USA > Michigan > Early history of Michigan, with biographies of state officers, members of Congress, judges and legislators > Part 19
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587
MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
JOSEPH P. SHOEMAKER,
Senator from Ionia and Montcalm counties in 1879, was born Aug. 30, 1820, at Mohawk, N. Y. He received a common school education. In 1837 he removed to Joliet, III. In 1840 he removed to Sandusky, Ohio, and remained one year, helping in locating railroads. In 1842 engaged in merchandise and buying grain at Republic, Ohio, and in 1852 went to Covington, Ky., and engaged in manufacturing iron, having charge of a rolling mill. In 1855 he came to Jackson, this state, and engaged in farming. He was postmaster at Jackson two years, and in 1861 removed to Montcalm county and engaged in farm- ing and lumbering. He was elected justice in 1866. In politics a National.
MICHAEL SHOEMAKER,
Senator from Jackson county in 1848-9-50-1-77-83-5, and president. pro tem. in 1851, was born at German Flats, N. Y., April 6, 1818. Attended school until fourteen, then was a clerk at Albany. At the age of seventeen located at Joliet, Ill., was seven years a partner in the mercantile business, and filled contracts in building the Illinois and Michigan canal. In 1852 he purchased the mills at Michigan Center, which he owned for 28 years. Resides at Jackson and owns large farms near that city. He held many offices, including inspector of state prison; collector of customs at Detroit: president of the state and county agricultural societies; several terms Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons; and chairman of the democratic state committee. In January, 1862, he was appointed colonel of the 13th Michigan infantry, took part in many engagements, with honor to himself and his command, and was for a short time an inmate of Libby prison. Has long been an active member of the state pioneer society, and has served as president.
DAVID SHOOK,
Representative from Macomb county in 1851, was born in Milan, N. Y., Dec. 27, 1804. He located at Mt. Clemens, Michigan, in 1836. He was a government contractor and civil engineer, a Democrat in poli- tics up to 1861. then a Republican, and a prominent politician in Macomb county. While a resident of the state of New York he was a lieutenant in the state militia. In 1864 he emigrated to Central City, Colorado, where he died, Aug. 2, 1565.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
JACOB SHOOK,
Representative from Macomb county in 1847, was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., Nov. 28, 1779. In 1841 he settled on a farm one mile from Mt. Clemens, where he resided until his death, April 11, 1862. He was a prominent democratic politician, and a leading business man in the state of New York, owning and controlling an ashery. woolen factory and general store. Was a captain of N. Y. militia.
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PHILIP P. SHORTS,
Representative from Mason county in 1885, was born in Ontario, Canada, August 4, 1845. He came to Michigan in 1873, and has been continuously engaged in the practice of his profession, which is that of a physician. His residence is in Ludington, of which city he has been alderman for two terms.
SOLOMON SIBLEY
Was born in Sutton, Mass., Oct. 7, 1769. He studied law and removed to Ohio in 1795, establishing himself first at Marietta, and then at Cincinnati, in the practice of his profession. He removed to Detroit in 1797, and in 1799 was elected a delegate from Wayne county to the territorial legislature of the northwest territory. In 1815 he was appointed by President Madison United States district attorney of Michigan, which position he held until 1824, when he was appointed one of the United States judges of the territory, holding it until 1838, when he resigned. He was the territorial delegate in con- gress from Michigan from 1820 to 1823. He was interested in a com- pany which erected the first saw and flouring mills in Pontiac. He was a Democrat in politics. As a lawyer, judge and citizen he was universally respected. He died at Detroit April 4, 1846. He left three sons, all of whom became prominent as public men. One was Henry H. Sibley, first governor of Minnesota, and a general in the late rebellion.
AARON SICKLES
Was born at Palmyra, Wayne county, N. Y., Oct. 2, 1817. He came with his parents family to Plymouth, Michigan, in 1836. In 1838 the son moved to Howell, and began life as a farmer, which he followed until 1856, when he removed to Elsie, resuming his calling as a farmer. He filled varions positions of public trust, and in 1:69-70
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
was a member of the Michigan House, as a Republican. Since that time he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits, first at Walton, Grand Traverse county, and at the present time at Elmira, Otsego county.
JOHN M. B. SILL,
Regent of the University of Michigan from 1867 to 1869, by appoint- ment to fill vacancy, was born at Black Rock, Nov. 24, 1831. His parents died when he was eleven, and he came to Jonesville, Mich., where he attended school. He was a graduate of the State Normal school in 1854. He became a teacher in the school, and wrote an English grammar, published in New York. He was president of the Michigan state teachers' association in 1861. In August, 1963, he became superintendent of the Detroit schools, but resigned in 1963, and for ten years was principal of the Detroit female seminary. In 1875 he became again superintendent of the Detroit schools, which position he held for many years. He is now president of the State Normal school, and everywhere recognized as an able educator.
- ABIEL SILVER
Was born in Hopkinton, N. H., in 1797. He removed to St. Lawrence county. N. Y., first teaching, and afterwards becoming a merchant. In 1831 he came to Cass county, Michigan. and opened a store with his brothers at Edwardsburg, and a branch the next year at Cass- opolis. He was a man of ability and culture, and had great influence among the early pioneers. He was a member of the second conven- vention of assent in 1836, and was an associate judge in Cass county. In 1846 he was appointed commissioner of the state land office, and held that position until 1850. Under his administration the seat of government was laid out at Lansing, and the various state lands there were cut up into lots and placed in market.
JAMES B. SIMONSON,
Representative from Oakland county in 1857, was born at Roxbury, N. Y., Jan. S, 1805, and received a common school education. Was a merchant at Roxbury from 1825 to 1835, then in trade at Royal Oak, Mich., for six years, at Birmingham two years, and at Springfield for sixteen years. He removed to Holly in 1860, was in trade until 1866. then organized and became president of the first national bank of
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
Holly. He was for five years supervisor of Springfield. Politically a Republican. Deceased.
EMERY H. SIMPSON,
Representative from Van Buren county in 1887, was born in Carlton, N. Y., Jan. 17, 1828, is a farmer, and has been a resident of this state twenty-three years. He is a Republican, and was a member of the House of 1873-4. He has held the office of supervisor and township clerk, and was elected Representative for 1887-8 by a vote of 1,909 to 1,347 for Sullivan Cook, and 439 for John W. Free, prohibitionist.
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DANIEL D. SINCLAIR,
Senator from Lenawee county in 1848, was born at Broadalbin. N. Y .. April 16, 1805. While young was a clerk at Albany, then learned the trade of a tailor, and was in the clothing trade in western New York. He settled in Adrian, Mich., in 1835, where he now resides. He was in the clothing trade for several years. Has been justice: county treasurer six years; brigadier general of state militia; superintendent of the Michigan Southern railroad from 1850 to 1858; supervisor for eighteen years, and a school trustee.
ELIAS M. SKINNER,
Lawyer, was born at Woodstock, Conn .. Oct. 28, 1798, and died Aug. 6, 1859. After an academical education he entered Brown University and graduated in 1820, Studied law with Governor Stoddard, spent a few years teaching, came to Ypsilanti in 1826, and commenced the practice of his profession. He took an active part in favor of temper- ance and Sabbath school instruction. He served several years as prosecuting attorney, and was elected judge of probate in 1945. In 1850 he was a democratic member of the constitutional convention.
DAVID G. SLAFTER
Was born in Norwich, Vt., Jan. 1, 1817. In 1849 he removed to Tuscola, Michigan. With the exception of one year has hell the office of justice since 1:52. Has been judge of ;probate for Tuscola county four years, and was enrolling officer and deputy provest marshal from 1863 to the close of the war. He was a Representative in 1863 and 1864. Principal business real estate and lumbering. . 1:
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
first a Whig, now a Republican. Is vice president of the national bank at Vassar.
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THOMAS J. SLAYTON,
Representative from Kent county in 1867-9-70, was born in Middlesex, N. Y., Jan. 9, 1837. In 1847 removed with his parents to Grattan, Michigan. He graduated at Hillsdale college in 1862, and from the University law school in 1864. Was for a short time at Vicksburg, Miss., in the Freedmen's bureau service, but commenced law practice at Lowell, Mich., in the fall of 1864. He retired to a farm in Grattan in 1874. In politics a Republican. Died July 15, 1875.
DANIEL D. SLOAN,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1850. was born in Herki- mer county, N. Y., Nov. 28, 1799. By occupation a millwright, in politics first a Whig, then a Republican. He came to Michigan in 1844, built the first large mill at Grand Rapids, also one at Ann Arbor, and one at Dover Mills, which he operated until his death, Jan. 29, 1861. He was several times supervisor and assessor of the town of Dexter, and was a man of sterling worth and integrity.
ALBERT B. SLOCUM
Was born in Macedon, N. Y., March 19, 1818. He moved to Michigan in 1842 and settled in Wheatland, Hillsdale county. He was a supervisor, and president of the Hillsdale county agricultural society. Was a Democrat in early life, became a Republican in 1854. He was a Representative in 1865. By occupation a farmer. Died May 14, 1883.
ELLIOTT T. SLOCUM, .
Senator from Wayne county in 1869-70, was born at Trenton, Mich., in 1839. He graduated at Union college in 1962, and is now a resident of Detroit, and since 1886 a park commissioner. In politics a Republican. His time is given to the management of a large estate inherited from his father.
ABNER C. SMITH,
Senator from Macomb county in 1845-6, was born in Vermont, Feb. 14, 1814. A lawyer and a Democrat. He came to Michigan in 1539,
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592
MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
and was a postmaster, judge of the county court, and judge of probate. Edited the Macomb county Gazette some years, and pub- lished the Ancient Landmark, a Masonic magazine. Died at Litchfield, Minn., Sept. 20, 1880.
ABRAM SMITH,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1863-4, was born in Clay. Mich., Sept. 8, 1819. Received a common school education, worked four years in a saw mill, and then sailed a vessel between Algonac and Sandusky. In 1844 engaged in lumber business which he con- tinued for many years. He owned a large farm and valuable timber lands. Has held various offices, including supervisor, president of the village of Algonac, and moderator of the school board for more than twenty years.
AMOS SMITH,
Senator from Cass county in 1969-70, was born at Springfield, Pa .. Aug. 7, 1829, where he received an academical education, and also graduated from a business college at Pittsburgh. He taught school in Cass county, Mich., in 1848, then in Yazoo county, Miss. Settled in Vandalia, Mich., 1852, taught school several years, owned and managed a farm, and gave much time to locating lines and corners in Cass county. Several years secretary of the Cass county farmers institute; supervisor several terms; county surveyor eighteen years ; and has held many other offices. In politics a Republican.
ANDREW J. SMITH,
Attorney General of Michigan in 1875-6, was born near Chillicothe. Ohio, Sept. 2, 1818. Removed with his parents to Indiana in 1825. and to the present site of Valparaiso in 1835. Since 1840 has been a resident of Cass county, Mich. Was several years a clerk, then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1857. He was prosecuting attorney twelve years, and held other local offices. In 1878 he was appointed judge of the second circuit to fill vacancy, and was elected to that office in 18$1, without opposition, serving until the close of 1887. In politics a Republican. Resides at Cassopolis.
AURA SMITH,
Representative from Branch county in 1963. was born in the state of New York. Came to Michigan in 1$14. Settled on a farm in the
593
MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
township of Girard. Was supervisor from 1850 to 1855. In 1864 he removed to Missouri, and is still living in that state. He was a farmer by occupation, and in the latter years of his residence in Michigan, a dealer in stock.
C. CLIFFORD SMITH,
Representative from Wayne county in 1867, was born in New Hamp- shire in 1828. He graduated as a physician from Portsmouth medical college, (N. H.) in 1952, and the same year came to Michigan, locating at Redford, where he has since resided. He was a surgeon in the late war, and a member of the jury commission for Wayne county in 1884. Politics, democratic.
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DAVIS SMITH,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1839, was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., in 1808. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Demo- crat. He came to Tecumseh, Mich., in 1830. Held several public offices, and took part in the Black Hawk and Toledo wars. Bore the title of general. Died March 26, 1868.
EZEKIEL C. SMITH,
Representative from Cass county in 1850, was born in Erie county, .N. Y., June 6, 1811. He settled in 1835 on a farm in Pokagon, Cass county, and has lived there ever since. He has held the office of supervisor nine years, and been a justice for 36 years. In politics a Democrat.
FRANK L. SMITH,
Representative from Jackson county in 1971-2, was born at Stafford Springs, Conn., July 8, 1830 .. In 1842 removed with his parents to Armada, Mich. As a young man worked in the railroad shops at Adrian, came to Jackson in 1855, and was manager of the American. afterwards the Marion house, then clerk of the Hibbard house until 1864. He was quartermaster of the 20th Michigan until that regi- ment consolidated with the 28th. then took charge of the Tremont house 1865-8. He had charge of the Hurd house from 1869 until the fall of 1886. Served as alderman and supervisor. Died Dec. 5, 1986.
594
MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
GEORGE A. SMITH,
Senator from Branch and Hillsdale counties in 1867-85, was born in Danbury, Conn., March 8, 1825, and settled at an early day as a farmer in Somerset, Mich. Has also been a merchant. He was Representative in 1863, and was a member of the board of control of the reform school from 1879 to 1884, when he resigned. Has also been a supervisor. In politics a Republican.
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GEORGE M. SMITH,
Representative from Muskegon county in 1877, was born March 16. 1841, at Springfield Centre, N. Y. He was educated at Alfred Univer- sity, N. Y., and removed to Michigan in 1867. He was president of the village of Whitehall, and a member of the lumbering firm of J. Alley & Co. At the age of nineteen he engaged with the Atlantic & Great Western railroad at Salamanca, N. Y., as telegraph operator, from which position he was subsequently promoted to that of super- intendent of telegraph and train dispatcher, and afterward to a simi- lar position on the Blossburg, Corning & Tioga railroad at Corning. In polities a Republican. Died several years since.
HENRY SMITH
Was a native of the state of New York, and graduated at the United States military academy in 1815. He was made a lientenant and served in the army until 1836, when he resigned. From 1836 to 1849 was a civil engineer, superintending harbor improvements on Lake Erie, and resided at Monroe. He was a Representative in 1838-41; was major general of Michigan militia from 1841 to 1846: mayor of Monroe in 1846. In 1847 he was re-appointed to the army with the rank of major. He died while on duty in the Mexican war, at Vera Cruz, July 24, 1847.
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HENRY C. SMITH
Was born at Scituate, R. I., Jan. 9, 180-4. He worked on a farm until of age and enjoyed fair opportunities for an education. He was a mason by trade and worked at it until 1836, when he came to Michigan. Was engaged both in merchandising and lumbering, and finally became a farmer in Plainfield, Kent county, He held various town and county offices and was a Representative in 1849 and 1853.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
HIRAM SMITH,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1848, was born in Westchester county, N. Y., May 24, 1804. By occupation a merchant and miller, in politics a Democrat. He came to Homer, Michigan, in 1837, and was a prominent business man and leading Democrat for many years. Was a good neighbor and of a social nature. Was moderator of school board, took great interest in schools, and often presided at public meetings. Died May 4, 1874.
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HIRAM H. SMITH,
Representative from Ingham county in 1843, was born at Malone, N. Y., Dec. 9, 1809. When young was a resident of Brandon. Vt. He received an academical education; was five years a clerk at Castle- ton, Vt .; from 1830 to 1935 a merchant at Granville, N. Y .; in 1836 became a farmer in Ingham county, Mich .; was county treasurer in 1838, and county clerk in 1941: a merchant at Mason; removed to Lansing in 1847, built the first flour mill, and carried on the milling and mercantile business; in 1851-2 was engaged in building the plank road from Lansing to Howell; was the first mayor of Lansing in 1859; was vice president and managing director of the J., L. & S. R. R .; removed to Jackson in 1864, and from 1868 to 1870 was president of the Fort Wayne & Jackson railroad: in 1871-2 superintended the building of the D., L. & N. and the Detroit & Bay City railroads. Now resides in Jackson: has large property interests, and is president of the Ingham county savings bank. A Democrat until 1856, since a Republican.
JAMES L. SMITH.
Representative from Sanilac county in 1851, was born in Kilconquhar, Scotland, May 11, 1813. He came to Tecumseh, Mich., in 1838, then to Sanilac county in 1840. Business, varied; in politics a Republican. He removed to Toledo in 1853, and to Minneapolis in 1882, where he now resides.
JEREMIAH R. SMITH,
Was born in Lyme, Conn., June 19, 1795. He came to Michigan in 1828. He was a blacksmith by trade, and carried on the business at Avon, N. Y., before coming to Michigan. Settling in Genesee county he became a farmer. He was associate county judge of Genesee county, justice for twenty years, and supervisor for several years of
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
Grand Blanc. He was a Representative from Genesee county in 1838 and 1842. Died March 23, 1868.
JOHN S. SMITH
Was born March 26, 1822, at Dighton, Mass. . His father removed to Ontario, N. Y., where the son studied medicine, and graduated from Cleveland medical college in 1844; practiced medicine in Ontario county, N. Y. for two years; removed to Armada, Mich., in 1847, and was engaged in medical practice until 1860. In 1858 he commenced the study of law, graduated from the law department at Ann Arbor, and went into practice. In 1863 he entered the army as quarter- master and served one year. He then engaged in farming and deal- ing in hops, buying large quantities and sending to distant markets. As a Democrat he was Senator in 1853. Died September 19, 186S.
JOSEPH SMITH
Was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, April 11, 1809. He removed with his parents to Ohio, in 1812, and settled in Calvin, Michigan, in 1831. He bought a mill property and ran it until 1835, when he sold out and bought one thousand acres of land in Jefferson, Cass county. In 1847 he engaged with partners in the mercantile business, after three years carrying it on alone. In 1855 he removed to Cassopolis and continued his business, In politics a Democrat. He was Repre- sentative in 1835-6-7, also of the second convention of assent in 1836.
¡LE GRAND J. SMITH,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1873-4, was born in Bethel. Conn., Jan. 8, 1837. He received a common school education. In 1839 he settled in Somerset, Hillsdale county. In 1859 he removed to Woodstock, Lenawee county, where he still resides. In business a merchant.
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MORGAN L. SMITH,
Representative from Oakland county in 1855, was born at Charlton, N. Y., Aug. 30, 1810. Learned the trade of a hatter and carried on that business at Eaton, N. Y. Removed to Milford, Mich., in 1837. where he was justice eighteen years, and postmaster four years. Was associate judge of Oakland county four years. Removed to Branch county and farmed it ten years. In politics a Republican. Died;in Chicago, Oet. 12, 1866.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
NATHAN D. SMITH,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1861-2, was born in the state of New York in 1803. He came to Michigan in 1833. His business has been miscellaneous; politically a Republican. Now resides at Algonac, Michigan.
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PERRIN M. SMITH
Was born in Middlebury. N. Y., Aug. 22, 1811; received an academi- cal education; became a lawyer, and practiced at LeRoy, N. Y., and was also postmaster there; in 1849 settled at Constantine, Mich., and was a law partner of Hon. Charles Upson until 1856. He was elected judge of the 4th circuit in 1863, and served until his death, Feb. 12. 1866.
ROBERT B. SMITH,
Representative from Ionia county in 1867-9-70. was born at Fairfield, N. Y., April 21, 1834; was educated as a physician and graduated from the University of New York in 1854: practiced four years at Fairfield, then became surgeon on an ocean vessel; in 1863 settled at Ionia, Mich., purchased a mill and engaged in the manufacture of flour; was president of the village, and for years a director of the Detroit, Lansing & Northern railroad. In politics a Republican. Now resides in Chicago.
SAMUEL L. SMITH,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1859, was born at Algonac, Mich., in 1830. For many years he was a leading merchant at Houghton, Michigan. Has always resided in Michigan, and is now a resident of Lansing. He is a Democrat in politics, and was their candidate for commissioner of the state land office in 1862. and was the democratic nominee for congress in the 6th district in 1864.
SYDNEY T. SMITH.
Representative from Jackson county in 1957, was born in Chenango county, N. Y., Oct. 27, 1809. He received an academical education, taught school two winters, and engaged in mercantile business at Pulaski, N. Y. He also with others built a vessel to transport grain from Chicago to Oswego. In 1836 they bought a schooner and went into the lumber trade on Lake Michigan. In 1539 he settled on a 66
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
farm in Grass Lake, Michigan, opened a store and bought and sold produce on a large scale. He sold out in 1855 and retired to his farm. Ile was for a long time secretary of the farmers' insurance company, and acquired a competence. In politics a Republican. Died April 25, 1878.
SAMUEL W. SMITH,
Senator from the county of Oakland in 1885, was born in Independ- ence, Michigan, August 23, 1852. Commenced to teach school at the age of sixteen years, and during the three years he was principal of the Waterford school, was elected superintendent of schools for the township of Waterford. Commenced to study law in 1876, and was admitted to the bar in 1877, and graduated in the law class of 1878 at the University of Michigan. Commenced the practice of law in Pontiac in 1878. In 1880 was elected prosecuting attorney of Oakland county, and was re-elected in the fall of 1882, and resigned said office Nov. 3, 1884.
THADDEUS G. SMITH
Was born at Cato, N. Y., April 12, 1828. Receiving an academical education, he studied law and was admitted at Albany in 1852. He practiced his profession in Troy and New York city until 1861, when he removed to Fentonville, Michigan, where he practiced law until 1877. He was a Representative in 1863-4. He was a commissioner under Gov. Blair to take the votes of the soldiers in the field. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1867, and Senator in 1869-70. In 1876 was elected probate judge, and removed to Flint. A Republican in politics.
VERNON H. SMITH
Was born in Canada, Dec. 29, 1838, received a common school educa- tion, and since 1858 has been a resident of Ionia county, Mich. Studied law, was admitted in 1872, and went into practice at Ionia. Served as circuit court commissioner one term. A Republican until 1872, since a Democrat. He was elected judge of the eighth circuit in 1881, and re-elected in 1887.
WILLIAM H. SMITH,
Representative from Jackson county in 1575, was born April 15, 1832, at Gorham, N. Y. He received an academical education, removed to
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
Michigan in 1854 and settled in Grass Lake, Jackson county. Has been supervisor of Grass Lake, and is by occupation a farmer.
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WILLIAM T. SMITH,
Representative from St, Joseph county in 1865, was born in Scott, N. Y., June 26, 1829. Received an academical education and became a teacher. Was in the recruiting service for two years. Came to Cen- treville, Mich., in 1862, taught several years, and was admitted to the bar in 1866. He was for two terms superintendent of schools in Kalamazoo county. Is now a justice, and engaged in furnishing school supplies. Politically a free trader.
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