USA > Michigan > Early history of Michigan, with biographies of state officers, members of Congress, judges and legislators > Part 17
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chant, when he sold out and operated in lands and city property. He also did much hard work to make Jackson a prominent railroad center. He was efficient in building the branch of the Michigan Southern from Jackson to Adrian. He was also one of the main sup- porters of the Grand River Valley road, from Jackson to Grand Rapids, and was president of the company for many years. He was Repre- sentative in 1853; for many years a trustee of the village, alderman of the city of Jackson; mayor in 1960, postmaster from 1-61 to 1865, member and president of the board of public works, and nine years inspector of the state prison. First a Whig. from 1848 to 1854 a Free Soiler, since a Republican.
ROLAND ROOT,
Representative from Branch county in 1950-51, was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., Dec. 25, 1813. He received a district school education. taught school, and at the age of eighteen became clerk in a store at Norwalk, Ohio. His employer. Judge Baker, sent him to examine property he had purchased in Branch county. He reported favorably, and was entrusted with $1,600 worth of goods and opened a store in 1835 at Coldwater. He was for a long time the leading merchant of Branch county. He also built and operated a large flouring mill. In 1861 he enlisted in the celebrated Loomis battery, and became first lieutenant in October, 1861, but was obliged to resign from ill health in 1862. Married Harriet Chapin in 1837, and his wife and eight chil- dren survive him. Died Aug. 11, 18$5.
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ROSWELL ROOT,
Representative from Wayne county in 1811. was born in New Hamp- shire in 1740, and settled in the township of Plymouth in 1825, locat- ing land upon which he lived until his death in 1873. He was justice from 1826 to 1542, and postmaster of Borodino postoffice 1:26 to 1860. when the office was discontinued. Was also supervisor for several terms. He was Whig and Republican in politics.
WILLIAM W. ROOT,
Representative from Ingham county in 1851-2, was born in Cato, N. Y., June 28, 1437. He received a common school and academical education. He studied medicine, graduated as a physician from the Michigan University in 1862, became assistant surgeon of the 5th N.
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Y. volunteers, afterwards surgeon, served until the close of the war. and was executive officer of the 19th army corps hospital during Sheridan's campaign in the Shenandoah valley. Afterwards attended and received a degree at Bellevue hospital college. Settled in prac- tice at Mason, Mich., in 1866, and has held several terms as super- visor, served many years on the board of education, and been four years president of the county agricultural society. In politics a Republican, now a Prohibitionist.
ASA D. RORK,
Representative from Barry county in 1877, was born Feb. 29, 1832, at Sheridan, N. Y. His parents removing to Wisconsin in 1841, he resided in that state until 1843, in which year they came to Rutland. Mich., where he has since continued to reside. He received a com- mon school education. taught school several terms, and entered the state normal school in 1851, but on account of the death of his father left school to take charge of his business. He has held various county and township offices, including that of supervisor for five terms. county surveyor four years, and county treasurer four years. His occupation is farming, in politics a Republican.
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DAVID G. ROSE,
Senator from Washtenaw county in 1881-2, was born in Sharon. Conn., Jan. 24, 1526. His parents removed to Sharon in 1833, where he still resides. He received a common school education. Has held several township offices-school inspector, justice of the peace, and supervisor. He is a Democrat.
ELIAS O. ROSE,
Representative from Mecosta and other counties in 1873-4, was born at Independence, O., Oct. 13, 1838, and was educated at Hillsdale college. He studied law and was admitted in 1859. Lived at Steuben, Ind., two years, then enlisted in the 44th Indiana, became a lieuten- ant, in 1862 was wounded and resigned. He removed to Big Rapids in 1863; was prosecuting attorney four years, and was a supervisor and chairman of the board four years. He started the Big Rapuls Independent in 1870, afterwards the Magort. In polities a Repub- lican.
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JOHN ROBERTSON,
Adjutant General of Michigan from March 14, 1861, until his death at Detroit, March 19, 1897, was born at Banffshire, Scotland, Jan. 2, 1814; was well educated: became a clerk in the Edinburgh postoffice; came to this country in 1833: enlisted in the army and served until 1840: went into business at Detroit; and was appointed a lieuten- ant of state troops in 1855. To his zeal and energy is due the history of the "Flags of Michigan," the "Roll of Honor," deposited in the state library, "Michigan in the War," and other works. To his etfi- ciency and zeal the state of Michigan is greatly indebted, especially from 1861 to 1863.
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WILLIAM H. ROSE,
Representative from Clinton county in 1881-2-3, was born in Clinton county, Mich, July 24, 1844. He received a business education, and when eigliteen years of age, entered the union army. He com- menced active business as an agriculturist, in connection with lum- bering and real estate transactions, in which business he has been successful. He has held various official positions of his township. He is still owning and residing on the farm where he was born, which was located by his father in 1836. In politics a Republican.
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GILES ROSS,
Representative from Livingston county in 1971-2-7, was born in Dover, N. Y., March 23, 1816. His education was acquired in dis- trict schools. In 1826 he removed to Cayuga county, N. Y., where in 1846 he was a justice. He was appointed collector of canal tolls at Montezuma. N. Y., for two terms. In 1862 he removed to Hartland, Mich. In 1863 he was elected supervisor. He is a farmer by occu- pation. In politics a Democrat.
JOHN D. ROSS.
Representative from Berrien county in 1854, came from Indiana in 1834, and settled on the present site of Buchanan, Mich., where he resided until his death in 185%. He was for many years a merchant, and in 1-64 became a banker. He was president of the village of Buchanan in 1859. 1-61-2-3. and 1879, also a member of the common council, and was a prominent citizen. In politics a Democrat. He was the first postmaster from 1548 to 1852.
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FRANK G. ROUNSVILLE,
Representative from Livingston county in 1887, was born in Unadilla. Livingston county, Feb. 18, 18IS, has been a resident of Michigan all his life, except during the years from 1854 to 1862. By occupation he is a farmer and grain dealer. Mr. Rounsville has filled the offices of clerk three years, trustee two years of the village of Fowlerville. president four years, and supervisor of township two years. In politics a Republican.
SAMUEL H. ROW
Was born in Sharon, Mich., March 10, 1840. The first twenty years of his life were spent on his father's farm. At the age of twenty-one he was elected school inspector. In August, 1862, he left the Ypsi- lanti union seminary, and enlisted in company "B," twentieth Michigan infantry, and rose from the ranks to first lieutenant. Hav- ing resigned his commission in 1863, he removed to Lansing in 1964, and accepted a clerkship in the state department. In April, 1567, he was appointed deputy secretary of state, which position he held until April, 1871, when he resigned to accept the position of commissioner of insurance. To that position he was re-appointed by Governors Bagley, Croswell and Jerome. Since his residence in Lansing he has served as president of the young men's society, for three years as a member of the city board of education, and as alderman. Is now in the insurance business.
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SQUIRE W. ROWE,
Representative from Oakland county in 1865, was born at Camillus. N. Y., June 1, 1815. He settled as a farmer in Highland, Mich .. in 1835, locating twenty-five miles from a grist mill or postoffice. He was many years supervisor, and raised a company for the 13th Michi- gan, but ill health prevented active service. Died Nov. 19, 1966.
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DAVID H. ROWLAND,
Born in Fairfield county, Conn., May 10, 1798, came to Michigan in the fall of 1833; was by occupation a merchant, and in politie- a Democrat. Ile was for a time a teacher, also a local Methodist Epis- copal minister, and a man of strict integrity. He was Representa- tive in 1-13-4. Died June 11, 1860.
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THOMAS ROWLAND,
Secretary of State, 1840 to 1842, was a native of Ohio, and served as a major of infantry under General Hull in 1813-14. He was secre- tary of the territory; United States marshal for the Detroit district; postmaster of Detroit under President Harrison, 1843 to 1845; and sec- retary of state under Governor Woodbridge. He was a man of cul- ture and highly esteemed. A paper of his on " Hull's Campaign," read before the Detroit lyceum in 1819, has been quoted with com- mendation. He was secretary of the corporation of Detroit from 1815 to 1820, and his private seal was made the seal of the corporation; was clerk of the county court from 1815 to 1820; United States pen- sion agent, 1824 to 1831; probate judge of Wayne county, 1833-4; editor of the Detroit Journal from 1832 to 1934: vice president of the Michigan historical society, and held many other positions. He was a leading citizen of the territory and state for more than half a cen- tury. Died at Detroit in 184S.
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HARVEY B. ROWLSON,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1869, was born at Duanes- burg, N. Y., July 15, 1525. He received a common school education. and in 1843 spent several months in the printing office of the Adrian News, which in 1544 was removed to Hillsdale, and became the Hills- dale Gazette. In 1946, with S. D. Clark, started the Hillsdale Whig- Standard, and in 1551 became sole proprietor, and has been editor and proprietor ever since, the paper now being the Hillsdale Standard. He has been eight years county treasurer, was collector of internal revenue for first district in 1869 to 1873, and of third district 1573 to 1883, and in 18$5 was appointed member of the board of control of the state reform school for six years. Politically a Whig until 1864, since a Republican.
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JOHN V. RUEHLE
Was born at Langensteinbach, Baden. Germany, Sept 4, 1812. He attended school until 14. then learned the trade of a baker. He emi- grated with his parents to Detroit in 1832. He was captain of the Scott guards of Detroit from 1841 to 1846; Representative in 1514: alderman of the 6th ward, Detroit, in 1810 and 1841; water commis- sioner 1859 to 1961; greenback nominee for congress in 1876: boulevard commissioner of Hamtramck in 1550. In 1947 Michigan furnished a regiment of volunteers for the war with Mexico, which went out under Colonel Stockton. 3. S. Williams was lieut. col .; J. V. Ruehle,
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major; and J. E. Pittman, adjutant. The regiment was mustered out in 1858, having seen little service before the close of the war. In 19661 he became lieut. colonel of the 16th Michigan infantry, but after eight months' service resigned and was honorably discharged. In politics a Democrat.
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JOHN G. RUMMELL,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1883, was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 13, 1843, and came to this country with his parent- in 1851. when they settled in Frankenmuth, Mich. He received a common school education. and has since resided there, except two years in Illinois, working at his trade as carpenter. He has been engaged in farming for many years. He has held the office of justice seven years, and the office of school inspector three terms, and has been secretary of the German relief society for ten years. In politics a Democrat.
MARSHALL E. RUMSEY,
Representative from the second district of Ingham county, was born in Bethany, N. Y., Jan 17, 1840. He received his education at the academy in Bethany Center, and at the high school in Geneseo, Liv- ingston county, N. Y .; worked at farming during the summers and taught school winters, from 1951 to 1862. In 1862 he removed to Illinois, doing business in Chicago most of the time until 1867. when he came to Leslie, Michigan, where he has engaged in farming, lum- bering, real estate business, and banking; was for several years a member of the village council and twelve years member of the school board; was elected president of the first national bank of Leslie in August, 1893, which position he now holds. He was elected Repre- sentative from the second district of Ingham county, on the reput li- can ticket, for 1855-6, and re-elected in 1856 to the same position for 1887-8. He received 2.111 votes to James HI. Shafer 2,009, and 356 for R. II. Davis, prohibitionist. During both sessions he was chairman of the committee of ways and means.
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HIRAM D. RUNYAN
Was born in New Jersey. October 10, 1827. He came with his father to Michigan in 1934, who settled on a farm near Utica, but soon sold ont, and removing to Utica, engaged in brick making. On the death of his wife his children were placed among strangers, and the subject
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of this sketch went to live with a farmer in Disco, with whom he remained until he was twenty-three. He has followed farming as an occupation. He was Representative in 1871-2, and has held several positions of trust.
PHILIP E. RUNYAN,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1844, was born in the state of New Jersey, July 14, 1199. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Democrat. He removed from the state of New York to White Pigeon. in 1835. Was supervisor and town clerk of White Pigeon. Died June 24, 1845.
FREDERICK J. RUSSELL
Was born at Orion, Mich., October 7, 1811, and removed to Oceana . county with his parents in 1857. Was educated at common schools, with two terms at the Normal school. He was admitted to the bar in 1866, and commenced practice. He has served both as United States and circuit court commissioner, was nine years judge of probate, and has been judge of the 14th circuit since 1881. Is also interested in stock raising, agriculture and banking.
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HENRY C. RUSSELL,
Senator from Kent county in 1881-2, was born in Plainfield, Mich .. in 1842. He received a common school education, resided in Grand Rapids several years, became a merchant in 1864 at Cedar Springs. and afterwards a druggist. Has also been extensively engaged in lumbering in Lake county, and in banking and farming. Has been a supervisor, town treasurer and president of the village.
- JAMES I. RUSSELL,
Representative from Monroe county in 1848, was a farmer and a Democrat. He held many offices of trust in the town of Summerfield. Monroe county.
JOSIAH RUSSELL,
Senator from Montcalm and other counties in 1553, was born in Neary, Maine. April 25. 1864. He settled in Oakland county, Mich .. in 1835, removed to Ionia county in 1542, and in 1815 to Greenville.
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where he was elected county judge, and opened the first court of record in Montcalm county. He became a resident of Oceana county in 1859, and was probate judge, county surveyor, and several times supervisor. Died at Hart, Mich., April 25. 1874.
DAVID SACKETT,
Representative from Wayne county in 1850, was a farmer by occupa- tion and a Democrat in politics. born in Steuben county, N. Y., in 1817. He came to Michigan in 1831, settling in Redford, where he died July 2. 1850. He was supervisor 1852-56, county auditor 1957-60, and county drain commissioner in 1866. Also held the office of justice and other local positions.
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GEORGE W. SACKRIDER,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1877, was born near Grass Lake, Mich., September S. 1842. and received a liberal education at the district and union school of that township. In 1867 he removed to Mason, and engaged in the furniture and lumber trade, and held the offices of township clerk and under-sheriff. He removed to Oakley. Saginaw county, September, 1871, and engaged in lumbering, farm- ing and general merchandising. He has held the office of supervisor of Brady. In politics a Democrat.
NATHAN SALYER
Was born in Hopewell, N. J., March 15. 1504. In 1832 he removed to Romulus, N. Y., and was there engaged in various pursuits, among them farming and carriage making. He also held various public offices. He married in 1837. and in 1839 removed to Northfield. Mich., where he engaged in farming. He was supervisor in 1:46 and 1817, and a Representative in 1849. In politics a Whig.
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CUMMINGS SANBORN.
Representative from St. Clair county in 1-42, was born at North Haverhill, N. H., January 15. 1799. In polities a Democrat. in busi- ness a lumberman. He came to Michigan as early as 1835, and was a prominent business man. Was postmaster of Port Huron in 1516. Died September 17. 1552.
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JAMES W. SANBORN
Was born at Falmouth, Maine, in April, 1813. He was the son of a physician, one of eleven children. He was in early life a sailor and often crossed the Atlantic. He left the sea at the age of twenty-one, and came to Port Huron in 1835, in company with Abner Coburn, since governor of Maine: Charles Merrill, late of Detroit; and Joseph L. Kelsey. Together they located 25,000 acres of land in St. Clair and Sanilac counties, and Mr. Sanborn, at the age of twenty-two, was left in charge of the purchase. In 1836 he established himself at Metamora, Lapeer county. In 1840 and 1846 he was Representative in the legislature from Lapeer county, and in 1855 from St. Clair county. In 1847 he engaged in the dry goods and lumber business at Port Huron, with Alvah Sweetzer, the partnership being dissolved by the death of the latter in 1864. He had large lumber interests on the Muskegon and its tributaries, the Au Sable, Thunder Bay river, Pine river. on the Cheboygan, and in the upper peninsula. He also owned real estate and personal property in Port Huron and Fort Gratiot. In 1858 he was elected commissioner of the state land office and held the office for two terms. He was first a Whig, and was one of the founders of the republican party at Jackson, in 1854. He died at Port Huron several years since.
-- WILLIAM SANBORN,
Senator from St. Clair county in 1867, was born in Belgrade, Maine, November 2, 1834, and died at San Diego, California, June 23, 1876. By occupation a lumberman, in politics a Republican. He was deputy commissioner of the state land office from 1859 to 1861. He was commissioned major of the 22d Michigan infantry. August 8. 1862; lieutenant colonel, January 5. 1863; wounded in action at Chick- amauga, Tenn .. September 20, 1863. Discharged for disability June 7, 1864. Brevet colonel U. S. volunteers, March 13. 1565, "for con- spicuous gallantry at the battle of Chickamauga. Tenn." Brevet brigadier general U. S. volunteers. March 13. 1465. "for conspicuous gallantry and meritorious services during the war." His residence was at Port Huron for many years.
RUDOLPHUS SANDERSON
Was born in Milton, Chittenden county, Vt .. May 30, ISIS. He was brought up on a farm and received a common school education. He was first a clerk then a merchant in Milton, Vt., and served two
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terms in 1849 and 1850 in the Vermont legislature. On coming to Michigan he purchased a farm in Newton, Calhoun county. where he resided twenty-one years. afterwards moving to Battle Creek. IIe was supervisor of Newton for nine years, also alderman of Battle Creek. He was a Representative in 1565, also in 1873-4. At first a Whig, since 1854 a Republican.
GEORGE P. SANFORD,
Representative from Ingham county in 1869-70, was born at Erron. N. Y., July 6, 1835, and came with his parents to Saline, Mich., in 1837. He worked at farming, learned the trade of a carpenter. and taught school. Graduated at the Normal in 1856, and from the Uni- versity in 1861. The same year entered the service as captain in the Ist Mich. infantry, resigning from ill health in 1862. In 1864 became paymaster, with rank of major. Resigned in 1866 and was brevetted lieutenant colonel. Since resided at Lansing. Was a Republican until 1872, since a Democrat. Ownel an l edited the Lansing Journal from 1872 to 1983; four years member of board of education and on- year president; democratic candidate for regent in 1979, and for auditor general in 1884; postmaster, member democratic state com- mittee, president state press association, and of the alumni of the State University.
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HARRY SAUNDERS,
Representative from Wayne county in 1539-44, was born at White- hall, N. Y., in 1802. He removed to Michigan with his family in 1832, locating in Monguagon, where he continued to resi le until his death in 1872. He filled the office of supervisor for several terms. and was county auditor, 1849-52. He was a prominent officer of militia in New York before coming to Michigan, and in Michigan began with a captaincy, and was advanced by promotions to the rank of brigadier general. A farmer by occupation, a Democrat in poli- tics.
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ANDREW J. SAWYER,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1977-79, was born in Care- line, N. Y., Nov. 18, 1834 He received an academical education. and engaged in teaching from the age of eighteen to twenty-five. He removed to Michigan in 1457: was admitted to the bar in 1534 and has devoted himself exclusively to the practice of his profession. He
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has held various township offices. In politics a Republican. Now in practice at Ann Arbor.
FRANKLIN SAWYER, JR.,
A graduate of Harvard University, came to Michigan about 1830, and studied law with Gen. Charles Larned. He was for a short time a law partner of Hon. Jacob M. Howard. He practiced but a few years. He was an editor of the Detroit Courier, and afterwards an editor and one of the proprietors of the Detroit Daily Advertiser. He was one of the founders of the Detroit young men's society, and its first president. He had literary taste and was a brilliant, forcible . writer, and withal a man of public spirit. He was appointed by Gov. Gordon superintendent of public instruction, and held the office from April 8, 1841, to May 8, 1843. He gave his whole energy to the work, with important results to education. Soon after leaving office he went to New Orleans and was there several years superintendent of public instruction. He finally went back to his old home in Massa- chusetts, and died many years since.
JACOB C. SAWYER,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1877, was born Dec. 26, 1822, in Manchester, N. Y .; removed to Ashtabula county, Ohio; was admitted to practice law in that state in 1848; removed to Lenawee county, this state, in 1853, and engaged in farming in the township of Medina: is a graduate of the law department of the University of Michigan of the class of 1861; was a member of the constitutional convention of 1867.
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PETER SCHARS
Was born in Germany, October 21, 1812. Occupation a farmer. He came to Michigan in 1853 and resides at New Baltimore, Macomb county. In politics a Republican. He was a Representative in 1865-7.
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CASPER F. SCHATTLER,
Representative from Macomb county in 1875, was born in Germany in 1838, and received an academical education. He removed to Mich- igan in 1848, and settled in Wayne county. He has held the office of justice, and other positions of trust. He is a farmer. In politics a Democrat.
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BARTHOL. W. SCHERMERHORN
Was born in Schenectady, N. Y., Dec. 7, 1823. He came to Michigan in 1851, lived at Niles one year, removed to Cass county, and now resides at Dowagiac. He followed at first the occupation of a farmer, and held many official positions. He was alderman of his native town, twelve years supervisor, justice sixteen years, two years presi- dent of Dowagiac, sheriff of Cass county, and Representative in 1857. In politics a Democrat.
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HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT
Was born in Albany, N. Y., March 29, 1793, and was educated at Middlebury college. In 1817 he visited the west and published "A view of the lead mines of Missouri." In 1820 was geologist of the exploring expedition, under Gen. Cass, to Lake Superior and the head of the Mississippi, and published a report in 1821, and the next year made a second tour and published his travels in the Mississippi valley. In 1822 was appointed Indian agent for the northwest: from 1828 to 1832 was a member of the Michigan territorial council; in 1922 founded the Michigan historical society at Detroit; and in 1831 the Algic society. In 1832 discovered the source of the Mississippi; in 1534 made an Indian treaty that secured 16,000,000 acres. In 1841 removed to New York city and published valuable works for the state of New York, and for the general government, his various works numbering thirty one. He was also a fine poet. He died at Washington, Der. 10, 1864.
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JOHN E. SCHWARZ
Was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1799. He received a finished scien- tific education, part of which was military. His first years in America were spent in Philadelphia. He came to Michigan in 1828. having business connections with John Jacob Astor in the northwestern fur trade, which took him to the distributing points for that trade, and familiarized him with the language and customs of the Indians. He held the office of adjutant general of the territorial militia in 1931, and the same office under the state government 1836-9, and 1844 to 1855. Gen. Schwarz's chief civil positions were as a member of the "second convention of assent" in 1836, Representative in 1844, and Senator in 1847-8. In 1852 he purchased a considerable tract of land and platted what is now the village of Schwarzburg, in Wayne county, where he built a family residence, which continued the home of the family until the death of Mrs. Schwarz, in 1579. During his later
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