History of Mason County, Michigan, Part 59

Author: H. R. Page & Co.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 373

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He worked Summers and attended school Winters until sixteen, when he commenced teaching. For two years he attended the Romeo branch of the Michigan Institution, and then attended Al- bion College over two years, and other institutions, until, in August, 1853, he received his diploma as Bachelor of Laws from the old State and National Law School of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and was admitted to practice law before all the courts of that state by the su- preme court at Albany.

Returning to his adopted state, he was examined for admis- sion at Marshall, Mich., by John Van Arman, D. Darwin Hughes, and Mr. Gibbs (then state reporter), as examining committee, and admitted to practice. In December of that year he opened an office for the practice of the law at Charlotte, Mich., and met with very excellent success. He was elected circuit court commissioner by about seventy majority; afterwards, for three successive terms, he was elected prosecuting attorney by largely increasing majorities. In 1863 he was chosen for the state Senate by nearly one thousand majority.

In politics he was a Wilmot Proviso Democrat, until, in 1854, at Jackson, he attended and helped organize the first Republican convention ever held. At that convention he was a member of the committee on nominations, and helped nominate Kinsley S. Bing- ham, the first Republican governor of Michigan. He was also one of the delegates appointed from this state to the first National Re- publican Convention, held at Philadelphia, where John C. Fremont was placed in nomination, Randolph Strickland being the other delegate from that congressional district; and for many years Mr. Fowler was chairman of the Republican Central Committee for Eaton County.

When the war broke out, he left a large and lucrative practice, locked his office when the first guns were fired on Sumter, raised a company of 110 men, had them officered and equipped ready to march in nine days, and supported them at a cost of over $300 to himself, in camp on the fair grounds at Charlotte, and telegraphed Gov. Blair that they were ready to march. This is believed to have been the first uniformed company raised in Michigan for the war of the rebellion. A part of the company were soon after accepted and placed in drill camp at Fort Wayne, and was finally mustered into the United States service as Company H., Sixth Michigan Infantry. Capt. Fowler was credited with going into camp at Kalamazoo with the best drilled and finest appearing company in the regiment.

At Baltimore the regiment took part in the arrest of Marshal Kane and the rebel Legislature that assembled for the avowed pur- pose of giving the state to the Jeff. Davis government.

In early Winter, one battalion of the regiment, including Capt. Fowler's company, were ordered to co-operate with the New York Zouaves, and other troops, to drive the rebels off the east shore of Virginia. They embarked on steamers and sailed down the Chesa- peake Bay to the mouth of a river up which the steamers made their winding way until the troops were disembarked at a small vil-

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HISTORY OF MANISTEE COUNTY.

lage seven miles from the rebel batteries at Oak Hall. The brigade was commanded by Gen. Lockwood, and was at that time in Gen. Dix's department. After-two or three days of preparation, the com- mand advanced on Oak Hall batteries and arrived just in time to miss the flying body of the rebels and pick up a few strugglers, with arms and munitions of war in limited quantities.

While the army were in camp near Oak Hall batteries, one night, while in charge of the pickets, Capt. Fowler learned from the negroes of a quantity of arms and ammunition that had been buried in a grave-yard a few miles beyond the lines, and with a detail of men he succeeded not only in capturing the arms and am- munition, but also secured a fine twelve-pound brass piece, and brought into camp with him Capt. Fletcher and Lieut. Corbin, of the rebel army. He afterwards commanded every special expedi- tion of either cavalry or artillery or infantry that was detailed for special duty by Gen. Lockwood, while he was in command of that division. He captured Col. Phinney, of the rebel army, and was assigned the duty of conveying him a prisoner to Fort McHenry. He also had command of the expedition that captured the horses and accoutrements of Gov. Wise, near Accomac, and of the expedi- tion that broke up and captured the rebel smugglers on the islands at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.

After serving in the provost department for several weeks, after his command had returned to Baltimore, at his own special request he was relieved from staff duties and permitted to return to his com- pany, most of whom were old neighbors and warm personal friends. He received strong letters of commendation from Gen. Lockwood, and a pressing invitation to remain on staff duty in Accomac County, but the desire to be with his men was stronger than any love of promotion, and he determined to share their destiny. He had scarcely joined his command, when the regiment received marching orders for Newport News, via Fortress Monroe. February 21, 1862, they embarked on steam transports and sailed from Baltimore. They were landed at Fortress Monroe, February 22,-Washington's birth-day,-and immediately went into camp, just below the battery, at Newport News.

Capt. Fowler was with his command through the campaign on the east shore of Virginia, at Sewall's Point, Ship Island, Pass Chris- tian, and the New Orleans campaign, including the first fight at Vicksburg, where, being disabled, he was sent to New Orleans Evans House Hospital, and, after several weeks, almost hopeless illness, his resignation was handed in, and he was sent home, as was supposed, to die. After several month's lingering convalescence he was able to be up. In the meantime he was nominated and soon after elected to the state Senate, in which he took his seat at the opening of the session.

He was appointed chairman of the committee on military affairs, and on state library; was author of the soldiers' voting bill, and several other important measures. After serving two sessions, the State Central Committee paid him the distinguished honor of republishing his speech on national affairs as a campaign document, and an edition of 30,000 copies was struck off, one of which is now in the possession of the writer.

The compliment of the publication will be better appreciated when it is remembered that in both houses there were over 100 speeches made on national affairs, and this was the only one selected to be published in full as a campaign document.

The Jackson Citizen, in speaking of the facts at the time, in its issue of February 14, 1864, gave him full credit, and commented on his action, as follows:

"THE SOLDIERS' VOTING BILL.

" The Legislature of Michigan did a good thing when they passed the bill allowing the brave soldiers of this state the privilege

of voting. For the passage of this measure the thanks of the friends of our country are due to Hon. S. W. Fowler, the able senator from Eaton County. Mr. Fowler labored hard and faithfully in the face of the greatest opposition to have the measure passed, and finally had the gratification of seeing it become a law. Had it not been for his hard work with the committee (every one of whom, except himself, was opposed to having a law of the kind enacted) and in the Senate, the brave men of Michigan who to day are fighting our battles would not have the privilege of having a voice in the affairs of the nation, to preserve the integrity of which they are ready to die. The soldiers owe a heavy debt of gratitude to Senator Fowle.r"

The Jackson Citizen also published the report made by Mr. Fowler on said bill, in full, and in its issue of February 9, 1864, commented thereon, as follows:

"SENATOR FOWLER'S REPORT.

" On the first page of to-day's paper we print the minority report of Hon. S. W. Fowler, senator from Eaton County, on the bill to allow soldiers to vote. It is an able document, and as such we commend it to the attention of our readers. Those of our read- ers who are opposed to the measure, especially, should read it. It is a candid, clear and argumentative paper, and thoroughly upsets the many objections urged against the soldiers having a voice in the affairs of the nation through the ballot box. We see the House has passed the measure; now let the Senate do our brave boys justice by doing likewise."

At the jubilee over the fall of Vicksburg, held in Jackson, soon after that occurrence, Mr. Fowler made a speech, which was commented on as follows, under the head of

THE FALL OF VICKSBURG.

The Jackson Citicen, in its account of the jubilee, after com- menting on the speech of Gov. Blair, Mr. Wood and others, says: " Hon. S. W. Fowler, of Eaton, was then introduced. He was listened to with marked attention. He mentioned the many bril- liant victories of our armies, and gave Mr. Wood a good answer, and effectually overturned that gentleman's arguments. The rejoicing was kept up until a late hour."

Mr. Fowler, while in the senate, was selected as one to pro- nounce a eulogy on the death of Serator Northrup, and was on the committee to accompany the remains to Detroit. The severe labors of the session proved too much, and he was taken ill and confined to his bed for the last two weeks.

He also drew up and introduced a joint resolution providing for a roll of honor, under which the adjutant general published a full list of the dead and disabled of the Michigan troops, and such list has since been written on parchment, and deposited in the State Library, in accordance with said resolution. See Joint Resolution No. 19, Session Laws of 1873.

Mr. Fowler was the first advocate in the Michigan Legislature, of the measure for employing negro troops. He went to Gov. Blair, personally, with Maj. Grummond, to urge the formation of a colored regiment, and used his influence as chairman on military affairs to promote that object, until it became a success, and colored men were permitted a part in the struggle for national existence.

In 1863 he had been appointed draft commissioner for the Third District of Michigan, in which capacity he served until after the close of the war, when he was honorably mustered out of the service.

Home having been desolated by death, and health impaired by the ravages of a southern climate, he bought the Manistee Gazette, in 1867, enlarged it, and changed the name to the Timex, and found employment in the then small village of Manistee, as editor and lawyer. Afterwards, in 1873, he purchased the Standard, and con-

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HISTORY OF MANISTEE COUNTY.

solidated the two papers, under the name of Times and Standard, of which he is yet the editor and publisher.

At the Vanderpool trial he was one of the attorneys for the defense, and incurred the displeasure of many friends and neighbors (who felt positive that the defendant was guilty) by being faithful to his client, taking him out of state's prison, and thus making a new trial possible.

He delivered the address at the first agricultural fair ever held in Manistee County. The exhibit was in a small log house, near Hopkins' manufacturing store, in Bear Lake.

In 1869 he was solicited by a committee of citizens, appointed without reference to party, to allow his name to be used as a candi- date for circuit judge. The following was his characteristic reply:

"MANISTEE, Mich., March 24, 1869.

" To the Delegates of Manistee County appointed to choose a candidate for Circuit Judge :

"GENTLEMEN :- I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yours requesting the use of my name to place on the ticket for the office of circuit judge. This flattering assurance of your confidence comes entirely unexpected. It is well known by those who have written me upon the subject, and others, that I have not been a can- didate for the position. The duties are too arduous, the require- ments too great, and the compensation too small to make it a place to be sought for by one who has a full and solemn realization of the responsibilities imposed.

"The question of judgeship is of vital importance to all concerned. There is no power in a free country so terrible for evil, or so efficient for the well-being of society as that reposed in the office in question. The wrongs of such a place are difficult of redress, and even the right of appeal is a remote remedy, and oft'times of little avail for want of time and means. For these and many other considera- tions, the office should be above party favor or partizan influence, and it should be filled by the choice of the people fully and fairly expressed. The situation in this district at this time is peculiar.

"There is but one candidate before the people, Hon. J. G. Ramsdell, and however well he may perform the duties of the office, it can hardly be claimed that all the people ought to be disfranchised who do not choose to vote for the one candidate, and yet, practically, this is the result if there is but one man to vote for. With these views, with charity for all and malice toward none, I sincerely thank you for the honor of your preference, and leave the whole case in the hands of the people, feeling that if only one man votes for me, he will have exercised fairly the freeman's right of the ballot. And if at this late day, the peoples' choice should fall upon me, under God I shall strive to discharge the duties of this high position, faith- fully and fearlessly, to the best of my abilities.

I remain, gentlemen,

Your obedient servant,

" S. W. FOWLER."

The returns indicate that a change of about one hundred votes would have thrown the election either way. This was certainly very flattering, considering that the district was over two hundred miles long. The consent was only given about ten days before election, and there was no regular nomination or organized effort.

THE GREAT FIRE.

At the time of the great fire of October 7, 1871, he was attend- ing the supreme court, at Detroit, and knew nothing of the disaster until four days later, when the news reached him on his way home, at White Hall. He had the largest library then in northern Michi- gan, an office, the Times office block, three dwellings, barns, furni- ture, etc., all were swept away, including the contents of his safe. The track of the fire was from the southwest to the northeast, and

swept everything between Oak Street and the Little Lake, leaving only one house north of the river, where there were about 400 inhabitants. Not a tree, shrub or fence post could be found in the district. All were literally left in ashes.

He owed no man, had something due him, and his lots and land were left. He had an insurance of $4,000, of which he afterwards got twenty per cent, the companies having failed in the Chicago fire. The proofs and the carpenter's estimates showed a loss of over $15,000, besides barn, safe and contents.

He commenced housekeeping again in a small room, with a few chairs, a mattress and a few blankets. In six week's time he had an office building up, 24x35, and two stories high, and moved into three small rooms in the upper story, and lived there a year, until his present brick dwelling was completed. This office was the first building up and occupied on Maple Street after the fire, and except- ing the house of William Nungesser, the first in that part of the city.

Though not one of the earliest settlers in Manistee, Mr. Fowler may be fairly ranked as one of its pioneers, having always identified himself with the interests of the city and county of his adoption. Had he worked merely for self-aggrandizement, he had the means and ability to have amassed a fortune. Had he been unscrupulous as to principles and methods, he might have held lucrative offices, where "stealings in" form a large inducement. In after years Mr. Fowler will have the proud satisfaction of knowing that he has ful- filled the duties of a citizen, journalist and business man in a man- ner that will reflect credit upon himself and family, and made a record whose sterling worth will never grow less in the minds of impartial judges.

ALEXANDER H. DUNLAP

was born in St. Clair County, Mich., June 25, 1880. His father was born in Scotland, and came to this country at the age of eigh- teen years. His mother was a native of St. Clair County. He lived with his parents on their farm in his native county until he arrived at the age of seventeen years, when his father died. He was edu- cated at home and at the district school until nineteen years of age, when he went to the State Normal School and afterwards to Albion College. After leaving college he followed teaching public and pri- vate schools for several years with marked success, in Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa. The last two years of his teaching were in the Mitchell Academy, as principal. He studied law several years, and was admitted to the bar at Charles City, Iowa, in 1860. He imme- diately entered upon the practice of his profession in Iowa. April 12, 1860, he married Miss Ada S. Poindexter, a very talented lady, daughter of Rev. Samuel Poindexter, of Maine. He continued the practice of law until April, 1862, when he enlisted as a private, but was soon made lieutenant of Company A., Eighteenth Iowa Volun- teer Infantry. He remained in the service about a year and resigned in consequence of injuries received in his right hand. In Novem- ber, 1862, he was commissioned judge advocate general by Gen. Schofield, and acted as such several months at Springfield, Mo.

After returning from the army he resumed the practice of law in Mitchell County, Iowa, and remained there until the Spring of 1867, when he located in Manistee, where he has kept pace with the growth of the place, and has become eminently popular with the people, and earned the reputation of being an honest and reliable attorney. He has paid but little attention to politics, but has acted with the Republican party, and has held the offices of city attorney two terms, circuit court commissioner one term, and is the present prosecuting attorney of the county. He was the first Republican prosecuting attorney who had been elected for ten years. Mr. Dun- lap has accumulated a handsome property in the city and county. In addition to the practice of law, he gives considerable attention to

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farming. He owns several fine farms in the county; one especially valuable is located on Portage Lake, upon which there is an excel- lent mineral spring, which bids fair to be of great importance to this portion of the state.

In the great fire of 1871 he lost several houses, including his family residence. He rebuilt all of them immediately after the fire. His family consists of his wife and four children-two girls and two boys. His eldest daughter is about to graduate at the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston.

Mr. Dunlap's practice in the supreme court has been large, and the records show it to have been very successful.

E. E. BENEDICT,

of the well-known law firm of Ramsdell & Benedict, is one of the leading members of the Manistee County bar. He was born in Sweden, N. Y., in 1838. He remained at home until about seven- teen years of age; he then went away to attend school. After study- ing at Olivet, Mich., and Oberlin, Ohio, he entered the law depart- ment of the Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, where he graduated in 1863. After spending a short time at Bay City, he removed to Lincoln, then the county seat of Mason County, and located in the practice of his profession. The files of the local newspapers in those days show Mr. Benedict to have been a frequent writer upon sub- jects of current interest and importance. Those writings give evi- dence of studious habits and a scholarly mind. In 1867 he came to Manistee and formed a law partnership with Hon. T. J. Ramsdell, which is still continued. The firm have long occupied a leading place among the lawyers of this part of the state. Mr. Benedict was one of the attorneys in the celebrated McVickar suit, and also in the Vanderpool-Field murder trial. He has held the office of judge of probate one term, but has mainly devoted himself exclusively to the law. He was married, May 16, 1866, at Grand Blanc, Mich., to Miss Sophia A. King, daughter of Dr. King, of that place.

Mr. Benedict's family home is one of the many beautiful resi- dences in the city. It was built by him in 1876. He has been a very successful lawyer and has accumulated a comfortable fortune from his practice.

EDWARD D. WHEELER, one of the leading lumbermen of Man- istee, was born in Southfield, Mass., May 8, 1843. When fourteen years of age he went to Morrison, Ill., where he was clerk in a drug store for a time, and afterwards was in a store at Joliet. In the Spring of 1860 he went to Pikes Peak, and after an absence of nine months returned to Joliet, and in the Spring of 1861 came to Man- istee, where he has since advanced to the front rank in commercial prominence. For three years after coming to Manistee he was in the employ of John Canfield. In 1864 he went back to Joliet, and remained a year. He then returned to Manistee, and was in the employ of Mr. Engelmann. In the Fall of 1871 he went into part- nership with Mr. John Canfield in the mill property near the mouth of the river, the firm being Canfield & Wheeler. Subsequently he became senior member of the firm of Wheeler, Magill & Co., their mill being on what is known as Blackbird Island. Mr. Wheeler is emphatically a practical man, and one of the most successful man- agers of mill property.

RICHARD T. MEAD, M. D., is one of the leading physicians of Manistee County, and a very successful practitioner. He was born in the state of New York, in the year 1839. He remained at home, receiving a common school and academic education until ready for college. He entered Hobart College in 1860, and afterwards at- tended Albany Medical College, graduating in 1868. He then went into the army as surgeon, and remained until the close of the war. From 1865 until 1871 he practiced at Adrian, Mich. In 1871 he located in Manistee, and has become a leading physician of the

county. He was married at Adrian, in 1867, to Miss Jane A. Young. They occupy a very handsome residence on Maple Street, purchased last year. Dr. Mead is a close student, and devotes his whole talents and energy to his profession. His practice is very large and lucrative.

THE RUSSELL BROTHERS have for several years occupied a prominent place in Manistee. In 1869 the five brothers, Andrew J., James H., Perry, Charles H., and Edwin Russell came to Man- istee from Chautauqua County, N. Y., their native place. Perry Rus- sell had come here a little in advance of the others. They em- barked in the grocery and hardware business, and also dealt exten- sively in pine lands, under the firm name of Russell Bros. They continued in business together until the accidental death of Perry, which occurred in November. The circumstances of his death were as follows: He went up the river, in company with R. G. Peters and H. S. Udell, in the interest of the Improvement Com- pany. While coming down in a skiff, an obstruction at a point where the current was very rapid overturned the skiff, and Perry was drowned. He was a good swimmer, but in the darkness, weighed down with a heavy rubber coat, and plunged so suddenly into the swift current, he was overcome and drowned. He was a man universally popular, and his death was lamented by the entire community. He was in the prime of life, his age being thirty- eight years, and had long been a valuable member of society. His family consisted of a wife and four children, who are still living in the city. The remaining brothers continued the business until 1880, when Andrew and James withdrew. James went into the meat and canned fruit business, and Andrew has a dairy farm on the lake shore, near the city limits. Charles and Edwin continue the gro- cery business and shingle mill. The latter was purchased in 1876, and is located on Lake Manistee, in Filertown. Charles attends to the store and Edwin the mill. The latter has been prominently identified with the city schools for several years. He was superin- tendent for three years, and has been one of the directors four years. These gentlemen are all enterprising and excellent business men and prominent citizens of the city.

V. W. RICHARDSON, editor of the Manistee Democrat, is a native of Pennsylvania. He began his printing experience in the office of the Saginaw Enterprise, in 1866. He published a newspaper at Port Austin, Huron Co., for three years. For some time he was on the Marquette Journal, and later on the Fond du Lac Journal. From the latter place he took a position on Peck's Sun, Milwaukee, where he became widely known as a brilliant newspaper writer. Last Spring he purchased an interest in the Manistee Advocate, now Democrat. Mr. Richardson is a journalist of unusual ability, and he is making the Democrat one of the best papers in the State.

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History of Mason County, Michigan, Part 59

Author: H. R. Page & Co. Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Number of Pages: 373

Author: H. R. Page & Co.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 373