History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 102

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 1457

USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan > Part 102

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Gen. Clark has, for many years, been connected with the Episcopal Church of this city. In him the city has always had a warm and active friend ; a man of warm heart and undoubted honor, he has won for himself a host of friends.

George W. Clark, proprietor feed stable, Second street, between Huron and Washington streets, Ann Arbor, was born at Sherbon, England, in 1811. In 1837 he went to Canada, and for a period of 10 years was a non-commissioned officer in the British army. In 1848 he settled in Ann Arbor, where he entered actively into business, and since that time has been an energetic and public-spirited citizen of Ann Arbor. While living in Canada, he married Sarah Neal. They have 3 children-George W., jr., Sarah A. and Mary E.

George Clarken, Ann Arbor, was born at Crosses of Robertstown, County Meath, Ireland, in 1844. In 1851 his parents came to America. Their first year in this country was spent in New York city, and the four succeeding years in Jersey city. In 1856 they came to Ann Arbor, where George was educated in the pub- lic schools. In 1861 his father died in this city. When about 13 years of age he began working with A. A. Perry, and learned the trade of brickmason and plas- terer. In 1867 he went West working on contracts on the Union Pacific Railroad in Nebraska, Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. He was present at the driving of the golden spike near Green river, where the two ends of the road met. He then returned to Ann Arbor and began contracting and working at his busi- ness, which he followed until 1872. He then started in the grocery business on Ann street in this city, and followed it seven years. The next year found him again contracting, and in that year he built himself a fine house on Ingalls street, at a cost of $4,000. He also bought and repaired a number of houses in this city. In the fall of 1880 he purchased the old store of J. W. Maynard on Main street, which he repaired and re-fitted. He opened a fine billiard room therein, and fitted it up for the satisfaction of those who enjoy "chasing the ivory over the

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green." Feb. 22, 1870, he was married to Miss Mary Hoban, of Ann Arbor. To them has been born 1 child-Mary, born Jan. 1, 1871.

Clayton & Kline, agents in Ann Arbor for the Parisian Steam Laundry, are doing a large and remunerative business. In the short time that has elapsed since their entry into Ann Arbor, they have succeeded beyond their most sanguine expectations. All their work is done by the widely known Toledo Steam Laundry, and they enjoy a good trade.

Joseph Clinton, merchant tailor, Ann Arbor, was born in Mead, Ireland, in 1831, and is a son of Owen and Ellen J. Clinton. He grew to manhood and was edu- cated in the common schools of his native land. In 1851 he went to London and thence to New York, working at his trade in both cities. In 1852 he came to Detroit, and from there to Ypsilanti. He returned East, but came to Michigan soon after, and worked a short time at Ann Arbor, and from the latter place to Lafayette county, Wis, where he remained some time, and permanently located in Ann Arbor in 1859 In 1860 he married Mrs. Jane Currans, of Irish descent, and a native of Vermont. Her parents were William and Mary Currans. Six children were given to this couple-Mary, Elizabeth, Jane, Lawrence, Ann and Joseph. He worked for William Wagner for a number of years, but for the last two years has been in business for himself.

Benjamin F. Cocker, D. D., LL. D., Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy in the University of Michigan, was born in Yorkshire, England, in the year 1821. His father designed him for one of the learned professions, and gave him the advantages of a good English education at King James' Grammar School. Having a decided taste for a business life, however, he was placed in a German business house, where he laid the foundation of correct and methodical habits. He after- ward engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods, in which business he remained for seven years. In 1850 failing health compelled him to seek a change of climate. He started for Australia, and after the hardships of a 16 weeks' voyage, found himself measurably restored to health. He remained about one year at Laun- ceston, Tasmania, as the agent of an English shipping house. When gold was discovered in Victoria, he removed to Melbourne, where he for four years carried on a large and suceessful mercantile business, and manifested very marked ability, not only as a business man, but also in the various public affairs with which he was connected. The great panic of 1856 proved disastrous to his busi- ness, and after losing nearly all of his apparently ample accumulations, he pur- chased a small vessel, and went on a trading voyage to New Zealand, Tonga, Feejee and Tahiti. While in Feejee he, with a companion, fell into the hands of cannibals. Their fate seemed sealed ; already the death song which was to precede their being killed and devoured was commenced, when, by a courageous effort, they succeeded in breaking through the weakest part of the line, and escaping to their boat. After barely eluding the savages he had, on the same voyage, a narrow escape from shipwreck, but finally reached Australia in safety. He then engaged as clerk in a lumber yard for a time. He then took the same vessel in which he had formerly sailed to the scene of his adventures with the cannibals, and started for the Friendly Islands. He went ashore at Tonga and sent the vessel on to Lakemba, one of the Feejee group, where she struck a reef and went down, the crew being saved. He returned to Australia and found employment at Sidney as a wharfage clerk. After three months he started for Callao, Peru. From Callao he went by way of Panama and Aspinwall to New Orleans; then up the Mississippi to Cairo, and from there by rail to Chicago. His funds were exhausted, and he endeavored to find temporary employment in Chicago, but failed. Hearing of an old friend who had, while a missionary, been a recipient of his bounty, and who now resided at Adrian, Mich., he started for that place. One of his children died on the journey, and he found himself on his arrival at Adrian, with a wife and 3 helpless children depending on him for support and a dead child in his arms. This was in 1857. In Adrian he found true friends, and the Presiding Elder of that district in the Detroit Conference appointed him as Pastor of the M. E. Church at Palmyra. From Palmyra he went to Adrian, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor; then again to Adrian, back to Ann Arbor, remaining in each place as long as the rules of his Church would permit, and winning the respect of every community in which he lived. In the conference of 1869 he was appointed to the pastorate of the Central M. E. Church of Detroit. In a few weeks he resigned this charge to take the chair of Mental and Moral Philosophy in the

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

University of Michigan, to which he had been elected in September, 1869, and which he fills at the present time.

The Wesleyan University conferred on him the degree of M. A. in 1864; Asbury College that of D. D., and he was further recognized by receiving the degree of LL. D. from Victoria College, Ontario, in 1874. Before his connection with the University, Dr. Cocker contributed quite extensively to the Methodist Quarterly and other journals. But his chief literary work has been done since his connec- tion with the University. In 1870 he published "Christianity and Greek Philos- ophy ; " in 1873, "Lectures on the Truth of the Christian Religion; " in 1875 "Theistic Conception of the World; " since then, his "University Lectures," " Evidences of Christianity " and " Handbook of Philosophy," all of which have been well received and most flatteringly noticed by literary journals in this coun- try and Europe. The style of his writings is of rare beauty. He is firm in ex- pressing his opinions, fearless in defending his positions, yet courteous to all his opponents. The greater part of his work has been done while laboring under intense physical suffering, yet he never complains. In appearance Dr. Cocker is intellectual and venerable. He is at once unpretending and striking, nearly six feet high, rather slender, with a strongly marked face, a large, kindly, penetrating dark eye, the whole countenance indicating an admirable blending of strength and benevolence. His whole life has been marked by a pure, childlike faith in God. In the "Shadow of the Rock " he has found rest when troubles have come upon him. Through his own trials he has learned to sympathize with the un- fortunate and troubled, and those who come to him for sympathy or advice ever find in him a ready adviser and a sympathizing friend. Dr. Cocker and his esti- mable wife, who, for 37 years, has been the companion of his eventful life, and who has tenderly cared for him in his physical feebleness, have 2 sons, surviving a family of 7 children. Both are graduates of Michigan University. The eldest, William J. Cocker, has been for a number of years Principal of Adrian High School. Henry R. Cocker is connected with a business house at Cleveland, Ohio.

Orin O. Collier, retired merchant, was born at Bennington, Vt., in 1808. He lived in his native State till he was in his 14th year, and then went to Rochester, N. Y., where he worked at shoe-making for some years. While a resident of the Empire State, he married Ruth Trumbull, and 2 children were given to them. In 1839 Mr. Collier removed to Owosso, Mich., where he became extensively engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes. In 1837 Mrs. C. departed this life, and two years later Mr. C. married Mrs. Caroline M. Gregory, relict of Herman Gregory. She is a daughter of Elisha Smith, a former well-known resident of Ann Arbor, who was born in Connecticut, and settled in Washtenaw county, about the year 1845. In 1847 Mr. Collier moved to Ann Arbor, and first worked as a journey- man, subsequently conducting a large establishment of his own. He retired from active business life many years ago, on account of ill health.

George Collins, for many years a well known merchant of Ann Arbor, was born in that city in 1831. His father, Charles Collins, was a native of England, and settled at Detroit in 1825. He was a brewer and baker by trade, and died of cholera in the latter named city some years ago. George grew to manhood in Detroit, and located in Ann Arbor in 1852. The same year he married Sarah Randall, a daugh- ter of William and Emeline Randall, early residents of this county. They have 2 children-Adelbert and Dora.

Thomas McIntyre Cooley was born at Attica, N. Y., Jan. 6, 1824. His father was a farmer, descended from an early New England family of farmers. After a very good academic education, he taught school for three terms, and in September, 1842, began the study of law with Hon. Theron R. Strong, of Palmyra, N. Y.,after- ward one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of that State. In September, 1843, he removed to Adrian, Mich., where he completed his law studies with Tiffany & Beaman. He was admitted to the Bar in January, 1846, and became, for a time, the partner of Judge C. A. Stacy, of Tecumseh, but returned to Adrian in 1848, and took part in the political campaign of that year as a supporter of Van Buren. At Adrian he was a member of the firm of Beaman, Beecher & Cooley and afterward of Cooley & Crosswell. In 1857 he was elected by the Legislature to make the first compilation of General Statutes of the State, which was completed in a year. In January, 1858 he was appointed by the Supreme Court as reporter of its decisions, and in that office he published eight volumes of reports. In 1864, on the decease of Mr. Justice Manving, he was elected a Justice of the Supreme Court by a vote of 80,491. Ex-Gov. Felch, who was the opposing candidate, received 68,898.

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ANN ARBOR TOWNSHIP.

He was re-elected in 1869, over D. Darwin Hughes, and again, in 1875, over Henry F. Severens, by a large vote. In 1859 he was chosen by the Regents of the Uni- versity, with James V. Campbell and Charles I. Walker, to organize the Law De- partment of that institution, and removed to Ann Arbor for that purpose, where he has since lived, giving instruction regularly in the Law Department. In 1877 he was invited by the Trustees of the Johns Hopkins University to give a course of lect- ures in Baltimore, and in compliance, lectured for four weeks. In 1878, on a second invitation, he gave a course of lectures in that University, on the new Amendments to the Federal Constitution. In 1868 he published his Treatise on Constitutional Limitations. Since then he has published a Treatise on the Law of Taxation, and another on the Law of Torts. He has also edited an edition of Blackstone's Commentary, of Story on the Constitution, and of Harrington's Chancery Reports; and was editor of the law articles in the second edition of the American Encyclopedia. He has also written largely for Reviews, sometimes over his own signature, and sometimes not. Judge Cooley married Mary E. Horton at Adrian, Dec. 30, 1846, and has had 6 children, all of whom are now living, and 2 of them are men of family.

Mrs. F. L. Cooper, dress and cloak maker, Ann Arbor, was born in New York, and has been a resident of Michigan for over 45 years. She has been remarka- bly successful as a land speculator, and in her present business, which was estab- lished in 1877, has shown unusual skill.

William Copeland, contractor and builder, Ann Arbor, was born in Lincoln- shire, England, in 1834, where he also received his education. When he was 15 years old his parents came to America and located in the town of Lyndon in this county. They remained there but two years, and moved to Livingston Co. In 1852 the subject of this sketch came to this city, and two years later began to learn the trade of carpenter and joiner. Since 1865, has been engaged in con- tracting and building. His specialty is fine inside work and carving, but he also does outside work. Many of the best residences in this city contain the work of Mr. Copeland. He is an active worker in the Red Ribbon Club, of Ann Arbor, of which he is a member. In 1856 he was married to Miss Ellen Corr, of Ann Arbor. To them have been born 2 sons and 1 daughter. Of these, 1 son and the daughter are living.

Ira Cornwell, one of the oldest residents of Ann Arbor, is a native of the Em- pire State, and was born at Rochester in 1817. In 1825 his father came to this county and located land at Ann Arbor, and in 1826 brought his family to this place. He has been a pioneer in Western New York, and had teamed from Al- bany to Rochester. He kept the second hotel kept in this city. He died in this city in 1833. In this city, the subject of this sketch was educated and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, and has followed that vocation to the present, except eight years spent on the ocean, during which time he visited Europe, South America and other lands. He is connected with the Odd Fellows, and his father helped organize the first lodge of Masons in Ann Arbor. Sept. 17, 1846, he was married to Miss Lucinda Hurd, of Seneca Co., N. Y. To them have been born 5 children, 2 sons and 3 daughters. Of these, 1 son and all the daughters are living. By faith Mr. Cornwell is a Baptist, and is a member of the Baptist Church in this city. His mother was one of the six persons who formed the first Methodist class in Ann Arbor, which was the foundation of the M. E. Church in this city.

Adolph B. Covert, naturalist and taxidermist, Ann Arbor, is a native of this city, and was born A. D. -- In this city he was also educated. Following his natural taste he made a special study of natural history. In 1880 he taught natural history as far as pertaining to ornithology, at Albion College. As a nat- uralist he has made quite an extensive reputation He has made a collection of birds of this county numbering many species. He has published a list of the birds of Lower Michigan. The Michigan notes in the work entitled "Nests and Eggs of American Birds," he furnished; also an article on Kirtland's Warblers in the Birds of Eastern North America, by C. J. Maynard. The list of birds and animals in this county in this work are furnished by Mr. Covert. Mr. Covert is a contributor of the Chicago Field, Forest and Stream, Science News, American Naturalist, The Oologi-t, Naturalist and Fancier, Science Gossip, of London, and other period- icals. In 1876 he was elected a corresponding member of the Nuttall Ornithologi- cal Society, of Cambridge Mass., and is also a corresponding member of the Linnean Society of New York city.

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

Norman B. Covert, Ann Arbor, was born at Union Springs, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Jan. 16, 1819. He was a son of Anthony Covert, an old resident of Cayuga Co., who died there in 1877. Mr. Covert was educated in the common schools of that vicinity, and when 14 years of age was apprenticed in the mercantile busi- ness. He followed it about 14 months, and becoming tired of the business started out for himself, going into Tompkins, Seneca and Cayuga counties, where, during the summers, he worked at carpentering. During the winters he studied medicine under Drs. Bowles, King and Hamilton, of Auburn. In 1840 he traveled in business in the South and West. Returning to New York he remained four years at Canandaigua. In 1842 he was licensed to practice medicine by the State Medical Society, although he never practiced. At Canandaigua he taught dur- ing the winter months, and in summer worked at his trade. In 1844 he came to this county. After being at Ypsilanti, York and Saline a short time, he came to this city, which has since been his home. He began work at his trade here and has done a large amount of building in this city and vicinity. In 1846 he was married to Miss Ann L. Baldwin, of Ann Arbor. To them were born 2 sons and 1 daughter, and the [2 sons are living. The eldest son, Alphonse, has secured quite a reputation in the legitimate drama under the name of Fred Fel- ton. His second son, Adolph, is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mr. Covert has served his town as Clerk and School Inspector. He has been for some years connected with the I. O. O. F. in this city, and has been connected with the County Pioneer Society since its organization. He is an active member of the Agricultural and Pomological Societies of this county.

Michael Cowan, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 1, Ann Arbor tp .: P. O., Ann Ar- bor; was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., in 1817, son of Peter and Bridget Cowan, who settled in the State of New York about 1810. Michael was 15 years old when his parents moved to this county, and settled at "Dixboro Plains." The farm com- prised 220 acres, 100 of which were improved, with a small orchard set out, and two log houses erected thereon, and was the first farm purchased in that section of the county; Mr. Cowan became the owner of nearly a section of land, and at one time ranked among the most extensive farmers of this county. He died in 1840, leaving a family of 8 children, namely-Mary, Burris (deceased), P. Cowan, Ann, wife of John Ryan, of Livingston county ; John (deceased), married Delphina Swift; Peter, a resident of Mexico; Catherine, wife of Richard Good- body, who died in California; Jane (deceased), married William Rudd, of Illinois. Michael grew to manhood in this county, and in 1849 married Eliza Shaughenessy, daughter of John Shaughenessy, of Vermont. They have 5 children-Emily, John A., Minnie, Allie and Bessie. Mr. Cowan is the owner of 178 acres of valuable land, with a fine residence thereon, and possesses considerable city property.

Densmore Cramer was born in Onondaga county, New York, in 1830; when he was 10 years of age his parents removed to Washtenaw county, Michigan. He prepared for college at Nutting's Academy at Lodi Plains, and in 1852 entered the University of Michigan. In 1854 he left this institution and went to Hanover College, from which he graduated in 1856. He taught union school and preached three or four years, when he went into the army in the fall of 1861 as Quarter- master on General Curtis' staff. He held this position one year, when he came home sick. He began studying law with Hiram J. Beakes, entering the law school of Michigan University in 1863 and graduating in 1865, since which time he has been practicing at Ann Arbor. His office is located at No. 6 Washington street. He also has a branch office at Dundee, Monroe county, Michigan. In 1856 Mr. Cramer was married to Miss Kate Twitchell, of Hamburg, Michigan. To them have been born 4 children, all of whom are living, the eldest being a gradu- ate of Michigan University. Mr. Cramer is in politics a Republican, and was a delegate to the convention that first nominated Lincoln. In 1877 he was elected Mayor of Ann Arbor.

G. W. Cropsey, proprietor grocery and restaurant, Ann Arbor, was born in Madi- son county, N. Y., in 1822, son of John G. Cropsey, an old resident of Ann Arbor, 91 years of age, who still retains his mental and physical strength to a great extent. Mr. C. grew up in New York, and while living there married Miss Mary A. Clark, and 1 child was born to them. Mrs. Cropsey died in this county, and in 1871 he married Margaret Hagen. In 1851 he settled at Green Oak, Mich., when he turned his attention to farming, owning at the time 150 acres of well-improved land. In 1867, he became a resident of Ann Arbor, first embarking in the prod- uce business, but ultimately in the grocery and restaurant line, under the firm name of Clark & Cropsey. Mr. Cropsey occupies his own building -- 66x22 feet

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ANN ARBOR TOWNSHIP.

and two-story, a substantial brick structure, erected in 1879, and fitted up especi- ally for his business.

Lorenzo Dav 's was born in Covington, N. Y., April 29, 1812, and is a son of Jonathan E. and Hannah (Curtis) Davis, natives of Massachusetts. The former pursued farming and teaching until Lorenzo was 10 years old, when he engaged in the itineracy as a Methodist Episcopal minister. In 1828, at the death of his mother, Lorenzo left his paternal roof and lived with a Mr. Norris, a merchant of Covington. Mr. Norris removed to Ypsilanti in 1828, and Mr. Davis accom- panied him. He returned to New York in 1829 and again came to Michigan in 1831. In 1834 he obtained a license to preach, and was received into the Ohio conference, which then embraced the Territory of Michigan. He was pastor at the following places: Plymouth Mission, Farmington circuit, Bean Creek Mission, Coldwater circuit, Saline circuit, Dexter circuit, Manchester circuit and Oakville. Failing health then induced him to locate. His ministerial labors above mentioned covered a period of nine years. He came to Ann Arbor in 1845 and clerked in a drug store for six years. In 1850 he was elected Register of Deeds, which office he held for two years. He then published the Ann Arbor Journal for five years, when he sold it and purchased the Local News, and changed the name to that of the Michigan State News. He also ran this paper about five years. Since that time he has been engaged in farming He was married June 11, 1838, to Miss Minerva Derby, a native of Vermont. They have 5 children-James E., William W., Charles H., Lorenzo and Walter C. William W. and Curtis are farmers, James E. and Charles, printers, and Lorenzo, a graduate of the Michigan University, is in California, and with others of his class has established "The Scholastic Gym- nasium" at Berkeley. Rev. Mr. Davis yet lives, near Detroit, at the age of 93 years, and still retains a perfect intellect and good health.

The subject of this sketch is the eldest of 10 brothers, 7 of whom are living. He has held the offices of Town Clerk and Superintendent of the Poor. He has been a member of the Pioneer Society of Washtenaw county ever since its organ- ization, and is its present Secretary. He has been connected with the Agricultural Society of Washtenaw county for 30 years, and was its Secretary for 10 years. He took the census of Ann Arbor tp. in 1880. Before closing this sketch we wish to speak of the interest Mr. Davis took in procuring this history of Washtenaw county. No man devoted more time or worked with greater zeal and earnestness to have a full and authentic history compiled. Great credit is due him for his untiring labor in this respect, and we wish to take this opportunity of thanking him for the numerous favors conferred upon us from our entrance into the county until the close of our labor here. We give his portrait in this book.

Rev. Benjamin Day, a supernumerary minister of the lower conference of New Jersey, was born in Essex Co., N. Y., in 1807, and is a son of Rev. Stephen and Elizabeth (Wood) Day. Benjamin grew to manhood in his native State. He pur- sued a classical course of study, and graduated from a well-known Eastern academy. He was ordained for the ministry in 1834, and was first located at Bloomfield, N. J., where he ministered to a prosperous congregation. He also labored at Jersey City, and at Milford, Pa. While a resident of New Jersey, he was united in marriage to Mary A. Taylor, a daughter of Moses Taylor. In 1871, owing to ill-health, he came to Ann Arbor, where he has since resided. As a citizen and a Christian, he is re- spected by all with whom he has had acquaintance.

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History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 102

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : Chas. C. Chapman & Co. Number of Pages: 1457

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 1457