USA > Michigan > Early history of Michigan, with biographies of state officers, members of Congress, judges and legislators > Part 14
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FREDERICK PITT,
Representative from Ionia county in 1893, was born in London. Eng- land, June 10, 1824, and came to Ionia county, Mich., in 1550. When young worked at engraving. making of pianos. was later a carpenter, and is now a farmer. Has been several terms a supervisor, and held other offices. In politics a Republican.
CHARLES M. PITTS,
Representative from Monroe county in 1865, was a farmer and for a number of terms supervisor in Monroe county. He was a man of considerable influence in the town where he resided. Died several years ago.
ZEPHANIAH PLATT,
Attorney general of Michigan from 1841 to 1843, was born at Pough- keepsie. N. Y., Feb. 22, 1797. He graduated at Hamilton college, studied law, practiced in western New York and New York city, and settled at Kalamazoo in 1837. In 1839 he removed to Detroit. In 1850 he resumed practice in New York city, and was commissioner to ad- just claims of the United States on the Pacific coast. He was then appointed United States judge for the second district of South Caro. lina. He acquired distinction in that position, and died at Aiken. S. C., April 19, 1872.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
EMERY M. PLYMPTON,
Representative from Berrien county in 1869-70, was born in Canton, Ohio, June 1, 1826. His father was a pioneer Methodist minister in Ohio and preached for fifty-five years. The son received a good edu- cation and commenced teaching when eighteen, and taught in several states for nine years. He was a Whig until 1854, later a Republican. He came to this state in 1849, was in railroad business two years, and taught school at Niles from 1851 to 1853. He was admitted to the bar in 1853, and was a justice and prosecuting attorney. He went into the service as captain in 4th Michigan cavalry, but resigned in 1863, from ill health. He was deputy provost marshal in 1863-5, cir- cuit court commissioner 1871-2, and held other offices. Died March 26, 1888.
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ENOS A. POMROY,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1881-2, was born in Bristol, N. Y., March 16, 1832. He came with his father to Allen, Mich., in 1844, and removed to Litchfield in 1851. He has been six times a supervisor. A farmer, in politics a Republican.
ALFRED POND
Was born in Camden, N. Y., Feb. 10, 1806. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Democrat. He settled in Clayton, Genesee county, in 1839, and lived there until 1880, but since that time has been a resident of Flushing. He was a Representative in 1847.
CORNELIUS V. R. POND,
Commissioner of labor 1885 to 1887, was born in Auburn, N. Y., May 39, 1836, and received an academical education. He was a clerk in New York and Hartford from 1952 to 1860, then a manufacturer. He was quartermaster of the 12th Connecticut from 1861 to 1863, and re- signed from ill health. Hle then served in the provost marshal's office at Utica. He settled at Coldwater, Michigan, in 1565, and engaged in insurance. He went to Quincy in 1869. He was postmaster there from 1878 to 1885. He established the Quincy Herald in 1878, but sold it in 1881. He was commander of the G. A. R. for two years. A Republican, Now in Kansas.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
ELIHU B. POND,
Senator from Washtenaw county in 1859, was born in Wilmington, N. Y., July 15, 1826. Lived in Ohio from 1832 to 1835, when his father settled at Branch, then the county seat of Branch county, removing to Coldwater in 1843. He learned the trade of a printer, and worked as a young man at various points. He was in 1847 a student at Albion college. From 1848 to 1834 he owned and edited the Coldwater Sen- tinel; then removed to Ann Arbor and was editor and proprietor of the Michigan Argus until 1979. He has been county clerk, alderman, member and president of the school board, warden of the state prison, etc. He was president of the state press association in 1868-9. In politics a Democrat, and now a justice at Ann Arbor.
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JARED POND,
Representative from Branch county in 1939, was born at Poultney, Vt., Sept. 26, 1790, and died at Ann Arbor, Mich., April 12, 1956. Hfe served in the war of 1812. He was a surveyor and iron manufacturer at Wilmington, N. Y., and after a few years' residence in Ohio became a resident of Branch county, Mich., in 1835, and was a surveyor. He was register of deeds from 1843 to 1847. Later removed to Ann Arbor. He was father of E. B. and Ashley Pond.
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ORRIN POPPLETON,
Representative from Oakland county in 1853, was born in Richmond, N. Y., April 22, 1817, and came to Troy, Mich., with his parents in 1825. He received a common school education and was a teacher in 1834-5 and 1839-40. In 1837-8 he attended Granville, O., academy, and then was a clerk in the postoffice at Pontiac. From 1840 to the present time has been a successful merchant at Birmingham, Mich., and was postmaster from 1853 to 1961. He was a member of the democratic congressional committee sixteen years. He is also a farmer. In politics a Democrat. A valuable member of the state pioneer society.
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WILLIAM POPPLETON,
Representative in 1843 from Oakland county, was born at Poultney, Vt., in 1795, but removed to Richmond, N. Y., at the age of seventeen. He purchased a farm in Troy, Mich., in 1923, and settled upon it with his family in 1525. The small farm increased in size until in 1545 he
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owned 1,200 acres. In 1856 he removed to a place near the village of Birmingham, where he died in 1869.
AUGUSTUS S. PORTER,
United States Senator from Michigan, 1840-45, was born in Canan- daigua, N. Y., Jan. 18, 1798. He was of a distinguished family, his father, Augustus Porter, subsequently removing to Niagara Falls, where he became the first proprietor of a property which he occupied. The son graduated from Union college in 1818, studied law, and was admitted to practice. After locating in Detroit he acquired a leading position at the bar, and was identified with the social, political and educational history of the city, serving as recorder in 1934 and mayor in 1838. The election of Senator for the term for which he was chosen should have been made at the legislative session of 1839, but the two houses, both democratic, failed to agree, and allowed the election to go by default. The whig party carried the state and the legislature in 1939, and at the session of 1840 elected Mr. Porter to the Senate for the term commencing March 4, 1839. He returned to Niagara Falls in 1848, after the death of his father. He has been dead some years, although members of the family still reside there.
GEORGE B. PORTER,
Governor of the territory of Michigan from August 1, 1831, until his death, July 6, 1834, was a native of Lancaster, Pa., a lawyer by pro- fession, and prior to his coming to Michigan had been United States marshal of the eastern district of Pennsylvania. He removed with his family to Michigan, bought a farm in Springwells, and began the construction of a fine residence. He was a man of executive ability and popular.
JAMES B. PORTER,
Secretary of State from 1861 to 1867, was born at Marcellus. N. Y., in September, 1824. He came to Michigan in 1833, and removed to Allegan in 1840, and lived there until 1865, then removed to Lansing in 1866, where he still resides. He was county clerk and register of deeds of Allegan county from 1551 to 1861. Occupation, real estate and insurance; polities, republican.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
JOHN PORTER
Was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., in 1819. He came to Michigan in 1839, in 1845 settled in Montcalm county, and on the organization of that county was elected county treasurer, holding the position four years. By occu pation a farmer, in politics a Republican. He- was a Representative from Kent county in 1863-4, having removed there in 1855. Present residence, Wyoming, Kent county.
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LEWIS PORTER,
Representative in 1857-8, and Senator from Kent county in 1859, was born in the state of New York, Nov. 4. 1823. He came to Michigan in 1838. He was engaged in the clothing trade at Grand Rapids, and was an active Republican in politics. Among other positions he was assistant postmaster at Washington, D. C., and was the first clerk of the U. S. district court for western Michigan. Died January 10, 1882.
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MICAH PORTER,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1844, was born in Wey- mouth, Mass., Aug. 2, 1793, his ancestors having settled there in 1635 .. He learned the trade of a mason at Rome, N. Y., working at it sum- mers and teaching winters. During the war of 1812 he was a leading supporter of Madison. He built a parliament house at Little York, near Toronto, Canada. He then resided at Rochester, N. Y., until 1832, when he became a farmer at Sharon, Mich., and was many . years a justice there and supervisor. Died July 7, 1870.
FLOYD L. POST,
Senator from Midland and other counties in 1897, was born at Belvi- dere, N. Y., in 1857, and is by occupation editor, lawyer and real estate dealer. He had school advantages up to thirteen years of age, was clerk in a drug store a year, then worked in a shingle mill, be- came foreman, then proprietor of a saw and shingle mill with his father, also was in lumbering and mercantile business. Has been supervisor, town clerk and treasurer, and was a Representative in 1885. In politics a Republican. Has been admitted to the bar.
SAMUEL POST,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1971-2, was born at Ypsi- lanti, Mich., November 9, 1834, which has always been his home.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
He received a common school education, and became a clerk at the age of twelve. At the age of nineteen became a dry goods and clothing merchant, and continued it successfully for seventeen years. In 1873 he was appointed U. S. pension agent at Detroit, and held that position nearly thirteen years, until removed by President Cleveland. In politics a Republican. Now in business at Detroit.
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ALLEN POTTER
Was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., October 2, 1818; removed to Michigan in 1838, and located at Kalamazoo in 1845; engaged in manufacturing, mercantile pursuits and banking; was Representative in the legislature in 1857 and 1853: was elected president of the village in 1859, 1863, 1870 and 1572, and president of the board of education in 1870 and 1871. He was elected president of the Kalamazoo & South Haven railroad company in 1870, and was very efficient in securing the building of that road. In 1874, as the candidate of the democrats and liberals, he was elected Representative to congress. serving from December 6, 1875 to March 3, 1877.
CALVIN B. POTTER,
Representative from Berrien county in 1875, was born July 15, 1837, at Brownville, N. Y. He removed to Michigan in 1838. A lawyer by profession, in politics a Democrat.
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FORDYCE H. POTTER,
Representative from Shiawassee county in 1983-5, was born in Wayne county, N. Y., April 8, 1833. He received a common school educa- tion, and became a carpenter. In 1856 he removed to Shiawassee. Mich., and is now a contractor and builder. Has held many local offices. Elected as a Fusionist.
GEORGE N. POTTER,
Senator from Eaton and Barry counties in 1887, was born at Ira, N. Y., Oct. 16, 1827. He came with his parents to Saline, Mich., in 1530. his father building the first frame house in that village. They removed to Eaton county in 1844. The son received a common school education, became a farmer, and is the founder of the village of Pot- terville; was one of thirteen that effected the organization of the
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
Peninsular railroad, now a part of the Grand Trunk, and was a director; has been engaged in manufacturing and lumbering. In politics a Republican,
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ANTHONY POUCHER
Was born Nov. 24, 1801, at Claverack, N. Y. He emigrated to Mich- igan in 1833, and settled on a farm in Bridgewater, Washtenaw county. He died October 7, 1870. As a Democrat, he was a Repre- sentative in 1838.
MILO POWELL,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1848, was born in Berkshire county, Mass., Oct. 3, 1909. He came to Michigan in 1835. Has been supervisor in Cass county, and justice both in Cass and St. Joseph counties. In politics a Democrat. Has been engaged in banking for years, but has retired from business, and resides at Constantine.
NATHAN POWER,
Representative from Oakland county in 1855, was born in Farmington, N. Y., April 19, 1801. He settled in Farmington. Oakland county, in 1826. He taught the first school in 1826. He was a man of extensive reading, extraordinary memory, and well informed in regard to affairs of the state and nation. In politics a Free Soil Republican. by occupation a farmer, in religion, a Friend. Died in 1874.
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PLINY POWER,
Representative from Oakland county in 1844, and from Wayne in 1855, was born in Vermont in 1708. He became a physician, practiced for a time in Tioga county, Pa., and removed to Oakland county about 1840. He subsequently removed to Detroit and was county physician there in 1852. He was originally a Democrat, but became a Republi- can in 1854. He was active in the temperance cause, sometimes lecturing on that subject. Died in Detroit in 1561.
ROBERT D. POWER,
Representative from Livingston county in 1844-5, was one of the earliest settlers of Brighton. The erection and opening of a public house by him in 1936, was the first step taken to give that place the
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
character of a village. He was sheriff from 1830 to 1843, and was also moderator and director of the public schools. He was a man of much force of character, intuitive shrewdness and exerted a strong influence in politics. Deceased.
WILLIAM POWERS,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1885-7, was born in Tipper- ary county, Ireland, in 1842. He has been a resident of Michigan since 1859. Mr. Powers is a farmer, has held the office of township treasurer six years, the office of supervisor eight years. In politics a Democrat.
WILLIAM H. POWERS,
Representative from Kent county in 1879, was born in Troy, N. Y., April 7, 1841. He received a common school education at Grand Rapids, Mich., to which place he removed in 1847. He is a member of the firm of Powers & Walker. manufacturers of undertakers' goods, also of the firm of Wm. T. Powers & Son, manufacturers of lumber, lath and shingles. He has held the office of city clerk, alder- man, and a member of the board of fire commissioners of Grand Rapids. In politics a National.
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ABNER PRATT
Was born in Springfield, N. Y., May 22, 1801. He was brought up on a farm, had limited educational advantages, read law, and com- menced practice, first at Rush, afterwards at Rochester, N. Y., where he remained until 1839, when he resigned the office of district attorney, and removed to Marshall, Mich. He was Senator in 1844-5. and Representative in 1863. In 1958 he went to Honolulu as U. S. consul, where he remained several years. He was a judge of the Supreme Court from 1850 to 1852, and circuit judge from 1552 to 1857, when he resigned. He was always a Democrat, and a prominent Mason. He was an able, fearless judge, and a man of great ability. He died March 27, 1863.
DANIEL L. PRATT
Was born in Plainfield, Mass., June 24, 1920. In 1830 he removed with the family to Geauga county, Ohio. Having studied law;, he was admitted to the bar in 1844. In 1945 he commenced the practice of law at Hillsdale, where he has since resided He was elected
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
prosecuting attorney for Hillsdale county in 1856, and re-elected in 1860; has been twelve years a member of the board of trustees of the Michigan asylum for the insane; was a member of the constitutional convention of 1867; was elected circuit judge of the first circuit in 1869; was re-elected in 1875, no nomination having been made against him. He has been a trustee of Hillsdale college since its organization in 1853, and has contributed liberally of time, money and counsel to its support. He was a Whig until the organization of the Republican party, with which he has since acted. He resides on a farm, just outside of Hillsdale, which he cleared and improved himself.
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FOSTER PRATT
Was born at Mt. Morris, N. Y., January 9, 1823. His ancestors landed at Plymouth in 1622. He received an academical education, at seventeen engaged in teaching, and was principal of an academy at Angelica, N. Y., and from 1844 to 1847 of one at Moorfield, Va. He graduated as a physician in 1849, from the University of Penn- sylvania, and practiced his profession at Romney, Va., until 1856, when he removed to Kalamazoo, resuming his practice. In 1859 was a Representative. He aided in procuring appropriations for the asylum at Kalamazoo, of which he has been trustee. A Democrat in politics. Was surgeon of the 13th Michigan infantry from 1801 to 1865; president of Kalamazoo village in 1871; chairman of demo- cratic state committee 1872 to 1876: postmaster of Kalamazoo 1866-7.
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WILLIAM A. PRATT,
Representative from Oakland county in 1843-4-5, and speaker pro tem. in 1845, was born in Vermont. By occupation a millwright. Came to Franklin, Michigan, at an early day. There he built several mills, and iu 1838 built a flouring mill, of which he and Winthrop Worthing were proprietors. He was supervisor of the town of South- field in 1842-3, and justice of the peace. Removed later to Sault Ste Marie, where he made money in land transactions, and finally removed to Detroit. Politically a Democrat. Deceased.
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ESEK PRAY,
Representative in 1838 from Washtenaw county, was born in East Killingly. Conn., Nov. 20, 170); in telt removed to Angelica, N. Y. In May, 1925, he came to Michigan, and became a farmer in the town
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
of Superior. He kept a tavern many years at Dixboro. Gov. Ca-> appointed him justice, which position he held for twenty-four years. He was a Democrat. Died April 20, 1853.
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GEORGE PRAY,
Representative from Ionia county in 1879, was born Aug. 27, 1825. in Angelica, N. Y. He received an academical education, graduated from the University of Michigan in 1845. and from the medical department of Western Reserve college in 1849. He removed to Michigan in 1825 and settled in Superior, Washtenaw county. He commenced the practice of medicine in Salem in 1849. In 1856 he removed to Ronald, Ionia county, and invested his means in lands. From 1863 to 1867 resided at Ann Arbor, practicing his profession, but at the expiration of that time returned to Ronald. He has been a supervisor, and chairman of the board of supervisors for many years. Politics, republican.
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ALMON E. PRESTON,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1875. was born July 15. 1832. in Orleans county, N. Y. He removed to Battle Creek, Mich., in 1844. He was educated in common schools, and is by occupation a mechanic. He held the position of second lieutenant in 1961 in the Michigan engineer corps, and was captain of Co. "L" of the regiment of Merrill's horse, serving in the western department until 1864. He has been three terms a supervisor in Battle Creek, and also a member of the board of education. In politics a Republican.
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S. HORACE PRESTON,
Representative from Ingham county in 1887, was born in Oneida. Mich., Oct. 25, 1837. He was educated in common schools and at Olivet college. In 1865 he settled on a farm in the town of Lansing. Has always been a farmer, been a supervisor seven years, and two years chairman of the board. In politics a Democrat.
FRANCIS J. PREVOST
came from New York to Michigan before 1930. After living some years in Washtenaw county he organized a company, known as the Byron company, and bought lands on which the village of Byron is located. He moved there in 1836, and was the principal man for
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
many years. He was the first postmaster, and was a Representative in 1843, and a member of the constitutional convention of 1850. Soon after removed to California, where he died many years since.
LAYMAN B. PRICE,
Representative from Macomb county in 1847, was born at Rush, N. Y., Nov. 22, 1811, and came with his father to Shelby, Mich., in 1827, where the village of Utica now stands. His father built the first grist and saw mill in that part of the county. The son became a farmer, but has been a merchant since 1852. He was sergeant-at-arms of the Senate in 1837, and sheriff of Macomb county in 1840. He resides at Lakeville, Oakland county, and was Senator from that county in 1871-2.
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DELIVERANCE S. PRIEST
Was born in Arlington, Vt., Aug. 1814. His education was obtained in the common schools. He settled as a farmer in Ray, Macomb . county, Michigan, in 1838. He was a Representative from the sec- ond district of Macomb county in 1871-2-3-4. In politics a Repub- lican. Died in February, 1888.
CLARENCE W. PRINDLE,
Representative from Kent county in 1877-81-2, was born in Rutland, Mich., Dec. 20, 1849, and was two years a student at Albion college. He studied medicine, and graduated from Hahnemann medical col- lege of Chicago in 1871. Now in practice at Grand Rapids, also a member of the drug firm of Prindle Brothers. In politics a Repub- lican.
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EUGENE PRINGLE,
Representative in 1861-2, and Senator in 1867, was born in Richfield, N. Y., Dec. 1, 1826, and received an academical education. He studied law, was admitted in 1819, and commenced practice at Jack- son, Mich., in 1850, still his home. He has been circuit court com- missioner, prosecuting attorney, city recorder, mayor, military secre- tary under Gov. Blair, member of the constitutional convention of 1867, register in bankrupcy, state insurance commissioner 1885-7. and democratic candidate for lieutenant governor in 1852. He has also been active in the building of railroads. In politics, a Whig until 1854, a Republican until 1972, now a Democrat.,
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
BENJAMIN D. PRITCHARD,
Commissioner of the state land office, 1867 to 1871, and state treas- urer 1879 to 1883, was born in Nelson, Ohio, and educated at Western Reserve college. He came to Michigan in 1856, graduated from the law department of the University in 1860, and commenced practice at Allegan, his present home. He went into the war as captain in the 4th Michigan cavalry, and was promoted to the rank of brevet briga- dier general, and a part of his war record was the capture of Jefferson Davis. He is a Republican, and president of the national bank at Allegan.
KINTZING PRITCHETT,
The first secretary of state under the state government, 1835-38, came to Michigan under the favor of Governor George B. Porter, about the year 1831. He was a favorite with Gov. Porter, also with Gov. Mason, by whom he was appointed secretary of state. He was a gen- tleman neat and exact in dress, above medium height, straight, clean shaven, and a pair of spectacles added to the dignity of his port. Richard R. Elliott, of Detroit, in a note, says of him: "I remember his personal appearance, which was certainly distinguished, and his peculiar name struck my childish imagination." He was a lawyer and an educated man, was appointed to the office of bank commis- sioner in 1833, and returned east after the close of Gov. Mason's administration. His nativity is unknown, but understood to have been Pennsylvania or New Jersey.
WILLIAM PROBERT,
Representative from Manistee county in 1879, was born in Gloucester- shire, England, March 24, 1835, and was educated in common schools. He emigrated in 1850 and settled in Jefferson county, N. Y. In 1-61 he enlisted in the first regiment of Wis. Vols., and participated in many engagements, and was mustered out at the expiration of enlist- ment. In 1864 he removed to Pleasanton, Mich. Has been supervisor. and has held minor offices. Occupation, farmer. Politics, demo- cratic.
ABRAHAM C. PRUTZM.L.N
Was born in Columbia county, Pa., March 6, 1813. Received a com - mon school education, and was employed as clerk in Dansville, Pa.,
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
'for some years. In 1834 he emigrated to Michigan, and settled on Prairie Ronde. In 1838 he removed to Three Rivers, where he now resides. He engaged in the milling and merchandise business, in which he was concerned for a period of 27 years. He was appointed a member of the board of agriculture in 1862, a position he held for ten years. In 1868 he was elected Senator from St. Joseph and Cass counties, and was twice re-elected. A Republican in politics.
NICHOLAS W. PULLEN,
Representative from Wayne county in 1845, was born in Ontario county, N. Y., in 1803. He came to Michigan in 1831, first settling near Royal Oak, but subsequently removing to Romulus, where he resided for twelve years, serving much of the time as supervisor and justice. Failing health induced his removal to Detroit in 1847, and from thence he removed to Birmingham, where he died in 1563. He was by occupation a farmer, and politically a Democrat.
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HENRY H. PULVER,
Senator from Shiawassee and Livingston counties in 1885, was born Sept. 12, 1843, in Yates county, N. Y. He came to Michigan in 1844, served in the Sth Michigan infantry four years, studied law, was ad- mitted in 1859, and went into practice at Laingsburg. In politics. first a Republican, later a Greenbacker.
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