History of Monroe County, Michigan, Part 26

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

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The committee retired and after a short time returned and reported to the meeting the fol- lowing resolutions, with the address, which were adopted by the meeting without a dissent- ing voice :

Resolved unanimously, That this meeting do approve of the doings of the Republican con- vention holden at Detroit on the 4th of March last, at which convention Austin E. Wing was nominated as a candidate for delegate.

Resolved, That we will by all fair and honor- able means endeavor to secure the election of Austin E. Wing, long known to us as a tal- ented, industrious and honorable citizen, whose interest is identified with our country, and whose best efforts we have every reason for believing will be exerted in favor of the Territory generally, free from sectional preju- dices.

Resolved, That from a long acquaintance with the private and public character of Mr. Wing, we are well assured of his integrity, pa- triotism and love of country ; and we want no better evidences of these facts, than the ser- vices he has heretofore, in the capacity of dele- gate, rendered our citizens and our Territory.

Resolved, That we look upon Mr. Wing as a genuine Republican, educated in the Jeffersonian school, belonging to the party consisting of the people, and who have the interest of the people at heart; and we look upon any attempts to deprive him of his hard earned and invaluable reputation, as a direct insult upon the people themselves, the dernier ressort of unprincipled and desperate politicians.

Resolved, That in our endeavors to promote the election of Mr. Wing, we shall be content

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to rely upon his own merits, upon his knowl- edge of our country, and the intelligence of our French brethren ; that we will not exact written pledges in support of Mr. Wing; and that the friends of General Williams in attempting to obtain written pledges to his sup- port, and in appointing gentlemen on commit- tees without their knowledge, and against their known wishes, have endeavored to degrade the character of Frenchmen, a character which we are proud to own, and determined to maintain.

Resolved, That a committee of vigilance, con- sisting of ten from this township, be appointed, and that Hyacinthe Bougard, Joseph Bosome, Felix Mettez, James J. Godfroy, John B't. Bessean, John B't. Cicotte, Francois Lasselle, Touissant Soleau, Washington Bond, and Alexis Labadie, be that committec.

Resolved, That the preceedings of the meet- ing be signed by the chairman and secretaries, and be published in the Detroit Journal, and in handbills in the French and English lan- guages.

J. B'T. CICOTTE, Chairman.

JEAN B'T. BESSEAU, - Secretaries.

FRANCOIS LASSELLE, S

ADDRESS. (Without Date.)

FELLOW-CITIZENS: By the above proceed- ing you will preceive that we have nominated as a candidate for delegate at the ensuing elec- tion, Austin E. Wing, a man known personally to most of you who are now residents of this district. His character needs no culogy from us; his talents, acquirements and business habits, his long residence in our country, and the fact of his interest being identified with the interest of the country, render him eminently calculated to promote your interests and the interests of the Territory generally. His ac- quaintance, too, with the officers at Washing- ton city, his knowledge of business there, his acquaintance with the officers of the different departments, with the members of both houses of Congress, and his experience in legislative proceedings, render him peculiarly well fitted for the office of delegate.

To you, or to our fellow-citizens generally, it would be unnecessary and worse than use- less to attempt any vindication of the charac- ter of Mr. Wing. The infamous stories that have been set afloat in the Free Press, and

otherwise circulated by the propagators of them to destroy his election, we consider of too infamous a character, and the publishers of them too well known to you as unprincipled demagogues and office seekers, to require from us even a passing remark ; suffice it to say, therefore, that they have not the semblance of truth, and have the mark of falsehood stamped upon their front.

Who are they, fellow-citizens, who are ac- tively engaged against Mr. Wing? We ask you to look about you and see whoare in their front ranks. Are they not office holders and office seekers ? Have they anything to lose in the matter? Are they not actuated by hopes of gain? Are their interests identified with your own ? Fellow-citizens, we ask of you to pause and reflect. Are they not interlopers upon us, pensioned agents of a party? Who are the opposing candidates? Is not one a vestige of the Hartford convention, a branch of one of the most aristocratic families in Mas- sachusetts, a trumpeter of his own democracy, a political demagogue? When have we ever heard any good as coming from him ? Where are the public services, what are the claims which Samuel Dexter can urge upon us for our suf- frages ? Let him answer who can. And who is General John R. Williams, whose name has lately been spread in large capitals before the people of this Territory? We ask you, fellow-citizens, who is he that he should obtain your votes ? Is he not the same brave general who abandoned hiş fireside, his friends, and you, fellow-citizens, during the late war to get clear of the dangers and trials of that war? When the tomahawk and scalping knife were playing about your wives and children during the last war, was General Williams there to throw over you his protecting shield? When the British and In- dians were throwing firebrands into your houses and barns and leaving desolation and death in their progress through our country, was General Williams there to assist you in warding off the blow ? In these times that tried men's souls, where was the mighty man, this hero who has filled the measure of his country's glory, this man who spoke his own mighty deeds in a handbill a few years since setting forth his own qualifications? Why, fellow-citizens, you cannot have forgotten his passage through Canada, and that he finally fixed himself safely and away from the dangers of war and the

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

difficulties that surrounded you, in the city of Albany, where he could remain quite free from any danger, and when through the instrument- ality of friends he received the appointment of captain of a company of militia, and was called upon to lead this company to New York, to assist in the defense of our sea-board, where was General Williams then ? Why, indisposed ; yes, fellow-citizens, indisposed, and his lieuten- ant bravely led on the company to the defense.

Who was it that in 1814 vilified and derided your reverend prelate, Gabriel Richard, and sowed the seeds of discord in your church, and published a handbill in French and Eng- lish, containing the vilest of slanders ? We ask you, was it not the same General Williams?

Fellow-citizens, we will not longer weary you by the recital of the facts respecting these men, that would make a patriot blush. These are the men that are held up before you as Republicans, who have rendered services to the country, and are, therefore, entitled to your support and favors. Is it so ? We anticipate your answer. To the polls then, fellow-citizens, and show by your votes for Austin E. Wing, the people's candidate, that you are Republi- cans in deed and in fact. That you love your country and your country's friends, and that you are governed by nobler principles than the shackles of party could prescribe. Give your votes to that man who will serve you best; and if you do, we are satisfied they will be given for Austin E. Wing.

Similar meeting were held in Oakland county, Hamtramck, River Rouge.

INSTRUCTIONS.

DETROIT, July 31, 1824.

GENTLEMEN : The annuities payable by law to the Pottawatomie Indians amount to ten thousand seven hundred dollars. Of this sum six thousand five hundred dollars have been sent to Chicago, and the residue, being four thousand two hundred dollars, is committed to your charge to be transported to the River Raisin. Seventeen hundred dollars of this amount are destined for the Wabash and Elk- hart Pottawatomies and will be paid at Fort Wayne. You will please deliver it to Messrs. R. A. and T. Forsyth, who will be at Monroe on Wednesday or Thursday next, and who will transport it to Fort Wayne, to be distributed

by the agent there. You will take a receipt for the money there paid. The remainder of the annuity, being two thousand five hundred dollars, you will distribute equally among the Pottawatomies at Monroe. You will first, from the best information you can procure, make an estimate of the numbers at the different villages and bands who will probably attend for the purpose of receiving a share of the money. As these bands arrive you will collect all the indi- viduals together, and divide among them equally and fairly the amount allotted to the band. The payments will be made by one of you and to no other person but an Indian. The only distinction you will make in the divis- ion will be in favor of a few of the old and in- fluential chiefs. To these you may allow a larger sum, not, however, exceeding forty or fifty dollars.

I am desirous that the Indians should re- main as little time as possible at the River Raisin. You will therefore use your exertions to pay them, and persuade them to return as soon as you can.

Some claims against the Pottawatomies will be herewith handed you, and should there be any others tendered you, you will re- ceive and examine them. If you are satisfied of their justice you will make a demand upon the Indians for the amount and endeavor to persuade them to pay it. Whatever you may receive you will pay to the parties interested. And you will report to me as well those claims which are allowed and paid, as those which are rejected. You will take regular receipts for all your payments.

The annuities due to the Ottawa Indians amount to five thousand three hundred dollars. Of this sum three thousand six hundred dollars are payable and have been paid at the Miami by Mr. Stickney. Six hundred and fifty dollars of the residue have been paid here to the band of Cocoche or the negroes. The remainder, amounting to one thousand and fifty dollars, you will pay to the Kekalimazoo and Washte- naw Ottawas. You will pursue the same pro- cess both in apportionment and in all other respects as I have before provided for the pay- ment of the Pottawatomies. I enclose a state- ment of Mr. Stickney respecting a claim against the Washtenaw Ottawas, which you will ex- amine and decide.

The Ottawa chief, Keewaakwishkum, has

NEW YORK UBLIC LIBRARY,

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

. م طبقا

Les Ever yours Alfrea G. Balis

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BIOGRAPHIES OF PIONEERS, ISIS-1837.

been a faithful friend of the United States, and through his exertions principally the Ottawa cession at the treaty of Chicago was made. I wish he may be particularly remembered.

Your compensation will be two dollars per day, and the expenses of the two gentlemen who leave here upon the business will be borne by the United States.

Very respectfully, gentlemen, I am, your ob't serv't ,

LEW CASS.

JAMES CONNER, EBENEZER REED, GABRIEL GODFROY, CHARLES NOBLE, Esquires.

HARVEY STONE

Was born in Onondaga county, near Syracuse, February 19, 1815. At the age of seven years he, with his father and mother, their little family, and several relatives, emigrated to Monroe, Michigan, making nearly the entire distance with ox teams. They found but few white settlers among the mixed French and Indians at that place, and Mr. Stone was about the last of those early pioneers, the others having dropped by the wayside as the years passed on. He saw the town grow from an Indian trading post to the present beautiful little city of which every Monroeite is so justly proud, and was always pleased to tell of the changes which he had seen take place. He lived on the farm which his father settled for sixty-two years, selling it in 1884, and re- moving his family to the city. He was gentle and unassuming in his manners, of a retiring disposition, but thoroughly beloved by all who knew him. One rarely meets with such an up- right character as was his, or one in whom everybody so completely trusted. His kindly where he was revered and loved. He, with his wife, removed to Las Vegas in the fall, to visit their children, who had all settled in that city. He had been in good health until April, 1888, when nervous prostration or general de- bility laid hold upon him, terminating in his death. All that human skill could devise or loving kindness suggest was done to keep the dear father, but it was not to be. He ex- pressed himself as ready to go, and wanted

peace. He leaves a wife, a daughter, Miss Lucy, and two sons, Fred and Frank, to mourn his loss. The funeral took place from the family residence on Tilden street, Las Vegas, March 20, 1888, the services being conducted by Rev. James Frazer, and a large concourse of friends were in attendance.

HARVEY AUSTIN

Was born in Skaneateles, Onondaga county, New York, January 9, 1803. In 1824 he came to Michigan Territory and located at Ann Arbor, where he engaged in the manufacture of leather. In 1832 he removed to Brooklyn, Jackson county, where he engaged in agri- culture. His second son, who still survives him, was the first male child born in the present town of Brooklyn. He was post- master, justice of the peace, and elder in the Presbyterian church, in which last relation he was very highly esteemed. He removed to Monroe and died at his farm in the town of Mon- roe on the south side of the River Raisin, Feb- ruary 4, 1866. He had three sons, all of whom enlisted in the War of the Rebellion. The youngest was killed at Malvern Hill, Virginia. The second son, Henry R. Austin, is the only survivor, who is now and has for years been eagaged in the United States mail service, and highly esteemed as an elder in the First Pres- byterian church of Monroe.

ALFRED G. BATES.

Among our early pioneers no one was better or more favorably known than Alfred G. Bates. For years at his farm on the Raisin, and later in the city itself, he was thoroughly identified with the settlement and growth of Monroe and Monroe county. Alfred was the disposition was best known in his own home, . son of Phineas P. Bates, of Canandaigua, New York. Phineas P. Bates was the son of Phineas Bates, who purchased in 1790 what is now known in Canandaigua as " Brookside" or " The Bates farm," and moved his family there in February, 1791, traveling from Connecticut with a sled drawn by oxen. His was the seventh family settling in Canandaigua, at that time the western limit of the settlements in the State of New York; in fact there were few settlers west of Schenectady.

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

Phineas Bates had four sons : Stephen, born in Granville, Massachusetts; Asher, born in Hartland, Connecticut; Phineas P., born in Hartland, Connecticut; and David C., born in Canandaigua, New York. These sons all took active parts in the early settlement of western New York, and were noted for their inde- pendence of character and sterling integrity.

Phineas P. Bates had three sons : Alfred G., George C., and John S. Alfred and George removed to Michigan, where they settled; Alfred in Monroe as a farmer in 1834, and George C. in Detroit as a lawyer a year or two later. . John S., well known by the older citi- zens of Monroe, remained at the homestead in Canandaigua and died there in 1855. George C., for many years one of the prominent law- yers of Michigan, subsequently went to Cali- fornia, living at different times in California, Utah (where he was United States District Attorney), and Colorado, where he died in 1885. Alfred remained a citizen of Monroe county until his death, in 1881.

This little sketch of the family of Alfred Bates will give to any one familiar with New England and New England traditions an idea of the character of the man. He was purely of the New England type, liberalized in trans- planting to western soil. Generous by nature, his sympathy for his fellows was strongly de- veloped by the struggles consequent upon the early settlement of the country, and he was known as one of the most unselfish and kind- hearted of that splendid band of men who settled in Monroe at about the same time he did. Monroe was then a New England colony, supplanting the original French settlers; a · colony composed of men of such intelligence and strength of character that in the early days of the State it was known as " the Inde- pendent State of Monroe." Two years after his arrival he was elected sheriff of the county, and was subsequently appointed deputy United . States marshal for the district of Michigan. While occupying these positions he took a very prominent part in breaking up some of the wonderfully organized bands of counterfeiters and horse thieves, whose operations extended from the Mississippi to the lakes. The history of the exploits of these bold marauders in the great wilderness through which they operated seems like the tales that are told of the roman- tic characters of the Spanish Main, and of the

robber bands in the Black Forest of Germany. Mr. Bates's intelligence, coolness and dauntless courage especially fitted him for the dangerous work of suppressing these outlaws, and the records of the State's prison bear the names of many desperate characters that he succeeded in placing behind its bars. At different times Mr. Bates filled other local positions of more or less prominence, serving one term in the legis- lature; but he was a modest, retiring gentle- man, devoting most of his life to his private business, and interesting himself in the affairs of others only as his sympathies were enlisted by his neighbors and friends, among whom he was held in the highest possible esteem.

A sketch of the life of an ordinary indi- vidual, like the history of a peaceful commu- nity, requires but little space. Yet it is in the homes of these modest American gentlemen, and in these quiet religious communities, that are planted and cultivated those principles of patriotism and unselfish consideration for the rights of others, that distinguish Americans from the citizens of other nationalities, and make the educated Americans the peers of the titled aristocrats of the world. Mr. Bates as an individual, and Monroe as a community, are but fair types of other individuals and communities of similar origin. In them we see the development under 'most favorable auspices of the character of the Puritan, en- larged, broadened and softened of many of its asperities by suffering, by struggle and success. The devotion to duty is still there, the capacity for self-sacrifice daily illustrated, while charity for the weakness of others, without which no character can be lovely, becomes a mantle so large that with it they are enabled to envelop the whole human race.

To one who has known the subject of this little sketch, and known his neighbors and friends in Monroe county, it seems a pity that those coming after us must, of necessity, have so little appre- ciation of the real strength and nobleness of their characters. Their lives were passed in such quiet and unostentatious ways that with- out a personal knowledge of the trials and difficulties surrounding them it is impossible to appreciate the results of those lives. Their descendants and successors who find the forests cleared away, the marshes drained, and the country converted from a dense wilderness to a beautiful park; log school-houses replaced by

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buildings worthy of being called temples of learning; churches everywhere pointing their spires to that invisible God upon whom these earnest men depended for their daily food as well as mental strength, can never appreciate their struggle as they gave their lives in un- interrupted toil to accomplish this magical change. They have passed away, but in this case the good they have done lives after them. Mr. Bates raised a large family, consisting of three sons and four daughters. Like their pre- decessors they have all migrated, and are now living in different parts of the country. Not one of the family so long and so favorably known in Monroe is now a citizen of the county or State.

Alfred G. Bates was born at Canandaigua, New York, June 25, 1810; married Miss Betsey Ann Elliot in April, 1833. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom seven reached the age of maturity.

Major Elliot Bates, the eldest son, entered West Point Military Academy in 1861, gradu- ated in 1865, and was assigned to the Second Cavalry, United States army, in which he served as lieutenant, adjutant and captain until March, 1875, when he was appointed major and paymaster of the United States army, which position he now holds and is stationed at St. Paul; was married in December, 1875, to Caro- line E. McCorkle, of New York city; has two children, Elliot and Mary. He is an accom- plished gentleman, and much esteemed as a wise and prudent officer.

Miss Nellie married Mr. William Taylor, a wholesale merchant of Toledo, Ohio.

Miss Sarah married Mr. William V. Law. rence, a wholesale merchant of Montreal, Canada.

Adelle Granger Bates married Mr. Burk Stone, a wholesale merchant of Chicago.

Agnes A. Bates married Mr. Arthur W. Wel- lington, civil engineer, and editor of Engineer- ing News, of New York city.

Henry Bates, the second son, is a civil and mining engineer, a graduate of the Michigan University, now identified with the fortunes of Leadville and Gunnison, Colorado, and in point of time one of the pioneers of that State.

John S. Bates is married and living in Mont- real, Canada, and one of the firm of Davis Law- rence Manufacturing Company.

PATRICK GOLDEN

Was born at Boyle, Ireland, in 1807. He left home at twenty-two years of age, and landed at Quebec after seven weeks and three days of sailing. He took steamer from Quebec to Mon- treal, then took Durham boat drawn by four horses and poled by men to Lachine Rapids - their boat was drawn over the rapids by twenty-three yoke of oxen; from thence by steamer to Oswego, N. Y., from thence to Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Toledo, and ar- rived at Monroe in October, 1835. Was a carpenter by trade, and was boss carpenter in building the Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad from Toledo to Adrian. Purchased eighty acres of land in Lenawee county. Built by contract the Mansion House in Ohio City, the first hotel built in that city. Was in the em- ploy of Stevens & Storms, and assisted in build- ing the residence of Dr. George Landon, near the site of the old Michigan Southern Railroad depot in the first ward; also the residence of Parson John O'Brien in the first ward. As- sisted Mr. George Bachelor in building the first Methodist church on Monroe street. With Peter Beitzel (father of Henry Beitzel, of this city), Egbert Cole and Alexander Ragen, built the first Methodist church in Ann Arbor. As- sisted in building for General Henry Smith his residence on Elm avenue in the city of Monroe, now owned and occupied by I. E. Ilgianfritz ; also the residence of Mr Clancy on First street in third ward, now owned and occupied by Sidney Prentiss.

Patrick Golden was married to Mary Mc- Donough May 3, 1838. Immediately there- after he took the contract for and built for the Michigan Southern Railroad six miles of rail- road from Ossco to Hillsdale under General Levi S. Humphrey, commissioner of the State, taking three years to complete the contract. After completing this contract, he built for the same parties eight miles of Michigan South- ern Railroad west of Coldwater. Mr. Golden was extensively engaged in burning and selling lime for a number of years. He took a con- tract for building a large portion of the plank road from Monroe to Flat Rock, which proved a total loss to him. Mr. Golden purchased and improved a farm of 128 acres on Sandy Creek, built a handsome residence thereon, and after occupying it but four years, it was with all his

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furniture destroyed by fire. He subsequently deeded one-half of the farm to his son William.

Mr. Patrick Golden had four sons and one daughter : William, who married Mary Lynch, resides on his farm on Sandy Creek ; Joseph, who married the daughter of John Davis, of this city; Augustus, who married the daughter of James Pentony, of this city ; Charles, who married the daughter of Touis- sant Soleau, now the prosecuting attorney of Monroe county ; Maria, who married the son of Touissant Soleau, of this city.

Patrick Golden visited his old home in Ire- land in 1885 after an absence of half a century. He found but five of his old acquaintances living.

SEBA MURPHY

Was born at Scituate, Rhode Island, July 25, 1787, and when quite young was connected with the large and respectable mercantile and commercial house of DeGraff, Walton & Co., of Schenectady. In 1812 he was sent to Can- ada to take charge of a branch establishment, and while there the war with Great Britain broke out. In endeavoring to effect his escape to the United States he undertook with other Amer- icans to cross the ice from Bath, Canada West, to Cape Vincent. A blinding and furious snow- storm coming on at the time caused them to lose their way, and he unfortunately fell into the ice and froze his feet ; being thus discovered by the British picket guard, he was seized as a prisoner of war and carried back to Kingston. He suffered the amputation of both of his feet, and was detained there until rescued by Ben Johnson and other members of the Ma- sonic order of Bath, who managed to conceal him in the bottom of a sleigh filled with bags of oats, drove him to Prescott, and during the night safely conveyed him across the river to Ogdensburg. Returning to Schenectady he re- mained there until the spring of 1818, when he removed to Ovid, Seneca county, New York, and engaged in mercantile business with Colo- nel Philip R. Tull, late of Monroe, Michigan. He there held the office of county clerk for two successive terms.

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History of Monroe County, Michigan, Part 26

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