History of Monroe County, Michigan, Part 61

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

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A farmer's son, brought up on a farm, he followed that occupation until about forty years of age, when be entered mercantile pursuits, and in 1871 moved to Monroe and engaged in the sale of agricultural implements.

During his residence in Frenchtown he was in 1857 elected constable, in 1862 and 1863 highway commissioner, in 1864 treasurer, and in 1868 supervisor, which last he held till his resignation in 1871, ou his removal to Monroe.

Coming as a plain uneducated farmer, with bat a few hundred dollars capital and no actual experience, he made up his mind to take the lead in the business, and in 1872 added the buying and selling of dressed hogs and grain, and to this in 1873 hard and soft coal, and by paying the highest market price, and by clean work and honest dealing he has secured the trade, good-will and respect of all with whom he has come in contact, and has a large trade in a radius of thirty miles; and by persistency and close attention has increased the business until the year 1888, when his annual business reached the large sum of about $250,000, and is being done by him and his son, John A. Hurd. The grain business assumed such pro- portions that in 1887, for the better handling of that commodity, he built a large elevator on Front street. near the railroad track. Dur- ing all this time he has never had his paper thrown out by the banks nor failed to promptly meet all bills when presented. In his entire business course he has always done what was fair and honorable, thus gaining the confidence of his fellow-citizens, and being very careful never to betray the trust reposed in him.

In politics he has always been a staunch Democrat, his first presidential vote being cast for James Buchanan in 1856; and while never

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

taking any active part nor seeking office, he has been called on to serve in official capacity several times -as alderman for the third ward in 1876-7, and elected mayor in 1887 and re- elected in 1888. His ten years' experience on the board of education renders him an invalu- able member of that body, and the fact that his work on the board is appreciated is evi- denced by his clection thereto during his ab- sence in California in the spring election of 1886, when he was elected by a majority of 312 out of a total of 1,084 votes. He returned from his Western trip Sunday morning, May 23, 1886, and as soon as his return became known there was a steady stream of callers and congratulations, and on Monday evening a large number of his friends, with the Monroe Cornet Band, gave him a very pleasant and unexpected reception. Mayor Gilday wel- comed him home in a few brief but earnest re- marks, to which Mr. Hurd responde I, alluding in a very feeling manner to the many evidences of sincere friendship which had been shown him by the people of Monroe during the past few months.

For more than a quarter of a century Mr. Hurd has been an active member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, being raised in Eureka Lodge No. 107, March 1, 1864, and at the December election of the same year elected Junior Deacon, and after a year each as Junior and Senior Warden, was Worshipful Master for five years; after an interim of two years. as Secretary, again in 1874 he was re-elected as Worshipful Master, which office he was re-elected to every year for fifteen years in succession until the present year, when he refused all official posi- tions in the lodge; a delegate to the Grand Lodge for twenty years, he was elected Grand Sword Bearer at the session of 1868. September 8, 1865, he was exalted in River Raisin Chap . ter. No. 22, R. A. M., in which from 1879 to 1882 he was High Priest and representative to the Grand Chapter. In 1874 he became a Cryptic Mason in River Raisin Council, No. 4, R. and S. M., where from 1878 to 1882 he was D. T. I. G. M. He was knighted in Monroe Commandery, No. 19, Knights Templar, at its institution December 23, 1867, and the follow- ing year was elected Prelate; from 1869 to 1873 was Generalissimo, the two following years was elected Eminent Commander ; in 1878 and 1879 Treasurer, from 1880 to 1883 Generalissimo,

and again Prelate in 1888, and during all this time, when in the city on the night of meeting, was always found at his post in the lodge room.

JOSEPH G. NAVARRE,

The son of Colonel Francis Navarre, was born at the River Raisin in January, 1795. Had the advantages of an education; was intended by his father for the priesthood, spent several years at Bardstown, Kentucky, preparing for orders, but before completing his studies for the priesthood he entered the law office of the Hon. William Woodbridge at Detroit. While there he was of very great service to the early settlers of the Territory in making the neces- sary proofs and papers to establish the titles to the lands on the River Detroit, River Raisin, Swan Creek, Stony Creek, Sandy Creek, Otter Creek and Bay Settlement. He was also very

efficient and of great service to the early set- tlers that had suffered the loss of their property by the British army under Colonel Proctor during the War of 1812. He did not enter upon professional life as a lawyer, yet was very frequently consulted by the early settlers on all questions pertaining to the title to their lands, their claims for losses in the war, and the settlement of controversies that arose on the River Raisin.

While in the office of Governor Woodbridge he was called home by the illness and death of his father,and thereafter was occupied a number of years in administering on and closing up the estate. He ceased pursuing his studies, settled upon the farm south of and adjoining the city of Monroe, owned and occupied it up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1862, aged seventy-six years and six months. His first wife, Eliza A. Martin, was born April 14, 1815, died April 15, 1848 ; for statement of descend- ants reference is here made to page 93. Mr. Navarre married for his second wife Jemima Knaggs, who was born July 26, 1811, died February 27, 1886, without issne.

A. F. WINNEY.

[An autobiography.]

I was born May 24, 1825, in the township of Davenport, Delaware county, New York. I may here say that my father is Philip Winney

H. R. Smith, Del.

Forth Parawan Glyph

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(still living at the age of eighty-five years), and my mother was Miss Lydia White, both scions of Revolutionary stock. The grand- father on my mother's side at the age of seven- teen assisted in the capture of Burgoyne at Saratoga, and the others operated against Indians in the State of New York. He was captured by the celebrated Brandt's Indians, and escaped by his extreme muscular strength and fleetness of foot. The name is of English origin, and members of the family were promi- nent in the days of Oliver Cromwell. The first American seat of the family was in Virginia.

In 1833, when I was eight years old, my parents removed to Blenheim township, Scho- harie county, New York. My schooling previous to the age of twenty consisted of an attendance at a country district school some part of the year from the age of five to the age of fifteen years.

In the financial troubles from 1837 to 1843 inclusive, my father, like many others, after the " sheriff had restored confidence " found himself with just about enough left to remove his family to Michigan, where we arrived in November, 1843.

In my twentieth year I returned to the State of New York, and took an academic course in Otsego county, that State; assisting a local surveyor to pay tuition and other expenses. I next took a course at an engineering school in Pennsylvania, teaching school to defray ex- penses, and pursuing my own studies nights.

Having graduated, and my professor of math- ematies desiring a change for his health, he pro- posed a copartnership, which I accepted. We went West for the purpose of surveying United States land, in which we engaged about a year, after which we led a roving life on the plains, from Jefferson City, Missouri, to Santa Fe, then in Mexico. We finally joined Fremont's military expedition to California, but my partner being injured by a fall of his horse, we had to return after proceeding three hundred miles on our way. To take a gen- erally bruised man across a country where Indians were the only inhabitants, was an en- terprise fraught with an amount of danger hard to realize by one who has not been there. We had no guide, and the nearest place where we might meet assistance was a point on the Santa Fe trail that we had established

astronomically the year before. Our party numbered five; the injured man on the start was unable to ride except at the gentlest walk. I was obliged to be guide and astronomer of the expedition, and succeeded in locating it on the Santa Fe trail in about a month, often obtaining longitude and watching for Indians while the others slept. It was the severest month of toil I ever experienced, except, per- haps, a month preceding the battle of Pea Ridge, during the War of the Rebellion.

Accident having robbed us of an opportunity to assist in the conquest of California, we, with some wild spirits of the plains, attached our- selves to the army of General Taylor, and were present at the battle of Buena Vista.

In 1848 we again returned to Pennsylvania. my partner to settle and receive his portion of his father's estate, where we remained station- ary long enough for me to order a Y level, and some other instruments not then manufactured in this country that I knew of, from England. Having accomplished our purpose in the East we returned to Santa Fe. where my partner died in 1849.

I finally settled in Wisconsin, where I was married. In 1855. for climatic considerations in connection with my wife's health. we re- moved to Missouri, where we remained about six years, engaged partly in mercantile and partly in professional pursuits.

In 1861, on the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, I was driven out of Missouri for being a "Yankee" and a suspected aboli- tionist, viewed from a pro-slavery standpoint. Their treatment of me was just, for I enjoyed the confidence of John Brown and his associ- ates; was an agent on the " underground rail- road," the only railroad agency I ever held. Rob- bed of the accumulations of a life-time, I took my family to Indiana and returned to Missouri, taking such course against the rebels as to me seemed best, ending with the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas.

Whatever may be said of the irregularity of my connection with the army it has the ad- vantage of one less pension applicant, and great economy of Federal ducats and "red tape."

The condition of my wife's health immedi- ately following the battle of Pea Ridge obliged me to forego further considerations of retribu- tion and devote myself to her. She died in 1866,

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after which, in 1870, broken in health, I came to Oakville for the purpose of leaving a daughter of tender years to the care of kindred. A. F. WINNEY.

ORION JONATHAN FAY,

Of Carlton, is one of the self-made men of Monroe county who have steadily worked their way from the lowest round of the ladder to a very enviable position, and whose ambition will hardly be satisfied until they have reached the top. He is a descendant of the old Puritan stock that came over on the Mayflower, being the son of Francis and Charlotte (Brown) Fay, and born in the township of Exeter June 20, 1860. The father's family came from Massa- chusetts. the mother's from Vermont, and set- tled in Monroe county in the early part of the thirties. When the California gold fever broke out in 1849, Mr. Brown, his wife's father, crossed the continent with a wagon train, and remained on the Pacific coast until the outbreak of the Rebellion, when he returned by water. He is next to the oldest of eight children, six boys and twogirls: Edwin E., born 1858; Lucretia, 1862; Charles, 1864; Lois Lavina, 1866; Dan, 1868; Albert, 1871, and Perry, 1875; all of whom are married with the exception of the doctor, who, with Charles, Albert and Perry, are still bachelors.

When a mere lad Dr. Fay began the battle of life and has fought his way heroically, un- assisted, until he has at an early age, by his indomitable energy, sound business sense and sterling integrity, won the confidence of his associates and fellow-citizens. He attended the common district schools of his township, which education his parents deemed sufficient for him; but in this he disagreed with them, and finally his father took him to Flat Rock to attend the high school there, but with positive injunctions to the party with whom he left him that he must carn his board and pay his own way. as he would not be responsible for any of his expenses. This he pluckily did, and the four years' course was completed in three years and nine months, graduating June 28, 1878. The principal, Mrs. Harriet B. Jones, had in early days been the preceptress of Fay's father. Having tasted the sweets of knowledge Mr. Fay determined to mount

higher and accomplish more. With this pur- pose in view, after graduating from the Flat Rock Union High School he matriculated in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, taking a partial literary course and a special course in German and French, the knowledge of which he deemed essential in the practice of medicine, to which he had determined to de- vote his life. He took the two courses of dentistry and medicine at the same time, and by close application and pertinacious work completed the usual five-year course in three years and three months, receiving his degree as Doctor of Dental Surgery March 23, 1881, and of Medical Doctor June 30, 1882. Not content with this he determined to grasp all the honors that his Alma Mater could confer on him, and in the department of general chemistry took special courses in electro-therapeutics and- practical manipulation of electrical apparatus and in the physiological laboratory.

In politics he has always been a Democrat, his maiden vote being cast in the effort to seat General Hancock in the presidential chair, but has never taken any active part in the councils of his party nor held other office than that of health physician for the township of Ash, his time being too fully occupied in the practice of his profession of medicine and surgery.

Socially he has many warm friends, and takes great interest in the several fraternal organizations with which he is connected. He was made a Mason in Hiram Lodge, No. 110, at Flat Rock in 1880, and is a charter member of Orion Lodge, No. 123, Ancient Order of United Workmen, which was named in his honor.

EMERSON CHOATE,

One of the oldest, most respected and honored citizens of Monroe county, was a native of Canada, being born at Malden, on the banks of the River Thames, in what was then known as Third township, now Howard, August 28, 1807, and when but a lad of nine years of age, just after the War of 1812, coming to Monroetown with his parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Cor- nell) Choate, and settling on the banks of the River Raisin, where but two years before had occurred the bloody battle and Indian massa- cre. During his residence of sixty-five years in this community he has seen this prosperous

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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY,

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Emerson Choate

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY, ----

ASTOP. LENOX AND TILREN FOUNDATIONS.

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county spring up from an unbroken wilderness, and with its rise, growth and progress has been closely identified. His father, Samuel, was on the first board of supervisors in the county in 1827, and in 1848 and 1849 Emerson was chosen to represent the people of Monroetown in the same capacity ; and being very popular with his fellow-townsmen, after an intermission of one year, in which he served as township clerk, he was again elected to the office of supervisor, and re-elected for twenty-three consecutive years, filling the position he occupied to the entire satisfaction of his constituents, and with honor to himself. The year previous to his death, during the absence of Supervisor Wake- field, Mr. Choate was again chosen to represent his township (Monroetown) making in all twenty-six years of service upon the board.

During the memorable and trying years of 1861-2 he represented his district in the Mich- igan legislature, where his course was marked by the same honest purpose and fairness. May 6, 1850, in pursuance of Act No. 78 of the ses- sion of 1850, he was elected a delegate to the constitutional convention which convened at Lansing June 3 and adjourned August 15, 1850, his colleagues from Monroe county being Robert McClelland, Alexander M. Arzeno and Henry B. Marvin. The constitution, as re- vised by the convention, was submitted to the people November 5, 1850, and adopted by a majority of 26,736 votes, and with amendments is the one now in force, the revisions of 1867 and 1873 having both been rejected by the people in the April and November elections following.

Mr. Choate lived with his parents until 1830, when he decided to make a home in the wil- derness for himself. Acting on this resolu- tion he removed a few miles to the south of the old homestead, and taking up a large tract of woodland, erected a log house and began the laborious task of clearing off the land. Having completed the cage he secured the bird in the person of Martha Bowen, to whom he was married February 28, 1831, who was born in Providence, Rhode Island, Decem- ber 8, 1809, and at an early day emigrated to Monroe county with her parents. She indeed proved a helpmeet to her husband in his labor of years, enduring all the privations and ex- posures of carly settlers, clearing away the forests, draining the marshes, building roads and laying the foundation for the present

valuable property now in the family. She proved a worthy companion for her noble hus- band in building up a pleasant home in the wilds of a new State. As a kind neighbor, loving mother and faithful friend, without re. proach in all social, religious and neighborly qualities, she will long be remembered. She survived Mr. Choate about six years, her death occurring at her home on Plum Creek, June 11, 1888, when sympathizing friends and neighbors met to lay away her remains in peaceful rest by the side of her husband's ashes.

Their children are: Caroline R., born May 28, 1832, married in Raisinville, November 8, 1851, to Seneca H. Larabee; Louisa M., born February 17, 1834, died December 13, 1888; Minerva M., born August 27, 1835, married to Norman G. Curtis, October, 1858; Emerson II. (now living in Detroit), born August 3, 1837, and married November 26, 1861, to Jane M. Shew ; Maria M., born April 26, 1839; Ed- ward M., born August 3, 1842, now living on the old farm, married December 25, 1872, to Annie E. Skinner, of Fremont, Ohio; Sherman D., born November 13, 1845, died March 10, 1846; and Frank C., born January 10, 1848, married February 19, 1878, to Adeline M. Pitts, and now living on the old homestead.

The old log house was replaced by a new and more handsome structure, where for many years friends would often meet to enjoy hos- pitality that was always bestowed in a gener- ous and friendly manner, where Mr. Choate was a signal illustration of the gospel of cheer- fulness through all his happy and useful life. Simple and frugal in his own habits of living, he was open-handed in his charity to the needy and in his generosity to his friends. The kindly welcomes and generous hospitalities of the home will long be cherished in the mem- ories of all who have shared them. Up to the hour of his death his life was one of ceaseless toil and untiring activity, and wherever he was known his genial presence will be greatly missed.

His death, which occurred May 18, 1882, re- sulting from apoplexy, came suddenly, much to the surprise and bereavement of friends and relatives. He had been to Monroe in the fore- moon, seeming to be in his usual health. After dinner he went to the harn to feed his horse and was found dead on the haymow some two hours later. The body when found

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being quite cold, it is supposed he died soon after leaving the house. Through all his life he had been a man of the strictest honesty and integrity, and his death was sincerely mourned by his many friends throughout the county. His funeral was held at his residence the fol- lowing Sunday, the burial services being con- ducted by the Rev. J. E. Jacklin, and was one of the largest gatherings of a similar nature ever held in the township.

RESTCOME R. KIRBY, M. D.

The subject of this sketch was the son of Isaac and Eleanor (Canfield) Kirby, and was born at Cayuga, New York, July 24, 1829, removing with his parents to Michigan in the spring of 1836. To accomplish this journey a comfortable carriage was provided for the family, drawn by strong horses intended for valuable service in a new conntry. A 'freight train," which consisted of a wagon of generous proportions, drawn by four yoke of oxen, loaded with necessary farm and household equipage, was sent several weeks in advance, and through the slush of April snows threaded its slow length through the Dominion of Can- ada toward the "Eldorado of the West," the objective point being the township of Rives, Jackson county, Michigan. In the spring of 1838, after having endured the privations and hardships of clearing a farm in the wilderness, the father died, leaving a wife and five chil- dren to mourn their carly loss. In 1841 the mother of these children was united in mar- riage with Colonel John Bradford, of La Salle, Monroe county, Michigan, where she removed with her family.

In 1844 Restcome R. Kirby, having enjoyed the privileges of the common schools, entered the academy at Plymouth, Michigan, con- ducted by the Rev. Anderson J. Clayton, re- maining there until 1846. In 1847 he entered the academy at Aurora, New York, and re- mained there until May 14, 1849, when he be- gan the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Joel Green at Sylvania, Ohio. In September, 1850, he enrolled as a student at the State Uni- versity at Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he re- mained two years. At the expiration of this term he returned home, spending the following year at the home farm. In September, 1853, he

went to Buffalo, New York, and entered the senior class and hospital of the Sisters of Charity of the Buffalo Medical College, receiv- ing the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the bands of ex-President Fillmore February 22, 1854.

In July, 1854, he was united in marriage with Miss Melissa M. Tucker, only daughter of Dr. J. L. Tucker, of Erie, Michigan, and immediately began the practice of med- icine at Newport, Monroe county, devoting himself to the duties of his profession until the spring of 1861, when the alarm rang through the land that the conntry must be defended. On the 10th of July, 1861, he received the ap- pointment as assistant surgeon in the Twenty- Seventh Ohio Infantry, under Colonel Fuller, and immediately reported to Camp Chase Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; but being deter- mined to go into the cavalry arm of the ser- vice, he at once called on Adjutant-General Buckingham and asked to be attached to cav- alry then being organized at that point; his request was granted, receiving at the same time a commission as first lieutenant for five years, and assisted by Second Lieutenant S. N. Stanford, a company of ninety-seven good men was immediately recruited, armed and mount- ed, which was known as Company C, First Ohio Cavalry.

On the morning of the 21st of August Lieu- tenant Kirby received orders to report to Gov- ernor Dennison and Adjutant-General Bucking- ham at Columbus, Ohio, with five days' rations and forage for one hundred and fifty horses, and to be fully equipped for field service. Up- on reporting to General Buckingham he re- ceived orders to report with his company to Governor Pierpont, at Wheeling, West Vir- ginia. In command of his company he pro- ceeded to West Virginia, reporting to Gov- ernor Pierpont, where he received orders from him to report immediately to General Schenk at Webster, Virginia; going by way of Grafton he reached General Schenk's head- quarters at two o'clock on the morning of the 23d of August. Here he received orders to report to General Reynolds at Cheat Monntain as soon as possible. A rapid march of forty- three miles was made to the scene of action, where he reported to General Reynolds. Dur- ing the month of September Company C, First Ohio Cavalry, was in all the engagements at

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THE NE PUBLIC LIS

ASTOR, LE OX AM. TILDEN FOUND AT . ..

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this point, and was in action when the Confed- erate John Washington fell.

About this time Company C was joined by Company A, commanded by Captain Robinson, leaving Lieutenant Kirby to act as surgeon of what was now the First Squadron of First Ohio Cavalry, they being detached from their regiment throughout the war. It was during these engagements that Colonel Tyler's regi- ment of Ohio Infantry cut their way through Robert E. Lec's army and joined the main army. In this engagement the Union loss was nine killed, the Confederates leaving one hun- dred dead on the ground, and Colonel John Washington among them.

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History of Monroe County, Michigan, Part 61

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