History of Monroe County, Michigan, Part 24

Author: Wing, Talcott Enoch, 1819-1890, ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: New York, Munsell & company
Number of Pages: 882

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J. J. Godfroy's eldest daughter, Celestine Ann Godfroy, married the Hon. Frederick Waldorf, who was born in Wellstown, Ger- many, January 27, 1825. He came to Monroe May 9, 1842, from Buffalo, and was in the em- ploy of Samnel J. Holley, the owner of the City Mills, on Front street. By his industry and enterprise he became one of the most promi- nent and wealthy citizens. In politics he is a Republican ; averse to holding office, though in a city where the party is in a large minority

he has often been elected mayor of the city, and discharged the duties with great credit to himself, proving worthy of the honor conferred. He is highly esteemed as a man of integrity and uprightness, and has been for many years and is now the President of the First National Bank of Monroe.

The second daughter of James J. Godfroy, Regina Victoria Godfroy, married Thurlow A. Strong, present register of deeds of Monroe county.

The third daughter, Alexandrine, married Mr. DeRutte, who died in Buffalo. The widow and children reside in Monroe.

The remaining sons, Augustus, Samuel and Philip, are in business in Monroe, and with their brothers have ever adhered to the tem . perance principles of their father.

COLONEL PETER PEYRE FERRY

Was born in Marseilles, France, and received a liberal education. He had a commission from and fought under Napoleon Bonaparte in his campaigns in Italy, Africa, Germany, and Austria, and with him suffered in common with his army the horrors and hardships of his memorable campaigns, living for days and weeks on horseflesh, and when in Mouroe in subsequent years related the incident of his entertaining at dinner a number of his fellow French officers, when the bill of fare consisted principally of rats.

After the successful campaigns of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1800 and 1801, resulting in the treaties with Spain, Naples, Bavaria, Portugal, Russia and Turkey, it seemed as if a universal cessation of hostilities was about to mark the history of Europe. To the title of Conqueror, the First Consul now added that of Pacificator. Many could then understand the cantious steps of Napoleon toward a still more absolute power - his head was giddy with success, and it was apparent he was aiming at the imperial diadem. At this time, and two years before he was proclaimed Emperor of France, Colonel Ferry believed in service he was contending for a republic. When it was apparent that Napoleon Bonaparte's ambition and deter- mination was to be the Emperor of France, disregarding and setting aside the principles that had animated those whose heart's desire

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

was a republic for France, and for which they supposed they were fighting, Colonel Ferry de- manded his passports, which were with reluc- tance granted, and he embarked for America. He first sought New York in 1802, in which city his brother Joseph resided. Ile could not return to France, and authorized his brother by a power of attorney to convert his property in France into available money. His brother proved false to his trust, appropriated his es- tate and wealth to his own use, reducing Colo- nel Ferry from affluence to poverty.

In New York city he married Ann Lloyd Jones, an English lady, from thence moved to Stamford, Connecticut, from thence to Dan- bury, Ohio, and from thence to Cleveland, Ohio.

He arrived in Monroe in October, 1822, and occupied one-half of the Lacroix house, now standing, on the north side of the River Raisin and owned by Louis Lafontain. After one year's residence he was appointed a justice of the peace. He also taught school a number of years, and is now well remembered by many of our older citizens as the keeper of the toll bridge that crossed the river at the site of the present Monroe street bridge.

Colonel Ferry was regarded as one of our most intelligent citizens, a fine accountant and trustworthy, and was for many successive years elected treasurer of the county of Mon- roe. He resided on Washington street, in the homestead now owned and in possession of his descendants, Mrs. John Tull and family.

He died in May, 1845, leaving a widow, two sons and two daughters. Lucian Ferry, his eldest son, was born in 1811, at Stamford, Con- necticut, left Monroe at the age of seventeen and embarked in the fur trade at Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he also studied law and was admitted to practice. He was for many years prosecuting attorney of that county. He died at Fort Wayne, leaving a widow, one son and two daughters. The daughters are married and now reside in Fort Wayne. The son settled in and is now practicing law in Port- land, Oregon.

Adelaide, daughter of Peter P. Ferry, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, May 5, 1814; married in the spring of 1835, but lived but one year thereafter.

Julia Ann was born in Danbury, Ohio, November 12, 1816; was married in October, 1837, to John Tull.

Lewis Victor Ferry, second son, was born in Danbury, Ohio, May 9, 1820; died at the age of twenty-eight in Monroc.

Margaret was born at Sandusky, Ohio, May 23, 1822; married in August, 1842, to Rev. Resing Sapp, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, who died May 5, 1873, leav- ing six sons : Dexter T. Sapp, a lawyer in Colo- rado; William and Edward, both lawyers in Galena, Kansas; Charles, a bookkeeper in Grand Rapids; and John R. Sapp, who was killed by lightning in his thirty-seventh year, while a student at the Michigan University.

Elisha, the third son of Peter P. Ferry, was born in Monroe, August 9, 1825 ; was educated in the Branch University of Michigan, at Mon- roe, the Rev. Samuel Center, principal. Hc . first settled and practiced law in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Practiced law thereafter in Wauke- gan, Illinois (then Little Fort). He there married the daughter of Doctor Kellogg, was appointed surveyor-general by President Lin- coln, and was subsequently appointed for two terms governor of the State. He is now living at Seattle, Washington Territory, with a family of five children.

Colonel Peter P. Ferry was in sentiment and belief an infidel, until his attendance in the old yellow court-house on the services con- ducted by the Rev. Mr. Frontis, a Presbyterian clergyman, at which time he became a Chris- tian and united with the First Presbyterian church in the year 1825, saying, however, that his father was a member of the Protestant Episcopal church in France, and his partiality therefor would induce him to dissolve his con - nection should a Protestant Episcopal church be organized. He was one of the first mem- bers of the Protestant Episcopal church in this city, was the successor of Doctor Walter Colton, the first warden, assisted in organizing the Sabbath school therein, and was for some time superintendent thereof.

ROBERT CLARK

Was born June 12, 1777, six months after his father's family arrived in America. He was of Scotch ancestry, concerning whom very little is known, beyond the fact that his family emi- grated from that part of Scotland known as the Lowlands. The family settled in Wash-

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BIOGRAPHIES OF PIONEERS, 1818-1837.

ington county, New York, and the father of Robert Clark died when his son was but thir- teen years old. His early days were passed as most pioneers, having little ease or luxury. He was wont to relate " how he studied lying on the floor in front of the open fire, his student lamp a pine knot, and the table upon which the book rested being the floor in front of him." Probably the minister of the parish was his classical teacher, as his knowledge of Greek and Latin was most accurate and his scientific attainments quite level with results of college training. His professional studies were doubtless pursned in his brother's office. His only brother, Dr. Thomas Clark, was a skillful physician, and practiced in Washington county and other places in New York until he removed to Michigan.

Dr. Robert Clark was married to Catherine Reid when he was twenty-two years old and his bride was barely fifteen. He practiced medicine in Galway, Washington county, New York, and although his mother-in-law made him an advantageous offer to settle in Canada, at LaChyne, his wife's former home, offering him a comfortable home and great induce- ments, he thanked her profoundly, at the same time telling her he could never sacrifice his principles to his interests by establishing him- self in the King's dominions (the spirit of Americans was greatly embittered at this time). Dr. Clark met with fair success and established himself in a comfortable home where two chil- dren were born, but one day while they were all abroad, the house mysteriously took fire and burned to the ground. Nothing was saved and they were in extremities. Neighbors were kind and a temporary shelter was supplied, and soon a third child was born. Dr. Clark moved soon afterward to Stanford, Delaware county, New York, where for a time he lived with the Kedzie family, and in the year 1823 he with William Kedzie came to Michigan. Dr. Clark bought a home eight miles from Delhi, where he practiced for some time with marked suc- cess. He abandoned his profession for the broader field of politics. He was twice elected to the New York Assembly and represented his district one or two terms in Congress. Through the influence of Colonel John Ander- son he came to Monroe, where he secured the office from the Government of register of the land office. Mr. Charles Lanman, a lawyer

from Norwich, Connecticut, was associated with him.

Mrs. Clark, with eight children, the youngest but twenty months old, followed the doctor as soon as convenient. They came by hired teams as far as Utica, then by the Erie canal as far as Rochester, and finally by hired teams again as far as Buffalo, when they embarked on the steamer Superior -the second set afloat on Lake Erie. The voyage lasted five days, and was not altogether favorable as to storms, and they were glad to land in Detroit -- from which place the journey to Monroe was made in an open boat, which had a sort of cabin some- where in the bold ; the name of the boat was the Firefly; the captain was Luther Harvey. When the boat was made fast to the wharf the only one-horse wagon owned in the village met the family and conveyed the mother and daugh- ters to the little village. The doctor secured the best accommodations to be had, which were poor enough ; the house was on Monroe street, partially finished and unpainted, known as the Mulhollen house. There was not a church in the village, but about a mile or per. haps two up the river was a Catholic church. Meetings were held in the court-honse, which served as a jail and residence for the family of the jailer. The summer after the family's arri- val, some of the household were attacked with the prevalent disease of the country -ague and fever. Dr. Harry Conant, a young physi- cian, was called, who understood the treatment necessary, and the family soon were restored to health. The friendship contracted in trouble endured to the end of their lives. Dr. Conant survived his friend Dr. Clark several years, and by request of the Medical Association de- livered the memorial address, in which he paid a deserved tribute to his memory, " whom he revered as a Christian, trusted as a man, and honored as a physician."

About the year 1823 Dr. Clark purchased a beautiful farm just at the edge of the village. The place had been quite a business center for the French, and had once a distillery, a saw- mill, a flouring mill and a bakery, with three or four houses besides. It had belonged to the Lasselle estate. There were flourishing or- chards in various degrees of maturity, beside peach and cherry trees. Mrs. Clark, with her son Duncan, explored the place and determined to utilize the French village. They repaired

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

two or three of the houses and moved into them. Many distinguished guests were made welcome under these lowly roofs. When Gen- eral Jackson was made President of the United States he called Governor Cass as a member of his cabinet, which was disastrous to his Michi- gan friends, for instead of having a friend at court and being allowed to still hold his posi- tion, the land office was moved to White Pigeon. thus making a place for two favorites of the President's. Dr. Clark returned to the practice of medicine with his accustomed skill but with abated enthusiasm. He found, how- ever, pleasant occupation in cultivating his narrow French farm-in experimenting with fruits and grasses and in draining the lands.

Dr. Clark was a man of positive convictions and never lacked the courage to express them - plain-spoken almost to bluntness. He began life as a Democrat. Of his party affiliations he used to say, " That he had never changed his principles, but found himself a member of the Whig party without needing to change." In New York he was a Free and Accepted Mason, but was not in harmony or fellowship with the lodge of Monroe, because men were admitted of loose principles and impure lives. He was a Presbyterian, and when living in New York a member and ruling elder in the Scotch church, and always retained an aversion to instru- mental music in church. He objected to the introduction of a flute and bass viol in the Presbyterian church, but being out voted he submitted very reluctantly, and when the con- gregation rose to praise God with the sound of the flute and viol he would not rise. At the time of the division of the church, his sympa- thies were with the old school but as his church and presbytery were new school, he united with them and was afterward satisfied to be so. On the subject of missions, he was in advance of his age. A draft of an address delivered before the County Bible Society fifty years ago, contains a plea for the nations in darkness which would still be powerful if made before the General Assembly or the American Board of Foreign Missions. Dr. Clark was a man of fine literary taste, an easy conversa- tionalist, possessed of a keen sense of humor. His society was always prized. After a long and painful illness, he expressed himself thus in regard to the hour of his death : " It would seem a joyful privilege to begin to praise God

in heaven at the hour that he had been accus- tomed to worship Him on earth." On a Sab- bath morning, just as the church bells were calling the worshipers, he entered into the church of the First Born written in heaven, October 1, 1837.

Mrs. Clark survived her husband twenty- two years. She was a woman noted for sound judgment and intelligence, and was greatly beloved by the community. She was the mother of thirteen children, ten of whom grew to maturity.

The second child was Duncan Reid Clark, born August 16, 1802, married Miss Sophie, Downing, daughter of Captain Downing, of Monroe, June 12, 1829. . He acted as crier at one of the public land sales and the effort brought on hemorrhage of the lungs, from which he never recovered. He died at his father's house in Monroe, February 16, 1835 ; was respected as a Christian and a man of much promise. He left one son, who is now a banker in Reed City, Michigan.

The fourth child born to Dr. Clark, Maria Reid Clark, born February 21, 1807, was a peculiarly bright and interesting child and her father's pride. She was married January 31, 1826, and soon removed to White Pigeon, where she died August 17, 1839, leaving three sons and an infant daughter. The oldest son died when quite young. The youngest son, Robert Clark Knaggs, was adopted by his annt, Mrs. A. E. Kellogg, distinguished himself in the Rebellion, was a prisoner at Libby Prison, is a respected citizen of Chicago.

Thomas Clark, son of Dr. Robert Clark, was born February 13, 1809 ; was married to Miss Lavonia Hopkins October 24, 1833. He was a quiet, careful man, much respected in the city, was an older in the Presbyterian church, and a firm and devoted friend to every good cause. His devoted wife was a bright and shining light to all about her, and her patient, unselfish life was a great encouragement to many of her sisters in the church and city. Her memory is revered and tenderly cherished by those who are left. Three children were born to Thomas Clark and grew to maturity : Helen, who was married to Mr. J. H. Ainsworth and became a resident of Toledo, Ohio. Edward G. Clark left college and responded to the call of his country - was with Sherman in his March to the Sea and participated in many a memorable

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BIOGRAPHIES OF PIONEERS, 1818-1837.

struggle. After the war he settled in Chicago and is one of the firm of Hibbard & Spencer, extensive hardware merchants. The younger son of Thomas Clark entered the service of his country as a member of the Seventh Regiment of Michigan Volunteers, Colonel Grosvenor commanding officer. He was not twenty-one when he enlisted, but was mature in firmness and Christian principles. He was the favorite of his superior officers, and as soon as his age would permit, and a vacancy occurred, he was promoted to a lieutenancy. He was attacked with severe illness in the swamp of the Chick- ahominy, and suffered much in the retreat from Richmond to Fortress Monroe. He returned home on a furlough after being some time in the hospital. He rejoined his regiment just in time for the terrible march to the field of Antietam, where he laid down his short but eventful and noble life. His father, Thomas Clark, died August 28, 1879, and his wife died the following February at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ainsworth, in Toledo.

Jane Stuart Clark, daughter of Dr. Clark, was born April 18, 1811 ; was married to John Anderson, jr., when she was fifteen years old. They moved soon to White Pigeon, where John W. Anderson became the first judge of probate of St. Joseph county. He afterward returned to Monroe and received the appoint- ment of light-house keeper, which he held four years. He again returned to the city, and died soon afterward with typhoid fever, leaving eight children: Edwin R .; Catherine Eliza- beth, who was for some time a teacher among the freedmen, and was married to Mr. Tayre, of South Lyon, Michigan ; Lester T., who lives in Washington Territory; Jane Estell was maried to William Mitchell, of Freeport. John C. Anderson, the third son, entered the service of his country as a member of the Seventh Regiment; he was promoted to a lieutenancy ; was wounded at Antietam and suffered much for want of care until he could be taken to the hospital, where he remained six months and left to participate in the battle of Gettysburg ; he was made prisoner three days before the surrender; he returned home after the war with his constitution broken and gradually de- clined ; was gifted with a fine literary taste and promised to be a useful Christian man. Willie, the fourth son, entered the service as clerk to a captain in the Fifteenth Regiment, but bis

health failed under continued exposure, and he returned home to die of quick consumption.

John A., the fourth son of Dr. and Mrs. Clark, was born February 20, 1814. He was a surveyor for some time and afterward read law and practiced in Illinois. He received the ap- pointment of Surveyor-General of New Mexico, and a few years after the same office for Utah. At the expiration of his official term he re- moved to Fort Scott, Kansas, where he was Land Commissioner and interested in the Fort Scott and Gulf Railroad. From this city he removed to Kansas City, where he died Angust 5, 1881.

Dr. and Mrs. Clark's fourth daughter, Ann Eliza, was born February 2, 1816; was married to Mr. Hosmer Kellogg, of White Pigeon, a prosperous merchant from Sheffield, Massa chusetts. She resided in White Pigeon for twenty-five years. Two sons and two daughters came to her home. Five years after the death of Mr. Kellogg his wife removed to Aun Arbor in order to secure better advantages for the education of her two sons. Mrs. Kellogg, owing to her thorough education and carnest Christian character, was very influential as a member of society in Ann Arbor. With one or two others she originated a Ladies' Library Association, which celebrated its twentieth anniversary April 9, 1886. Mrs. Kellogg's elder daughter married Governor Hunt, of Colorado, and her younger daughter was mar- ried to C. T. McClure, of Denver. The sons are settled in Colorado also. Mrs. Kellogg calls Denver her home, though much of her time is spent in the East. For many years she has devoted much time to the study of teaching of the Bible in select classes -- also to the interest of foreign missions. Through her instrument- ality a Sunday school was established in a des- titute part of the city and a brick chapel erected, in part as a memorial to her daughter, Mrs. Hunt.

The twelfth child that came to the home of Dr. and Mrs. Clark was Catherine. She was married to Colonel James Mitchell, who was a successful banker of Freeport, Illinois.

Charles A. Clark, the child of his parents' old age, was the most brilliant of all the brothers and sisters. At his birth his parents solemnly dedicated him to God for the Christian minis- try. He seemed to possess in an eminent de- gree the requisite qualifications for the work,

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

but by overstudy he lost his health while in college, although he graduated with high honors and gave the valedictory address. He waited some time in the hope of returning strength, but was disappointed. He read law in his brother's office, was admitted to the bar and entered upon that profession. He died aged twenty-nine, July, 1854.

Up to the present date (1888) there have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Clark one hundred and eight descendants, of whom sixty-six are still living.

OLIVER JOHNSON,

One of the carly settlers on the River Raisin, was born in the State of Connecticut, February 29, 1784. His ancestry is readily traced back to Isaac Johnson, who was one of the fifty-two original proprietors of Middletown, Connecti- cnt Robert Johnson, the grandfather of Colo- nel Oliver Johnson, died at Harrington, Con- mecticut, in 1792. His mother's name was Sarah Blake, of Middletown; she was the mother of eleven children, one of whom, Samuel Johnson, Esq., by profession a lawyer, resided on the south side of First street, corner of First and Scott streets, the site of the present resi- dence of Louis Freidenberg, where he died in the year 1836.

Another brother, Elisha, spent several years in Europe during the eventful years of the gen- eral war - a gentleman of literary tastes, one of the American correspondents of that time who contributed numerous letters to the Spring- field papers.

Another brother, Royal Johnson, was en- gaged in business as a merchant in Detroit, where he died in 1819, a copartner with Colo- nel Oliver Johnson.

In the year 1818 Colonel Johnson purchased the lot corner of Front and Washington streets from the original proprietor, Joseph Loranger, erected the first brick residence on the street and occupied it as such until the year 1834, when he erected the residence on the public

square east of the court-house, where he re- sided until the time of his death. It is now the residence of his son, Charles G. Johnson.

In 1819 he was married to Eliza, the daughter of Henry Disbrow (sister of Mrs. Thomas G. Cole, who survives her), by the Rev. John Mon- teith, bishop of Michigan so called, being prob-

ably the first Presbyterian minister of Michi- gan Territory. There were four children born of this marriage, two of whom died in early childhood. Charles G. Johnson still survives, probably one of the very few of his age who are natives of Monroe. The daughter, Eliza- beth Phillips, was married in 1844 to Talcott E. Wing, Esq., of Monroe; died in the year 1857, leaving four children : Talcott Johnson Wing, now a resident of Westfield, Massachu- setts; Charles R. Wing, a lawyer of Monroe ; Austin E. Wing, United States Bank Examiner for the State of Michigan; Harriet Armitage, who was married to James G. Little, a mer- chant of Monroe, deceased, now residing in Monroe, Michigan.

For many years after Colonel Johnson set- tled on the River Raisin, money was very scarce, and merchandising was carried on by barter and exchange of grain and furs, which were disposed of at Detroit or Buffalo. Colonel Johnson was at an early day judge of probate of the county of Monroe, appointed by the governor of the Territory, which was the only office ever held by him, though always promi- nent in politics and an active member of the · Whig party. Being a prominent anti-slavery man, he was one of the original promoters of the Republican party, which originated in Michigan. Was elected as presidential elector, and voted for General Fremont. About that time great bitterness of feeling was manifested on all sides. Many large business houses and leading newspapers catered more or less to the slavery element. The Presbyterian general assembly passed some resolutions which were so strong in sympathy with slavery that they were reported adversely upon by the synod of Michigan through their committee, one of whom was Colonel Johnson. He was for many years and until his death one of the ruling elders of the First Presbyterian church of Mon- roc. The New York Observer, for which he had subscribed for twenty-four years, was repudiated and declined on account of its pro- slavery sentiments.

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History of Monroe County, Michigan, Part 24

Author: Wing, Talcott Enoch, 1819-1890, ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: New York, Munsell & company Number of Pages: 882

Author: Wing, Talcott Enoch, 1819-1890, ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: New York, Munsell & company
Number of Pages: 882