USA > Michigan > Early history of Michigan, with biographies of state officers, members of Congress, judges and legislators > Part 24
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JEROME W. TURNER
Was born at Sheldon, Vt., January 25, 1836. He is by occupation a lawyer, in politics, formerly a Republican, now a Democrat. He came to Michigan with his father, Judge Josiah Turner. in 1839, who settled in Howell, and afterwards moved to Owosso. He graduated from the University in 1857. He studied law, and is now actively engaged in his profession at Owosso. As a Republican he was Senator in 1869-70, and at that time wrote a series of humorous articles, that attracted great attention, and were published in the Detroit Tribune. As a Democrat he was mayor of Owosso in 1879; delegate to the democratic national convention at Cincinnati in 1880; also to the convention at Chicago in 1844. He was adjutant of the 30th Michigan infantry, and was the democratic candidate for mem- ber of the state board of education in 1896. He has written short poems of great merit.
JESSE F. TURNER
Was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1810. He came to De Witt, Mich., in 1838, and engaged in mereantile business. Afterwards studied law with Joab Baker. He was county commissioner of Clinton county in 1841; register of deeds; supervisor of De Witt; Senator in 1944-45; and county judge in 1846. In politics a Democrat. He went to Cali- fornia in 1851, and was collector of the port of Sacramento under President Pierce. He was circuit judge of the Sacramento judicial circuit for twelve years. He died at Oakland, California, in 1880.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
JOHN W. TURNER,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1847-9, was born in Putney, Vt., in 1818. By profession a lawyer. He came to Hudson, Mich., in 1841, later removed to Coldwater, his present home. He was a Democrat until 1854, since a Republican. He was the first Republi- can nominee for lieutenant governor, but declined in favor of Coe. As a public speaker and legal advocate has always stood high in southern Michigan. Has published a volume of poems of consider- able merit.
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JOHN W. TURNER,
Representative from Clinton and other counties in 1851, was born in Oneida county, N. Y., Feb. 23, 1800. He was several years a clerk. Resided at Oswego. N. Y., from 1919 to 1846, and a part of the time was deputy collector at Oswego. Settled at DeWitt. Mich., in 1848, and engaged in milling and mercantile business. Was five years a supervisor, and was sheriff in 1858-9. Removed in 1863 to Vermillion, Dakota, was for eleven years a member of the territorial council, and from 1869 to 1873 was superintendent of public instruction in Dakota. While in Michigan a Democrat. Died at Turner, Dakota, April 11. 1883.
JOSIAH TURNER
Was born in New Haven, Vt. Sept. 1, 1811. He received his educa- tion at St. Albans and Middlebury, studied law, and was admitted to the bar of Vermont in 1833. After a short practice in that state, he came to Michigan and settled in Howell. In 1842 he was elected county clerk by the democrats, and served six years, also holding the positions of justice, township clerk, and master in chancery. On the adoption of the county court system he was elected judge of Living- ston county, and held the position until 1950, when the office was abolished. In 1856 he was elected probate judge on the republican ticket. In 1957 he was appointed by Gov. Bingham to a vacancy on the supreme court bench. and the same year was elected judge of the seventh judicial circuit for six years, and received three successive re-elections. the fourth time being elected without opposition, serving from 1857 to 1981. In 1860 he removed from Howell to Owosso. and was mayor of that city in 1861-5. He was a member of the constitu- tional convention of 1967. Since he retired from the bench has been U. S. consul at Amherstburg, Canada.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
MILO H. TURNER
Was born at Albany, N. Y., in 1812. Camne to Michigan in 1837, and was the pioneer merchant of De Witt, Clinton county. He was elected register of deeds in 1839, and was a Representative in 1842. In politics a Whig. He removed to California in 1851, and is now living at Oak- land
STANLEY W. TURNER,
Representative from Ingham county in 1877, was born in North Fair- field, Ohio, July 15, 1843. In 1852 he removed to Reading, Mich., and in 1860-1 was a student at Hillsdale college. During the war he enlisted as a private in the first Michigan sharpshooters. At the close of the war he was promoted to captain, but was never mustered in. In 1865 he went to Mason, Mich., and entered the law office of H. L. Henderson. In 1866 he was elected clerk of Ingham county, and re-elected in 1868, and served twice as chairman of the Republican county committee. Now in business at Roscommon, Michigan.
JAMES TURRILL
Was born in Shoreham, Vt., Sept. 24, 1797. He removed to Michigan in 1842, and settled on a farm in the town of Lapeer, Lapeer county. He was also engaged in mercantile business. He was a Representa - tive in 1849. In politics a Whig.
JONATHAN B. TUTTLE
Was born August 15, 1841, at Lodi, Ohio. He received a fair educa- tion in the common schools and at Oberlin college. At the age of eighteen he began the study of law, graduating at the Ohio state and Union law colleges in 1862, and was admitted to practice the same year. Soon afterward he entered the army, and was promoted until he reached the rank of captain in the infantry service. He was honorably discharged in 1864, for physical disabilities. Ile then removed to Alpena, where he has since resided and practiced law. He has held the offices of judge of probate, prosecuting attorney, U. S. commissioner, school inspector, etc. In 1877, on the organization of the 231 judicial circuit, he was elected circuit judge, and re-elected April 4, 1881, serving until 1887.
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WARREN TUTTLE,
Member of the " second convention of assent," 1836, and Representa- tive from Wayne county in 1849, was born in Poultney, Vt., Dec. 24, 1804. He came to Michigan in 1826, and located a farm in Livonia. As a pioneer he made the wilderness to bud and blossom as the rose, and died Sept. 17, 1849, on the farm that he had made. He served his town as justice for many years, and the county as superintendent of the poor, 1847-19. Politics, democratic.
RODNEY K. TWADELL,
Representative from Branch county in 1877-79, was born in Marion, Wayne county, N. Y., Nov. 7. 1827. He received a common school education, and removed to Quincy, Michigan, in April, 1851. He is a farmer by occupation. In politics a Republican.
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ROYAL T. TWOMBLY,
Senator from Berrien county in 1953. was born at Portland, Maine. in 1813. He settled in Niles, Michigan. in 1837. In business a mer- chant: politically a Democrat. He was for several years a trustee of the union school at Niles, was mayor of Niles in 1877, and a candidate for presidential elector on the Douglass ticket in 1860. Died October 14, 1885.
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COLUMBUS V. TYLER,
Senator from Alcona, Alpena, Bay, Iosco, Ogemaw and Presque Isle counties in 18;7 and 1879, was born in Auburn, Cayuga county, N. Y., in 1825, and in 1836 removed to Genesee county, Michigan. He received a common school education, in 1846 commenced the study of medicine, in 1850 settled in the village of Flushing, Genesee county. Ile practiced medicine nineteen years in that place. He removed to Bay City in 1969, and in 1870 graduated from the Detroit medical college, and from that time has continued the practice of his profession. In polities a Democrat.
COMFORT TYLER
Was born in Marcellus, N. Y., March 7, 1801. where his parents had removed from Connecticut in 1788. He received a common school education, and assisted his father in farming, milling and carding
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wool and dressing cloth until he was twenty-four. In 1834 he removed to Colon, St. Joseph county, Michigan, and bought a large farm, where he resided until his death, January 16, 18:3. He was twenty-five years a supervisor. In 1841 was a Representative, in 1859 Senator, and in 1867 a member of the constitutional conven- tion. He was first a Whig, but a Republican from 1834.
MADISON J. ULRICH,
One of the Representatives from Kent county in 1885, was born in Park, Mich., Dec. 5, 1835; was reared upon a farm, and for a time followed the occupation of a farmer, finally engaging as a tea and coffee merchant in Grand Rapids, where he now resides. He has been school inspector, collector, school trustee, and supervisor, and was elected on the fusion ticket.
DANIEL K. UNDERWOOD,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1840, was born at Enfield, Mass., June 15, 1803, and died at Adrian, Mich , May 6, 1875. He prepared for college at Amherst academy, was two years at Wil- liams college, then went to Dartmouth, graduating as a physician in 1826. Practiced two years at Yarmouth, Mass., then was a druggist at Amherst until 1836. He settlel that year at Adrian, Mich., and was in the drug trade until 1919. With the exception of a short time in the banking business, the rest of his life he gave to reading, study and Horticulture. He made a study of fruits and varieties best adapted to the climate, and was employed by the United States pomo- logical society to prepare a work, published by government. Hegave the land for the site of Adrian college, and was liberal in other direc- tions.
A. I. . UPSON,
Senator from the upper peninsula in 1855, was for a few years a mer- chant at Eagle Harbor, Keneenaw county. Nothing further known of him.
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CHARLES UPSON,
Attorney General of Michigan, 1861-3, Representative in congress, 1863 to 1869, and State Senator, 1955, '81-2, was born at Southington, Conn., March 19, 1821. He received a common school and academical education. In 1831 commenced the study of law. and was for one
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year in the Yale law school. He came to Constantine, Mich., in 1845. and the next year removed to Centreville. He taught school, and in 1847 was deputy county clerk, and was admitted to the bar in 1847. Engaged in practice at Centreville, was county clerk two years, and two years prosecuting attorney of St. Joseph county. Removed to Coldwater in 1856, and from 1857 to 1861 was a railroad commissioner. He continued in practice until 1869, when he was elected judge of the 5th circuit, which he resigned Dec. 31, 1872. In 1871 he was one of two commissioners to examine the compilation of the laws, made that year. In 1873 he was one of eighteen commissioners to revise the state constitution. In 1876 he declined the position of commissioner of Indian affairs. He was first a Whig, a Republican from 1854. He practiced his profession until his death at Coldwater, Sept. 5, 1885.
DANIEL UPTON,
Representative in 1867 from Jackson county, was born at Fishkill, N. Y., Aug. 12, 1818, and came with his father's family in 1835 to Jack- son county, Michigan. Bred a farmer, he became a clerk, was a merchant at Parma, also a farmer. He was eight years clerk of Jack- son county. Removed to Muskegon in 1868, and purchased a fruit farm on Lake Harbor, where his family resides. He is one the firm of Upton & Webb, dealers in real estate. Has held the offices of supervisor, town clerk and treasurer.
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WILLIAM W. UPON,
Representative from Clinton county in 1847, was born in Victor, N. Y., and was educated at the Lima seminary. He was a surveyor employed on railroads and canals. He located a farm in Victor, Mich., studied law, was admitted in 1845, and practiced first at De Witt, then at Lansing from 1947 to 1852. Then removed to Califor- nia, was in practice twelve years, was a member of the California legislature in 1856, and district attorney of Sacramento county in 1961 to 1863. Removed to Portland, Oregon, in 1964, practiced law until 1868, was then appointed a judge of the supreme court to fill vacancy, and was elected to that position for six years in 1872. From 1972 to 1874 was chief justice. In 1877 he was appointed second comptroller of the treasury department, a position he held for many years.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
WILLIAM S. UTLEY,
Representative from Newaygo county in 1865, was born in Richmond, N. Y., Nov. 6, 1827. He came with his parents to Michigan in 1828, was educated in the common schools, learned a trade at Lansing, and settled in Newaygo county in 1850. Ile was county clerk 1859 to 1863; delegate in the constitutional convention of 1867; justice nearly all the time since 1852: and school inspector except one year since 1863. Built the first bridge across the Muskegon river, at Croton, in 1850; put up the first mail ever sent from the county; and claims to have married more couples than any other magistrate in northern Michigan. Has been for 23 years town clerk of Big Prairie, also town treasurer. A Whig until 1851, a Republican until 1876. now a Green- backer.
JOSEPII L. VALADE,
Representative from Monroe county in 1877, was born at Dover East, Ontario, March 28, 1822. He attended school in Detroit from 1833 to 1837, then at Dundas, Ontario, until 1844. He then taught a French school at various places in the province until 1848, when he com- menced to read medicine with the late Dr. Pitcher. In 1850-1 he attended medical lectures at Trinity college, Toronto. also at Ann Arbor in 1952, from which place he removed to Vienna, Monroe county, where he has since resided, and has established for himself a respectable medical reputation.
GEORGE W. VAN AKEN,
Representative from Branch county in 1873-4-5, was born in Clark- ston, N. Y., Sept. 8, 1828. In 1835 he removed to Michigan and set- tled in Lenawee county, near Adrian. In 1838 he removed to Girard. Branch county, where he still resides. He received a common school education. He has been supervisor of his township for four years. By occupation a farmer.
LAWRENCE VAN DUSEN,
Representative from Shiawassee county in 1883, was born at Fort Edward, N. Y., Aug. 27, 1826, and in 1832 removed with his parents to Ovid, N. Y. He was seven years clerk in a store, three years superintendent of the poor in Seneca county, and door keeper of the New York senate in 1863-4. For four years was deputy provost mar-
73
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shal, also a deputy collector. Removed to Owosso, Mich., in 1869. Has been engaged in the lumber business, and been a justice and deputy sheriff. Elected on the fusion ticket, but in politics a Green- backer.
ZACHARIAH VAN DUSER,
Representative from Hillsdale county in 1847, was born in Catskill. N. Y., November 26, 1803. By occupation a farmer and druggist. politically a Democrat. He settled in Moscow, Hillsdale county, in 1834, and in 1835 was the first supervisor of that town. Hle was also supervisor in 1841, 1845 and 1849. He died at Hillsdale, March 10, 1852. He took an active part in the politics of the day.
PETER VAN EVERY,
A member of the constitutional convention of 1835, and a Represent- ative from Wayne county in 1835-6, was born near Hamilton. Canada, January 3, 1795, coming with his parents to Michigan when an infant. He served as a private in the war of 1812-15, and was advanced to the position of quartermaster of a regiment for faithful and meritorious services After the close of the war he was com- missioned by the governor as colonel of militia. He resided in Ham- tramck on a farm of 400 acres bordering the river, on a portion of which the present Detroit water-works are located. He held at various times the offices of supervisor and justice of the peace. Besides being a farmer he was a miller and general business man,and in 1837 removed to Franklin, Oakland county, where he engaged in farming, milling and general merchandise, besides operating a dis- tillery and ashery, giving employment to a large number of men. continuing in active business until near the close of his life, Decem- ber 22, 1850. He was democratic in politics up to 1837, and there- after Whig and Republican.
CALEB VAN HUSAN,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1814, was born in Man- chester, N. Y., March 13, 1815, and died August 20, 1884. He lived at home until the age of thirteen, and became an apprentice to a cabinet maker. In 1836 he married Catharine Jackson, and became interested with her father in mercantile business. Ile settled as a merchant at Saline. Mich., in 1838, which he continued until 1553. when he removed to Detroit, was a merchant there until 1:55, when
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he retired. He was a director in the Detroit locomotive works, also in the Michigan insurance company bank, and was president of the Detroit fire and marine insurance company from 'its organization until his death. Under his management the company prospered. His second wife was Emily C. Burr, whom he married in 1866. He was long a trustee of Madison university, N. Y., was greatly inter- ested in Kalamazoo college, and was a member of the Baptist church from the age of fourteen. He left a large fortune to his wife and six children.
-- JAMES VAN KLEECK
Was born September 26, 1846, at Exeter, Michigan. He enlisted as a private in the 17th Michigan infantry in June. 1862. He was severely wounded at the battle of Antietam, from which wound he still suf- fers. He graduated from the law department, Michigan University, in 1870. Removed from Monroe county and settled in Midland county in 1870, and began the practice of law at Midland City, moved to Bay City in 1981, where he is engaged in the practice of his pro- fession. Has held various offices under the village government; also the office of prosecuting attorney of Midland county for six years. He has always been a Republican, was a member of the House of Representatives of 1853-4, and was commissioner of emigration under Gov. Alger.
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CORNELIUS VAN LOO,
Representative from Ottawa county in 1881-2-3, was born in the Netherlands, August :, 1838. He settled in Ottawa county with his parents in 1849. Attended the agricultural college in 1858-9, also Albion college before and after that time. Taught school in 1860-1, enlisted in 1862 in the 21st Michigan infantry, and served through the war, rising to the rank of first lieutenant, and was twice wounded. After the war was a student at Albion college for eighteen months. Has been six years register of deeds for Ottawa county: four years superintendent of schools; supervisor and chairman of board two years. Iu polities a Republican.
AARON A. VAN ORTHWICK,
Representative from Branch county in 1957, was born in Covert New York, December 19, 1829. He remained at home until he was twenty-one. attending school. He came to Michigan in 1852. He worked by the month one year in Lenawee county, when he removed
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to Branch county and purchased wild land in Coldwater township. In 1864 he sold his farm and purchased one in the township of Butler. where he has since resided. Mr. Van Orthwick has held the offices of constable, highway commissioner, township superintendent of schools, coroner, and supervisor ten terms. He was elected Repre- sentative on the republican ticket for 1887-8 by a vote of 3,505 to 2,760 for Oliver C. Campbell, and 571 for Benjamin Culver, Prohi- bitionist.
JACOB J. VAN RIPER,
Attorney General of Michigan from 1881 to 1885, was born at Haver- straw, N. Y., March 8, 1838. He received an academical education, removed to Cass county, Mich., in 1837, but for many years has resided at Buchanan. Attended the law department of the Univer- sity, and was admitted to the bar in 1862. Held the offices of deputy collector and assistant assessor of internal revenue. He was the youngest delegate in the constitutional convention of 1867. Was prosecuting attorney of Berrien county four years, and by appoint- ment of Gov. Croswell regent of the University from March, 1880, to Dec. 31, 1885. In politics a Republican.
DIRK B. K. VAN RAALTE,
Representative from Ottawa county in 1875-7, was born in the Netherlands in 1945. He removed with his parents to Holland, Michi- gan in 1847, where he has since resided. In 1862 enlisted in the 25th Michigan infantry, and served two years. In one of the.engagements before Atlanta, Georgia, he lost his right arm, and received a bullet which, passing through his cheek, came out just below the eye. He is a graduate of Hope college, and by occupation a merchant. In politics a Republican.
ROWLAND S. VAN SCOY
Was born in Kent, N. Y., November 22. 1814. He received a com- mon school education, and was a teacher several winters. In 1939 he came to Michigan and bought a farm in De Witt, Clinton county. In 1854 he sold his farm and removed to Essex, Clinton county, where he now resides on a farm of 1.200 acres. He owns several other farms, in all about 2,000 acres. a large number of village lots in Maple Rapids, and a large brick block, and carries on a banking business. He has held many town offices, including supervisor, treasurer and
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justice; has been president of the village of Maple Rapids, recruiting officer during the rebellion, and was a Representative from 1871 to 1875.
JAMES VAN VLEET
Was born in Romulus, N. Y., July 28, 1818. IIe was brought up on a farm, received a common school education, married Mary Ann Cooley in 1841, and in 1844 settled on a farm in Gaines, Michigan. He endured great hardship as a pioneer, but eventually his eighty acre farm was increased to 320 acres, with fine farm buildings. He was school inspector twelve years: justice sixteen years: supervisor eighteen years, holding the latter office from 1847 to 1868, when he left it to accept that of county treasurer, and was also deputy treas- urer three years. He was a Representative in 1865 and 1867. In 1869 he removed to Flint, where he has served as alderman, and been engaged in real estate and insurance business. He was a Democrat until 1854, since a Republican.
PHILIP T. VAN ZILE
Was born in Osceola, Pa., July 20, 1814. He received his education n that state, and graduated at Alfred university, Alleghany county, N. Y., in 1863. He taught school in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and became a resident of the latter state in 1863. Ile enlisted as a private in battery E, 1st Ohio field artillery, and went into service. He served until the close of the war, refusing a commission as captain in the 32d Ohio infantry. He then removed to Charlotte, Mich., and graduated from the law department of the University in 1967. He was four years prosecuting attorney of Eaton county, and served as judge of probate until 1875, when he was elected circuit judge for Eaton and Calhoun counties, which he resigned in 1878. Ile served several years as United States district attorney to Utah, then returned to Charlotte and resumed practice. He was chairman of the state Republican committee from 1884 to 1886.
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JAMES C. VAUGHN.
Representative from Wayne county (Van Buren township), in 1813, was a native of the state of New York, and came to Michigan in 1832. He was a farmer by occupation, a Democrat in polities, and repre- sented his township for a number of years on the board of supervisors. Died March 20, 1850.
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1
GEORGE F. VEENFLIET.
Representative from Saginaw county in 1879, was born in Wesel, Prussia, April 2, 1813. He received an academical education. and graduated from the University of Bonn as professor of mathematics and physical sciences in 1839. In 1849 he emigrated to the United States, and came to Michigan in 1849. In 1850 he removed to Blum- field, Saginaw county. He was appointed commissioner of immigra- tion by Gov. Wisner during the seasons of 1859-60. In 1860 he was elected register of deeds for Saginaw county. In 1870 he was elected county treasurer, which office he held for six consecutive years. In politics a Republican.
WALTER VICARY,
Representative from the second district of Marquette, was born in Devonshire, England, January 31, 1836. He is by occupation an engineer, is a Republican, has been a resident of the state fifteen years, was supervisor of the second ward of Ishpeming in 1855 and 1886. He was elected to the house of 1887-8 by a vote of 1,320 to 1,157 for Patrick J. McGinty.
STEPHEN VICKERY,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1838-43-4-5-8, was born in the state of New York, removed to Ohio at the age of sixteen, taught school in that state several terms, then became a teacher at Monroe. Mich. He removed to Prairie Ronde in 1829, was the first county clerk and treasurer of Kalamazoo county 1834-6, and was register of deeds 1836-8. A prominent Whig, and once the candidate of that party for governor. He was a practical surveyor and laid out the village of Schoolcraft, where he died Dec. 12, 1857. A man of remark - able memory, strong in his convictions, and positive in character.
JAMES VIDETO
Was born in Hawksbury, Upper Canada, July 27, 1804. When young his parents removed to the state of New York. At the age of eleven he went to live with an uncle at Shelburn, Vt., and remained there until he became of age. fie came to Detroit in 1828, and was engaged for fifteen years in surveying government lands in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa. After 1832 his home was in Jackson county. He located land in Concord in 1833. He was several terms supervisor of Spring Arbor. He was Representative in 1543-4.
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