USA > Michigan > Early history of Michigan, with biographies of state officers, members of Congress, judges and legislators > Part 28
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one other store in southwestern Michigan. From 1833 to 1840 was a merchant at Kalamazoo, then engaged in lumbering and farming at Paw Paw, and built a flouring and saw-mill, distillery, plank road, etc. He was a postmaster and supervisor, and held other offices. He was the first clerk of the U. S. court at White Pigeon, and was timber agent under Pierce for Michigan and other states. Died in April, 1879. Politically a Democrat. A man of positive character, fearless and daring, and of a kind and generous heart.
A. MILAN WILLETT,
Representative from Ionia county in 1881-2-3, was born in Oswego county, N. Y., April 18, 1829. He received a common school educa- tion, learned the joiners' trade, and taught winters. Settled in Ionia county in 1854, engaged in building until 1860, then became a farmer. He served for thirteen months as captain of Co. I, Berdan's U. S. sharpshooters, resigning from disability. Has been supervisor several terms, and president of the agricultural society. Politically a Republican.
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JOHN WILLETT,
Representative from Genesee county in 1877-9, was born in New Brunswick, N. J., in 1820. In 1822 he removed to western New York, and there received a common school education. He graduated from the Geneva medical college in 1846, removed to Flint, Mich., and began the practice of his profession. In 1862 he received a commission as surgeon in the Sth regiment of Michigan infantry, and remained in the service until the close of the war, returned to Flint and engaged in the drug business, in which he has continued until the present time. He was elected alderman in 1870. In politics a Republican.
ALBERT WILLIAMS.
Attorney General of Michigan from 1868 to 1867, was born at Halifax. Vt., Feb. 8, 1815. and is of Welsh descent. His father was a surgeon in the war of 1512. Ife received an academical education, and came to Michigan in 1>44. He studied law at Monroe, and was admitted in 1845. He engaged in practice in Ionia, where he still resides. He was prosecuting attorney from 1847 to 1551, and aeting county clerk in 1853-4. Ile was a Democrat until 1851, but helped organize the Republican party, and was on the committee of resolutions and also
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of nominations. He issued a political address which was widely circulated, and for a time edited the first republican paper in Ionia county. He was county treasurer from 1855 to 1859, and prosecuting attorney from 1861 to 1863. In 1870 he joined the prohibition party. and was their candidate for supreme judge in 1872, in 1874 for attorney general, and in 1876 for governor. He is now a Republican.
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ALPHEUS S. WILLIAMS
Was born at Saybrook, Conn., Sept. 20, 1810; graduated at Yale college in 1831; was a student in the Yale law school in 1832 and 1833; traveled in Europe from 1934 to 1836: removed to Detroit. Mich., in 1836, and commenced the practice of law: was judge of probate for Wayne county 1540-44: and was proprietor and editor of the Detroit Advertiser 1843 to 1848. He was lieutenant colonel of the 1st Michigan infantry volunteers in the Mexican war, 1847-48; entered the union army as brigadier general of volunteers by appointment of President Lincoln, August. 1861: commanded the twelfth corps in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam and Gettysburg, and the twentieth corps in the siege of Atlanta on " Sherman's march to the sea," and in the campaign of the Carolinas, and was mustered out of the service in January, 1966. He was appointed in August, 1866. one of the commissioners to adjust the military claims of Missouri. He was minister resident to the republic of Salvador, 1866-69. In 15:4 he was elected to congress on the democratic and reform tickets: was reelected in 1876, and served from Dec. 6, 1975, to March 3, 1579. Deceased.
ANTHONY WILLIAMS,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1883, was born in Superior. Mich., Sept. 29, 1836; removed to Dryden in 1:43, and to Attica in 1851; has been engaged in farming and lumbering; has been several terms a supervisor, and held other offices. Politically a Democrat.
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ASA WILLIAMS,
Representative in 1845, was born in Norwich. Conny, in 1802. He came to Michigan in 1524, and was the owner of a large farm in Liam, Washtenaw county. He was appointed brigadier general of state militia by Governor Cass. He died in 1869.
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BUEL M. WILLIAMS
Was born in Granville, Mass., December 6, 1812. At the age of six- teen he learned the potters' trade, and continued in that business un- til he had saved money enough for his education, when he entered Yale college, and graduated in 1838 or 1839. Going to Ohio. he taught select school for several years, at Hudson and Shalersville; then went to Pittsburg, Pa., and taught until 1854. He then came to Lawrence, Mich., and purchased land; went to Kentucky and tanght school until the war of 1861-4, when he came back to Lawrence, and took an active part in support of the union. He was Representative from Van Buren county in 1863-4-5, as a Republican. He engaged in real estate and loan agency until his death, February 7, 1878.
EDWIN R. WILLIAMS,
Representative from Ionia county in 1885, was born in West Bloom- field, Mich., September 20, 1836, and is a farmer at Orange, and a breeder of fine stock. Has held many local offices. Elected as a Fusionist.
FITCH R. WILLIAMS,
Senator from Antrim and other counties in 1877, was born in Amenia, N. Y., December 18, 1834. He removed to Michigan in 1845, gradu- ated from the Michigan University in 1858, and was immediately ap- pointed instructor in the literary department. While teaching he attended lectures in the law department. He was. for two years. a professor in Albion college, and commenced the practice of law at Albion in 1866. He removed to Elk Rapids, in 1870. He has three times been prosecuting attorney of that county. He has also for three years acted as judge of probate under appointment by the governor. In politics a Republican.
GARDNER D. WILLIAMS,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1835-6-40, and Senator in 1845-6, was born at Concord, Mass., Sept. 9, 1804, and came with his father's family to Detroit in 1815, and from 1819 to 1827 resided at Silver Lake. In 1827 he engaged in the fur trade at Saginaw, as agent of the American fur company, and died there Dee. 10. 1858. He was a member of the second convention of assent in 1:36, com- missioner of internal improvements, county judge and treasurer, and the first mayor of Saginaw City.
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HARVEY WILLIAMS,
Senator from Eaton county in 1857, was born in Manchester, Vt., in 1812, and settled in Chester, Mich., in 1837, and was prominently identified with the early history of Eaton county. The first political county convention met at his house. He held town offices, was twelve years county treasurer, and a successful real estate agent. Died at Charlotte, Jan. 18, 1867. Politically a Republican.
JAMES A. WILLIAMS,
Representative from Branch county in 1869, '70-1-2, was a native of Cayuga county, New York, and settled in Algansee, Mich., in 1854. He was the first resident physician of that township, and still resides there. For ten years was supervisor of his township, and county superintendent of schools two years.
JEREMIAH D. WILLIAMS,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1955, was born in Sem- pronious, N. Y., May 2, 1815. He came to Michigan in 1828 with his father, who settled on a farm in Webster, Washtenaw county. He received a common school education, and attended an academy at Ann Arbor for one year. In 1839 he was appointed postmaster at Webster. He has held the town positions of supervisor, clerk, treas- urer, justice. and other offices. He was for ten years auditor of the Washtenaw fire insurance company, and has been secretary of the county pioneer society. Now resides on a farm in the town of Ann Arbor. He was a Whig until 1854, since a Republican.
JOHN R. WILLIAMS,
Member of the constitutional convention of 1835, and member and president of the second convention of assent in 1936, was born in Detroit, Mich., May 4, 1782. He was in trade there from 1802 to 1832, except from 1812 to 1815. He was a captain of artillery in the war of 1512, and was included in the surrender of Gen. Hull. He was one of the first trustees of the University of Michigan in 1521, and president of the bank of Michigan in 1818. He prepared the first charter of Detroit, and was the first mayor in 1824, also filled that position in 1825-30-44-45-46. He was three years president of the board of edu- cation: took great interest in military affairs; commanded the terri- torial troops during the threatened Black Hawk war, and was senior major general of state militia at the time of his death, Ort. 20, 1551
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JOSEPH R. WILLIAMS
Was born in Taunton, Mass., November 14, 1803, and graduated at Harvard college in 1831. He studied law with " honest " John Davis, in Worcester, Mass., was admitted to the bar, practiced at New Bed- ford, Mass., and settled in Constantine, Mich., in 1839, which was his home until his death, June 15, 1861. He was enthusiastic, far seeing, enterprising and zealous in the advancement of the interests of the people. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1850, Senator in 1861, and president pro tem. of the Senate. He died before the close of his term, and was succeeded by H. H. Riley. He was the first president of the state agricultural college, and was greatly interested in the progress of agriculture throughout the state. In politics a Republican.
THEODORE WILLIAMS,
Representative from Detroit in 1838, was the son of Gen. John R. Williams, and was born in Albany, N. Y., July 5, 1808. He was trained in business at Detroit. He was city register 1930-5, county clerk 1841-2, city treasurer 1844-5, and several times an alderman. He was originally a Whig, but in later years a Democrat. Died October 28, 1871.
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THOMAS H. WILLIAMS,
Representative from Jackson county in 1887, was born at Kirtland. Ohio, May 27, 1844. In 1862 he enlisted in the 103d Ohio volunteer infantry, and served until the close of the war. Came to Michigan in 1865, was a carpenter until 1871, then began work in the car department of the MI. C. R. R. at Jackson, where he remained many years. Has been an alderman, and commander of the G. A. R. post. Politically a Republican.
WALTER W. WILLIAMS,
Representative from Eaton county in 1857, was born and brought up on a farm in Lima, Michigan. He lived on the farm until sixteen, then spent several years at Ann Arbor in school. He spent three years as a commercial traveler and two years roughing it on the western frontier. In 1978 he settle l near Eaton Rapids, on a farm where he still resides. In politics a Republican.
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WILLIAM B. WILLIAMS
Was born at Pittsford, N. Y., July 28, 1826. Brought up on a farm, he received a fair education, and was a teacher. Studied law in Rochester, N. Y., and graduated from the state and national law school at Bellston Springs in 1$51, and began practice at Rochester. N. Y. Settled at Allegan, Mich., in 1855, where he is still in practice. Has been judge of probate eight years; served as captain in the 5th Michigan cavalry from 1862 to June, 1863, resigning from disability : was commandant of camp and organized the 28th Michigan infantry; was Senator in 1867-9: a member of the constitutional convention of 1867; member of the board of state charities 1871 to 1873: Repre- sentative in congress from 1873 to 1877; and railroad commissioner from 1877 to 1833. Politically a Republican.
WILLIAM D. WILLIAMS
Was born at Lima, Michigan, in 1835. He graduated from the Uni- versity of Michigan in 1857, studied law at Detroit, was admitted in 1859, and settled in practice at Ontonagon, but now resides at Mar- quette. He was prosecuting attorney of Ontonagon county, and a Representative in 1869. He was elected judge of the 12th circuit in 1875, and was re-elected in 1881 and 1857. In politics a Democrat.
ZEBULON WILLIAMS,
Was born at Haverstraw, N. Y., Jan. 24. 1795. He learned the trade of a carpenter. settled at Phelps, N. Y., in 1820, worked at his trade till 1825, when he became a farmer in Clarkson, N. Y. In 1834 he came to Adrian, Mich. He remained there four years, and in 1838 settled on land in Wheatland, Hillsdale county. He was Representa- tive in 1848, was also supervisor four years, clerk and treasurer of his town. Died Nov. 10, 1872.
BARON B. WILLITS.
Representative in 1841 and 1565, was born in Independence. N. J .. Jan. 1, 1812. By occupation a farmer, politically a Republican. He settled on a farm in Cambria. Hillsdale county, in 1835, and resided there until his death, Sept. 23. 1873.
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EDWIN WILLITS,
Of Monroe, was born at Otto, N. Y., April 24, 1830, and removed to Michigan in 1836. He graduated at the University in 1855, and located at Monroe in 1956, where he studied law with Isaac P. Christiancy, until his admission to the bar in 1957. He was prosecuting attorney of Monroe county and also a member of the state board of education in 1860. Re-elected in 1966, he held the latter office twelve years. He was a member of the constitutional commission of 1873; was appointed postmaster at Monroe in 1863, by President Lincoln, and was removed by President Johnson, October 15, 1966; was editor of the Monroe Commercial from 1856 to 1861; was a Representative in the forty-fifth and forty-sixth congresses and was re-elected to the forty-seventh, as a republican, by a plurality of 2,349 over his opponent, William H. Waldby, serving six years. He then resumed law practice at Monroe, but became principal of the state normal school at Ypsilanti in 1883 In 1885 he was elected president of the state agricultural college, and has served in that position since July 1, 1985. Under his efficient management the college has greatly increased in the number of students, and in popularity with the people.
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WARREN J. WILLITS,
Senator from the eighth district, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties, was born in Hillsdale county, Aug. 19, 1953, and is by occupation a manufacturer. He has held the offices of township clerk and trustee in village council. He was elected to the Senate of 1857-8 on the republican ticket by a vote of 7,448 to 6,674 for Edwin W. Deyoe, and 719 for Nelson I. Packard, prohibitionist.
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JEREMIAH C. WILSON,
Settled in Rochester, Oakland county in 1857. He was a graduate of the State University, and of Castleton medical college. In partner- ship with his brother he had an extensive medical practice. They were also interested in manufactures, and built and operated the Eureka mills for eight years. They were also engaged in mercantile business. Dr. Wilson was a Representative in 1967.
JOHN B. WILSON,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1961-2-3-4, was born in Green- field, Pa., Oct. 22, 1922, and came with his parents to Detroit in 1824.
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In 1831 returned to Vermont with his mother, and afterwards lived in Rochester, N. Y., and Conneautville, Pa. Settled in Arcadia, , Mich., as a farmer in 1848. Removed to Lapeer in 1887, where he now resides. Has been engaged in lumbering, and built the first saw mill in Arcadia; bas also done a large business in real estate and building. Was a supervisor eleven years, justice sixteen years, and a state road commissioner. As a legislator was a Republican, now a Democrat.
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JOSHUA WILSON,
Representative from Sanilac county in 1883, was born in Pickering, Canada, Jan. 9, 1827. He came with his father's family to the north- ern part of St. Clair county, Mich., in 1841, of which Sanilac county was then a part. He has been a resident of Worth since 1841. A farmer, politically a Republican. Has held the offices of town clerk, school inspector, supervisor, town treasurer, and justice.
FARWELL A. WILSON,
Representative from Midland, Clare and Gladwin counties in 1887, was born July 18, 1841, in Vienna, Michigan. He received a common school education. He was first a farmer, then ran a saw-mill for five years. In 1571 removed to Isabella county, where he bought pine land, built a saw-mill, and has been interested in other business Politically a Democrat.
LOUIS T. N. WILSON
Was born at Milo, N. Y., Sept. 24, 1821. He came with his father to Ovid, Mich., in 1:35, and learned the tailor's trade at Coldwater. He studied for the ministry and was licensed as a Methodist minister .: Later he studied law and was admitted in 1843. He was an anti- slavery Whig, and made the first abolition speech ever delivered in Coldwater. In 1851 he was elected justice, and in 1955, as a Repub- lican, he was Senator from Branch county. He was prosecuting attorney two terms. In 1875 he removed to Minneapolis and prac- ticed law for two years, but returned to Coldwater in 1877, and con- tinued his professional career until his death, April 26, 1887.
PHILO WILSON,
Representative from Lenawee county in 1542, '50, settled in Canan- daigua, Mich., about 1836, and came from the state of New York.
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He removed to Adrian about 1870, and died there. In politics a Democrat.
ROBERT S. WILSON
Came from Alleghany county, N. Y., to Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1835. He was a man of ability, and as a lawyer had great influence with a jury. He was judge of probate of Washtenaw county from 1836 to 1840, and Senator in 1843-4. In 1855 he removed to Chicago, and was a police justice in that city for many years. Died in 1883.
THOMAS M. WILSON,
Representative from Macomb county in 1861-2-75, was born in Shel- burne, Mass., January 6, 1820, and at an early age removed to Madi- son county, N. Y., where he received an academical education. He came to New Baltimore, Mich., in 1855. and engaged in business as a commission and forwarding merchant. He removed to Lansing in 1877, and since that time has been the efficient clerk of the board of state auditors, and still holds that position.
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WILLIAM B. WILSON,
Representative from Muskegon county in 1885, was born at Palmyra, N. Y., in 1929, and removed with his parents to Lenawee county, Mich., in 1837. Was with his father in business at Canandaigua, then several years clerk at Adrian, afterwards in business at Hillsdale until 1875. Became then a resident of Muskegon, and was deputy county treasurer, later a druggist. He was grand commander of Knights Templars of Michigan in 1880-1. Elected as a Fusionist.
JACOB M. WILTSE,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1893, was born in Saginaw, November 13. 1839. He received a common school education. His principal occupation has always been that of a farmer. He has held the office of justice fifteen years, and supervisor five years. In politics a Democrat.
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EDWIN B. WINANS,
Of Hamburg, Livingston county, was born at Avon, N. Y., May 16, 1826, and removal with his parents to Michigan in 1834. He received
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his education in district schools and at Albion college. In the spring of 1850 went to California, engaged in gold mining until 1858, when he returned and settled on the farm where he now lives. He has served two terms in the state legislature, from 1861 to 1865, and one term as judge of probate. In politics a Democrat. He was elected Representative in the 4Sth congress in 1882 on the fusion ticket, was re-elected by a vote of 19,857 to 18,377 for James C. Wilson, republi- can, and 2,445 for Leander C. Smith, prohibitionist, serving until March 4, 1887.
AMAZIAH WINCHELL,
Representative from Ingham county in 1850, was born in Plattsburg, N. Y., in 1810. Came to Detroit in 1833, lived in Lima until 1836. then settled in Ingham, Ingham county. There were only three houses in the county at that time. Was a farmer, in politics a Demo- crat. Was sheriff of Ingham county four years, county superintend- ent of poor five years, drain commissioner two years, and held other offices. Was orderly sergeant in the Toledo war. Summoned the first jury, and opened the first court in Ingham county.
JEROME WINCHELL,
Representative from Allegan county in 1877, was born in Union, Ind .. June S. 1846. When young he removed to Wisconsin, and from thence to Minnesota territory. After receiving an academical education. at the age of seventeen engaged as teacher in public schools, which calling was abandoned a few years later for that of the printers' art. In 1870 he came from Chicago to Michigan, and established at Plain- well the Allegan County Republic, of which he has since been editor and proprietor, and actively identified with every enterprise for the improvement of the village. In politics a Republican.
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AUSTIN E. WING
Was born in Berkshire county. Mass., in 1792. He graduated from Williams college in 1>14 with honor. He came to Detroit in 1814, but soon settled in Monroe. He was for a number of years sheriff of the territory of Michigan, studied and practiced the profession of law and was also a farmer. He was delegate in congress from the terri- tory of Michigan three terms. from 1825 to 1827, 1827 to 1829, and 15.1 to 1833. He was twice regent of the University of Michigan: United States marshal under Polk's administration: Representative in the
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legislature of 1842; and for many years a leading man in the affairs of the territory and state. In politics a Democrat. He died Aug. 25, 1849.
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GILES M. WING,
Representative from Manistee county in 1831-2, was born in Canada East, July 23, 1835, and moved to Illinois in 1844, where he lived with his parents on a farm until 1853. Then he went to Wisconsin and engaged in the lumber business. In 1867 he moved to Manistee, Mich., with his family. There he built a mill, and since that time has been engaged in the lumbering business. . He has been three times elected supervisor. Politically a Republican.
WARNER WING
Was born in Marietta, Ohio, Sept. 19, 1805, and was the son of Enoch and Mary (Oliver) Wing, an old New England family. His father removed from Conway. Mass., to Marietta, in 1796. In 1817, at the age of twelve, Judge Wing came to Detroit, and removed to Monroe in 1829. He attended law school at Northampton, Mass., and also studied in the office of Judge Woodbridge, at Detroit. As early as 1833 he was engaged in the practice of the law in partnership with Hon. David A. Noble, at Monroe. In 1837 he was a Representative, and in 1838-9 Senator in the legislature, and was a leading member. In 1840 he became law partner with Gov. McClelland, with whom he prac- ticed until 1845, when he became circuit judge, and a judge of the Supreme Court. In 1851 he became chief justice, which position he held until 1956, when he resigned to act as general counsel of the Lake Shore railroad. He was eminent as a lawyer and judge, and his able opinions are found in the state reports. In politics a Democrat. He became a member of the Presbyterian church at Monroe in 1843. He died at Monroe, March 10, 1876.
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WASHINGTON WING
Was born in Sullivan, N. Y., Dec. 3, 1808. He came to Scio, Wash- tenaw county, in 1830, and settled with his father's family. In 1835 he settled in Iosco, Livingston county. In 1846 was a Representative. In 1836 and 1837 he aided Godfroy in getting the Indians to Marshall, preparatory to their removal to the west, it being the remnant of a tribe numbering 150. He removed to Elgin, Illinois, in 1816, and is a farmer there. Has held various official positions. Has been a Republican since 1856.
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RICHARD WINSOR,
Representative from Huron county in 1863-4-5, and Senator in 1869- 70-81-2, was born in the county of Middlesex, Ontario, in 1839. He settled in Huron county, Michigan, when a young man, studied law, was admitted to the bar, and has been prosecuting attorney several terms. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1867. and resides at Port Austin, where he has a large law practice, and is also engaged in banking. In politics a Republican.
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JAMES WINTERS,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1853, was born in Chenango. N. Y., August 17, 1805, and died January 15, 1882. He came to Ma- rengo, Calhoun county, Mich., in 1836, and from 1839 to 1842, was foreman of a large cooper shop in that town. He then removed to Athens, same county, and for several years was supervisor, and held other town offices, and was also postmaster. In 1861 he raised a company of one hundred men, and became captain of company E, 6th Michigan infantry, but soon resigned from ill health. He after- wards drilled the officers of the 13th Michigan. By trade a cooper: politically a Republican.
CHAUNCEY W. WISNER,
Senator from Saginaw county in 1887, was born April 26, 1835, in Mt. Morris, N. Y. In politics a Republican prior to 1872; a Liberal Re- publican delegate to the Cincinnati convention in 1872, and a Demo- crat ever since. He practiced law in East Saginaw from 1863 to 187 ;. then removed to Bridgeport on a farm. He has held the office of city attorney of Flint, prosecuting attorney of Genesee county, mayor of East Saginaw and supervisor of Bridgeport township two terms. In 1872 he was a candidate for congress on the Greeley ticket.
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