History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 69

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

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

experience. place him in the front rank as an instructor. Mr. Lawton married Miss Augusta A. King, of Taunton, Mass., a descendant of Puritan stock, which union has resulted in 3 chil- dren, Frances A., a graduate of the Jackson high school; Jennie A., now in the senior class, and George K., seven years old. The family are members of the St. Paul's Episcopal Church, of which the Professor is a Vestryman.

Chas. H. Lewis, M. D., was born in Concord, Jackson Co., Mich., in November, 1840. His father, Dr. Edward Lewis, was born in Washington county, N. Y., of English parentage. He graduated from Castleton (Vt.) Medical College in 1825. He married Caro- line Davy, of Fairhaven, Rutland Co., Vt., and they were the parents of 8 children-5 sons and 3 daughters-4 of whom are living. Charles is the youngest. Dr. Lewis settled in Concord in 1836, removing thence to Jackson in 1843, where he continued the practice of his profession until his death, Jan. 1, 1867. His resi- dence was on the corner of Jackson and Courtland streets, the present site of the First Baptist church. His practice covered a period of 43 years, 24 in the city of Jackson. Dr. Chas. Lewis fitted for college in Jackson and went to Burlington (Vt.) Univer- sity in the fall of 1858, remaining during the freshman and sopho- more years. He then entered the junior class of Michigan University, at Ann Arbor in 1860, and took the degree of A. B. in the class of 1862. The next college year he spent in the chemical laboratory of the University, read medicine with his father, and took three courses of lectures in the University of Michigan, beginning in the fall of 1863. In the spring of 1866 he took the degree of M. D. The last two years of his course he was in the chemical laboratory as Instructor and Demonstrator of Chemistry; the first year he spent as Assistant Demonstrator of Anatomy. Immediately after taking his degree he entered upon practice in company with his father and has since continued in active work. During the summer and fall of 1870 he practiced in Chicago; the following winter in Union City, where he remained until the summer of 1873, when he returned to Jackson, where he has a large and grow- ing practice. He is a member of the Michigan State Medical Society and American Medical Association. In the fall of 1866 he was married to Mary Barry of Ann Arbor. They are the parents of a son, Edward R., aged 13, and Sarah R., nine years old. Mrs. Lewis' father, Robert J. Barry, was Clerk of Washtenaw county several terms, and was Provost Marshal of this Congressional dis- trict during the war.

Richmond A. F. Livermore, attorney, is the son of Dr. John S. Livermore, of Oneida county, N. Y. His father married Orpha Ranney, of New York, and at an early date in the history of Michigan they settled in Rochester, Oakland Co., where the Doctor practiced his profession and represented his county several years in the State Assembly while the capital was in Detroit. In 1848 he was appointed Indian agent for the whole Chippewa tribe, then

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many thousand strong and scattered over the entire Northwest. He was stationed at La Point on Lake Superior, where Richmond was born in 1848, the first white child born there. Six thousand Indians were encamped in the vicinity of the agency at the time of his birth, and the child was an object of great interest to the dusky sons of the forest, and the recipient of numerous presents in the form of relics, which he has preserved, making a fine cabinet. In 1854 the Government gave the Doctor a life lease of Fort Wilkins, at Cop- per Harbor, on Lake Superior, where he resided until his death in 1861, at the age of 60. This son was chicfly educated in Jackson, graduated in the high-school course in 1871, and entered the law office of his uncle, Fidus Livermore, as a student. He was admitted to the Bar in June, 1873, and entered into partnership with his uncle, which relation continued until the death of the latter, May 28, 1880. He is Junior Warden of Lodge No. 50, A. F. & A. M., Secretary of Chapter No. 3, R. A. M., and Warden of Commandery No. 9. He is also a member of Council No. 32, and Secretary of the Jackson County Democratic Committee. His mother now resides at Houghton, Houghton Co., Mich., aged 76. Mr. Liver- more in addition to his practice has an extensive fire insurance business, and represents a number of the prominent companies, local and foreign.

David H. Lockwood, Sheriff of Jackson county, the eldest of 6, and the only living child of Joseph B. and Ann (Hadger) Lock- wood, was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., in 1824. His father was a native of Norwalk, Conn .; mother of Dutchess county, N. Y. They moved to Jackson county, Mich., in 1836, and settled on a farm in Leoni tp., though his father worked at his trade of shoe- making. At the age of 18 David returned to New York State and spent two years and a half in school. He has chiefly followed farm- ing, and now owns the old homestead, which has been his abode until he came to the city; has also dealt considerably in live stock. He has filled the offices of Town Treasurer six years, was Constable nine years; served as Depnty Sheriff from 1856 to 1860, as Under- Sheriff from 1860 to 1864; was elected Sheriff in the latter year; and again elected in 1880, and took charge of the duties of the office Jan. 1, 1881. While Sheriff the first term he also acted as Deputy United States Marshal. In early life Mr. L. was an Abo- litionist, then a Free Soiler, and later a Republican. During the war was active in recruiting, and contributed heavily of money to fill the quota of his tp. He owns several hundred acres of land in Leoni tp., and is an active member of the County Agricultural Society. Mr. Lockwood has been twice married, first to Elizabeth Watkins, of Grass Lake, in October, 1850, who died in 1862, leav- ing 3 sons; then to Hilah Austin, of Jackson, a native of Vermont, in November, 1864. They have 3 sons and 3 daughters.

M. Loennecker, manufacturer of cigars, was born in Oldenburg, Germany, May 21, 1845; received a high-school education; in 1863, emigrated to the United States, landing in New York, where

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he followed his trade two years; went to Chicago and was there at the time of the fire. In 1871 came to Jackson, where he engaged in the cigar business, and has followed it since. Mr. Loennecker thoroughly knows his business, having followed it all his life. He employs 15 hands and does a business of $12,000 to $15,000 per year, and manufactures one-half million cigars; his revenne tax being $3,000. He married Marie Borchard. She was born in Prussia, May 25, 1845. There are 5 children by this union- Louise, Annie, Gustave, Amanda and Julius.

Wm. B. Losey, farmer, was born in Sussex county, N. J., Dec. 6, 1824. His father, Thomas Losey, was by trade a miller, and William followed that occupation until he was 21 years of age. In 1849 he married Miss Clarinda Smith, daughter of James Smith, a native of Seneca county, N. Y .; she was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., Sept. 13, 1831. Their 2 children are Elizabeth B. and James B. In 1872 they moved to Lansing, Mich., where they remained six years, then moved to Jackson, and followed board- ing-house keeping. Mrs. L. is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Nathan C. Lowe, of Hall & Lowe, insurance and real-estate agents, 117 West Main street, is one of the oldest in the insurance business in the city, having carried it on steadily 12 years. The present partnership has existed seven years; previous to which he was with Hall & Gould, and earlier with Bostwick & Gould. Mr. Lowe was Alderman from the 3d ward in 1875 and '76, and 1878 and '79, retiring in the spring of 1880; while in the council was, during the last terms, Chairman of the Ways and Means Commit- tee, and made three of the annual appropriation bills, fixing the amount of the tax levy for the city, and specifying the purposes for which the money should be used. In 1876 and '77 he was a member of the Board of Health; in the spring of 1880 was the Republican candidate for Mayor, and received over 100 votes ma- jority over the successful candidate in the four west wards. Mr. Lowe was one of the organizers of the Young Men's Christian As- sociation, and its first President; is a member and Clerk of the Congregational Church, and a Master Mason.

Mr. Lowe was born in Lenawee county, Mich., in 1837, is the son of Wm. C. and Lydia ( Cook) Lowe, from Elmira, N. Y., who were pioneers in Lenawee. They had 7 children, Mr. L. being the youngest, and live on the farm where they settled 40 years ago; father 81 and mother 83 years old, having lived together more than 60 years. Mr. Lowe has been twice married, first to Lucy A. Cooper, in Lenawee county, Nov. 13, 1858, who died 21 years and 3 days after their marriage, leaving 4 children. He married his present wife, Mrs. E. J. Keeler, of Jackson, Oct. 26, 1880.

Judson C. Lowell, attorney at law and insurance agent, son of Nelson and Laura Lowell, nee Ewell, was born in Macomb county, Mich., Aug. 7, 1834. Nelson Lowell, his father, was a native of Newburg, Mass., his paternal ancestor having settled there in 1639,

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from England. Judson's mother was a native of Middlebury, N. Y. His early life was that of a farmer's boy; was educated in Michigan State University, graduating in the class of 1859; re- ceived the degree of A. B. three years later; taught some during his college course; taught a year at Crystal Springs, Miss., after graduating; was Assistant Superintendent of Jackson high school from January, 1862, until June, 1863; drafted the charter for and organized the city schools of Saginaw in 1863; superintended them two years until July, 1865; that fall was chosen Superintendent of Jackson schools; filled the position two and a half years; opened an insurance and real-estate office in the spring of 1868 in Jack- son, and has been steadily in the business since. Mr. L. was granted the first State certificate issued in Michigan, on Sept. 21, 1868; read law and was admitted to practice in 1876, and to prac- tice in the U. S. Circuit Court June 12, 1879. He left the Uni- versity with letters of high commendation from President and faculty, and holds flattering letters of endorsement, both as to gentlemanly qualities and efficiency as an instructor, from the lead- ing educators of Michigan; was elected Alderman on the People's ticket in 1874; served two years; was Chairman of Finance Com- mittee. Mr. Lowell is a member of a number of secret orders, -- the A. F. & A. M. lodge, chapter and commandery, and has taken the 32 Scottish Rite degrees; member of K. R. C .; of K. of H., and Constantine; also of the order "Sigma Phi," a literary or- ganization confined solely to students of colleges and universities, and to 20 members of any one institution at one time. Mr. L. organized the " Sigma Phi" chapter in Michigan State University in 1858, of which he is now a member. He married Mary J. Kellogg, of White Pigeon, July 7, 1863. They have two sons-George C., 13, and Erwin D., eight years of age.

Luther H. Ludlow, Treasurer of Jackson county, was born in the village of Ludlowville, town of Lansing, Tompkins Co., N. Y., July 10, 1814. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Ludlow, af- ter whom the village took its name, settled there in 1793. John and Rebecca (Townley) Ludlow were the parents of Luther. The first 18 years of his lite were spent in his native town, at which time he began learning the saddle and harness trade; pursued it in Erie county, N. Y., from 1835 to 1838. On Dec. 6, of the latter year he married Harriet D. Joy, of Erie county; came to Michigan the following spring and settled on a farm in Springport tp., Jackson Co. In the winter of 1839-'40 Mr. Ludlow tanght one of the first schools in that part of the county. He was chosen Justice of the Peace about 1848 for four years, and was re-elected three successive terms following. In 1854 he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors, and represented his township seven suc- cessive terms till 1860. In 1861 he was elected Register of Deeds for two years; was chosen County Treasurer for 1869 and 1870; and to the office of County Clerk for 1873 and 1874. Mr. Ludlow rep- resented the third district of Jackson county in the State Legis-

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lature in the session of 1877-'78. He was elected to his present position in November, 1880, and entered upon the duties of the office Jan. 1, 1881. Mr. Ludlow conducted his farm until 1861, when he removed to Jackson; was engaged in the lumber trade from 1865 to 1869 in Parma, that place being his home when not discharging official duties in Jackson. In early years Mr. Lud- low voted the Whig ticket, and has been Republican since the party was organized. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Parma Lodge 183, Jackson Chapter 3, and Jackson Commandery 9. Mr. and Mrs. Ludlow are the parents of 2 sons, both deceased.

Thomas E. Lusk, Chief of the Jackson Fire Department, was born in Orange county, N. Y., in 1827, and is the son of Warren and Elizabeth Lusk, natives of that State. Thomas was the youngest of 7 children, and spent the first 14 years of his life on his father's farm. He then went to Lyons, N. Y., and worked five years at the iron-molder's trade; thence to Seneca Falls and pur- sued his trade a number of years, and came to Jackson in 1854. He at once fitted up the shop recently destroyed by fire, -after be- ing occupied by him for over a quarter of a century, and for nu- merons purposes before, and in partnership with Henry Vandercook started the foundry business as the firm of Vandercook & Lusk. In 1864 the firm changed to Vandercook Brothers & Lusk, the sons succeeding the senior Vandercook. Two years later Mr. Lusk sold his interest to his partners, remaining in their employ as foreman. After another two years the concern passed into the hands of Messrs. Lusk, Losey and Whitmore, known as Lusk & Co. In 1874 George Holton purchased Mr. Whitmore's interest and is now a partner. In 1876 A. J. Weatherwax bought Mr. Losey's interest, which he still retains, leaving the firm still Lusk & Co. A special feature of their manufacture has been corset stays, chiefly consumed by the Bortree Manufacturing Co.

Mr. Lusk became a member of the Jackson volunteer fire de- partment about 1855, when only hand engines were in use, and save the few first years of the paid department, has been a member since. In 1867 he was appointed chief, which he has filled until now, except two years. He married Safrona Androus in New York State, by whom he has a family of 2 sons and 1 daughter. Mr. Ludlow is member of the order of A. F. & A. M.

Octavius C. Lyon, M. D., practitioner and druggist, was born in Ontario county, N. Y., in March, 1842. He is the son of Simeon C. and Julia P. (Holcomb) Lyon. His father was a native of Ver- mont, his mother of Connecticut. The Doctor was reared in the Empire State and educated at Naples and Canandaigua Academies, and at the medical department of Michigan State University. He enlisted Aug. 7, 1862, in Co. D, 126th N. Y. Inf., as a private; was in the Army of the Potomac, taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry in September, 1862, paroled and sent North; was wounded at Gettys- burg, July 4, 1863, by a gunshot in the right shoulder; was trans- ferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps in January following, served

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there as Sergeant till the close of the war, and received his dis- charge Aug. 14, 1865. He came West in the spring of 1866, pros- pected in Kansas, and in June of the same year returned to Michi- gan and entered upon the study of medicine with Dr. G. B. Nichols, of Martin, Allegan county; taught school the following winter, at the same time pursuing his reading. In the winter of 1867-'S he attended lectures in Ann Arbor, and spent the following summer in the Detroit hospitals. In 1868-'9 he attended another course of lectures at Ann Arbor, receiving his degree in the spring of '69. He entered into partnership with Dr. Jabez Perkins, of Owosso. He married Ida C., daughter of Dr. C. P. Parkill, of Owosso. He continued in this partnership three years, when it was dissolved and he pursued his practice a year after, when he went to Grand Rapids. In June, 1875, he formed a partnership in the drug trade with J. H. Wiley, practicing at the same time. In June the next year he went to Union City, Branch county, where he practiced a year, going thence to Tekonsha, Calhoun county, where he purchased a drug store. Two years after he moved his stock to Jackson, where he continues to operate as druggist and physician. He is a member of Michigan State Medical Society, and belonge d to the Medical Association of Calhoun county. Politically, has always been a Democrat. He has 1 son, Winthrop Parkill Lyon.

John T. Main, physician and surgeon, was born in Albion, Maine, May 25, 1831. His father, Josiah Main, was a professional teacher most of his life, and under his instruction his son was chiefly edu- cated; graduated from China Academy, Maine. A few years after, he became its Principal, and continued in that position there and of Freedom Academy several years. At the age of 23 he was chosen a member of the State Legislature, and was several times re-elected to that body. He read medicine in Waterville, Maine; became a student in the medical department of Harvard University, from which he graduated in 1857. The Doctor began practice in China, Me., subsequently moved to Unity, Me., remaining until he came to Jackson in July, 1872. In 1859 Doctor Main married Miss Fer- oline M. Williams, of Thomaston, Me. Fred W. Main is their only child. Doctor Main entered the army as Surgeon of the 2d Reg. Maine Vol. Inf. just before the battle of Fredricksburg, but failing health compelled him to resign a few months later. The Doctor is a member of the Maine State Medical Society, the State Medical Association of Michigan, and of the American Microscopical Asso- ciation. Is Republican in politics.

David Markham, farmer, Jackson, Mich., was born in Avon, Ontario Co., N. Y., June 1, 1804; was reared on a farm and received a common-school education; remained with his parents until he was 23 years old. In 1826 he married Miss Clarissa Noble, of Vermont; she was born in 1807, and died March 12, 1847, leaving 8 children-William D., Marcus, Levant, Frank, Milo, Norman, Ransom and Ada; Luther is deceased. Mr. M. afterward married Miss Anna A. Birch, who was born in Seneca county, N. Y., in

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1818; there were by this marriage 9 children-Darwin F., Charles C., Wayne, Clarence E., Emma (dead), Ellen, Ida and Gertie, (one died in infancy), making 18 children, 15 of whom are living. In 1832 Mr. Markham came to Jackson to see the country. His father, who was with him, was not favorably impressed, and returned to New Tork. In 1836 Mr. M. moved to Jackson, and located on sec. 21, where he built a house and commenced to make a farm, -at that time there was but one frame building in Jackson. For their milling they went to Dexter and Adrian. They came with an ox team as did several others, and were 15 days in making the trip. In an early day he was a leading man in the county, taking a lively interest in all the affairs of the county pertaining to its elevation. He has held the office of Supervisor, and several local offices of trust; has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for over 50 years.

Charles B. McAlvey, proprietor of the Bolinger Manufacturing Works, was born in Washtenaw county, Mich., in 1850. He was edu- cated in the schools of Ann Arbor, completing the high school course, and at 15 years of age entered the employ of the National Bank, of that place, as collector for a time, then went to Northern Michigan, and, being of a mechanical turn. engaged in machine work, and later, ran an engine two years in a mill in Huron county; return- ing to Ann Arbor, he sank the artesian well in the eity. In March, 1872, Mr. MeAlvey entered the employ of Tyson, Robinson & Co., Manistee, Mich., as engineer for their lumber manufactory, turning out 130,000 feet per day. Two years later he eame to Jackson, and assisted in putting the machinery into the Pulp Works, and was the engineer for the company until February, 1880. In May following he, in company with John D. Vance, bought the Bolinger manufactory. They make a specialty of models, patterns, and general light machinery. In October, 1847, Mr. MeAAlvey married Emma H. Jefferson, of Jackson county. They have had 2 sons and a daughter. Mr. MeA. is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Lodge 17, and of the Knights of Honor, Lodge 999.

Oscar II. McConnell, of the firm of McConnell & Smalley, hardware merchants, was born in Jackson (burgh) in 1833, and probably is the oldest living native of the eity. His father, John McConnell, was from Niagara county, N. Y., where he married Celicia Turner, and came to Jackson county in 1830, when Jacksonburgh contained but one log house, and settled just outside of the corporate limits, where his parents died, after a residence of more than 40 years. They had 6 children, and the 5 living are all, save 1, citizens of this county. Mr. McC. enjoyed sueh school privileges as those pioneer times afforded; left the farm at the age of 20, and began elerking in the hardware store of Bennett & Riee, in Jackson; at the end of four years became a member of the firm of Rice & McConnell, in the same line of trade, continuing over 16 years, when Mr. Rice sold out to his brother. The new firm closed out business three years after, in Deceniber, 1877. In

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August, 1880, he formed a partnership with W. J. Smalley, which still exists. They handle a general line of hardware and stores of the most approved patterns. Mr. McConnell is the oldest hardware man in the city. He has been twice married, first in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1864, to Eleanor Tindall, who died little more than a year after, leaving a daughter, Ella. In 1868 Mr. McC . married Harriet L. Burdick, in Kalamazoo, by whom he has 2 daughters and a son. He has been prominently identified with the First Baptist Church for a third of a century; is Past Master of the Jackson Masonic Lodge. No. 50; is Past High Priest of the chapter; and was first Junior Warden of the Jackson Commandery.

Hon. Melville Mc Gee, attorney at law, 117 West Main street, is one of the earliest settlers now living in Jackson county, having come with his parents, who settled in what is now the town of Concord, in June, 1832. His father, Thomas McGee, was a native of Colerain, Mass., and married Polly Stow, of Granville, N. Y. Their family consisted of 7 sons and 3 daughters, Mr. McGee being the eighth child and sixth son. He was born Jan. 24, 1828, in Bolton, Warren Co., N. Y. Their first residence in Concord was a rude log cabin: when first occupied had neither windows nor doors. When the question arose of naming the town, Thomas McGee suggested Concord, which was adopted. His son, Frederick, was the first child born in the town, Feb. 21, 1835, and his daughter, Sarah J. McGee, was the first to marry in the western tier of towns in Jackson county, which took place in 1833. Melville McGee's school opportunities were limited to the district school, and one term in Spring Arbor College. After attaining his majority, in the spring of 1851, he commenced studying law in the office of Hon. Austin Blair, of Jackson; was admitted to the Bar in the fall of 1853; practiced a year in Detroit as a partner with W. K. Gibson, at the close of which he returned to Jackson and served as Deputy County Clerk nearly three years; practiced law in company with G. T. Gridley a year or two; in the fall of 1864 was elected Judge of Probate, and twice re-elected, serving 12 years in all. Mr. McGee was the first to hold the office the second term in the county. Since retiring from the office of Judge, has continued the law practice. In politics he has ever been a staunch Republican since the birth of the party. Mr. McGee married in Jackson, in November, 1855, to Charlotte King, born in New York State. They have a family of 6 sons, all alive. Charles, the eldest, was run over by the cars, causing the loss of a leg, when eight years of age. He graduated from Michigan State University in the class of 1880. Mrs. McGee is the inventor and patentee of an improved corset, bearing her name, and is a joint proprietor in the Cornet Corset Co., engaged in its manufacture. Its claims for superiority are easily demonstrated, and it promises to work a reform for women's comfort. Mr. McGee's father was many years Justice of the Peace in Concord, and served the county as Probate Judge from 1857 to 1860, inclusive. He died July 6, 1869, aged 79 years and 6 months.

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James L. and Alexander T. McGregor, McGregor Brothers, boiler manufacturers, 156 and 158 Mill street, are successors to their father, Moses McGregor, who established the factory in Jackson in 1867, and conducted it in his name until January, 1880, when he turned it over to his sons. They mannfacture and repair all kinds of boilers and sheet-iron work; employ from six to ten men, and do a business of $5,000 to $6,000 a year. Moses McGregor is a native of Scotland; married Jennie Crawford in Glasgow; came to Amer- ica more than 32 years ago; settled in Camden, N. J., for a time, where James L. was born in 1851; removed to Detroit, Mich .; here Alexander T. was born in 1854. After about 12 years' residence in that city they came to Jackson, and here the sons both learned the trade of boiler-making. Mr. and Mrs. McGregor are the parents of 3 sons and 2 daughters. Mr. McG. is a member of both the Masonic and Odd Fellow orders.

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History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 69

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