USA > Michigan > Hillsdale County > History of Hillsdale county. Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 30
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RED RIBBON CLUB.
This organization had its beginning in April, 1877, and since that time until the present has steadily grown in in- fluence and numbers, until it ranks among the strongest temperance bodies of the State. It does not advocate pro- hibition, but regards moral suasion as the important lever with which to work upon the feelings and better judgment of the candidate for reform. The first president of the club was Otis H. Gillam, who still continues to fill the office. It has from time to time enrolled upon its list of members about twelve hundred names. The club occupies a spacious and well-fitted hall, and has connected with it a smoking-room and reading-room, with all the leading maga- zines and dailies, and a library comprising about four hun- dred volumes The organization has met with the support of most of the leading citizens, and has accomplished much good.
BOATING CLUBS.
Baw Beese Boat-Club .- This club, which was formerly the Hillsdale Boating Association, was organized Aug. 1, 1877. After an existence of nearly a year it was reor- ganized as the present Baw Beese Boat-Club, with the fol- lowing officers : A. F. Bryan, President ; W. P. Dickerson, Secretary and Treasurer. They proceeded, June 2, to the erection of a boat-house, and completed it a few weeks later ; the total cost of which was, with docks, three hundred and fifty dollars. The first boats were the property of pri- vate individuals, but subsequently the club purchased the old " Sho-wae-cae-mette boat," manufactured of paper by Waters & Son, of Troy, N. Y., and one of three made after this peculiar model. They own also "Gypsy," a single paper scull, the " Henry Waldron," a lapstreak working boat forty-two feet long, and two double sculls. The pres- ent officers are : President, John G. Wolf; Vice-President, John A. Kressbach ; Secretary, A. T. Bryan ; Treasurer, H. B. Samm ; Captain, George I). Conner; First Lieutenant, W. H. Van Valor ; Second Lieutenant, Frank Hancock ; Board of Managers, M. McIntyre, George D. Conner, John G. Wolf, W. H. Van Valor, A. T. Bryan.
The boat-club is now incorporated under the State law.
Hillsdale Rowing- Club .- The Hillsdale Rowing-Club was organized on the 8th of July, 1878, the following per- sons being charter members : R. M. Hubbard, Charles S. French, C. W. Terwillager, J. R. Wyllie, L. F. Beckhardt, E. T. Beckhardt, George F. Gardner, E. B. Van Valken- bergh, H. A. Branch, and L. B. March. One month from the time of the organization, a commodious boat-house was erected on the western shore of Baw Beese Lake, and the following boats purchased : one four-oared cedar shell, one six-oared pleasure barge, one double scull shell, two single scull shells, one double scull working boat.
The club participated in its first regatta (given by the Baw Beese Boat-Club) early in September, and there achieved their maiden victories, winning three out of the four races for which they entered. The present membership is about twenty, and is composed of some of the finest material in the city. The present officers are R. M. Hub- bard, President ; E. T. Beckhardt, Vice-President; C. W. Terwillager, Captain ; E. B. Van Valkenbergh, First Lieu-
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
tenant; L. F. Beckhardt, Second Lieutenant; George F. Gardner, Treasurer ; Charles S. French, Secretary.
In connection with the club is a perfectly-equipped gymnasium, in which during the winter months the mem- bers pay proper attention to physical culture. The club was incorporated under the State law, Dec. 10, 1878.
REGATTA.
The first regatta was held during the summer of 1877, on Baw Beese Lake, a beautiful sheet of water south of the city, and comprised a race between sailing boats. In Sep- tember of the following year a regatta was given by the Baw Beese Club, invitations being extended to the following clubs, who participated : The Sho-wae-cae-mette Boat-Club, of Monroe ; the Floral City Boat-Club, also of Monroe ; and the Hillsdale Rowing-Club, of Hillsdale. The Baw Beese club also took part in the race. The score was :
First race, junior heavy weight, double sculls, Hillsdale Rowing-Club, winner.
Second race, junior single scull, Hillsdale Rowing-Club, winner.
Third race, junior light weight, double sculls, Hillsdale Rowing-Club, winner.
Fourth race, six-oared boats, Baw Beese Boat-Club, winner.
Fifth race, four-oared sculls, Sho-wae-cae-mette Boat- Club, winner.
At the conclusion of the regatta a very elegant flag was presented to the Baw Beese Club by the ladies of Hillsdale, and in the evening a reception was tendered the guests by the club. Altogether the occasion was a memorable one in Hillsdale boating annals.
VILLAGE AND CITY OFFICERS.
Having now traced the growth and enterprise of the city of Hillsdale, from the erection of the first permanent resi- dence by Adam Howder, with its simple though generous hospitality, to its present prosperous condition, with its ele- gant streets, its college and public buildings, its opera-house, its manufacturing interests, its excellent and commodious hotels, second to none in the State, we close our brief review with a record of its principal officers, which are as follows :
1848 .- Henry Waldron, President ; Alexander S. Gris- wold, Assessor ; Samuel Chandler, Treasurer; Daniel L. Pratt, Clerk ; Chauncey W. Ferris, Walter Welsh, Haynes Johnson, W. Wood, and E. H. C. Wilson, Trustees.
1849 .- Chauncey Stimson, President ; Samuel Chandler, Treasurer ; Alfred C. Holt, Assessor; Daniel L. Pratt, Clerk ; Haynes Johnson, Jr., Patrick McAdam, Cornelius Van B. Valor, Harvey B. Rowlson, Harvey A. Anderson, Trustees.
1850 .- P. McAdam, President ; Samuel Chandler, Treas- urer; Joel W. French, Marshal; Chauncey Stimson, As- sessor ; D. L. Pratt, Clerk ; L. A. Bostwick, Jacob G. Warwick, John S. Borden, Adam Howder, E. H. C. Wil- son, Trustees.
1851 .- Henry Waldron, President; Haynes Johnson, Jr., Assessor; Samuel Chandler, Treasurer; Isaac Van
Denburg, Marshal ; D. L. Pratt, Clerk ; J. S. Barber, D. Caswell, Z. Van Dusen, J. G. Warwick, M. S. Hurd, Trustees.
1852. - Daniel Beebe, President; Samuel Chandler, Treasurer ; Haynes Johnson, Jr., Assessor ; John C. Fargo, Marshal; D. L. Pratt, Clerk ; Z. Van Dusen, Elias D. Cone, J. C. Peck, W. W. Wood, Wm. O. Hoey, Trustees. Mr. Johnson neglecting to qualify, C. W. Ferris was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy. Zachariah Van Dusen having died during the year, William Patten was appointed to fill the position.
1853. - Daniel Beebe, President; Samuel Chandler, Treasurer ; Henry Waldron, Assessor ; John C. Miller, Henry S. Mead, Wm. O. Hoey, John Barber, Walter Welsh, Trustees ; J. B. McCarty, Marshal ; D. L. Pratt, Clerk.
1854 .- Joel W. French, President ; Haynes Johnson, Jr., Assessor; C. W. Ferris, Treasurer ; Henry Waldron, Marshal; E. H. C. Wilson, Clerk ; Chas. W. Westfall, E. H. C. Wilson, Jacob Ambler, Samuel Chandler, Wil- liam O. Hoey, Trustees. J. B. McCarty was appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Jacob Ambler.
1855 .- John S. Barber, President; J. B. Baldy, Treas- urer ; F. M. Holloway, Assessor ; E. D. Cone, Clerk ; C. B. Smith, Marshal; J. W. Dickenson, D. Caswell, C. W. Westfall, F. French, J. B. Baldy, Trustees.
1856 .- John C. Robertson, President; I. H. McCol- lom, Assessor; F. French, Treasurer; E. D. Cone, Clerk ; John Manross, Marshal; H. T. Farnam, J. C. Vaughn, J. S. Barber, J. M. Baldy, C. J. Dickerson, Trustees.
1857 .- A. Cressy, President; F. M. Holloway, Assessor ; S. N. Shattuck, Marshal ; H. T. Farnam, Treasurer ; E. D. Cone, Clerk ; L. A. Bostwick, J. B. Wheaton, E. Van Valkenbergh, J. S. Barber, W. O. Hoey, Trustees.
1858 .- H. B. Rowlson, President; F. M. Holloway, Assessor ; Thomas Weir, Marshal; L. B. Baldy, Treas- urer ; Charles F. Cooper, Clerk; J. C. Miller, P. H. Arm- strong, C. B. Van Valor, Wm. Carroll, Thomas Burt, Trustees.
1859 .- Franklin French, President ; Fred. M. Holloway, Assessor ; Thomas Weir, Marshal; L. B. Baldy, Treas- urer ; G. W. Warren, Clerk ; John C. Miller, P. H. Arm- strong, C. B. Van Valor, Samuel Chandler, J. S. Barber, Trustees.
1860 .- Joel McCollom, President; C. W. Ferris, Asses- sor ; Thomas Weir, Marshal ; Robert A. Everett, Clerk ; John P. Cook, J. W. Falley, Chas. T. Mitchell, Eli Van Valkenbergh, Trustees.
1861 .- John P. Cook, President; Peter Strunk, Asses- sor; John Keating, Marshal; A. M. Hastings, Treasurer ; R. A. Everett, Clerk ; John H. Armstrong, John W. Fal- ley, A. F. Whelan, W. C. Campbell, Haynes Johnson, Trustees. R. A. Everett having resigned his position as Clerk, A. E. Hastings was appointed in his stead.
1862 .- John H. Armstrong, President ; A. M. Hastings, Treasurer; Peter Strunk, Marshal; H. J. King, Clerk ; Joel B. Wheaton, Assessor; Benjamin Fisher, J. W. Falley, S. R. Hawks, A. Hammond, Henry F. Mott, Trustees.
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
1863 .- John H. Armstrong, President; Timothy E. Dibell, Assessor; A. M. Hastings, Treasurer; Haynes Johnson, Marshal; H. J. King, Clerk; S. R. Hawks, Freeman H. Mott, James A. Cohoon, E. B. Strickland, J. W. Falley, Trustees.
1864 .- James B. Baldy, President ; T. E. Dibell, As- sessor; John Miller, Marshal ; W. B. Wilson, Treasurer ; Eugene Rowlson, Clerk ; Ira B. Card, John W. Falley, H. T. Farnam, Geo. McMillan, John S. Barber, Trustees.
1865 .- James B. Baldy, President; Timothy E. Dibell, Assessor ; A. M. Hastings, Treasurer; J. H. Kipp, Mar- shal ; H. J. King, Clerk ; J. S. Barber, J. B. Card, J. W. Falley, H. T. Farnam, Geo. McMillan, Trustees.
1866 .- A. F. Whelan, President ; W. R. Montgomery, Assessor ; Haynes Johnson, Marshal; Andrew Hastings, Treasurer ; F. F. Hopkins, Clerk ; Ira B. Card, Alva Fos- ter, David H. Lord, Harvey B. Rowlson, Henry J. King, Trustees.
1867 .- A. F. Whelan, President ; William R. Mont- gomery, Assessor; Samuel Foote, Marshal ; Andrew M. Hastings, Treasurer ; F. F. Hopkins, Clerk ; A. Foster, H. T. Farnam, D. H. Lord, H. L. Hall, Ira B. Card, Trustees.
1868 .- John C. Robertson, President; Wm. R. Mont- gomery, Assessor ; W. H. Reynolds, Marshal; A. M. Hastings, Treasurer ; H. Montgomery, Clerk ; James G. Bunt, Horace Blackmar, James Ludlaw, Wm. Russell, Chester B. Smith, Trustees. Mr. Hastings having resigned the office of Treasurer before the expiration of the year, Jerome L. Reynolds was chosen to fill the unexpired term.
The following was the result of the election for city officers :
1869 .- George W. Underwood, Mayor; Robert A. Weir, City Collector ; Henry J. King, City Treasurer ; Horace Blackmar, Supervisor of First and Second Wards; William R. Montgomery, Supervisor of Third and Fourth Wards ; Samuel J. Lewis, Alderman of First Ward for two years; Edwin J. March, Alderman of Second Ward for one year ; James G. Bunt, Alderman of Second Ward for two years ; Benjamin Fisher, Alderman of Third Ward for one year ; William Wilson, Alderman of Third Ward for two years; William Pettus, Alderman of Fourth Ward for one year; Spencer O. Fisher, Alderman of Fourth Ward for two years; S. Chandler, City Clerk.
1870 .- The officers were Horace Blackmar, Mayor ; Samuel Chandler, City Clerk ; Henry J. King, City Treas- urer ; Robert A. Weir, Collector; Oscar A. James, Justice of the Peace ; W. R. Montgomery, Supervisor of First and Second Wards; Peter Strunk, Supervisor of Third and Fourth Wards; William W. Donaghy, Alderman of First Ward; Z. R. Sabin, Alderman of Second Ward; Robert A. Everett, Alderman of Third Ward; Frederick W. Stock, Alderman of Fourth Ward; Edward F. Bradley and Floyd J. Wilson, Constables.
1871 .- Ira B. Card, Mayor; Henry J. King, Treas- urer ; Timothy E. Dibell, Justice of the Peace; A. F. Whelan and George E. Smith, School Inspectors ; Wm. R. Montgomery, Supervisor of First and Second Wards ; Joseph J. Clark, Supervisor of Third and Fourth Wards ; Samuel J. Lewis, Alderman of First Ward for term ; Hiram
Pierce, Alderman of Second Ward for term ; David Thom- son, for vacancy ; Edward C. Campbell, Alderman of Third Ward; James H. C. White, Fourth Ward, for term ; J. F. Marsh, for vacancy ; B. Dunsler, F. J. Wilson, Eugene Rowlson, M. H. Saviers, Constables.
1872 .- Ira B. Card, Mayor ; Henry J. King, Treasurer ; O. A. Jones, Clerk ; Chester Farmer, Justice of the Peace ; W. R. Montgomery, Supervisor of First and Second Wards; J. J. Clark, Supervisor of Third and Fourth Wards; Hiram Pierce, Alderman for term, First Ward ; for vacancy, W. H. Donaghy ; Chas. Hatton, Alderman of Second Ward, for term ; for vacancy, Daniel Beebe; Peter Strunk, Alderman, Third Ward; John L. Frisbie, Alder- man, Fourth Ward; Arvin F. Whelan, School Inspector ; B. Densler, F. J. Wilson, E. K. Pennell, M. H. Saviers, Constables.
1873 .- Chauncey W. Ferris, Mayor; Henry J. King, Treasurer ; Z. D. Thomas, C. B. Dresser, Justices ; O. A. Janes, Clerk ; William R. Montgomery, Supervisor First and Second Wards ; Joseph J. Clark, Supervisor Third and Fourth Wards; Elijah B. Dean, Alderman First Ward ; Jeremiah Baldwin, Second Ward; E. C. Campbell, Third Ward ; John McDonough, Fourth Ward; Geo. E. Smith, School Inspector; John H. Purdy, M. H. Saviers, E. K. Pennell, Joseph Stevens, Constables.
1874 .- Chauncey W. Ferris, President ; Henry J. King, Treasurer ; Cephas B. Dresser, Justice; O. A. Janes, Clerk ; William R. Montgomery, Supervisor, First and Second Wards ; Joseph J. Clark, Supervisor Third and Fourth Wards; James W. Winsor, Alderman First Ward; R. E. Whipple, Second Ward ; Lewis R. Penfield, Third Ward ; Henry T. Farnam, Fourth Ward; A. F. Whelan, School Inspector ; Floyd J. Wilson, E. K. Pennell, M. H. Saviers, John H. Purdee, Constables.
1875 .- Robert A. Everett, Mayor; William Russell, Treasurer ; O. A. Janes, Clerk ; James B. Norris, Justice; W. R. Montgomery, Supervisor First and Second Wards ; Miles C. Teachout, Supervisor Third and Fourth Wards; E. B. Dean, Alderman First Ward ; A. F. Whelan, Second Ward ; Edward C. Campbell, Third Ward; John Mc- Donough, Fourth Ward; Warren A. Drake, School Inspec- tor; E. K. Pennell, William Beard, James W. McKee, Constables.
1876 .- William Wilson, Mayor; Frank M. Stewart, Treasurer; O. A. Janes, Clerk ; T. E. Dibell, Justice ; W. R. Montgomery, Supervisor First and Second Wards; J. J. Clark, Supervisor Third and Fourth Wards; James W. Winsor, Alderman First Ward; Roscius E. Whipple, Second Ward ; L. R. Penfield, Third Ward; Henry T. Farnam, Fourth Ward; Chas. E. Mott, School Inspector ; John J. Walrath, E. K. Pennell, W. J. Stone, M. H. Sa- viers, Constables.
1877 .- William Wilson, Mayor ; Frank M. Stewart, Treasurer ; Zimri D. Thomas, Justice full term; Samuel Gillett, to fill vacancy ; E. G. Reynolds, Clerk ; Warren A. Drake, School Inspector; W. R. Montgomery, Supervisor First and Second Wards; J. J. Clark, Supervisor Third and Fourth Wards; Miles G. Teachout, Alderman First Ward; Charles Hatton, Second Ward ; G. W. Knight, to fill vacancy ; E. C. Campbell, Third Ward; James Smith,
15
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Fourth Ward; W. J. Stone, J. D. Ashbaugh, Evander K. Pennell, M. H. Saviers, Constables.
1878 .- Geo. W. Knight, Mayor; Henry T. Farnam, Treasurer ; J. F. Fitzsimmons, Attorney ; Elon G. Reyn- olds, Clerk ; Milton H. Saviers, Marshal; Alonzo Cressy, Health Physician ; Miles G. Teachout and E. B. Dean, Aldermen, First Ward; Chas. Hatton and D. W. Perry, Second Ward; E. B. Campbell and L. R. Penfield, Third Ward; James Smith and Horace Jerome, Fourth Ward.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
HON. HENRY WALDRON,
banker and manufacturer, was born in Albany, N. Y., Oct. 11, 1819. His father was a merchant of that city, and died when Mr. Waldron was thirteen years old. Mr. Waldron attended the Albany Academy until 1834, when he entered Rutgers College, at New Brunswick, N. J., graduating from that institution in 1836. In 1837 he removed to Michigan, and was employed as civil engineer in the preliminary survey of the Michigan Southern Rail- road. He followed the same profession during the con- struction of the road. In 1839, Mr. Waldron came to Hillsdale, which was then a pioneer hamlet, inviting settle- ment. In 1843 he built the first warehouse on the line of the Southern Railroad, and from that date has been en- gaged in manufacturing, banking, and other business pur- suits in Hillsdale.
Mr. Waldron has been closely identified with the rail- roads and other public enterprises which have affected the interests of his section of the county. He was a di- rector of the Michigan Southern Railroad Company from 1846 until 1848, and was subsequently president of the Detroit, Hillsdale and Indiana Railroad. He was president of the Second National Bank of Hillsdale from its organi- zation until 1870, and he is now president of the First Na- tional Bank of that place.
In the year 1842, Mr. Waldron was elected to the State Legislature of Michigan. In 1848 he was one of the electors of the Taylor and Fillmore ticket. Upon the organization of the Republican party he was nominated for representative in Congress for the Second District of Michigan, and was elected. He was re-elected in 1856 and 1858, serving for the six years which witnessed the great struggle of the slavery power. In 1868, Mr. Waldron was one of the vice-presidents of the National Republican Convention, held in Chicago, which nominated Grant and Colfax for the Presidency and Vice-Presidency. In 1870 he was elected to the Forty-Second Congress from the First District of Michigan, and was re-elected in 1872 and 1874. At the conclusion of his third term of service he declined renomination on account of the pressure of private bus- iness.
WM. WALDRON
was born in Albany, N. Y., November, 1824. He came in 1843 to Hillsdale, and was for a time engaged as a clerk for his brother in a commission warehouse. He subse- quently formed a copartnership with Chauncey W. Ferris in the business of dry goods and general merchandise.
In 1850 he purchased the interest of his partner, and formed a new firm with James B. Baldy.
The business increased from year to year,-comprising not only the sale of goods, but the purchase of wool and wheat, -- until the firm of Waldron & Baldy, by good man- agement and personal popularity, had built up the largest trade in the county. The mercantile business of the house was closed out in 1860, and was succeeded by the banking firm of Waldron & Baldy, which, in 1863, was succeeded by the First National Bank of Hillsdale, Mr. Waldron being president and Mr. Baldy cashier.
Mr. Waldron gave his attention to the interests of the institution, he being its president from the date of its organization until the day of his death. He was for thirty years an active worker. In business, liberal, and kindly prospering public interests and private charities, and ex- hibiting in a marked degree the type of the prompt, posi- tive, upright business man.
He was twice married,-in 1848 to Miss Mary Moon, of Lima, Ind., and in 1874 to Mrs. Carrie Osband, at Cleve- land, O. He died at the Cleveland Water-Cure, Dec. 11, 1877, leaving a widow and three children.
His life-long acquaintance, the publisher of the Hills- dale Standard, in announcing his death added this state- ment, which clearly indicates the character of the man and of his business :
" The publisher of this paper was surprised to learn from him a year ago, just before his afflictions disabled him from actual business, that he had never in his life sued for a debt, although he had as a merchant and banker transacted, dur- ing a period of over thirty years, as large a business as any other man in the county. Yet neither he nor his bank had ever been a plaintiff or defendant in any court. His man- ner of doing business as well as the character of his cus- tomers are best indicated by such a remarkable fact. We presume no other business man in our county can give a similar experience."
DANIEL L. PRATT.
Daniel L. Pratt was born in Plainfield, Hampshire Co., Mass., on the 24th day of June, in the year 1820. His father, William Pratt, was a farmer, and emigrated to Ches- ter, Geauga Co., Ohio, in the fall of 1830. Here Daniel worked upon and assisted his father in clearing up a new farm, attending school winters, until the spring of 1838, when he went to Granville, Ohio, where he attended school two years at the Granville Academy. From 1840 to 1844 he taught school and studied law in Lancaster, Ohio, where he was admitted to the bar on the 24th day of September, 1844.
HON. HENRY WALDRON.
WM WALDRON.
PHOTOS. BY CARSON & GRAHAM
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
On the 25th day of October, 1844, he was married to Jane N. Newkirk, at Bloomfield, Fairfield Co., Ohio.
On the 25th day of October, 1845, he removed to Hills- dale, Mich., and commenced the practice of law, where he has ever since resided. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Hillsdale County in the fall of 1856, and again in the fall of 1860, and served four years. In the spring of 1867 he was elected one of the delegates from Hillsdale County to the constitutional convention, which convened at Lansing, May 15, 1867, for a revision of the constitution of the State. He was appointed one of the trustees of the Michigan Asylum for the Insane, by Gov- ernor Blair, on the 14th day of March, 1861. He was reappointed by Governor Crapo, and served as a member of the board of trustees twelve years.
In the spring of 1869 he was nominated by the Republi- can party and elected circuit judge of the first judicial cir- cuit of Michigan, comprising the counties of Hillsdale, Lenawee, and Monroe. Having served six years, he was re-elected in the spring of 1875, without any opposition ; the Democratic party having made no nomination against him. He is still upon the bench, having served three years upon his second term.
He has been one of the trustees of Hillsdale College since it was founded, and has contributed liberally in time, counsel, and money for its success. He has been active in promoting all enterprises for the improvement and pros- perity of the city and county, having donated in money for such purposes over three thousand dollars, and in time, labor, and counsel, much more.
In politics he was a Whig until the formation of the Republican party, since which time he has acted with that party. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He lives upon a farm three-quarters of a mile west of the court-house, on Bacon Street, in the city of Hillsdale, which he has cleared up and improved.
OSCAR A. JANES.
The father of Mr. Janes was a native of New York State, while his mother was a Vermont lady. They emigrated to Rock Co., Wis., in 1838, and here their son Oscar was born. They are able to trace their descent to William Janes, who came from England in 1637, with the John Davenport colony, and planted the New Haven, Connecti- cut, colony, founding the city of New Haven. Oscar re- mained with his parents in Wisconsin until the fall of 1863, when, being twenty years of age, he came to Michigan, and entered Hillsdale College.
In December of the same year he enlisted in Company K, 4th Regiment Michigan Volunteers, for three years' service or during the war. He passed through a severe experience during his period of service in the Army of the Potomac, participating in several battles, including the siege of Peters- burg, when he was wounded on the 22d of June, 1864, at the taking of the Weldon Railroad, losing his left arm. He was discharged in November of that year as a natural re- sult of this severe wound.
On his return to Hillsdale he resumed his studies at the college, graduating in June, 1868, and receiving the degree of M.S. He then studied law with Judge C. J. Dickerson, and was admitted to the bar of Hillsdale County, July 3, 1871. In 1870 he was elected justice of the peace of the city of Hillsdale, and in 1872 city attorney, holding the latter office four years. The same year he was elected Circuit Court commissioner, and re-elected in 1874. In 1876 he was complimented by election to the office of judge of probate for a term of four years. In politics he has been a firm advocate of the principles of the Republican party. He is also one of the trustees of Hillsdale College.
Judge Janes has been twice married, his first wife having been Miss Vinnie Hill, of Hillsdale, and his second a daugh- ter of P. Mead, Esq., of the same city.
BENJAMIN P. SHEPARD.
The father of Mr. Shepard was Israel Shepard, who married Nancy P. Brown, June 14, 1833. The former was born March 7, 1807, and Mrs. Shepard Dec. 30, 1812. After their marriage they removed to Genesee County, and later to Ohio. Benjamin, the second son, was born in Bloomfield, Seneca Co., Ohio, Jan. 22, 1848, and moved with his parents in the spring of 1859 to Michigan, loca- ting in Lenawee County, and one year later changed their residence to Hillsdale County, where he has since re- sided.
Mr. Shepard spent some time in study and then pursued teaching as a profession. Having a desire to engage in the practice of law, he began his studies June 29, 1874, and was admitted to the bar March 27, 1876. Since that period Mr. Shepard's career, though brief, has been a very successful one.
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