History of Monroe County, Michigan, Part 25

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


USA > Michigan > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Michigan > Part 25


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Mrs. Eliza Johnson, nee Disbrow, wife of Oliver Johnson, was born in Dayton, Ohio, and rode from Dayton to the River Raisin on horseback, fording rivers, streams and marshes, arriving at the River Raisin in 1817, and re- sided with her father on the Menard or Stewart farm until her marriage to Colonel Johnson in


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1819. She was an active member of the Pres- byterian church from the time of its organiza- tion in 1820. Her home was the resort and house of entertainment for the ministry at an early day, when the Rev. John Monteith, Rev. Noah Wells and Rev. Frontis ministered to this people. Mrs. Johnson survived her hus- band, dying at her house in Monroe, where she had resided for fifty years, aged eighty-seven.


DANIEL S. BACON


Was among the earliest emigrants from the State of New York to the Territory of Michi- gan, and was a resident of Monroe for nearly half a century. He was born in Onondaga, New York, in 1798. He began his career in the new country as a teacher of a private school ; subsequently he was engaged in devel- oping various farming lands. He was also associated with Levi S. Humphrey in several business projects, and purchased lands in the northern part of the State which eventually showed his wisdom and foresight, as they proved quite valuable. He was at an early date made a member of the legislative council of the Territory, and soon afterwards appointed associate judge. He served as judge of pro- bate for the county of Monroe for three terms, and held a number of other local positions in which he acquitted himself with ability. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church. His dignified bearing, pure and unaffected char- acter, commended him to the esteem of all who knew him. He died in Monroe, May, 1866, leaving one daughter, the widow of General George A. Custer.


PETER BENSON


Came to Monroe in the employ of Musgrove Evans, a Quaker, who was in 1824 engaged in surveying in the northern part of New York. It appears that Austin E. Wing visited Watertown, New York, in that year, and rep- resented Michigan as the garden of the world, contradicting the statements we find in the old Morse history then generally used in schools, which represented the Territory as " good for nothing; that government agents pronounced it a swamp; that one hundred acres could


be found in the Territory worth cultivating." Musgrove Evans and wife, Peter Benson and wife, Mr. Blood, Joseph W. Brown and Mr. Stetson were induced to emigrate from Jeffer- son county ; arrived after a tedious journey of a month, at Detroit, from thence to Monroe in a small sail vessel, requiring four days to travel the distance that is now accomplished in one honr and twelve minutes. On the 2d of June, after remaining in Monroe four days, the party purchased two yoke of oxen and journeyed on to the site of the present village of Tecumseh, camping out at the Macon the first night - the land having previously been entered by Austin E. Wing, by whom it was platted and laid out. He also purchased the adjoining eighty-acre tract ; Evans and Brown chopped the logs for a house, sent fifteen and twenty miles for neighbors to help roll them up, and split up the shakes to cover it.


The hardships and privations they were com- pelled to endure, the difficulties they had to encounter, can only be understood by those of experience in pioneer life -- withont mills, with- out boards, even the roughest, to cover and proteet from storms. The next year (1825), by obtaining help from Monroe, thirty miles distant, raised a saw and grist-mill, obtaining the stone on the opening near for the grist- mill. The following year the dam was carried off by a freshet, and with the endorsement of Mr. Wing and Shubal Conant, obtained the pecuniary aid they needed to rebuild.


Peter Benson, after remaining with the party at Tecumseh a few years, returned to Monroe, purchased and settled upon the farm on the north side of the River Raisin known as the Gabriel Godfroy tract. Mr. Benson was the agent in northern Michigan of a railroad com- pany in 1887 at the time of his death.


His sister married Medard Couture, one of the pioneers, and after his death married James Knaggs, to whom great prominence was given in the War of 1812, as a successful Indian fighter and spy.


As the pioneers of Tecumseh obtained in early days all of their goods and supplies from Monroe, the attachment between the citizens became very strong; and until the year 1845, when the railroads were completed, the inter- change of social visits was of very frequent occurrence.


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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


HARRY CONANT


Was born April 19, 1790, in Mansfield, Connec- ticut. He was a lineal descendant of the first colonial governor of Massachusetts, Roger Conant, who emigrated from England in 1591. When Dr. Conant was eleven years old he moved with his father to Middlebury, Vermont, where he graduated. He studied medicine for a time with a noted physician, Dr. Tudor, practicing in that city, and afterwards went to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where he continued his medical studies. In 1816 he passed a suc- cessful examination before the "State Medical Censors," and became a member of the Ver- mont Medical Society.


Dr. Conant selected Montreal, Canada, as the field of his future labors, but owing to the in- fluence of his brothers, Shubal Conant, of De- troit, and Dr. Horatio, in Maumee, Ohio, he remained but a short time in Canada. He invested his means in the lumber business in Western Pennsylvania. The venture not prov- ing as satisfactory as he was led to expect, he disposed of his interest in lumber and in 1820 settled in Monroe, where he resumed the prac- tice of his profession in partnership with Dr. Luther Parker, who had been establishedlin the Territory for some years.


Dr. Conant soon became a prominent man in the community, and widely known in the young Territory. General Cass in 1824 ap- pointed him commissioner to locate a turnpike from Detroit to Pontiac and Paint Creek in Oakland county. The same year General Cass appointed him sheriff of Monroe county. Two years later, when Cass was - making treaties with the numerous tribes of Indians in the Northwest, he made Dr. Conant the at- tending physician of his command, and he witnessed the signing of a treaty on the banks of the Wabash in Indiana. Governor Wood- bridge in 1826 appointed him surgeon of the Second Regiment of the territorial militia.


In all that tended to the advancement and material interests of the new country, he was ever foremost with his influence and money. Dr. Conant at his own expense provided build- ings for that branch of the Michigan University located in Monroe, and provided the residence for the principal, Rev. Mr. Center, who came from Albany, New York, to fill the position. He with Mr. Charles Noble and Colonel Oliver Johnson founded the first young ladies' semi-


nary, known as Miss McQueen's school, and presided over by an accomplished and brilliant corps of teachers, who are still well and affec- tionately remembered by many prominent ladies in this city. In 1850 Rev. E. J. Boyd was called to the position of principal of a semi- nary founded upon a much larger scale. Dr. Conant became a trustee and a generous sup- porter of this seminary, which flourished for over a quarter of a century, and was of ines- timable value to many a young woman, who otherwise could not have enjoyed the privileges of so broad a culture and of such varied ac- complishments as The Young Ladies' Seminary furnished.


The first Whig paper, known as the Monroc Gazette, was established in 1846 by Dr. Conant and the Hon. T. G. Cole. Charles Lanman, now of Washington, was the editor for a few months.


When the Gibralter and Flat Rock enter- prise promised a brilliant future, Dr. Conant was made treasurer of the company, and by his energy and capital endeavored to make it a success.


It was in his profession which he loved and honored that he was best appreciated, and not until the Great Book is opened shall we know how often his helping hand was extended to the poor, the suffering and the sorrowing.


Dr. Conant united with the Presbyterian church in 1832, and was elected to the elder- ship the same year. His broad views and liberal spirit did much for the prosperity of the church, which he recommended by his daily living. The older citizens will never forget his sterling integrity. His benevolence without ostentation, his rare judgment of men, his un- blemished reputation, deserve the title given him in the words of a former biographer, " He was a Christian gentleman," which the writer from a personal acquaintance heartily endorses.


He died at his residence in the city of Mon- roe September 2, 1851. Dr. Harry Conant was married June 4, 1821, to Miss Maria Stewart, of Vermont, who still survives him, residing at the old homestead, growing old gracefully, cordial, cheerful and happy in the attentions and affections of her surviving children, feel- ing a lively interest in the current events of the day at home and abroad, appreciated by a large circle of friends for her charity, liberality, influence and interest in all efforts which for


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BIOGRAPHIES OF PIONEERS, 1818-1837.


theiraim have the prosperity of our Redeemer's kingdom.


AUSTIN E. WING,


Son of Enoch and Mary (Oliver) Wing, was born at Conway, Massachusetts, February 3, 1792. When a lad he accompanied his father to Marietta, Ohio, where the latter engaged in merchandising and farming, and erected flour- ing and saw-mills on the banks of the Mus- kingum about three miles above the mouth of the river. Austin attended the academy at Chillicothe, and completed his preparation for college at Athens College, Ohio. He entered Williams College, Massachusetts, in 1810, and graduated with honor in 1814. Immediately after he graduated he married Harriet, the daughter of Deacon Benjamin Skinner, of Williamstown, Massachusetts ; returned to Ma- rietta and entered the law office of Governor William Woodbridge, one of the most promi- nent and influential lawyers of Ohio.


October 13, 1813, General Lewis Cass was appointed Governor of the Territory of Michi- gan, and continued Governor until August 1, 1831, when he resigned and became a member of General Jackson's cabinet. Governor Wood- bridge and Governor Cass were both interested in young Wing; advised him to accompany them to Michigan Territory, and were strong . personal friends the remainder of their lives. By giving his note he obtained a horse, saddle, bridle and saddle-bags, and on horseback ac- companied them to Detroit and entered again the law office of Governor Woodbridge. Was sheriff of the Territory for a number of years, when his jurisdiction extended over the States of Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan; resided on Bates street; built the red warehouse and dock at the foot of the street, which are now represented on the old maps of Detroit drawn in 1820.


He represented the Territory in Congress from 1825 to 1829, successor of Rev. Gabriel Richard, and again from 1831 to 1833; was appointed and served for one term as United States marshal for the Southern District of Michigan ; was for two terms regent of the Michigan University ; represented Monroe county in the legislature of 1842; was one of the early members of the first Presbyterian church of Detroit. He died at the Water-cure


Sanitarium at Cleveland, August 25, 1849. Hlad one son and two daughters that attained their majority : Talcott E. Wing, attorney and counselor, at Monroe ; Eliza, who married Moses H. Whittier, merchant, of Monroe; and Harriet, who married Charles T. Mitchell, banker, of Hillsdale, Michigan.


In the language of one of the leading citi- zens of Detroit: " Austin E. Wing was a gen- tleman of more than ordinary gifts and accom- plishments, and became prominent in public and private life. Of great personal attractions, the social element was prominent in him, and his wit broadened into a proverbial humor that made him sought by all who loved the bright side of life. Far from being a raconteur of the day's gossip, or the idle dispenser of other people's jokes, he was a man of activity and energy, who won the high positions he reached by the judicious use of the sterling qualities which made him a whole man. His tone was high. If his humor was broad and surprised yon into sudden laughter, its pleasure was al- together healthful. He was equal to all the re- quirements of the confidence reposed in him."


He built and occupied during his residence in Monroe, the stately mansion on the north side of the River Raisin, now occupied by Wil- liam Ilall, Esq.


CHARLES NOBLE,


Son of Deodatus Noble, was born in Williams- town, Massachusetts, July 4, 1797; died in Detroit, Michigan, December 26, 1874, aged seventy-seven. He graduated at Williams Col- lege in 1815, and read law in Williamstown with his uncle, Hon. Daniel Noble. He left for the Westin 1818, and after a short residence in Cleveland, Ohio, removed in 1820, to French- town, now Monroe, Michigan. That place con- tinued to be his residence, except from 1849 to 1853, as surveyor-general of the district em- bracing Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, and from 1867 to 1874, in Detroit. He held many pub- lic offices in Monroe county, viz., register of deeds, district attorney, postmaster, Indian agent, member of the general assembly, mem- ber of the legislative council from 1828 to 1829, president judge of the county court from 1846 to 1850, surveyor-general from 1849 to 1853.


Mr. Noble was a man of deep convictions


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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


and decided opinions in all religious matters. In the year 1831 he first connected himself with the First Presbyterian church, and for a number of years was a ruling elder therein. Shortly after removing to Detroit, he became a ruling elder in the First Presbyterian church there, and so remained until his death.


He married May 16, 1823, Eliza Sims Wing, who was born in Marietta, Ohio, May 2, 1802, daughter of Enoch and Mary (Oliver) Wing, of Marietta, Ohio, and Phelps, New York. Children all born in Monroe, Michigan. Elizabeth Abby Noble, born July 15, 1826; married Rev. Hannibal L. Stanley. Charles Wing Noble, born February 13, 1828 ; married J. F. Mygatt first, C. G. Van Buren second, F. Martine third. Ellen Electa Noble, born Au- gust 7, 1832; married George S. Frost, of De- troit. Judge Conway Whittier Noble, born October 7, 1842, is a successful lawyer of Cleve- land, Ohio, and present Judge of the Court of Appeals of Cuyahoga county.


THOMAS G. COLE


Was born in Canandaigua, New York. His father, Luther Cole, emigrated from Massa- chusetts in 1785. He carried the first mail on horseback, in a leather pouch strapped around him, through the Indian country to Utica; but was never molested, as the Indians respected and admired his courage and honesty, and were wont to consult him on matters of interest to the Six Nations. Red Jacket was a devoted friend, as well as other chiefs. Luther Cole was also engaged in surveying the "Holland Purchase." He was a merchant for a number of years in Canandaigua, where his children were born and educated. He valued an edu- cation above all things, as the following extract from one of his letters, dated February 24, 1817, to his son, Harry T. Cole, attests :


"I need not again remind you that it is altogether on account of the expense I do not consent for you to come home at each vacation. You say it is very unpleasant to stay in that 'Dutch Hole' [Union College]. I know it, my dear child, we all have to encounter many un- pleasant things in the course of our lives. I did not send you to college for pleasure. You did not go there for pleasure, you went for an education, and it requires all my efforts and economy to keep you there until your educa-


tion is obtained ; besides once a year is often enough to come home, considering the dis- tance."


Thus he early impressed upon his children the necessity of improving their opportunities, as well as a self-respecting economy. His children were all remarkable for the purity of their language and general intelligence. Those identified with Michigan were the Honorable Harry S. Cole, of Detroit, who was Attorney- General of the Territory of Michigan, and dis- tinguished as a lawyer ; James Cole surveyed some of the first lands in the State, and wrote a very readable account of his travels ; Joseph C. Cole, the younger brother, was also a fine writer, and at various times interested with his brother Thomas G. Cole in business ; one daughter, Mrs. Harriet Cole Fifield, was long a resident of Monroe, and was noted for her brilliant wit and kind and generous heart.


The subject of this sketch, Thomas G Cole, was a pupil of the celebrated Canandaigua Academy. He came with some of his com- panions to Monroe in 1825, where he engaged in the mercantile business and various agricul- tural pursuits, as well as mills. He proved a very public-spirited citizen to the growing set- tlement, and was ever foremost in improving the material interests of the town. It was often said of him, "To insure success in any public enterprise, it was only necessary Thomas G. Cole should advocate or lead." He was identified with the city canal, the first large brick hotel, the erection of the first brick block.


After leaving the mercantile business, he was largely interested in railroads. Mr. Cole and the late Walter P. Clark were the contract- tors for constructing the road between Monroe and Hillsdale, of which when finished he was appointed superintendent. He was next inter- ested in obtaining the right of way for a rail- road from Monroe to Toledo, which right when secured was sold to the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Railroad Company. Mr. Cole obtained the contract for the construction of the road, and completed the work in one year. It was then pronounced one of the best built roads in the State.


During the latter years of his life he devoted his time to a large and beautiful farm on the north side of the river, fronting on Noble Avenue; from that point it stretched north about a mile. He was interested in some of


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BIOGRAPHIES OF PIONEERS, 1818-1837.


the finest breeds of horses ever brought to the county, and in the raising of mules, the sale of which proved valnable to his estate at the outbreak of the war.


Mr. Cole married Miss Mary E. Disbrow, a beautiful and accomplished young lady of Mon- roe, who has long presided over his home, and ever been foremost in promoting every good cause.


Mr. Thomas G. Cole was noted for many sterling qualities. His integrity, energy, honor and benevolence were conspicuous throughout his useful life. He was a firm believer in Christianity, and when in health a constant attendant upon divine services.


He died in Detroit (where he was under medical treatment), July 25, 1862. Many of the citizens of Monroe repaired to Detroit to return with his remains to Monroe, the railroad company of which he had long been a director sending a special train. He left a wife and seven children. The eldest is Mrs. James A. Raynor, of New York. The oldest son, James Luther Cole, was born August 25, 1830; died April 25, 1880. The second daughter is Mrs. George Armitage, of Monroe. The second son is Henry T. Cole, of Monroe Harriet F. Cole married Mr. Frank Tryon, of New York, July 25, 1865. The youngest daughter, Mary Dis- brow Cole, was married to Mr. John Bulkley, of Monroe, June 22, 1865. Daniel T. Cole was born January 19, 1837, and is now a resident of Monroe.


EXTRACT FROM THE ARCHIVES OF THE FIRST STATE PIONEER SOCIETY.


MONROE COUNTY MEETING.


August 4, 1823, at a respectable meeting of the citizens of the county of Monroe for the purpose of seleeting a suitable person to repre- sent the Territory in the next Congress of the United States, Oliver Johnson, Esq., was called to the chair, and Harry Conant appointed sec- retary.


It was then


Resolved, That this meeting do now proceed to select a suitable person to represent us as delegate in the next Congress.


Whereupon Austin E. Wing, Esq., being selected, it was


Resolved unanimously, That we will support Austin E. Wing at the ensuing election, as our


delegate to Congress, and that we will use all fair and honorabie means to promote his elec- tion.


It was then


Resolved, That a committee of twelve be ap- pointed to assist in carrying into effect the pre- ceding resolution, and that Benjamin Davis, Luther Smith, Alcott C. Chapman, John Robb, John Wendell, George Giles, Thomas Wilson, William Gale, Lewis Wells, David M. Jacobs, William Brown and Benjamin F. Stickney, constitute said committee.


It was then unanimously


Resolved, That the proceedings of this meet- ing be signed by the chairman and secretary, and published in the Detroit Gazette.


OLIVER JOHNSON, Chairman.


HARRY CONANT, Secretary.


DETROIT MEETING.


At a numerous meeting of the citizens of the city of Detroit friendly to the election of Austin E. Wing, Esq., at the house of Alexander Campbell, on the 18th day of August, 1823, pursuant to notice, John Hunt was called to the chair, and B. F. II. Witherell appointed secre- tary.


On motion it was


Resolved unanimously, That we have the most perfect confidence in the talents, integ- rity and independence of Austin E. Wing, Esq., and that he be recommended to our fellow-eitizens as a suitable person to represent this Territory as a delegate in the next Con- gress of the United States.


Resolved, That the chairman and secretary be appointed to draft an address, recommend- ing Mr. Wing as a candidate for the office of delegate, to the electors of this Territory.


Resolved, That the proceedings of this meet- ing be signed by the chairman and secretary, and published in the Detroit Gazette.


Resolved, That this meeting do now adjourn to Thursday evening next.


JOHN HUNT, Chairman.


B. F. H. WITHERELL, Secretary.


FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS: In offering to you the name of Austin E. Wing, Esq., as a candidate for the office of delegate from our Territory to the next Congress, we do not be- lieve that his claims will be best established by assailing the feelings or characters of opposing


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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


candidates or their friends. Let others claim for their candidates the exclusive talents, in- tegrity, wealth, influence, or the entire credit of originating the change in the form of gov- ernment. We will not. But we will say that for talents, independence and intrepidity of thought and action, Austin E. Wing, Esq., is not surpassed by any candidate before the pub- lic. He is not the incumbent of any lucrative office under the Government of the United States ; he has not a large fortune or powerful relatives at Washington. But his friends may fearlessly assert that he has ever been the friend and invariable supporter of his coun- try's rights, and her republican institutions. Uniformly accessible to all classes of his fellow- citizens, his success will depend on their spon- taneous and unbiased opinions, and not on the exertions or influence of the distribution of promises and favor.


Mr. Wing was in Detroit zealously engaged with many friends to effect a change in the form of government, and the correction of ex- isting abuses, before the individual for whom the exclusive credit is claimed had ever seen our Territory. From that period to the present, he has filled offices of trust and im- portance under the Territorial and United States Government, with intelligence, fidelity and firmness.


To all public improvements and institutions he has contributed not unfrequently beyond his means. To explore our Territory and point the stranger and emigrant to its advantages, he has given his time and impaired his health. Educated at one of the most respectable liter- ary institutions of our country, he graduated with honorable distinction. With the prin- ciples and policy of our Government he is thoroughly acquainted. He has been long a resident of the Territory and personally ac- quainted with the wants and wishes of our fellow-citizens ; their just claims hitherto neg- lected by the Government will find in him a warm and able supporter. For this man we solicit your support. His virtues and talents will never discredit the high estimate his friends have formed of them. By the annexed nominations you will discover the sentiments of a large portion of the American and a por- tion of the French population.


JOHN HUNT, Chairman.


B. F. H. WITHERELL, Secretary.


VOICE OF THE FRENCH CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY OF MONROE.


At a large and respectable meeting of the inhabitants of Frenchtown, in the county of Monroe, holden at the house of Francois Las- selle, Esq., on the 27th day of June, A. D. 1831, John B't. Cicotte, Esq., was called to the clair, and Francois Lasselle and John B't. Bessean, Esqrs., were appointed secretaries.


The object of the meeting having been stated by the chairman, James J. Godfroy, Esq., Felix Mettez, Francoin Mouton, and Hyacinth Beau - regard, were appointed a committee for the pur- pose of drafting resolutions and an address to the electors on the subject of the ensuing elec- tion.




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