History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 64

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 64

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William Dilley, Chief of Police of Jackson city, is the only son of a family of 3 children of William and Lusena (Gallup) Dilley, natives of New York, and was born in Newstead, Erie Co., that State Dec. 29, 1837. In 1855 the family moved to Jackson county, Mich., and settled on a farm in the town of Napoleon, where his parents still reside. Mr. Dilley enjoyed the opportunities of the district school, and pursued farming until he settled in the city, about 14 years ago. He engaged in the restaurant and bakery business for some time; lived two years in Cass county; nine years ago was appointed to the police force, and in December, 1878, was promoted to the position of Chief. In November, 1857. he married Harriet E. Gallup, of Jackson county, Mich., whose parents were very early settlers here. They have a family of 3 sons and 1 daughter-Walter, Adelbert P., Clarence M. and Effie May.

George A. W. Dodge, of the firm of Warner & Dodge, hardware merchants, was born in New Hampshire, in January, 1847. His parents, Amos and Emily Dodge, nee Everett, were natives of that State. After attending the local schools, George became a clerk in a dry-goods store in Concord at the age of 17, three years later went to Randolph, Vt., was clerk in a general store three years; then returned to Concord and was salesman in a hardware store two years; came to Jackson in 1871, and forming a partnership with E. R. Warner, bought Parkhurst & Co's. hardware house and the firm have conducted the business since. Mr. Dodge married Miss Hellen F. Foster, of Concord, N. H., in 1871. They have 2 sons. He and wife are members of the First Congregational Church, of which he is a Trustee, and Superintendent of the Sunday-school.

William Roscoe Dodge, of W. R. Dodge & Co., grocers, North Mechanic street, son of William R. and Caroline (Hoyt) Dodge, is a native of Jackson county, Mich., born in Blackman town, in 1848.

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His parents were New York people, and coming to Michigan in 1836, settled on and improved a farm in Blackman tp., which was their home for many years, until they removed to the city, where they now reside. After obtaining a fair English ed- ucation in the country and city schools, Mr. Dodge began busi- ness as a clerk for Patton Morrison in the store he now occupies, at the age of 21 years. He afterward spent a year on his father's farm, and was a year in school. On Oct. 1, 1878, he became joint proprietor of their grocery house, in connection with Walter B. Hibbard, his present partner, as successors to Mr. Patton Morri- son. Since that time their business has steadily increased from about $15,000 a year to $30,000, a large per cent. of which is coun- try trade.

Daniel Doig, builder and contractor, Jackson, Mich., was born in Sterling, Scotland, Jan 1, 1821, where he received an elementary school education. When 16 years of age he was apprenticed three years. In 1842 he came to America, locating in Rome, N. Y., where he formed the acquaintance of and married Miss Julia N. Tibbitts, born in Floyd, Oneida Co., N. Y, in 1828. They had 4 children, Lonisa, Daniel J., Mary and William. In 1865 Mr. D. came to Jackson, and engaged in business in company with Joseph Tibbitts and Stewart, and followed the same one and a half years; then engag- ed in his present business and has followed the same since. The firm is at present known as Doig & Son, and is the leading firm in the city. They employ abont 18 men through the season. Mr. Doig's family are members of the Baptist Church.

Henry W. Doney, farmer, was born in Erie county, N. Y., April 7, 1820; was reared on a farm, and received a common-school edu- cation. In 1838 he came to Michigan, where he worked by the day and month, and was employed on the railroad between Michi- gan Center and Jackson; also worked at cooperage. In the spring of 1844 he married Miss Lydia M. Wyatt, daughter of Thomas Wyatt, who was born in England, Nov. 1, 1820; there were 5 chil- dren, 3 of whom are living-Edwin S., Frank A. and Cora M. Mr. Doney was a member of the first Anti-Slavery Society ever organ- ized in the county under Elder Harrison, who was a pioneer preacher; he is a member of the United Brethren Church.

Henry D. Donwall, train dispatcher M. C. R. R., was born in Princeton, N. J., Oct. S, 1849, where he remained but a short time. His father, Charles Donwall, was a native of England, and by pro- fession, a musician; he traveled extensively in this country and England. His mother, Mary Lines, was a native of Massachusetts, and died in New York city, when the subject of this sketch was two years old. After his mother's death he went to live with his grandmother in Ohio. His father married again and he went and lived with him about 10 years. When 13 years of age he went to work for himself; worked on a farm summers and attended school winters; in 1865 came to Detroit, worked for a merchant, carrying parcels, and a portion of the time attending school; afterward

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went to carrying telegrams, and while engaged in this business learned telegraphing, since which time he has followed the busi- ness. In 1870 he was appointed train dispatcher at Kalamazoo, and remained there four years, then came to Jackson, where he has been employed in the same business ever since. In 1876 he married Miss Effie Remington, born in Genesee county, N. Y., Dec. 2, 1854; there are 3 children-Annie, Bessie and Lizzie; the last 2 are twins.

John I. Durand, real-estate dealer, Jackson, Mich., was born in Washington county, N. Y., Aug. 28, 1807; son of John and Mary Durand, natives of Connecticut, who emigrated to Jackson county, Mich., in the spring of 1830, and located in what was then called Jacksonburgh, one-half mile west of the city. They came by canal to Buffalo, by boat to Detroit, and from there with ox-teams; were three days making the trip; camped out. Mr. Durand had a little money he had saved by teaching school, and laid it out in 80 acres of land adjoining 160 acres taken up by his father. He married Miss Lucy Blackman, a native of New York State, and they have had 3 children, 2 of whom are living-Mary E., now Mrs. Austin W. Green, and Charles. Mr. Durand has been identified with the city of Jackson for over 50 years; has held several local offices of trust.

James A. Dyer, retired, Jackson, Mich., is a pioneer, and son of Jothamn and Susan (Bacon) Dyer, natives of Massachusetts, who emigrated to Windsor county, Vt., where the subject of this sketch was born June 24, 1812. When 16 years old his parents moved to Livingston county, N. Y., and remained there until 1835; then came to Jackson, with a team, in company with his oldest brother and a man by the name of Pearl. In 1837 his parents emigrated to Calhoun county, where they lived and died. Shortly after arriving he commenced clerking for a man named Richards, and remained with him three years. Mr. Dyer and Charles Derby then bought the stock of goods, and the firm was known as Dyer & Derby. In 1839 he was elected County Sheriff; was afterward elected County Clerk, and held the office two years; was in the first telegraph office in the city, and in 1849 was appointed Postmaster. He was Justice of the Peace for 16 consecutive years, up to 1875, since which time he has lived a retired life. He married Miss Eliza J. Brownell, who was born in New Jersey, Oct. 3, 1818. There were 5 children; 4 lived to be men and women-Derrick O., born Feb. 20, 1842; Czar J., born Feb. 2, 1846; Nettie P., born Sept. 15, 1847, and Charles F., born Sept. 22, 1851: Nellie, born Nov. 16, 1860, died Sept. 22, 1862. Mrs. Dyer died Nov. 6, 1872, a consistent Christian, and loved and respected by all.

Hon. Jerome B. Eaton, real-estate dealer, Jackson, Mich., born in Herkimer county, N. Y., Jan. 29, 1811; was reared on a farm, working summers and attending the district schools winters. When 13 years old commenced teaching school and followed it seven successive winters. When 20 years old he thought he was

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not making money fast enough, and started out peddling, his father furnishing a horse and wagon, and a man by the name of Bronson, of Bridgewater, furnishing the stock, which consisted of table- cloths. He commenced at $12 per month, and his wages were to be raised according to the amount of goods sold. After the first month he received increased wages, and he finally received $50 per month, being engaged about two years. With the money thus ac- cumulated, he started for Michigan with a team and a stock of goods, and located at Adrian. Soon after he made a trip across the country to Jackson, not passing a house between the points, found a log hotel in Jackson; passing through he stopped with a man by the name of Pease; remained there a short time and then returned to Adrian; made a trip to his old home, and shortly after returned to Adrian and embarked in the dry-goods trade; was in trade six years, then returned to his native State and married Miss Eliza- beth Steinbeck, of Madison county, N. Y. There were 5 children 4 of whom are living. In 1842 Mr. Eaton came to Jackson where he had a contract in the prison for making barrels; in the mean- time he disposed of his property in Adrian, and made Jackson his permanent home. In 1858 he formed a partnership with Mr. Knick- erbocker, and carried on the wholesale grocery business, and con - tinued till the war. Mr. Eaton has been identified with the interests of the county for 39 years, and has held several local offices of trust. Is President of the Air Line R. R., and has been since its construction. He, with a few others, were the prime movers in getting the railroad shops moved from Marshall to this place, and when in the Legislature, was instrumental in getting the Michigan Southern railroad into Jackson, with the as- sistance of Messrs. Root and Thompson.

Barnett F. Eggleston, clothing merchant, is of English parentage, his ancestors having crossed the Atlantic in the ship Mary and John 10 years after the Pilgrims; settled first at Dorchester, and later, as a part of a colony of 60 Puritans, were the first settlers of Windsor, Conn. Mr. Eggleston's grandfather and 5 sons fought in the battle of Plattsburg. Spencer Eggleston was born and reared in Sheffield, Mass., and married Nancy Gifford, of On- ondaga county, N. Y. They had 3 children, of whom Barnett and a younger sister are living. He was born in Ontario county, N. Y., Feb. 1, 1820. His father died when he was four years of age, and in 1835 the widow .and her daughter came to Jackson, Mr. E. following them the next year. His education was limited to the district school and individual effort. When eight years old he hired on a canal boat as cabin boy, at 12 began learning the tailor's trade, and in 1835 he and another young man started a little shop in the town of Tonawanda, near Buffalo, which was closed the fol- lowing spring and he came to Jackson. Prior to 1849 Mr. E. devoted his attention chiefly to tailoring; that fall put in a full line of piece goods and has carried on merchant tailoring since; gradually added a stock of ready-made clothing some years ago, of

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which he carries a full line. Mr. Eggleston has chiefly conducted business alone, and has done most of his own cutting through a business career of 44 years, during which he has seen a multitude rise, flourish and fade away, and has now the oldest clothing house in Michigan. He employs eight to 12 hands in the manufacturing department. Mr. E. cast his maiden vote for an Abolition candi- date, later was a Republican, but now is a member of the Green- back party; is a member of the A. F. & A. M., lodge, chapter and commandery, one of the earliest members of the latter; has been an Odd Fellow more than 30 years; was a steadfast adherent of the Baptist Church 25 years, but is not now a member. April 8, 1841, he married Angeline C. Whitmore, a native of Middlebury, Vt. They have 1 son and 4 daughters, the former in the store with his father. Mr. Eggleston is a charter member of the Old Settlers' Association, and has ever been active in its interests. His religious views have undergone some change in the past few years, and he now places more stress upon deeds than belief. A full-page portrait of Mr. Eggleston appears in this work, on page 489.

Leonard Eggleston (deceased) was born in Skaneateles, Onon- daga Co., N. Y., Jan. 19, 1824; was left motherless when six years of age, and made his home for many years after with a family by the name of Briggs on the east side of Skaneateles lake. At the age of 20 he entered the family of Mr. Hammond, of the same place, as an apprentice for a machinist, where he remained three years; afterward was employed in one of the largest shops in Syra- cuse. In 1849 he married Miss Adeline C. Welton, of Syracuse, and removed to Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1852; in 1861 came to Jackson, and was employed in the machine shops for a short time, but his failing health prompted him to travel two years. He then turned his attention to collecting shells and marine curiosities, building up many valuable cabinets and adding to others through the East, West and South; he furnished specimens for Mr. Patter- son, of Westfield, N.Y., Mr. Goodman, of the organ celebrity, Dr. Wescott, Mr. L. L. Lewis, of Syracuse, and many others of that city who have beautiful cabinets; Dr. Lee, Mr. Salmon, of Fulton, Mr. Fairbanks, of St. Johnsbury, Vermont, and a few whose homes are brightened with rare shells from every clime. Mr. E. was master of his business; could name and classify all the beautiful

gems from the water of the rolling deep. He was noted for strict integrity, and great independence of character, unyielding in his convictions of right, conscientious, genial and warm-hearted. He drew around him many friends in the East, West and Sonth; the past 10 winters were spent in the South, where he reveled in orange groves, and with the finny tribe. In that genial clime, and with his ready pen, he painted vivid pictures -- scenes in this world and the world to come; his fingers carried many curions and comic devices from orange and other woods of the same forest of Florida, many of which are held as sonvenirs by friends in every State in

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the Union. Mr. E. died July 20, 1880, aged 56 years. He left a wife and 1 son.

Jonathan H. Emmons, real-estate dealer, was born in St. Law- rence county, N. Y., March 12, 1824. When seven years old his parents emigrated to Niagara county, and remained there until the fall of 1835, when they came to Jackson. His father was a native of New Hampshire; he enlisted in the war of 1812 as a private, and came out as 1st Lieutenant. Mr. Emmons came to this county, located in Spring Arbor, where he remained three years, then came to Blackman tp., where his father died in 1847; his mother is still living at the age of 78 years. In 1849 he sold the farm and came to Jackson, where he has since remained. There was a family of 8 children-4 sons and 4 daughters; 5 of them are still living. In 1849 Mr. E. built what was known as Dwight's lime kiln, furnished burnt lime for the building of the prison, and also fur- nished lime for the State capitol. Mr. Emmons drew the first load into the town; at that time his was the only lime kiln in the county. He engaged in the carpenter business and built some of the princi- pal blocks in the city. He married Miss Huldah J. Slayton, daughter of Joshua Slayton, a pioneer of Wayne county, N. Y. She was born May 24, 1827. Mr. E. has held several local offices of trust in the gift of the people.

E. M. Evans, proprietor meat market, 111 & 113 North Mechan- ic st., is a leading representative of the above interests in Jackson. His facilities and knowledge of the business enable him to pay the highest prices at all times-a fact which farmers should not fail to bear in mind when ready to sell. Mr. Evans has been identified with the interests of Jackson for some years. He was born in Syracuse, N. Y., April 19, 1847, where he received a practical business education. His father, Alexander M. Evans, a native of New York, was engaged in the same business in Syracuse a number of years, giving his son a thorough knowledge of the trade. In 1863 they came to Jackson and were known as the firm of E. M. Evans & Father. Mr. Evans is a young man; came to the county in limited circumstances, but by good judgment and close atten- tion to business has built up a trade he can well be proud of. He uses from 600 to 700 head of cattle, and about 2,000 head of small stock per year. He married Miss Laura Hague, daughter of Harry Hague, of England, where she was born in 1851. Mr. E. is a member in good standing in the Masonic order and I. O. O. F .; is at present supplying the State's prison, and has for a number of years.

Jeremiah D. Feely, foreman of the boiler shop of the Jackson Foundry and Machine Works, is a native of Ireland, born in 1830. He came with parents to America at nine years of age, and located in Detroit, Mich., where he learned the trade of boiler-making with J. & J. Brennan, with whom he worked some 18 years. He then worked for the C., B. & Q. R. R. Co. at Aurora, Ill., two years; returned to Detroit and worked for the Michigan Central R. R.

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Co. for a time; went to Milwaukee in 1870, was two years in the Marine Boiler Works of Richard Davis; worked three years in Gales- burg, Ill .; came to Jackson and entered the employ of the Michi- gan Central R. R. Co. in 1876, continuing nearly three years; then engaged with the present concern nearly four years ago. He has 10 to 15 men under his supervision. Twenty-seven years ago Mr. Feely married Anna Ryan, a native of Ireland, in Detroit. They have had 7 children, 3 sons and 3 daughters now living. He and family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Feely has steadily pur- sued his trade since June 6, 1846.

Alonzo Ferris, retired, was born in Bennington county, Vt., Feb. 25, 1797. His father, Aaron G. Ferris, was a farmer and na- tive of Litchfield county, Conn. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, attending school winters and working on the farm summers. He married Miss Lydia Dayton, daughter of Thomas Dayton, who died in 1871. They had 7 children, 3 of whom are living. In 1824 he emigrated to Monroe county, N. Y., where he farmed and kept a hotel, and in 1833 came to Michigan and set- tled in Genesee county, where Flint now stands, there being only four families at that time. There were plenty of Indians in that vicinity. He remained in Flint 10 years and cleared up a farm. In 1846 he came to Jackson, and was agent at the State's prison for one year; there were at that time 120 convicts. In two years he was appointed Keeper, which position he held for 13 years. In 1847 he was one of three commissioners who were appointed to es - tablish the grounds at Lansing for the State capital.

Horace Field, retired, was born in Le Roy, Genesee Co., N. Y. In 1833, when three years old, his parents emigrated to this county. His father, Thomas Field, was a native of Massachusetts, born March 18, 1785, and a carpenter by trade, which he followed a number of years after coming to this county. He purchased some wild land and made a farm where his two sons, William and Horace, were employed in the summer, attending school in the winter. At that time there were no modern school-houses; they consisted of log cabins of the plainest kind. He died March 18, 1872, at the age of 89 years. Mr. Field's mother, Charity McCain, a native of New York, was born July 11, 1798, and died July 4, 1877, at the age of 79 years; when they came to Jackson the country was a vast wilderness; came by team, and from Detroit had to follow Indian trails, of which the country was full; there were also plenty of

wolves, deer and bear. Mr. Field came to this county in limited circumstances, with a large family, and it was the time that tried men's souls; many were the times when he went to bed hungry; and several winters had been without shoes. The subject of this sketch married for his first wife Martha L. Barnes, a dangliter of Thomas Barnes, who was born Feb. 3, 1833, and died March 22, 1876; for his second wife he married Louisa L. Chamberlain, daughter of Philetus Chamberlain, of Wayne county, N. Y., Aug. 9, 1842.

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George W. Fifield, retired farmer, was born in Sudbury, Vt., Sept. 7, 1810, where he was reared on a farm. He was a son of Enoch and Abigail (Stevens) Fifield, father a native of Sud- bury, N. H., and mother of Sudbury, Mass. In 1830 his father came to this State, and being well pleased with the country, returned to his home and disposed of a portion of his property and returned the same year with 5 of his sons; he started for Jackson county in company with Edward Morrill, Benjamin Wilson and John Stevens; they came by canal to Buffalo, by steamboat to Detroit, on foot to Jackson; looked land a few days and finally located in Jacksonburgh, now Blackman tp. His father, in company with Mr. E. Morrill, took up 1,800 acres of wild land; after purchasing the land he was to build a double log shanty, 18x48. The first night in Jackson he slept in a cabin that had not a sawed piece of lumber in it. The first winter there was only one family north of the city, a man by the name of Peasc. In 1833 his mother and the balance of the family came on. his father returning for them. Mr. Fifield was at Kalamazoo, Mich., when there was not a house in the place. He married Miss Lucina Lincoln, daughter of Abitha and Lois (Castle) Lincoln, natives of Vermont, who was born in High Gate, Franklin Co., Vt., Sept. 30, 1818. There were 5 children, all of whom are living-2 sons and 3 daughters. They are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church.

Myron W. Fish, manufacturer of sawgnards and real-estate dealer. was born in Wayne county, N. Y., Nov. 25, 1829, where he received a common-school education. In 1851 he married Miss Clarissa A. Palmer, a daughter of Reuben Palmer, who was born July 15, 1830. Mr. F. came to the county a very poor inan, cut cord-wood for 31 cents per cord, and thought he was making money at that. In 1859 he started for Pike's Peak, and went as far as the Big Blue, when he met friends who advised him to return, which he did very reluctantly. After coming back he engaged in making milk safes, in which business he remained about three years. In the fall of 1860 he bought a tract of land of Judge Chapman, pay - ing $75 per acre; he afterwards purchased a large tract of land in Osceola county. Mr. Fish has held the office of Alderman for four years, also Supervisor of fifth and sixth wards, and other local offices of trust. He is a sharp business man, came to the county with nothing, and by his good judgment and economy has accumu- lated a fine property.

Homer D. Fisher, ice dealer, was born in this city Nov. 5, 1839. His parents, Delos and Phœbe (Hobart) Fisher, werc natives of Yates county, N. Y., and emigrated to Michigan in 1836, locating in the vicinity of Jackson, where his father took up land and made a farm. He remained on the farm a short time when he came to this city, and was engaged in the State's prison as foreman, and afterward as contractor in the same. He died in this city in 1877, at the age of 63. His mother is still living. When the subject of this sketch was 16 years old he commenced clerking, and followed

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that business 16 years with the exception of a short time when he was engaged in the drug business, at Niles, Mich. In 1863 he married Miss Mary Babcock, daughter of George S. and Elizabeth (Winneger) Babcock, who were natives of New York State, and emigrated to Berrien county in an early day; she was born in Liv- ingston county, N. Y., Nov. 13. 1836. There were 2 children, 1 of whom is living-Isabel, born Oct. 17, 1864, and died Sept. 2, 1878; Isabell, born April 17, 1875. Mr. Fisher has been identified with the business of the city for a number of years, and is Alderman of the fifth ward; few have done more to advance the general interest of the city.

Mrs. Phoebe. L. Fisher, widow of Delos Fisher (deceased) and proprietor of Fisher's bakery and confectionery, was born in Yates county, NEY., in June, 1818. Israel Hobart, her father, was a native of Massachusetts, and married Mary Card, of Long Island. They came with their family to the State of Michigan in the fall ot 1837 and located on a farm about six miles north of Jackson, where Mr. Hobart died three years later. Miss Hobart married Delos Fisher in the fall of 1836, before coming West. Mr. Fisher was born in the eastern part of New York, in August, 1812. After coming to Jackson county, he carried on farming and worked at his trade, cooper, some eight years; came to Jackson in the spring of 1845 and was superintendent of the cooper shop in the State's prison several years; then started a shop and conducted the business a number of years, employing 30 to 40 men; sold out because of failing health; was employed as Keeper in the prison some years; and in 1873 exchanged other property for the bakery and confectionery at 103 West Main street. His eldest son took the management and the business ran in Mr. F.'s name until his death, in the fall of 1875; since, it has been con- ducted in her name. J. N. Branch, her son-in-law, now has the management, and is doing a large and prosperous business. Two of Mrs. Fisher's 3 sons are connected with it; the other is in the ice business in Jackson. Mr. Fisher was City Marshal a num- ber of years, was also a member of the City Council, and one term Mayor of the city. Mrs F. resides at 541 North Mechanic street.

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History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 64

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