USA > Michigan > Early history of Michigan, with biographies of state officers, members of Congress, judges and legislators > Part 12
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CHARLES Y. OSBURN
Was born in Meadville, Pa., in 1942: moved to Owosso, Michigan, in 1857. He enlisted in the 5th Michigan cavaly in 1862; was discharged therefrom on account of wounds in 1564. Was a Representative in 1871-2. He removed to Marquette in 1873, and was collector of cus-
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toms, district of Superior, from 1877 to 1885. He is a Republican in politics, and still lives at Marquette.
GILBERT R. OSMUN
Was born in Newark, New Jersey, October 8, 1845. He was left fatherless at the age of seven years. In early boyhood he did "chores " on farms and in shops for his board and clothes, and got his schooling as best he could, his longest continuous term at school being one year at the Chester, N. Y., academy, where he did the janitor work to pay his bills and buy books. He enlisted in the 69th New York volunteers, one of the regiments of the famous Irish brigade. After much hard service he was severely wounded at Petersburg, Va., March 25, 1865, and was honorably discharged July 5, 1865, coming home on crutches. He then worked at his trade of tinsmithing until the following year, when he enlisted in the 43d U. S. infantry; did garrison duty in this regiment at Fort Wayne and Fort Gratiot, Mich., for about two years, and was again discharged for disability arising from his old wounds. Engaged in various occupations in Port Huron, and eventually became city editor of the Port Huron Times. Later he went to East Saginaw, where he was city editor of the Saginaw Republican, and thence to Detroit, where for ten years he was state editor of the Detroit Evening News. Gov- ernor Alger selected him as private secretary, which place he filled until he assumed the duties of secretary of state. He has been a resident of Michigan since 1867. As the republican candidate for secretary of state, he received 182,335 votes against Philip Wachtel, 172,628, and John Evans, 25,852. He is also one of the editors of the Detroit Journal.
ASA H. OTIS,
A member of the first constitutional convention in 1835, and a Rep- resentative from Wayne county in 1850, was a native of the state of New York, and a farmer by occupation. He was a county auditor of Wayne county in 1845, and supervisor of Greenfield 1847-52. and again in 1854. Died in 1855. Was democratic in politics.
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GEORGE OVIATT,
Representative from Lake and Wexford counties in 1885-7, was born at Newton Falls, Ohio, March 12, 1819. He removed to Michigan in 1860 and settled in Lake county in 1865. Mr. Oviatt was a real estate
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dealer and publisher of a newspaper, and had been sheriff of Lake .county two terms. Politically a Republican. Died in 1888.
JOHN OWEN,
State treasurer from 1861 to 1867, was born in Toronto, Canada. March 20, 1809. He removed with his mother to Detroit in 1818, and received a limited education. He then became a clerk in the drug store of Dr. Chapin, subsequently a partner. the house finally be- coming the wholesale drug house of John Owen & Co .. the precursor of the present house of T. H. Hinchman & Sons. But the connection of Mr. Owen with the financial and shipping interests of Detroit, and with philanthropic enterprises, has left a permanent impress. He has been an alderman several times: was a member of the board of water commissioners, 1865-79: served a term as regent of the Univer- sity; president of the fire department, 1841-3: and trustee of the Detroit medical college. In 1845 he became president of the Michi- gan insurance bank and held it for twenty years, until it was merged in a national bank. It was the only bank in Michigan which did not suspend in the panic of 1957, and his financial ability placed him at the head of the finances, which he managed with great ability during the war. He is still active and is president of the Detroit dry dock co .. and the merchants' navigation company. He is a prominent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and identified with its prog- ress in Michigan.
JOHN G. OWEN,
Senator from Oakland county in 1961, was born at Woodchurch, England, March 28, 1824. He came to this country in 1842, and to Michigan in 1843. He was at Arma la one year, two years a clerk in Detroit, in 1946 settled at Clarkston as a merchant, and also became a farmer in 1854. In 1860 owned and operated the flouring mills at Waterford in connection with a store. Since 1865 became a leading merchant at East Saginaw, and since 1972 has been extensively engaged in lumbering. In politics first a Whig, then a Republican.
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TUBAL C. OWEN,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1870, was born at Caledonia Springs, N. Y., March 24, 1819. Came to Newport (now Marine City), Michigan, in 1815, resided there till 1952. then on a farm in China till 1859, then at St. Clair up to 1871, when he removed to Detroit, now
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his home. He was clerk of St. Clair county from 1857 to 1863: mayor of St. Clair 1864; supervisor four years; clerk of draft commission, and war census taker for St. Clair county. First a Whig, since a Republican, and by profession a lawyer.
ALBERT PACK,
Representative in 1865 from Sanilac county, was born in Chittenango, N. Y., Nov. 10, 1842. Came to Lexington, Mich., in 1849, and moved to Alpena in 1870. Was mayor of Alpena in 1872. Has for many . years been engaged in lumbering with great success. Is a Republican in politics.
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FRANK S. PACKARD,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1875, was born in Cattar- augus county, N. Y., February 10, 1838. He received an ordinary common school education, removed to Michigan in 1840, and settled at Sturgis. His occupation is that of a lumber dealer. In politics a Democrat.
WILLIAM PACKARD
Was born in Plainfield, Mass., July 23, 1808. He received a common school education. In early life a farmer. He removed from the state of New York to Chatham, Ohio, in 1836, where he cleared a farm and remained until 1859, when he removed to Allegan county, Mich., and in 1870 to Covert, Van Buren county. Occupied all prominent offices of his township while living in Ohio, and was a Representa- tive from Allegan county in 1865-7. In politics a Republican. In Michigan he was for many years engaged extensively in lumbering, owning thousands of acres of timber, and operating four saw-mills.
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WM. O. PACKARD,
Senator from Van Buren and Cass counties in 1877, was born Sept. 14, 1832, in Rensselaer county, N. Y. In 1836 he removed with his father's family to Chatham, Ohio, where he received a common school education. In 1959 he moved to Ganges, Michigan, where he subsequently held the office of postmaster for several years. In 1970 he moved to Deerfield (Covert postoffice), Van Buren county, Mich. For the last six years he has been engaged in lumbering. farming. manufacturing, merchandising and real estate transactions. In politics a Republican.
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HENRY PACKER,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1845, was born in Colchester, Conn., November 1, 1800. He received an academical education and taught school several years; then moved to western New York and engaged in getting out staves; then for five years was selling books in the southern states. In 1835 settled at Jonesville, Mich., and became a farmer. He was four years judge of probate. A Democrat until 1856, then a Republican until 1872, then a Democrat.
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ALFRED PADDOCK
Was born in Litchfield, N. Y., January 30, 1805. By occupation a merchant and farmer, in politics a Whig. He settled in Concord. Mich., about 1844, and resided there until his death, March 29, 1570. He commenced business life as a merchant, was afterwards a farmer and miller. He was Senator in 1853.
CHARLES J. PAILTHORP,
Representative from Emmet and other counties in 1879, was born December 25, 1848, in Mt. Morris, Michigan. He received a common school education, and graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan in 1875. Ile then removed to Petoskey and commenced the practice of law. He has been prosecuting attorney. also United States commissioner for the western district of Michigan. In politics a Democrat.
RODNEY C. PAINE
Was born in New Milford, Conn., in 1806. When young he removed with his parents to Auburn, N. Y. He left home at seventeen, passed several years in the state of New York, and came from Albany to Michigan in 1836. He settled at St. Joseph and took charge of the Farmers and Mechanics' bank. He removed to Niles in 1842. and was there engaged in private banking until his death in 1982. He was county treasurer of Berrien county from 1536 to 1838: Senator in 1855: president of the village of Niles in 1855: mayor in 1873, and trustee of the union school from 1854 to 1874. He was actively inter- ested in every work that promised to benefit the growth of Niles.
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CHARLES H. PALMER
Was born at Lenox, N. Y., in 1814; graduated from Union college in 1837; was principal of Fredonia and Geneseo academies; in 1847 be- came principal of Romeo, Mich. academy, and conducted it success- fully many years; was elected regent of the University in 1851, and through his exertions the services of Dr. Tappan were secured. From 1853 until his death in April, 1887, he was a resident of Pontiac. He was largely interested in mines in the upper peninsula, also in build- ing canals and railroads in that part of the state. He was a trustee of the Michigan military academy. A man of culture and great busi- ness ability.
JOHN R. PALMER,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1853, was born in the state of New York, June 27, 1809. He came to Michigan in 1844. He was a farmer, and a Democrat. Died May 1, 1877.
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LEWIS G. PALMER,
Senator from Mecosta and Montcalm counties in 1887, was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., Sept. 17, 1852, and came to Michigan in 1857. At the age of thirteen he became a drummer boy in the army and served three years. He was educated at Detroit schools and the state agricultural college. Has been a resident of Big Rapids since 1869. He was a teacher and county superintendent of schools. He studied law, was admitted in 1817. has been three times prosecuting attorney, and held other positions. Now in practice at Big Rapids. In politics a Republican.
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OSCAR PALMER,
Representative from Crawford and other counties in 1883, was born at Westfield, N. Y., Nov. 8, 1811. Moved to Hudson, Mich., with his parents in 1913, received an academical education and graduated at Georgetown medical college, D. C. He was in the service as soldier. hospital steward, and assistant surgeon nearly three and a half years. Then was in business several years at Jonesville. Mich., also edited the Independent, but in 1981 removed to Grayling, engaged in farming and manufacturing, and publishing the Crawford .Avalanche. Politi- cally a Republican.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
SAMUEL H. PALMER
Was born at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in 1801. He was by trade a car- riage maker, and in politics a Democrat. He came to Michigan in 1835, moved to Jackson in 1841, and was a Representative in 1848. Deceased.
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THOMAS WITHERELL PALMER
Was born in Detroit, January 25, 1830. He remained there until the age of twelve, when he entered Mr. Thompson's academy, at St. Clair. He afterwards spent a year and a half at the University, at Ann Arbor. His eyesight failing, he, with five others, left for a voyage to Spain in the fall of 1848. He landed at Cadiz, and for two months traveled on foot through the country, visiting the Alhambra at Granada, and other points. He then took ship for South America, landing in Rio Janeiro in 1849. After remaining three months in South America, he returned home via New Orleans, spending two months in the southern states. In 1950 he went to Wisconsin and spent one year as agent of a transportation company on the river. In 1851 he went into the mercantile business at Appleton, Wisconsin, where he was burned out and financially ruined. Returning to Detroit in 1853 he engaged in the real estate business. In 1855 he embarked in the lumber trade, which, with the purchase and sale of pine lands, has been his vocation since. Mr. Palmer was married to Miss Lizzie P., daughter of Charles P. Merrill, in 1855. He has been an active member of the republican party since the date of its organization. He was nominated by acclamation for state Senator in 1978, and elected by a handsome majority. The legislature of 18:3. after a pro_ tracted struggle, elected him United States Senator, to succeed Hon. Thomas W. Ferry. His term will expire March 3, 1889.
WALTER H. PALMER,
Representative from Osceola and other counties in 1877-79, was born Aug. 30, 1815. in Oakland county, Michigan. He is a graduate of the state normal school, and of the law department of Michigan Univer- sity. He has held the offices of circuit court commissioner, justice, superintendent of schools, and supervisor. He is by profession a lawyer and in practice at Reed City. In politics a Republican.
HEMAN PALMERLEE,
Representative from Kent county in 1881-2, was born in Washington county, N. Y .. Dec. 3. 1520, and came to Michigan in 1832, settling in
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Bruce, Macomb county. During six years of his early manhood he lived in Rochester, Oakland county, and was engaged in mercantile business. He then, in 1850, removed to Walker, Kent county, where he followed farming for about twenty-two years. Since that time has been employed as an accountant and collection agent. His education, beyond that of the common schools of the new state, was obtained in the Romeo academy. Politically a Republican.
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AMAZIAH B. PARDEE,
Representative from Ionia county, was born in 1834 in Jackson county, Michigan. By occupation, a farmer: by political persuasion, a Fusionist, on which ticket he was elected Representative for 1857-S by a vote of 1,843 to 1,691 for Levi J. Barnard, Republican, and 297 for Emory A. Richards, Prohibitionist.
BURTON PARKER,
Representative from Monroe county in 1883, was born in Dundee, Mich., April 24, 1844. He served a few months in the Michigan mechanics and engineers, being discharged from ill health. He was a justice of the peace in 1867, and graduated from the law depart- ment of the University in 1870. Has been circuit court commissioner. mayor of Monroe, and president of the school board. Politically a Republican.
JAMES H. PARKER,
Representative from Lenawee couuty in 1855, was born in Masonville. N. Y., September 2, 1803. He received a common school education. became a teacher, then for ten years a carpenter. He settled in 1:33. on a farm at Rome, Mich. He was a supervisor six years, and six terms a justice. He and his wife were long conductors on the "underground railroad." Deceased.
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JOHN PARKER,
Senator from Kalamazoo county in 1859, was born in Cavendish. Vt .. February 7, 1813, and died November 20, 1880. By occupation a farmer, a Democrat until 1854, then a Republican. He settled in Portage, Kalamazoo county, in 1832 where he was supervisor several years; was also United States marshal.
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LEONARD B. PARKER,
Senator from St. Clair county in 1863-4, was born at Moses, N. Y .. July 19, 1818. He received a common school and academical educa- tion. Taught school, then studied medicine, graduating at Castleton, Vt., in 1842. Practiced at Cambridge, Vt., but in 1845 settled at Newport, now Marine City, and built up a large practice. Has filled several local positions.
LEROY PARKER,
Representative from Genesee county in 1874-5, was born December 15, 1844, at Flint, Mich. He graduated at Hamilton college, N. Y., in 1865, and attended the law department of the Michigan University in 1865-6. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1867, and has since continued practice in Flint. He was elected Representative in 1874, to fill a vacancy. In politics a Republican. Has been a member of the state board of health.
SAMPSON PARKER
Was born in Otsego county, N. Y., November 22, 1818. He was reared on a farm and came west with his parents, who settled in Lima, Mich., in 1833. He has served as justice several times, and was Rep- resentative in 1867. He cultivates a large farm, and is in politics a Democrat.
WARREN PARKER,
Representative from Macomb county in 1879-81-2, was born in Greig, N. Y., November 15, 1829. His father removed to Michigan in 1833, and settled in Chesterfield. Macomb county. He obtained most of his education in the primary schools. He is a farmer. The public trusts he held were township only: justice, superintendent of schools and supervisor. Politically a Democrat.
CHARLES P. PARKHILL
Was born in Niagara county, N. Y. Came to Michigan at the age of nineteen, and to Owosso in 1841. He was a printer by trade and worked a year on the Owosso Argus. He was afterwards a teacher, but finally studied medicine and graduated from the Willoughby medical college, Ohio, in 1946. After practicing at Bennington. Mich., twenty years, he removed to Owosso and opened a drug store. He was a Representative in 1857.
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JONATHAN G. PARKHURST,
Representative from Van Buren county in 1885, was born in Hastings, N. Y., in 1828. Coming to Detroit he entered upon the study of the law, and was admitted to the bar in 1858. With the exception of five years spent in Kansas (1870 to 1875), where he served as district judge, he has been continuously engaged in the practice of his profession in this state. He is now a resident of Decatur, and in addition to law business is extensively interested in fruit growing and stock raising. In politics a Republican.
NATHAN C. PARKHURST
Was born in Darien, N. Y. After the age of ten was a resident of Ohio, and later came to Michigan. By occupation a farmer, in poli- tics a Democrat. A Representative in 1849 and 1853.
- BYRON F. PARKS,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1883, was born in Otsego county, N. Y., Aug. 24, 1829. He received a common school educa- tion and worked on a farm until 1862, then became a lieutenant of infantry, and after expiration of service was engaged in recruiting, and later in farming and the sale of agricultural implements. Has been deputy sheriff, justice, and held other town and county posi- tions. Politically a Democrat.
ABNER C. PARMALEE,
Representative from Barry county in 1844, was born in Benson, Vt., Jan. 3, 1806. He settled in Hastings, Mich , in 1837, and built the second log house. He was six years register of deeds and four years deputy county treasurer. He was one of six whig members of the House, the Senators being all democrats. He is now a clerk at Wash- ington, D. C. In politics a Republican.
LINUS S. PARMALEE
Was born August 20. 1815, at Spofford, N. Y., removed to Cattaraugus county, N. Y .. in 1923, and in 1840 to Wisconsin. In 1856 he came to Reading, Hillsdale county. Has been a elergyman forty years, and in thirty years has officiated at 501 weddings and 1,851 funerals. Was a trustee of Hillsdale college fifteen years and a Representative in 1867. Was postmaster of Reading some ten years, under Johnson and
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Grant. Has also been justice of the peace. At first a Whig, but a Republican since 1854.
ANDREW PARSONS,
Governor of Michigan from March, 4, 1853, to Dec. 31. 1854, was born in Hoosick, N. Y., July 22, 1817, and died June 6, 1855. He traced his ancestry back to Walter Parsons, born in Ireland in 1290. Gov. Parsons came to 'Michigan in 1835, at the age of seventeen, and taught school a few months at Ann Arbor, then was a clerk at Prairie Creek in Ionia county. He settled in Shiawassee county in 1836, and was soon elected register of deeds, which he filled by re- election for six years. He was a Senator in 1847-8. In 1848 he was prosecuting attorney; in 1851 was elected regent of the University; and in 1852 was elected lieutenant governor by the democrats. By the appointment of Gov, McClelland to the position of secretary of the interior, March 4, 1853, he became governor. In 1854 he was elected a Representative to the legislature, and retired from the ex- ecutive chair to serve in the session of 1855, dying three months after the close of the session. He was a man of spotless character, a fluent and persuasive speaker; as a politician, candid, frank and free from bitterness, and as an executive officer firm, constant and reliable. Politically a Democrat.
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FAYETTE PARSONS
Was born in Benson, Vt., Aug. 12, 1812, and received an academical education. He came to Burr Oak, Michigan, in 1857. By occupation a physician, in politics a Republican. In 1862 he was appointed an examining surgeon for St. Joseph county, a position he held many years. He was a Representative from St. Joseph county in 1867 and 1873-4.
JONATHAN PARSONS,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1877-9-81-2, was born in West Springfield, Mass .. Oct. 7, 1820. He settled at Marshall, Mich .. in 1835, removing to Kalamazoo in 1844. By occupation a merchant. in politics a Republican. Has been a trustee of Kalamazoo several times, for many years trustee and treasurer of the Michigan female seminary, also president of the Kalamazoo paper company and a bank director.
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LUKE H. PARSONS
Was born in western New York, Feb. 12, 1812, was liberally educated, and was admitted to the bar at Ann Arbor, Mich., about 1835. He removed to Corunna about 1839, and became a law partner of his brother, Gov. Andrew Parsons. He held the positions of register of deeds, judge of probate, prosecuting attorney, and regent of the Uni- versity, serving in the last office until his death, Feb. 19, 1862.
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ORRIN PARSONS,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1846, was born in Sandis- field, Mass., in 1794, and settled on a farm in Saline, Mich., in 1826. The next year, with his brother, he built the first saw-mill in the town. He was supervisor in 1831, and held that office eight terms. He was also a justice and held other offices. He erected and managed a grist mill. Died in 1851.
S. TITUS PARSONS,
A brother of Governor Andrew Parsons, came to Michigan when a young man, and studied law with his brother at Owosso. He was admitted to the bar in 1854, and located at Corunna. where he prac- ticed for more than twenty years. He was prosecuting attorney six years, and was a Representative in 1863-4 and 1867. He was also a member of the constitutional convention of 1867, and was a man of power and influence. He removed to Detroit in 1877, and engaged in practice, but died several years since. He was a Republican in politics.
AZARIAH S. PARTRIDGE,
Representative from Genesee county in 1881-3, was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., Dec. 19 .. 1831. A farmer and fruit grower, in politics formerly a Republican, now a Prohibitionist. He came to Flushing, Mich., about 1856. As a young man was a teacher for several years.
BENJAMIN F. PARTRIDGE,
Commissioner of the state land office 1877-8, was born in Shelby, Mich., April 19. 1522. He received a common school and academical education: was a teacher, was engaged a year in the study of law. was a surveyor and civil engineer, then a lumberman until 1557. He was appointed sheriff of Bay county, and followed surveying several
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years. In 1861 he went into the army, and by regular promotion reached the rank of brevet brigadier general. He was in the U. S. revenue service, 1867-71, has been supervisor eight years and chair- man of the board six years. Is a farmer near Bay City, and in poli- tics a Republican.
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JARED PATCHIN
Was born in Yates county, N. Y., in 1828, and came to Nankin, Mich., when young. He graduated at the State University in 1853, and was admitted to the Detroit bar in 1854. He has been deputy county clerk, county clerk, prosecuting attorney. He was judge of the third circuit from 1870 to 1877. He was interested in an orange plantation in Florida, and was a member of the legislature of that state in 1878. Now resides in Detroit. Politically a Democrat.
LEVI PATCHEN,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1848, was born in the state of Connecticut, Jan. 5, 1804, and died Sept. 25, 1851. He lived in Yates county, N. Y. from 1808 until 1843, when he settled in St. Joseph county, Mich., and was a nurseryman and farmer by occupa- tion, and politically a Whig.
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ORLANDO R. PATTENGILL,
Representative from Wayne county in 1871-2. was born in Stow, Vt., Feb. 24, 1828. He came to Michigan in 1845, and has resided at or near Plymouth. He received a common school education, worked as a farm laborer, and from 1849 was a teacher for twelve years, in winter. Is a farmer, politically first an Abolitionist, later a Republican. Has been secretary and deputy treasurer of the farmers' mutual insurance company of Wayne and Monroe counties since 1871.
JOHN C. PATTERSON,
Senator from Calhoun county in 1879-81-2, was born in Eckford. Mich., March 27, 1838. He graduated at Hillsdale college in 1864, and from the law department of the Albany, N. Y., university in 1865. He commenced practice at Marshall in 1867, where he now resides. Has been a trustee of Hillsdale college and a lecturer there before the senior class on constitutional law. Politically a Republican.
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