History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 71

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

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present business. In March, 1880, the present partnership was formed. The firm did a business last year of over $20,000. Mr. Myers was married Oct. 30, 1859, to Angeline Every, of Colum- bia, whose parents came to this county when she was a few months old. Her father still lives in Columbia, aged 78 years. Mr. Myers' mother died in the fall of 1860, on the day of Lincoln's first election. His father died in December, 1872. IIis grandfather, Stephen Myers, died in this county in the winter of 1879, aged over 93. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have 1 daughter, Mand, 15 years of age.

Ansel Noble, engineer M. C. R. R., was born in the town of Strongville, Ohio, Oct. 11, 1843. His parents emigrated to Orleans county, N. Y., when he was a small boy, remained there until he was nine years old and then moved to Charlotte, Eaton Co., Mich. In 1861 enlisted in the 6th Mich. Regt. Vol., Co. H. After enlisting, he was sent to Baltimore, where they did guard duty; thence to Ship Island, and from thence to New Orleans; was there at the time the city was taken; went to Baton Rouge, thence to Vicksburg, and back to Baton Rouge, where he re- mained a vear and a half, when he was discharged and returned home; afterward enlisted in the 13th Cav. and remained in the service until the close of the war. He married Miss Elizabeth Pangburn, who was born in Rochester, New York, Dec. 11, 1855. There is 1 child, Mertie, born Sept. 21, 1872.

Herman Nordman, proprietor of saloon, 210 E. Main street, was born in Mulhausen, Deeringen, Germany, Oct. 11, 1842; came to the United States in 1872 and landed in New York, where he remained a short time; then came to Jackson and worked for the M. C. R. R. Co. as stone-mason one and one-

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half years; then commenced his present business, which he has continued ever since. He married Susanna Duel, a native of Ger- many, who was born April 9, 1841. They have had 4 children, 3 of whom are still living. Mr. N. is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, Lincoln No. 4, I. O. R. F., also W. R. Association.

Mrs. Ada Budington North, Jackson, Mich., daughter of Walter and Elvira Ford Budington; father a native of Connecticut, and mother of New York, who emigrated to Jackson county in the spring of 1835. In 1837 married Miss Elvira Ford, daughter of William Ford. In 1837 Mr. Budington embarked in the grocery business on the corner of Main and Milwaukee streets, where he built a house. Mrs. North remembers of hearing her parents tell about living in the house with only a blanket hung up for a door. Mr. B. had several offices of trust, being elected as Recorder, County and City Treasurer, etc.

Socially, Mr. Budington was one of the most genial of men. The distinguishing characteristics of his nature were strength of purpose, independence of thought and action, and love of right and truth. He took an active interest in all enterprises, promotion of public good, or in the diffusion of knowledge. He was loved and respected by all who knew him.

The subject of this sketch was born in the city of Jackson, on the corner of Main and Milwaukee streets, in a little log cabin without any windows or doors-only a blanket, as mentioned before -where she has spent the most of her life. At the age of 23 married Dr. J. D. North. She went with her husband to Laings- burg, but remained only a short time, and afterward went to Grand Haven and remained five years, when his health failed him, and he returned to Jackson and has remained since. There were 2 children-Walter Budington, North and Lizzie J.

Jno. D. North, M. D., son of Lewis and Eliza North, nee Fer- bush, was born in Ulster county, N. Y., in 1834; when three years of age came with parents to Oakland county, and in 1848 removed to Lodi Plains, Washtenaw. The Doctor was educated at Lodi Academy and at Michigan State University, graduating from the medical department March 26, 1859; at once began practice at Laingsburg, Shiawassee Co .; moved to Grand IIaven, Ottawa Co., in 1862; was compelled to abandon active labor in October, 1865, from ill health, and a month later removed to Jackson, expecting to die. In June, 1867, he was so far recovered as to be able to resume the duties of his profession. In 1868 the doctor was ap- pointed Surgeon of the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw railroad, and when that road became the property of the M. C. R. R., he was made Assistant Surgeon of the Michigan Central, holding the posi- tion until 1877; since which he has been the Division Surgeon for the Company. Dr. North has been surgeon for the German Relief Association five years, for the Young Men's Catholic Association two years, and four years for the Order of Foresters, besides a very extensive general practice. He now owns and conducts the

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

drug store at 126 Main street, Hurd House Block. The doctor married Mrs. Nettie L. (Davis) Lombard in 1875. She was for- merly the wife of Col. G. W. Lombard, of the Fourth Michigan Infantry, who was killed by a shot through the head the same hour that his commission of Brigadier-General was issued.

Dr. North has made a number of eritieal and several capital sur- gical operations, besides those in his railroad practice, all of which have demonstrated the skill of the operator by a complete recovery of the patients. He has a very extensive and lucrative practice in the city. The Doetor's portrait appears in another portion of the work on page 347.

E. L. Northup, engineer, Jackson, Mich., was born in Auburn, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Sept. 18, 1829; was reared on a farm and re- ceived a common-school education. When 16 years of age he served the trade of blacksmithing and followed it four years in his native place, then went to Detroit, Mich., in the fall of 1851, where he followed his trade two years; then engaged on the M. C. R. R. as fireman, and three years later, was promoted to an engineer, and has followed that since. At the time of going on the road, Michi- gan City was the terminus of the road. During the war he was employed by the Government, and ran between Nashville and Chattanooga; is at present running on the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw road, on the passenger train. In all his years on the road he has never injured a passenger. He married Miss Emma Moorehouse for his first wife; she died in 1857. leaving 1 son- Freddie L. For his second wife he married Ellen L. Johnson, a native of New York State. They have 3 children, 2 of whom are living-Frank M. and Lillie I.

Hon. James O' Donnell, editor and proprietor of the Jackson Daily and Weekly Citizen, the leading newspaper in the interior of the State, was born in Norwalk, Conn., March 25, 1840. Prob- ably no sketch will better exemplify the opportunities afforded the youth of this highly favored State to rise in the scale of social position and usefulness than the following. These advantages are of no avail, however, unless to ability is added strict integrity, which lifts above all sordid desires, and determination to advance in whatever position one is placed. The subject of this sketch has by these qualities, with persevering industry and a courteous, genial bearing, made many friends and gained a place among the leading men of the State. The trust reposed in him by his fellow citizens and the universal esteem in which he is held, indicate a still brighter career in the future. He was brought up by frugal and industrious parents, and although he did not enjoy the advan- tages of wealth, he early evineed a ready wit and self-reliance in action and thought, that have sinee been in a great measure the secret of his success. In 1848 he settled in Jackson, then an un- pretending village. In early life he was thrown upon his own resources. For a time he was employed as clerk in the store of W. Jackson. In 1858 he was apprentieed to learn the printer's trade in the establishment of which he is now the head, and thus

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entered the "poor man's college" as the printing has been so aptly termed. He worked at his trade until 1856, when he made a tour through several of the Western States, returning to Jackson in 1860. Upon the breaking out of the war, he joined the Union army, being among the first to volunteer. On returning home he again entered the Citizen office, this time as assistant editor. He was elected City Recorder by the Republican party, and held that office for four successive years, being the first incumbent of that place ever re-elected. In 1864, after having served in all the capacities of printer's "devil," carrier, compositor, foreman and editor, he purchased the Citizen, then only a weekly paper. One year after, in company with Mr. D. W. Ray, he established the Daily Citizen. Mr. Ray died one year after, leaving Mr. O'Donnell sole proprietor. Since then he has edited and pub- lished the journal to the satisfaction of the Republican party, and the public generally. He is rarely absent from his post, and has been one of the most hard-working, conscientious, and at the same time liberal journalists in the State. In 1875 he erected the hand- some and convenient " Citizen building" on Mechanic street. In 1868 he was the nominee of the Republican party for member of the State Legislature, from the Third Representative District, then comprising the city of Jackson, and the townships of Summit, Spring Arbor and Blackman. In this district, well-known to be largely Democratic, he was defeated by a small majority. In 1872 he was nominated by the Republican State Convention for Presi- dential Elector, and being elected by about 60,000 majority, was chosen Secretary of the State Electoral College, and went to Washington. He represented his State in the National Elect- oral College, and cast its vote for Grant and Wilson at the National capital. In 1873 was the Republican nominee for Mayor of the city of Jackson, and though he led his ticket over 800 votes, was defeated by an inconsiderable majority. In 1876 he was again nominated for the chief city office and against an increased Democratic vote was elected by a handsome majority, running over 600 votes in advance of his ticket. In 1876 he was a candidate for Congress in the Third Michigan District and lacked four votes of success in the convention, some 20 ballots having been taken. He accepted the result gracefully and stumped the district for his successful competitor and the others on the Repub- lican ticket. His meetings were largely attended and his efforts effective. In the spring of 1877 he was re-elected Mayor by a still larger majority. His administration was marked by thoroughness, good government, and rigid economy. He was nominated by the People's Convention, representing the two old political parties, for a third term, but the Greenback party carried the election. He left the position with the city treasury in an admirable condition.

The testimony of Mr. O'Donnell's personal acquaintances and the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow-citizens are sufficient guarantees that he is deserving of the highest and noblest trusts.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

In July, 1879, Mr. O'Donnell was married to Miss S. E. George, of Jackson, and in the same year he went abroad. He visited the British Isles and the chief cities of the Continent. Returning to America in 1880, he resumed the management of his largely increasing business in which he is at present engaged.

John W. Paine, photograph artist, 118 West Main street, started in business in Jackson in August, 1868, in a small room at 149 East Main, with $3 worth of stock, and no chair or head-rest. For the first three years he made a specialty of ferreotypes. Having greatly enlarged his business he moved to 115 West Main street in 1872; removed to still more ample quarters five years later, and Dec. 24, 1880, located in his present fine rooms. Mr. Paine began the feature of large portrait work in crayon and India ink in 1877, and through the efforts of competent agents, sends pictures of this class into several States. Mr. Paine is the son of Daniel Paine and Eliza Peck, natives of New York State, and was born in Len- awee county, Mich., in 1844. He began to learn the art of pho- tography in Adrian in 1861, and after several changes of location settled in Jackson. He married Beatrice (Weaver) Jenkins, in Jackson, in May, 1879, who was born in Williams county, O. Mr. Paine is a member of the Masonic order, Adrian Lodge, No. 19.

Charles H. Palmer, of Palmer & Selover, grocers, 209 West Main street, son of Samuel H. and Cynthia (Culver) Palmer, is a native of the City of Jackson, born in 1843. They emigrated from New York State to this county in 1838, where they both died, leaving Charles an orphan at the age of 11 years. He then began to depend upon his own efforts for support; enjoyed the privileges of the common school till 15, then began learning the wagon-mak- ing trade and worked at it a number of years; went to Rome, Georgia, where a brother was engaged in the business, intending to become a manufacturer. After being there 15 months the civil war broke ont, and he returned home. He and his brother were post suntlers in Chattanooga the last two years of the war, and were quite successful. Mr. Palmer then went into the oil region of Penn- sylvania, and in 18 months in the grocery business lost all he had; returned to Jackson in 1866 and went to work at carpentering; in 1872, in company with a Mr. Hardy, as the firm of Palmer & Hardy, embarked in his present business, Mr. H. being succeeded three months after by Richard Selover, his present partner. Mr. Palmer began with a capital of $34.50. They sold the first year nearly $25,000, and the trade has now increased to $40,000 a year. Mr. Palmer became an Odd Fellow in 1868; is Past Grand Patri- arch of the State of Michigan, is present Grand Representative of the State to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, which meets in Cincin- nati in September, 1881. He is also a member of the Masonic order, Lodge 17 and Chapter No. 3; of the A. O. U. W., and the K. of H .; is Alderman from the fourth ward; has been a member of the Baptist Church 14 years, for five years a Trustee, and an officer in

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

the Sunday-school. He married Laura A. Baum, of Jackson, in January, 1868. They have a daughter eight years of age.

David Gibbs Palmer, Justice of the Peace, is one of a family of 9 sons and 1 daughter of Samuel H. and Cynthia A. (Culver) Pal- mer, of New York State. Six of their children are now living. Mr. Palmer was born in Edenburg, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Jan. 24, 1829; came with his parents to Michigan in 1835; lived two years in Detroit, then removed to five miles west of Ann Arbor, and kept a tavern on the old Territorial road; remained in that vicinity until March, 1841; removed thence to Jackson; kept the Bascom House one year, then engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages, which trade David G. learned and worked at until 1860. His father was a member of the first Legislature that convened in Lan- sing. He and his wife died in Jackson in 1853.

Mr. Palmer was elected Justice in 1861; in January, 1863, was mustered as Quatermaster of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, and served in that capacity till the close of the war. They were chiefly with the Army of the Potomac After returning from the service Mr. Palmer was three years in the grocery trade in Jackson; farined some years; in 1870 took the U. S. census of the city and three townships; was Chief of Police in 1876 and 1877, and in 1879 was again elected to his present office. He served as Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of Odd Fellows of the State in 1871; was chosen Representative to the Grand Lodge of the United States in 1872 and 1873. He married Eliza P. Barber, a native of New York, in Jackson, 1848. They have 2 daughters-Ella A. and Ruth A., both married.

D. R. Palmer, retired blacksmith, was born in Wayne county, N. Y., Aug. 25, 1817, where he was reared on a farm and received a common-school education. When 16 years old he went as an ap- prentice four and a half years; in 1838 came to Jackson county, where he engaged in blacksmithing, and has followed the same ever since, making 30 years. He married Miss Abigail Wilmoth, danghter of Ira and Betsey (Howe) Wilmoth, natives of New York, who was born March 21, 1823. There were 3 children, 2 of whom are living-Emory, born Nov. 25, 1853; Adelaide, born Nov. 4, 1846; Albert D., born Oct. 18, 1844, and died March 4, 1846. Mr. Palmer came to Jackson with only $30 in his pocket, but by hard work has accumulated a competency, and to-day is reaping his reward.

Frank A. Palmer, job-printer, West Main street, son of Palmer, is a native of Jackson, Mich., and was born in February, 1845. He began learning the printer's trade in the Citizen office at the age of 15 years. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Co. C, 9th Mich. Inf., being but 16, but large of his age and was taken for some years older. Dec. 7, 1863, Mr. Palmer veteranized; was promoted to 2d Lieutenant, Dec. 1, 1864,-the youngest officer in his regiment,-and in April, 1865, was commissioned 1st Lienten- ant, and given the command of Co. F, with a Captain's pay, until

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discharged Sept. 25, 1865. In July, 1862, Mr. Palmer was cap- tured by Gen. Forrest, was soon after pardoned and sent home, and did not rejoin the regiment until January, 1863. While home on a leave of absence, he was united in marriage to Sarah Rock- well, April 10, 1865. Her mother was Samantha De Land, one of the very first settlers in Jackson county. After leaving the army Mr. Palmer passed several years clerking in stores for different parties, till July, 1868, then took charge of Col. C. V. De Land's printing office at Saginaw; became a partner in November, and in June, 1874, they started the Daily Saginaw Republican, which not proving a successful financial venture, was discontinned at the end of 16 months, the weekly edition and job office being contin- ued. Later the daily was revived and published until Mr. Palmer returned to Jackson, in April, 1877. In January, 1878, he bought his present office. From June, 1878. he published a Greenback journal entitled the Legal Tender, for about 5 months, when he sold it to H. N. Mather, and it was soon after suspended, Mr. Palmer purchasing the material. His office is finely equipped with steam-power presses and a large supply of job material, the whole plant valued at $4,500. Mr. Palmer is a member of the order of Red Men, Cayuga Tribe, No. 6. He and wife have 2 sons and a daughter.

William H. Palmer, M. D., was born in the village of Jack- sonburgh, now Jackson city, in 1840. His parents were Joshua and Rebecca (Stevens) Palmer, the former a native of Wayne county, N. Y., the latter of Canadian birth. Joshua Palmer came to Jack- sonburgh in 1836, and Miss Stevens soon after. The Doctor is the eldest of 4 children, 2 of each sex, but only himself and sister remain. He was educated in the schools of Jackson, and read medicine with Dr. Gorham, a pioneer physician of the place. He attended his first course of lectures in Ann Arbor in 1859-'60, the second course in 1860-61, and in the fall of the latter year went into the army as hospital steward of the Ninth Michigan Infantry, and in 1862 was commissioned as First Assistant Surgeon of the . regiment, retaining that position until the close of his three years' service. He then commenced practice in Jackson, and has occupied his present office continuously for more than 17 years. Dr. Palmer was united in marriage with Mary Wolcott, of Jackson, in July, 1873. They have 1 daughter, aged six years. Doctor was a mem- ber of the City Council four years, and officiated as its first Presi- dent, served as Supervisor from the Seventh and Eighth wards in 1880-'81, elected on the Greenback ticket by a large majority; is serving his fourth year as a member of the city school board, dis- trict 17. He passed through all the chairs of the Great Council of Red Men for the State of Michigan several years ago; is now Great Keeper of Wampum of the Great Council and a delegate to the Great Council of the United States. Parents are both living in Jackson.

Thomas A. Paradise, engineer Jackson & Fort Wayne railroad, was born in Kamouraska, Canada, Jan. 8, 1839. When 10 years

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

old he left home and went to Quebec, where he learned the trade of shoemaking, and remained one year; in 1851 went to Aurora, Ill., where he worked at shoemaking and attended a stationary engine; in 1854 engaged on the C. B. & Q. R. R. as fire- man, and in 1856 was promoted to engineer, and has been in that capacity over 25 years; has never injured a passenger nor even pinched a brakeman's fingers. In 1864 he was em- ploved on the M. C. R. R., and remained on the same until 1873, when he made his present engagement. Mr. P. enlisted in the Eighty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Co. E; participated in the battle of Perryville; shortly after the battle, while out for- aging, he lifted a wagon out of a ditch and injured himself; was sent back to Nashville, where he was pronounced unfit for field service, and was transferred to the V. R. C .; served until the close of the war-nearly three years. Mr. Paradise married Miss Hen- rietta Sunley, daughter of Robert Sunley, a native of England. She was born in Canada July S. 1849. By this union there were 4 children, 3 of whom are living-Ellen C., Cora M. and Beatrice. Mr. P. is a member of Sides' Lodge, I. O. O. F .. No. 150, Detroit.

William H. Parker & Silas Hoyt, flour, feed and commission merchants, Mill street, do a business, chiefly local and retail, of $100 per day. The house was established by Mr. Parker, in the Keystone Block, five years ago, since which time he has had sev- eral partners, the present firm being formed in October, 1879. Mr. Parker is a native of Oakland county, Mich., born in 1835. His father, Jehiel Parker, was from New York; came to Michigan in early manhood and married Hannah Daily; were the parents of 7 children. Mr. Parker spent the first 25 years of his life on the homestead farm; was chiefly educated in Ypsilanti; spent 12 years in railroad business, 10 in constructing, and two in running a train as conductor. Upon the inauguration of the civil war, he went into the army in April, 1861, in the 1st Mich. Infantry, three months' men. then in the 9th Mich. Infantry, as Sergeant; served 18 months, and was discharged from disability. Having improved in health, in 1863 he took charge of a construction corps of 100 men, and served until the war closed; then spent a year in New- bern, N. C., and a year in Ypsilanti; then located in Jackson. He married Ellen Crittenden, of Ypsilanti, in 1866, and had 2 children, 1 son living.

Mr. Hoyt was born in Orleans county, New York, in 1830; came with his parents to Jackson county in 1837, and settled in Henri- etta tp. ; his father was one of six who organized Bunkerhill tp., and his brother, William Hoyt, was the first white male child born in that town. Young Hoyt worked for a time in a woolen factory, in Jackson and in Battle Creek; was 14 years in the em- ploy of the M. C. R. R. Co., in various capacities, from a tree planter to conductor, when he left to engage in his present busi- ness. He married Harriet Emmons, of Jackson county, in Octo- ber. 1854; is a member of A. F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

James A. Parkinson, of Gibson & Parkinson, attorneys at law, Bennett Block, West Main street, was born in the town of Concord, Jackson Co., Mich., Sept. 26, 1846. William F. Parkinson came to this county in 1839, and in 1845 was united in marriage with Celinda Gibbs. They were both natives of New York, and were the parents of 3 sons, of whom James is the eldest. He was edu- cated in Albion College, graduating in the class of 1869; was Principal of the Albion Union school one year; began the study of law in the office of W. K. Gibson and Wolcott in the fall of 1870, and was admitted to practice in February, 1872; located in Elk Rapids, Mich. ; in the fall of 1874 was elected Judge of Pro- bate of Antrim county, and held the office until he removed to Jackson in June, 1875. At the fall election of 1876 Mr. Parkin- son was chosen Prosecuting Attorney of Jackson county, and upon retiring from the office, Jan. 1, 1879, he immediately formed a law partnership with W. K. Gibson, which still continues, with the addition of Byron S. Ashley to the firm, Jan. 1, 1881. The firm has probably the heaviest law practice in Central Michigan. Mr. Parkinson is a member of A. F. & A. M., and of K. of P., and is Chancelor Commander of the latter. He is serving a sec- ond term as Trustee of Albion College. As a lawyer Mr. Parkin- son has few equals of his age in Michigan.

Robert Patterson, physician and surgeon, 503 S. Mechanic street, Jackson, was born in Adrian, Mich., Dec. 18, 1:37; was the son of the Hon. Joseph H. and Lncynthia (Phillips) Patterson; father a native of Ireland, where he was born in 1501; when 18 years old he came to America and located in Lockport, N. Y. In 182> he came to Adrian, Mich., where he purchased a farm and engaged in farming.

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History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 71

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