USA > Michigan > Early history of Michigan, with biographies of state officers, members of Congress, judges and legislators > Part 16
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JUSTIN RICE,
Senator from St. Clair county in 1840-1, was born in West Brook- field, Mass., in 1798. A physician by profession. He cameto Detroit in 1825, and practiced medicine for nine years, when he engaged in the manufacture of lumber at Port Huron, St. Clair, and Detroit, and was a pioneer in the lumber business. He died at Detroit in 1854. He was Indian agent at Mackinac in 1842-3-4. Was an active mem- ber and elder of the First Presbyterian church at Detroit. Politically first a Whig, then a Republican.
HAMPTON RICH,
Senator in 1867-9-70, was born in Sharon, Vt., Dec. 1, 1815. He removed with his father, first to St. Lawrence county, N. Y., then to Prescott, Canada. He received a common school and academical edu- cation and at the age of nineteen had entire charge of a store at Kemptville, Canada. He settled at Ionia, Mich., in 1837, now his home. He was three years a clerk; in mercantile business from 1846 to 1875; was town clerk in 1838, also justice; county clerk two terms; was director and president of the Ionia & Lansing railroad company, and active in building the line, and secured the railroad shops at Ionia : superintended the erection of the high school building; and was active in securing the location of the house of correction, of which he is a trustee. In politics a Republican.
- JOHN T. RICH,
Representative in the legislature from Lapeer county in 1873-4-5-7-9, Speaker of the House in 1877-9, Senator in 1891, and Representative in congress from March 11, 1881, to March 4, 1883, was born in Con- neautville, Pa., April 23, 1841. He received a common school and academical education, is a farmer, and in politics a Republican. When he was five years of age he removed with his parents to Addi-
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son county, Vt., and from there to Elba, Mich., in 1848. He was strongly supported for governor in 1880, and was a leading candidate. He was defeated as a candidate for a second term to congress. He is now commissioner of railroads by appointment of Gov. Luce.
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GABRIEL RICHARD
Was born at Saintes, France, Oct. 15, 1764, and was a descendant on his mother's side of Bishop Bossuet. He received a thorough classi- cal and theological education, and in 1791 became a priest of the order of Sulpitians, a society devoted to the education of young men for the sanctuary. He came to Baltimore in 1792, and accepted the charge of the Catholics in Illinois, where he remained six years, com- ing to Detroit in 1798 as permanent pastor. Detroit and vicinity then contained about 1,800 Catholics, while many families were scattered along the lakes and rivers, He at once interested himself zealously in the causes of religion and education, and commanded the highest respect of both Catholics and Protestants. He was a profound theo- logian, a good speaker and mathematician, and a composer of music. In 1804 he opened a school for the education of young men, and an academy for ladies in 1805. He brought the first printing press over- land from Baltimore, and in August, 1809, issued the first newspaper west of the Alleghany mountains. the Impartial Observer. The same year he published the first prayer book. Up to 1812 this was the only printing establishment in the northwest. In 1812 he was taken prisoner and confined at Sandwich, where by his eloquence and influ- ence he saved many prisoners from the horrors of Indian torture. In 1823 he was elected delegate to congress, over Gen. Jolin R. Wil- liams and Maj. John Biddle, and received a large support from the Protestant population. Through his exertions grants were obtained for the Fort Gratiot, Pontiac, Grand River, and Chicago roads. He was defeated as a candidate in 1825. During the progress of the cholera in 1832 he stood at his post giving consolation to the sick and dying, until he fell a victim to the disease, September 13, 1832.
- WILLIAM P. RICHARDS,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1859, was born in the state of Vermont in 1815. He came to Michigan in 1837, and settled in Hillsdale county. By occupation a farmer and lawyer, in politics a Republican. In 1860 he removed to Morenci, and engaged in mer- cantile business. Moved to Toledo, Ohio, in 1867, and died in 1982.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
DAVID M. RICHARDSON,
Senator from Wayne county in 1873-4, was born Jan. 31, 1826, in Concord, N. Y. He received his education at the Springville semi- nary, N. Y. In 1856 he emigrated to Michigan and settled in Detroit, where he now resides. He was a member of the board of education in Detroit for two years. He has been extensively engaged in the manufacture of matches.
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GEORGE F. RICHARDSON,
Representative from Ottawa county in 1885, was born in Jamestown, same county, in 1850. With a common school education he opened a general store in Jamestown Centre, which he carried on until 1883; now has a drug store. Has been a justice repeatedly, and four times town clerk. Elected as a Fusionist.
JOHN H. RICHARDSON,
Senator from Bay and Tuscola counties in 1883, was born at Ran- dolph, Vt., Jan. 24, 1814. He removed to Ipswich, Mass., in 1832, and for seven years was overseer for a Boston firm, in the manufac- ture of cotton goods; then for eight years was at Palmer, Mass., as overseer of the first cambric cotton mill in this country. In 1847 settled at Tuscola, Mich., and engaged in lumbering and farming. In 1861 he enlisted, and was a captain in the 7th Michigan infantry; was promoted to major in March, 1862, and made lieutenant colonel in Feb., 1863. Saw much hard service and resigned from ill health. In 1864, as commissioner, took the soldiers' vote in Alabama. Has been supervisor fifteen years, and justice eighteen years. In politics an Independent.
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ORIGEN D. RICHARDSON
Was born in the state of Vermont in 1795. He studied law and was admitted to practice in Vermont. He came to Pontiac, Mich., in 1826, and entered upon practice. He was prosecuting attorney of Oakland county in 1832; Representative in 1835-6-41; and lieutenant governor in 1842, 1843, 1844 and 1845. He continued in practice in Pontiac until 1854, when he removed to Omaha, Nebraska. He was a member of the first and second sessions of the legislature of that state, and took a prominent part in framing the laws now on the statute books. He was one of the three commissioners to codify the laws of Nebraska. He died Nov. 20, 1876. In politics a Democrat.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
PASCHAL RICHARDSON
Was born in Randolph, Vt., Dec. 29, 1808. He came to Michigan in 1842 In politics was a Democrat and by occupation a tanner. He was also engaged in lumbering. He was a Representative in 1853 and 1859. He was also postmaster, and served in other town offices during his residence in Michigan for thirty-five years. He died in Tuscola, Tuscola county, April 6, 1878.
CHARLES H. RICHMOND,
Senator from Washtenaw county in 1883, was born in Aurora, N. Y., March 6, 1821. He received an academical education, and from 1837 to 1839 was book-keeper and teller in a bank at Grand Rapids, Mich., when he returned to Aurora from ill health. He was fifteen years engaged as a farmer and merchant, then chief clerk of the superin- tendent and Indian agent of Michigan in 1848-9. In 1858 removed to Ann Arbor, then engaged in banking in New York city, and in 1861 organized and was the first cashier of the first national bank at Ann Arbor, and afterwards vice president. In politics a Democrat. He was a delegate in the constitutional convention of 1867, and to the democratic national convention at Cincinnati.
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CHARLES L. RICHMOND,
Representative from Saginaw in 1845, was born in Woodstown, N. J., Feb. 6, 1800. He came to Michigan in 1836. Was a merchant at Saginaw City, and in politics first a Whig, then a Republican. Mar- ried Amanda M. Sibley, of Canandaigua, N. Y., in 1828. Died in Saginaw City, Sept. 6, 1857.
WILLIAM A. RICHMOND
Was born at Aurora, N. Y., Jan. 28, 1808. He was brought up on a farm, educated at Cayuga academy, was for two years a clerk in Geneseo, and in 1828 visited Michigan. He was two years clerk in a New York silk house, and two years in business for himself. In 1836 he settled at Grand Rapids, and with Charles H. Carroll, Lucius Lyon and John Almy purchased the " Kent plat." In 1836 he was a mem- ber of the first convention of assent; in 1838 was appointed receiver of the Ionia land district: in 1844 and 1815 was Senator; in 1845 be- came superintendent of Indian affairs under President Polk; and in · 1851 was the democratic candidate for lieutenant governor. He was
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twice brigadier general of the state militia, and for several years was director of the Michigan Southern railroad. In politics a Democrat, in religion an Episcopalian. He was a man of clear intellect and sound judgment. Died at Grand Rapids in 1870.
IRA RIDER,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1853, was a native of the state of New York, born in 1797. He came to Michigan in 1831, and settled in Salem, where he died Aug. 17, 1868. Was a farmer by occupation, and a Democrat in politics.
ALMOND B. RIFORD
Was born in Orange county, Vt., Jan 31, 1839. He removed when young to Middlebury, Ind., was in Hillsdale college four years, and graduated from the law school at Ann Arbor in 1865. He located at Benton Harbor, where he was successful in law practice. He was Representative in 1869-70-1-2, and was postmaster at Benton Harbor for nearly eight years, until his death, July 10, 1884. In politics a Republican.
HENRY H. RILEY,
Senator from St. Joseph county in 1850-1. and 1862, was born at Great Barrington, Mass., Sept. 1, 1813, and died at Constantine, Mich., Feb. S, 1888. He received a common school education, and commenced to learn the trade of a printer at the age of seventeen. In 1837 he became the editor and publisher of the Seneca Observer at Waterloo, N. Y., where he remained five years, and studied law. He came to Kalamazoo in 1842, and after six months was admitted to the bar, and began prac- tice at Constantine, always his home. He was four years prosecuting attorney. In 18:3 he was one of the commissioners appointed to revise the state constitution. In later years he was a trustee of the insane asylum at Traverse City. For many years he was a contributor to the old Knickerbocker Magazine, and the " Puddleford papers" first appeared in that monthly, giving him a national reputation. It was published in book form by Derby & Jackson, and has lately been republished by Lee & Shepard, of Boston. These papers were strik- ing and humorous pictures of pioneer life in Michigan. In politics a Democrat.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
CLAUDE N. RIOPELLE,
Representative from Detroit in 1869-70. is a descendant of a well known French family, of Detroit, his grandfather having come to this country with the forces of Lafayette during the revolution. He was born in Detroit in 1845, was educated and graduated at Notre Dame university, at South Bend, Ind., studied law, and was admitted to practice in 1866. He was the first scion of French stock admitted to the bar in Detroit, and was the youngest Representative during his term. He is still in active law practice in Detroit. Politics demo- cratic. :
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HYACINTHE F. RIOPELLE,
Representative from Wayne county in 1883, was born in Wayne county, Mich., Aug. S, 1836, and is a member of a pioneer French family. He received a common school and commercial college edu- cation, and became a teacher. Has been justice since 1863, supervisor since 1867, and held other local offices. A farmer, and a Democrat. Resides at Ecorce.
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THOMAS C. RIPLEY,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1873-4, was born in the town of Easton, N. Y., Jan. 2, 1807. He received his education in a com- mon school and commenced the study of law. He completed his studies with the late Judge Hurlburt of the state Supreme Court, and afterwards entered into partnership with him. He was a Representa- tive in congress from the Troy district in 1846-7, to fill a vacancy, In 1854 he removed to Michigan and settled in Saginaw, where he now resides. His occupation is that of a farmer.
ORANGE RISDON,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1838, was born at Rupert. Vt., Dec. 28, 1786, and died Nov. 28, 1876. When young removed to Saratoga county, N. Y., studied surveying, surveyed 100.000 acres of land in Genesee and Alleghany counties in 1807, and in 1809 helped lay out the cities of Lockport, Brockport and Buffalo, N. Y. He settled at Saline, Mich., in 1824. He laid out the state road from Detroit to Pontiac in 1825, was chief surveyor of the military road from Detroit to Chicago, and from that time until 1856, in the employ of the government, surveyed 75 townships in Michigan, and resurveyed 45.
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He was postmaster of Saline ten years and justice twelve years. A the time of his death he was the oldest living Knight Templar in the United States, having taken that degree in 1815. He officiated at the laying of the corner stone of the old capitol at Detroit in 1823, and was present at the laying of the corner stone of the new capitol in 18:3. In politics a Democrat.
OEL RIX
Was born at Royalton, Vt., August 1, 1804. He came to Romeo in 1835, and was five years a merchant there; then went to Memphis, and built and used a saw and grist mill. He afterwards returned to Romeo, thence back to Memphis. He was a Representative in 1843-4 and Senator in 1846-7. In politics a Democrat. He built the first house in the village of Memphis. Died September 8, 1880.
RICHARD B. ROBBINS.
Senator from Lenawee county in 1879, was born at Kingwood, N. J., April 27, 1831. He was admitted to the bar of Lenawee county in 1859. In 1862 he received a commission as second lieutenant, and raised a company for the fourth Michigan cavalry. He was grad- ually promoted and finally was brevetted lieutenant colonel, U. S. volunteers, March 13, 1865. "for gallant and meritorious services." He was mustered out July 20. 1565. He served three terms as justice in Adrian, and one term as mayor. He was chairman of the republi- can county committee for four years. He was elected to the House of Representatives for 1575 and 1877. In politics a Republican. Has served several years as consul in Canada.
ELIJAH J. ROBERTS,
Representative from Keweenaw county in 1-50. and Senator in 1851. was by profession a lawyer, and was in earlier life in professional practice at Detroit. He was master in chancery in 1939; justice in 1835-6: publisher of the Craftsman in 1838: merged it in the Morning Post and Craftsman in 1539 and 1840; school inspector, 1542: and adjutant general of Michigan, 1842 to 1844. He went to the upper peninsula in 1847. Died April 26, 1:51.
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JOHN ROBERTS,
Senator in 1857-8, was born in Warwick, Bucks county, Pa., March 17, 1812. He came to Jonesville in 1810, and located at Hastings in 61
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1845. By profession a physician and surgeon, in politics, first Whig. then a Republican. He was postmaster of Hastings from 1547 to 1951, and again from 1860 to 1876. He was appointed examining surgeon for Barry county at the close of the war, and held it until his death, December 18, 1886.
ALEXANDER ROBERTSON,
Representative from Cass county in 1873-4, was born March 3. 1526. in Argyle, N. Y. In 1935 he removed to Spafford, N. Y. He received a high school education. In 1854 he removed to Michigan, and settled in Pokagon, Cass county, where he still resides. He has served in several offices of trust in his town and county. By occupa- tion a farmer.
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ANDREW S. ROBERTSON,
Senator from Macomb county in 1863, was born in Brumley, England, August 12, 1822, and was educated at the University of Glasgow. He came with his parents to this country in 1936, who settled at White Lake, Michigan. The son became a teacher in Oakland and Macomb counties, stu died law, was admitted in 1846, and commenced practice at Mt. Clemens. He was a delegate in the constitutional convention of 1950. Died while Senator in 1863, and a fitting eulogy was delivered by Gov. Croswell, then a Senator, December 20, 1554. In politics a Democrat.
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GEORGE ROBERTSON,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1879-81-2, was born in Dry- den, N. Y., March 20. 1826. He came to Albion, Mich., with his parents in 1837, and was educated in public schools and Albion sent- nary. Since 1850, has been a farmer at South Albion. A Democrat until 1872, since a Republican.
ELISHA S. ROBINSON,
Delegate in the constitutional convention of 1550, was born in Sara- toga county, N. Y., March 2. 1801. He received a limited education and learned the trade of a tanner, which he followed, combined with harness and shoe making. for years. Settled as a farmer in Water. loo, Mich., in 18. He was a supervisor for seventeen years, jaste twelve years, and hell other offices. In politics a Democrat.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
GEORGE J. ROBINSON,
Representative from Alpena and other counties in 1883, was born in Detroit, Mich., February 3, 1938, and was educated in the public schools. He has been engaged in mechanical, commercial and spec- ulative pursuits; and was a commissary clerk during Sherman's march to the sea. He was a Republican until 1876, now a Democrat. Residence, Alpena.
GEORGE P. ROBINSON,
Representative from Branch county in 1875, was born June 7, 1827, at Swanton, Vt. Received a common school education and removed to Noble, Michigan, in 1963. He has held the office of supervisor, and is by occupation a farmer. In politics a Republican.
JAMES W. ROBINSON,
Representative from Montcalm county in 1887, was born near Port . Huron, Mich., Sept. 11, 1854. He attended public schools, and at the age of twenty-one was clerk of Jonesfield, Saginaw county. He has been supervisor, and superintendent of schools, and later became a merchant and shingle manufacturer at Vestaburg, and has been supervisor there four terms. In politics a Fusionist.
RIX ROBINSON,
Senator from Kent and attached counties in 1846-7-8-9, was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., in 1792, and died in 1875. He became an Indian trader in the Grand river valley in 1821, and was the first white settler in Kent county. He established several trading posts. the central one at Ada, where he died. When lands were opened for settlement he became a farmer. In 1887 a monument was erected to his memory in Ada. He was supervisor: associate judge: delegate in the constitutional convention of 1850; and commissioner of in- ternal improvements in 1846. In politics a Democrat.
ROBERT ROBINSON.
Representative in 189; from Muskegon county, was born in Scotland, May 7, 1930. He came to this state in 1919, and was several years an employé in the lumber business in Saginaw county. Then until 1-57 was a sawyer and log-scaler at Muskegon. Has been supervisor. justice, and hell other local offices. In politics a Republican.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
SOLON E. ROBINSON,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1873-4, was born in Claren- don, N. Y., Aug. 17, 1820. He received a common school education. In 1842 he emigrated to Tekonsha, Calhoun county. In 1854 he re- moved to Battle Creek, and in 1867 to Eckford, where he now resides. He has been honored with several official positions in his town and county. His occupation is that of a farmer.
WALTER ROBINSON
Was born in Macedon, N. Y., Dec. 17, 1818. He worked on the farm until fourteen years of age, then was clerk in a store for four years, and clerk in the Erie canal collector's office for five years. He came to Adrian in 1846, was engaged in livery and staging for eight years, and then was a merchant for four years. Since that time he has been farming. He was deputy provost marshal during the war, and for ,one year deputy revenue collector. In 1867 he was a Representative. Politically a Republican.
ANDREW ROBISON
Was born in Phelps, N. Y., Nov. 15, 1800. He was apprenticed to the tanner's trade at Palmyra. N. Y. In 1822 he was married to Gertrude Hoag. Came to Michigan in 1841 and purchased a farm in Sharon, Washtenaw county. He filled various offices of public trust: was Representative in 1:59: for several years justice and supervisor: and was appointed in 1864 one of the receivers of soldiers' votes in the south. He was a man of pronounced views on all leading subjects. In politics he was a Democrat until 1854. He assisted in the forma- tion of the republican party, of which he remained a member to the close of his life. Died Jan. 27, 1579.
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JOHN J. ROBISON,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1579, was born in Phelps. N. Y., Aug. 13, 1824. He received a common school education, re- moving to Michigan in 1543, settling in Sharon. Occupation, a far- mer. Ile served as State Senator in 1863-4; was county clerk in 1869, and again in 1970; delegate to the democratic national conven- tion in 1972; supervisor several terms. He has twice been nominated for congress in the second district. Politics, democratic. Now county clerk of Washtenaw county.
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CHANDLER H. ROCKWOOD
Was born in York, N. Y., May 17, 1825. He received an academical education, worked on a farm, and for two years at making fanning mills. He settled in Flint in 1818, and engaged in the manufacture of fanning mills. He purchased a farm, and since 1856 has lived in the town of Genesee. He was supervisor thirteen years; a Repre- sentative from Genesee county in 1867; was assistant assessor of internal revenue for Genesee, Shiawassee and Clinton counties from 18:1 to 18;3; deputy collector for eighteen months; and county treasurer from 1850 to 1885. In polities a Republican.
JEREMIAH M. ROGERS,
Representative from Barry county in 1887, was born in Hector. N. Y., March 17, 1832. He came to Michigan with his parents in 1836. settling at Carlton, Barry county, where he has since resided, with the exception of three years in Nebraska. He has been engaged in farming and stock buying principally, and three years ago began. in addition, buying grain and farm products and selling agricultural implements at Hastings. In politics a Republican.
JAMES W. ROMEYN.
Representative in 1869-70, and Senator in 1871-2 and 1883. was born in Detroit in 1839. He graduated at Columbia college, N. Y., in 1858, studied law, and was admitted to practice in 1860. He was senior aid of the staff of the general commanding the 1st division, 9th army corps, with a commission in the 4th Michigan infantry. He also held in this state the rank of major and colonel. In politics a Democrat. Now consul in Chili.
HORACE D. ROOD.
Representative from Lapeer county in 1971-2. was born in Barre, Vt .. Dec. 13. 1819. He settled as a farmer in Lapeer county, Michigan. in 1836. He was treasurer of the township of Lapeer as far back as 1542. has been supervisor of Lapeer and of Mayfield. road commissioner. and a superintendent of the county poor for twenty years. In politics. a Democrat.
ALBERT K. ROOF,
Senator from Clinton and Ionia counties in 1887, was born at Lyons. Michigan. April 6, 1541. By profession, an attorney at law. He is a
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graduate of the law department of the State University, at Ann Arbor. He has held the office of township treasurer, justice, register of deeds, was chairman of the board of supervisors in 1878 and 1886, and Representative in the legislature in 1871-2. He was elected on the fusion ticket by a vote of 6,763 to 6.688 for Alfred H. Smith, re- publican, and 935 for James S. Osgood, prohibitionist.
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ADAM L. ROOF,
Representative from Ionia county in 1845-9-50, and Senator in 1852, was born at Canajoharie, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1810. He graduated at Hamilton college, in 1832, was admitted to the bar in 1836, and settled in practice at Lyons, Mich., in 1836. He held the offices of register of deeds, prosecuting attorney, and judge of probate. In 1859 he retired from practice and devoted himself to farming. He was the first lawyer in Ionia county. In politics a Democrat. Education, temperance, morality and religion received his support, and he was a strong man in the early days of the Grand River Valley. Died Jan. 26, 1885.
JOHN ROOST
Was born Oct. 9, 1823, in Harderwyk, Netherlands. He emigrated to this country in 1847, locating in Ottawa county, then a part of Kent. He followed his trade as a wagon-maker. He removed to Holland in 1854, and was supervisor in 1858-59-60. The " Holland colony " in 1859 appointed Mir. Roost financial agent to negotiate a loan of $30,000 to open a harbor, connecting Black river and Lake Michigan, which he accomplished in the east, Gerrit Smith being the first one to invest in the bonds. Soon after he secured 11.000 acres of swamp land from the state for the same purpose. In 1860 he estab- lished "De Grondwet," a Holland republican paper, which had great influence in politics. In 1561 he became postmaster, and in 1862 U. S. enrolling officer and assistant assessor. In 1871-2 he was a Repre- sentative, and in 1883 a Senator. A Republican until 1876, then a Democrat. Died May 31, 1885.
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AMOS ROOT
Was born at Fort Ann, N. Y., April 8, 1816. With a common school education, at the age of sixteen, he became a clerk at Mohawk. N. Y., where he remained six years. He came to Michigan in 1838, and commenced business at Michigan Center. In 1911 removed to Jack- son, which has since been his home. For sixteen years was a mer-
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