USA > Michigan > Early history of Michigan, with biographies of state officers, members of Congress, judges and legislators > Part 11
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WILLIAM NEWTON,
Of Flint, Michigan, now fifty-eight years of age, is a native of Mary- land. He came to Michigan in 1848, studied law with Messrs. Loth- rop & Duffield, of Detroit. After being admitted to the bar he removed to Flint in 1853, where he has since resided, with the excep- tion of three years in San Francisco, California. He has been prosperous and successful while at the bar. Was elected judge of the
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seventh circuit in the spring of 1881, by a majority of 1,321. He is also engaged in farming, having a farm of 240 acres which he has cleared from the stump. He was re-elected in 1SS7.
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LEWIS A. NICHOLS,
Representative from Barry county in 1881-2, was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., in 1833. He was brought up a farmer in western New York, and with a common school education became a teacher. Came to Battle Creek in 1854, and engaged in staging and the livery busi- ness, and then engaged in farming. In 1873 removed to Orangeville, Barry county, and became a miller. Has been a justice and super- visor.
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JOHNSON NILES
Was born May 2, 1794, at Richfield. N. Y. His father was a revolu- tionary soldier. He grew to manhood in New York, and was made paymaster of the state militia. In 1821 he came to Michigan and settled in Troy, Oakland county, in 1822, as a farmer. In 1823 he was appointed postmaster and held the position until 1840. He was again appointed by Tyler, and held it until 1856. He was a justice in 1823, and held that office long after Michigan became a state. He was Representative in 1835-6, and Senator in 1844-5. He was a lead- ing Democrat. He died March 23, 1872.
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WILLIAM R. NIMS.
Senator from Sanilac and other counties in 1865, was born in Rich- mond, Vt., June 7, 1829. By occupation a merchant, in politics a Republican. Came to Michigan in 1853, and now resides at Lexing- ton.
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THOMAS NINDE
Was born at Baltimore, Md., September 10. 1815. He removed to Lyons, N. Y., in 1823, and in 184; to Palmyra, N. Y .. and was post- master of Palmyra from 1849 to 1853. In 1855 he removed to Ypsi- lanti, Mich., where he is still engaged in law practice. Ile was judge of probate of Washtenaw county from 1861 to 1865, and a member of the constitutional convention of 1967. Ile was mayor of Ypsilanti in ISTS. By profession a lawyer, in politics a Republican.
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SAMUEL NIXON,
Representative from Eaton county in 1877, was born in Clarkson, Monroe county, N. Y., September 21, 1819. He came to Michigan in October, 1836, and has resided in Eaton county since that time. His education was principally obtained in the district school of the times. He has held the office of justice for twenty-seven years in Delta; also township treasurer five years, and other offices. He resides in Delta, is a farmer by occupation, and a Republican in politics.
FRANK A. NOAH,
Representative from Wayne county in 1879, was born at Rieneck in Baden, Germany, December 3, 1841. He emigrated to America in 1849, locating in Detroit. He received a common school education. He was clerk of the police court for several years. In 1877 he was admitted to the bar. In politics a Republican. Now in practice in Detroit.
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CHARLES NOBLE
Was born July 4, 1797, at Williamstown, Mass. He graduated at Williams college in 1815, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1818. He went to Cleveland, Ohio, the same year, and after a short stay settled at Monroe, Mich., and engaged in practice. He remained a resident of Monroe until 1867, and during that time was. a member of the legislative council from 1828 to 1830, justice of the peace, regis- ter of probate, district attorney, county judge, and lawyer general of the United States for the country northwest of the Ohio river, and Representative in the legislature of 1855. He was one of the company that purchased the Michigan Southern railroad from the state, and was the first president of the company. He was also cashier of the bank of River Raisin. In 1867 he removed to Detroit and became one of the firm of George S. Frost & Co., engaged in the purchase and sale of pine lands, and continued in that business until his death, December 26. 1874. He was a Whig as long as that party had an ex- istence, after that Independent.
DAVID A. NOBLE
Was born at Williamstown, Masy., Nov. 9, 1802, and died at Monroe, Mich., Oct. 13, 1576. He graduated with honor at Williams college in 1825, studied law, was admitted and opened an office in New York city for two years, during which time he was associated with Charles
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O'Connor. He came to Monroe in 1831. He was active in his profes- sion, and also in political life as a Democrat. He was recorder of Monroe in 1833, afterwards alderman and mayor in 1842. In 1945 he was elected to the lower house, and in the session of 1846 took a con- spicuous part in the sale of the Michigan Central and Southern rail- roads. He was a member of the convention held at Chicago in 1847 in favor of river and harbor improvements, and as one of a commit- tee of five drew up an elaborate report of the commerce of the lakes. In 1852 he was elected to congress from the second district of Michi- gan, defeating Joseph R. Williams, the republican candidate. In 1854 he made an exhaustive speech on tonnage duties, which has been regarded as standard authority on that subject. In 1858 he was appointed manager of the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago rail- road, and held that position four years. He was a delegate to the democratic national convention of 1864. He was a polished gentle- man and a fine scholar.
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FRANK NOEKER.
Representative from Clinton county in 1879-83, was born in Ger- many in 1834. Received a common school education in German and English; has resided in Michigan thirty-seven years, twenty-two in Wayne, and fifteen in Westphalia, Clinton county. He is proprietor of a flouring mill: has been justice of the peace fourteen years, and supervisor for two years. In politics a Democrat.
EZRA B. NORRIS,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1877, was born July 16, 1845, in Manchester, Mich., where he still resides. He was reared as a farmer and received a common school education. In 1861 he enlisted as private in company E, first Michigan infantry. In 1962 he was discharged on account of disability at Fortress Monroe. He returned and attended for a season the state normal school and Ypsilanti high school, and in 1868 commenced the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1872, since which time he has continued in the practice of his profession in Manchester. In politics a Democrat.
JASON B. NORRIS
Was born in Canandaigua, N. Y., Nov. 3. 1823, and was brought up on a farm, where he lived until 1915, when he came to Michigan and settled on a farm, eight miles south of Hillsdale. He has been several
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times supervisor and collector. In 1871-2 he was a Representative as a republican. He was a Democrat until 1864, a Republican until 1884, since a Prohibitionist.
LYMAN D. NORRIS
Was born at Covington, N. Y., May 4, 1825. His father removed to Ypsilanti in 1828. The son, after a preparatory education, entered as the first student of the first class of the Michigan University. After nearly three years there he entered Yale college, and graduated in 1845. He read law with A. D. Frazer of Detroit, and was admitted in 1847. In 1848 he removed to St. Louis, Mo., and engaged in practice. He subsequently studied civil law at Heidelberg, Germany. In 1852 he was retained in the famous Dred Scott case, and effected a reversal of former decisions of the Supreme Court of Missouri. In 1854 he returned to Ypsilanti and practiced there until 1871, and has since been a prominent lawyer at Grand Rapids. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1867, and in 1869-70 was Senator from Washtenaw county. He was the democratic candidate for supreme judge in 1875. He is a man of superior education and attainments.
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SETH D. NORTH,
Representative from Houghton county in 1877-81-2-3-5, was born April 9, 1823, in Middlesex county, Connecticut. Having received a common school education, he removed to Michigan in 1855. He resides at Hancock, and is engaged in mercantile pursuits, and in mining and lumbering. He is also president of the national bank. Has been interested in property at Mt. Clemens. In politics a Re- publican.
TOWNSEND NORTH.
Senator from Bay and Tuscola counties in 1875, was born in Ulster county, N. Y., Sep. 24, 1814. Ile received a common school educa- tion, removed to Michigan in 1836, and for six years worked at his trade of carpenter, mostly in Washtenaw county. In 1846 he built a bridge across the Cass river, and was paid in Michigan internal improve- ment lands, which he located in Tuscola county, and removed to Vassar in 1850, and has since continued to reside there. He held the office of supervisor for many years, and has been register of deeds. He was assessor of internal revenue, 1962-66. He was re-appointed in 18:1, and held the office until it was discontinued. His occupation
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is miscellaneous, including lumbering, farming, manufacturing, merchandising, and real estate transactions. In politics a Republi- can. For many years a trustee of the state blind institute.
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DARWIN B. NORTHROP,
Representative from Wayne county, in 1975, was born January 19, 1834, at Perrington, N. Y. In 1859 he removed to Northville, Michi- gan, and pursued the trade of an iron moulder until 1858, when he went to California. He returned in 1866 to Northville, and formed a partnership with F. R. Beal in the general hardware line, which business he has since continued. He has held various township and village offices. In politics a Democrat.
ELIJAH S. NORTHROP
Was born in Stafford, N. Y., in 1829. In 1850 he removed to Michi- gan, settling first at Saline, where he engaged in mercantile business. He removed to Houghton county in 1861, where he became an insurance agent, residing at Hancock. He was a Senator from the upper peninsula in 1863, and while serving in that capacity, died at Lansing on the 2d of March, 1863, of consumption. Politically a Democrat.
JOHN NORTHWOOD,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1885, was born in London, England, July 17, 1838. In 1849 came to Ohio with his parents, who removed to Detroit in 1850. Attended school, and was three years a sailor Settled on a farm in Maple Grove. Mich., in 1855, where he still resides. In 1961 enlisted in the 16th Michigan infantry, lost a right arm from wounds received at the battle of Gaines Mills, and was in Libby prison for a short time. Has been supervisor, justice, held other local offices, and been commander of the G. A. R. in Michigan. Politically a Republican.
HENRY A. NORTON,
Representative from Oakland county in 1969-70, was born in Bristol, N. Y., August 29, 1826. Did not receive a common school education. Became a resident of Oakland county in 1830. Politically a Republi- can. Ile was a delegate to the republican national convention at Philadelphia in 1872. Moved to Duluth in 15st, and is now state weighmaster of Minnesota.
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JOHN D. NORTON,
Representative from Oakland county in 1875-7, was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1842. He graduated at Hamilton college. N. Y., in 1867, and removed to Michigan in 1868. Mr. Norton married and took up his residence in Pontiac in 1869, and has ever since resided there. He is a director in the first national bank of Pontiac. His occupation is dealing in pine lands and lumber. In politics a Democrat.
JOHN M. NORTON,
Senator from Oakland county in 1983, was born in Richmond, N. Y., May 5, 1820. He settled with his father in Avon, Mich., in 1524. Had a limited education. A farmer. In politics first Whig, then Republican, later a Greenbacker. Has held several local offices, and served four years as deputy sheriff.
PLEASANT NORTON
Was born in Grayson county, Va., in 1806. When two years of age he removed to Champaign county, Ohio, and afterwards to Logan county in the same state. He moved into Jefferson, Cass county. Michigan, in 1832, and resided there until his death in 1877. By oc- cupation a farmer, in politics a Democrat. He was for nine years supervisor of Jefferson, and four years town treasurer. He was a Representative in 1850-53. He was a man of native ability and force of character, and left a large property, the result of persistent industry.
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JOHN NORVELL,
United States Senator from Michigan, from 1835 to 1841, was born in Garrard county, near Danville, Ky., December 21. 1759. He was the son of Lipsocomb Norvell, a Virginian, who served as an officer in the war of the revolution, and lived to enjoy a pension until he was over ninety years old. The son, on the advice by letter of Thomas Jefferson to learn a trade, went to Baltimore and learned the trade of a printer. He at the same time studied law, was admitted to the bar. and became a journalist and politician. He was a friend and corre- spondent of President Madison. gave him warm support on the stump and in his paper, especially his war measures. At the close of the war in 1816, Mr. Norvell became the democratic editor of a paper in Philadelphia. and resided there sixteen years. In May, 192. he
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came to Detroit, Michigan, having been appointed postmaster of that city by Andrew Jackson. He was a leading member of the constitu- tional convention of 1835, and was chairman of eight committees, and a member of several others. His work in that convention was of great value to the welfare of the state. He and Lucius Lyon were elected as the United States Senators, and went to Washington before the admission of Michigan to the union, and he, with his colleague, managed well in securing the mineral wealth and territory of a large portion of the upper peninsula, to compensate for the loss of a small strip of land on the southern boundary. After the expiration of his term as Senator in 1842, he resumed the practice of law at Detroit, and served as Representative in the legislature of 1842. In 1845 he was appointed U. S. district attorney of Michigan, which he held until 1849. He supported the administration in the prosecution of the Mexican war, and sent three sons to serve in the field. He died in 1850, at his home in Hamtramck, near Detroit.
MOSES R. NOWLAND
Representative from Wayne county in 1865, is a native of New York, born in 1828, and came to Michigan in 1831, with his parents, who settled in the township of Huron, where he has ever since lived. He is a Democrat in politics, combines the professions of lawyer and farmer, and has served his township for many years as treasurer, clerk and supervisor.
BETHUEL NOYES,
Representative from Wayne county in 1848 and 1850, was born in Chenango county, N. Y., November 12, 1813. He came to Michigan in 1833. He was a lawyer by profession, and a Democrat in politics. Died at Plymouth, October 30, 1873.
HORACE A. NOYES
Was born in Preston, N. Y., February 20, 1810. He received a fair education, became a teacher, studied law, and was admitted to practice in 1833. He came the same year to Michigan, and began practice at Plymouth, where he remained until 1840. He then removed to Marshall. In 1835-6 he was a Representative from Wayne county. In 1844 he was elected judge of probate of Calhoun county, and held the position for twelve years. In 1857 resumed law practice and was regarded as an able counsel. He died April 20, 1997. In polities a Democrat.
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MICHAEL J. NOYES,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1873-4, was born in Washington, Mich., May 23, 1838. He finished his education at Romeo academy. In 1859 he went to Washington Territory, traveled extensively in Oregon and California, and passed over the gold fields of Montana and Idaho previous to their discovery. He afterwards spent six years in the silver mines of Nevada. and is interested in the silver mines of that country. In 1861-2 he served on the staff of Brigadier General Welty, with the rank of major, in the Indian cam- paigns. In 1859 he made a trip to California, over the plains. with an ox team, and again in 1866 by overland stage. He is a Republican. In 1867 he removed to Washtenaw county, and settled in Chelsea, where he now resides. He was engaged in the banking business in that village from 1868 to 1871.
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JEREMIAH O'CALLAHAN,
Representative from Detroit in 1853, was a native of Ireland, born in 1823. Very little is known of him except that he was a grocer and trader, was a Democrat in politics, and died in 1856.
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HORACE N. OCOBOCK,
Representative from Wayne county in 1875, was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., Feb 17, 1832. He received his education in the schools of Auburn, N. Y., and came to Wyandotte, Michigan, in 1500. He has been alderman and mayor of Wyandotte. By occupation a me- chanic, in politics a Republican.
JAMES O'DELL
Was born in Virginia, July 20, 1779. At the age of twenty-one he removed to Ohio, and in 1831 came to Michigan, settling near Van- dalia, Cass county, in 1832. He was by occupation a farmer and miller. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1535, and a Representative in 1$35-6-8. Died Aug. 23, 1845.
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THOMAS O'DELL,
Representative from Cass county in 1573-4, was born in Porter, Mich- igan, June 30, 1831. He received a common school education, and
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has held from time to time responsible town offices. He is a farmer by occupation.
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JAMES O'DONNELL
Was born at Norwalk, Conn., March 25, 1840; removed with his parents to Michigan in 1848; enjoyed no educational advantages, but after commencing to learn the printer's trade in 1856 made up this deficiency by study after working hours: at the breaking out of the war he enlisted as a private in the first Michigan infantry, and served ont his time, participating in the first battle of Bull Run: was elected recorder of the city of Jackson for four terms 1863-1866; es- tablished the Jackson Daily Citizen in 1865, and has owned and edited the same since; was presidential elector in 1872, and was des- ignated by the state electoral college as messenger to convey the vote of Michigan to Washington; was elected mayor of Jackson in 1876, and was re-elected in 1877: was appointed in 1878 as aid-de-camp on the staff of Governor Croswell, with the rank of colonel; was elected to the forty-ninth and re-elected to the fiftieth congress as a Repub- lican, receiving 20,215 votes, against 15,499 votes for Hankerd, Fu- sionist, and 3,594 votes for Allen, Prohibitionist.
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CORNELIUS O'FLYNN,
Representative from Detroit in 1857, was born in 1810, at Tralee. county Kerry, Ireland, and came to America about 1823. He was admitted to the bar in Detroit in 1834. He was a classical scholar, a man of comprehensive views of things, and a Democrat. He was city attorney of Detroit in 1842, judge of probate two terms, 1844-52. and postmaster at Detroit during a portion of Buchanan's term. As judge of probate he gave a system of practice to the state through the blank forms that he prepared. He died in Detroit in 1869.
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ROBERT Y. OGG,
Representative from Detroit in 18st, was born in Dundas, Ontario, July 20. 1860. He received a common school education, was a news- boy, became a printer, and a resident of Detroit in 1878, and has worked there continuously at his trade. Has been president of the Detroit typographical union. In politics a Labor Republican.
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JAMES O'GRADY
Was born December 18, 1822, in Shelburn, Vt., was educated there, was admitted to the bar in 1848, and in 1849 went to California. Ile was register of probate in San Francisco, and subsequently register and recorder of the city and county. From 1852 to 1864 he resided on his farm in Shelburn, Vt. In 1864 he came to Marquette, and engaged in law practice. He was Representative in the legislature of 1865. In 1866 he removed to Houghton, and in 1869 was elected judge of the 12th circuit, and held that position until his death, Dec. 24, 1878. His judicial decisions were rarely reversed. In politics a Democrat.
GEORGE A. O'KEEFE,
Representative from Detroit in 1843, was a typical Irishman, born in Cork in 1792. He was a graduate of Trinity college, Dublin, and was educated for the bar. He came to New York in 1816, spent three years in the study of American law and practice in the office of Judge Brady, and in 1820 came to Detroit, his future home. He was judge of probate, 1837-40, and was an alderman. He was a finished lawyer and profound jurist. He was an Irish gentleman in the truest and fullest sense, learned, cultured, brilliant and witty. In stature, tall and massive, with large blue eyes, large head, and curly hair. Died June 16, 1853. In politics a Democrat.
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RICHARD D. O'KEEFE,
Representative from Sanilac county in 1885-7. was born in Tilson- burg, Ontario, March 19, 1855. In 1868 became a resident of Michi- gan, worked on his father's farm, taught several years, was superin- tendent of schools in Delaware township, and for years station agent and telegraph operator at Minden, where he now resides engaged in law, loan and insurance business. Politically a Republican.
MARTIN OLDS,
Representative from Branch county in 1843, was born in Bolton, Mass., resided in New York and Ohio, and settled as a farmer in Ba- tavia, Mich., in 1838, and was the first supervisor and held the office seven years, also other local offices. He was judge of probate eight years, and president of the company that started the first paper in Branch county. Removed to Oregon in 1851, where he was post-
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ยท master, probate judge, and delegate to the constitutional convention. Died in 1873.
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CHARLES OLIN,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1841, was born at Coventry, R. I., March 4, 1802. Removed from his native state to Bedford, Ca !. houn county, in 1833, and was one of the earliest settlers. He was the first supervisor in 1836, and was associate county judge in 1939- 40. A farmer, and politically a Democrat. Died July 4, 1860.
JOHN F. OLIVER,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1879-81-2. was born in Springfield, N. Y., Oct. 2, 1820, and removed with his parents to Niag- ara county in 1826, and in 1843 to Portage, Mich. He received a common school education. He is a farmer by occupation. and has held the offices of school inspector, town clerk, supervisor for five years, and justice of the peace for several terms. He is a Republican.
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CHARLES M. O'MALLEY
Was born in Dorrada, county Mayo, Ireland, and came to this coun- try in 1834, and to Michigan in 1835. He held several offices in Mackinac county, and was Representative in 1846-7-9. He was edu- cated for a priest, but became a merchant at Mackinac. In politics a Democrat.
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BERNARD O'REILLY,
Senator from Wayne county in 1887, was born in Westmeath county, Ireland, May 20, 1832. By occupation a ship carpenter and caulker: has been a resident of Michigan thirty-two years. He came with his parents to Kingston, Canada, in 1847, and to Oswego, New York. in 1848. He received a limited education in the public schools. In 1559 he shipped on a vessel and followed the lakes until 1952, when he entered a ship-yard and continued to work at his trade up to date. He has been alderman of the twelfth ward of Detroit. Politically a Democrat.
JOHN M. OSBURN,
Senator from Hillsdale county in 1875, was born in Monroe county, N. Y., March 9, 1819. He received a good education in the district
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and select schools of that state, and removed to Michigan in 1840 locating at Hudson. In 1847 he purchased a farm in Hillsdale county, upon which he has since continued to reside. He has been engaged in various occupations, teaching, mercantile, produce and lumber operations, and in banking. He is the head of the banking firm of Osburn, Perkins & Co , of Hudson. He has held several township offices, and was a Representative in 1869-70-71-2. In politics a Re- publican.
LEANDER D. OSBURN
Was born December 27, 1825, in Wayne county, Ind., and in 1835 re- moved with his father to Calvin, Michigan. He was educated by his mother. At the age of twenty-one he became a teacher, afterwards read medicine with Dr. Bonine, attended Rush medical college in 1851 and 1852, and commenced practice at Vandalia, Mich., in 1853. He became justice in 1856 and held the position many years, was supervisor and Representative in 1867.
REUBEN H. OSBURN,
Senator from Houghton, Ontonagon, Keweenaw and Isle Royal in 1877, was born in Bloomfield, Ohio, June 27, 1823. He was educated in common schools, supplemented by academical instruction. He studied medicine and graduated from the Western reserve college, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1849. He moved to the Upper Peninsula in 1852, where he has since resided. He has held various township offices. He is the oldest practicing physician in the Upper Peninsula. In politics a Republican.
WILLIAM H. OSBORN
Was born in Ovid, N. Y., Occ. 20, 1814. He received an academical education, and taught several winters. In 1839 he settled on a farm in Macon, Lenawee county, Michigan. He held many town offices, and was Representative in 1865 and 1867. In politics a Republican.
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