USA > Michigan > Early history of Michigan, with biographies of state officers, members of Congress, judges and legislators > Part 22
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JAMES B. SUTHERLAND
Was born in North Castle, N. Y. He became a clerk in the dry goods with T. Peck, on Cedar street, New York city. He went to Missouri in 1840, and in 1841 engaged in mercantile and lumber business at St. Joseph, Michigan, had a lumber yard at Chicago, and was in the trade for twenty years. Ile was a member of the legislature in 1855 as a temperance democrat, spoke and voted for the, Maine law and free railroads. Married the daughter of J. B. Lame in 1853; an inde- pendent Democrat up to 1884, now a Prohibitionist. A deacon in the Congregational church at St. Joseph, which is still his home.
JABEZ G. SUTHERLAND
Was born in Onondaga county. N. Y., Oct. 6, 1825; removed with his father to Genesee county in 1836. He studied law and was admitted in 1848. In 1819 he began practice in Saginaw City, and became prosecuting attorney of the county. In 1850 he was a member of the state constitutional convention. In 1853 he was a Representative in the state legislature. After that he devoted himself to his practice with signal success. In 1858 he was the democratic candidate for
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attorney general. In 1863 he was elected circuit judge of the tenth circuit, and was re-elected in 1869 without opposition. He acquired distinction as a judge. In 1867 he was a delegate to the state consti- tutional convention. In 1870 he was elected to the 47th congress, serving one term. He is now practicing law with success at Salt Lake City.
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EDWIN SUTTON
Was born in Ulster county, N. Y., April 1, 1821. He settled in Mason township, Cass county, Michigan, in 1846. He was a farmer and dis- trict school teacher, and town clerk and school inspector. Was a Democrat until 1854, then a Republican. He was Representative in the Michigan House of 1857. Died June 12. 1862.
GEORGE SUTTON,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1875, was born in Warren county, N. J., February 17, 1810. He came with his father to Michi- gan in 1830, and settled upon a farm of five hundred acres, on which he now dwells, in Northfield, being now and always having been a farmer. He received his education in the common schools. He has held office in his township ever since it was organized, having filled the positions of supervisor, justice of the peace, and other offices. In politics a Democrat.
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NATHAN E. SUTTON,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1885, was born in North- field, January 17, 1812, upon the farm purchased in 1824 of the United States, by his father's family, who were the first settlers in the town- ship. Here he still resides and follows the occupation of a farmer and dealer in live stock. In early life Mr. Sutton received a good education, passing through the common schools and graduating at the Ann Arbor commercial college in 1861. He has filled the office of supervisor for two terms, and was elected as a Democrat.
WILLIAM C. SUTTON,
Senator from Wayne county in 1873-4, was born December 3, 1811, in Warwick, N. Y. He was educated in the common schools. In 1957 he emigrated to Michigan, and settled in Battle. Creek. In 1865 he removed to the town of Dearborn, Wayne county. where he now
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resides. He has served in several responsible offices in the town where he has resided, and where he now resides, and before leaving New York held various public offices. His occupation is of a miscel- laneous character.
JOHN B. SWEETLAND,
Representative front Cass county in 1875. was born July 4, 1834, in Tompkins county, N. Y., and removed to Michigan in July, 1861. He was educated at the district schools and New York central college, and is a graduate of the medical department of the University of Buffalo. He enlisted as a private in the fourth Michigan cavalry, serving thirteen months. when he received an appointment upon the medical staff in the regular army. In politics a Republican.
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JAMES A. SWEEZEY,
Representative from Barry county in 1863-4-7, was born at Brook Haven, Long Island, N. Y .. September 19, 1828. A lawyer by pro- fession; a Republican in politics. He came to Michigan in 1834, and lived with his parents at Napoleon, Jackson county, until June, 1851, when he settled in Hastings. and was admitted to the bar at Grand Rapids in 1853. He has been prosecuting attorney of Barry county for six years, and was regent of the University of Michigan from 1864 to 1872. Is still in the practice of his profession at llastings. Has been twice elected and for two years filled the trust of grand chancellor of the order of Knights of Pythias of Michigan.
JOHN SWEGLES
Was born in Hector, N. Y., April 10, 1819. He commenced the study of medicine at the age of eighteen, and abandoned it to become purser's clerk on the brig Porpoise of the Atlantic coast survey. In 1840 he removed to Jonesville, Michigan. He was elerk of Hillsdale county from 1845 to 1819. In 1850 he was elected auditor general, and served for two terms from 1851 to 1855. In 1853 he selected for a company of which he was a member the site of the present village of St. Johns, the land purchased comprising 920 acres. He built a saw-mill and stave house the next year, and employed men to clear the land. The village was named St. Johns as a mark of honor to him. He died many years since.
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JAMES H. SWEENEY,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1846, was a physician. IIe came from the state of New York about 1835, and lived many years at the village of Morenci. Deceased.
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GEORGE W. SWIFT
Was born in Palmyra, N. Y., May 21, 1817. In 1825 he came with his father, Rev. Marcus Swift, to Michigan, the family settling on a farm in Nankin, Wayne county, where he remained until twenty years of age, receiving his education largely at home. In 1837 he went to New York and enjoyed for four years good educational advantages. As a speaker he early distinguished himself in debate, especially upon the subjects of temperance and anti-slavery, and delivered many public addresses. He removed to Lansing with his family and was state librarian from 1857 to 1859. In 1859 he had charge of the state fund for the relief of destitute settlers in Gratiot, Montcalm, Isabella and adjoining counties, and purchased over 120 tons of provisions and supplies, which were loaned, notes being taken in over 2,000 cases. For this work he received the thanks of the state officers. In politics he was a Republican. He was a Repre- sentative from Wayne county in 1867-9-70. He was sergeant-at- arms of the House [in 1865. In 1869 he was appointed consul at Windsor, which he held for four years. He died at Northville, Michigan, April 28, 1885.
JOHN M. SWIFT
Was born in Nankin, Mich., February 11, 1832, and was the youngest son of Rev. Marcus Swift. His early life was that of a farmer's son, and his education was largely obtained at home, with one year at commen schools and a short academical course. He commenced the study of medicine in 1851. and graduated in 1854 at the eclectic medi- cal institute of Cincinnati. He has attained distinction as a physi- cian, and has been elected a member of various medical societies both in this country and in England. He is also a fine tenor singer, has taken great interest in music, and through him, largely, North- ville has a wide reputation as a musical town. In politics a Repub- lican, in religion a Presbyterian. In 1865 he was a Representative, and was one of the commission who located the house of correction at Ionia in 1876.
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ORSON SWIFT,
Representative from Barry county in 1885, was born in Huntington, Vt., August 3, 1838. He came to Michigan in 1862, and located in Leroy, Calhoun county. Five years later he removed to Maple Grove, Barry county, where he has since resided. He has always been engaged in the business of farming. He has held the office of super- visor of his township six years. In politics a Fusionist.
WILLIAM F. SWIFT,
Senator from the thirty-first district, comprising Mackinac, Chip- pewa, Schoolcraft, Delta, Menominee, Marquette and Baraga coun- ties in 1881-2, was born in the town of Sharon, Litchfield county, Conn., July 10, 1848. He removed to Ishpeming, Mich., in 1873. As the Republican candidate for Senator he received 5,257 votes, to 3,001 for Alfred;P. Swineford, Democrat.
ALBERT P. SWINEFORD
Was born in Ashland, Ohio, September 14, 1836. A printer by trade, in politics a Democrat. He came to Michigan in 1867, and published the Mining and Manufacturing News, the first paper at Negaunee. He started the Mining Journal, at Marquette, in 1868, and is still part owner of that paper. Prior to coming to Michigan he had published the Star, at Albert Lea, Minn .: Bunner, at La Crescent, Minn .; started the first daily at La Crosse, Wisconsin: published the Daily Enquirer at Milwaukee. in 1860, and the Democratic Press at Fond Du Lac, in 1864-5-6. Then was in the oil business in Canada, then an express messenger, thence to Lake Superior. He was a Representative in the legislature of 1871-2, and was a commissioner to the New Orleans exposition. He was appointed early in the administration of President Cleveland, governor of Alaska, and now fills that position, residing at Sitka.
ALEXANDER TACLES,
Representative from Macomb county in 1835-6-9, came to Michigan in 1822, and settled at Romeo. He was a farmer by occupation, politically a Democrat. Died April 12, 1855.
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MOSES TAGGART
Was born at Wilson, N. Y., February 27, 1843. Is by profession an attorney at law. Mr. Taggart's early life was spent on a farm. He prepared for college at Wilson collegiate institute. He was gradu- ated in the class of 1867, from the law department of the University of Michigan, and was admitted to the bar at Buffalo, N. Y,, Decem- ber, 1867. In the fall of 1884. he was elected on the republican ticket attorney general of the state of Michigan, and was re-elected for the same office in 1886, receiving 181,266 votes, to 172,982 for John C. Donnelly, Fusionist, and 25,439 for the Prohibition candidate.
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LEVI B. TAFT
Was born at Bellingham. Mass., August 6, 1821. He came to Michi- gan in 1834. He graduated at Dartmouth college in 1843, and was admitted to the bar in 1845. He practiced law in Chicago for sixteen years, when he removed to Pontiac, Mich. He practiced there until 1873, when he was elected judge of the 6th circuit. He retired from the bench in 1875, and is still in practice at Pontiac.
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HENRY P. TAPPAN
Was born at Rhinebeck, N. Y .. April 18. 1805. His father, Major Peter Tappan, was an officer of the revolution, and took part in the siege of Yorktown. The son at fourteen was left dependent on his own resources, and with great effort and self denial, graduated with high honor at Union college in 1825. Later he received from that college the degree of D. D., and of LL. D. from Columbia college. He studied theology at Auburn. an I for three years was pastor of a Con- gregational church at Pittsfieldl, Mass., resigning on account of a throat affection. At the age of twenty-seven he was called to the chair of moral and intellectual philosophy in the New York University, where he remained until 1888. He then devoted himself to the study of mental philosophy, and in 1939-10-1 published works which gave him high rank as a thinker throughout the civilized world. He published other works in 1841-51-2-3. Hle spent two years traveling in Europe, and in 1851 resumed his professorship in the University of New York. In 1852, by a unanimous vote of the regents, he was made president of the University of Michigan, and most ably tilled that position until 1863, when he became a resident of Berlin, and afterwards of Vevay, where he closed his life in November, 1881.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
HORACE S. TARBELL
Was born at Chelsea, Mass., Aug. 19, 1838. He graduated at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in 1859. For three years was professor of natural sciences in Bellville seminary, Canada; from. 1862 to 1865 was principal of Farmerville county grammar school; in 1865 principal of central academy, McGrawville, N. Y .; from 1866 to 1871 principal of schools in Detroit, and in 1869 organized the evening school in Detroit house of correction; and was superin- tendent of the East Saginaw schools from 1870 to 1877. Elected superintendent of public instruction in 1876, he served from January 1, 1877, until Aug., 1878, when he resigned to accept the position of superintendent of schools at Indianapolis, Ind.
TIMOTHY E. TARSNEY
Was born at Ransom, Mich., Feb. 4, 1849; was educated at the common schools: served seven years as a marine engineer, meantime reading law; entered the law department of Michigan University in 1870, and graduated in the class of 1812: was a justice in 1873-74; was city attorney in- 1975-6-7-8, when he resigned, serving as ex officio member of the board of supervisors at the same time: was elected to the forty-ninth, and re-elected to the fiftieth congress as a Fusionist, receiving 18,301 votes against 17,615 votes for Horr, Republican, and 1,930 votes for Abbey, Prohibitionist.
CHARLES H. TAYLOR
Was born at Cooperstown, N. Y., Nov. 20, 1813. He waseducated at an academy, and settled in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1837. He was clerk of Kent county for eight years. In 1847-8 was a Representative in the legislature. He was one of five commissioners who selected sites for the insane asylum at Kalamazoo, and the deaf and dumb asylum at Flint. He was the first' secretary of state elected under the constitution of 1850, and served from 1851 to 1853. From 1847 to 1855 he edited the Grand Rapids Enquirer. Later he was chief editor and part proprietor of the Detroit Free Press, but ill health compelled him to retire. In politics a Democrat. Is in business at Grand Rapids.
DANIEL W. TAYLOR,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1845, was born in the state of New York, Oct. 5, 1504. By occupation a farmer and carriage
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maker; politically a Democrat. He was one of the earliest pioneers in Lapeer county. Was postmaster seven years, and justice of the peace several terms. He was a prominent Mason. Died October 10, 1860.
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GEORGE E. TAYLOR,
Senator from Genesee county in 1883, was born in Oakland county, Michigan, March 21. 1838. He received a common school and academical education. He commenced teaching at the ageof seven- teen, and continued in that occupation until twenty-eight years of age. He has held the office of school inspector six years, supervisor eight years, register of deeds six years, and been one of the aldermen of the city of Flint for three years. In politics a Republican.
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HENRY W. TAYLOR,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1847, was born in Deerfield. Mass., February 2, 1796. By occupation a lawyer; politically Whig and Republican. He graduated at Yale college in 1816, and received the degree of LL. D. from that institution in 1849. He went to Ontario county, N. Y., in 1816, studied law and practiced until 1940, when he removed to Marshall, Michigan, to practice his profession. He took high rank as a lawyer, and was learned and eloquent. He returned to Canandaigua. N. Y., in 1848, was a member of the legislature of that state four years, and judge of the county and Supreme Court. He was appointed judge of the court of appeals in 1850. He was made a corporate member of the A. B. C. F. M. in 1946. He now resides at Canandaigua, and in a letter written in July, 1887, at the age of 91} years, he says : " Am waiting for the end of life to come."
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LORISON J. TAYLOR,
Representative from Shiawassee county in 1874-5, was born at North Raisinville, Mich., June 30. 1842. He fitted for and entered the University at Ann Arbor, but in 1861 enlisted in the 2d Michigan infantry, serving until Nov., 1863, when he was discharged from wounds received at Fort Saunders. He re-enlisted in 1865, and became a captain in the 11th Michigan infantry, serving until September of that year. Resides at Laingsburg, and is a farmer. He was a Senator in 1877.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
WILLIAM H. TAYLOR,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1865-7, was a native of the state of New York, born Feb. 9, 1816. Was a resident of Michigan in 1837-8, but returned to New York, kept hotel two years, then for two years was in business at Harrisburg, Pa. Then sold patents until 1846, then moved to Ontario, Canada, engaged in lumbering and ran grist and woolen mills. Made his home at Saginaw, Mich., in 1856, was a lumberman until 1865, then kept the Taylor house until 1870. He removed to St. Louis, Mich., built the Eastman house and kept it until 1874. Deceased.
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CONRAD TEN EYCK
Was a name identified with the history of Michigan for more than half a century. Mr. Ten Eyck was of Dutch extraction, born in Albany N. Y., July 17, 1782. He came to Detroit in 1801. His early occupation was that of a merchant, to which he added farming by the purchase of a farm in Dearborn, which was his family residence during the greater part of his life, although his own time was largely spent in Detroit. Mr. Ten Eyck's first record is as one of the protestants against the brutal expulsion order of the British General Proctor in 1813. He was county treasurer from 1817 to 1825, and a member of the first constitutional convention in 1835. He was Senator in 1835- 6-7, resigning in the latter year to accept the appointment of U. S. marshal under President Van Buren, which office he held until 1841. He was a Representative in 1846. He was a Democrat of undoubted orthodoxy, was a man of energy and purpose, of decided character, and by reason of these traits, of marked influence during his active life. Died Aug. 21. 1847.
PETER TERNES,
Representative from Wayne county in 1869-70, was born in Germany in 1831, and came to America with his parents during his minority. His occupation was that of a farmer in Greenfield for many years, during which he held various local offices, including that of super- visor for six years. He removed to Detroit in 1870, and has since been more or less in the service of the city, being now assistant receiver of taxes. Polities, democratic.
HARRIET A. TENNEY,
State Librarian from April, 1869, until the present time, was the eld- est daughter of Jolm L. and Delia (Doud) Edgerton, and was born in
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Essex, Vt., April 1, 1834. She was educated at Franklin academy; taught several terms; married J. Eugene Tenney in 1854, and they removed to Homer, Mich., where they both engaged in teaching. They had charge of the union school at Marshall from the fall of 1855 until April, 1859, when she removed to Lansing with her husband. and succeeded him as state librarian in April, 1859, to which position she was appointed by Gov. Baldwin: believed to be the first appoint- ment of a woman to such a position in this country. She still holds the office by successive appointments of Governors Baldwin, Bagley. Croswell, Jerome, Begole, Alger and Luce. During the war she was the president of the Lansing military aid society: several years presi- dent of the ladies soldiers' monument association; also of the Lan- sing woman's club; director of the Lansing library and literary asso- ciation, and the able and efficient recording secretary of the state pioneer society since its organization, April 22, 1874, and still holds that position.
JESSE E. TENNEY,
State Librarian from 1859 to 1860, was born at Orwell, Vt., July 23. 1816, and received his education at Brandon academy and Middlebury college, where he graduatad in 1838. He went south and was admit- ted to the bar of Alabama in 1830. He traveled extensively in Europe and acted as a commercial agent at Padua, Venice, Marseilles and Lyons. returning in 1949. He practiced law at Franklin, Vt. In 185%/married Harriet A. Edgerton, and the same year became princi- pal of the schools at Homer, Mich .: was there two years. then for four years was superintendent of the schools at Marshall. Now resides at Lansing. Has been recorder and acting mayor, member of the board of education, U. S. circuit court commissioner, and engaged in law practice, real estate and insurance business. Has delivered many addresses and orations, and is a man of literary taste, fine cultivation and extensive reading. A Republican in poli- tics.
HENRY D. TERRY,
Representative from Macomb county in 1848, was born in Hartford. Conn., in 1814. By profession a lawyer, politically first Whig. then Republican. He came to Michigan in 1842, and located at Mt. Clem- ens, where he practiced his profession until 1855, when he removed to Detroit and practiced law there until 1861. June 15. 1861, he was commissioned colonel of the 5th Michigan infantry. and took the field in September. The regiment took part in many battles, and made
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the first successful bayonet charge at Williamsburg, taking the ene- my's works, and leaving sixty-three rebel dead in the enemy's rifle pits, all killed by the bayonet. Generals McClellan, Kearney and Barry all wrote highly complimentary letters in praise of the regi- ment. Colonel Terry was wounded in this action. He was made a brigadier general July 18, 1862, and continued in service until Feb. 7, 1865, when he resigned. He located at Washington, D. C., and practiced law until his death, June 29, 1869. While a resident of Detroit he was prosecuting attorney of Wayne county. He was a man of brilliant talent, and of fine personal bearing.
GEORGE W. THAYER
Was born in Heath, Mass., Dec. 19, 1809. He came to Michigan in 1849, and is a resident of Flint. Is a Republican, and was a Repre- sentative in 1863-4 and 5.
NAHUM P. THAYER,
Representative from Wayne county in 1837-8-40, was born at St. Thomas, Ontario, July 31, 1802, and died on his farm near Detroit, Oct. 26, 1851. He came to Greenfield, Mich., in 1920, and located a farm still occupied by his descendants. He built the first three miles of the Chicago turnpike, now Michigan avenue, Detroit. Ile held various local offices, and was a colonel of the state militia. In politics a Democrat.
SIMEON M. THAYER
Was born January 17, 1841, in Halderman county, Ontario, Canada. He came with his parents to Michigan in 1852, and settled in Sanilac county. He was Representative in 1871-2, In the spring of 1872 he removed to the northwestern country, where he was a sheriff in 1885- 6. In politics a Republican, in business a real estate dealer.
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GEORGE THOMAS
Was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., Dec. 23, 1812. He emigrated to Michigan in 1837, and settled on a farm in Ross, Kalamazoo county. He was a Whig until 1854, and served several times as supervisor. As a Republican he was a Representative in 1859-63-4, Senator in 1851-69- 70. He became a resident of Barry county in 1855. Now acts with the greenback party.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
HENRY F. THOMAS,
Representative from Allegar county in 1873 and Senator in 1875, was born in Jackson county, Mich., Dec. 17, 1843. He entered Albion college in 1859, and remained two years. In 1862 he enlisted in the 7th Michigan cavalry, and rose to the rank of first lieutenant, serving through the war. He graduated from the medical department of the Michigan University in 1868, and is in practice at Allegan.
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JOHN THOMAS,
Representative from Oakland county in 1846, was born in Alleghany, Pa., 1802. When young he removed with his parents to Penn Yan, N. Y., and from there to Farmington, Mich., in 1835. He was a part- ner of Daniel S. Lee in a large mercantile business, which he con - tinued after his partner removed. In company with Charles P. Bush and Daniel S. Lee, he purchased in 1847 a tract of land in Lansing, just south of the school section on which the capitol was located, now a part of the city. They opened a store on the east side of Grand river, and sold goods for six years. They also built the Benton, now Everett house. The first postoffice was in their store. He returned to Farmington in 1852, and died March 18, 1863.
WILLIAM THOMAS,
Representative from Van Buren county in 1875, was born in Wash- ington county, N. Y., March 20, 1815. He became a resident of Mich - igan in 1843. He is a farmer by occupation, in politics a Liberal. Has been supervisor of Hartford seven years, town clerk and treasurer eight years, justice four years. He was active in securing $15.000 from the town to and in'building a railroad connection. Resides at Hartford.
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ZIMRI D. THOMAS,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1865, was born at Rowe. Mass., Sept. 16, 1809, and removed to central New York in 1820. IIe was for six years postmaster at Hamburgh, N. Y. Came to Michigan in 1835, and was three years supervisor of Allen. Has been coroner. and a justice for many years. Now resides at Hillsdale. A Repub- lican in politics.
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ALMON A. THOMPSON,
Representative from Eaton county in 1869, was born in Richmond, Vt., March 26, 1829, and removed to Avon, O., in 1840. He graduated from Oberlin college in 1854, and from the medical department of the Michigan University in 1856. He was assistant surgeon of the 12th Michigan infantry and afterwards of the 11th cavalry. Practiced as a physician at Vermontville. From 1870 until 1878 was consul at Goderich, Canada. Now in practice at Flint, is physician to the . deaf and dumb institute, and a member of the local pension board. In politics a Republican.
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