USA > Michigan > Early history of Michigan, with biographies of state officers, members of Congress, judges and legislators > Part 9
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SETH C. MOFFAT,
Was born at Battle Creek, Mich., Aug. 1, 1811. He received a common school education, and was two years a teacher at Colon.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
He graduated from the law department of the University in 1863, began practice at Lyons, Mich., removed to Northport in 1866, and was prosecuting attorney of Leelanaw county four years. He was a state Senator in 1871-2: a member of the constitutional commission of 1873; register of the U. S. land office at Traverse City, 1874-S: prose- cuting attorney of Grand Traverse county; Representative and speaker in the legislature of 1881-2; delegate to the republican national convention at Chicago in 1884; and Representative in congress from the 11th district, from March 4, 1885, until his death at Washington, Dec. 22, 1887. Politically a Republican.
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ISAAC MONFORE,
Representative from Macomb county in 1835-6-7, was born in Dela- ware county, N. Y., in 1803. He was educated at Rochester, N. Y. high school, and taught several seasons. In 1828 he settled on a farm in Ray, Mich., afterwards in Shelby. He studied law, was a justice, county clerk and supervisor. As a legislator he was one of four representatives who opposed the wildcat banking law. In politics a Democrat. Died April 21, 1871.
CHARLES J. MONROE,
Senator from Allegan and Van Buren counties in 1883-5-7, and president pro tem. in 1887, was born in Lawrence, Mich., Nov. 20, 1839. He was two and a half years a student in the agricultural college. Taught eight terms, and was engaged in surveying and land agent several years. Settled in 1866 at South Haven, was supervisor three years, and has been in real estate insurance and banking since 1867. Took a law course at Ann Arbor in 1878-9. and in 1819 organized a bank at Bangor, now the West Michigan savings bank, of which he is president, and also a director and president of the Kalamazoo savings bank. In politics a Republican.
DARIUS MONROE,
Senator from Branch county in 1961-2-3-4, and Representative in 1865, was born at Williamstown, Mass., April 16, 1797. He removed with his parents to Cayuga county, N. Y. in 19)3, and became a tanner, then a printer at Auburn, then a hitter. Was a justice at Victory, N. Y., twelve years, supervisor four terms, and a member of the N. Y. assembly in 1811. In 1952 settled at Bronson, Mich
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and was a supervisor. He was appointed a member of the state rail- road board by Gov. Crapo, and held it until his death in November, 1881. In politics a Republican. Of sound judgment, he was a good legislator.
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JAMES MONROE,
Representative from Calhoun county in 1857-9, was born in the state of New York in 1816. He settled at Albion, Mich., in 1838. In 1848 he started a furnace and shop for the manufacture of stoves, thrashers, and general jobbing, which he continued until 1859. He has held the positions of sheriff of Calhoun county, and of United States marshal for western Michigan. Politically a Republican. Now resides at Kalamazoo.
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DANIEL N. MONTAGUE,
Representative from Genesee county in 1855, was born in Hadley, Mass., June 9, 1811. He came to Michigan in 1839, and settled in Vienna, Genesee county, and still lives on the farm he carved from the wilderness. Politically a Republican.
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HENRY MONTAGUE,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1885, was born in Hadley, Mass., July 30, 1813. He came to Michigan in 1835 and now resides at Kalamazoo. He is a farmer, politically a Republican. He was trustee of the Michigan asylum from 1957 to 1859, when he was appointed steward, which position he held until October 1, 1885.
JOHN MONTGOMERY,
Representative from Eaton county in 1850, was born in Ireland, March 22, 1804, and came to this country with his parents, while young, who settled in Oneida county, N. Y. Received an ordinary education, came to Michigan in 1831, and in 1835 located on a large farm in Hamlin, Eaton county. He was a supervisor, and in 1850 a brigadier general of state militia. In politics a Democrat. Deceased.
MARTIN V. MONTGOMERY,
Representative from Eaton county in 1971-2, was born near Eaton Rapids, Mich., October 20, 1810. He received a fair education, be-
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came a teacher, and in 1861 enlisted in the 2d Michigan cavalry, serving until the summer of 1862, when he resigned from sickness. He studied law and was admitted in 1865. He removed to Jackson. became a successful lawyer, and in 1874 was the democratic candi- date for attorney general. Settled at Lansing in 1875, and became a leading member of the Ingham county bar, and had a state reputa- tion as a jury lawyer. He was appointed commissioner of patents by Cleveland in 1885, resigned after two years' service, and was ap- pointed and confirmed associate judge of the Supreme Court of Columbia, a position he now holds.
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ROBERT M. MONTGOMERY,
Of Grand Rapids, was born at Eaton Rapids, Mich., May 12. 1849, and attended public schools until he was eighteen years of age. He was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty-one and began practice at Pentwater, where he remained until 1877, when he removed to Grand Rapids, where he has since resided. During his residence at Pent- water he was for four years prosecuting attorney of Oceana county. Upon removing to Grand Rapids he was appointed assistant U. S. attorney, and held that office until October. 1881. He was elected circuit judge of the 17th judicial circuit at the April election of 1981 as a Republican, and has filled the position since January 1, 1852.
WILLIAM H. MONTGOMERY
Was born in Ovid (now Lodi), N. Y., Aug. 8, 1805. He settled on a farm on the river Raisin in 1831. In 1833 he was made postmaster at West Raisinville. He taught school in New York and Michigan for nine years; was school inspector 12 years; justice of the peace 16 years; and in 1838 was Representative in the legislature. He was county judge in 1842: supervisor of Raisinville in 1839 and of Dundee in 1851; Senator in 1855: president of the Monroe county agricultural society: for two years one of the executive committee of the state agricultural society; and county drain commissioner. He removed to Hudson in 1862 and became a druggist. He went through various grades of military service, was made brigadier general by Gov. Barry in 1844, and major general by Gov. Greenly in 1847.
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WILLIAM R. MONTGOMERY
Was born at Bath, N. Y., March 12. 1813. He moved with his parents to Rochester, N. Y., in 1816, where he lived until 1844. He received
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a good education, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1835. He moved to Camden, Michigan, in 1844, and settled on an unim- proved farm of 320 acres. He cleared 150 acres and removed to Hills- dale in 1855, where he still resides. He was Representative in 1851. He held the office of assessor and supervisor 21 years and was 12 years chairman of the county board. He was register of deeds for Hillsdale county eight years. In politics a Whig and Republican until 1878, now an independent Cleveland man.
WILLIAM J. MOODY
Was a lawyer and came to Jackson, Michigan, prior to 1838. He was also a speculator and politician. He was a Senator in 1835-6 and 1843-4; was also a county judge, and justice of the peace. He removed from Jackson to Racine, Wisconsin, where he died in 1853.
JOHN W. MOON,
Senator from Ottawa and Muskegon counties in 1885-7, was born in Wayne county, Mich., Jan. 18, 1836. Until he was eighteen years of age he worked on a farm, attending school during the winters. Re- moving from Wayne county in 1852 to Jackson county, and leaving there in the fall of 1854, worked in lumber camps and saw-mills on Flat river until the spring of 1856. He then removed to Muskegon county, where he has resided since that time, and for the past twenty years has been engaged in the manufacture of lumber. being a mem- ber of the firm of A. V. Mann & Co., doing business at Lakeside. Muskegon county. In the past he has held the offices of township treasurer, supervisor, and president of the village. Politically a Re- publican.
ALEXANDER HI. MOORE,
Representative from St. Joseph county in 1851, was born near Pitts- burg, Pa., Nov. 8. 1817. He came to Michigan in 1844. After serv- ing in the legislature of 1851 as Representative, he went to La Porte, Ind., graduating at the Indiana medical college, and went into prac- tice at Mottville, Michigan, where he remained nine years. Now re- sides at Osage, Mitchell county. Iowa. Has been justice and county judge. Is in the enjoyment of a large and successful practice.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
CHARLES F. MOORE,
Representative from St. Clair county in 1877, was born August 30, 1842, at St. Clair, Michigan. He received a good common school edu- cation, and has been alderman of St. Clair. He has been engaged in the lumber trade from the outset of his business career, and for years has combined with it the occupation of farming. In politics a Re- publican.
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EDWARD S. MOORE,
Senator from St. Joseph county in 1853, was born in Trenton, N. J., June 4, 1805, and removed when young to Mooresburg, Pa., became a tailor and worked several years at the trade. Became a merchant in 1830, and had stores at Danville and Pottsville, Pa. In 1834 settled at Three Rivers, and with A. C. Prutzman had a store at Prairie Ronde, removed it to Three Rivers, bought a flouring mill, and con- tinued in business until 1859. In 1964 helped organize and became president of the national bank at Three Rivers. Politically a Demo- crat. He was a delegate to the constitutional convention of 1850. and was regent of the University six years.
GEORGE W. MOORE,
Representative from Wayne county in 1847, was born in Albany, N. Y., July 4, 1812, and came to Michigan in 1833. He was one of two sons (the other J. Wilkie Moore, of Detroit) of Gen. Win. Moore, of Massachusetts, a distinguished officer in the war of the revolution. He held the position of postmaster in Brownstown under three administrations, and was township clerk of his township. He was a Democrat, and a merchant by occupation. Died at Council Bluffs, Iowa. in 1856.
HIRAM MOORE,
Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1850, was born in New Hampshire in 1800, and died at Brandon, Wisconsin, May 3, 1875. He was a farmer and inventor, in politics a Democrat. He was the inventor of Moore's harvester, which cut a swath fourteen feet wide, thrashed, cleaned, and put the grain in bags. He also claimed the invention of the first sickle, and that the McCormick improvement was an infringinent on his patent, and the case was in the courts for several years.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
HENRY M. MOORE,
Representative from Montcalm county in 1851, was born in Tomp- kins county, N. Y., about 1803. He came to Oakland county, Michigan, in 1836, and settled at Greenville in 1845. He was a merchant, and opened the first store in Montcalm county. Politically a Democrat. He was a radical temperance man. He removed to the Pacific coast in 1852, and is said to be living at Copperopolis, California. He was also a lawyer.
-- JOHN MOORE
Was born in London, England, Feb. 7, 1826; from 1830 to 1934 was with his mother, a resident of the state of New York, and then resided at Milford, Mich., attended public school until 1846, studied law, was admitted in 1848, and commenced practice at Fentonville. but removed to Saginaw in 1851. Was prosecuting attorney 1957-61: mayor of Saginaw 1561-2-3; judge of the 10th circuit 18:1-4, when he resigned; Democratic candidate for governor in 1868: and a member of the board of education 1855 to 1870. Politically a Democrat, took high rank as a lawyer and citizen, and stands high in public estimation.
JOSEPH B. MOORE,
Senator from Lapeer and Macomb counties, in 1879, was born in Commerce, Michigan, Nov. 3, 1845. He was educated at Hillsdale college and at the law department of the Michigan University, de- fraying his expenses by teaching. He removed to Lapeer in 1969. and was admitted to the practice of the law that year. In 1570 he was elected circuit court commissioner for Lapeer county: in 1872 was elected prosecuting attorney, and in 1874 mayor of Lapeer. In the fall of 1874 he was re-elected prosecuting attorney, which office he held until 1877. In politics a Republican. In 1886 he was elected judge of the circuit comprising Oakland and Lapeer counties.
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THOMAS F. MOORE
Was born in Peterborough, N. H., October 2, 1819. He received a fair education, and in 1838 went to western New York, working at farming and teaching: in 1839 came to Michigan, and in 1540 settled on a farm in York, Washtenaw county, where he lived until 1:54. He then purchased a farm in Madison, Lenawee county, where he
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now resides. Has held the offices of justice and supervisor; was a Representative in 1861-2, and Senator in 1863-4. In 1865 he was appointed inspector of the state prison and served four years. In 1869 he was made superintendent of the poor in Lenawee county, and served ten years. In 1877 he became a manager of the Ionia house of correction and served two years.
WILLIAM MOORE,
Senator from Washtenaw county in 1837-8, and Representative in 1843, was born at Peterboro, N. H .. April 9, 1787. At the age of eighteen he emigrated to Phelps, N. Y., where he married Lucy Rice in 1806. During winters he made wheels for spinning flax, farming summers. He was justice there sixteen years, and held other offices, removing to York, Mich., in 1831. He was a delegate in the constitutional convention of 1835. He served in the war of 1812. as did his father in the revolution. By occupation a farmer, politically a Democrat, in religion a Baptist. Of ten children, only one, William A. Moore, is now living. Died Dec. 4, 1850.
ASA P. MOORMAN.
Representative from Detroit in 1955, was a native of Ohio, born in 1803. The time of his coming to Detroit is not known. He was a member of the board of education of the city in 1961-2, was a carpenter and builder, a Republican in politics, and died in 1879.
CHARLES MORAN,
Representative from Wayne county in 1836-8-40, was born in Detroit, Mich., April 15 1797, and resided there until his death, Oct. 13, 1876. He was a member of the Moran family, prominent in Detroit history. At the age of fifteen he enlisted in the war of 1812, fought side by side with the late Judge Witherell in Captain Jaques company, was under Hull when he surrendered Detroit, and served through the war. He was a member of the legislative council 1832-5: also of the second convention of assent, 1:36; associate judge of the county court in 1831, and 1837-41; justice, and many years alderman, and held other positions of trust. In politics a Democrat. Had large real estate interests which occupied much of his time.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
GEORGE MORAN,
Representative from Wayne county, 1846-1849, was born in Detroit in May, 1805. He descended from the early French settlers of that name, became a resident of Grosse Point when 21 years of age, and resided there until his death in 1881. He was supervisor of Ham- tramck in 1845, and of the township of Grosse Point in 1848. Was paymaster in the service of the Indian bureau for many years, and carried the mail to Mackinac on a trail through the woods. He was widely known, and was especially influential with the Indians. His occupation was nominally that of a farmer on the farm where he resided, but he was a free operator in real estate in the vicinity. Was democratic in politics.
ELISHA MORCOM.
Representative from Menominee county in 1883, was born in Corn- wall, England, May 5, 1835. Emigrated to Michigan in 1854. Resided two years in Keweenaw county, going from there in 1856 to Rock- land, Ontonagon county, where he served two terms as township clerk and was supervisor of Carp Lake for four years. He also held important and responsible positions as mining captain and superin- tendent in the copper mines. Removed to Quinnesec in 1878. Took charge of the underground works of the Quinnesec iron mine as min- ing captain. Was appointed superintendent in 1882. He was super- visor of Breitung four years.
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GEORGE MORELL
Was born at Lenox, Mass., March 22, 1786. He was a descendant of the French Huguenots. He was educated at Lenox academy and Williams college, and received his degree in 1807. He studied law at Troy, N. Y., was admitted to the bar in 1810. and settled at Coopers- town, N. Y., where he remained until 1832. During that time he was clerk of the court of common pleas of Otsego county; master in chancery: and judge of the court of common pleas. In 1828 he was a member of the New York assembly. In 1932 he was appointed a judge of the United States court for Michigan, and removed to De- troit. He held that office until 1837, when Michigan was admitted into the union. In 1836 he was appointed a judge of the state Supreme Court, and in 1842 chief justice, on the resignation of Chief Justice Fletcher. He married Maria, daughter of Gen. Samuel B. Webb. While a resident of the state of New York Judge Morell rose through all the ranks of military service up to major general. While
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serving as chief justice he died at Detroit March 8, 1845. His funeral was attended by the state legislature and the bar of Detroit. As a judge he presided with great dignity, and was distinguished for his legal attainments and untiring industry. In social life he was always a welcome guest. In politics a Democrat.
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PETER MOREY
Was born in Cazenovia, N. Y., in 1798, was educated at Hamilton academy, studied law and was admitted in 1831. He practiced four years in the state of New York, and in 1835 removed to Tecumseh, Michigan. In 1837 he removed to Detroit, having been appointed attorney general of the state, which office he held four years. After the expiration of his term of office he returned to Tecumseh, where he continued in practice for many years, finally going to Marion, Ohio, to live with his daughter, until his death in the fall of 1881. He was a fine scholar, a courteous old school gentleman, an able and energetic lawyer. In politics a Democrat.
FRANKLIN E. MORGAN,
Senator from Branch and St. Joseph counties in 1877, was born in Warsaw, N. Y., June 9, 1836. He was educated at Albion college, Michigan. He afterwards pursued select studies at the Michigan University for one year, after which he entered the law school at Ann Arbor, and graduated in 1863. The same year he settled in Coldwater, where he has since practiced his profession and dealt in real estate. He has been a member of the common council of Coldwater, and held the office of circuit court commissioner. In politics a Republican.
GOUVERNEUR MORRIS
Was born in Springfield, Vermont. After graduating from Dart- mouth college he took a regular course at the Yale college law school: spent a year in the office of the late Chief Justice Chase, at Cincin- nati, was admitted to the bar in Kentucky; returned to Vermont, settled in Brattleboro, and practiced law in Vermont and New Hampshire. Having left the law permanently, as he then supposed, he engaged in manufacturing enterprises. In 1840 he came to Michi- gan and settled on a farm in Monroe county, where he remained fifteen years. In 1555 he removed to Monroe, where he has since resided. Having resumed the practice of law in 1860. he continued
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the same until his election to the bench. Since his residence in Monroe county he has been four years a supervisor, four years a justice of the peace, four years a circuit court commissioner, two years county treasurer, two years city treasurer, four years judge of probate, and circuit judge of the district comprising Washtenaw and Monroe counties. Politically a Democrat.
- WILLIAM MORRIS
Was born in Surrey, England, September 25, 1804. He came to this country in 1823, and settled with his parents in New York city. In 1834 he removed to Michigan, first settling at Sturgis, but in 1852 removed to a farm in Burr Oak. He has been justice, postmaster of Sturgis four years, supervisor of Burr Oak, and in 1848 was Repre- sentative in the legislature. In politics a Democrat.
ALEXANDER H. MORRISON
Was born at Quebec, Canada. February 22, 1822, of Scotch and American parentage. He was educated at a private academy, at six- teen went to Chicago, and was an employé of a contractor on the Illinois and Michigan canal. At nineteen he became a merchant and contractor on publie works in Illinois and Iowa. In 1850 he removed to St Joseph. Mich., where he has since resided as a merchant, manu- facturer and railroad builder. In connection with James F. Joy, he constructed the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore railroad, and managed it for six years. He has owned and operated with others, railroads in Dakota. Formerly a Whig, later a Republican. In 1857-8 he was a Senator: and in 1861-2 Representative. In 1862 he was collector of internal revenue, and from 1866 to 1869 assessor. Ile was six years one of the republican state committee, and on the governor's staff from 1854 to 1861.
WILLIAM V. MORRISON
Was born at Lansing, N. Y., February 15, 1817. His ancestors on both sides served in the revolutionary war. He was brought up on a farm, became a clerk and book-keeper, and in 1837 removed to Michi- gan with his parents, who settled on a large farm in Jackson county. He engaged in farming and teaching. removed to Albion in 1844, became interested in milling and carried on that business until 1871. In 1950 he was a member of the state constitutional convention. In polities a Democrat. For nearly forty years was a justice in Albion.
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MICHIGAN' BIOGRAPHY.
THOMAS MORRISON,
Senator from Detroit in 1881-2, was born in Perth, Scotland, in 1829. He came to Canada with his parents while very young, received a classical education, and afterward stu lied medicine, graduating at the Buffalo medical college in 1855. He then settled in Wayne county, Mich., where he now resides, practicing his profession, but engaged principally in the drug trade. In the war he served one year as acting assistant surgeon, U. S. A., and resigned at the close of the war. He was a Representative in the legislature of 1877.
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ALLEN B. MORSE,
Son of John L. and Susan (Cowles) Morse, was born at Otisco, Michi- gan, Jan. 7, 1839. He was the eldest of nine children, and his father was a man of note, having filled many responsible positions. Judge Morse received an education mostly at home and excelled in mathe- matics, English literature and botany, the last his favorite sport. He took a two years' course at the state agricultural college, and in 1560 commenced the study of the law. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in the 16th Michigan infantry. In 1863 he was transferred to the 21st in- fantry, and soon after the battle of Chickamauga was assigned to duty as acting assistant adjutant general on the statf of Colonel F. T. Sher- man, who commanded the first brigade of Sheridan's division. While holding this position he lost his arm at the storming of Mission Ridge. He was in the battles of Hanover Court House, Gaines' Mill, Pope's battle of Manassas, Antietam, Chickamauga, and many skir- mishes. He was highly complimented on leaving the service in 1864. He was admitted to practice in 1865, and in 1866 was elected prose- cuting attorney of Ionia county by the republicans. In 1874 he was elected by the democrats to the Senate, served in 1875 as chairman of the military committee and was a member of other committees. His ability as a lawyer gave him, at the democratic state convention in 1884, the nomination of justice of the Supreme Court, and he was elected to that position. His term would have commenced January 1, 1886, but Chief Justice Cooley having resigned October 1. 1955, he received the compliment from a republican governor of being ap- pointed to fill the vacancy. He is now associate justice, and his term will expire at the close of 1893. Judge Morse is a great lover of the gun and rod. He is a man of decided individuality and strong con- victions, and has made a good record as a judge.
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CHARLES H. MORSE,
Senator from Gratiot and other counties in 1877, and Representative in 1873-4-5, was born in Orangeville, N. Y., Jan. 27, 1838. With a common school education settled in Orleans, Mich., in 1855; in 1861 enlisted in the 3d Michigan cavalry; was made captain of the 117th colored troops in 1864, lieut. colonel in 1865, and brevet colonel in 1866, serving until Aug., 1867. Since that year has resided in Gratiot county and is a farmer. Has been town clerk and a supervisor seven years. Politically a Republican.
JOHN L. MORSE,
Representative from Ionia county in 1846, was born in Homer, N. Y., May 13, 1815. Taught school at the age of sixteen. Came at an early day to Oakland county, Michigan, with his father, and married Susan Ann G. Cowles at Avon, Michigan, in 1834. Lived in Lapeer and Oakland counties until 1838, when he settled in Otisco, Ionia county, where he lived until 1866. Held various township offices; was county commissioner; elected judge of probate in 1848, and resigned in 1850, going to California. Returned in 1853, was again elected judge of probate in 1856, and in 1860. In 1866 removed to Belmond, Iowa, where he was county judge in 1868, county auditor in 1867, holding this office seven years. In 1876 was a member of the general assembly of Iowa. Was a Democrat until 1848, then Barnburner, but a Repub- lican since 1854. Still resides at Belmond, Iowa.
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