USA > Michigan > Lenawee County > History and biographical record of Lenawee County, Michigan, Volume I > Part 7
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Dr. Beebe came to Adrian this year, had a successful practice in his profession for about a year, caught the small-pox while attending the family of Jacob Brown, and died with it in the summer of 1832. He was a young man of fine ability, and his death cast a gloom over all who knew him. He was the second physician who settled in Adrian.
The same year Mr. Joseph H. Cleveland opened a store in a building standing between the Gibson House and the river.
The year 1832 was an exciting one for Adrian. This was the year of the Black Hawk war, which gave us great alarm, especially when an Indian made his appearance in the village. Rumors were rife that large numbers of Indians were collecting in the woods, and that a general war was at hand. Nothing was talked of except battles and defeat, and scalping of white men, women and children. Ask an Indian any questions about it and he knew nothing. This only had the effect to alarm the people still more, who supposed they did know, but came in occasionally as spies. They were questioned so much when they did make their appearance that they actually became alarmed themselves. The Indians were as innocent as babes, but the trouble was, the white settlers had lost confidence. It was but a short time before the able-bodied men were called upon to shoulder their rifles to defend their families from the bloody tomahawk of the Indian. Then came the time that tried men's knees. Then it was, that such men as Captain Charles M. Mckenzie were appreciated in Adrian. While cowards wept like babies, he was one of the first to shoulder his rifle. But it is not our purpose to give a history of the Black Hawk war. We would leave that to Captain Mckenzie, were he alive, or some of his brave comrades, who filled the big tree with bullets at the battle of Coldwater. This war and the cholera of that year were about as much as Adrian could stand. The nearest case of cholera was in Detroit, and the nearest hostile Indian to Adrian was beyond the Mississippi river.
Captain Charles M. Mckenzie settled in Adrian in the spring of 1832. He commenced making brick on the farm of Captain James Whitney, boarded with Isaac French and lodged with his men in Mr. Whitney's barn. Mr. Mckenzie died November 21st, 1871, aged seventy-one years.
November 22d, 1832, Dr. Parley J. Spalding came to Adrian. This was justly considered an acquisition to the place, as time has
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HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
proven. The doctor still lives to enjoy the fruits of his hard earnings, on the lot he purchased the 25th of February, 1833. He is the only person who lives on the original plat, who purchased his lot direct from Addison J. Comstock. He was the third doctor who settled in Adrian, and has always enjoyed the respect of the citizens, and will, while he lives. He has held prominent positions, such as Register of Deeds, Mayor of our city, and was at one time a prominent candidate for Congress, and was only defeated by a division in his own party.
During the year 1832 the Presbyterian Church Society built the first church in the village. It was located on Church street, where it still can be seen.
In 1833 Allen Hutchins and Joseph Chittenden, Jr., came to Adrian. They were young men, lawyers by profession. Hutchins purchased five acres of land of James Whitney, now owned by W. E. Kimball & Son, where stand those beautiful oaks in front. (The writer of this helped cut off the tops of those trees forty-nine years ago). Mr. Hutchins held this property until he became a defaulter to the United States, when it was confiscated and sold to Redfield & Kimball. Mr. Hutchins has been dead many years.
Joseph Chittenden, Jr., was a young man of splendid talents, finely educated, and one of the most promising young men in the Territory. He married the daughter of the late Dr. Webb, and died October 6th, 1834,-ten months after his marriage. He was the brother of Mrs. Henry Hart.
The year 1834 was a sad one for Adrian, hardly a family escaping sickness. Our doctors were riding night and day. Many citizens died that year. Among them Mrs. Amelia Ann Ormsby, the wife of Dr. Ormsby. She died October 7th, 1834, the next day after Joseph Chittenden, Jr., died. The date on her tombstone in the old cemetery, where she is buried, is October 7th, 1835. This is a mistake ; it should be October 7th, 1834. She was a noble woman. On her tombstone is the following: " The record of her virtues is engraven upon the hearts of those who knew her." Her age was twenty-seven years.
Daniel Jones died September 4th, the same year. Elias Dennis, one of the oldest citizens, died this year also.
October 22d, 1834, R. W. Ingals commenced the publication of the Lenawee Republican and Adrian Gazette,-afterwards Watch Tower. This paper was the first published in Lenawee county.
In 1335 Asahel Finch, Jr., and Abel Whitney, both of whom had been engaged in the dry goods business, opened the first drug store in Adrian. It was located on lot number thirty, north side of Maumee street.
In 1835 Elihu L. Clark located in Adrian. He opened a small dry goods store near the hotel of Isaac French, in a building erected by Mr. French for a blacksmith shop. He has accumulated a large fortune, and lives to-day, supposed to be the wealthiest man in Southern Michigan.
The Baptist Church Society held their meetings, in 1835, in the
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OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
upper room of the house now owned by William A. Whitney. William R. Powers taught a select school in the same room, during the same year.
It has occasionally been said that Mr. Comstock, the founder and proprietor of Adrian, in an early day, charged extravagant prices for his village property which he held for sale, In answer to this, we would refer the reader to the following sales of city property by Mr. Comstock, and their dates, and ask if this charge is true. On December 19th, 1828, he sold to Charles Sleeper lot number forty, fronting four and a half rods on Main street, and nine rods on Maumee street, containing forty and a half rods. Consideration $100.
This is the corner where the First National Bank now stands.
March 2d, 1830, he sold Mrs. Marian Stevens the property where W. E. Kimball & Son now reside, running from the north line of George Bruce's property, south as far as Walter Whipple's lot, lying between Main and South Winter streets, and containing 4, 93-100 acres of land, for the consideration of thirty (30) dollars.
March 26th, 1831, Mr. Comstock sold to Isaac French, lots thirteen and fifteen, fronting nine rods on Main street and nine rods on Maumee street which is the corner occupied by J. G. Mason, and also lot number thirty-four, part of which is now occupied by William A .. Whitney, Maumee street, all included in one deed. Consideration, seventy (70) dollars.
February 25, 1833, Mr. C. sold to Dr. P. J. Spalding lot number thirty-two, on which the latter now lives, fronting five rods on Maumee street and fifteen rods deep, for the consideration of fifty (50) dollars.
In the year 1835, he sold to Asahel Finch, Jr., and Abel Whitney, village lot number thirty, on the north side of Maumee street, five rods front and nine deep, for the consideration of fifty (50) dollars.
But few understand the trials and perplexities of settling a new country, and what the old residents of Adrian had to contend with in its early settlement. The county seat of Lenawee county being first established in Tecumseh, was the cause of much strife and opposition between the two rival villages, and the war was kept up until Tecumseh was compelled, by an act of Legislature, to yield to justice, and the county seat was removed to Adrian March 31st, 1836. Mr. Comstock, being more interested, probably did more towards accom- plishing this object than any other man.
In the year 1836 the Erie and Kalamazoo railroad, which had been in progress for two years, was completed to Adrian, amid great rejoicing of the people. This opened a market long needed, the value of which can hardly be estimated. This road was one of the first built in the United States, and the first in Michigan. The day of its completion was a gala day for the citizens of Adrian.
For this enterprise Mr. A. J. Comstock, his father, Darius Comstock, George Crane, Joseph Gibbons and Dr. C. N. Ormsby, in connection with gentlemen from Toledo, deserve the gratitude of Adrian.
Adrian Lodge No. 8, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 6th, 1835,
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HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
by R. W. P. G., B. F. Hall, and R. W. P. G., J. H. Mullett, of Michigan Lodge No. 1, when the following officers were installed : Daniel D. Sinclair, N. G .; Sebra Howard, V. G .; Charles Smith, S .; R. W. Ingals, T.
The first brass band in this place was organized in 1838, by an Englishman named William Tutten, from Utica, New York, and was called the "Adrian Brass Band." This band went to Fort Meigs in 1840, with the Lenawee county delegation to attend the great Harrison mass meeting. At this time it was led by William C. Hunt, who now lives in the city. General Joseph W. Brown was in command of the Michigan delegation at this great meeting, and held an umbrella over General Harrison while he was speaking.
William Barnes built the first reservoir in the village in the summer of 1839, at a cost of $111.33.
Alert Fire Company No. 1 was officially organized June 19th, 1841. Following are the names of the original members : D. K. Underwood, Joseph H. Wood, Milo Weins, S. V. R. Smart, R. Merrick, W. S. Wilcox, S. W. Van Vosburg, J. J. Newell, Isaac Paulding, R. Smart, A. Barnard, Thomas S. Baker, Samuel Smith, C. R. Watson, Phi. Tabor, T. D. Ramsdell, Charles Ingersoll, R. W. Ingals, James Mills, J. H. Woodbury, E. H. Rice, W. M. Comstock, John Harkness, Charles W. Hunt. The machine was purchased from Lewis Selye, of Rochester, New York, at a cost of $813.
A Hook and Ladder Company was officially organized June 19th, 1841. Following are the names of the original members: A. W. Budlong, A. S. Berry, L. G. Berry, J. H. Chittenden, Joel Carpenter, Washington Harwood, Henry Hart, Horace Mason, N. L. P. Pierce, Charles Philbrook, Clement Smith, Randall W. Smith. March 11th, 1842, the Village Council appropriated the sum of $90 for the purchase of a truck for the use of the company. We also notice on the records that Henry Hart, who was then a trustee, offered a resolution to purchase three axes for the company. The truck was built by William C. Hunt.
Benjamin Anderson, D. K. Underwood, E. W. Fairfield, and Amos Bigelow were the first fire wardens of the village, and were appointed December 17th, 1841. Carlisle Norwood, now of New York, was the first chief engineer.
The Adrian Guards, the first military company regularly equipped by the State, in Lenawee county, was organized May 10th, 1842, by Daniel Hicks, who was elected captain, which office he held until the year 1847, when he went to Mexico in command of a company. F. J. King was first lieutenant, Edwin Comstock, second lieutenant, William Aldrich, orderly sergeant. In 1843, George W. Hicks was elected orderly, he being the best drill-master in the company. Charles M. Croswell was elected captain after Captain Hicks, and held the office until the next annual election, when the late Frederick Hart was made captain, which position he held up to April, 1861, with the exception of one year, 1855, when Justus H. Bodwell was made captain.
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OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
We find in an old Detroit Advertiser an account of the first military encampment ever held in this place, which occurred on the 4th of July, 1843. The encampment consisted of the Brady Guards, of Detroit, the Monroe City Guards, the Toledo Guards, and the Adrian Guards. The late Pomeroy Stone was quartermaster of the encamp- ment. The narrator in the Advertiser says :
"I do not hesitate to pronounce the Adrian Guards the best drilled company of its age which can be found anywhere. Its members wore a neat uniform, and appeared full of the genuine military spirit. Captain Hicks, their commander, is a perfect gentleman. I would say the same of Captains Hill and Mundy, the first of the Toledo, the second of the Washtenaw Guards. The Toledo Guards have a beautiful uniform; the Washtenaw's, one very similar to our own, except that they wore black shoulder-knots and plumes. I cannot speak too highly of the soldierly and gentlemanly bearing of the men of each company; we were taken by the hand by them all, and treated in a manner we never shall forget. The Sabbath was spent very appropriately, by a prompt attendance at the several churches to which the companies were assigned. The great day of days, the 4th of July, was ushered in amid the roar of cannon, the wild beating of drums, and vociferous cheering of thousands of iron-nerved men-every heart was full-all eyes beamed with a new luster, and gladness and joy trembled on every tongue. Long before daylight the people from the country began to pour in, and by ten o'clock, the time assigned for forming the procession, not less than 6,000 people were in Adrian."
Protection Fire Company No. 2, was organized in October, 1845. Perry B. Truax, now of Toledo, was the first foreman, W. Huntington Smith, assistant foreman, and F. C. Beaman, secretary. The engine arrived in December, the same year, and cost $990.
The first Masonic lodge . organized in the village was " Adrian Lodge, No. 19," on July 28th, 1847, by E. Smith Lee, Grand Master of Michigan at that time. The original officers were, John Barber, W. Master; William Moore, S. W .; Warner Comstock, Jun. W .; Jonathan Berry, Treasurer ; David Horton, Secretary; David Bixby, Sen. Deacon; William Talford, Jun. Deacon ; Samuel Anderson, Tyler.
Oak Wood cemetery was opened to the public for burial purposes in the summer of 1848.
Oscar Stevens, nephew of A. and William A. Whitney, was the first person buried there, July 31st, 1848, aged five years and two months.
The Adrian and Bean Creek Plank Road Company was organized on the 4th of May, 1848, with a capital stock of $75,000, divided into 3,000 shares, The original charter was from this city to Bean Creek, but an extension was granted and it was built as far as Gambleville, in Hillsdale county, where it intersected with the Chicago Turnpike. During the year, the survey was made, the right of way purchased and the contracts let for lumber and construction. The first plank of the road was laid in this city in the spring of 1849. Commencing on Front street, opposite where the County Offices now stand, planks were laid, up Main street to Maumee, and on Maumee street west to the village of Addison, etc. A. J. Comstock was the first president, Henry Jones, secretary, and E. L. Clark, treasurer.
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HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
James Sword was elected president of the village of Adrian in 1852, and made mayor by an act of the Legislature, in January, 1853.
The court house, with many valuable records, was destroyed by fire on the morning of March 14th, 1852.
The Adrian Gas Light Company was chartered by city ordinance, June 18th, 1855. The company consisted of Benijah Baker, H. P. Platt, George H. Wyman, L. C. Thayer. The Common Council that year was as follows: F. J. Buck, mayor ; Aldermen, L. B. Bowen, R. J. Bradley, E. P. Linnell, J. H. Cleveland, A. J. Dean, W. E. Kimball, F. R. Stebbins, W. S. Wilcox.
By a resolution of the common council, passed March 29th, 1859, it was resolved to lay down the present pavement, with the exception of Maiden Lane, which was done at a later date. There was quite a. fight in the council over the matter, and the resolution was finally passed by the casting vote of the mayor. The council this year con- sisted of W. L. Greenly, mayor; Aldermen, Chester Farmer, C. M. Croswell, E. A. Washburn, J. H. Kennedy, A. L. Millard, Chester Buck, Frederick Hart, E. P. Andrews.
The Steam Fire Department was organized on Friday, October 11, 1867, consisting of two steamers, with attendant hose-carts and one hook and ladder company. R. J. Bradley was appointed chief engineer and James Redmond assistant.
The Adrian Union School was organized in 1848-9, by the consoli- dation of the several school districts in the village. The first term or two was held in the old " Hanse School House," on Maumee street, where John Kinzel's two stores now stand. J. W. Southworth was the first principal of the school. In the fall of 1849 the old American Hotel building, which then stood where the county jail now stands, was leased for school purposes, and was used until the Union School building was completed, which was in 1852. The first director of the Union School board was Henry Hart. The "Public Schools of the City of Adrian" were incorporated by an act of Legislature March 31st, 1861. The old Central School building was destroyed by fire on the morning of August 10th, 1866. The present Central Building was erected in 1868.
The daily and weekly Watch Tower ceased publication, after an existence of thirty four years, on Saturday, September 9th, 1865. The office was sold at that time to William Humphrey, who, on the following Monday, September 11th, issued the Daily Times.
The daily and weekly Press was founded by William A. Whitney, May 17th, 1873. The Daily Press was suspended Saturday morning, February 3d, 1877.
The State fair was held in this city in 1865, commencing September 19th and continuing four days. It was also held here the following year.
The corner stone of the Masonic Temple was laid June 24th, 1865, and the building was occupied the following year.
The first Lenawee county fair was held in this city in September, '49.
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OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
1
In the beginning of the winter of 1838, Silas Crane and Abel Whitney furnished the material for the superstructure for the first two miles of the M. S. R. R. west of the city of Monroe, and during the summer of '38 and the winter of '39, graded and built the road from the Leroy bridge to the crossing on South Main street, in this city.
The blinds on A. Whitney's house were the first on any house in this city, and the first in the south half of Lenawee county, and so far as wear is concerned, appear to be good for fifty years to come, having already been in use forty-four years.
Walter Whipple, Esq., of this city, furnishes us with an incident of early times, which we think worthy of a place in our work: "In August, 1828, I was at Darius Comstock's house, when he showed me a field of sixty acres in corn, which he assured me would harvest sixty bushels to the acre. Those who remember the year 1829, when credit was struck dead by the panic, when property could not be sold or debts collected at the East, can recall the sufferings endured by the immigrants who had paid their last dollar for lands, teams, improvements, and the expense of living the first year without crops to harvest, or any visible means of subsistence. During the fall of this year, Dr. Patterson went to Mr. Comstock to purchase corn. Mr. Comstock refused to sell him the corn, telling him that he had money and a team, and that he could go to Monroe and Ohio, and get all he wanted. Said he, ' I have many neighbors who have no cash, who will suffer unless they have corn.' Another man told me he wanted lumber to finish his house. The lumber was measured, but Darius' partner would not let the lumber go without the money. He told Darius of his trouble who told him to take as much lumber as he wanted, and bring him the bill. It was such traits of character as this that caused the early settlers of Adrian to gather around him. When he lay upon his last bed of sickness, he said to Dr. Webb, 'I have thought of this a great deal-I think I am not mistaken-I think I am right.'"
ADRIAN COLLEGE.
[Furnished by the Faculty]
Adrian College was organized under the auspices of the Wesleyan Methodist Connection, March 22d, 1859, with the understanding that the donors in Adrian should have an equal voice in its management until a valid endowment of $60,000 should be secured. Twenty acres of ground in the western part of the city were donated by Honorable L. G. Berry, and Dr. D. K. Underwood. Four large buildings were erected. The "North Hall" contains the room occupied by the preparatory and normal department, and rooms, most of them having bed-rooms attached, for the residence of gentlemen. About one hundred and twenty-five students can be accommodated in this hall. The "South Hall" contains the rooms of the lady principal and other lady teachers, music, painting, reception, and assembly rooms and boarding department. One hundred young ladies can be accom-
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HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
modated in this hall. The other two buildings contain the chapel, library, lecture and literary society rooms, laboratories, and the cabinet of natural history. A fifth, or central building, is contemplated in the plan, and when this shall have been erected, the appearance of the whole will be surpassed by but few college edifices in the country. The grounds and grove in the rear of the buildings are appropriated to the sports and recreations of the students; the grounds in the front have been laid out regularly, and contain a number of evergreens and young forest trees, and class memorials.
The institution was, from the beginning, well patronized with students, but the endowment failed to meet the running expenses and the institution soon became involved in debt, and it became a question what should be done for its relief. On the 28th day of February, 1867, after a prolonged and careful consideration of all the interests involved, the institution was, by a formal act of the trustees then in possession, transferred in due and legal form to a new board of trustees, nominated by and representing a corporation known as the "Collegiate Association of the Methodist Protestant Church." This body, in taking possession of Adrian College and all its appurtenances, assumed all the financial liabilities of the institution in consideration for the same, which at that time amounted to more than $30,000.00, and entered into obligations to endow it in a sum not less than $100,000.00. The nominal endowment at present, is about $140,000.00 though only about $80,000.00 of this is at present productive.
The courses of study in the literary department embrace six years, two in the preparatory and four in the college proper. There are three distinct courses ; the classical, the scientific and the philosophical. A student is permitted to elect between these, and when he has one completed will be graduated and receive his appropriate degree. A student may enter upon any study which he is prepared to pursue with success. No arbitrary or artificial restrictions are set up with refer- ence to the entrance upon, or the order of studies. A flexibility is thus given to the courses that enables the student to adapt his studies to his present attainments and to his future needs.
The normal department is under the charge of E. G. Walker, who was formerly superintendent of the schools of Lenawee county and has long been known as an enthusiastic and successful teacher. The course of study in this department extends through two years.
The musical courses extend through four years, if the student begins with the elements of the science, and are quite full-embracing both the theory and the practice of music, vocal as well as instru- mental. The department offers advantages to be found in but few institutions, to those desiring to make the study of music a specialty.
Professor Rupp, late of the Conservatory of Music in Stutgartt, Germany, is not only a skillful performer upon the piano and organ, but is a master of the philosophy of music and thoroughly acquainted with its literature.
Mrs. Asire, who has charge of the vocal department, is one of the
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OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
most distinguished vocalists of the North-west. Nowhere will be found a better organized or more thoroughly equipped musical school than that in this institution.
The student completing either of the prescribed courses, or its equivalent, will be entitled to the degree of Bachelor of Music.
The number of graduates of the college is one hundred and ninety- seven. The number of professors and teachers, nine.
Reverend G. B. McElroy, D. D., Ph. D. President.
10-
BLISSFIELD.
HE town of Blissfield, Lenawee county, originally comprised township seven south, of range five east. At its organization, in 1827, the towns of Palmyra, Ogden, Riga, and the territory south to the Maumee river, were in its boundaries. The organization of the above towns, at a later period, left it with only a territory six miles square, which was covered with a heavy growth of timber- black walnut, hickory, whitewood, etc. William Kedzie, of Delhi, Delaware county, New York, entered, at the United States Land Office, at Monroe, May 3d, 1824, the first lands sold by the Government in this town, on sections twelve, thirteen and fourteen. Hervey Bliss, from Monroe county, made his purchase June 19th, on sections twenty- nine and thirty,-moved his family into the town in December of the same year,-and was the FIRST inhabitant. It was this circumstance that gave its name to the town. Gideon West, from the same place, made his purchase June 28th, 1824, on section twenty-nine, and moved on with his family in January, 1825, and for a time was the only neighbor to Mr. Bliss, nearer than ten miles. George Giles purchased his farm on February 23d, 1825, but did not move his family on until the spring of 1826, when he located on section thirty-one. Almond Harrison, from Berkshire, Massachusetts, made his purchase September 17th, 1825, on section thirty, and began immediately to chop and clear, preparatory to building a log house, in which to put a young wife from his native State. Samuel Buck, a young man, late of Ohio, purchased a farm on section twenty-nine, October 29th, 1825, and
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