USA > Michigan > Early history of Michigan, with biographies of state officers, members of Congress, judges and legislators > Part 20
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WILLIAM SNELL,
Representative from Oakland county in 1843 and 1844, was born in the state of Rhode Island in 1796. By occupation a farmer, in poli- tics a Democrat. He settled as a farmer in Oakland, Oakland county, in 1828. Died July 28, 1870.
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BYRON A. SNOW,
Representative from Saginaw county, was born in Jackson county, August 21, 1850. Has been a resident of the state all his lifetime, and. is by profession a lawyer, by persuasion a Democrat. Mr. Snow has held the office of supervisor. He was elected Representative for 1887-8 by a vote of 1,319 to 1,158 for John Northwood, Republican, and 87 for Magoffin, Prohibitionist.
FIELDER S. SNOW,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1843, and Senator in 1849-50- 3, was born in Ashford, Conn., May 17, 1814. He became a clerk at the age of fifteen, and settled in Clinton, Mich., in 1837. He was a merchant and miller, in politics a Democrat. He was a leader in public enterprises, and was administrator of many estates. For twenty-five years a justice. Deceased.
WILLIAM T. SNOW,
Representative from Oakland county in 1850, came from the state of New York, and settled on a farm in Addison, Oakland county, in 1835. He was a clergyman, an excellent man, and was highly
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esteemed by the Indians, many of whom became christians un ler his preaching. He was town clerk in 1838-9, and supervisor from 1847 to 1854.
STEPHEN F. SNYDER,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1883-5, was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., December 27, 1829, and received a common school education. He settled as a farmer at Homer, Mich., in 1866. He was a supervisor several years, and was county register of deeds six years. In politics a Republican.
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MILO SOULE
Was born in Madison county, N. Y., July 3, 1804. He had fair schooling, and from 1820 to 1830 taught winters, working on his father's farm summers. He married in 1830 and was a farmer in Murray, N. Y., for five years. In 1835 he came to Michigan and bought a farm in Marengo, Calhoun county, which he cultivated until 1869. He was a justice for 36 years; county treasurer six years: supervisor four years; town clerk several years, and a member of the constitutional convention of 1850. In politics a Democrat.
CHARLES SPAFFORD,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1838, was a merchant and miller at Tecumseh, and a Whig in politics. Deceased.
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LEVI SPARKS,
Senator from Berrien county in 1873-4, was born October 3, 1523. in Centre, Indiana. IIe emigrated to Michigan in 1828, and settled in Niles township, Berrien county, where he now resides. He was educated in common schools. In 1864 he was appointed by Governor Blair to go to Arkansas and receive the vote of the twelfth Michigan infantry. He has held various offices of trust in his township. By occupation a farmer, politically a Democrat.
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ERASTUS SPAULDING
Was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., July 1, 1818. He grew to man- hood in that state, studied medicine, removed to Michigan in 1-4%.
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settled in Oakland county, and followed his profession there for 24 years. He was a Whig, but in 1854 became a Republican. Repre- sentative from Oakland county in 1867. He removed to Grand Rapids in 1879, and is still engaged in medical practice. Now votes the national greenback union ticket.
OLIVER L. SPAULDING
Was born at Jaffrey, N. H., August 2, 1823, and was the son of Lyman and Susan (Marshall) Spaulding. He prepared for college at Melville academy in Jaffrey, working on the farm during the time. In 1851 he entered Oberlin college and graduated in 1855. He then spent three years in teaching in the union schools at Medina, Ohio, and Hillsdale, Mich., and in the academy at Medina, Mich., giving leisure time to the study of law. In 1858 he was admitted to the bar and opened an office at St. Johns. In 1862 he enlisted as captain in the 23d Michigan infantry and passed through all the grades to colonel, commanding the regiment in 1863. In 1865 he was in command of the second brigade of the second division, twenty-third army corps, and was brevetted "brigadier general." In 1858 he was elected regent of the State University and held that position for six years. In 1866 he was elected secretary of state and was re-elected in 1868. serving from 1867 to 1871. In 1875 he was appointed special agent of the treasury department, which he held until his nomination by acclamation, by the republican convention at Owosso, for congress. He served efficiently in congress from 1881 to 1883. He was renomi- nated in 1882 but was defeated by 32 votes, although the average democratic majority was 800. In 1885 he again filled the position of special agent for the treasury. He has been a prominent Mason, and filled the highest positions in the order. He is a Republican and a member of the Episcopal church. He married the daughter of Hon. John Swegles, former auditor general of Michigan, and they have four children. He was chairman of a commission sent by the gov- ernment to the Sandwich Islands in 1883, to investigate alleged vio- Jations of the Hawaiian reciprocity treaty. In 1887 he was the Republican candidate for circuit judge. Resides at St. Johns.
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JOHN J. SPEED
Was born in Ithaca, N. Y., January 14, 1839. In 1848 came to Detroit; graduated at the State University; studied law in Detroit; was admit- ted to the bar in 1861; practiced his profession in Detroit; was a Rep-
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resentative in 1873-4; was appointed one of the two additional judges to the 3d circuit in 1881, and was elected judge in 1882. His term expired in 1887. In politics a Republican. Is now engaged in prac- tice at Detroit.
THOMAS R. SPENCE,
Representative from Detroit, session 1867, was a native of Scotland, born in 1825. He was a druggist and physician, but went to Cincin - nati, Ohio (where he is supposed to be still a resident), soon after the close of his legislative term, to engage in the tobacco business.
ASA SPENCER,
Representative from Ionia county in 1863-4, was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1907. He settled at Ionia, Mich., in 1845, where he kept hotel two years, when he moved to Smyrna, Ionia county, went into mercantile business, continuing his residence there until his death in 1876. Held various town offices and was a justice. In poli- tics a Republican.
GROVE SPENCER,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1840-1-8-50, was born at West Stockbridge, Mass., Aug. 3, 1806. Came to Ypsilanti, Mich., in 1826. By profession a lawyer, but health failing, he removed in 1844 to his farm near Ypsilanti, which he managed successfully until his death Aug. 29, 1854. He was for years a director of the state agricul- tural society; was twice a candidate for member of state board of education: was president and recorder of Ypsilanti: and deeply inter- ested in locating the Normal school. In politics a Whig.
HORACE C. SPENCER,
Senator from Genesee county in 1885, was born at Cortland, N. Y., July 27, 1832. Removed when young to Springville, N. Y. Was edu- cated at an academy, clerked for years, was then a merchant until 1866, when he settled at Flint, Mich .. in the hardware trade. Bought a stock farm in 1876, and is now devoted to farming, and especially interested in raising fine horses. Politically a Republican.
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JAMES W. SPENCER,
Representative from Tuscola county in 1837, was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., Oct. 8. 1827, and was a resident of Pennsylvania from 1849 to 1861, when he settled in Indian Fields, Mich., his present home. Has been supervisor nine terms, twice chairman of the board, town treasurer, village president, county register two terms, and has held other offices. For nine years a merchant, now a farmer and real estate dealer.
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MICHAEL SPENCER,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1841, was born at East Hart- ford, Conn., Nov. 5, 1504. Came to Calhoun county, Mich., in 1831, and located on a farm in Emmett, on which he resided until his death Oct. 10, 1854. In religion a Baptist, in politics a Democrat.
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ROLLIN SPRAGUE,
Representative from Oakland county in 1840, was born in East Bloomfield, N. J., in 1806. By occupation a merchant, politically a Republican. He came to Michigan about 1830. Died in August, 1872.
- ROGER SPRAGUE,
Member of the territorial council in 1824 and 1832, was born at Lebanon, Conn., in 1769. He settled first at Bloomfield, N. Y., and was for seven years sheriff of Ontario county, which then included nearly all of western New York, and was a member of the assembly in 1816-17. In 1821 he settled at Avon, Michigan. Died in July, 1848.
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WILLIAM SPRAGUE
Was born in the state of Rhode Island; removed to Michigan and settled at Kalamazoo. In 1548 he was elected a Representative to congress, serving from December 3, 1849, to March 3, 1851. He was a Free Soiler in politics. Died soon after the close of his term at Kalamazoo.
WILLIAM B. SPRAGUE,
Representative from Branch county in 1946, was born in the state of New York, Feb. 28. 1797. He graduated as a physician at Fairfield
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medical college. He practiced in New York until 1835, then settled in practice at Coldwater, Mich., and resides on the same spot which he first made his home, his second house being the first briek residence in that city. He gave up medical practice thirty years ago. In 1836 he formed a partnership and built a saw-mill and flouring mill, now the largest roller mill in the county. He was the first town clerk of Coldwater in 1836; in 1837 was elected associate judge of the county court; in 1842 was elected judge of probate, which he held until 1845. At the age of ninety-one he is in good health, has good sight, enjoys books and society, and is often seen on the streets. He married in 1831 a daughter of Rev. Francis Smith, and has three daughters and one son living. In religion a Methodist. He is held in universal respect and esteem.
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HENRY H. STAFFORD.
Representative from Marquette county in 1877, was born in Boston, Mass., Jan. 6, 1833. He received an academical education, He came to Michigan in 1855, and took up his residence in Marquette in 1856, where he now resides. He has held numerous public offices. He was receiver of the United States land office at Marquette five years, the first mayor of Marquette, town treasurer, member of the school board, etc. By occupation a druggist, in politics a Republican.
JOHN H. STANDISH.
Senator from Newaygo and other counties in 1867-9, was born in Benson, Vt., February 10, 1816, and is a direct descendant of Captain Miles Standish, of Puritan fame. Receiving a common school educa- tion, at the age of fifteen taught school in Orleans county, N. Y., and in Ohio, and the next year was a clerk in Chicago. From thence he traveled through Iowa, and down the Mississippi, and at the age of seventeen was in the Texan service, where he rose to the rank of lieutenant. He spent a year in Louisana, came north, and taught school in Mt. Carmel, Ill .. where he married Hester A. Courter. He became a lecturer on psychology, and traveled extensively. He was admitted to the Illinois bar, and in 1839 settled at Middleville, Micb. In 1852 he became a resident of Newaygo, which is now his home. Has been register of deeds, county clerk and prosecuting attorney of Newaygo county. In 1863 he became captain of company "A," 10th Michigan cavalry, and rose in service to the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1869 he was appointed U. S. district attorney for western
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Michigan, and held that position eight years. For some years was engaged in practice at Muskegon, but in 1881 returned to Newaygo. In politics a Republican.
OLIVER O. STANCHFIELD.
Representative from Mason and Lake counties in 1877-79, was born in Washington county, Maine, August 16, 1836. He was educated in the academies of his native county, and studied law in the office of Hon. F. A. Pike. in Calais, Maine. In 1857 he came west and located . at Cedar Rapids Iowa, and was admitted to practice by the Linn county district court, of Iowa, in 1860. In 1861 he was appointed sheriff and was subsequently re-elected twice to the same position. In 1871 he was a member of the Iowa legislature from Linn county, and was appointed one of the trustees of the Iowa state agricultural college, which office he held until his removal to Michigan in 1874. In politics a Republican.
ABIEL S. STANNARD,
Representative from Ionia county in 1867-69-70, was born in Newport, N. H., December 28, 1823. A farmer by occupation, politically a Republican. He came to Michigan with his father in 1837, who located a farm in Boston, Ionia county, now occupied by his son. They were among the first pioneers of that section of the state. Mr. Stannard has been four terms supervisor of Boston.
ERASTUS H. STANTON,
Senator from Ionia and Montcalm counties in 1881-2, was born in Durham, N. Y., November 13, 1816, and received an academical education. He was four years a clerk, then became a merchant at Greenville, N. Y., and was also engaged in farming, banking and lumbering. He settled at Ionia, Mich., in 1867. He was a super- visor six years, and president of the village and mayor of the city of Ionia. In politics a Republican.
HIRAM E. STAPLES.
Representative from Muskegon county in 1885, was born in the state of New York. June 1, 1836. He has been a resident of this state for thirty-seven years, with the exception of the time he served in the war as a member of the fifth Wisconsin volunteer infantry, having
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been engaged in business as a lumberman, which he still carries on, residing at Whitehall, where he has held the office of president of the common council for six years. He has also served as a supervisor. In politics a Republican.
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GEORGE P. STARK,
Senator from Kent county in 1887, was born at Stow, Ohio, August 19, 1832, and received a common school education, with a term or two at Hiram college. He learned the trade of a cooper, followed it until 1853, when he became a farmer. Was for one year, 1866, in the drug trade at Palestine, Ill., then was a farmer until 1871, when he removed from Hudson, Ohio, to Cascade. Mich., where he is a merchant and farmer. He was a Representative in 1885. In politics a Fusionist.
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LEWIS F. STARKEY,
Senator from Kalamazoo county in 1843-4, was born in the state of New Hampshire, in 1801. He studied medicine at Norwich, N. Y., and at Philadelphia. Practiced as a physician and surgeon in a Phil- adelphia hospital, in Otsego county and Binghampton, N. Y. He came with his family to Detroit in 1836, and settled at Kalamazoo in 1837, where he practiced his profession until his death in 1848. By appointment of the governor he was one year a visitor to the State University.
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GEORGE A. STARKWEATHER,
Representative from Wayne county in 1859, was born in Plymouth, Mich., Feb. 26, 1826. of New England parentage, and still resides there. He was the second white child born in the township, as his mother was the first white woman to settle there. His early educa- tion was such as the time and the locality afforded, and his pursuits have been farming and mercantile. He is now president of the first national bank of Plymouth, and has held various local offices. Was originally a Whig, and subsequently a Republican in polities.
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FRANCIS C. ST. AUBIN,
Representative from the second district of Wayne county in 1855, was of French descent. and a native of Hamtramek, born in 1531. After the annexation he represented his ward at different timesas alderman
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in the common council of Detroit. He was a carpenter and builder by occupation, a Democrat in politics, and died Feb. 15, 1872.
WILLIAM M. ST. CLAIR
Was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, March 15, 1809, and moved to Ohio with his parents in 1814. Became there a merchant. Came to Michigan in 1839, and resided at Algonac, St. Clair county, when elected as a Whig Representative to the legislature of 1849.
JOHN B. ST. JOHN,
Representative from Macomb county in 1848, was born in Rensselaer county, N. Y., Nov. 17, 1804. He came to Michigan in 1830, and set- tled on a farm three miles west of Utica, which he had purchased in 1827, and where he now resides. In politics a Democrat.
BENTON R. STEARNS,
Representative from Berrien county in 1879, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, Dec. 12, 1842. He received a common school education, and removed to Berrien county, Mich., in 1913. In 1861 he enlisted in company E. twelfth regiment Mich. vols .. receiving commissions as second and first lieutenant in same regiment, serving four years and a half. Occupation, druggist, which he engaged in at Galien, Mich. He has filled the offices to township treasurer five years, and supervisor. In politics a Republican.
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AMOS E. STEELE,
Representative from Ingham and Livingston counties in 1840, was born in Queensbury, N. Y., June 25. 1906. He settled in Onondaga, Mich., in 1936, and was elected associate judge of Ingham county in 1839: took the county census in 1940: removed to Mason in 1844, and was elected judge of probate in 1848: was justice 27 years, and filled many local offices. In politics a Republican after 1954. Died March 15, 1878.
GEO. E. STEELE,
Representative from Antrim and other counties in 1577, was born in West Andover. Ohio, Oct. 28, 1542. He removed to Kingsville, Ohio,
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in 1845, and in 1861 to Benzonia, Mich. He received an academical education. In 1864 he removed to Homestead: attended the state agricultural college: was county surveyor of Grand Traverse county. then including Benzie, and supervisor; removed to Elk Rapids, Antrim county, in 1872, since which time he has been county sur- veyor of Antrim county, and supervisor of Elk Rapids, and largely engaged in examinations of lands, estimates, civil engineering and surveying, and in a small way in farming. In politics a Republican, later a Prohibitionist.
JOSEPH H. STEERE,
Of Sault Ste. Marie, was born May 19, 1852, at Addison, Lenawee county, Michigan. Removed to the state of Minnesota with his par- ents in 1854. Returned to Adrian, Michigan, in 1861, worked on a farm and taught school, attended Raisin Valley seminary and Adrian high school winters, until 1872, then entered literary class of Michi- gan University, graduated from there in classical course in 1876. Studied law with Messrs. Geddes & Miller, of Adrian. Admitted to the bar in 1878. Removed to his present place of residence and began the practice of law in the last named year. Elected prosecuting attorney of Chippewa county in 1880. He was elected judge of the eleventh circuit in the spring of 1881.
WILLIAM M. STEPHENS,
Representative from Ingham county in 1875, was born in Chittenden county, Vt., in 1825. where he resided until 1832, when his father's family removed to Niagara county, N. Y. In 1835 the family removed to Michigan and settled in Stockbridge, Ingham county, where he has since resided, with the exception of four years spent in Califor- nia. He received a common school education, and is a farmer by occupation. In politics a Democrat.
ROBERT STEPHENSON,
Representative from Delta and Menominee counties in 1881-2. was born in New Brunswick in 1836. He removed to Delta county in 1846, and to Menominee county in 1849, where he has resided ever since. He received a common school education; has been engaged principally in lumbering, in which he is now largely interested: is superintendent of the Ludington, Wells & Van Schoick Lumber Co .. in which he is a large stockholder. He is also closely identified with
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several other important business enterprises in that section of the country. In politics a Republican.
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SAMUEL M. STEPHENSON,
Senator from the 31st district, comprising the counties of Marquette, Menominee, Delta, Schoolcraft, Chippewa, and Mackinaw, in 1879-85, was born in New Brunswick in 1831. He received a common school education, and in 1846 located in Delta county, Mich., where he engaged in lumbering. In 1858 he removed to Menominee, where he built the second saw mill on the river. He has been chairman of the board of supervisors most of the time since that county was organ . ized. He is largely interested in "The Kirby Carpenter Co.," of Menominee, and the "Stephenson Banking Co.," of Marinette, Wis., being an officer of both. He is also engaged in real estate, lumber, and general mercantile business, and owns several large farms. He was a Representative in the legislature of 1877 and a member of the Senate in 1879. In politics a Republican, and was a delegate to the republican national convention of 1888.
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EZRA STETSON,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1851, was born in Otsego county, N. Y., in 1811. Settled as a physician at Galesburg, Mich., in 1837, and was in practice there for twenty years. He was a graduate of Fairfield medical college, N. Y. He was supervisor of Comstock, and a public spirited. active and influential citizen. In 1857 he removed to Bureau county. Illinois, where he became a farmer and stock raiser, giving much attention to the Percheron breed of horses, and was among the first to bring them to this country. Has acquired a fortune.
AMOS STEVENS,
Representative from Wayne county in 1849, and a delegate in the constitutional convention of 1835, was born in Sangerfield, N. Y., May 31, 1501. He removed to Steuben county in 1806, and to Canton, Mich., in 1531. where he died in 1876. He filled many local offices. A farmer by occupation, a Democrat in politics, and a Presbyterian in religion.
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APPLETON STEVENS,
Representative from Bay county in 1861-2, was born at Moodus, Conn., August 17, 1818. He settled at Portsmouth, Bay county, in 1856, and was the first supervisor of that town. Died August 29, 1878.
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FITZ H. STEVENS,
Senator from Van Buren county in 1853, was born in Tyngsboro, Mass., May 27, 1817. He came to Michigan in 1837, and resided in Berrien and Van Buren counties nearly the entire period from that date until his death, which occurred at St. Joseph, Sept. 7, 1870. In politics a Democrat. He was register of deeds in Van Buren county from 1840 to 1842. Also postmaster of St. Joseph. He was active in raising troops for the 12th Michigan infantry, and went out as the chosen quartermaster of the regiment, but did not finally receive his commission.
- HERMAN W. STEVENS,
Of Port Huron, is a native of Michigan. Mr. Stevens graduated from the literary department of the Michigan University in 1866. and from the law department of that institution in 1868, and at once began the practice of his profession at Port Huron, and was so engaged without interruption until January 1, 1882, when he assumed the duties of circuit judge of the sixteenth judicial circuit.
HESTOR L. STEVENS
Was born at Lima, New York, October, 1803; received an academical education; studied law, was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice in Rochester, N. Y., where he was also connected with the press. He attained eminence as an attorney, removed to Michigan in 1845, and locating at Pontiac engaged in practice. He was prosecuting attorney of Oakland county in 1847 and 1848. He was elected Representative to congress in 1852, as a Democrat, receiving 10,746 votes against 8,948 votes for Bradley, Whig, and 1,048 votes for Calkins, Free Soil. He served from December 5, 1853 to March 3, 1855. In 1854 he was defeated as a candidate for re-nomination. Soon after the expiration of his term he removed to Washington, where he practiced before the court of claims. He was an able lawyer, and a man of high social position. He died in Georgetown, D. C., May 6, 1864.
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HORACE STEVENS,
Representative from Oakland county in 1845, was born in Sharon Conn., August 29. 1799. He came to Michigan in 1835, was in business a mill owner and speculator, in politics a Democrat. Was a prominent local politician, and a man of wealth and position. Was one of the commissioners that located the state prison, and was also a judge. Was prominent in securing the Clinton and Kalamazoo canal. He gave the casting vote in the congressional convention which nominated Kinsley S. Bingham to congress the first term. He died in March, 1849.
JOHN J. STEVENS,
Representative from Monroe county in 1867, was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Oct. 17, 1823. By occupation a builder, in politicsa Republican. He came to Monroe, Michigan, in 1834, where he now resides. Has been alderman and supervisor. He was captain of Co. K, 18th Michigan infantry. from June 18, 1862, until the regiment was. mustered out in June, 1865.
STEPHEN R. STEVENS,
Representative from Montcalm county in 1877-79, was born near Geneva, N. Y., Dec. 19, 1826. He received an education at Hobart college, Geneva. He was engaged in teaching for a number of years. He removed to Michigan in 1863, and became a citizen of Greenville in 1866. He has filled various offices of trust. He is by occupation a merchant, in politics a Republican.
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