History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 61

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1166

USA > Michigan > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Michigan > Part 61

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Henry H. Bingham, real-estate and produce dealer, was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., Jan 7, 1814, and was a son of Calvin Bingham, and a grandson of a Calvin Bingham, a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His father located in Onondaga county, N. Y., in 1808, and married Miss Betsy Scott, daughter of Phineas Scott, of Bennington, Vt. Henry was reared on a farm, and received an academic education in Cortland county, at Homer Academy. He followed teaching school, and was very successful. In the spring of 1838 he came to this county, where he embarked in the mercantile business in Leoni tp., and remained there two years ; sold out, and bought land in the same tp., and engaged in farming in 1842, which business he followed until 1852; went to Grass

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Lake, and built the first store in the village; sold goods there three years. He married Miss Amelia Wells, daughter of Dr. Cyrus Wells, of Oakland Co., Mich., who emigrated to this State in 1836. There are + children-2 sons and 2 daughters. Mr. B. has held several local offices of trust; in the fall of 1847 was elected to the Legislature, the first session held at Lansing after the removal of the capital from Detroit ; in the spring of 1852 was made Assistant Keeper in the State's prison, and in January, 1855, was appointed Clerk, and continued in that capacity over 11 years; in the fall of 1866 was appointed Warden, and held that position five years. Since that time he has been dealing in produce and real estate. Mr. Bingham's administration of the prison was characterized by economy, the institution, under his management, paying, for the first time, its own expenses.

Frank M. Bisbee, engineer M. C. R. R., is a son of Isaac and Mary (Osborne) Bisbee, natives of York State, and was born in Calhoun county, Mich., Sept. 26, 1852, where he received a common- school education. His father was a miller by trade, and Frank worked in the mill until two years previous to going on the road. In 1872 he went on the road as fireman, and in 1876 was promoted to liis present position. He has met with some accidents, but not through his carelessness ; at one time ran into a pile of wood that had tipped over on the track, and threw his engine over a bank. He married Miss Ada Foster, daughter of John Foster, of Michigan City, Ind., and was born in Hudson, Mich., July 24, 1854; 1 child, Maude J., was born June 3, 1876.

Hon. Austin Blair, Michigan's "War Governor," and ex-mem- ber of Congress, is an illustration of the beneficent influence of Republican institutions, having inherited neither fortune nor fame. He was born in a log cabin at Caroline, Tompkins Co., N. Y., Feb. 8, 1818. His ancestors emigrated from Scotland in the time of George I., and for many generations followed the pursuit of agriculture. His father, George Blair, settled in Tompkins county in 1809, and felled the first tree and erected the first cabin in the county. The last 60 of the four-score years of his life were spent on that spot. He married Rhoda Beackman, who now sleeps with him in the soil of the old homestead. The first 17 years of Mr. Blair's life were passed there, rendering his father what aid he could upon the farm. He then spent a year and a half in Caz- enovia Seminary preparing for college; entered Hamilton College, in Clinton, and prosecuted his studies till the middle of the junior year, when, attracted by the fame of Dr. Nott, he changed to Union College, from which he graduated in the class of 1839. Upon leaving college Mr. Blair read law two years in the office of Sweet & Davis, Oswego, N. Y .; was admitted to practice in 1841, and the same year moved to Michigan, locating in Jackson. During a temporary residence in Eaton Rapids in 1842, lie was elected Clerk of Eaton county. At the close of the official term he returned to Jackson, and as a Whig, zealously espoused the cause of Henry Clay in the campaign of 1844. Mr. Blair was chosen

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Representative to the Legislature in 1845, at which session, as a member of the Judiciary Committee, he rendered valuable service in the revision of the general statutes; also made an able support in favor of abolishing the color distinction in relation to the elect- ive franchise, and at the same session was active in securing the abolition of capital punishment. In 1848 Mr. Blair refused longer to affiliate with the Whig party, because of its refusal to endorse in convention any anti-slavery sentiment, joined the Free-soil movement, and was a delegate to their convention which nomi- nated Van Buren for President that year. Upon the birth of the Republican party in Jackson, in 1854, by the coalition of the Whig and Free-soil elements, Mr. Blair was in full sympathy with the movement, and acted as a member of the Committee on Platform. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Jackson county in 1852; was chosen State Senator two years later, taking his seat with the in- coming Republican administration of 1855, and holding the posi- tion as parliamentary leader in the Senate. He was a delegate to the National Convention which nominated Abraham Lincoln in 1860. Mr. Blair was elected Governor of Michigan in 1860, and re-elected in 1862, faithfully and honorably discharging the ardu- ous duties of the office during that most momentous and stormy period of the nation's life. Gov. Blair possessed a clear compre- hension of the perilous situation from the inception of the Rebell- ion, and his inaugural address foreshadowed the prompt executive policy and the administrative ability which characterized his gu- bernatorial career. Gov. Blair was elected Representative to the Fortieth, and twice re-elected, to the Forty-first and Forty-second Congress, from the Third District of Michigan, While a member of that body he was a strong supporter of reconstruction measures, and sternly opposed every form of repudiation. His speech upon the national finances, delivered on the floor of the House March 21, 1868, was a clear and convincing argument. Since his retirement from Congress, Mr. Blair has been busily occupied with his exten- sive law practice. Mr. Blair married Sarah L. Ford, of Seneca county N. Y., in February, 1849. Their family consists of 4 sons- George H., a law partner of A. J. Gould; Charles A., a law part- ner with his father, and Fred. J. and Austin T. Blair, at home. Governor Blair's religion is of the broad type, and centers in the " Golden Rule." A steel portrait of Gov. Blair appears in this work, on page 245.

James Blakely, dairyman, Jackson, was born in Delaware county, N. Y., Feb. 10, 1833, where he was reared on a farm. His parents, James and Margaret (McNaughton) Blakely, were natives of the same State. In 1852 he took a trip to California, vid the Isthmus, and was four weeks in making the voyage; he landed in San Francisco, where he remained a short time, and then went to the mining regions, where he remained six years in mining and two years worked at farming. In the meantime he took a trip to the Frazier river in the British Possessions, making the trip in three months. In 1860 he came back to his home in New York, and

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married Miss Helen Leal, who was born July 20, 1838. Their 2 children are Clarence L., born Dec. 29, 1862, and Helen L., born Jan. 1, 1872. Mr. B. remained in New York State about two years, and in 1863, taking his family with him, went to California, where he remained only one year. In 1865 he returned again to California, and remained about three months, thus making three trips to the Golden State. He remained in New York abont two years, then came to Jackson county, where he has followed farming and dairying; has one of the finest dairies in the county. In 1872 his barn was burnt and he lost 39 cows, besides hay and grain.

Joseph Blessing, florist, Jackson, was born in Wittemberg, Ger- many, on the 15th day of June, 1850. He received a common- school education, and was reared to the business of florist. He came to the United States in 1873, and in 1878 went back to his native country, where he married Mary Bader, daughter of Joseph Bader, who was born Aug. 17, 1858. They have 2 children,- Josephine and Georgie. Mr. and Mrs. Blessing are both members of the Catholic Church.

C. C. Bloomfield, of the firm of Bloomfield & Robinson, whole- sale merchants in carbon oil, corner of Mechanic and Courtland streets, is a native of Jackson county, and is 37 years of age. He came to Jackson 18 years ago and went into the employ of Bliss & Co. In 1868 he established the present business in a moderate way. For seven years he conducted it alone and built up the heaviest oil trade in Michigan. In 1875, A. B. Robinson became a partner, and since that time they have established several branch houses, and control the carbon-oil traffic of nearly the entire State.

J. W. Boardman, sole proprietor of Steuben Wine Company, Jackson, Mich. This company was established in 1873 by J. H. Van Husen & Son, who conducted the business four years, since which time Mr. Boardman has been sole proprietor. He has a build- ing 100 feet deep, 20 feet wide and occupies three floors; does a business of $35,000 per year. Mr. B. was born in Jackson Nov. 15, 1855. He received his education in this city and graduated in the high school. His father, David Boardman, was a native of Ireland, who emigrated to the United States in 1849. He married Miss Ida Mathews of this county, who was born in this county in 1859; they have 1 child-Louise.

John, Boos, saloon-keeper, Jackson, Mich., was born in Germany Sept. 24, 1827, where he received a common-school education. In 1844 he came to the United States and located in Chicago, where he learned the upholsterer's trade and followed it 15 years; came to Jackson in 1870; was employed on the police force one year, and in 1869 commenced his present business. He married Miss Mary Haoedrid, who was born in Germany in 1830. They have had 9 children, 7 of whom are living-Josie, Amelia, Johnny, Frankie, Louis, Joseph and Georgie. Mrs. Boos' father is a resident of Wis- consin, and is 80 years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Boos are members of the Catholic Church.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Moses KK. Bortree, joint proprietor and manager of the Bortree Manufacturing Works, is the youngest of a family of 3 sons and 5 daughters of Thomas and Anna Bortree, nee Kellam, and was born in Wayne connty, Penn., in May, 1841. He was educated in Hawley, Penn .; came to Michigan about 15 years ago, and embarked in the drug business in New Baltimore, Mich., but two years later turned his attention to the manufacture of hoop-skirts; carried it on there a year, and a year in Grand Rapids, then removed to Jackson in 1868 and continued the same business until his factory was destroyed by fire in June, 1869. The loss was total, leaving Mr. B. in debt nearly $5,000, which he has since paid with interest. Two months after he resumed business again in the Central Block. In 1872 Mr. Bor- tree invented the Perfection bustle, on which he realized, in connec- tion with his hoop-skirt business, a net profit of $19,000 in 1873. That year he took in Mr. Chas. W. Higby as partner. They added the man- ufacture of corsets in 1874, and in July, 1875, Mr. Bortree invented the Bortree Adjustable Duplex Corset. The following year the firm was changed to an incorporated company, Mr. B. holding half the stock and being made general manager of the concern. He has recently brought out four new inventions pertaining to corsets, one of which has been patented in the leading countries of Europe. Their products are sold exclusively at wholesale, and are handled in the commercial centers from ocean to ocean, amonnting in vol- ume to $300,000 a year. This flattering result is chiefly due to the inventive genins and superior business management of Mr. Bortree. He married Miss Mary Culver in Detroit, who is the mother of 2 children-Clande M., 11 years old, and Annie L., 3 years of age.

T. C. Boughton store-keeper, M. C. R.R., was born in New York city, Oct. 13, 1834. When 19 years old he was employed as clerk in the Shoe and Leather Bank, and remained there two years, then came West and located in Detroit, where he formed the acquaintance of and married Miss Lovina Van Avery, daughter of Peter Van Avery, who was one of the largest land owners at that time in Michigan. She was born in 1836. By this union there are 1 son and 2 daughters, namely: Amy, William W., and Edna. Mr. B. studied law with Judge Crofoot of Pontiac two years, and was elected Clerk of the Probate Court of Oakland county. Soon after the war broke out he was commissioned by Gov. Blair as Quarter- master in the 22d Infantry, which was stationed in the Western army and remained there three years. After the war, he went to Detroit, and was employed in the anditor's office for some time. In 1877 he came to Jackson, where he has been employed since. Mr. Boughton is Secretary of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion and has always been an active member. Is also a member of the Methodist Church and advocates every thing which elevates the human race.

Isaac N. Branch, baker and confectioner, was born in Stock- bridge, Ingham Co., and is 42 years of age; his parents, Mason and Maryette A. (Burbank) Branch, natives of Vermont, set-

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tled in Ingham county in 1836; they came to the State a year earlier and lived in Washtenaw county. Mr. Branch was engaged one year as a salesman in a grocery and crockery house in Ann Arbor. Thence he came to Jackson and engaged with Merriman Bros. & Co., in the spring of 1860, remaining with them over 11 years as a clerk in a general store. He then sold goods with P. R. Sabin until he engaged in his present business five years ago. The bakery known as Fisher's, was established more than thirty years ago by Messrs. Webb & Butler. It was the only one at that time and the daily bread was peddled in a basket at that period. Hol- land, Chapman & Co., succeeded Mr. John Webb some 10 years ago and afterward the business passed into the possession of Mrs. P. Fisher, for whom Mr. Branch is acting manager, in which capacity he has served four years. The house manufactures a full line of general baker's goods, employs 10 hands and sells at wholesale and retail. Two wagons are kept running and a considerable jobbing trade in confectionery is carried on. In 1868 Mr. Branch married Helen Fisher of Jackson and has 1 son. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. lodge, chapter and commandery.

John J. Brenk, merchant tailor, of the firm of Brenk & Feldher, 108 West Main street, is the son of Conrad and Mary (Schafer) Brenk, and was born in Germany in 1829. At the age of 15 years he began learning the tailor's trade, and served three years at entting in the city of Berlin. According to the custom in that country Mr. Brenk served the Government three years in the army, leaving it in 1853. In January, 1854, he started the tailoring business in a small town near Coblenz; but owing to the military demands made upon him by the Government, he immigrated to America in 1855; located in Detroit, Mich., and was seven years in the employ of John Stevenson, now of Chicago. Mr. Brenk came to Jackson in 1862, and was cutter seven years for W. R. & S. C. Reynolds, and then for their successor, L. H. Field, until February, 1873, when he formed a partnership with Anthony Feldher and estab- lished a merchant tailoring and gentlemen's furnishing business. They do a business of $25,000 to $30,000 a year. Mr. Brenk married Mary Rindsherd, of Detroit, in 1858, by whom he has + sons-Joseph G., a eutter in the store; Robert G., Edward G. and Frederick A. Mr. B. has earned a prosperous business and a fine home with the shears and goose.

S. Brenton, veterinary surgeon, Jackson, Mich., was born in Ontario, Hastings Co., Canada, Oct. 10, 1858; was reared on a farm until he was 20 years of age, when he commenced the study of his profession, and graduated at Ontario Veterinary College, Toronto, Canada. He treats all diseases of horses and cattle, is a young man and thoroughly understands his profession, and is the only regular graduate in the city. He is meeting with good snecess. He married Miss Flora M. Vickery, of Australia, who was born April 2, 1857.

Henry Bromley, general freight and ticket agent of the Fort Wayne & Jackson railroad, son of Thomas and Maria (Howard)

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Bromley, was born in Durham, England, in 1841. His father died before his birth; and when he was seven years of age the widow crossed the Atlantic and settled in Oneida county, N. Y. Seven years later she removed to Niagara Falls. Henry's school oppor- tunities were limited. In 1859 he went on the Great Western rail- road as brakeman; was 10 years in. the employ of that and the Detroit & Milwaukee railroad, part of the time as station agent. In 1869 he took charge of a station on the Burlington & Missouri River railroad; in September, 1872, took the agency of the Ft. W. & J. and Ft. W., M. & Cinn. railroad at Ft. Wayne, remaining until April, 1877, then came to Jackson as General Freight Agent; in the fall of 1880 took charge of the passenger departinent also. He now controls the entire passenger and freight business of the Ft. Wayne & Jackson line. . The passenger business amounts to $85,000 and the freight traffic to $195,000 a year. Mr. Bromley was united in marriage in Summit county, O., to Miss Radia E. Munn in 1866. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M.

Alexander Brown, florist, 812 Wildwood avenue, was born in Sandstone tp., Nov. 17, 1837. His father, Alexander Brown, was a native of Tompkins, Schuyler Co., N. Y., where he followed the occupation of farmer; he died in this county in June, 1837. His mother is still living in Sandstone tp.

Mr. B. can remember when the country was wild, before there were any public highways laid ont, and had to cross fields. In 1860 he engaged in the grocery business, and remained until 1862, when he enlisted in the 5th Mich. Cav., and remained in the ser- vice three years; participated in the battle of Gettysburg under Gen. Custer. After being discharged from the army he again en- gaged in the grocery business, and followed the same until 1870, then worked at gardening; ¿ in 1879 he commenced in his present business as florist. He married Miss Clarissa Cuff, daughter of Thomas Cuff, one of the early pioneers of Sandstone tp. They have 1 son, Alexander, Jr.

Edwin C. Brown, Assistant General Superintendent of the Michigan Central railroad, is a native of New Hampshire, started in railroading in his early manhood as a baggageman, and after a succession of changes and promotions, accepted the position of Division Superintendent of the main line, Air Line, South Haven, South Bend and Joliet divisions of the Michigan Central railroad, in February, 1875. On June 6, 1876, he became Assistant General Superintendent of the Michigan Central Company's entire lines. Mr. Brown has the active management and supervising control of the operative department of the 803 miles of this great corpora- tion's road, extending into three States. In 1879 the road moved 3,513,819 tons of freight, and carried 1,445,655 passengers, a pass- enger traffic equivalent to carrying 93,232,430 persons one mile. The lines earned during that year $7,415,428.86.

William Brown, of Brown & Myers, dealers in farm machinery, also Deputy U. S. Internal Revenue Collector, West Pearl street,

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was born in Geneseo, Livingston Co., N. Y., May 23, 1842; is the son of Andrew S. Brown and Jane Jennings Brown, nee White. They moved to Michigan when William was two years of age, and settled in Ionia county in the spring of 1844. There he grew to manhood with a meager district-school education. Sept. 19, 1861, he enlisted in Co. F,13th Mich. Inf., which was assigned to the western department of the army, commanded by Gens. Bnel, Rosecrans and Sherman successively. Mr. Brown fought in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Chattanooga, Stone River and Chickamauga, in which he received a wound in the left side of the face by a buckshot, chat sent him to the hospital two weeks. He veterauized in January, 1864; was promoted to 2d Lieutenant soon after. His regiment spent that summer in the engineer corps on Lookout Mountain; joined Gen. Sherman's army and marched to the sea; went via Savannah to Bentonville; there fought the last battle of the war; went thence to Washington; thence to Louisville, Ky., and were mustered out. From February, 1865. Mr. Brown was Ist Lieutenant, acting Ad- jutant, in command of the company in Sherman's campaign. He was absent from the command but two weeks during his entire service. Upon returning home he spent four years farming in Ionia county; came to Jackson Ang. 30, 1869; was turnkey at the jail, prison guard and keeper respectively, until May, 1872; super- intended the opening of the Porter coal mine that summer; Dec. 1, hired to U. S. Express Company; became agent the next summer, and held the position until the U. S. and American were united under one local management; in October, 1878, Mr. B. engaged in the kerosene oil trade in company with J. C. Eslow, of Albion, which continues; in February, 1879, established the farm implement business, and a year after took Martin Myers as partner. Ang. 10, 1880, Mr. Brown was appointed Deputy U. S. Internal Revenne Collector for a division of the Third District, comprising Eaton, Ingham, Jackson and Washtenaw counties. He married, in Ionia county, Jan. 4, 1864, Nancy A. Hawley. He is a member of the Masonic order and Knights of Pythias.

William R. Brown, insurance agent, real-estate and loan bro- ker, was born in Stratford, N. H., in 1820. IIe is the son of Sam- uel T. and Mary Brown. His mother died when he was four years old. He was educated at Lancaster Academy in the same county, and taught school winters while obtaining his education. He engaged as clerk and bookkeeper in the Marlboro Hotel, Bos- ton, the first temperance hotel in America, where he was employed 12 years, the last three of which he was sole manager. He

managed the disposal of the furniture and equipments of the house, and at the termination of his period of service, the proprietor, in recognition of the value of his management, presented him with $4,000. He took charge of Congress IIall, Saratoga, as its proprie- tor, in 1851, and conducted it five years. He then engaged in fire and marine insurance business in Boston for four years, when he became President of the National Insurance Co., of Jersey City,

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where he remained about three years. When the war broke out, he, being a Douglas Democrat, took an active interest, and was appointed by the State of New York to the care of the wounded soldiers sent home, with his headquarters in Washington. In 1865 he came to Jackson, and located on a farm in Leoni tp., adja- cent to the city limits, which he still owns. In 1873 he was elected Sheriff on the Democratic ticket, and re-elected in 1875 by 1,560 majority. Upon the expiration of his term he remained two years with his successor, and has since resided in the city. In December, 1879, he formed a partnership with A. M. Tinker, and engaged in insurance business. He entered upon his present business rela- tion in December, 1880. In 1843 he married Mary Hadley, a native of Boston, and has 1 daughter, Mrs. Whitman D. Ford, of Jack- son. Mr. Ford was a resident of Saratoga, N. Y. Mr. Brown is a member of the Masonic order, and a Knight Templar. He is a regular attendant at the Congregational Church.

Geo. M. Bryant, engineer, was born in Paw Paw, Van Buren Co., Mich., July 22, 1850, and received a common- school education. His parents, Asel and Huldah (Millard) Bryant, were natives of Otsego county, N. Y., and emigrated to Michigan in 1844. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm; enlisted in the 28th Michigan Vol. Regt. in 1864, when 14 years of age; participated in the battles of Nashville and Kings- ton, and remained until the close of the war. In 1870 he engaged in railroading for the M. C. R. R., and in February, 1875, re- ceived an engine. He married Miss Hattie Tucker, daughter of William Tucker, who was born in Niles, Mich., July 30, 1853. One child, Blanche M., was born Feb. 6, 1877. Mr. B. is a member of the Masonic order and Knights of Pythias.

Ransom D. Bullock, dealer in musical merchandise, West Main street, son of Benjamin and Cynthia Bullock, nee Barry, is a native of Orleans county, N. Y .; born in February, 1830. He came when a lad to Livingston county, Mich., the home of his paternal grandfather, Hezekiah Bullock, with whom he resided until 21 years of age; worked on the farm in summers, and enjoyed a lim- ited attendance in the district school in winters. In youth Mr. B. began the study of vocal music, and in the spring of 1855 returned to his native State and became a student of the Normal Musical Institute, conducted by Lowell Mason, William B. Bradbury and George F. Root; spent one season there and another after the school was removed to Boston, under the same professors; was several years holding musical institutes, chiefly in Michigan. In 1862 he began the sale of musical instruments in Jackson without a dollar of capital; conducted the trade by carrying his instruments through the country on a wagon; occupied a small room over a store in Jackson Hall Block-since burned. Hard work and business tact steadily enlarged the sales, and the limited quarters were exchanged for a more commodious room; assistant salesmen were employed, branch houses were established, three in all, at Detroit, Grand Rapids and East Saginaw, besides a corps of 20 traveling salesmen

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History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 61

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1166

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1166