USA > Michigan > Early history of Michigan, with biographies of state officers, members of Congress, judges and legislators > Part 26
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ROBERT WARDEN
Emigrated from Greenock, Scotland, in 1832, and after a brief resi- cence in Onondaga county, N. Y., purchased with Governor Bingham a large tract of land in Green Oak, Mich., upon which they settled in 1933. Gov. Bingham had two wives, both of whom were sisters of Mr. Warden, while his wife was a sister of Governor Bingham. He was a farmer and was supervisor of Green Oak, first in 1938, and served six times afterwards in that capacity. He was a delegate in the constitutional convention of 1550. First a Democrat, a Repub- lican after 1-54. Deceased.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
GUERNSEY P. WARING,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1881-2, was born August 31, 1852, in Ridgeway, Mich. He attended school until of age; after- wards taught a few terms; and has since mingled farming with mer- cantile business in the land of his adoption.
EDWARD A. WARNER,
Senator from Branch county in 1842-3, was born in 1812 or 1813. He is said to have been in Marshall, Mich., in 1837. Settled at Cold- water in 1838, and engaged in practice as a lawyer. He was an agreeable and intelligent young man, and had obtained a good prac- tice at the time of his death, February 1, 1844.
-- HARVEY WARNER
Was born at Glens Falls, N. Y., April 5, 1809. In 1830 he came to Michigan, soon settled at Coldwater, and built the first frame house and the first frame store and the first church in that city. He was postmaster in 1832, and held the office many years. He was justice in 1834, and held that position 24 years. He was a delegate to the first convention of assent at Ann Arbor, was judge of probate from 1819 to 1857, and for several years president of the village of Coldwater.
P. DEAN WARNER,
Representative from Oakland county in 1851, 1865-7, and speaker of the House in 1867, was born in Hector, N. Y., August 18, 1822. He came with his father to Farmington, Mich., in 1825. At fourteen he was a clerk in a country store, where he remained nine years. In 1845 became a merchant at Farmington, and still resides there, in the same business. He had a fair education. In politics, first a Demo- crat, since a Republican. He was deputy postmaster three years; three times town clerk; supervisor five terms, and fifteen years a member of the board of control of railroads by appointment of the governor. He was Senator in 1969-70.
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WILLIAM WARNER,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1831, was born in Con- necticut in 1800. He settled as a farmer in Dexter, Mich., in 1826.
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He owns several large farms and has been engaged in the lumber and hardware trade. In politics a Republican.
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WILLIAM WARNER,
Representative from Detroit in 1863-4-7, was born at Pittsford. Vt., Jan. 28, 1812. He graduated at Middlebury college, and studied for the ministry, but abandoned it from health considerations. He was several years treasurer of the University of Vermont at Burlington, and subsequently connected with the Vermont Central railroad. until he came to Detroit in 1855. He was there engaged in the lumber business until, in 1860, he became connected with the Detroit bridge and iron works, of which he was president at the time of his death in July, 1868.
WILLIAM E. WARNER
Was born in 1820, in New York, and came to Michigan in 1837. His early occupations were those of teacher and clerk in Rawsonville. He was a justice in 1845, and held the office of supervisor for many years. He was Representative in 1853, Senator in 1859-63-4, was reg- ister of deeds 1865-69, and a member of the constitutional convention of 1867. He died at Belleville, Sept. 6, 1879. He is listed as a lawyer, though combining the qualities of farmer, politician and general bus- iness man in about equal degree. He was a Democrat.
ASA K. WARREN,
Representative from Eaton county in 1973-4, and Senator in 1875, was born in Eden, N. Y., Jan. 29, 1830. He is a graduate of Oberlin col- lege, of the class of '53. He is also a graduate of the medical depart- ment of the University, of the class of '56. He became a resident of Michigan in 1859, and settled in Olivet, where he still resides. He has been a member of the common council of the town ever since its organization. He still continues in the practice of his profession. In politics a Republican.
ROBERT L. WARREN,
Representative from Van Buren county in 1883, was born in Benning- ton, Mich., January 2. 1842. He removed to Flint when a boy, resid- ing there till 1869. He entered Michigan University in 1860, leaving there to enter the military service in the late rebellion, serving until
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the close of the Vicksburg campaign, when he was discharged by reason of disability. Entered law department Michigan University in 1864, and graduated in 1:66, began the practice of law, continuing about one year, then assuming the duties of local editor on the Wol- rerine Citizen. Subsequently removed to Bay City, taking control of the Journal of that city, which he converted into a daily, and con- ducted it until sold to Hon. James Birney. Also published Saginaw Daily Enterprise. Removed to Vau Buren county in 1875, and pub- lished the Lawrence Advertiser, and was editor and publisher of the Decatur Republican. He now resides at Albion, and is editor and publisher of the Albion Recorder.
SAMUEL N. WARREN,
Representative from Genesee county in 1848, was born in Orwell, Vt., Sept. 15, 1813. Attended district school and Shoreham academy; taught school in Benson, Vt., in 1829; came to Michigan in 1833, and taught school; at the age of twenty-two was a justice and supervisor, holding the latter office most of the time for forty years; was post- ยท master at Fentonville: director of schools in Flint for ten years; for many years chairman of the congressional committee in the sixth district; and collector of internal revenue for that district under Lin- coln. Married Anne R. West in 1834, and celebrated his golden wed- ding at Albion, where he now resides. Was a Whig until 1851, since a Republican.
STEPHEN H. WARREN,
Senator from Montcalm and other counties in 1857-8, was born in Esopus, N. Y., in 1806. Left an orphan at the age of seven, he went to live with his brother at Herkimer, N. Y., where he remained until 1843, when he settled in Eureka, Montcalm county, as a farmer. In politics a Democrat until 1854, then a Republican. He held the office of justice. Died April 20, 1875.
NORMAN B. WASHBURN.
Representative from Lenawee county in 1887, was born in Adrian, Mich., Aug. 13, 1849, where he has since resided. He received a common school education, and at the age of seventeen learned telegraphy, but in the following year became an iron molder, which occupation, with the trade of bricklayer, he has since followed. He was a charter member and commissioned officer in the Adrian light
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guard, and served from 1870 to 1876. He was elected Representative as a labor candidate and on the democratic ticket, receiving 1,732 votes to 1,724 for Capt. J. H. Lee, Republican, and 245 for C. E. Mitchell, Prohibitionist.
JOHN C. WATERBURY,
Representative in 1861-2, and Senator in 1871-2-7, was born Nov. 27, 1815, at Andes, N. Y. He received a common school education, and removed to Leroy, Mich., .in 1838. From 1840 to 1847 resided at St. Clair, then removed to Lexington, where he still resides. He has held many offices, including justice, judge of probate, assistant assessor of internal revenue, and deputy U. S. marshal. In politics first a Whig, a Republican since 1854. He for years dealt in bonds and mortgages, and did much to develop the resources of the luron shore.
CHARLES W. WATKINS,
Representative from Allegan county in 1571-2-3, was born in East Salem, N. Y., March 5, 1844. He received an academical education. In 1836 removed to Leighton, Mich. He entered the 6th Michigan cavalry as a private in 1861; was transferred to the 10th Michigan cavalry in 1903, was commissioned as lieutenant: served as adjutant of the regiment for a brief period, and was made a captain by brevet for gallant and meritorious services. He followed the mercantile business in Allegan county, but removed some years since to Grand Rapids, where he is engaged in the insurance business. In politics a Republican.
ERWIN C. WATKINS,
Representative from Kent county in 1873-4-5, was born in Middle- bury, N. Y., January 15, 1839. He received a common school educa- tion. In 1844 emigrated to Michigan and settled in Grattan, Kent county, aud subsequently removed to Rockford. He studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1861. In the same year he enlisted in a company of cavalry, and when the company was incorporated in the first New York regiment of cavalry, was commissioned lieuten- ant, and subsequently received a commission as captain. In 1863 he was appointed assistant adjutant general of the department of West Virginia, and subsequently assigned to the staff of Gen. W. H. Seward, where he served until the war ended. He has held several local positions. By occupation a lumber merchant. He is now warden at the house of correction at Ionia. Ile was an Indian agent in the west for some years.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
FREEMAN C. WATKINS,
Representative from Jackson county in 1861, and delegate in the constitutional convention of 1867, was born in Surry, N. II., March 29, 1811. Taught primary schools in New Hampshire and Michigan from 1829 to 1834. Located his farm in Napoleon in 1833, and was an early pioneer of Jackson county. Was supervisor and justice. A Democrat until 1854, then a Republican. Died June 10, 1880.
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MILTON C. WATKINS,
Representative in 1859, and Senator in 1863-4-5, from Kent county, was born in Rutland, Vt., in 1806. He received a common school and academical education. After the age of eighteen was engaged several years in teaching. In 1830 he married Susan Joy, and settled on a farm in Covington, N. Y., where he taught winters, and worked as a carpenter summers, and was also justice and school inspector. In 1844, settled on a farm in Grattan, Mich., where he resided until his death, May 16, 1836. He was the first supervisor of Grattan, and held that and the office of justice, nearly twenty-five years. He was U. S. assistant assessor until the office was abolished. In politics a Whig until 1854, then a Republican.
FRANK H. WATSON,
Representative from Shiawassee county in 1887, was born in Shia- wassee, same county, November 14, 1857. He received his education at district and union schools and worked on his father's farm sum- mers and taught winters, until twenty-one years of age, when he entered a law office in Corunna, and was admitted to the bar in 1881. He went to Colorado, but remained only about one year, when he returned to Corunna and commenced the practice of his profession. remaining there until the spring of 1885. when he removed to Owosso, where he still resides. He has been twice elected circuit court com- missioner, and is a Republican.
HENRY WATSON,
Representative from Montcalmn county, was born in Nottingham- shire, England, January 20, 1836. By occupation a lumberman and farmer. He has filled the office of justice of the peace fifteen years, township clerk two years, has been a school officer twenty years, and Representative for 1855-6. Ile is a Republican, and was
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reelected for 1887-8 by a vote of 1,806 to 1,616 for Henry Sharp, and 227 for Frank Fuller, Prohibitionist.
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JOHN WM. WATTS,
Representative from Jackson county in 1887, was born at Leoni, Mich., Jan. 13, 1838, and has always been a resident of that county. He is a farmer. He has held the office of supervisor six years, clerk of his township seven years, and filled other town offices. He is a Republican, and was elected Representative by a vote of 2,547 to 2,135 for Daniel Boynton, Fusionist, and 633 for Lester E. Palmer, Prohibitionist.
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CHARLES W. WEATHERBY,
Representative from Branch county in 1861-2, was born in Washing- ton county, N. Y., Jan. 19, 1810. By occupation a mechanic; in politics a Republican. He settled at Bronson, Mich., in 1836, where he held several local positions, and was a justice. He removed to Missouri in 1865, was a resident of Kansas City for two years, and now resides at Shelbina, Mo.
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NATHAN WEBB
Was born in Middlesex, N. Y., Jan. 25, 1808. He received a good education, mostly from private teachers, and in 1836 received his diploma as a physician, and practiced at Rushville, N. Y. In 1846 removed to Pittsfield, Mich., and purchased a farm, where he resided until his death. Dec. 3, 1884. For many years he was supervisor, also justice. In 1861-2 he was Senator. He was first an Anti-Mason, then a Democrat, and from 1854 a Republican. He sent three sons to the war, and served as a surgeon for several months. His wide information, literary tastes, firm principles and ready wit, made him a man of mark and influence.
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ANDREW J. WEBBER,
Representative from Ionia county in 1885-7, was born in Steuben county, N. Y., Jan. 3, 1831. He received a good common school education, removed to Michigan in 1452, and for four years was engaged in lumbering on the west shore, then for ten years was a farmer and merchant. Has been largely interested in Iumbering in Mecosta county. He has been mayor of Ionia, twice president of the county agricultural society, director and vice president of the second
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national bank, and president of Ionia farmers' insurance company. In politics a Republican.
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GEORGE W. WEBBER,
Of Ionia, was born in Newburg, Vt., Nov. 25, 1825. He removed to Steuben county, N. Y., in 1828; received a public school education, and worked on his parents' farm until his twentieth year, when he engaged in lumbering and mercantile business for himself. He married in 1850 and removed to northern Michigan in 1852, where he continued the lumber business until 1858. Since then he has been a resident of Ionia county. He has been interested in farming, and in building in Ionia, where he has had the management of a mercantile business. He has also carried on lumbering operations in Mecosta county since 1866. He was one of the founders of the second national bank of Ionia, and has been its president. He has also been mayor of the city two terms. He was elected Representative in congress by a vote of 22,824, to 11,435 for L. H. Randall, Democrat, and 9,506 for J. C. Blanchard, National, and served one term, declining a re- nomination. In politics a Republican.
WILLIAM L. WEBBER,
Senator from Saginaw county in 1875, was born in Ogden, N. Y., July 19, 1825. He removed with his father to Hartland, Mich .. in 1836. He received a common school education, taught school, studied medicine two years, then taught select school at Milford two years. Studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1951. He became a resi- dent of East Saginaw in 1853, where he now resides. He practiced law until 1869. In 185; he became the attorney of the Flint & Pere Marquette railroad company, and still holds that place. He was land commissioner of the road from 1870 to 1985. A director of the road since 1:61. Has also been president of the Tuscola & Huron railroad: trustee and executor of the estate of Jesse Hoyt; circuit court com- missioner of Saginaw county, 1954-5; prosecuting attorney: mayor of East Saginaw; democratic candidate for governor in 1876. and president of the state agricultural society in 1978. In politics a Democrat.
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ALANSON J. WEBSTER
Was born in Pontiac, Mich., Aug. 21, 1827. He lived in Pontiac until 1851, then removed to White Lake, Oakland county. He was super-
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visor seven years, township treasurer and justice, and in 1871-2 a Representative. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Democrat. Died in 1875.
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JAMES WEBSTER,
Representative from Oakland county in 1846, was born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1811. He came to Michigan in 1838. Was by trade a blacksmith, but became a Methodist preacher; politically a Democrat. He removed to Fairfax, Va., in 1858.
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JOSEPH WEIER,
Representative from Monroe county in 1869-70, was born in Wackern- heim, Germany, March 4, 1822. He came to Monroe, Mich., in 1849, where he now resides. He kept a grocery store and boarding house for years with success. Has been an alderman. About 1868 he became interested in the planting of vineyards and the making of wine, his trade extending over many states. For some years has been retired from business. In politics a Democrat.
JAMES D. WEIR,
Senator from Wayne county in 1879, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y .. May 20, 1832. He received his education from private teachers. In 1847 removed to Detroit, and in 1948 apprenticed himself to the foun- dry business, which he followed up to 1859. He then studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1860. He has been collector of fourth ward, school inspector, alderman, county clerk. judge of probate, and member of the board of education. In politics a Democrat.
HENRY W. WEISS,
Representative from Gratiot county in 1885, was born in Champion, Ohio, in 1843. Came to Michigan in 1873, and for some years followed the occupation of lumberman, when purchasing the land upon which he now resides, in Sumner, he engaged in farming, which occupation he still continues. He was a member of the 81th Ohio volunteer infantry, serving his full time of enlistment: has been supervisor, and was elected as a candidate on the fusion tieket.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
HENRY B. WELCH,
Representative from Monroe county in 1873-4, was born in Augusta, Mich., Aug. 2, 1833. He was educated in common schools. In 1866 he removed to Monroe county, and settled in Exeter, where he now resides. By occupation a farmer.
JOHN WELCH,
Senator from Saginaw county in 1891-2, was born in Augusta, Me., Sept. 5, 1825. He received a common school education, and at thir. teen was apprenticed to a blacksmith. After one year he became a sailor, and followed it six years, rising to the position of second mate. In 1846 he went into the lumber business, and in 1863 settled at White River, Mich., where he remained until 1572, since that time has resided at East Saginaw. Is a successful lumberman, and also a farmer. Has been twice mayor of East Saginaw, and held positions as alderman and supervisor. In politics a Republican.
JOHN B. WELCH,
Representative from Ionia county in 1863-4-5, was born in the state of New York, March 22, 1816. He came to Michigan in 1836. He cut the timber on the public square at Ionia. He was comman lant to raise the 21st Michigan infantry, and recruited 2,000 men for various regiments at a great sacrifice of time and money. He was a Republi- can while a legislator, now a Greenbacker, living at Ionia.
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ERASTUS J. WELKER,
Representative from Branch county in 1873-4-7, was born in Walnut. Ohio, Sept. 3, 1825. In 1832 he removed with his parents to Seneca county, Ohio, they being the second family on the Seneca reserva- tion. He was educated in common schools. In 1866 he removed to Kinderhook, Branch county. By occupation a blacksmith. For ser- eral years has been an officer at the Ionia house of correction. In politics a Republican.
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CHARLES WELLMAN,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1985-7, was born in Canada, Jan. 18. 1817. Came to Michigan with his parents in 1953; been engaged in various occupations, now in the milling and mercantile
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business at Port Huron. He has been an alderman and member of the board of estimates. Elected as a Fusionist.
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FRANKLIN WELLS
Was born at Salem, N. Y .. April 19, 1823. He came to Constantine, Mich., in 1837, and is a merchant and farmer. He has been a mem- ber of the state board of agriculture since 18:3, and his present term will expire in 1891. Has served several years on the state republican committee.
FREDERICK L. WELLS,
Senator from St. Clair county in 1873-4-5, was born March 24, 1833, in Stanford, N. Y. He received a common school education, and was instructed in the classics by a private tutor. In 1838 he emigrated to Michigan, and settled in Port Huron, where he now resides. He has served as mayor, city clerk, chief engineer, and alderman. He was also a member of the House in 1871-2. By occupation a lumber mer- chant. Politically a Republican.
HENRY B. WELLS
Was born at Hartwick, N. Y., Feb. 4, 1829. In 1835 removed with his father to Charleston, Mich., where he received a common school education. In 1848 bought a farm in Wayne, Cass county, which has since been his home. For a time was in mercantile business in 'Dowagiac. In company with Z. Jarvis he built a grain elevator, and was extensively engaged in the produce business. He was super- visor several years, and was a Representative in 1867. In politics a Republican.
HEZEKIAH G. WELLS
Was born June 16, 1812, at Steubenville. Ohio, and was educated at Kenyon college. He studied law and settled at Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1833. In 1835 was a delegate in the constitutional convention, and the youngest member of that body. From 1845 to 1819 he performed circuit court duties as judge. He was a delegate in the constitutional convention of 1950. In 1862, largely by his efforts, the 25th Michigan infantry was mustered into service. He was a member of the state board of agriculture from 1861 to 1883, and most of the time its presi- dent. In 1873 he was one of eighteen appointed to revise the state constitution, In 1874 he was appointed presiding judge of .the
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court of commissioners of Alabama claims," and that court distrib- uted over $9,000,000 of the " Geneva award " to claimants. The court was re-established in 1882, and he was again its presiding officer. For many years he was an active member of the historical committee of the state pioneer society, and was president in 1880. He was a man of commanding form, fine personal appearance, and a recog- nized leader in the republican party. First a Whig, a Republican after 1854. Died at Kalamazoo, April 4, 1885, leaving a wife, but no children.
HENRY H. WELLS.
Representative from Detroit in 1855, was born in Rochester, N. Y., September 17, 1813, and came to Detroit at the age of twenty-one, where he studied law and was admitted to practice. He entered the military service as lieutenant colonel of the twenty-sixth Michigan infantry, in October, 1862, was promotedito the colonelcy of the same regiment March 30, 1864, and was brevetted brigadier general in 1865. In April, 1868, he was appointed provisional governor of Virginia, holding the position until 1869. Was U. S. district attorney for Virginia, 1869-71, and U. S. district attorney for the district of Columbia, from September, 1875, to January, 1880. Politics Republi- can; present residence, Washington, D. C.
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MARSHALL M. WELLS
Was born in Genesee, N. Y., in August, 1822. His father settled at an early date on a farm in Lyon, Oakland county, where the son was reared. In 1845 he became a clerk in the office of the auditor gen- eral. He was a Representative from Oakland county in 1850, as a Democrat. Under Buchanan he was a deputy U. S. marshal. For eighteen months he was sutler of the 11th Michigan infantry.
WILLIAM P. WELLS,
Representative from Detroit to the legislature of 1865, was born at St. Albans, Vt., February 15, 1531. Hle graduated from the University of Vermont in 1551, from Harvard law school in 1854, was admitted to the Vermont bar in 1855, and settled in practice at Detroit in 1856. He was a partner of Judge J. V. Campbell until 1858. He was a member of the Detroit board of education in 1863-4; law lecturer at the University in 1871-5, and Kent professor of law from 1576 to 1886. when he resigned. In politics a Democrat.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
GEORGE T. WENDELL
Was born at Albany, N. Y. He was a resident of Mackinaw Island at an early day. In politics a Democrat, and a Representative in 1857-9. He was a merchant, and held many local positions, and was probate judge of Mackinac county at the time of his death, October 10, 1879, then about sixty.
JOHN A. WENDELL,
Representative from Oakland county in 1842, was born in Charlton, N. Y., October 19, 1788. He settled as a farmer in Rose, Oakland county, in 1836, and in 1837 was elected the first supervisor, and was re-elected in 1838-9-40-1-3-4. He was also town clerk and justice of the peace, and was postmaster of Rose from 1837 until his death, in 1858. He was a soldier of the war of 1812.
JACOB A. T. WENDELL.
Representative from Mackinac county in 1855, 1865-9-70, was born in Albany, N. Y., April 12, 1926, and died November 25. 1879. He be- came a resident of Mackinaw Island in 1829. Had a good education and was a merchant. doing much to develop the commerce of northern Michigan. IIe was a Democrat, and once candidate for lieutenant governor.
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WILLIAM B. WESSON,
Senator from Wayne county in 1973-4, was born March 20, 1820, in Hardwick, Ma-s. Hfe received an aca lemical education. Ile has extensive business relations, is presilent of the Wayne county sav- ings bank: president of the trust and security and safe deposit com- pany, of Detroit: president of the Hamtramck street railway; a director of the Detroit, Lansing & Lake Michigan railroad, and is one of the trustees of the Detroit medical college. His business is that of a dealer in real estate.
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