USA > Michigan > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Michigan : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests Volume II > Part 18
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St. Mary's College is incorporated under the laws of the state and is empowered to confer degrees. The academy is affiliated with the Uni- versity of Michigan and with the state normal schools.
RT. REV. EDWARD JOOS, V. G. No work touching the history of Monroe county could be consistent with itself were there failure to direct within its pages special attention to the revered man and noble shepherd whose name introduces this sketch and who was long a prominent and influential representative of the interests of the Catholic church in Michigan, where he labored with all of consecrated zeal and devotion.
Rt. Rev. Monsignor Edward Joos was born in Somergem, a town in East Flanders, Belgium, and the year of his nativity was 1825. His preliminary educational discipline was secured in the schools of his native town, and he pursued his classical studies in the college at Thielt, in West Flanders, an institution in which he was graduated in 1843. He then entered the Catholic seminary in the city of Ghent, where he completed his philosophical and theological courses and where he was ordained to the priesthood in the year 1848. After his ordination, Father Joos spent nine years in parish work at Eecloo, an ancient town of East Flanders, but his ardent love for souls made him long for the missionary fields afar. Thus, in 1856, he severed the gracious ties that bound him to the land of his birth and came to America, where he soon afterward placed himself at the disposal of the Rt. Rev. Bishop Lefevere, of Detroit, who appointed him, in 1857, to the pastorate of St. Mary's church, in Monroe, and ecclesiastical superior of the newly organized congregations of the sisterhood of the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
After a pastorate of thirteen years, rich in sacrifices and fruitful in spiritual conquests, Father Joos withdrew from all pastoral duties to devote himself to the cause of Christian education; for, with that wisdom which characterized his whole life, he recognized this as the work God had destined him to do, and for forty-three years he devoted all his energies, his hopes, his prayers, his sacrifices to the furtherance of this great and noble cause. His authoritative voice proved the strength of the growing educational community and his spiritual teaching the suc- cess of its incessant labors. In his quiet and effective way, marked by devotion and foresight, he gave to the work of the community organiza- tion such correct direction as to thoroughly identify it with Catholic life and progress, thus winning to it the esteem of both priests and people, who justly regard it as an ideal sisterhood. The "brick and mortar" period of the local institution began with his advent in this field. Building after building was added, each meeting the demands of the day and each in proportion to the means at hand to cover its expense.
In 1877, Rt. Rev. Bishop Borgess appointed Father Joos vicar general of the diocese of Detroit, and he was administrator of the diocese during the Bishop's visit to Rome. In 1889, in recognition of his long and faithful services, Pope Leo XIII raised Father Joos to the rank of monsignor and domestic prelate of the pope. He passed the closing years of his long and useful life at Monroe, where he died on the 18th of May, 1901.
Humility, gentleness and firmness were the most distinguishing
Cofor yrs.
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characteristics of this truly great man. He was always just and kindly in his dealings with others, solicitous for the welfare of all. Anyone coming into his presence was invariably greeted with a tender smile that lighted up a face whose every feature betokened his gentleness and Christlike sweetness. This winning personality drew to him all hearts, for all who knew him recognized in him a kind father and a true priest -simple, unpretentious, helpful, full of hope, of faith and of charity. His memory will long be revered in the city and state which were his home for many gracious years.
NATHAN C. PHILLIPS. Among the venerable citizens of Milan town- ship, one who has borne an important part in the development of this part of Monroe county, is Nathan Phillips, who for seventy-eight years has resided in the township of Milan. During this long period of time, Mr. Phillips has identified himself with all matters of importance that have been brought before the public and his conduct in the manage- ment of all affairs with which he has been connected has been such as to win the unqualified approval of all who know him. Nathan C. Phillips was born January 21, 1831, at Barre Center, Orleans county, New York, and is a son of Alvah Phillips, a native of the State of Vermont, and a grandson of Pierce Phillips, a soldier of the War of 1812. Alvah Phillips grew up in the State of New York, where he was married to Sally Mead, who was born in Seneca county, New York, a daughter of New- comb Mead, an early settler in Michigan. Alvah Phillips and his family migrated to Michigan in 1834, and settled in Milan township, where he erected a log cabin in the woods, the rest of his life being spent in the clearing and developing of a farm. His death occurred in 1844, while his wife passed away two years later, when she was forty-one years of age. They had three children, as follows : Chilson, who is now deceased ; Mrs. Amanda Phillips, a widow of Milan township; and Nathan. Alvah Phillips was a Whig in his political views, became a prominent man of his day, and was honored and esteemed by all who knew him, while his wife was admired and beloved for her many Christian qualities of character.
Nathan Phillips grew up amid pioneer surroundings, assisting his father to develop a farm in a country where there were still bears. deer and wild turkeys to be found in plenty, and where the inroads of civili. zation had yet failed to penetrate. His education was secured in the primitive pioneer country schoolhouses, and as he grew to manhood he adopted the vocation of farmer as his life work At the age of twenty- one years, he was married to Miss Anna Wilcox, a woman of many admir- able qualities of mind and heart, who was born in the Empire State, a daughter of Lot Wilcox, an early settler of York township, Washtenaw county, Michigan. Mrs. Phillips, who died February, 1906, at the age of seventy-three years, was a woman whose many charities and gentle Christian spirit caused her to be known and beloved throughout this part of the township. Her death was sincerely mourned, not only by the members of her immediate family, who knew her for a faithful wife and loving mother, but by numerous friends and acquaintances who found her place in their lives hard to fill. A faithful member of the Methodist
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Episcopal Church, she was active in its work, and the extent of her char- ities probably will never be known. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips had three children : Miss Alma, who lives on the old homestead with her father; Clara, who is the wife of Perry Palmer, a prosperous farmer of London township; and Ferridon, who is one of the well-known and successful citizens of of Milan township.
Mr. Phillips now has one of the really valuable farms of this part of Monroe county, a tract that has been brought to its present high state of cultivation through the persistent and untiring efforts of its owner. A beautiful modern rural home, situated in the midst of a wide lawn and spreading shade trees, graces the tract, and the nine rooms are furnished with taste and elegance. In the declining years of his life, Mr. Phillips is enjoying all the comforts that come after years of well-directed toil, and his neighbors grant him that respect and esteem that is only given to those whose efforts have been directed towards the good of the commu- nity. He has been active in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church, at present being a steward, and for many years was active in Sunday School work, his son having succeeded him in the position of superin- tendent. For fifty years he has been a Master Mason. Active in the cause of education, morality, progress and good citizenship, Mr. Phillips is eminently worthy of the prominence and good fortune that has come to him, and in the evening of life can look back over a career well spent, satisfied in the knowledge that it bears no stain or blemish.
BURTON A. DRAPER. A life-long resident of Milan township, where his energies have been devoted to the cultivation of the soil, Burton A. Draper is known as one of the progressive and enterprising agriculturists of Monroe county and as a member of that class of citizens who, while advancing their own interests, so conduct their operations as to promote the welfare of their community. Mr. Draper was born in Milan town- ship, Monroe county, Michigan, January 9, 1873, and is a son of Walter and Fanny (Taylor) Draper. Walter Draper served as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, making a gallant record, and on re- turning to the vocations of peace, established himself as a farmer and made a no less creditable record as a private citizen, and at his death, which occurred July 31, 1911, was known as a man of integrity and honorable business dealing. His wife was a daughter of William Tay- lor, and they had a family of three children, namely : Francis W., who makes his home at Richmond, Indiana; Burton and Sarah, of Milan town -. ship, now the wife of Edward Campbell in Algoma, Wisconsin.
Burton A. Draper received his early education in the district schools of his native vicinity, this being supplemented in after life by observa- tion and reading. He was reared to the vocation of agriculturist, and continued to work on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age. Mr. Draper wedded Miss Grace Bell Sherman, one of the estimable ladies of Milan township, and to this happy marriage has been born two sons and one daughter. The eldest was the little daughter, Fern, who died in infancy; then Harmon B., aged thirteen years, who is in school and bright in his studies; Maurice B., aged four years, is the youngest.
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Mrs. Draper is one of those pleasant, affable ladies whom it is a joy to meet. She has a happy home and has been an able helpmate to her husband in the establishment of his cozy and comfortable home. She has hosts of friends because of her happy and social disposition, and their pretty home is ever open to their many friends.
John Sherman was born January 30, 1836, in the State of New York, a son of John and Anna (Keith) Sherman. He was a farmer by occu- pation and as a young man came to Michigan, where he spent the rest of his life in agricultural pursuits, dying in 1904. During the Civil war he served as a private in the Twenty-third Regiment, Michigan Volun- teer Infantry. He married Prudence Gay, who was born in Milan township, daughter of Joseph and Prudence (Buell) Gay, and after his death she was married to John Jacobs of Milan, a soldier. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman had a family of seven children : John; Edith; George; Nellie ; Simon; Grace, who married Mr. Draper; and Cora, deceased, who was the wife of Frank Draper, of Richmond, Indiana. The father of these children was noted for his thorough honesty and integrity. Throughout his life he practiced the Golden Rule, and it was often said of him that the reason he did not become a rich man was his unwillingness to take advantage of those who were less fortunate than he. No man stood higher in the estimation of his neighbors, and his hospitality was known throughout the township, his family table and fireside being at all times open to the travelers of the vicinity. In his death Milan township lost one of its best citizens, a man whose place it was hard to fill.
Burton A. Draper is one of the energetic agriculturists of his commu- nity, aided by his lovely wife, and has developed a nice property, which he is cultivating along scientific lines. He has been successful in his various ventures, and in achieving this success has still retained his many friends, who know him as a man of strong character and pleasing personality.
ALANSON AUTEN. By a long and honorable agricultural career, a thoughtful interest in others and public-spirited efforts in behalf of his community, Alanson Auten, of Milan township, has made himself one of the best known and most popular citizens of his community. His life has been spent in agricultural pursuits, and his activities have resulted in the development of a handsome property, known as Lily Dale Farm, located two and one-half miles southwest of Azalia. Mr. Auten was born in Milan township, Monroe county, Michigan, December 15, 1857, and is a son of Thomas and Adeline (Piper) Auten, natives of New York. Thomas Auten came to Monroe county in young manhood, here develop- ing a tract of eighty acres of land from the wilderness, and making a prosperous and well-cultivated farm. He died on this land at the age of seventy-eight years, while his wife is yet living, aged seventy-seven years, honored and esteemed by all who know them. They had two children : Edward, deceased, formerly a farmer of Dundee township, who left a widow and four children; and Alanson. Thomas Auten was a Repub- lican in his political views, but never entered public life, his agricultural operations satisfying all of his ambitions.
Alanson Auten grew up much as other lads of his day and locality,
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his boyhood being divided between the district schools, which he attended during the winter terms, and the home farm, where he was taught the principles of agriculture by his father during the summer months. He remained under the parental roof until he was thirty-five years of age, at which time he, was married and began farming on his own account, and in 1905 moved to his present property. He has been an industrious and persistent worker, and has labored with such good results that he is now the owner of one of the best farms of its size in Milan township, a forty-acre tract two and one-half miles southwest of Azalia, which he has appropriately named Lily Dale Farm. He has devoted his land to gen- eral farming, and also raises some stock, and his undertakings have proven uniformly successful. Mr. Auten has made his land more valu- able by the erection of substantial buildings, which include an eleven- room house, beautifully situated in the center of a nice lawn and well- kept shade trees. The large bank-barn is 32x44 feet in dimension, and in addition there is a well-built granary, corn crib and other buildings. Pastures, meadow land and grain fields all reflect the greatest credit upon Mr. Auten's ability and thrift, and the general air of prosperity that pervades the premises testifies to the fact that he is rated among his community's substantial and solid men.
In 1893 Mr. Auten was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Johnson, at Petersburg, Michigan. She was born, reared and educated at that place, and is a daughter of Dennis Johnson, who was first a cooper and later became a farmer by vocation. He died at the age of seventy-two years, his wife having passed away when forty-seven years of age, and they were the parents of three children : Duana; Mrs. Nellie Rey- nolds and Mrs. Hattie Auten. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Auten, namely : Lestie Lewis, born December 23, 1895; Nellie Hazel, born August 4, 1900; and Maurice Elwin, born March 24, 1902. The children have had the benefits to be derived from excellent educa- tional advantages, thus being fitted for any place which they may be called upon to fill in life. Mr. Auten is a Republican in his political views, but like his father has never cared for public office, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his agricultural operations. With his family he attends the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which he has been active. Personally, Mr. Auten is a man of frank and genial manner, and his hosts of friends in Milan township will readily testify to his popularity and to the high esteem in which he is universally held.
MARTIN DENNISON. A brave defender of his flag, always ready when his services have been needed, whether in war or in peace, Martin Denni- son, of Milan township, is one of those citizens whom their fellow towns- men respect, not only for the fact that they served their country bravely and well during the dark days of the great Civil war, but because they were able, when that stirring strife was ended, to return to their homes and take up the pursuits of peace, ready to prove themselves as citizens as they had as soldiers. Mr. Dennison has a war record of which any veteran might feel proud. On September 8, 1864, he enlisted at Jack- son, Michigan, in Capt. Tanner's Company K, (later commanded by
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Captain Thomas J. Conley ), Ninth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer In- fantry, Colonel W. W. Duffield. The regiment was at once ordered to report to General Thomas, at Atlanta, Georgia, at that time engaged in pursuit of General Hood's Confederate forces. Among the engagements participated in by this division were the battles of Chickamauga and Nashville, and following this the regiment continued in the south until the close of the war, being discharged in June, 1865, and paid off at Nashville. Mr. Dennison's record was creditable to him in every way, and at all times he had the esteem of his comrades and the respect of his officers.
Martin Dennison was born in Niagara county, New York, July 26, 1844, and is a son of James C. Dennison, a farmer of Seneca county, New York. His paternal grandfather was a native of England, while the grandfather on the maternal side, Jacob Deharsh, was a soldier during the War of 1812, and his mother, Margaret, was born on a farm in New York. The maternal great-grandfather was George VanSlyke, who served as a soldier during the Revolutionary war. The Dennison family migrated from New York to Michigan in 1854, settling in the woods of Monroe county, where they proceeded to clear a home. There they spent the remainder of their lives, the widow surviving her husband for some years and passing away at the age of eighty-seven, one of the best known ladies of her county. She and her husband were firm adherents of the Methodist faith, and were the parents of five sons: John, Jacob, Joseph, Charles and Martin.
Martin Dennison received his education in the public schools of Niagara county, New York, and Monroe county, Michigan, and was twenty years of age when he enlisted for service in the Union army. On his return from his military career, he was married to Mrs. Mary J. (Webster) Riley, widow of Bernard Riley, a soldier of the Ninth Mich- igan Volunteers, who met his death at the hospital at Chattanooga and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He left three children, viz: Gertrude, who died as a baby; Catherine, who passed away at the age of seventeen years; and James D., a resident of Milan township. Mrs. Dennison was born on the farm on which she now lives, a daughter of Kilburn and Rose (Johnson) Webster, the former a native of Ashta- bula county, Ohio, and the latter of the Emerald Isle. Mr. and Mrs. Webster had two children : Mrs. Hannah Henderson, and Mrs. Dennison. To Mr. and Mrs. Dennison there have been born four children, namely : John; Mrs. Frances Auten ; Charles and Elwood.
Mr. Dennison is engaged in carrying on general farming and stock- raising, and has made a decided success of all of his ventures. He has his land in a high state of cultivation, with flourishing fields of grain and good meadow pasture land. His modern seven-room residence, which is tastefully furnished, is surrounded by shade trees and a finely- kept lawn. In addition to other substantial structures he has two modern barns, 30x46 feet and 20x28 feet, respectively. A man of the most hos- pitable nature, Mr. Dennison's latch-string always hangs out, and he at all times welcomes his numerous friends with sincere pleasure.
EDWARD A. ALLEN. Twin Pines Stock Farm, lying four miles south of Milan, in Monroe county, is one of the finely-cultivated and highly
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improved tracts of Milan township, and its present desirable condition has been brought about through the efforts of its owner, Edward A. Allen, who has lived on this land for nearly thirty years. Mr. Allen has been a resident of Monroe county since 1868, and during this time has become widely and favorably known throughout its area, fairly gaining a reputation for the strictest integrity and probity of character. He was born February 19, 1856, in Danville, Livingston county, New York, and is a son of Justice Allen, a native of Vermont, and a member of the family to which General Ethan Allen belonged. Justice Allen married Eliza A. Walling, daughter of Samuel Walling, and when their son, E. A., was twelve years of age, the family migrated to Michigan. They at once located on a farm in Milan township, and there spent the remainder of their lives in agricultural pursuits, being honored and respected by all who knew them. Justice Allen was a Baptist in his religious belief, and a stanch friend of education, temperance, morality and good citizenship, and in his death Milan township lost one of its best citizens. He was three times married, and was the father of five chil- dren, namely : Rev. H. D., a well-known Baptist divine of Jackson, Michi- gan ; Mrs. Frances Smith; Adeline, wife of Jerome Allen, of Ypsilanti, Michigan ; E. A .; and one who is deceased.
E. A. Allen was reared on the old homestead, and his training was along the lines of industry and fair dealing. He received a good com- mon school education, and as a young man began to carry on agricultural pursuits, with which he has been connected all his life. Early in his career he began to buy and ship stock, and this has been an important branch of his business, although he devotes himself to all the various branches of farm work. In 1883 he purchased his present farm, now a tract of one hundred and forty acres, which is very suitable for raising grain and grass. He has one of the most modern houses in the township, a ten-room residence, appropriately situated in the midst of a well-kept lawn, and the two massive pines which adorn the ground have caused the property to be named Twin Pines Stock Farm. In addition to three large barns for grain, Mr. Allen has a large horse barn and cattle sheds, and his pastures, meadows and grain fields are neatly fenced. The prosperous appearance of this property testifies eloquently to Mr. Allen's ability in matters agricultural, and he is also conceded to be one of the best judges of cattle in his township.
Mr. Allen is a Republican in his political views, and supports his party's candidates and principles actively. While he has not been an office seeker, he has served as delegate to various conventions, and has acted very acceptably in the capacity of township treasurer. Frater- nally, he is connected with the local lodge of the Odd Fellows. Like all men who have had wide experience among their fellows, he is of genial disposition, a hail-fellow-well-met who has made and retained friends throughout the county.
EDWARD E. CEAS. The occupation of farming is a profitable one to those who know how to properly conduct their business, and who com- bine the various branches of the industry to the best advantage. One of those who is possessed of the knowledge, ability and experience neces-
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sary to secure a full measure of success from his land is Edward E. Ceas, proprietor of the Macon Valley Stock Farm, a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, lying three miles south of Milan, in Milan township, one of the best farms in Monroe county. Mr. Ceas is a native of Lorain county, Ohio, and was born near North Amherst, April 25, 1861, a son of Joseph and Ellen (Hubbard) Ceas. His father was a native of New York state, where he was educated and reared to manhood, and then removed to Ohio, where he was married to Miss Ellen Hubbard, a young woman of culture and refinement who had been a successful school teacher for some time. In 1882 they came to Michigan and purchased the Shubal Lewis farm, one of the best in Milan township, which was well-equipped with buildings, including the twelve-room brick residence, surrounded by beautiful maples. There are two large barns for hay and stock, a large horse barn, granary and other buildings, and the land is well graded, tiled and drained. The fencing is neat and of the best material, and the equipment and machinery modern in every respect. The Macon Valley Stock Farm is noted for the fine class of black Percheron horses bred by Mr. Ceas, who has spent years of time and thousands of dollars in money to secure the best animals that could be found. Percherons and German coach horses bred on this farm find a ready sale throughout Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin, and the high esteem in which Mr. Ceas is held in the business world is ample evidence of the integrity of his dealings. In this business he is in partnership with a Mr. Crawford, under the firm name of Crawford & Ceas, Mr. Crawford having charge of the business at Byron, Michigan, and Mr. Ceas at Milan. Mr. Ceas has a large wind mill, a silo for his stock, a tank house to furnish water for various purposes, and a handsome eight-room brick residence. He believes in progress in all things, and as a result takes advantage of all discoveries and inventions which apply to his business.
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