLIAM MUNGER,
Representative from Wayne county in 1837-45-57, was born at Sacketts Harbor, N. Y., Aug. 9, 1810. With his mother he came to what is now the village of Flat Rock in the spring of 1823. Died at Flat Rock, May 5, 1881. Occupation, farmer: politics, democratic.
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JOHN MURPHY,
Representative from Allegan county in 1853, was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., Oct. 19, 1794, and was brought up in Penfield, N. Y. Fis education was limited, and mostly obtained by reading. He was a farmer at first, but became a contractor on Ohio and Pennsylvania canals. In 1835 he bought a farm in Allegan county. He was the first supervisor in Gun Plain township, was also justice, and was the first sheriff of Allegan county. In politics a Democrat. Died June 19, 1874.
SEBA MURPHY,
Senator from Monroe county in 1840-41, was born at Scituate, R. I., July 25, 1788. When quite young he was connected with the large mercantile house of De Graff, Walton & Co., of Schenectady, N. Y. He removed to Ovid, Seneca county, N. Y., in 1817, where he held the office of county clerk for two successive terms, and engaged in the mercantile business. In 1835 he removed to Monroe, Michigan. where he held the offices of county commissioner, register of deeds, regent of the state University, and county treasurer, each for the term of two years. He was also cashier of the River Raisin bank. Died Nov. 16, 1856. In politics a Democrat.
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WILLIAM W. MURPHY,
Representative in 1844, was born at Ernestown, Canada, April 3. 1816, but removed to Ovid, N. Y., at an early age. He came to Mon- roe, Michigan, in 1835, and was a clerk in the government land office, studying law in leisure hours. In 1837 he removed to Jonesville, and in company with William T. Howell opened the first law office in Hillsdale county, continuing in practice until 1861, the firm from 1848 being that of Murphy & Baxter. He was a Democrat, then a Free Soiler until 1854, acting with the republican party thereafter. In 1861 he was appointed consul general at Frankfort-on-the-Main, which position he held for nine years, after that continuing his residence in Germany as the financial agent of several American railway com- panies. It is to him very largely that the country is indebted for its credit during the darkest hour of the war of 1861-5. He induced wealthy German capitalists to invest largely in government bonds to meet the financial emergency, and from that time the credit of the country stood high. He became quite as well known in Germany as in Michigan, and lived there until his death at Heidelburg, June 8,
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1886. He was a partner of E. O. Grosvenor at Jonesville in the bank- ing business for a time, and started the Jonesville Telegraph, now the Independent.
ANDREW MURRAY,
Representative from Berrien county in 1848, was born at Harrisburg, Pa., in Nov., 1813. He graduated at Yale college, studied medicine, settled at Berrien, Mich., in 1835, and commenced practice as a physician. He removed to South Bend, Ind., then resided at St. Joseph, Mich, and finally at Niles, where he died Oct. 13, 1854.
ARCHIBALD Y. MURRAY
Was born in Walkill, N. Y., March 12, 1795. Removed to Michigan in 1826, settling in Canton, Wayne county, where he resided during life. Was a Democrat in politics, by occupation a farmer, miller and lumberman. Held various town offices, and was coroner of Wayne county. Was Representative in 1843-5. Died May 23, 1866.
LYMAN MURRAY,
Senator from Kent county in 1875, was born in 1820, in New York: received a common school education, removed to Michigan in 1845, and settled in Kent county. He was supervisor, and a Representa- tive in the legislatures of 1867-69, also of the constitutional convention of 1867. His occupation farming, politics republican.
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DEXTER MUSSEY,
Representative from Macomb county in 1855-7-9-61-2, and speaker in 1861-2, was born in Rutland, Mass., Jan. 12, 1811. With a common school education became a teacher, then a clerk, then in business for himself. He settled at Romeo, Mich., in 1837, where he still resides. Has been in business as a merchant, blacksmith, wagon maker, farmning, foundry, etc. Since 1845 a justice of the peace. He was a delegate in the constitutional convention of 1867. In politics a Republican.
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NEWTON N. MUSCOTT, .
Representative from Ingham county in 1957, came to Leroy, Ingham county, Michigan, in 1844, from Madison county, New York, and
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cleared up a large farm, where he lived until his death in 1869. In politics a Republican. He was several times supervisor.
JOSEPH MUSGRAVE
Was born in Lancaster county, Pa., May 20, 1811. When young became a resident of Ohio, a teacher, then clerk, then a merchant at Nashville, O. He was a Representative to the Ohio assembly 1846-7, and Senator in 1855-6. Removed to Charlotte, Mich., in 1857: was a member of the constitutional convention of 1867; and long president of the national bank at Charlotte. Aided largely in securing rail- road communication. A Democrat until 1854, then a Republican. Deceased.
FRANKLIN MUZZY
Was born in Maine in 1816, and was a graduate of Bowdoin college. He came to St. Joseph, Berrien county, in 1842, and in 1843 removed to Niles, where he resided until his death in 1878. He was admitted to the bar of Maine, and was at one time a law partner of Hon. Han- nibal Hamlin. He was admitted to the Michigan bar in 1846. and practiced his profession during life. He was Senator in 1959, and mayor of Niles in 1873. He lived and died a bachelor. He was a man of many eccentricities, but as a lawyer had great influence with the court and jury. Deceased.
JOHN L. NEAR
Was born at Middlebury, N. Y., April 4, 1808. He received a com- mon school education, at the age of twenty commenced teaching winters, and at the same time studied medicine. He attended medical schools at Albany and at Castleton, Vt., and graduated in 1833. In 1834 he located in the southern part of Wayne county, Michigan, where he still resides, and had an extensive practice. He was Representative in 1839 and Senator in 1857-8-61-2. He was consul for some time at Sarnia, and also at Windsor from 1973 to 1876. In politics a Republican. Resides at Flat Rock.
JAMES M. NEASMITH
Was born Sept 26, 1823. in Manchester, England, and came to the United States with his parents in 1529. Having spent two years in New York city and Philadelphia, they removed to Pembroke. Gene-
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see county, N. Y. While there, in 1850, he was elected township clerk, and in 1853, township supervisor. Having come to Michigan in 1854, he purchased a farm in Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo county, where he still resides. In 1836 he was elected supervisor, holding the office for seven successive years. In 1862 he was elected treasurer of Kalamazoo county, and re-elected in 1864 and '66. During three years of that period he was treasurer of Kalamazoo village. Having returned to his farm, he interested himself principally in its develop- ment and in the improvement of sheep, of which he owns about 300. His farm is one of the finest in that county of fine farms. In 1870 he was elected state Senator from Kalamazoo county, and was re- elected in 1872, serving in 1871-2-3-4. In 1878 he was elected as commissioner of the state land office on the republican ticket, and re-elected in 1880, serving from 1879 to 1883. In politics a Republican.
CADY NEFF,
Representative from Wayne county, in 1875, was born in Montgom- ery county, N. Y. He received a common school education, removed to Michigan in 1855, and settled in Wayne county. He is a carriage maker by occupation. In politics a Republican.
CHAS. D. NELSON,
Senator from Muskegon and Ottawa counties in 1875-7, was born at Newbury, Vt., May 12,1824. He received a common school education and attended college at Boston. He removed to Muskegon in 1857. He lias been alderman, supervisor and chairman of the board of supervisors three terms, president of the board of education, and city treasurer of Muskegon. He is extensively engaged in the manufac- ture and sale of lumber. In politics a Republican.
EDWARD D. NELSON,
Representative from Marquette county in 1881-2, was born at Canal Dover, Ohio, August 27, 1846. Most of his youth was spent on a farm. He removed to Ishpeming in 1873, and was for five years cashier of the first national bank, but is now engaged in mercantile pursuits. He is a Republican.
WILBUR NELSON,
Representative from Gratiot county in 1881-2, was born Jan 15, 1839, in Madison, Lenawee county, Mich., and removed with his parents to
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Gratiot county in 1854. He served over four years in the union army during the rebellion, and held the rank of captain when mustered out at the close of the war. He has since been engaged in mercantile pursuits. In politics a Republican.
JOHN M. NEVINS
Was born in Braintree, Vt., April 26, 1826. He removed to Michigan with his father in 1844, who settled at Richland. The son learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed summers and taught school winters. He removed to Hastings in 1853, and became a merchant. In politics a Whig until 1854, since a Republican. He was a Repre- sentative in 1857 and a Senator in 1865. He published the Hastings Banner from 1857 to 1866. He was a member of the state republican committee in 1960-2 and 1870-2, and a member of the county republi- can committee, and most of the time chairman from 1858 to 1976. He has been county superintendent of the poor eighteen vears; twelve years secretary of the county agricultural society; and eighteen years a school trustee. From 1875 to 1883 he was post- master at Hastings.
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JOHN S. NEWBERRY
Was born at Waterville, N. Y., November, 1826, and was a descend- ant of Thomas Newberry, who emigrated from Devonshire, England, in 1605. He graduated from the Michigan University at the age of eighteen, and engaged in civil engineering for two years. He studied law and was admitted to the Detroit bar in 1853. He was distin- guished in admiralty practice, and published a series of admiralty reports. In 1862 he engaged in manufacturing and became president of the Michigan car company and was largely interested in many other corporations. He was one of the corporation that built the Mackinaw & Marquette railroad. In 1862 was provost marshal of Michigan. Was a member of congress from the first district, from 1879 to 1881, when he declined to accept a renomination. First a Whig, a Republican after 1854. In religion a Presbyterian. Died in 1887.
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SENECA NEWBERRY,
Delegate from Oakland county to the constitutional conventions of 1835 and 1850, was born in Connecticut in 1502. He came to Roches- ter, Michigan in 1$26, went into business as a merchant, and con-
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ducted a flourishing business for years. In the convention of 1835 he was an influential and conspicuous member. He was Senator in 1853. He died at Rochester, May 13, 1877.
GEORGE K. NEWCOMBE,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1867, was born in Westfield, N. Y., August 16, 1833. He came to Michigan in 1848. Studied law and located first at Owosso. then at East Saginaw, from whence he removed to Minneapolis, Minn., in 1885, where he is now practicing his profession. He went into the late war as captain 9th Michigan infantry, October 12, 1861. He became major of the 7th Michigan cavalry December 10, 1862. Was wounded in action at Gettysburg, Va., July 3, 1863. Resigned October 13, 1863, and was honorably discharged.
ROLAND B. C. NEWCOMB
Was born in Williamstown, Vt., September 25, 1822. He lived with his father until twenty-one, received a good common school educa- tion, and in 1843 went to Madison, Ohio, where he taught school He studied medicine and graduated as a physician at Starling medical college of Columbus in 1843. locating the same year at Palmyra, Mich., where he commenced practice. He moved to Blissfield in 1851. He served many years as trustee and inspector of schools, was supervisor, in 1865 a Representative, and in 1877, Senator.
JOHN L. NEWELL,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1867, was born in England. in 182S. He came to Port Huron in 1856, and has resided in that vicinity ever since. Now resident at Fort Gratiot. Was a painter by trade, but is now in the service of the Chicago & Grand Trunk railroad, as silver plater of coach trimmings and lamps. He was mayor of Port Huron in 1865; supervisor in 1867 and 1881; treasurer of the town of Port Huron in 1979 and 1880: has been a member of the board of education of Port Huron: justice of the peace in 1504. Politically a Democrat.
MINOR S. NEWELL,
State land commissioner from 1893 to 1987, was born in Bennington. N. Y., in 1923. Resides at Flushing, Mich., where he came in 1512. In 1847 served in the 1st Michigan through the Mexican war. In the
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jate war commanded a company in the 16th Michigan infantry, and rose to the rank of major. Is a farmer, held various local offices, and served several terms as supervisor. Politically a Republican.
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ALMERON NEWMAN,
Representative from Ionia county in 1859, was born at Newfane, N. Y., February 26, 1804. He came to Portland, Michigan, in 1836, and built the first woolen mill in that part of the state. At the organiza- tion of the town in 1838, he was elected justice, and held that position thirty-six years. From 1844 to 1848 he was associate judge for Ionia county, was also town clerk, and held other offices. He was inter- ested in the building of the Ionia & Lansing railroad. By occupation a clothier, in politics first Whig, then Republican. Died November 13, 1876.
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GEORGE NEWTON
Was born in Preble county, Ohio, August 10, 1810. He was the son of Col. James Newton, who was a member of the Michigan consti- tutional convention of 1835, and of the legislature prior to 1840. The son came to Volinia, Michigan. in 1831, and became a successful farmer. He held many local offices, including that of supervisor, and as a Republican was Representative in 1859.
JAMES NEWTON
Was born in England in 1777, and came to this country when a boy, first living at Morristown, N. J., then in Pennsylvania, moving to Ohio in 1804. He became a colonel in the Ohio militia, and was in active service in the war of 1812, serving under Gen. Harrison. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1835, and Repre- sentative from Cass county in 1839-40. A Democrat in politics.
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