USA > Michigan > Branch County > History of Branch county, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86
In 1862 he was appointed United States examining sur- geon for pensions, which office he now holds. In 1869 he was appointed by Gov. H. P. Baldwin chairman of a special commission, authorized by joint resolution of the Legislature of this State, on penal, panper, and charitable institutions. The object of this commission was to ascer- tain by investigation the imperfections of such institutions, in this State, and recommend any changes found necessary. Ile, with the other members, spent a large portion of time in traveling in this and other States, and made a report to the Governor, which was presented to the Legislature in 1870. The report recommended many radical changes in the administration of these affairs, some of which have been adopted, and among them is the State Public School, located in this place. He was a member of the board of control of this institution for six months previous, and for a year and a half after its opening, in 1874, and gave a large portion of his time in endeavoring to make what was then an experiment for the State a successful charity. It has become so.
139
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Dr. C. S. Tucker came from Portage Co., Ohio, in 18.10, and settled on a farm in Kinderhook, in this county, and in 1844 he located in this place, where he has since lived. He has had a large and lucrative practice, and has accumulated thereby a handsome fortune, which he is now enjoying in his fine residence in the second ward of this city.
Dr. J. II. Beech came from Gaines, Orleans Co., N. Y., to this place in 1849, and resided here until his death, in the fall of 1878. Dr. Beech was, during the time he lived here, one of the most accomplished and energetic physi- cians of this city. He had an extensive practice, surgery being for a long time his specialty, in which he was de- servedly noted, not only in this place, but largely through- out the State. He was surgeon of the 24th Regiment Michigan Volunteers for nearly three years during the war of the Rebellion, and during that time served as one of the principal surgeons on the operating board in the Army of the Potomac. He was for several years a member of the board of education of this city, and for two years he held the office of mayor. He was always active in work, and very liberal in donations for all worthy publie improve- ments. By his industry in his profession alone, he accu- mulated a reasonable competenee, and died honored aud respected by his fellow-citizens.
Dr. I. P. Alger studied medicine in this place with Dr. Wm. II. Hanchett and Dr. H. B. Stillman, com- meneed the practice in 1849, and still holds forth as a dis- ciple of Esculapius. Ile has been always an active poli- tician, generally acting with the Republicans; and has been ever ready to take the stump in any political contest, al- though he always speaks from motives of principle and not for personal ends or emoluments, as he has never been a candidate for or a seeker after office. The doctor is quite fluent and witty in his speeches, a very good story-teller, and never severe upon his opponents, but quite evenly can- vasses both sides of a question. He has been very active in collating facts of the pioneer life of this county, and is a member of the State Pioneer Society.
Dr. S. H. Estabrook, after studying medicine with his brother-in-law, Dr. S. S. Cutter, and graduating from the medical department of the University of New York, com- menced the practice of medicine here in 1851, as a partner of Dr. Cutter, and after about two years he located in Quiney, Mich., where he went into the business of selling drugs and medicines. ITe married while here a daughter of A. L. Porter, Esq. IJe was well educated and success- ful as a practitioner. Hle died at Ottawa, Kan., where he had resided for several years, in 1878.
Dr. Rufus Kibbe came here from Lenawee Co., Mich., where he had an extensive and profitable practice, and en- gaged in selling drugs and medicines on the corner in this city now belonging to his estate, in 1851. After accumu- lating quite a large property he retired from that business, and was engaged more or less in the practice of medicine until his death, in the fall of 1878.
Dr. Tuttle, son-in-law of Judge Goodwin, of this county, followed his profession here from 1851 to 1853, when he left for Texas, where he died during the war of the Re- bellion.
Dr. Nathan Hewitt, now residing in Gilead, in this county, was a partner of Dr. D. Littlefield in 1852.
Dr. P. P. Nichols, after graduating from Jefferson Med- ical College, Pa., came here from Philadelphia, where he was born and educated, and located in Coldwater in 1856. After practicing about a year he entered into partnership with Dr. 11. B. Stillman. Although he was finely educated for his profession, and possessed natural ability for it, after continuing in practice about three years, he relinquished it for other pursuits,-he having been elected to the office of registrar for Branch County.
The doctor has always been esteemed very highly as a citizen, possessing genial social qualities that have made him a universal favorite.
Dr. Geo. K. Smith read medicine with Drs. Hanchett and Cutter, of this place, and, after graduating from the Cleveland (Ohio) Medical College, commenced practice here in 1852 ; and the same year he went to California, where he followed his profession until 1863, when he was ap- pointed post surgeon at Fort Yamhill, Or., and subsequently he held the same position at Fort Lapwai, Idaho, and at the latter place he was appointed by the Governor of Washing- tou Territory, physician to the Nez Perces, at the agency near that place. In 1866 he resigned his commissions and returned to this place, and was engaged in mercantile pur- suits until 1869, when he resumed the practice of medi- eine, and still continues it.
Dr. L. C. Marsh has practiced medicine here since 1853. In 1864 his brother, Dr. D. C. Marsh, was a partner of his for a short time, when he left for Texas, but returned here, after several years, to die at his father's residence. Dr. L. C. Marsh has always sustained a good reputation here as a gentleman and a reputable practitioner.
Dr. Maxon, eclectic and botanie physician, flourished here, in what he called the " healing art," from about 1849 to 1855. The last urgent call he had, so far as is known, was from the sheriff of the county, who was " after him" on account of some bank-notes he had passed that were not properly engraved and signed.
Dr. D. C. Powers graduated from Berkshire Medical Col- lege, at Pittsfield, Mass., in 1848, and very soon after, he went to California, and returned to Cayuga Co., N. Y., where he had lived and studied medicine, and located in Auburn, N. Y., in 1850, where he pursued his profession for two years, and then left for California again. He left that State in 1855, and located here as a homoeopathic physician. He acted as surgeon in the army from April, 1862, to July, 1864. He has been a member of the board of education for six years ; and for two years he has been mayor of this city. He has held for several years the position of one of the directors in the Southern Michigan National Bank. The doctor has had, during all the time he has lived here, a large and lucrative practice. He has been an active supporter, by work and liberal contribu- tions, to the church and many enterprises for publie im- provement. In his profession he is held in high estimation by his medical confrères and his patrons for his prudence and skill, and by the community generally he is esteemed honorable and high-minded.
Dr. Gully, hydropathist, established a " water-cure" here
140
IHISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
about 1856, in the old Exchange Hotel on West Chieago Street. Although he had the aid of a very ardent disciple, N. T. Waterman, the institution "eame to grief" for the want of support and funds, and had to close in a year or two.
Dr. George Ferguson commeneed the practice of medi- cine in Ovid, in this eounty, in 1854, and in 1859 he located in this place in the business of selling drugs and medicines, which he closed out in 1868, and resumed his profession, in which he still continues, and is doing a credit- able business.
Dr. Ford, eeleetie, " cancer and corn doctor," with no preparation or education except mostly what could be gained by filing saws, " went into" the credulous and super- stious of this place and vicinity, from 1855 to 1860, and succeeded in making quite a large number-some of them quite respectable people-believe he had the power to
" Heal a' their ills Wi' ready art."
Dr. J. H. White and Dr. Gregory, who were associated together in the practice of homeopathy, came in 1854. Dr. White remained until 1861, when he removed to Chicago, and accepted a professorship in the homœopathic medieal college located in that city, and from there removed to New York. In Coldwater he enjoyed an excellent repu- tation as a physician and a large praetiee, and is now pur- suing his profession in New York, where he ranks among the leading physicians of the homoeopathic school in that city. Dr. Gregory removed to Ohio after a two years' residence in Coldwater.
Dr. B. F. Benham eame in 1861, and practiced homo- opathy for two years ; and Dr. J. M. Long, the same year, succeeded Dr. J. H. White, and is now one of the leading homœopathic practitioners. Dr. Long has an extensive practice, and has established a reputation not only as a skillful physician, but as a man of much integrity of ehar- aeter. He is a firm believer in the school of medicine he represents, and enjoys an enviable reputation among his professional brethren of the homeopathic school.
Dr. John Il. Bennett commenced the practice of medicine in Algansee, in this county, in 1854, and permanently located in this place in 1864, where he resides now, still practicing his profession. The doetor displayed great energy in obtain- ing his medical education. Unaided and alone he took up the study of eivil engineering, and so far perfected himself that, he states, in 1852 he was appointed division engineer in the construction of the Binghamton and Syracuse Rail- road in New York, and that he attended to this business as a pastime while studying medieine. He was elected coroner in 1858, and since that time he has held that offiee and the office of county surveyor nearly continuously. Ile and Dr. H. B. Stillman were appointed surgeous for the " draft" by Gov. Blair in 1863. He was alderman in this eity from 1865 to 1869, and during that time became the father of the celebrated " Bennett ditch," which saves this place almost every year from being largely overflowed with sur- face water. fle has given considerable attention to the study of geology, and has rendered important aid to the State geologist in his survey in this county. He has a large
practice, but he always takes time in politieal contests to " stump" the county, and sometimes beyond it. He is an ineisive, energetic speaker, and very severe upon his op- ponents.
Dr. Bunker, homoeopath and eclectic, and Dr. Gee, ho- mœopathist, were located here from 1862 to 1864, when they left the place,-the latter with another man's wife.
Dr. Dake created considerable sensation here from 1865 to 1866 as a "elairvoyant doctor," and on account of some other practices, which it may not be prudent to mention, he obtained considerable money ; and he was a " charming doctor."
Dr. Miner, professed homœopathist, came here in 1848 and remained one year. He was from Algansee, in this county, where he had practiced as an eclectic ; and where he obtained considerable notoriety for euring ulcers by the use of' cat-skins taken off immediately after the animals were killed, and applied to the sore while they were warm. There was great destrnetion of eats in those days; upwards of eighty of the feline speeies having been killed to cure one sore leg !
Dr. George W. Whetford, eclectic, located here in 1867, and still continues to practice medicine. lle is a hard- working man ; and has done a large amount of business, more especially in the country.
Dr. N. S. Daniels and Dr. H. W. Vanderhoof, students of Dr. Whetford, practiced more or less with the latter from 1873 to 1877.
Dr. R. B. Jefferds located where he now lives, a mile and a half east of this city, in 1867. He studied medicine with Prof. Edward Moore, of Rochester, N. Y., and in 1847 gradu- ated from Berkshire Medical College, at Pittsfield, Mass. Ile practiced in Orleans Co., N. Y., and in Marshall, Mich., until 1858, when he removed to Lansing, Mich., and en- gaged in selling drugs and medicine until 1861, when he raised a company for the war. He was first lieutenant Company G, 3d Regiment Michigan Volunteers, and was subsequently promoted to the captaincy. Dr. Jefferds is a well-educated man, and successful in practice.
Miss S. Fidelia Baker, M.D., after graduating from the Woman's Medieal College, Philadelphia, located here in 1872, and remained for about three years, when she re- moved to Chicago, where she is doing a large and paying business, and is esteemed very highly for her scholarly at- tainments, and for her skill and ability in medicine. She succeeded well while here, and left a large number of friends who sincerely regretted her departure.
Miss Dr. Livingston, homoeopathist, practiced medieine here during 1875 and 1876.
Dr. Frank Buckland, after graduating from the medieal department of the University of New York, served as sur- geon in the army during the war of the Rebellion, and lo- cated in this place in 1868. After practicing his profession here five years he removed to Illinois, where he died. IIe left a wife who survived him two years, and who was a daughter of Dr. Rufus Kibbe, of this city. Dr. Buckland was a young man of fine personal appearance and good at- tainments, and sustained an excellent reputation in the practice of medicine.
Dr. Rogers, homœopathist, practiced here from 1862 to
111
IHISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
1865. He was an upright, honorable gentleman, and had a fair amount of business in his profession.
Dr. 11. B. Townsend came here in 1860 from Wisconsin, where he had been in the drug and medicine business, and engaged in the practice of his profession, in which he con- tinued until 1875, when he removed to Ann Arbor, in or- der to facilitate the education of his daughter, who had been admitted into the classical course in the university there. The doctor, while bere, was an active member of the board of education for several years; and he always took a deep interest in all matters pertaining to public edu- cation. He was successful in practice, and always was a thorough student, giving much of his time to study, not only in his profession, but in general literature.
Dr. Collins, " Indian doctor," but not an Indian, made quite a sensation here from 1860 to 1862. A part of this time he had as co-worker a Dr. Stevens, who, as well as his confrère, could not have been charged with overtaxing his brain with hard study or knowing too much.
Dr. Whitehorn located here in 1866, and practiced here one year.
Dr. L. Wurtz, graduate from the Cincinnati Medical Col- lege, established himself here in the practice of his pro- fession in 1875. Hle came here from Jackson, Mich., where he had lived and practiced medicine for several years. His attentiou has been given largely to the treat- ment of diseases of the eye and ear, in which he has been successful. For two years he has held the position of health officer of this city.
Dr. Charles Lovewell studied medicine here, and then graduated from the medical department of the University of Michigan in 1871, when he commenced practice here with Dr. J. HI. Bennett. In 1875 he removed to Chicago, where he is doing well.
Dr. Wm. Burdick, homcopathist, practiced in partner- ship with Dr. D. C. Powers for one year, in 1874 and 1875.
Dr. L. Wassabo commenced here as a " doctor" in 1875, and still remains here.
Dr. Charles E Smith, homoeopathist, practiced here about a year, as a partner of Dr. I. M. Long, in 1875 and 1876.
Dr. - Cady, eclectic, has been in practice here about two years previous to this time, and still continues.
Dr. G. V. Voorhees, graduate from Bellevue Medical College, New York, commenced practice in Adrian, Mich., in 1870, and five years after he removed to South Bend, Ind., where he pursued his profession until the fall of 1878, when he settled in this place.
The historian is happy to acknowledge his indebtedness to Dr. S. S. Cutter in the compilation of the foregoing very comprehensive sketch.
BANKS,
EARLY WILDCAT BANKING IN COLDWATER.
" You do not yet know, my son, with how little wisdom the world is governed ;" said Oxensticrua in 1648, when the people as an element of control in politics was compara- tively unknown. And when we call to mind the many edicts that have been promulgated, the many laws enacted by autc- cratic, arbitrary authority which during the ages have been
submissively and blindly obeyed by the people, though bringing them irreparable injury in estate and deprivations of civil and religious liberty, we are, seeing this, painfully . impressed that history proves only too conclusively the truth of this remarkable saying of Sweden's great chan- cellor, that it takes very little wisdom to govern mankind.
The laws of all countries for all time since paper currency has been used have been remarkable in attempting to create a value where none existed. Paper currency, which only promised to pay money, has been confounded with money itself so much and so long that it has been largely treated as money itself. But whenever the issue of this currency materially exceeded the money it promised to pay, in any country, its value depreciated down to the amount of the actual money in that country, or lower, and often became worthless. The examples of France and England, and of our own country, fully illustrate this. When Michigan was a Territory, there was no general banking law, the banks being incorporated by special charters, which were substan- tially the same. The capital in cach case was nominally one hundred thousand dollars, with the right to increase the same to three hundred thousand dollars. The circula- tion could be three times the amount of the capital paid in, and in case of an excess of circulation beyond that amount, the directors permitting it became personally responsible. For this issue no security was required by bonds, stocks, mortgages, or anything else. By such a law one Coldwater national bank could issue with its one hundred thousand dollars capital three hundred thousand dollars of circulation, and one Southern Michigan national bank, with its one hundred and sixty-five thousand dollars, could issue four hundred and ninety-five thousand dollars,-nearly half a million. This excessive circulation must have been based not on the ability to redeem on presentation, but the ability to pay when the bills discounted were collected, which had been taken for the bank-bills issued. Such au amount of currency would have made banking very profitable if the bill-holders had not asked to have their paper promises re- deemed, which they did, thus bringing ruin upon them in the great panic of 1837-38. The following-named were Territorial banks :
Bank of Michigan, chartered 1817 ; capital $100,000. Bank of Monroe, chartered 1827 ; capital $100,000.
Bank of Pontiac, chartered 1835 ; capital $100,000.
Bank of River Raisin, chartered 1832; capital $100,000. Bank of Washtenaw, chartered 1835; capital $100,000. Bank of Wisconsin. chartered 1835; capital $100,000.
Bank of Eric and Kalamazoo, chartered 1835; capital $100,000.
Merchants' and Mechanics' Bank, chartered 1835 ; cap- ital $200,000.
All these banks failed, mainly for want of a proper cap- ital as compared with their circulation.
In January, 1837, Michigan was admitted into the Union as a State. This was an era of the wildest specula- tion. The pioneers of that time yet living, relate vividly the oft-repeated story of excessive prices of wild or unculti- vated lands, and of lots in prospective villages and cities, which now have nothing but the recorded plat in the office of the registrar of deeds to indicate their location. This
142
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
speeulation was no doubt largely owing to the great amount of paper money afloat on the State. It took a great amount of enrreney to buy property, and thus property was called high when it really was the money which had depreciated. . In March, 1837, a general banking law was enacted, making the business free to all. Under this law was the early banking in Branch County, of which this paper treats. The general provisions of this law were fairly drawn, except that in the two important features that concern most the public-security to the bill-holders and a bona fide capital to secure the depositors-they were inadequate. The capital must not be less than fifty thou- sand dollars or more than one hundred thousand dollars. The issue could be two and one-half times the capital paid in. The interest should not exceed seven per cent. on discounts, and the banks were required to make semi- annual dividends, thus assuming the banks' ability always to do this. The security for the payment of the banks' obligations were to be bonds and mortgages on real estate, to be held by the bank commissioner, and the specie in the vaults of the corporation. Few banks had this specie, though the law required thirty per cent. of the capital to be paid in " legal money of the United States." These specie deposits furnished little reliable security. The fact was the bank commissioner, whose duty it was to examine these banks once in three months was often deceived, as one bank would inform another when the commissioner was coming, and the banks would borrow money to exhibit to the com- missioner and return it when he went away. In this man- . ner the same specie would often serve for the use of several banks. Surely our financial pioneers were not wanting in skill to bank without money. A good story is told of ex-Gov- ernor Felch to the effect that when he was State bank com- missioner going from one bank to another on his round trip he noticed a familiar look in the boxes containing the silver. After reaching the end of his route, though finding all the banks supplied with specie, he suddenly turned back and, re-examining the banks, found them without coin.
John Alden, an old and respected citizen of Coldwater, relates how, when a young man, between Detroit and Pon- tiac, he drove the team which carried the coin from bank to bank for the commissioner to examine.
This was the system of banking which was inaugurated in the early days of Michigan, the overthrow of which so shocked this State, financially, that many years elapsed before a recovery from its effects.
It was under the general banking law of 1837 as amended that Branch Couuty took never-to-be-forgotten lessons in financiering. The county then had a population of four thousand, and the village of Coldwater numbered about five hundred souls. Coldwater was ambitious. The men of business who planned and worked were full of energy and activity. There were many men of first-class business ability and sterling worth. The history of the old Cold- water Bank illustrates the system of banking in this State in the early days. Some of the facts here are from the public records and others are from the lips of old and reli- able citizens, among whom thanks for assistance are due Hon. E. G. Fuller, Mr. Philo H. Crippen, and Thomas Dougherty. This bank was organized in December, 1837.
The capital named was one hundred thousand dollars. The books of the bank, which cannot be found, would no doubt correct some of the figures here given. The stock- holders were Hanchett & Holbrook, William A. Kent, L. D. & P. H. Crippen, James 11. Hanchett, Robert Baker, R. J. Champion, William Reynolds, EI. Cowles, Ed. Sloan, B. Crippen, Lewis Goddard, of Detroit, John J. Curtis, Loren Marsh, John Conley, Martin Olds, Harvey Warner, Lot Whitcomb, J. S. Ware, Enoch Jones, L. Taylor, and E. G. Fuller.
The first board of directors were L. D. Crippen, P. H. Crippen, Win. H. Cross, Loren Marsh, Thomas Dougherty, Morgan L. Collins, Walter W. Prentice, Daniel O. Iloyte, and Lewis Goddard. L. D. Crippen was President ; George Nichols, Cashier ; and a Mr. Mandel, Teller. The bank was located in a little one-story building on the north side of Chicago Street, where Mr. L. Sloman's and Mr. Flander- meyer's stores now stand. The following is a copy of one of the bonds given to secure general creditors and bill- holders :
" Know all men by these presents, that we, Lorenzo D. Crippen and Philo HI. Crippeo, of Coldwater, of the County of Branch and State of Michigan, stockholders in the bank of Coldwater, are held and firmly bound nnto ROBERT ABBOTT, Anditor-General of the State of Michigan, and his successors in office, for and in behalf of the people of said State, in the penal sum of five thousand four hundred dollars lawful money of the United States of America, to be paid to the said Robert Abbott, Auditor-General as aforesaid, or his successors in office ; for which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, and administrators firmly by these presents.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.