USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > History of Lapeer County, Michigan : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 20
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with the State of Ohio. He received an academic education at the Asbury Seminary and the Champion Library School, and a thor- ough commercial training at the celebrated college of Bryant, Lusk & Stratton, at Cleveland, Ohio, graduating therefrom in 1854, and afterward assisting as instructor in the preparatory department.
He early developed a passion for the study of vocal music, and at the age of sixteen was the conductor of the Musical Society at Chagrin Falls. The teaching of this delightful branch of learning has been, with him, ever since, a labor of love, and he was, for many years, the leader of the Lapeer Philharmonic Society. His time was ever given for this purpose generously, and his services gratuitously, and many recall with feelings of gratitude the assist- ance thus freely rendered them in their early efforts in the tuneful art.
Mr. Vincent settled in Lapeer in 1855, succeeding his brother, Dr. W. Vincent, in the drug business, which he still continues. He is the oldest druggist and merchant in the county, and has sold goods from one building for twenty-eight years. He has also been largely engaged in the manufacture of lumber and shingles, and to a limited extent in farming.
He was the first Republican postmaster of Lapeer, receiving his commission from President Lincoln in 1861. He was con- tinued in this office until April, 1883, being at the time of his re- tirement the oldest presidential postmaster in the State. He was appointed the agent of the American Express Company upon their establishment of an office in Lapeer, and still holds that position. He is an active member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and engages heartily in whatever is conducive to its welfare.
He has been twice married, and is the father of seven children, one of which, the issue of the first marriage, and three of the second, are living.
Public spirited and generous, taking a lively interest in what- ever concerns the welfare of his city or State, an active worker in politics, his aggressive temperament is so toned by a genial and persistent good nature that there are few men who have a larger list of personal friends, or upon whom the battles of nearly fifty years have left fewer scars, or in whose breasts rankle less of un- pleasant memories.
H. D. WEBSTER, photographer, is a native of Lapeer County, and was born in the township of Hadley May 13, 1852, on the old homestead which his father took up from the government. He studied his profession with F. G. Maitland, of Buffalo, N. Y. Worked for a time in Flint, then came to Lapeer City, and was in the employ of C. A. Kelly for a period of fifteen months prior to 1879, when he bought him out, and has since been doing business for himself. His location is in the Bank Block, and it can be said of him that he has adopted all of the late improvements used in the art of photography, including the instantaneous process, and that his work is not excelled even by artists in the larger cities. He was married May 16, 1877, to Miss Anna M. Fuller, of Otisville, Genesee County, formerly of Carlton Place, near Ottawa, Canada.
WILLIAM R. WILLIAMS, a native of Lawrence County, Pa., was born in 1849. Came to Michigan in 1869 and was a student at the University of Michigan. Graduated from the literary depart- ment in 1873. From 1878 to 1875 was principal of the Lapeer High School. In 1875 returned to the university and graduated from the law department in 1877. Was appointed circuit court commissioner in 1877, elected in 1878, and held the office until January 1, 1881. In the fall of 1882 was elected prosecuting at- torney. Was marriel to Miss Lucy White, a native of Lapeer, in 1879. They have two children, sons.
HENRY A. BIRDSALL was born in 1845 at Rochester, Oakland County, Mich. Was educated at the academies in Rochester and
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Lapeer. Attended one term at the law school of the Michigan University. Came to Lapeer in 1856. In 1863 he enlisted in the Eleventh Regiment, Michigan Cavalry, and saw service with it until the war closed. Held the rank of orderly sergeant when mustered out. Admitted to the bar in 1871 and has practiced law since then. Has held the following offices: In 1867 was township clerk of Mayfield and Lapeer Townships; collector of taxes in Lapeer two years; circuit court commissioner four years, 1872-'76; was elected county clerk in 1875, previous to which he had been deputy clerk for four years. Has held the office continuously since, his last re- election being in the fall of 1882. Was married in 1871 to Miss Kate E. Bentley, a native of Lapeer County. They have three children.
REV. JONATHAN ALDEN WOODRUFF, who began home missionary work in the pine woods of Lapeer County in 1859, was born in Cov- entry, Conn., April 18, 1808. His father removed to Wayne, Ash- tabula County, Ohio, when "Alden" was about ten years of age, where he helped to clear and work his father's farm, meanwhile studying winters until he was nineteen. He then entered Hamilton College, N. Y., and at twenty-two graduated with the honor of delivering the philosophical oration: At Auburn Seminary he studied theology and was licensed to preach by the Black River Association of northern New York. In 1831 he married Susanna, daughter of Rev. Jeremiah Osborn, by whom he had eight children, of whom Mrs. Marvin P. Grant Keyes, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is the sole sur- vivor. In 1845 he married Aurelia, daughter of Deacon Erastus Talcott, of Coventry, Conn., by whom he had five children, of whom Mrs. Sarah Bryce, Edward T. Woodruff and Emma A. Woodruff are living and reside in Lapeer. This most estimable lady died in the fiftieth year of her age, but is still remembered with great affec- tion by all who ever knew her. Her remains lie in Burnside with a neat marble slab to mark the place, bearing the inscription, "Her children shall rise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praiseth her."
In 1872 he married Emma Griffith, who still survives him as Mrs. J. R. Holmes, of Manchester. The first eight years of his ministry were spent in Ohio, and were divided between Warren, Madison, Kelloggsville and Wooster. In 1839 he removed to Rock Island, Ill., where he formed the First Presbyterian Church of that place. The Rock Island University was formed about that time of which he was elected chancellor. In 1845 he returned to Ohio and ministered to a church in Newton Falls two years. He was after- ward pastor of a church in Conneautville, Pa., following which he was principal of the Olean Academy, supplying the pulpit in Port- ville, N. Y., at the same time. He next ministered to a church in Conneaut, Ashtabula County, Ohio, from which place, after spending one summer with a church he had formed in Marquette, he removed his family in 1858 to Lapeer. Here he ministered one year to the First Presbyterian Church before entering upon his missionary work in Burnside, during which time an extensive revival took place which doubled the membership of the church. Speaking of his missionary field he says: "We are one of the pioneer families, the first having come but three years in advance. The impediments to our progress were such that we were three days reaching our for- est home after having come within two miles. Only they who have had to cut their track through dense forests with much 'down tim- ber,' crossing swamps and small streams with a loaded wagon know what it is to pass over such roads. Our usual mode of going to meeting was this-Mrs. W. and two children on our Indian pony, myself leading him with hatchet in hand, sometimes through the untouched forest, except that I cut away the limbs and fallen trees that obstructed our way. Soon we could count a little church of fifteen members, and the following spring the way was opened to
the enlargement of my field of labor. In a settlement six miles south I was called to officiate at the funeral of an Irish Presbyterian who had been crushed by a pine log. This introduced me to a company of poor but faithful disciples to whom I ministered for eight years. At first they proposed to unite with the church here and five came seven miles on foot, were examined and propounded for admission at the next communion. One member of session was absent, who, on his return, objected to their reception, which was a terrible blow to our prosperity. Other opportunities for enlarge- ment of my field of labor presented themselves, and were embraced, in the new settlements, though the task of reaching them was oft- times herculean; but with my French pony I was equal to any emergency in traveling." Much more of his pioneer experiences could be given but the foregoing will suffice, being an ample illustra- tion of an interesting epoch in the history of the church and of the participator. Rev. J. A. Woodruff closed a long and useful career on Sept. 26, 1876, at the age of sixty-eight years. His remains are buried in the cemetery at Imlay City where he died. Many touch- ing instances of his patience and fortitude in his sufferings and his unflinching adherence to what he believed to be right, as well as his unqualified trust and confidence in the Master whom he tried to faithfully serve, might be given but for want of space. A favorite text he often repeated was, "He knoweth our frame-he remem- bereth that we are dust." Fitting words to close this sketch are- "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord. Yea, saith the spirit, and their works do follow them."
EDWARD T. WOODRUFF was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., in 1853. His parents came to Michigan and settled in Lapeer in 1858. He received a common school education in Lapeer and Flint. Has been a farmer, run a saw and grist-mill, taught school, etc. In 1880 was elected register of deeds for Lapeer County, and reelected in 1882. Married to Lena M. Van Wormer, of Lapeer City. They have two children, a son and daughter.
HON. JOSHUA MANWARING was born in the township of Spring- field, Burlington County, N. J., October 2, 1824, and was of English-French descent, his grandfather, John Manwaring, emi- grating from Lincolnshire, England, about the year 1760, where he left two sisters. He settled on the sea coast of New Jersey, near the present village of Barnegat, Ocean County, and on the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, enlisted in a regiment of militia, and marched down to New York to oppose the landing of the Hessians. After the capture of New York, he returned to his home and soon thereafter joined with others in forming a company to watch the Tories, who were numerous at that time, and continued in that service to the close of the war. In 1778 he married a French lady by the name of Esopus, raising a family of four sons and three daughters. Adam, the second son, and father of the subject of this sketch, was born January 8, 1783, and removed from Ocean to Bur- lington County, when a young man, where he married Miss Susan Platt; the fruit of this union being a family of fourteen children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the tenth, and was born Octo- ber 2, 1824. With his parents he came to Michigan, arriving September 8, 1836, his father having purchased the John Sargent farm, in the township of Avon, Oakland County. There Joshua worked on the farm summers, attending the district school winters, and by dint of hard study acquired a good business education. At the age of twenty-one years he left the parental roof to seek his for- tune, in the far West, poor in purse, but with the never-to-be for- gotten blessing of his dear mother, who admonished him to be honest and industrious, and that success would follow him. He went to the then unorganized county of Montcalm, and assisted in clearing the land where the flourishing village of Greenville now stands, and helped to build the first frame house in the place for Abel
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French. He also engaged with the firm of Myers & Burrell in building a saw-mill, which he assisted in running, and was engaged during the summer of 1846, in rafting and running lumber on the Flatt and Grand Rivers. In April, 1846, he attended the first town- ship meeting in Montcalm County, where he cast his first vote. The entire county at that time was organized into one township and attached to Ionia County for judicial and county purposes. The township meeting was held at the Lincoln Mills, and about twenty- three votes polled, Mr. Manwaring voting the Whig ticket. In the fall of 1846, he engaged with Nelson Robinson to run the Belden Mill on Flatt River, where he continued during the following winter to the satisfaction of his employer, and in the spring of 1847, in company with Charles Heacox, engaged in rafting lumber from the mills, then known as the Dickson Mills-now Kidville Mills- which they successfully performed, but meeting with many hard- ships before reaching the mouth of Grand River. The consequences were that Mr. Manwaring was attacked with that pest of the pioneer -fever and ague-which caused him to resolve to return to his former home in Oakland County. Not being successful in getting the money for his work, he purchased a team of horses and a wagon of Thomas Myers, paying the purchase price in negotiable notes, part of which were against Myers himself. He then started on his journey, going via Lansing, where the capital of the State had been located the previous winter by the legislature in session at the old capitol building in the city of Detroit. Arriving at the new seat of government, he found parties clearing off the timber prepara- tory to erecting the capitol building, which has since been destroyed by fire. The place was over-run with adventurers and speculators from all parts of the State, and he found it impossible to get accom- modations for the night, and was obliged to sleep in his wagon wrapped in his blankets. The following morning he left the little village of smoking huts and log heaps little thinking that thirty-six years after he would return to a beautiful capital as the honored senator from the Sixteenth District. He remained but a short time at home after his arrival, and in August, 1847, engaged to work on the academy or high school then building at Rochester, Oakland County. Again leaving the county he went to the township of Dryden, Lapeer County, and engaged with his brother-in-law, the Hon. John M. Lamb, in the mercantile business, which he continued for two years when he engaged in business for himself, erecting buildings for the purpose. He was married December 5, 1852, to Miss Emily E. Ross, daughter of Jacob Ross of Mason, Cass County, Mich., who has contributed, both in intelligence and industry, an equal share with himself in acquiring a competence which both of them have justly earned and now enjoy. In 1853 he decided to engage in lumbering and with that purpose in view purchased a tract of pine land in the township of Attica, Lapeer County, upon which he erected a mill in partnership with Munroe Fuller, which they con- tinued one year when he purchased Mr. Fuller's interest and con- tinued the business himself in the Red Mill, familiarly known as the Manwaring Mill. He continued the manufacture and sale of lum- ber, lath and shingles for many years, supplying the immediate vicinity as well as the adjacent counties of Oakland, Macomb and St. Clair, keeping on hand a full assortment of all kinds of lumber, until it was a common saying-" Go to Manwaring's Mill and you can get anything you want." In 1858 he rented his mill to A. Hovey of Oxford, and April 7, 1859, in company with five others started on a trip to the Rocky Mountains in search of health, wealth and adventure. The company comprised William Qutermas, Will- iam Emmons, Dr. E. A. Hebord, Charles Brainard and Aaron Moe, all old pioneers of Dryden, Lapeer County. Going by the way of Omaha, up the Platte River by team, and across the plains, they finally, after a tedious journey, encamped on the ground where the
city of Denver now stands, and were among the first to arrive there. From there they went to the mountains where Central City is now located, and returned by the way of Denver, south through the " Garden of the Gods," and west into the Park, where the Indians were hostile, lying in ambush to cut off stragglers, many losing their lives during 1859. After many months of tedious travel and perilous adventure in the Rocky Mountains, spiced with narrow escapes from the Indians, they started on their way home going down the Platte River a part of the way on a flat boat built for the purpose. About two hundred miles east of the mountains the water failed and they were obliged to abandon their boats in that portion of Colorado known as the Desert, and proceeded on foot, a distance of six hundred miles, to the nearest settlement on the eastern borders of Nebraska. The journey occupied six weeks, during which time they endured many hardships, interspersed with reckless buffalo hunts and narrow escapes sufficient to satisfy the cravings of the best specimens of " Young America" desirous of going West. Arriving at Omaha they proceeded down the Missouri River to St. Joseph, and thence by rail to Detroit and home, where they were welcomed by their families and friends.
Mr. Manwaring then decided to devote his time strictly to busi- ness in future, and accordingly started a branch store at Imlay, where he furnished the lumbermen and others with supplies. He was also engaged at the time in mercantile business in Dryden, and soon after in Imlay City, being engaged in lumbering in Sanilac County, as one of the firm of Lamb, Manwaring & Co. At the same time he was manufacturing and selling large quantities of lumber, lath and shingles at his mill in Attica. January 12, 1871, he removed with his family to Lapeer City, where he purchased land and now resides. His farm is one of the best improved in the county, and he has erected the Manwaring Block and a number of dwelling-houses. In 1874 his mills in Attica were burned, and he has since improved the land he formerly lumbered from, converting it into well tilled farms that "blossom as the rose," where heretofore were stumps and forests. These farms lie one mile south of the village of Attica, on the Grand Trunk Railway. He is now engaged in lumbering on the Au Sable in the county of Alcona, Lake Huron Shore. Mr. Manwaring's political history dates from his connec- tion with the Whig party until the collapse of that party, when he joined the Republican party on its formation, and during the war was active in helping to send men to the front, contributing both time and money freely for that purpose, not forgetting the wives and children left behind. He furnished them with supplies on re- lief orders furnished by the authorities, without recompense for liis time and trouble, and otherwise aiding the cause of his country, not being situated so as to go to the front himself. After his re- moval to Lapeer City he was induced to accept the office of super- visor for the First District, which he filled creditably, and was also a member of the school board. In the fall of 1871 he attended the Liberal Republican convention held at Grand Rapids, which nomi- nated the Hon. Austin Blair for governor. The Liberal Republi- can party proving a failure, he, in 1876, was induced to accept the nomination of State senator from the Democrats, but was defeated. Was again nominated in 1878, and again failed, as he also did in 1880, in a contest with the Hon. John T. Rich for representative. With characteristic determination and perseverance he again ac- cepted the nomination from the combined Democratic and Green- back parties for the sixteenth senatorial district, and was elected by the handsome majority of 800 over his competitor, the Hon. Wm. W. Andrews, of Macomb County. In the senate Mr. Manwaring has taken an interest in all measures brought before that body, and is chairman of the committee on Michigan Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, and is a member of the committees on lumber interests,
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agricultural college, horticulture and public buildings. Senator Manwaring belongs to that class of eminently useful men who have helped to develop the wonderful resources that nature has so lavishly bestowed upon the peninsular State. Coming to it poor as regards this world's goods, but bringing stout hearts and willing hands, suc- cess has perched on their banners and they are surrounded with hon- ors, friends and wealth. The great commonwealth can well be proud of such men, as through them have her great industries been developed, and upon such does her future greatness depend. Mr. and Mrs. Manwaring have five children; one son, George R., resid- ing at Imlay City, and four daughters, Lilla, wife of Joseph Arm- strong, merchant, Lapeer City; Corena, wife of H. E. Hatch, hard- ware merchant, Lapeer City; Lavango, wife of Daniel W. Johnson, railroad agent, Lapeer City, and Dell, now living at home. With their children all settled near them and enjoying the comforts of a fine home, Mr. and Mrs. Manwaring can look back over their thirty- one years of wedded life and feel that they have been well spent. As a prominent and leading citizen; as an active and representative legislator, Senator Manwaring is well known throughout the State.
HON. JOSEPH B. MOORE was born in Commerce, Oakland County Mich., Nov.3, 1845, and received his education at Hillsdale Col- lege and in the law depart nent of the University of Michigan. He came to Lapeer City in 1869 and was admitted to the practice of law in October of the same year, which profession he has since fol- lowed. He was elected circuit court commissioner for Lapeer County, and in the spring of 1874 was elected mayor of Lapeer City, and also prosecuting attorney for the county, which position he retained two years. In 1878 was elected State senator from the Twentieth District, comprising the counties of Lapeer and Macomb.
ALFRED HALLOCK was born in Burlington, Vt., in 1821, and when nine years of age came with his parents to Michigan. They at first settled in Wayne County, where, after a residence of four years, they removed to Genesee County, remaining there until 1872, when he came to Lapeer and learned the carpenter's trade, which he has followed the greater part of his life. He has, for the past ten years, been engaged in the manufacture of pumps, which have found a ready sale in and about Lapeer City. In Grand Blanc, Genesee County, Mr. Hallock held the office of supervisor for eight years, and also one year in Lapeer, and has been a justice of the peace eleven years. He was married in 1850 to Miss Alice E. Smith, of Dutchess County, N. Y. They have two daughters.
STEPHEN H. SMITH was born in Niagara County, N. Y., in 1830, and in early life came with his parents to Michigan. The death of his father occurring soon thereafter, he went to live with his uncle. In 1849 he purchased a farm in Lapeer County, upon which he re- sided eight years, when he disposed of it and engaged in lumbering. In 1872 he commenced the manufacture of shingles, which he has continued to the present time, having an extensive mill near Lapeer City, in which he employs, on an average, thirteen men during the year. He was married in 1857 to Miss Louisa P. Parsons, a native of Livingston County, Michigan. They have two daughters.
JOHN B. HOUGH was born in Bozrah, New London County, Ct., in 1809, and lived with his parents on a farm until he reached twenty-one years of age. He continued farming in that vicinity for four years thereafter, when he came to Michigan and settled in the township of Almont, Lapeer County. He took up from the gov- ernment 160 acres of land, upon which he resided until 1869, when he was elected probate judge, which position he held until 1881. He has also held other important offices, including supervisor four years, justice of the peace twenty-two years and deputy internal revenue collector and assessor. He was married in 1853 to Miss Sarah S. Palmer, a native of Connecticut. Mr. Hough settled in Almont the year the township was organized.
G. F. DEMOREST was born in Troy, Mich., in 1847, and moved with his parents to Elmira, N. Y., when two years of age, and re- sided there eleven years, when he came to Michigan and located in Oakland County, where he remained till 1863. He then enlisted in the First Michigan Cavalry and served until June, 1865, when he re- turned to Oakland County, and commenced to learn the trade of marble-cutting, at which he worked in different localities in the State till 1870, when he came to Lapeer and worked for Mr. Wilson about six months, when he formed a partnership under the firm name of Mills & Demorest, Mr. Wilson retiring. This firm contin- ued till 1873, when Mr. Tucker took the place of Mr. Mills and the firm was then known as Tucker & Demorest until 1883, when Mr. Demorest assumed exclusive control of the business, which is cut- ting and furnishing marble and stone to order. His business place is on Nepessing Street. He was married in 1874, to Miss Susie E. Harrison, of Lapeer, and has one child, a son.
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