USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > History of Detroit and Wayne County and early Michigan: A Chronological Cyclopedia of the Past and Present, Vol. II > Part 69
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The Cold Springs Cream and Butter Company, which own the ground occupied by the fish hatch- ery, and also other property, was incorporated on February 12, 1884, with a capital of $10,000. F. N. Clark is president ; H. E. Lake, vice-president ; Edward S. Horton, secretary, and C. B. Hunger- ford, treasurer.
The Clover Condensed Milk Company was started in 1886 with a capital of $20,000. Their sales ex- tend all over the Union, and for 1888 amounted to $30,000. They employ eight men and produce twenty-five cases of forty-eight pounds each, daily.
Jandel. Lapham
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PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP-BIOGRAPHICAL.
One of the principal industries of Northville is . the manufacture of church and school furniture. This enterprise was established in 1864 by C. G. Harrington, and in 1873 the Michigan School Fur- niture Company was incorporated with a capital of $30,000. The increased business and success at- tending their labors suggested a new name, which was formally adopted in 1887, and they re-incor- porated as the Globe Manufacturing Company, with a capital stock of $75,000, for the manufacture exclusively of school and church furniture, and all essentials of the furniture of a school-room. They employ an average of 175 persons, and their business amounts to nearly a quarter of a million dollars an- nually. The have provided seats for about 1, 500,- 000 scholars, and have branches at Boston, St. Paul, and Geneva New York. The officers are : Francis R. Beal, president ; Robert Yerkes, vice- president ; Jared S. Lapham, treasurer ; and Louis A. Beal, secretary.
The Granville Wood & Son Pipe Organ Com- pany was started in Detroit in 1876 for the manu-
facture exclusively of pipe organs. In 1884 their works were moved to Northville, and a stock com- pany was organized with a capital stock of $20,000. A three story building, 32x70, was erected, and the factory gives employment to from ten to twenty skilled workmen, and turns out from eight to twelve organs yearly, at prices ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. They also, in 1888, commenced the manu- facture of pianos.
For the year ending December 31, 1888, the sales of the manufacturing establishments in North- ville reached a total of nearly $500,000.
MEAD'S MILLS, OR WATERFORD.
The beginnings of this place date from 1827, when Dyer Ramsdell built a mill. In 1834 Jabish M. Mead also built a mill, and after that year the place took his name. In 1837, Mr. Ramsdell laid out and recorded the village under the name of Water- ford, but for many yeurs the post-office name was Mead's Mill. It is on the line of the F. and P. M. R. R.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JARED S. LAPHAM, son of Isaac S., and Mary Lapham, was born in Farmington, Ontario County, New York, on February 4, 1822, being the young- est of a family of ten His parents at an early date moved from Massachusetts to New York, the then far west, and bought at a nominal price five hun- dred acres of heavily timbered wild land, and here his father lived a farmer's life until his death at the age of seventy. In his early years Jared S. Lapham attended the common school in the winter time, and at the age of sixteen went to the Canan- daigua Academy. He attended three winter terms and one summer term in that institution and sub- sequently entered Macedon Center Academy, where he taught part of the time and also pursued his studies, remaining there for two years. In the fall of 1844, with his brother Ambrose, he left the State of New York, and located at Northville, Wayne County, Michigan, where he engaged in the mer- cantile business under the firm name of A. S. Lap- ham & Co. For the first year they carried on their business in a room fourteen by twenty feet, they then moved into a moderate sized store in which they remained for three years : This gave way to a building of larger capacity which they erected and finally they occupied the first and only brick store in the village of Northville, a building forty by seventy feet and three stories high. Here they remained for twenty-five years and worked up a
very large trade. They were the pioneers in sell- ing goods at one price only, and adhered to the one price system from first to last and it won them hosts of patrons. They never lost, but always gained the confidence of their customers, and what is in strange contrast to the business methods of to-day they never advertised or made semi-annual sales of goods at or less than cost or at a quarter off. Their trade did its own advertising, and ex- tended to the adjoining counties of Washtenaw, Livingston and Oakland, and they captured and held the best of the business in their line. During these years they were also extensive buyers of wool at several other points in the State besides at North- ville, and in this branch of their business were fairly successful. In the year 1869 they opened a bank- ing office at Northville. They had previously served as the depository of the spare funds of the sur- rounding country for some years, and naturally have transacted for an inland town a very satisfac- tory banking business. They became members of the Detroit Board of Trade, in 1869, and from that time to the present have taken an active part in its transactions, meeting with considerable success. In 1884, Mr. Lapham put his daughter Mary E., in charge of the bank at Northville, and his son William G., in charge of the business in Detroit, and both concerns are well managed From its incep- tion to the completion of the Holly, Wayne and
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PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP-BIOGRAPHICAL.
Monroe Railroad Mr. Lapham served as a director and took an active part in its construction. He was also its treasurer, signing the mortgage bonds and subscribing for the same, being the only subscriber in the state with the exception of the late E. B. Ward, of Detroit.
In 1850, he was married to Martha G., daughter of Dr. David Gregory. They have had four chil- dren two of whom are living, William G., and Mary E. Lapham.
As a business man Mr. Lapham has been emin- ently successful. He started on a very small capi- tal, backed by firm resolution to be rigid in economy and when a dollar was earned to place it where it would do the most good. To this resolution, well adhered to, he attributes the larger meas- ure of his success. His well known integrity and strict methods also helped to build up the large business which he has controlled for the past quar- ter of a century, and he has secured the confidence and continued patronage of all those with whom he has had dealings.
In religious things he has always held to the faith of his father that of a Quaker and to use his own words they " are liberal in belief, acts, and deeds, though straight in their jackets." In political faith he is a Republican.
THEODORE C. SHERWOOD, Commissioner of the Banking Department of the State of Michi- gan, was born at Geneva, New York, on January 29, 1839. His father, William Sherwood, was born in the city of York, England, emigrated to the United States in 1827, and in company with Cap- tain Merrill and Wm. Bailey engaged in the whole- sale mercantile business at Geneva, N. Y. On ac- count of failing health, he gave up business and engaged in farming, and in 1854 removed with his family to Michigan and settled on a farm in Wayne County.
Theodore C., the subject of this sketch, received a good common school education, which he sup- plemented by a three years' course at the higher schools of Ypsilanti. Of a studious turn of mind, he was noted at school for his brightness and early gave promise of that acuteness and strength of intellect which has characterized his maturer years. Like most Americans who have attained success and a prominent place before their fellow-citizens, Mr. Sherwood was a school-teacher, in which capacity he acted for four years. At the end of that time he purchased a farm and settled upon it with the intention of making farming a life vocation ; but being of an energetic disposition he was easily led into a more active life. In 1863, while transacting business with one of the officers of the Michigan Central Railroad Company, the attention of C. H.
Hurd, then Assistant Superintendent of the road, was attracted by his quick, business-like ways and fine mental abilities, and he induced him to accept the position of cashier in the railroad office at Kalamazoo. He remained about a year, but re- signed in 1864 to take a place in the First Na- tional bank of Battle Creek. Giving this up, he went into the wholesale and retail grocery business under the firm name of Leon and Sherwood, and here again success waited upon his activity and efforts, but finding the banking business more congenial to his tastes, he sold out, and in 1872 accepted the position of cashier tendered him by the newly or- ganized First National] Bank of Plymouth. This position he retained until 1880, when he was elected cashier of the Grand Rapids National Bank, which achieved a decided success under his able and care- ful management. But the tax upon his physicial strength and the strain upon his nervous system were too great, and he was compelled by sickness to resign in 1884. His abilities, however, were too well-known to allow him to remain long in retire- ment, and in 1885 he was elected President of the Plymouth National Bank. In 1887 a bill was passed by the State Legislature creating a banking department, its chief officer being denominated the Commissioner of the Banking Department, and al- though some of Michigan's ablest financiers en- deavored to obtain charge of this new branch of the government, yet so generally recognized and appre- ciated were Mr, Sherwood's talents in that direc- tion, that the Governor turned a deaf ear to the claims of all others and appointed him to the posi- tion. Mr. Sherwood commenced the difficult task of organizing the new department, and his manag- ment of the office has given great satisfaction to all concerned, and serves to bring out very distinctly his abilities as a financier.
Mr. Sherwood is a Mason, an ardent Republican, and an efficient worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The lodge, the party, and the church have often honored him by appointments to im- portant positions, he having served the church as Sunday School Superintendent for more than twenty-five years. He still retains his early love for agriculture and is owner of one of the finest farms in the county, to which he gives his personal attention. He is also President of the Plymouth Fair Association, which has attained a great suc- cess.
Personally Mr. Sherwood is a man of fine intel- lectual powers, strong resolution and purest integrity. Though always much engaged in prosaic details of business with the vexations and annoyances inci- dent to such a life he is uniformly courteous, re- fined in his tastes, brilliant and witty in conversa- tion, faithful to his friends and devoted to his fam-
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PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP-BIOGRAPHICAL.'
ily-an excellent specimen of a business man. From his early manhood his inclinations led him towards financial pursuits and so successful has he been that he is considered by the business men of Michigan one of the ablest financiers and one of the best informed men on financial questions in the state.
In 1862 he was married to Miss Martha J. Mason, a native of Michigan. They have three children-Helen A., Louis C., cashier of the Ply- mouth National Bank, and Maud.
JOHN MARCUS SWIFT, M. D., of North- ville, was born in Nankin, Wayne County, Michi- gan, on February 11, 1832, and is the son of Rev. Marcus and Anna (Osband) Swift. The family descended directly from William Swift, who, it is evident, came from England prior to 1634, for at that time his name was upon the registry of Con- necticut. The grandfather of Dr. Swift, General John Swift, was a native of Connecticut, and founded the village of. Palmyra, New York. He was killed by one of a number of prisoners whom he captured in Canada near Fort George in 1814, during the last war with England. He was a man of influence and of distinguished ability, and his military career was long, effective, and honorable, dating from the beginning of the war of the colon- ies for independence and including the subsequent Indian wars and the War of 1812. His son, Rev. Marcus Swift, was born at Palmyra, Wayne County, New York, on June 23, 1793, and mar- ried Anna Osband, originally spelled Osborn. She was born in Palmyra, New York, on August 7, 1793, and was a daughter of Weaver Osband, who was a native of Tiverton, Rhode Island, and a soldier in the American Revolution. The life of Rev. Marcus Swift was one crowded with incident and exciting events, as he was a man of command- ing mental, physical and moral power. He emi- grated to Michigan in 1825, settled in the then township of Bucklin, a portion of the township being afterwards named Nankin. He founded his home in a perfect wilderness, three miles from the house of any white man. He was also a pioneer in the anti-slavery agitation and in the temperance cause, a distinguished minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, the first seceder from that church in his neighborhood, and the principal organizer of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. This action was caused mainly by the complicity of that church with slavery through its toleration of slavery, and slave-holding ministers in its connection.
At the time of Dr. Swift's birth this part of the country was a wild and undeveloped state. The schools were illy equipped, and educational facili- ties meagre. The doctor's father was poor, and he
received almost nothing from his ministerial labors. The lot of John M. Swift was therefore from a very early age one of work and toil upon the farm. He went to school but little before his thirteenth year, and not afterwards until he went to college. His mother died when he was but ten years old, and subsequently his father married Miss Huldah C. Peck, who was an experienced school-teacher, and from whom, as well as from his father, he received such assistance during spare hours as they could afford. All the time he could secure from ardu- ous labor was devoted to study at home by day and by night. In his ninteenth year he entered what is now Adrian College, but after a few months he was taken down with an almost fatal attack of brain fever, caused by incessant study and overwork, and was obliged to give up school. He then, when in his twentieth year, commenced the study of medi- cine and was graduated a doctor of medicine from the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati in 1854; and in 1864 took an additional degree of M. D. from Rush Medical College of Chicago. In his medical course as a student he exhibited in the different departments of study unusual powers of application, quick discernment and ready analysis. Without a dollar assistance from any source he prosecuted his studies, passed his college examina- tions, received his diplomas, spent six months in work and study in a clinical school, and started and continued his professional career. He has long been the leading physician of his section, and has frequently been called to consult with the. faculty of the University and with eminent physi- cians of Detroit. He has been a frequent contributor to medical magazines and reviews, and his articles have always attracted wide attention in medical circles for their originality and learning. He has been a member of the American Medical Associa- tion, of the Wayne County Medical Society of De- troit, of The Oakland County Academy of Medi- cine, and of other societies in this country and Europe. He was also one of the Board of Censors of the Detroit Medical College. He removed in 1853 from Nankin to Northville and has ever since been in constant practice in the latter place. In 1868, on account of an accident, he was obliged to give up the more arduous labors of his country practice ; and he then turned his attention also to mercantile pursuits, entering into a partnership with a gentleman who took charge of the details of the business. For sixteen years their store was the largest in the town. At the end of that time he sold out, and has now no occupation other than his profession. He is, however, interested in and has done much to foster manufacturing interests in Northville.
In 1864 he was elected to the State Legislature,
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and represented the fourth district of the county during 1865-6, but refused renomination for the next term. He was appointed by Governor John J. Bagley one of the commissioners, helped to locate the State House of Correction at Ionia, and aided in the plans and specifications for the buildings. He has been an earnest and active Republican since the birth of that party, and previous to its existence. was an old time Abolitionist and ardent advocate of the rights of the slave. He is a very strong tem- perance man, and has given his support to the tem- perance cause in its various phases of action. He is outspoken in the defense of his principles, is an original and independent thinker, and speaks easily and with emphasis upon subjects in which he is interested, particularly on those having a moral bearing.
Dr. Swift was formerly a member of the Wes- leyan Methodist church but disagreeing with their position in relation to secret societies - being him- self a member of the Masons and Odd Fellows or- ganizations-he left the Wesleyan Methodists so- ciety and became a member of the Presbyterian church, joining with the explicit avowal on his part that he did not accept the confession of faith in many of its particulars. He is thoroughly evange- lical in doctrine, and liberal and catholic toward all who take Jesus Christ as the Saviour of man and the exemplar of all true religion. His views of Christianity he briefly sums up in the words : "To be a Christian is to be in harmony with God and in possession of the spirit of Christ." He gives time, money and influence to aid the various churches in his village; and they are indebted to his freedom from sectarian bias for services in Sunday schools, business and religious meetings, and in the choirs which have been successfully instructed by him. He has a good knowledge of music, a fine tenor voice and has made great sacrifices in the interests of sacred and secular music.
He is liberal in his views, and possesses a broad mind which has been embellished and chastened
to a high degree by self culture. Well read, not only in his profession, but also in much of the science, literature and politics of the day and ever reading and thinking, he is ready on all suitable occasions to give utterance to his views and defend them with earnestness and ability. He is often pressed into service on miscellaneous occasions, and has frequently spoken upon religious, secular, edu- cational, patriotic, political, scientific, and, especially medical topics.
In 1852 he married Miss Emily B. Barker, daughter of Captain George J. Barker, of Grand Rapids, Michigan. They have had one daughter, Mary Elizabeth, who was born on October 1, 1854. She was married on February 13th, 1877 to George A. Milne, of Fall River, Mass., and died January 5th, 1884. She was a lady of rare gifts and accomplishments, especially in music, was widely known and universally beloved. She left two little boys, Swift, five years of age, and Alexander, three years of age, who have since re- sided with Dr. Swift and his wife. Two other children shared with their own daughter the places of brother and sister in her own and her parent's hearts and home. These were Marcus G. B. Swift, now of Fall River, Mass., and Camilla A. Dubuar, wife of James A. Dubuar, of Northville, Mich. They were the young children of Dr. Swift's brother, Dr. Orson R. Swift, and his wife Elizabeth, who was a sister of Dr. Swift's wife, the two brothers having married sisters. Both died young, leaving these children orphans at an early age, and they were adopted by Dr. Swift and his wife.
For a man who has always lived in a small place, Dr. Swift's life has been one of unusual interest and activity. Ever alive to the welfare of his fellow- men, he has never hesitated to make any sacrifice in their behalf, and is now reaping the reward of an honorable and well spent life, beloved and respected by those whose moral and material welfare he has done so much to advance.
REDFORD TOWNSHIP.
This township which was formed on October 29, . The officers elected for the years 1830, 1831 and, 1829, out of the old township of Bucklin, was at 1832 during the time it was known as Pekin are as follows : first designated as Pekin, but by law of March 21, 1833, the name was changed to Redford. The 1830. Supervisor, Conrad TenEyck; Clerk, Joseph Hickcox ; Assessors, G. Ferrington, Wm. McCarty, J Bucklin; Highway Commissioner, J. Bucklin, G. Ferrington, B. F. Fox; Collector, A. Gordon ; School Commissioners, B. F. Fox, Wm. McCarty, V. Whitman, T. Bucklin, R. Wells; Con- township includes all of town I, south of Range 10 East, and is called Redford after the Red or Rouge River which the Indians used to ford at this point. The first township meeting was held at the house of Wm. Hickcox on the first Monday of April, 1830.
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stables, J. Abbott, A. Gordon, J. Butterfield ; School Inspectors, J. Hickcox, T. Bucklin, B. F. Fox, J. Butterfield, V. Whitman.
1831. Supervisor, Conrad TenEyck ; Clerk, Jo- seph Hickcox; Assessors, P. D. Anderson, J. Buck- lin, G. Ferrington ; Collector, E. Woodruff ; Di- rector of the Poor, B. F. Fox; Treasurer, J. F. Rupeley ; Highway Commissioners, G. Ferrington, J. Bucklin, P. D. Anderson ; Constables, I. Bell A. Gordon, E. Woodruff, P. D. Anderson.
1832. Supervisor, George W. Ferrington ; Clerk, Joseph Hickcox ; Assessors and Highway Commis- isoners, P. D. Anderson, J. Bucklin, J. Seldon ; Collector, John Thomas ; Poor Directors, P. Ful- lerton; Treasurer, J. F. Rupeley ; Constables, J. Thomas, E. Fauls, Thos. Porter.
The records from 1833 to 1859 have been lost and no list of officers for those years can be found. The officers since 1858 are as follows :
1859. Supervisor, Alfred Harris ; Clerk, Julius G. T. Ziegler; Treasurer, N. Ross; Justice of the Peace, David Sackett; School Inspector, J. S. Fisher ; Highway Commissioners, J. C. Jackson, A. P. McIntyre ; Poor Directors, J. Lee, H. Hoyt ; Constables, B. Sackett, G. Lee, R. Ferrington, P. R. Thompson.
1860. Supervisor, David Sackett ; Clerk, Thomas W. Mathews; Treasurer, Julius G. T. Ziegler ; Justice of the Peace, W. A. Smith; School In- spector, T. R. Gillett ; Highway Commissioners, B. Sackett, J. D. Perry, W. Young; Poor Directors, B. Coan, R. Wright; Constables, B. Sackett, G. Lee, M. Harris, C. Forrester.
1861. Supervisor, Alfred Harris; Clerk, Charles F. Nardin; Treasurer, Julius G. T. Ziegler ; Jus- tice of the Peace, D. S. Hodgeman; School In- spector, C. C. Smith ; Highway Commissioner, W. Young ; Poor Directors, J. C. Jackson, H. Hoyt ; Constables, T. R. Gillett, B. Sackett, R. Mckinney, C. Harris.
1862. Supervisor, David Sackett ; Clerk, Charles T. Smith ; Treasurer, J. G. T. Ziegler ; Justice of the Peace, J. C. Jackson; School Inspector, A. McLaughlin; Highway Commissioner, J. D. Perry; Poor Directors, J. Lee, H. Hoyt; Constables, C. Harris, J. Coon, J. C. Hutchinson, N. Philbrick.
1863. Supervisor, David Sackett ; Clerk, Charles C. Smith; Treasurer, W. Young; Justices of the Peace, A. Harris, D. Sackett ; School Inspector, J. Sheahan; Highway Commissioners, H. Allen, M. W. Lloyd; Poor Directors, L. Hoyt, J. Lee ; Con- stables, J. Hoyt, F. Brady, J. Coon, B. Green.
1 864. Supervisor, Alfred Harris ; Clerk, Charles C. Smith ; Treasurer, W. Youngs; Justices of the Peace, W. A. Smith, B. Sackett; School In- spector, D. G. Pierce; Highway Commissioner, J. M. Lee ; Poor Directors, J. Lee, Sr., H. Hoyt ;
Constables, E. Sackett, J. Coon, J. Goodsell, F. Gautherat.
1865. Supervisor, Julius G. T. Ziegler ; Clerk, Charles C. Smith ; Treasurer, G. Morris ; Justice of the Peace, R. Ferrington; School Inspector, A. B. Pierce; Highway Commissioner, B. Sackett ; Poor Directors, J. Lee, H. Hoyt; Constables, E. Minock, R. Prindle, M. Kirby, E. Sackett.
1866. Supervisor, John Prindle ; Clerk, Charles F. Nardin ; Treasurer, G. Morris ; Justices of the Peace, S. R. Burgess, A. E. Bigelow ; School In- spector, G. C. Gordon; Highway Commissioner, M. Kennedy ; Poor Directors, W. A. Smith, J. Lee ; Constables, J. Coon, E. Sackett, R. Frindle, J. Goodsell.
1867. Supervisor, John Prindle; Clerk, Charles F. Nardin; Treasurer, J. M. Lee; Justices of the Peace, B. Sackett, A. Harris; School Inspector, O. Pierce ; Highway Commissioner, P. Mettetal; Poor Directors, W. A. Smith, G. Norris ; Constables, M. Smith, W. Vincent, L. Hoyt, E. Sackett.
1868. Supervisor, William A. Smith ; Clerk, A. B. Pierce ; Treasurer, J. M. Lee ; Justices of the Peace, L. Thayer, W. P. Griffin; Highway Com- missioner, B. Sackett; School Inspectors, A. Mette- tal, D. Y. Pierce ; Poor Directors, J. Watch, G. Norris ; Constables, M. Smith, E. Sackett, I. Smead, P. Brink.
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