History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 104

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 104

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Mrs. Julia Farmer, relict of William Farmer (deceased), was born in Lehigh Co., Pa., in 1820. At the age of 11, her parents came to Ann Arbor, where Mrs. Farmer resided for a number of years. While at Stockbridge, Ingham Co., she was united in marriage to William Farmer, a mechanic and agriculturist, well known for his industry and upright character. IIe died March 24, 1859, at Stock- bridge, and was laid at rest in Livingston Co. To his worthy wife he left a farm

John Seddes 4 Drid. Nr.4th 1898 age 89. 7.15

Julia te Geddes Bud , Ing, 181883, fac 14 27 4 1

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ANN ARBOR TOWNSHIP.

of 120 acres. There were born to this couple 2 children-Nellie, wife of Will- iam i ailey, and John, a resident of Stockbridge, who married Maria Helmer. Mrs. Farmer remembers many incidents of pioneer life-that life which many had to endure, accepting with thankfulness the blessings which it brought in their early residence in this fair region. Her daughter, Mrs. Nellie Bailey, previously mentioned, is a hair-dresser in Ann Arbor, having located in that city in 1875 She is very skillful at this business, and enjoys a remunerative trade.

Hon. Bethuel Farrand was born in the parish of Whippany, in the town of Hanover, in the State of New Jersey, June 12, 1783. He was a direct descendant of Nathaniel Farrand, whose name appears as one of the planters who came to Milford, Conn., in 1645. A portion of this family by the year 1667, with others from Branford and Guilford, removed to Newark, New Jersey, forming the "New Work Settlement" (as it was for some time called), where only Church members were admitted to citizenship. Each one of the settlers of this company had a six-acre home lot besides broad meadow lands along the Passaic, and wood- lands back of the town. Before 1710 a few of these Newark pioneers had pushed up the Passaic and settled on the banks of the Whippenong, west of the great mountain Watchung (now Orange mountain). This settlement so begun was called the Parish of Whippany, and the strip of territory between the two rivers was called Hanover Neck. Here many years of his boyhood and early youth were passed in the family of his uncle, Hon. Aaron Kitchel, of whom it is recorded, in a memorial over his grave, that "he was for 36 years a member in the State and National Councils." From this uncle he learned the blacksmith trade, and soon after becoming 21 went to the then new section of Cayuga county, New York, where he was for several years employed by the Montezuma Salt Works Company, as overseer. He purchased a farm in the town of Aurelius (then a portion of Auburn, New York), and was married in 1811 to Miss Fanny Marilla Shaw, of the same town. From this union were born-Lucius S. Farrand, who will be remembered as a pioneer of Washtenaw county; Jacob S. Farrand, long a well-known resident of Detroit; Caroline, the wife of the Hon. D. C. Whitwood, of Detroit; Marilla, who married the Hon. Andrew Parsons; and Bethuel Clinton, who is one of the pioneers of St. Clair county, residing at Port Huron. In the early part of 1821 he was by the death of his wife left with the care of his young family. In 1822 he was married to Deborah Osburn, of Cayuga county, by whom he had 3 sons-Kitchel, who engaged in mercantile business and died in Dexter some 26 years ago; James B., who was an engineer in the U. S. Navy during the war of the Rebellion and since that time has been a merchant at Port Huron, and David Osburn Far- rand, who was a Surgeon in the army during the last year of the late war, and who since that time has been a well-known physician of Detroit. Mrs. Farrand is now in her 87th year and resides in the family of one of the sons in Ann Arbor. Mr. Farrand remained upon his farm in Cayuga county until the spring of 1825. In the early part of that year his attention was attracted to the then new Territory of Michigan, and with a view of obtaining a contract or entering into an arrange- ment for supplying the city of Detroit with water. In January of that year he traveled on foot by the south shore of Lake Erie from Aurelius to Detroit, and on Feb. 17, 1825, he submitted to the Common Council of that city his proposition for supplying the city with water. "A meeting of the Freemen of the city " was called and held in the council-house on the 19th and 21st of February, 1825, and the matter duly discussed and considered, and on the 22d day of the same month was passed "an act granting to Bethuel Farrand and his legal representatives the sole and exclusive right of watering the city of Detroit," after which Mr. Far- rand, having succeeded in his object, returned to his home on foot, going through Canada. In May, 1825, he, with one Rufus Wells, arrived with their families in Detroit and entered at once upon the construction of their work for watering the city. In the fall of 1825 Mr. Farrand transferred to Mr. Wells his interest in the enterprise and removed with his family to Ann Arbor. The removal was made in a scow or flat boat, with which he came down the Detroit river as far as Flat Rock, and then up the Huron river 20 miles, at which point further proceeding with the scow was found impracticable, and a wagon and oxen were obtained and the journey to Ann Arbor by the Huron river, through what is now Ypsilanti (which then had but two families), was completed. At Ann Arbor before his com- ing were settled about 14 families. Temporary quarters in two small rooms were obtained for the family and effects, in which they remained until a shanty could

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

be erected into which to repair until a dwelling house could thereto be added. Mr. Farrand was the first Probate Judge elected in Washtenaw county, and the first session of that court was held on the 2d day of April, A. D. 1827, at which he presided as Judge. At the first meeting of the Presbyterian society of Ann Arbor, held on the fourth Monday of September, A. D., 1827 (as it appears by the records of that society), Mr. Farrand was chosen Moderator, and when that society was organized he became one of its Board of Trustees and was elected Treasurer.

In the spring of 1828 he purchased a farm two miles east of Ann Arbor, on the Dixboro road, and in the fall of that year removed with his family to the farm where he lived till his death, which occurred in July, 1852.

In connection with farming, he attempted making successful the culture of silk; with this end in view he set out about eight acres of land with white mul- berry trees, which were so cultivated that a very vigorous growth was obtained, and in about the year 1837 he produced and manufactured about 30 pounds of sewing silk of excellent quality. In order to encourage him in the matter of silk manufacture, the State of Michigan, by an act of its Legislature, loaned him the sum of $800 without interest. With this money he obtained skilled labor and approved machinery from Connecticut, which was then a silk-producing State, and faithful trial was made to ascertain whether the climate and soil of Michigan were adapted to the production of silk. The climate was soon found to be too severely cold for the mulberry tree, most of his trees dying in the winter of 1837-'8, and he felt obliged to give up the business of producing silk and turn his attention to crops known to be compensating; he paid up from the product of his farm in 1840 the $800 loaned him by the State for the silk experiment. Mr. and Mrs. Farrand were among the original members (of whom there were 17) of the First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor. Mrs. Farrand has, for many years, been the sole surviving member of those Church pioneers. She yet retains her facul- ties for conversation and remembering extremely well, and still enjoys letter- writing to an unusual extent. Mr. Farrand, soon after the organization of the Ann Arbor Church, became one of its elders, and so remained till the time of his death, a period of more than 21 years. He was liberal in his religious views, generous and hospitable to friends and neighbors, honest and fair in all his business trans- actions, and as a citizen, was exemplary and much esteemed. .

Mr. Farrand's portrait is given in this book.

Hon. Alpheus Felch, LL. D., ex-Governor of Michigan, Ann Arbor, was born at Limerick, Me., September 28, 1806. His grandfather, Abijah Felch was a soldier in the Revolution ; and. when a young man, having with others obtained a grant of land between the Great and Little Ossipee rivers, in Maine, moved to that region when it was yet a wilderness. The father of Mr. Felch embarked in mercantile life at Limerick. He was the first to engage in that business in that section, and con- tinued it until his death. The death of the father, followed within a year by the death of the mother, left the subject of this sketch, then three years old, to the care of relatives, and he found a home with his paternal grandfather, where he remained until his death. Mr. Felch received his early education in the district school and a neighboring academy. In 1821 he became a student at Phillips Exeter Academy, and, subsequently, entering Bowdoin College, graduated with the class of 1827. He at once began the study of law and was admitted to practice at Bangor, Me., in 1830. He began the practice of his profession at Houlton, Me., where he remained until 1833. The severity of the climate impaired his health, never very good, and he found it necessary to seek a change of climate. He disposed of his library and started to seek a new home. His intention was to join his friend Sargent S. Pren- tiss at Vicksburg, Miss; but on his arrival at Cincinnati, Mr. Felch was attacked by cholera, and when he had recovered sufficiently to permit of his traveling, found that the danger of the disease was too great to permit a journey down the river. He therefore determined to come to Michigan. He first began to practice in this State at Monroe, where he continued until 1843, when he removed to Ann Arbor. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1835 and continued a member of that body during the years 1836 and 1837. During this time the general banking law of the State was enacted. He was convinced that it would be of great damage to the people and his was the only voice raised in opposition to it in either branch of the Legislature, and but two voted with him in opposition to the bill. This bill gave birth to the numerous progeny known as " wild-cat " banks, and the country was soon flooded with depressed "wild-cat" money. Early in 1838 Mr. Felch was appointed one of the Bank Commissioners of the State and held the position over a year, during which

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ANN ARBOR TOWNSHIP.

time the examinations of the Bank Commissioners brought to light numerous frauds which were fearlessly exposed, the guilty parties prosecuted, and many of their in- stitutions closed. In 1842 Mr. Felch was appointed Auditor General of the State; but after holding the office only a few weeks, was commissioned by the Governor as one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, to fill a vacancy caused by the resigna- tion of Judge Fletcher. In January, 1843, he was elected to the United States Senate for an unexpired term. In 1845 he was elected Governor of Michigan, and entered upon his duties at the commencement of the next year. In 1847 he was elected a Senator in Congress for six years; and at once retired from the office of Governor, by resignation, which took effect March 4, 1847, when his senatorial term commenced. While a member of the Senate he acted on the Committee on Public Lands, and for four years was its Chairman. In 1853 he was appointed one of the Commissioners to adjust and settle the Spanish and Mexican land claims in California, where he went in 1853 and was made President of the Commission. In March, 1856, their labors were satisfactorily finished. In June of that year Mr. Felch returned to Ann Arbor, where he has since been engaged princi- pally in legal business. Since his return he has been nominated for Governor and also for U. S. Senator, and twice for Judge of the Supreme Court. For many years was one of the Regents of Michigan University, and in the spring of 1879 was appointed Tappan Professor of Law in the same. Mr. Felch is the oldest surviving Member of the Legislature from Monroe Co., the oldest and only surviving Bank Commissioner of the State, the oldest surviving Auditor General of the State, the oldest surviving Governor of the State, the oldest surviving Judge of the Supreme Court of Michi- gan, and the oldest surviving U. S. Senator from Michigan.

A portrait of Gov. Felch appears in this volume.

Lambert Feldkamp (deceased) was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, where he was born in 1817. Mr. F. grew to manhood, and was educated in his native land. He came to this county at an early date, and purchased 80 acres of land from Government, located in Freedom tp. During his life he accumulated 240 acres of land, and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1872, owned this large tract of land, which fell to his heirs. Mrs. F. is still living, and resides in Saline. Henry Feldkamp, the fourth.child of the deceased, has followed farming from boyhood, in which occupation he has been very successful, among the more public spirited citizens of Ann Arbor tp. In 1879 he married Libbie Bissinger, a daughter of Conrad Bissinger. Mr. F. owns 145 acres of richly cultivated land.

John Field, of the firm of Field & Hunt, gas-fitters and plumbers, Ann Arbor, was born in Worcestershire, England, in 1820. Growing to mature years in his native land, he there received a liberal education. In 1845 he came to America,

and first settled in Enfield, Conn., afterward removing to Thompsonville, of the same State, where he became engaged in the weaving of carpets, receiving while thus engaged an order from President Polk, who shortly after his inauguration began the task of refurnishing the White House. For a period of six years Mr. Field resided in Connecticut, then located at Green Point, Long Island, where he learned gas-fitting, and in the four years of his residence there was employed at an extensive gas works, and obtained a large practical experience in steam, gas- fitting, and plumbing. In 1858 he settled at Ann Arbor, and in 1866 embarked in his present business, which has proven very successful. In 1871 he married Brace Jewell. They have 1 child-Lillie May.

Rev. Wm. J. Fierle, parish priest of St. Thomas' Parish, Ann Arbor, Mich., is a native of Germany, and was born in the year 1852. . He passed through the ele- mentary schools of his native place, and in 1866 came to America. He at once went to Pittsburg, Pa., where he for a time attended the high school, then en- tered Saint Michael's Seminary, near Pittsburg. He attended this institution three years, and then went to Milwaukee, Wis., where he entered St. Francis' Seminary, where he remained until June, 1876, when he was ordained to the priesthood. His first appointment was as assistant in St. Vincent's Parish at De- troit, where he remained about six months. From there he went to Marshall, Mich., where he ministered to the people about two and one-half years. After a vacation of a few months he, on the death of the Rev. Father Van Erp, was sent to Ann Arbor, and shortly after coming here was confirmed as the regular Priest of St. Thomas' Parish.

George Fischer (deceased), for over a quarter of a century a well-known citizen of Ann Arbor, was born in Germany, and in his native land received a good liter-

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ary education. In 1855 he came to America, and first worked in New York city for the small sum of $5 per month. Through the influence of the Weidemans, a family well-known in the county in early days, he came to Ann Arbor. He first was employed by the male members of the above named family in the slaughtering business, and in a short time purchased their store and trade, and was very successful throughout his long business career in this city. In 1871 he erected the costly residence where Mrs. Fischer now resides. On Feb. 12, 1876, while traveling for his health in Europe, and en route for Italy, he was suddenly taken ill, and died in a short time. In 1855 he had married Mary Ann Allmen- dinger, a daughter of George Allmendinger, who was among the first settlers in this county. Mrs. Fischer became a resident of this county in 1832.

Thomas Fitzsimmons, farmer, sec. 3, Ann Arbor : P. O., Ann Arbor; was born at Southport, Chemung Co., N. Y,, Aug. 14, 1800. He was there educated and reared. He followed farming in that county until 1844, when he came to this county. He located a farm where Ann Arbor now is and which has been cut up into city lots. In 1843 he moved to his present home. May 18, 1826, he was married to Miss Eliza Waters, of Seneca Co., N. Y. To them have been born 3 sons and 6 daughters. Five of the daughters are married and living in this county. The other lives in Clinton Co. Of the sons, 1 lives in Ingham Co., 1 in Eaton Co., Mich., and 1 in Canada. In politics Mr. F. was an old Anti-Mason, later a Whig, and is now a Republican.

John Flynn, proprietor wood yard, Ann Arbor, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1824. He attained his 24th year in his native land, and in 1848 crossed the ocean for America. He first located at Ann Arbor, where he worked for some time by the day, and then found profitable employment in sinking wells. In 1848 he married Ann Ryan, a daughter of John Ryan, a native of Ireland, They have 7 children-John, Daniel, Hannah, Edward, Willie, Ann and Sarah. Mr. Flynn is a good business man, and a member of St. Lawrence Benevolent Society.

Joseph F. Foley (deceased) was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, in 1831. He lived for some time in both Lancastershire and London, and became employed as a tailor and cutter, proving himself to be an excellent workman. He moved to Ann Arbor, and at a trial of workmanship among his trade, he carried off the prize. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. K, Mich. Mounted Rifles, and serving through the war, was honorably discharged at Washington, D. C. In 1855 he was united in marriage to Bridget Clancy, a daugther of Michael Clancy, who settled at Ann Arbor as early as 1826. Mrs. F. was educated in Ann Arbor, and was an accomplished lady in every respect. She died May 13, 1873. Seven children were born to this marriage, 5 of whom are living-Minnie E., Lizzie J., Clara J., Frederick R., and John W. Edward J. and Joseph E. are deceased.

Richard Foley ( deceased ) was a native of County Wicklow, Ireland, where he was born Sept. 21, 1827. At the age of 16, he left his native land for America, and first settled in Detroit, where he secured profitable employment as a tailor and cutter. He was a good workman, and secured a lucrative situation in Rochester, N. Y., where he remained for some time, subsequently moving to Pontiac, Mich., where he lived till he removed to Ann Arbor. He was married in 1855 to Mary A. Clancy, daughter of Michael Clancy, a pioneer of this county, and an old resident of Ann Arbor. Three children were born to them-Edward, the hus- band of Maggie Fitzgerald, Minnie and Clarence. Mr. and Mrs. Foley were for many years members of the Roman Catholic Church, and in 1864, Mr. F.'s spirit passed away from earth, and his remains were laid at rest in the Catholic cemetery of Ann Arbor.

Prof. Corydon L. Ford, M. A., M. D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, was born at Lexington, Greene Co., N. Y., Aug. 29, 1813. His parents were Abner and Catherine ( Frint ) Ford, natives of New Jersey, and of English descent. They re- moved to Otsego county, N. Y., when Prof. Ford was but a year old. He was reared on a farm, and received his preliminary education in Canandaigua Academy. He graduated from the Geneva college of medicine, in January, 1842, and remained there as Demonstrator of Anatomy until 1848. He then accepted the chair of Professor of Anatomy, at Caselton Medical College, remaining there over 12 years. He was appointed to fill the same chair in the University of Michigan, in 1854, holding that position until 1861. He was appointed Professor of Physiology, in the Maine Medical College, at Brunswick, Maine, several years ago, but resigned in 1870. In the meanwhile he was appointed to the same chair in the Long Island College, at Brooklyn, N. Y., which position he still fills. He was appointed in

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ANN ARBOR TOWNSHIP.

1880, to the chair of Physiology in the University of Michigan, in addition to his chair of Anatomy, and now holds the double position of Professor of Anatomy and Physiology. In 1865 he married Mrs. Eunice (Chapman) Messer. They have 2 adopted children-Lillie and Fannie.

Isaac N. S. Foster, Supervisor of Ann Arbor tp., was born at Royalton, Niagara Co., N Y., Dec. 10, 1827, and is a son of Lemuel and Abi (Fenn) Foster. His father was born in Massachusetts, March 12, 1793, a son of Lemuel and Dolly (Davis) Foster, who were the parents of 6 children, 5 sons and 1 daughter : Gustavus, who was born in 1818, and died in 1876, was a Presbyterian minister of marked ability, and once elected as Regent of the University of Michigan ; Ulysses T. has been Superintendent of the wagon manufacturing department of Michigan State Prison at Jackson for over 35 years ; Julius A., an artist, resides at Adrian, Mich. : Jones, a lawyer, resides at Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y .; Isaac N. S., who lives on the old homestead. Palunia A. died in June, 1840, at the age of 18 years. The elder Mr. Foster came to Washtenaw county in 1836. He was married in New York, Oct. 6, 1817, to Abi Fenn, who died in this county in October, 1855. Mr. Foster was again married in August, 1856, to Filinda Green, widow of Ebenezer Green, of Salem tp .; both are residing with Isaac N. S., on sec. 23, this township. Mr. Foster was Highway Commissioner for over 20 years, and was instrumental in locating the principal streets of Ann Arbor city. Isaac N. S., the subject of this sketch, received his education in the district schools, and a select school at Ann Arbor. Since he was of age he has had the management of his father's estate, comprising 240 acres of fertile land in Ann Arbor tp. Mr. Foster has served his fellow citizens as Township Clerk for five years, Commissioner of Highways four years, and Supervisor for three years, holding the latter position at the present time. He was connected with the M. E. Church of Ann Arbor in 1847, and has been a faithful member of that denomination since that period. He was married Oct. 10, 1850, to Almira Green, daughter of Ebenezer Green, of Salem tp., who came to this county in 1829. Two children have been given to this union- Ulysses T., a resident of Detroit, and George N., who resides with his parents.

Mrs. Mary E. Foster, attorney at law, Ann Arbor, was born at Marcellus, On- ondaga Co., N. Y., June 2, 1825, and when one year old accompanied her parents to Michigan. They first located about five miles south of' Ann Arbor, but about eight years later removed to Lodi Plains. Her father, John Lowry, was a farmer, and Mrs. Foster spent her early life amid rural scenes, taking an active part in all matters pertaining to farm life. The peculiar atmosphere which surrounded her childhood's home must have had much to do with the formation of her charac- ter. Her parents loved all the bright and pleasant things of life, yet placed the interests of religion and education before everything else. Thus, amid the fra- grant fields and under the summer's sun, the snow-covered earth and winter's storms, in the pure air of a devout and God-loving family, she was reared, which, with the subsequent years of experience in the busy and deceitful world, has eminently fitted her for the profession she has chosen. She received only a common-school education, with the exception of two years spent in an academy at Ann Arbor. She was married Oct 2, 1843, to Oliver B. Kellogg, son of Judge Kellogg, of Sharon tp., who died in 1845. In 1847 Mrs. Kellogg married Hugh Downey, of Saline, Mich. April 2, 1863, she was joined in the bonds of holy wedlock to William G. Foster, who departed this life Aug. 12, 1873. Mrs. Foster has been a resident of Ann Arbor since 1862, with the exception of four years, which she spent upon the old home farm in Lodi. In 1850 she united with the M. E. Church, and since that period has proved a faithful and earnest worker in the cause of her master. She has particularly devoted her time and energies in Sunday-school work, and perhaps a more proficient worker in this branch of the Lord's vineyard never labored in Washtenaw Co. She is a member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and a valued assistant in the temperance cause throughout the county and State. She is a member of the State and County Pioneer Societies, and on Feb. 5, 1879, read a paper before the former society in Representative Hall, at Lansing; is also a member of the Northwestern branch of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, and delivered an able lecture before that body at Springfield, Ill., in the summer of 1880. She is also a life member of the Michigan State Horticultural Society. In 1878 Mrs. Foster made a trip to Europe and spent a few months visiting in the larger and more interesting cities of the old world, taking especial interest in the various noted art galleries. In 1874 she entered the law department of the University of Michigan, where she

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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 104

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