USA > Michigan > Early history of Michigan, with biographies of state officers, members of Congress, judges and legislators > Part 3
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
EBENEZER C. KIMBERLY,
Representative from Shiawassee county in 1851, was born at Mansfield. Conn., Oct. 9, 1777, and died at Corunna. Michigan, July 8, 1856. He came to Corunna in 1840, as the agent of Trumbull Cary, an exten- sive land holder, and devoted himself to that business as a resident.
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EDWARD KING,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1881-2-3, was born in Lon- don, England, September 12. 1830, and came to this country with his father in 1833. They resided in New York city until 1837, when they settled at Ypsilanti, Mich. He was engaged in mercantile business until 1867, when he purchased the farm upon which he has since lived. In polities a Democrat.
GIDEON G. KING
Was born in the state of New York, about 1820, came with his father from Lima, N. Y., to Ypsilanti in 1837, and removed to Amboy, Hillsdale county, in 1841. He was supervisor of Amboy six years. By occupation a farmer, in politics first Whig and then Republican. He was Representative in 1855. He died at the age of 39.
JOHN B KING,
Representative from Monroe county in 1850, was born in the state of New York in 1798. Came to Michigan in 1832, and settled on a farm in Summerfield, Monroe county. He was town clerk, supervisor, jus- tice nine years, and held other town offices. He removed to Raisin- ville where he was supervisor, justice, and overseer of the poor. A Democrat until 1856. Died March 26, 1857.
NATHAN G. KING,
Senator from Jackson county in 1873-4. was born in Nassau, N. Y., Feb. 25, 1819, received a common school education, and prepared for college under private instruction: was engaged in extensive mercan- tile operations in early life, but in ISB commenced the study of law. and was admitted to the bar in 1816. Commenced the practice of his profession in Albany, N. Y., in company with Hon. S. H. Hammond. and afterwards had for his partner Hon. Henry Hogeboom. He emi- grated to Michigan in 1856, and settled in Berrien county. In 1565 he
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removed to Brooklyn, Jackson county, where he now resides. Politi- cally a Republican.
SOLOMON O. KINGSBURY,
Representative from Kent county in 1867, was born in Connecticut, May 2, 1812, his father's family soon after removing to Painesville, Ohio, where he received a common school education. In early life he was a clerk. He became a resident of Grand Rapids at an early day and was a merchant. He was elected county treasurer in 1848 and 1850, serving four years, then resuming mercantile business. In 1858 he opened a real estate and insurance office and continued in that business during life. In 1867 he was appointed postmaster of Grand Rapids, and held that position two years. Died May 16, 18:6.
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JAMES KINGSLEY,
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1837, '48, '69, '70, and Senator in 1838-9 and 1842. was born in Canterbury, Conn., January 6, 1797, attended school until nineteen, then took a Latin course, either at Brown University, or with one of its professors. From 1823 to 1826 was a tutor in the family of Ludwell Lee, in Virginia: removed to Grand Gulf. Miss., and from there to Ann Arbor, Mich .. in 1826. In 1830 married Lucy Ann Clark. From 1830 to 1838 judge of pro_ bate: 1830 to 1833 member of the territorial council; a trustee of the University of Michigan in 1831: in 1850 a member of the constitu- tional convention: in 1852 elected regent of the University: and was the second mayor of Ann Arbor. In politics a Democrat. Died August 10, 1874.
DANIEL KINNE
Emigrated from Erie county, N. Y., in 1838 and settled on a farm in Reading. Hillsdale county. He was five years supervisor. and held other town offices. In 1845 he was associate judge of the county: in 1847 was Representative in the legislature: and was a member of the constitutional convention of 1850. He was active in building a plank road from Reading to Hillsdale: in the Reading manufacturing company, and cheese factory. He died many years since.
EDWARD D. KINNE. --
Representative from Washtenaw county in 1991-2, was born at De Witt, N. Y., in 1-12. He prepared for college at Cazenovia seminary,
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N. Y., and graduated in the classical department of Michigan Uni- versity in 1864. He also graduated from the Columbian law school, in Washington, D. C., in 1867. Having located at Ann Arbor in 1867, he has practiced law in that city since. He has been city recorder and city attorney of Ann Arbor, and mayor two terms. In 1896, as the republican candidate, he was elected judge of the circuit com- prising the counties of Washtenaw and Monroe.
GEORGE KIPP',
Representative from Genesee county, in 1873-4, was born in Owasco, N. Y., November 25, 1811. In 1814 he removed to Erie county, N. Y. He was educated in common schools. In 1846 he came to Michigan, and settled in Atlas, Genesee county, where he now resides. He has held several local offices. By occupation a farmer.
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JAMES KIPP
Was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., June 13, 1801. He removed in 1836 to Atlas, Mich., and was supervisor seven terms, between 1939 and 1848, justice from 1837 to 1854, and associate judge of the county. He removed to Duplain, Clinton county, in 1855, where he lived two years, then became a resident of St. Johns. By occupation a farmer, in politics a Republican. He was a Representative in 1957, and superintendent of poor in Clinton county from 1866 up to the date of his death, October 2, 1884.
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WILLIAM J. KIRBY,
Representative from Kalamazoo in 1887, was born in Otsego county, N. Y., February 11, 1545. His former occupation was that of sur- veyor and civil engineer; at present a farmer. He was appointed supervisor of Pavilion in 1892, and elected in 1883 and 1854. He was superintendent of the building of the Kalamazoo county court house in 1884. Mr. Kirby was elected Representative for 1857-S as a Re- publican by a vote of 2,130 to 1,645 for David R. Chandler, and 200 for L. T. Becker, Prohibitionist.
OTTO KIRCHNER,
Attorney general of Michigan from 18;7 to 1991, was born at Frank- fort-on-the-Oder, Prussia, July 13, 1846. He came to Berlin, Ontario. with his father in 1551. received an academical education, and began
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the study of law. In 1864 was a clerk to the auditor general, and in 1865 clerk of the House judiciary committee. Studied law in Detroit, and was admitted in 1866. He stumped the state for Grant and Wilson in 1872, in 1976 was chairman of the republican city com- mittee, and was a delegate to the Cincinnati convention. In 1895 he was appointed one of the professors of law at Ann Arbor, but re- signed after a short service. Has a lucrative law practice. In poli- tics a Republican.
GEORGE KIRKLAND,
Representative from Monroe county in 1855, was born in the state of New York, Sept. 1, 1810. By occupation a farmer, a Democrat in politics. He came to Bedford. Mich., in 1842. Has held the offices of supervisor, road commissioner, justice sixteen years, and treasurer of the F. M. F. insurance company several years. Now resides at Samaria, Monroe county.
WILLIAM M. KIRKPATRICK,
Representative from Marquette county in 1895, was born at Allegheny City, Pa., Jan. 17, 1849, where his early years were spent. Has held the office of justice and school inspector. In politics a Republican.
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HENRY KLEI,
Representative from Wayne county in 1951-2, was born in Germany, July 21, 1819. Ilis parents emigrated to America in 1852, and located in Detroit, where he has since resided. Mr. Klei received his educa- tion in the public schools in Detroit. He was elected alderman in 1878, and in 1879 for the full term of two years. He is a cigar manu- facturer by occupation, and a Republican in politics.
PETER KLEIN
Was born Sept. 12, 1813, in Oermingen, Alsace, and came with his parents to this country in 1828, who settled in Erie county, N. Y. He studied medicine and practiced four years at Rochester, N. Y., and two years at St. Catherines. Ontario. IIe graduated from Geneva medical college in 1846, and soon after settled in Detroit, where he practiced his profession. He has been city and county physician and United States surgeon at the Detroit barracks. He was a Represent- ative from Detroit in 1569-70-75. In politics a Democrat.
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ALONZO F. KNAPP,
Representative from Oakland county in 1813-4, was born in Bristol. N. Y., March 12, 1833. He emigrated to Michigan in 1834, and set- tled in Salem, Washtenaw county. He finished his classical educa- tion at the state .normal school. He studied medicine, and graduated from the western medical college, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1565. In 1868 he removed to South Lyons, where he now resides, and practices his profession.
CORNELIUS KNAPP
Was born in Nassau, N. Y., July 12, 1824. When young his parents removed to western New York, where they lived until 1835, when they removed to Rome, Michigan. He worked on his father's farm until 1$46, then learned the carpenter's trade and followed it until 1859. He bought a farm in Rome in 1850, and now lives upon it. He has been supervisor for sixteen years, and in 1571-2 was a Repre- sentative in the legislature.
JACOB KNAPP,
Representative from Saginaw county in 1881-2, was born in Wurtem- berg, Germany, October 14, 1846. He received a common school education and came to this country in 1866, and settled in Detroit, but in 1868 removed to Saginaw City, where he has since been engaged in the manufacture of cigars. He was alderman in 1977 and 1979. Politically a Democrat.
SAMUEL O. KNAPP,
Member of the state board of agriculture from 1868 to 19:4. was born at Royalton, Vt., April 21. 1816. and died some years since at Jackson. He settled in Jackson in 1844, and introduced the manufacture of woolen goods into the state prison. He was several years president of the Jackson school board. He was a recognized authority in hor- ticulture. He was interested in copper mining in 1847-8. and made a valuable report upon the geology of that part of the state. A Repub- lican in politics.
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GEORGE W. KNEELAND
Settled in Howell, Mich., in 1536. first as a farmer. afterwards engaged in running a steam saw mill at Howell, and was in the same
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business in Iosco where he died. He was judge of probate of Living- ston county in 1840, held other public positions and was elected a Representative in 1850. Polititically a Democrat.
GODFREY E. KNIGHT,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1875, was born Sept. 15, 1838, in Schoolcraft, Michigan. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1860. He has held several village offices and been jus- tice of the peace in Schoolcraft. Is by occupation a merchant, in politics a Democrat.
HENRY C. KNIGHT
Was born in East Bethlehem, Pa., Sept. 13, 1817. He graduated at Jefferson college, spent one year in Yale law school, came to Michi- gan in 1837, and settled at Pontiac. He was admitted to the bar in 1839, remained in Pontiac until 1848, and was a partner of O. D. Richardson. He then taught a classical school, and devoted himself to the ministry until 1853, when he settled in Detroit and resumed law practice. He was an alderman and member of the board of edu- cation of Detroit; prosecuting attorney of Wayne county, and regent of the University, both of which positions he held at the time of his death, March 26, 1867. He was for many years superintendent of the Fort street Presbyterian Sunday school. In politics a Republican.
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NATHAN KNIGHT,
Representative from Bay county in 1877-19, was born at Otisfield, near Portland, Maine, July 14, 1817. His father removed to Michigan in 1826 and settled at Avon, Oakland county. He finished his educa- tional studies at Austinburg institute, Ohio. He taught school two terms, and came to Bay City in 1854. He was supervisor of Hampton for many consecutive years. His principal business is farming. In politics a Democrat.
RICHARD KNIGHT.
Representative from Antrim and other counties In 1883, was born in the county of Surrey, England, and had a common school education. He came to Woodstock, Ontario, in 1950, and was a blacksmith in Canada and Wisconsin. Removed to Banks, Mich., in 1963. Has been sheriff of Antrim county, sixteen years a justice, and town treas- u rer. Politically a Republican.
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ELBRIDGE G. KNOWLTON.
Little can be learned of Mr. Knowlton, Representative from Oakland county in 1844. He was a farmer and innkeeper in the town of Groveland; was supervisor in 1837-38-41, also justice of the peace. He came to Michigan in 1937 and removed in 1847. Representative in 1844.
EZRA L. KOON,
Senator from Branch and Hillsdale counties in 1869-70-83, was born at Tyrone, N. Y., Dec. 31, 1833. Came first to Michigan in 1544. but taught school and attended Franklin academy, Plattsburgh. N. Y., in 1854-5. Studied law in Illinois and at Hillsdale. and was admitted in 1859, where he is now engaged in practice. Circuit court com- missioner two years, and prosecuting attorney four years. With Hon. Charles Upson was a commissioner to examine the compilation of 1871. Has been twice mayor of Hillsdale; since 1975 a trustee of Hillsdale college: and vice president of second national bank of Hills- dale since 1874. Politically a Republican.
JOSEPH KUHN
Representative from Detroit in 1879, was born in Neustadt. Hesse Cassel, Prussia, March 9, 1926. In 1846 he emigrated to Detroit. The same year he removed to Perry county, Ohio, where he received a collegiate education. In 1919 he returned to Detroit and established a select school. He has served as justice two terms. alderman. school inspector, and a member of the board of estimates. Occupa- tion, general foreign and domestic business, exchanges, real estate. loans, etc. Politics, democrat.
FREDERICK W. A. KURTH,
Representative from Wayne county in 1>79, was born June 6, 1844 in Berlin, Germany. In 1852 he emigrated to America and settled in New York city. In 1854 he removed to Detroit. He received a lib- eral education, and in 1861 enlisted in the war. In 1865 he embarked in the retail grocery business. In 1578 he was elected superintendent of schools at Springwells. In politics a Republican.
EDWARD S. LACEY
Was born in Chili. N. Y .. Nov. 26, 1835. In 19 12 he removed to Union City, Mich .; in 1843 to Kalamo, and in 1857 to Charlotte. His edu-
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cation was received in the common schools and Olivet college. He was elected register of deeds of Eaton county in 1860, and re-elected in 1862; began the banking business in 1862, and assisted in organiz- ing the first national bank of Charlotte in 1871, of which he has ever since been a director and cashier. He was mayor of the city of Char- lotte; a delegate to the republican national convention at Cincinnati in 1876, a trustee of the Michigan asylum for the insane from 1874 to 1880. He was a Representative in the forty-seventh congress and forty-eighth congress as a Republican. Mr. Lacey was elected chair- man of the republican state committee in 1882, which position he held for two years. Ile is now president of the national bank at Charlotte, and was a leading republican candidate for United States Senator in 18ST.
ELIJAH LACEY,
Representative from Berrien connty in 1838, Senator in 1840-41. 61-2. and delegate in the constitutional convention of 1835, was born in Loudon county, Va., March 28, 1795. He received a limited educa- tion. At the age of ten became a resident of Ohio. Settled at Rich- mond, Ind., in 1820, and was for five years an editor. Settled at Niles, Mich., in 1829, where then only two Jog houses had been erected. He laid out the village and built a saw and flouring mill. In 1845 he built the mill race and mills near the railroad bridge, in which he retained an interest until his death. He was president of the village and mayor of the city of Niles. Died before the expiration of his term as Senator.
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OBED P. LACEY
Was born in Ohio in 1810, and came to Niles, Mich., in 1828. He gave the name of Niles to that place in honor of the editor of the Niles Weekly Register, a noted New England paper of that time. He established a trading house with the Indians, had a postoffice estab- lished, and was the first postmaster, and the first clerk of the town of Niles. He built the first bridge over St. Joseph river, and owned two additions to Niles and West Niles. He was a Representative in the legislature of 1843. Died May 13. 1844. In politics a Democrat.
SAMUEL S. LACEY,
Commissioner of the state land office, 1961-5, was born in Benning- ton, Vt., May 28, 1815. His father was a captain in the war of 1812. and both his grandfathers served in the revolution. His father
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removed to western New York in 1818, and the son received an aca- demical education, and graduated at Hamilton college. Resided in Arkansas four years, and was judge of Hot Springs county. Settled at Homer, Mich., in 1846, and was ten years a farmer. He removed to Marshall, where he now resides, in 1855. Ile was clerk of Calhoun county four years; was agent to select lands for the agricultural col- lege; was commandant of camp with authority to raise the 28th Michigan infantry; collector of internal revenue; postmaster of Mar- shall in 1867, and now in that position; ten years member of city board of education, and for some time editor of the Marshall Expounder. A Whig until 1854, a Republican until 1872, and a Democrat since that time.
NATHANIEL LADD,
Senator from Wayne county in 1855, was a native of Vermont, born Dec. 20, 1805. He enjoyed a New England common school education, was a farmer by occupation, and settled in Dearborn in 1536. Politics. Republican.
STALLHAM W. LA DU,
Representative from Montcalm county in 1881-2-3, was born in Duchess county, N. Y., February 28, 1823. His education was mainly received at Red Creek union academy, N. Y. After teaching he entered the ministry of the M. E. church in Canada. While acting in this capac- ity he became one of the originators and founders of Albert Univer- sity, located at Belleville. Ontario, and served on its board of manage . ment and as one of its senators until his removal to Michigan in the fall of 1867. Owing to loss of health he was obliged to forego his ministerial duties, and in 1874 located in Montcalm county, where his time has been principally occupied in farming. Originally a Demo- crat, he embraced abolitionism during the time he was pursuing his academic studies, and from that graduated into the republican party. He was state oil inspector 1885-7.
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WILLIAM P. LAING
Was born in Milton, N. Y., June 26, 1813, and came to Ann Arbor in 1833. He removed to Shiawassee county in 1836, and helped build the second log house in Owosso. In 1837 he settled in Sciota, where he held the offices of supervisor and justice of the peace. In 1550 he moved to Perry Center, Shiawassee county, secured a mail route from Lansing to Byron through l'erry, and was appointed postmaster. In 1556 he
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was elected sheriff of Shiawassee county, and was re-elected in 1858. In 1865,was a Representative. He is a farmer, and a Republican in politics.
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WILLIAM S. LAING,
Senator from the counties of Marquette, Menominee and Iron in 1887, was born in Scotland in 1845, and came to Canada with his parents in 1849. He removed to Michigan in 1865, where he was engaged to work in the lumber woods and at farming until 1878, when he removed to Iron Mountain, and engaged in the butcher business. He is inter- ested in a large wholesale and retail neat market at Iron Mountain, and at Marinette, Wisconsin, and in a saw mill and general store at Wilson. He was elected to the Senate as a Republican by a vote of 5,141 to 4,709 for George W. Brown, democratic and labor candidate.
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ALBERT L. LAKEY,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1997, was born at Uxbridge, Mass., March 25, 1846. He resided in New York and Pennsylvania untit 1861, when he enlisted at the age of fifteen and served until May, 1865. Located at Kalamazoo in 1867, and is engaged in the manufacture of paints and roofing. He has been three times a member of the common council.
JACOB C. LAMB
Was born in Springfield, N. J., April 10, 1828. In 1852 he came to Michigan and settled in Dryden, Lapeer county, as a farmer. He was a Representative in 1971-2-3 and 4. He was for several years a member of the republican state committee. He is a prominent busi- ness man at Imlay City.
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JOHN M. LAMB,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1841-2-3, and Senator in 1856-8- 63-4, was born in Springfield, N. J., Aug. 11, 1808. He came to Mich- igan in 1834, and in 1836 settled in Dryden, Lapeer county, improved a large farm, and was also in mercantile business from 1841 to 1869. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1867. He was first a Whig and then a Republican. A useful, influential man. Died Nov. 3, 1971.
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ROBERT D. LAMOND
Was a graduate of the Vermont medical college at Castleton, and Fairfield medical college, N. Y. He settled in Flint about 1838, coming there from Pontiac where he was in practice prior to 1833. He was a . member of the Oakland county medical society and was its secretary in 1835. He was one of the original members of the Genesee county medical society, and became the leading physician of Genesee county .. He was a Representative in 1844. Died at Flint in 1871.
COLOMBIA LANCASTER,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1838, was born in New Milford, Conn., August 26, 1803. By profession a lawyer, in politics a Democrat. He came to White Pigeon, Michigan, in 1830, where he remained until the county seat was removed to Centreville, when he erected the first residence there. He was a member of the first con- vention of assent in 1836. In 1838 he left Michigan with his wife and daughter and with an ox team traveled to Oregon territory, where he arrived in September of the same year. At the crossing of the Mis- souri river he was elected to the command of the emigrating com- pany, consisting of 84 wagons, the command terminating at Ash Hollow, beyond the hostile tribes of Indians. He found a provisional government established in Oregon. In 1847 he was appointed supreme judge of Oregon, which he held until congress organized the territors and appointed judges. He was afterwards delegate to congress from Oregon. He now resides at Vancouver, Washington territory.
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JOHN LANDON,
Representative from Jackson county in 1865-71, was born in 1933. in Cayuga county, N. Y. He came with his father's family to Spring- port, Mich., in 1835, his father building the first house in that town- ship. The son received a fair education, and was elected supervisor when quite young, holding that position several terms. He was a farmer, a Republican in politics. He died March 13, 1871, before the expiration of his second term, and his funeral was attended by eight representatives as pall bearers, and by the speaker and clerk of the House.
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RUFUS W. LANDON
Was born in Salisbury, Conn., May 3, 1815. He received a common school education and came to Niles. Berrien county, May 9, 1:32, at
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the age of seventeen, in the midst of the excitement caused by the breaking out of the Black Hawk war. He was one of the first set- tlers in Berrien county, and always lived at Niles. In politics a Democrat, and by occupation a dealer in real estate. He was post- master of Niles from 1837 to 1841, and treasurer of Berrien county for ten years, from January 1, 1843, to December 31, 1852. He was elected to the State Senate in 1862, and served in the sessions of 1863- 4. He was a gentleman highly respected in the city and county, which was his home for more than fifty years. He died in 1886.
MINOT T. LANE
Was born at Marlborough, N. H., March 12, 1807. He cameto Michi- gan in 1831 and settled at Romeo. He was a Representative in 1838 and 1848. In politics a Democrat. He removed to Detroit in 1848. He was regent of the University from 1845 to 1849, and held several municipal offices in Detroit, including that of police justice from 1866 to 1870. Died February 23, 1875.
PETER LANE,
Born April 23, 1823, in Aurelius, N. Y., came to Flint, Michigan, in 1814. Moved to Saginaw in 1850, where he has since resided. He was town clerk in 1851, and treasurer in 1852. Went to California in 1853 on horseback. He has been alderman and supervisor in Sagi- naw, and for three years chairman of the county board of super- visors. In 1869-70 he was a Representative. Has been a millwright. and saw-mill engineer, and for eight years was in the lumbering business. Now retired. Republican in politics.
THOMAS D. LANE
Was born in Victor, N. Y., June 26, 1820. He came with his parents to Salem, Michigan, in 1836. His father served in the war of 1812. The son was reared on a farm, and most of his education was obtained nights, by the aid of burning tamarack knots. He was inspector of schools fifteen years, supervisor four years, Representative in 1859, Senator in 1861-2. He taught school seventeen years.
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