USA > Michigan > Early history of Michigan, with biographies of state officers, members of Congress, judges and legislators > Part 23
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ALBERT THOMPSON,
Senator from Van Buren county in 1875, was born in Waterbury, Vt., April 23, 1831. He was educated at Oberlin college, and graduated from the medical department of the University of Michigan. He removed to Michigan in 1860, and enlisted in the third Michigan cav- alry when it was organized in 1861: was made hospital steward; after- wards promoted to lieutenant, next as assistant surgeon, and finally sur- geon, and was mustered out with his regiment in 1866. He has held the office of supervisor of South Haven for two terms. He is a practicing physician. In politics a Republican.
CHARLES C. THOMPSON,
Representative from Muskegon county in 1873-4, was born in Beek- mantown, N. Y., June 4, 1831. He received a common school educa- tion. In 1857 removed to Michigan, and settled in Whitehall, Muske- gon county, where he still resides. He has been president of the , common council, trustee of the village, and held other responsible offices. By occupation a lumberman.
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GEORGE W. THOMPSON,
Representative from Kent county in 1883, was born March 3. 1844, in the township of Florida (now Jefferson), Hillsdale county, Michigan. Received his education at the schools of Hillsdale, and at Oberlin college. Admitted to the bar in 1869, at Hillsdale. Has resided in Grand Rapids since 1974.
HENRY W. THOMPSON,
Representative in 1997 from the counties of Delta and Iron, was born in Brooklyn, Mich., July 14, 1847, but soon removed with his parents
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to Tyrone, Livingston county. Educated in common schools. In 1864 enlisted as a private in the 10th Michigan infantry, and served until the close of the war. At the age of twenty-four became a minister and has preached in Ingham, Shiawassee, Baraga and Delta counties. In politics a Republican.
- JEREMIAH D. THOMPSON
Was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., in 1790. He settled on a farm in Madison, Lenawee county, in 1834. He was several years super- visor, and justice many years. He was Representative in 1848 and 1853. He died at Hudson, February 16, 1873.
ROBERT THOMPSON,
Representative from Macomb county in 1859, came into Macomb county when a boy and taught school some years in Mt. Clemens, and then sold goods several years. He removed to New Baltimore, and was book-keeper for Hiron Hathaway several years: then was in the employ of F. B. Merrill, then removed to Marine City. Later he was elected county treasurer of St. Clair county, and died while holding that office. First a Whig, then a Republican.
ROBERT R. THOMPSON
Moved into Washtenaw county at an early day. He settled on a farm in Caledonia, Shiawassee county, in 1837. He was connected with A. McArthur in a saw-mill, and also engaged in commercial ventures in Corunna. He was Representative in the legislature of 1845. He afterwards sold out and removed to Saginaw, where he died several years since.
EDWARD H. THOMSON
. Was born at Kendall, England. June 15, 1810, and came when young, with his parents, to Boston, Mass. He received an academical edu- cation, studied law with Millard Fillmore, and commenced practice at Buffalo. N. Y., in 1832. IIe located at Atlas, Mich., in 1837, then in Lapeer county, and was appointed prosecuting attorney. He removed to Flint in 1838, and became one of the firm of Bartow & Thomson. He was prosecuting attorney of Genesee county in 1-45-6: Senator in 1818-9: Representative in 1859: commissioner of emigra- tion under Gov. Ransom, a portion of the time residing in Germany.
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U. S. deputy commissioner to the London exposition in 1851: mem- ber and president of the state military board during the war: mayor and member of the school board of Flint: and the democratic nomi- nee for lieutenant governor in 1880. He was a polished gentleman, well known everywhere, and his splendid Shakesperian library is now in the possession of the Michigan University. Died February 2, 1886.
JOHN S. THOMSON,
Representative from Sanilac county in 1977-79, was born at Man- chester, England. August 28, 1833. He was educated at the Scotch sessional school at that place, and emigrated to Michigan in 1850. He is a merchant and salt manufacturer. In politics a Republican.
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ยท CALVIN J. THORP'E,
Representative from Branch county in 1879. was born Sept. 14, 1834, in Warrensville, Ohio. In 1838 he removed to Volinia, Cass county. In 1859 he graduated from the Michigan Normal school. In 1862 he became principal of the graded schools at Union City. He has also been principal at Eaton Rapids, Paw Paw, Sturgis, and Manchester. In 1875 he bought a controlling interest in the Coldwater Reporter, which he sold in 1876. and became connected with Truth for the Peo- ple, in Detroit. In 1877 he removed to Sherwood, Branch county, and became a druggist. In politics a National.
GEORGE B. THROOP,
Representative from Detroit in 1847, was a native of New York, and came to Detroit as a bank officer during the flush times of 1836-8. He had previously been a member of the New York legislature. He was a brother of Enos B. Throop, once governor of New York. Ile died Feb. 23, 1854, at the age of sixty-two. He was a member of the Detroit bar. He was a Democrat politically.
JEFFERSON G. THURBER,
Representative and Speaker from Monroe county in 1851, and Sena- tor in 1844-5-6-1, was born in 1807, and settled at Monroe Mich., in 1833. In polities a Democrat. He was a lawyer by profession, and earnestly devoted to the practice. He held the offices of prosecuting attorney and judge of probate of Monroe county, and was a presi-
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dential elector in 1849. He filled all positions with honor to himself and the state. Died at Monroe, May 6, 1857.
JOHN S. TIBBITTS,
Representative from Wayne county in 1861-2, was born in Arcadia, N. Y., Dec. 21, 1821. He came to Plymouth, Mich., with his fath- er's family in 1825, the first white settlers in that town. He was edu- cated at common schools, taught at the age of sixteen, and winters thereafter for 25 years. He was elected supervisor at the age of twenty-one, and was subsequently supervisor, school inspector, post- master, etc. He was some time superintendent of the agricultural college farm; three years auditor of Wayne county, and one year horticulturist at the Colorado agricultural college. He published the " Free Guide," for the benefit of officials. He is a Republican. Now resides at Santa Rita, California.
ALEXANDER R. TIFFANY
Was born in Niagara, Canada, Oct. 16, 1796. His father, Sylvester Tiffany, was a native of Massachusetts and one of four brothers who graduated at Dartmouth college. His father published a paper at Canandaigua, N. Y., and the son when small used to sit on a high stool and set type for the paper. He learned the art of printing, and when a young man studied law with John C. Spencer, a distinguished lawyer, and afterwards chief justice of the state of New York. When admitted to the bar he commenced practice at Palmyra, N. Y. He was soon elected a justice and held that position several years. About 1823 he was appointed first judge of the county court of Wayne county, N. Y., and held the place until compelled to resign from ill health. In 1932 he settled at Palmyra, Michigan, then having the promise of becoming a large city. In 1834 he was appointed prose- cuting attorney of Lenawee county : in 1536 was elected judge of pro- bate, and held that ofhee eight years; in 1850 was a leading member of the state constitutional convention: and was a Representative in the legislature of 1855. He was the author of "Tiffany's Justice Guide " and " Tiffany's Criminal Law," of mestimable value in the early days of Michigan, and still standard works, as enlarged and revised by Judge Andrew Ilowell. Judge Tiffany was a territorial * associate judge for Lenawee county in 1833, was re-appointed in 1834, and was county judge from 1946 to 1850. He was a man of small stature, a lawyer of learning and ability, with a candor and sincerity
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that carried great weight with court and jury. With poor health he worked incessantly. He died at Palmyra, January 14, 1868.
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JUNIUS TILDEN
Was born in Yarmouth, Mass., Nov. 28, 1813. He lived in that state until 1838, when he removed to Dundee, Mich. By profession a law- yer, in politics independent. A Representative in 1849. .
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PHILO TILLSON,
Representative from Macomb county in 1844, was born in Winfield, N. Y., in 1810. By profession a physician, in politics a Democrat. Came to Mt. Clemens, Mich., in 1833, where he practiced medicine ten years, then removed to Romeo, where he continued practice until his death, June 25, 1882.
JEFFERSON K. TINDALL,
Representative from Oakland county in 1997, was born'in Sussex county, N. Y., November 25. 1829; and came with his parents to Oakland county in 1833. Received a good education, served as clerk in a store, then a partner. selling out in 1861, and became a farmer. He served through the war in the Sth Michigan cavalry. Has been eight years supervisor of the town of Rose, and six years secretary of the Monitor insurance company. In politics a Republican.
ALEXANDER TINHAM,
Representative from Wayne county in 1863-4-83, was born in Middle- sex county, England, in 1819. Ile came to Monroe, Mich., in 1820, in 1830 removed to Detroit. and has been a brick maker by occupation. In politics a Democrat.
RUFUS TINNEY,
Representative from Oakland county in 1841, settled in Highland, Mich., in 1833, coming from Wheatland. Monroe county, N. Y. He was a farmer, and resided where he first located until his death in 1858. Ile was the first supervisor of the town in 1835, and filled that office for six terms.
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BRACEY TOBEY
Was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., March 26, 1802. and died in April, 1886. He settled with his family in Burr Oak, Mich., in 1855, but removed to Sturgis in 1861. He had the confidence of the people, and in New York and Michigan held office of some kind for half a century. He was an associate district judge in New York, and was a Representative in the Michigan legislature of 1871-2. In politics a Democrat, a Republican after 1861. He was justice for many years, also director in the national bank at Sturgis.
ISAAC D. TOLL
Was born at Schenectady, N. Y., December 1, 1818, on the family homestead of two centuries. Both of his great-grandfathers were killed by the French and Indians in 1748. His grandfather served in the revolution, and his father in the war of 1812. Mr. Toll was educated in the academy at Ovid, N. Y., settled with his father at Centerville, Mich., in 1834, and engaged with him in manufacturing and real estate. He was thirteen years supervisor of Fawn River, where his father built flouring and saw mills. He has held military offices by regular promotions. from lieutenant colonel to major gen- eral of state militia. In the Mexican war. he was captain of company E, 15th U. S. infantry, and distinguished himself at Contreras and Churubusco. He was a Representative in 1846: Senator in 1847; chief of division in pension office in 1853-4: examiner of patents, 1854 to 1861; and commandant of the interior guard in 1861. He settled at Petoskey in 1880, and was president of the village in 1881-2. His wife was the daughter of Judge Charles Moran, of Detroit. In politics a Democrat. He is now postmaster at Petoskey.
JAMES B. TOMPKINS,
Representative from Branch county in 1855, came from Schoharie county, N. Y., and settled in Girard. Mich., the first white settler in that township. He was a surveyor by profession. and surveyed the ground upon which the city of Coldwater now stands. He was dis- tinguished for his energy and for his fidelity to convictions in the per- formance of the varied duties imposed upon him. He was the first
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supervisor of his township in 1834, serving in that capacity many years afterwards. He was also a justice. Died about 1878.
- WILLIAM M. TOMPKINS,
Representative fron Eaton county in 1867, was born in New Rochelle, N. Y., March 6, 1820. He came to Michigan in 1844, went into the mercantile business at Eaton Rapids in 1845, was successful, and retired to go into the banking business in 1858. Died in 1868.
- JOHN S. TOOKER,
Senator from Ingham and Clinton counties in 1879-81-2, was born in Tyrone, N. Y., July 7, 1836. He removed to Ann Arbor, Mich., with his parents in 1838, thence to Woodhull in 1840, and to Lansing in 1847. Received a common school education, purchased a foundry at North Lansing at the age of eighteen, and manufactured farming implements for 14 years. Served one year in the 6th Mich. cavalry, but was discharged from ill health; was in both the drug and boot and shoe trade. Was three times mayor of Lansing. He was secretary of Montana under Arthur. and is now in business at Helena, Montana. In politics a Republican.
JOSEPH W. TORREY,
Member of the fifth legislative council from Wayne county in 1832-4. was a native of Connecticut and a lawyer by profession. Ile was at one time a law partner with Col. Chas. Larned, and stood high at the bar. He was judge of probate 1829-33, and recorder of Detroit in 1829. He returned to Connecticut, and died there in 1844. Politically he was an administration or Jackson man, during his residence in Detroit.
OSMOND TOWER,
Senator from Ionia county in 1859-61-2, was born in Cummington, Mass., Feb. 16. 1511. He received a common school and academical education, became a carpenter, and taught school winters. He came to Michigan in 1834, and settled in Ionia in 1935. He built the first school-house in the Grand River Valley: was engaged in building until 1844; then for twenty years manufactured and sold fanning mills: was for seven years a partner in the dry goods house of J. S. Cooper & Co .: speculated in real estate: was in the foundry and hardware
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trade; was a director of the Ionia & Lansing railroad, and its first treasurer; was director and president of the Ionia & Stanton railroad; clerk of Ionia county, and several times supervisor; was U. S. Mar- shal of western Michigan from 1863 to 1866; member of the board of education many years, and its president. A Whig until 1854, then a Republican. Died Ang. 4, 1886.
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OK.1 TOWN,
Representative in 1851, was born in Stoddard, N. H., July 2, 1806. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Democrat. He came to Michigan in 1831, and has resided in Allegan county since 1834. Now lives at Allegan. He received two commissions from Governor Mason when Michigan was a territory, one as justice of the peace in 1834, and one as judge of probate in 1835. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1850.
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WILLIAM B. TOWN,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1885, was born in Norwich. Ontario, July 23, 1830. Became a resident of Michigan when eight years old; received a thorough education, and entered upon the study of medicine, receiving his diploma as a physician and surgeon. He has since been continuously engaged in the practice of that profession. residing at Rollin. In 1851 he was appointed postmaster at Geneva. the office near his residence, a position which he held for seventeen years. Politically a Democrat.
AMOS C. TOWNE,
Representative from Barry county in 1875, was born in Bakersfield. Vt., April 10, 1818. From 1813 up to 1848 he resided in the southern states. In 1850 he engaged in farming in DeKalb county, Illinois. In 1851 he purchased the farm on which he now resides, in Prairie - ville, Barry county. He has held the office of justice, and been a supervisor for several consecutive terms. For thirty-five years he has been identified with the insurance business and conveyancer. In politics a Republican.
URIEL TOWNSEND,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1875, was born Dec. 4, 1:30, in Hunter, N. Y. Ile received a common school education. In 1531
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emigrated to Michigan, and settled in Bruce, Macomb county. In 1859 he removed to Almont, where he now resides. He has been supervisor. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Republican.
JARVIS C. TRAIN,
Representative from Kent county in 1883, was born in Tunbridge, Vt., July 8, 1834. Came with his parents to Boston, Mich., in 1810. Lived in Whiteside county, Ill., ten years as a farmer, then settled at Lowell, Mich., and engaged in buying and selling farm products. Served as a Fusionist.
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WILLIAM R. TRAVER .
Was born in Rensselaer county, N. Y., Oet. 26, 1818. By occupation a harness maker; in politics a Republican. He came to Litchfield, Michigan. in 1844, and has always resided there. He was a Repre- sentative from Hillsdale county in 1853, and has held other offices of trust.
LOREN L. TREAT,
Senator from Oakland county in 1965, was admitted to the Oakland county bar in 1844, and located at Canandaigua, now Orion, where he had a good practice. He was an effective lawyer before a jury. Later he removed to Oxford, and followed farming. He was a justice and several times supervisor.
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CHARLES TRIPP
Was born in Epsom. N. H., December 2, 1812. Came to Ann Arbor in 1840, and engaged in the foundry business. He resided there until his death. He was railroad commissioner under Gov. Bingham, and Senator in 1855. He was always interested in public affairs, was a man of strong convictions, and in politics a Republican.
CHARLES C. TROWBRIDGE,
Regent of the University from 1837 to 1841, was born in Albany, N. Y., Dec. 20, 1800, and died at Detroit, April 3, 1883. He was trained to the mercantile business, and came to Detroit in 1819. He was the first secretary of the board of regents; filled positions at Green Bay and Detroit as Indian agent and interpreter; was cashier or
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president of the bank of Michigan from 1825 to 1843, except three years; president of the Michigan state bank from 1844 to 1853; then became secretary and afterwards for many years president of the Oakland & Ottawa railroad co., afterwards the Detroit & Milwaukee. He held many local positions, and was the Whig candidate for governor in 1837, and was only defeated by 237 votes. He was an alderman, and mayor of Detroit in 1834. He was a perfect type of the old school gentleman, and on his 82d birthday was given a public banquet at the Russell house, by the most distinguished men of the city and state.
ROWLAND E. TROWBRIDGE
Was born at Horseheads, N. Y., June 15, 1821, and was brought the same year to Troy, Oakland county, Mich., by his father, S. V. R. Trowbridge, who settled in that town upon a farm. The son gradu- ated from Kenyon college, Ohio, in 1841. Unable to follow his chosen profession of the law, from failure of eyesight, he became a farmer, and settled in Barry county in 1848, and cleared up a farm. In 1949 he was supervisor of the town of Thorndale. In 1851 he exchanged his farm for one in Bloomfield, Oakland county, settled upon it, having married that year Miss Mary E. Satterlee. He worked the farm until 1860, then exchanged for milling property, and removed to Birmingham. He was supervisor of Bloomfield in 1955. He was a Senator in 1957-8-9: was elected to congress in 1860 from the 4th district, and served from 1861 to 1803: was defeated by a small majority for that position in 1962: was again elected in 1864, serving from 1865 to 1867. He again became a farmer, and in 1873 took charge of the Chandler farm near Lansing, where he was suc- cessful. In 1880 he was appointed commissioner of Indian affairs by President Hayes, and died while holding that office. April 20, 18-1. He was president of the central Michigan agricultural society, and was recognized throughout the state as a leading agriculturist. and an honest, incorruptible man. In polities first a Whig, a Republican after 1854.
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STEPHEN V. R. TROWBRIDGE,
Member of the legislative council in 182>, and Senator in 1839-40-1-2. was born at Albany, N. Y., July 4, 1794, and died March 1. 1859. IIe was married to Elizabeth Conkling at Horseheads, N. Y., in 1-15. and came to Michigan in the fall of 1521. He settled for life on a farm, purchased of government, in Troy. Oakland county. He was
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the first supervisor of Troy in 1827, and held that position in 1828 and four terms afterwards. His home was headquarters for early emi- grants coming to Troy. His services for the town and state were of a high order, and he identified himself with every project calculated to benefit society. The family of eleven children imitated his example. Among them were Charles A., a New York merchant: Rowland E., long in congress; William P., professor in Yale college; General Luther S., of Detroit; and Guy M., of Pontiac. One of the daughters was the wife of Rev. Mr. Goodell, long a distinguished missionary in Turkey. He helped organize the Presbyterian church in Troy, and was an elder. He was always a staunch friend of tem- perance, and an active christian. In politics, Whig and Republican.
MORGAN TUPPER,
Representative from Ionia county in 1863, was born in Monroe county, N. Y., May 19, 1816. He came to Michigan in 1838, and made the first entry of land in Odessa, Ionia county, upon which he remained until his death, March 3, 1880. By occupation a minister and farmer.
MYRON TUPPER,
Representative from Ionia county in 1865, was born in Monroe county, N. Y., May 19, 1816. He was a clergyman and farmer, politically a Republican. He came to Michigan in 1838. He was ordained a Free Will Baptist minister in 1848. Held the positions of postmaster and supervisor. Died March 4, 1879.
- WILLIAM S. TURCK,
Representative from Gratiot county in 1877-79, was born in Port Hope, Ontario, in 1839. He received a common school education. He came to Michigan in 1860, and entered the service in the twenty- sixth Michigan infantry in 1862, and was mustered out with the regi- ment in 1465 as captain of Co. D. He was treasurer of Gratiot county for six years, supervisor four years, and president and treasurer of the farmers' mutual fire insurance company of Gratiot and Isabella counties. He is a farmer by occupation, and a Republican in politics.
JAMES D. TURNBULL,
Representative from Alpena, Aleona and Presque Isle counties in 1879, 'S1-2, was born in Harvey, New Brunswick, Feb. 5, 1843. He
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received a good common school education, removed to Chelsea, Mich., in 1858, entered in 1862 in the 20th Michigan infantry, and served through the war, becoming a lieutenant. He took a full course at the State Normal school, was principal of the schools at Memphis three years, studied law and was admitted in 1871. He commenced practice at Alpena in 1812. Has been comptroller of Alpena two terms, two years chairman of board of supervisors, and chairman of democratic county committee for six years. In politics a Democrat.
GEORGE B. TURNER
Was born in Franklin county, N. Y., in 1822. His parents, named Brunt, left him an orphan at the age of three years, and being adopted by Sterling A. Turner, a Virginian, he took his name. In 1835. at the age of thirteen, he became a clerk in an auction and com- mission store in Detroit. In a few months he went to Cassopolis, and until 1840 was occupied as pupil, teacher and clerk. He studied law with A. H. Redfield and was admitted to the bar in 1844. In 1848-9 he was a Representative from Cass county. In 1850 he abandoned practice from ill health and became a farmer. He was a delegate to the democratic national convention of 1876. As a Democrat he has been the candidate of his party for probate judge, also for Sena- tor, and in 1856 ran on the defeated ticket for secretary of state. He was editorially connected with the Cass County Advocate, the first paper published in that county.
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JAMES TURNER
Was born at Cazenovia, N. Y., April 1, 1820, and was a descendant of Humphrey Turner, who settled at Plymouth, (t., in 1628. With a fair education, self obtained, he came to Leoni, Mich., in 1840, and acted as clerk in a store. In 1841 he removed to Mason, engaging in mercantile business until 1817, when he came to Lansing, continuing the mercantile business, and engaged in the construction of the Lan- sing and Howell plank road, of which he was treasurer. In 1860 he became deputy state treasurer, which he held for six years. In 1564 he became treasurer and land commissioner of the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw railroad, holding it until his death. He was also director and treasurer of the Lansing & Ionia railroad, was agent for non-resi- dent Michigan land-hoklers, and loaned money largely for the New Lebanon Shakers. In 1867 he was Senator, and was a member of the Lansing board of education for nine years. A Republican in politics, a Methodist in religion. He died Oct. 10, 1969.
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JAMES M. TURNER,
Representative from Ingham county in 1877, was born in Lansing, Mich., April 23, 1850. He is the oldest son of the late Hon. James Turner, one of the pioneers of Ingham county. He received a com- mon school education, and afterwards spent two years at Oneida conference seminary, Cazenovia, N. Y. In 1868 he was elected pay- master and assistant treasurer of the Ionia & Lansing railroad. In 1869 he was elected treasurer of the same company, being the suc- cessor of his father. In 1871 he organized the real estate and loan agency of Turner, Smith & Co., of Lansing, which dissolved by the retirement of D. S. Smith. On the organization of the Chicago & Northeastern railroad company, in the year 1814, he was elected president. He was the youngest member of the legislature of 1877. He is extensively engaged in manufacturing, mining and real estate, and resides at Lansing. Has a large farm well stocked with horses, cattle and sheep.
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