USA > Michigan > Early history of Michigan, with biographies of state officers, members of Congress, judges and legislators > Part 13
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
JOSEPH H. PATTERSON
Was born in Ireland in 1801, came to America in 1819 and located at Lockport, N. Y. In 1828 he removed to Adrian, Michigan, where he settled on a farm. He was prominent in early Michigan politics, was a member of the constitutional convention of 1835, and Representa- tive in 1839 and 1848. He is said to have given the names to four counties in the state: Antrim, Wexford, Roscommon and Clare. In politics a Democrat.
MICHAEL A. PATTERSON,
Representative 1846, and Senator from Lenawee county in 1844-5, was born in Easton, Pa., March 11, 1904, and was educated there un- til early manhood. He studied medicine in the University of Penn- sylvania, and graduated with honor at the age of nineteen. He prac- ticed in western New York for four years, and settled in Tecumseh, Michigan, where he continued in active practice until 1875. He then sought a southern climate for health, and died at Westham Locks, Va., April 17, 1877. He was a regent of the University six years. and. held many local offices. Politically a Democrat.
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RUSSEL R. PEALER
Was born at Greenwood, Pa .. Jan. 1, 1842, received an academical edu- cation, and served in the 16th Pennsylvania cavalry over three years, rising to the rank of 1st lieutenant. He studied law, was admitted in 1867, and the same year settled in practice at Three Rivers. Mich .. still his home. Has been prosecuting attorney, circuit court commis- sioner, and held other offices. He was elected judge of the 15th cir- cuit in 1881. Politically a Republican.
STEPHEN PEARL
Was born in Livingston county, N. Y., Nov. 19, 1817. He came to Michigan in 1838 and settled as a farmer in Ovid, Clinton county. Now lives in Greenbush, same county. He has been supervisor, county treasurer ten years, Representative in 1867, and Senator in 1869-70. Formerly a Republican, now independent in politics.
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WILLIAM H. PEASE,
Representative from Jackson county in 1845, was born in Seneca county, N. Y., June 7, 1804. He came to Michigan in 1529. and
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
settled on a farm in Grass Lake, where his widow and son still re- side. Died Nov. 13, 1866.
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EDWARD W. PECK
Was born at West Bloomfield, N. Y., March 19, 1807. He received a common school education and was a teacher. He settled in Troy, Mich., in 1831, and was a merchant there for 20 years. Now resides at Pontiac. Has held many offices, including county clerk, postmas- ter, etc. He was a member of the first convention of assent in 1536, and was a delegate to the national whig convention in 1848, which nominated Taylor. Now a Republican.
GEORGE W. PECK,
Representative in congress 1855-7, Representative in the Michigan legislature 1846 7, and speaker of the House in 1847, was born in New York city, June 4, 1818. He received an academical education. studied law, came to Michigan in 1839, was admitted to the bar in 1842, and commenced practice at Brighton. He removed to Lansing in 1847, and was the first postmaster. He was appointed by Gov. Ransom, secretary of state in 1848, and held the position two years. He was proprietor of the State Journal and state printer from 1852 to 1855. In 1864 went into practice at East Saginaw. Removed to St. Louis, Mo., in 1875, and has been attorney of the St. Louis & Iron Mountain railroad. Politically a Democrat.
- EDGAR PEIRCE,
Representative from Mecosta county in 1883, was born May 6, 1841, in Erie county, Pa .: was educated in common schools and an acade- my; followed milling until 1862: enlisted in the 14th Pennsylvania cavalry, and served through the war, and rose to the rank of lieuten- ant. In 1871 settled in Mecosta county and engaged in making shingles. Has been four years county treasurer. In politics a Republican.
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JAMES P. PENDILL,
Representative from Marquette county in 1863-4, was born near Batavia, N. Y., in 1512. He was a resident of Niles, Mich., as early as 1937, and was often seen there driving his four-in-hand, in broad- cloth suit and white gloves. He was engaged at the Sault in mercan-
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
tile business from 1845 to 1855, when he engaged in the same business at Marquette. In 1867 he became a resident of Negaunee, and was mayor in 1872-3. He returned to Marquette and was mayor from 1879 to 1882, and many years supervisor and chairman of the board. He long served as a school trustee. Died March 9, 1885.
EDWARD W. PENDLETON,
Senator from St. Joseph and Branch counties in 1879, was born at Broadalbin, N. Y., December 13, 1825. He received a common school education. In 1844 he removed to Orleans county, N. Y., where he engaged in farming until 1819, when he went to California. In 1851 he returned to Orleans county, and in 1852 settled at Sturgis, Mich., where he now resides. He has been engaged in mercantile, manufacturing and agricultural pursuits. He has held many offices of trust, and has been justice for seven years. In politics a National.
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OLIN PENGRA,
Representative from Huron county in 1883, was born in Seneca county, N. Y., October 19, 1847. He received such education as the common schools afforded. Was in the army during the last year of the war as a member of the 9Sth Pennsylvania regiment. Removed to Michigan in 1867. Taught school for ten years in the counties of Tuscola and Huron. Was admitted to the bar in January, 1ST8; has held many township offices. He is a Republican.
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ORRIN G. PENNELL,
Senator from the counties of Ingham and Clinton in 1885, was born in Cortland county, N. Y., in 1827. After receiving a thorough academical education he engaged in teaching. Relinquishing this pursuit he purchased a farm. Deciding to go west, he sold his farm and bought one in Washtenaw county, Mich., to which he removed in 1861, remaining there until 1869, when he removed to De Witt, where he still resides. Was elected supervisor of De Witt in 1853 and 1894. Is now U. S. marshal for the eastern district of Michigan.
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EBENEZER J. PENNIMAN
Was born at Lansingburg, N. Y. At the age of thirteen he was apprenticed to the art of printing at Keene, N. H .: went to New York 56
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
at the age of eighteen and engaged in mercantile pursuits; removed to Plymouth, Mich., in 1835 and engaged in business; was elected a member of congress, serving from December 1, 1851, to March 3, 1553; receiving 10,741 votes to 8,909 votes for Buell, Democrat. Still resides at Plymouth.
HENRY F. PENNINGTON,
Senator from Eaton and Barry counties in 1883, was born in Seneca county, Ohio, Sept. 9, 1842. In 1852 he removed with his parents to Eaton county, Mich. He received an academical education, and became a farmer. He studied law and graduated from the law department of the University in 1:68, and is now engaged in practice at Charlotte. In politics a Democrat.
HENRY PENNOYER,
Representative in 1849, and Senator in 1859, from Ottawa county, was born in Norwalk, Conn., Feb. 9. 1809. He received a common school education, and removed in 1819 to Cayuga county, N. Y., where he worked on a farm. From 1834 to 1836 he lived in Chicago, Ill., when he removed to Muskegon. Mich., and was elected the first sheriff of Ottawa county, of which Muskegon county then formed a part. In 1838 he was appointed postmaster of Muskegon, and held the office until 1843. He removed to Grand Haven in 1843, where he kept a hotel until 1856. He then became a farmer in Crockery township, where he died April 30, 1836. Always a Democrat. He was justice. supervisor, county treasurer, and deputy collector at Grand Haven. He was a political leader, and among the foremost in the promotion of every enterprise, agricultural, moral, social and educational.
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JOHN B. PERHAM,
Representative from' Ottawa county in 1881-3-3, was born in May- field, N. Y. He came to Spring Lake, Mich., in 1860, and for several years was principal of the public schools, was for many years a mem- ber of the board of education. also a supervisor. By occupation a merchant, in politics a Republican.
EDWIN Z. PERKINS,
Representative from Cheboyan and other counties, was born in June. 1849, in Oxford county, Ontario. Has been a resident of Michigan 1
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
ten years. His occupation is attorney at law. Is a graduate of the- University of Michigan, class of 1878. Mr. Perkins has held the office circuit court commissioner, judge of probate two terms, and county treasurer, all in Cheboygan county. He is a Republican, and was elected Representative for 1887-8 by a vote of 2,111 to 2,010 for Charles S. Hampton, Fusionist, and 125 for Burbanks, Prohibitionist.
JABEZ PERKINS,
Representative from Shiawassee county in 1859, was born at Defiance, O., Oct. 26, 1820. He received an academical education at Delaware, studied medicine. and graduated at Cleveland in 1849. He practiced medicine at Springville, Mich., for ten years, but at Owosso since 1860. He took charge of a hospital at Nashville in 1862, became a surgeon of Kentucky volunteers, medical director of the 2d army corps, and then medical director of the cavalry corps, army of the Cumberland. In politics first a Whig, then a Republican.
HENRY M. PERRIN
Was born at Berlin, Vt., July 23, 1829. He was educated at Dart- mouth college. graduating in 1853. He removed to Michigan in 1855, residing two years in Detroit, when he settled at St. Johns, still his home. He was admitted to the bar of Clinton county in 1858. Was judge of probate from 1861 to 1865, and Senator from Ingham and Clinton counties in 1865. He has successfully followed his profes- sion, and is also a dealer in real estate. He indulges in farming as a diversion.
PORTER K. PERRIN,
Senator from Ingham and Clinton counties in 1877, was born Sept. 13, 1833, in Berlin, Vt. He received a common school and academical education, and was a graduate of the law university of Albany, N. Y., in 1856-7. He removed from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Michigan in 1860. He has held the positions of first lieutenant, company I, and captain of first company sharpshooters, twenty-seventh Michigan infantry, and was commissioned major of the second Michigan infantry. He was also judge of probate for Clinton county from 1869 to 1572 inclusive; United States commissioner for about six and a half years, and has held some minor positions. He is by profession au attorney. In politics a Republican.
520
MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
AARON PERRY,
Representative from Oakland county in 1873-4, was born in Oakland. Mich., Nov. 11, 1848, and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1870. He is an attorney in practice at Pontiac, and in politics a Democrat.
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EDWIN PERRY
Was born in Franklin county, N. Y, July 9, 1810. He removed to Michigan in 1837. He then removed to Wisconsin, where he lived until 1841. He returned to Jackson county and lived at Parma and Concord until 1851, when he removed to Union City, since his home. He was sergeant-at-arms in the state senate of 1855; Representative from the western district of Branch county in 1857 and 1859: post- master of Union City from 1861 to 1870; and has been justice of the peace for thirty-two years.
GIDEON D. PERRY
Was born in Palmyra, N. Y., Oct. 25, 1811. Ile was brought up to farming, left home at nineteen, became a scholar and teacher until 1833, when he commenced preaching, and was admitted to the Genesee conference of the Metliodist Episcopal church. He preached for eleven years, when from poor health he abandoned it, came to Mich- igan in 1843, and settled on a farm in Franklin, Lenawee county. He was supervisor of the town; chairman of the board of supervisors: Representative in 1857; Senator in 1839. He has preached more or less every year.
ALONZO E. PERSONS,
Representative from Alpena county in 1861-2, was born at Smithville, N. Y., April 25, 1818. He received a common school education, be- came a sailor, and in 1810 was master of a vessel. He continued in that business until 1849, when he removed to Bay City and engaged in the fishing business. Removed to Alpena in 1859. and was town clerk. From 1861 to 1874 was keeper of the Thunder Bay Island light. Built the first steam tug for fishing. Now master since 1892. and part owner of the steamer Golden Eagle. Has been justice and coroner. In politics first a Whig, since 1854 a Republican.
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GEORGE PETERS,
Representative from Monroe county in 1861-2, and Senator in 1-67. was born in Delaware county, N. Y., September 22, 1822, and came
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
to Michigan in 1831. A farmer and a Republican. Resides at Peters- burgh. He has been postmaster sixteen years, and supervisor nine- teen years.
JENS G. PETERSON,
Representative from Detroit in 1861-2, was a native of Germany, born in 1821. He was a retail grocer, and subsequently, in 1854, a co-partner in the cabinetmakers' association, a manufacturing firm in Detroit. He was register of the U. S. land office in Detroit, 1861-3, and probably died in the last named year. Politics Republican.
WM. H. H. PETTIT,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1887, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1840, and has been a resident of Michigan since 1854. Mr. Pettit served three years as a private in company C, 1st Mich. infantry. He has served eleven years as supervisor of Ransom township. He was elected on the republican ticket by a vote of 2.199 to 1,365 for Albert J. Baker, and 354 for Albert J. Mccutcheon, Pro- hibitionist.
TIMOTHY H. PETTIT
Was a native of New York state, came to Tecumseh, Mich., in 1835, and in 1837 settled on a farm in Essex, Clinton county, where he remained until 1854, then went into business at De Witt. Died in 1860. He was a Representative in 1855, justice, postmaster and town treasurer.
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FITCH PHELPS,
Representative from Mecosta and other counties in 1877-9, and Sena- tor in 1983-5, was born at Guilford, N. Y., June 30, 1831. He received an academical education and was a merchant. In 1862 went to California, and was provost marshal of San Mateo county in 1863. In 1868 located at Colfax, Mich., built a mill, engaged in lumbering, also in farming. Resides at Big Rapids. In politics a Republican.
JOHN W. PHELPS
Was born in Seneca county, N. Y., June 14, 1819. He came to Michi- gan with his father in 1829, and settled at Plymouth. He studied medicine and engaged in practice at Mason in 1841. He was also,
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
.during the latter portion of his life, a hardware merchant. He was for several terms a justice, and was Representative in 1859. Died August 31, 1864.
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WILLIAM PHELPS,
Representative from Detroit in 1861-2, was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., November 19, 1816. He received an academical education. and went into business at Detroit in 1835, which he continued until his death, July 24, 1879, being the head of the firm of Phelps, Brace & Co. In 1862-3 he was an " allotment commissioner" for Michigan, and became a paymaster in 1863, and in 1865 was made lieutenant colonel. He was on the military staff of Gov. Crapo, and was post commander and adjutant general of the G. A. R. for Michigan. A leading Mason and Odd Fellow, politically a Republican, in religion a Methodist, and an ordained preacher.
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NATHAN S. PHILBRICK,
Representative from Oakland county in 1841, was born in Maine, June 12, 1759. He was a farmer and hotel keeper, and a Democrat. He settled in Farmington, Mich., in 1826. Was commissioned a justice by Gov. Mason in 1834, and held that office several terms. Died in 1854.
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DELOS PHILLIPS
Was born in Hamburg. N. Y., Oct. 24, 1839. He came to Ypsilanti in 1845, graduated at the public schools, taught two years, and was a student in the University from 1859 to 1862. He enlisted in 1862 as a private in the 17th Michigan infantry, and was promoted through all the grades to captain in 1863. In 1864 he was taken prisoner at Spottsylvania court-house, but escaped from the cars at night and, after 300 miles' travel, reported for duty. He became lieut. colonel of the 28th Michigan infantry. but resigned before the close of the war. and graduated from the University in 1865. He was Senator from Kalamazoo county in 1869-70, a presidential elector in 1876 and messenger to carry the vote to Washington. He was for six years a member of the board of supervisors. His life was that of a manu- facturer and business man. In politics a Republican. He died at Kalamazoo, Feb. 23, 1997.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
GEORGE W. PHILLIPS
Was born in Livingston county, N. Y., July 17, 1829. He came with his father to Armada, Michigan, in 1831, who settled upon a farm. The son was raised a farmer. He was a charter member of the county agricultural society, many times its president, and almost continu- ously an officer. For eleven years he was a member of the state board of agriculture; an officer of the state agricultural society twenty-two years, and its president in 1880 and 1881. He is a Repub- lican in politics.
JOHN 1. PHILLIPS,
Representative from Genesee county in 1871, was born in Canada, Sept. 3, 1823. He removed to Monroe county, N. Y., with his parents the next year, where he lived until 1844, when he settled in Vienna, Michigan. He held several town offices, and was engaged in several kinds of business until August 13, 1861, when he enlisted as sergeant of company "G," Sth Michigan infantry. He served with the regi- ment in South Carolina and was promoted to 2d lieutenant Jan. 1. 1863. He resigned on account of ill health Dec. 15, 1863, and returned to his home. He died before the close of his legislative term. In politics a Republican.
NATHANIEL G. PHILLIPS,
Representative in 1865 from Shiawassee county, was born at Preston. Conn., Nov. 20, 1825. He attended an academy at Norwalk, O .. for three years, and came to Shiawassee county with his widowed mother and settled on a farm in 1940. From 1851 to 1853 was in California. His present farm forms the location of the village of Bancroft.
PITTS PHILLIPS.
Representative from Oakland county in 1837, was born in the state of New York April 24, 1792. Lived in Stafford and Sempronius, N. Y., and married Mary Daniels at the latter place. He settled in South- field, Mich., in 1830. Was supervisor in 1536, and held the office of justice both in New York and Michigan. By occupation a farmer and cooper, in politics first a Whig, then an Abolitionist. Died April 10, 1542.
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EDWIN R. PHINNEY,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1853, was born at Bangor. Me .. Aug. 3, 1910. When young lived in New York city and Penn-
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
sylvania, removing to Richmond, O., in 1855. Came to Michigan in 1872, engaged in the manufacture of boat oars at Carson City, renov- ing the business to East Saginaw in 1876, also engaged in the manu- facture of lumber, shingles and salt. In politics a Republican.
ANSEL B. PIERCE,
Representative from Wayne county in 1887, was born at Can- ton, New York, in 1836. He at the age of fifteen years entered the St. Lawrence academy, remaining there four years and teaching three terms in the meantin.e. At the age of twenty-one he came west and settled in Redford, Wayne county, where he has resided ever since, teaching school during the winter and working on his farm in the summer. Mr. Pierce has held the offices of supervisor, town clerk,. school inspector and justice of the peace. He has been president of the Redford agricultural society since its organization, and is a prac- tical and thorough agriculturist. Mr. Pierce is a Democrat.
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DARIUS PIERCE,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1846 and 1847, was born Sept. 2, 1801, at Farmington, N. Y. Came to Michigan in 1832, and was a farmer of the town of Lima. He was justice of the peace four years, county commissioner, and ten years a supervisor. Looking to the future of the state, he voted to remove the capital from Detroit to Lansing, although Ann Arbor was a contestant. Deceased.
JOHN D. PIERCE.
Superintendent of public instruction from 1836 to 1841, was born at Chesterfield, N. H., Feb. 18, 1797. From the age of two to twenty he lived with an uncle at Worcester, Mass .. having only eight weeks' schooling. He then went to work and earned one hundred dollars. his grandfather gave the same amount, and in 1817 he walked four- teen miles to take his first lesson of Rev. Enoch Pond, who fitted him for college. He graduated at Brown University in 1522: was princi- pal of Wrentham academy in 1823: the same year entered Princeton theological seminary; in 1824 was licensed to preach as a Congrega- tional minister, and became pastor of a church at Oneida, N. Y. He came as a home missionary to Marshall, Mich., in 1831, and held the first religious meetings in Jackson, Calhoun and Eaton counties. Gov. Mason appointed him the first superintendent of public instruc-
1
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
tion, and he proved to be the right man in the right place, and his plans were adopted by the legislature of 1837 without a dissenting vote. A full sketch of his labors can be readily found. He was a Representative from Calhoun county in 1847-8. Died at Medford, Mass., April 6, 1882.
JOSEPH B. PIERCE,
Representative from Jackson county in 1850, was born in St. Johns- bury, Vt., July 20, 1812. His parents removed to western New York in 1814. He came to Grass Lake, Michigan, in 1837, but removed to Leoni in 1939, where he kept a hotel. Later removed to Jackson and was a justice for eight years. He had a genial, happy disposition, was a great humorist, and delighted in entertaining friends with stories and anecdotes. Died July 17, 1862.
- NATHAN PIERCE
Was born in Cheshire, Mass., Sept. 27, 1790. In 1795 he removed with his parents to Ontario county, N. Y., where he was brought up on a farm, and received a common school and academical education. He served in the war of 1812. In 1832 he located thirty eighty acre tracts in Calhoun, St. Joseph and Washtenaw counties, and settled on a farm in Sylvan, Washtenaw county, removing twelve years after to Mar- engo, Calhoun county, where he remained through life. He was a member of the constitutional conventions of 1835, 1850 and 1867, and a Representative in 1839-40-1-50-1. A Whig until 1854, then a Repub- lican. He was a man of gigantic stature, strong will, noted for his integrity, and one of the ablest of the farmer pioneers.
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ONESIMUS O. PIERCE,
Representative from Wayne county in 1873-4, was born in Potsdam N. Y., Aug. 16, 1809. He was educated at the Potsdam academy. In 1833 he emigrated to Michigan, and settled in Redford, Wayne county, where he still resides. He has held various township offices. By occupation a farmer.
PETER R. L. PIERCE,
Senator from Kent county in 1869-70, was born in Geneseo, N. Y., May 25. 1523. As a boy, attended common schools, but in 1836 came to Detroit, there attending night schools and reading law. In 1840 57
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he removed to Grand Rapids and kept a book store, reading law with Judge Martin. From 1843 to 1850 was in mercantile business at Cin- cinnati, Ohio, and wrote a history of the Sons of Temperance, which had a circulation c: 100,000 copies, and also wrote for several papers. From 1850 to 1857 was a merchant at Grand Rapids. In 1854 was city clerk; mayor in 1873-5-6: several terms clerk of Kent county, and postmaster of Grand Rapids from 1877 until his death, about 1880. In politics a Republican. A man of wit and humor, kind and genial. Few men had warmer friends, or better deserved them.
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BENJAMIN PIERSON
Was born October 4, 1802, near Cayuga Lake, N. Y. When young he moved with his parents to Victor, N. Y. He worked on a farm until fifteen years of age, then at carding wool and dressing cloth until 1826, when he came to Michigan and purchased land in Ply- mouth. He returned to New York and remained until 1836. He then settled on a farm in Livonia, Wayne county. He was a justice, and held various town offices, and was Representative in 1871-2. In politics a Democrat.
ELIJAH H. PILCHER,
Regent of the University from 1845 to 1851, was born in Athens county, Ohio. June 2, 1810. He was a student at the Athens Uni- versity, and was ordained a Methodist minister in 1829. From 1830 until his death, he was a resident of Michigan, preaching at Detroit, Ann Arbor, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and other places. He was ten years secretary of the conference, and for nearly twenty-five years a presiding elder. He was one of the founders of Albion college. He received several degrees, including D. D., and was admitted to the bar in 1846. He was the author of "Protestantism .in Michigan."
WASHINGTON PITCHER,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1935, was born in Norwich, Conn .. December 28, 1816, and received a fair education. Removed to Parma, N. Y .. in 1<31, was two years a clerk at Rochester, N. Y., and came to White Pigeon, Mich., in 1:36. In 1844 removed to Con- stantine. He was a merchant, and the late Gov. Bagley was for one year bis clerk, when a boy. In 1858 removed to Illinois, residing at
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Franklin Grove, then Wall Lake, Kansas, where he now resides. In politics a Democrat.
- ZINA PITCHER,
Regent of the University, by appointment, several terms from 1937 to 1852, was born in Washington county, N. Y., April 12, 1797. and died at Detroit, Mich., April 5, 1872. He received an academical educa- tion, and graduated as a physician in 1822. He served as an army surgeon until 1836, then became a resident of Detroit. The medical department of the University was essentially his work. He was mayor of Detroit in 1940-1-2, and the whig candidate for governor in 1843. He was physician of St. Mary's hospital from 1948 to 1567: surgeon of the marine hospital under Buchanan; trustee of the Kalamazoo asylum; a member of many scientific and medical societies, and one of the ablest and most widely known physicians in Michigan.
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