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 109
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Christian Mack, President of Ann Arbor Savings Bank and one of the leading dry-goods merchants in Ann Arbor, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1834. He was educated in his native land, and there learned the mercantile business. When 17 years of age Mr. Mack came to America, believing he could do better here than in Germany. From being in company with his employer's children who could speak English, he had learned the language. He first located at San- dusky, Ohio, remaining there but a short time. In 1851 he came to Ann Arbor, where he for a short time was employed on a farm. He remained only a few months and then entered the store of Mr. Ainslee, for whom he worked until Mr. Maynard bought out Mr. Ainslee. In 1857 he went into the dry-goods for him- self, and in 1860 took into the business as partner Mr. Frierich Schmid, jr. In 1875 he was elected President of the Ann Arbor Savings Bank. He is also a member of the Board of Education of Ann Arbor, and has been for some years. By careful and economical habits Mr. Mack has come to be one of Ann Arbor's leading merchants.
Hon. Emanuel Mann, druggist, Ann Arbor, was born at Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, Germany, June 4, 1814. When he was but 12 years of age his parents came to the United States and located at Reading, Pa., where Mr. Mann received his education. In 1830 they migrated to Michigan, and settled at Ann Arbor. Mr. Mann lived with his father and worked with him in the tanning business, later on carrying on the business for himself. In - he engaged with Mr. Eberbach in the drug business, and they continued together under the name of Eberbach & Co. until 1876, when he withdrew from the firm. He remained out of business until 1878, when he purchased the drug business at No. 39 South Main street, where he is now located. Mr. Mann was among the first Germans to come into Washtenaw county. By careful and industrious habits he has acquired a fair share of this world's goods. His strict integrity and upright ways have won for him the confidence and regard of all who know him. For three years he was a member of the Common Council of Ann Arbor, and was also one of the Board of Education of the city. In 1870 he was elected State Senator from Washtenaw county, which position he held one term. **
Jonathan Henry Mann (deceased) was born at Ludwigsburg, Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, April 26, 1784. He came to the United States in 1824, and spent several years traveling in this country and Mexico. In 1826 his family, who had remained in Germany, joined him at Reading, Pa., where he was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. In the spring of 1830 he moved to Ann Arbor, where he followed the vocation of farmer for many years. He died Aug. 18, 1865, at the advanced age of 81 years.
George Marsden, Ann Arbor, was born at Denton, Lancashire, England, in 1833. He was there educated and learned the trade of cordwainer, or shoemaker, which he followed about two years He then followed the business of cattle dealer, provision broker, farmer and other vocations, until the Rebellion of the United States, at which time he lost heavily. He then engaged in various em- ployments, chiefly gardening, which he now follows. In 1874 le came to Amer- ica, and for one and a half years was in Toronto, Ont. In 1876 he came to Ann Arbor, which is now his home.
Christian Martin, of the firm of Martin & Fischer, proprietor Western Brewery, Ann Arbor, was born at Baden, Germany, in 1854, and is a son of Matthew and Tracy Martin. Christian resided in Germany until he was 17 years old, and learned the brewer's trade. In 1871 he came to America, first settling at Battle Creek, Mich., where he remained some four years. He then came to Ann Arbor
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where he has since resided. (An account of the Western Brewery will be found in another portion of this work.)
Oliver M. Martin, ex-Mayor of Ann Arbor, was born at Woodbridge, N. J., in 1816. His father, Dr William Martin, of New Jersey, was a prominent physician and surgeon of that State, and rendered excellent service to Government, in the latter capacity, during the Rebellion. He died in New Jersey many years ago. He married Sarah Elston, and she bore him 15 children, 6 of whom are living. Oliver M. founded the first undertakers' establishment in Newark, N. J. In 1836 he located at Ithaca, N. Y., where he married Phoebe Hawkins. In 1843 he settled at Ann Arbor, shortly after engaging in the furniture business. He built him a handsome brick building on Main street, but in 1870 his business was somewhat crippled by a destructive conflagration. He was City Marshal of Ann Arbor, and some time after was elected Mayor, being re-elected the following year. In this office he displayed considerable executive ability, and merited the respect and con- fidence of all classes. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. The marriage previously mentioned was blessed with the birth of 5 children, 2 of whom are liv- ing-Benjamin H., a resident of Bay City, and Oliver M., jr., of Ann Arbor.
David Marx, Ann Arbor, better known as Little Mack the Clothier, was born in Germany, in 1844. He was educated in his native land, and was also in general merchandise there. In 1868 he came to America, and located at Plattsburg, N. Y., where he remained four years. From there he removed to Greenwich, Washington Co., N. Y., where he was in business until 1878, when he sold his business and came to Ann Arbor, and established his well-known clothing house. Since that time he has been a citizen of Ann Arbor.
Paschal Mason (deceased) was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., A. D. 1800. He was educated in the schools at his home, and learned the practical life of a farmer. When about 20 years of age he removed to Orleans Co., N. Y., where he lived until 1822. In that year he came to Michigan and located at Nankin, Wayne Co. He there was engaged in farming until 1850, when he removed to Salem, Washtenaw Co., where he lived until. 1863. He then came to Ann Arbor, where he carried on a small farm until his death. In 1824 he was married to Miss Harriet Warner, of Yates, Orleans Co., N. Y. To them were born 4 children, 3 sons and 1 daughter, all of whom are living. Mr. Mason was a very public-spirited man. and took great interest in the advancement of this county. He held several offices in this and Wayne counties. He died May 20, 1875, after a long and useful life.
Amos Matteson (deceased) was a native of Orleans county. N. Y., born there April 3, 1812, and was a son of Epaphras Matteson, who settled in this county in 1834, on sec. 13, Ann Arbor tp., on a tract of land comprising 80 acres, and was born in Connecticut Sept. 22, 1763. Mary Madison, his wife, was born Aug. 4, 1767. They were married Feb. 7, 1801. They had 4 children, of whom Amos was the fourth, and settled in this township as early as 1824, on the farm now owned by Epaphras Matteson. This land (80 acres) was purchased from Govern- ment for $100, and the patent bears the signature of James Monroe. This land was, comparatively speaking. unimproved, and his nearest neighbors were in some instances miles away. Game was numerous, and venison comprised the principal part of the meal. Owing to the bad condition of the roads, a week was frequently consumed in obtaining grist from Detroit. He built a log house of the usual dimensions, where he lived for a number of years. As the years rolled by he became prosperous and through his energetic efforts he became com- fortably situated. Like a majority of the pioneers, he was extremely fond of hunting and fishing. He passed away from earth in 1848, and was buried at Dixboro. Mrs. Matteson, his wife, who is still living, settled in Washtenaw county in 1830. Their union was blessed with 3 children-Zilpah, who married Ella Parsons, of Pittsfield tp. ; Artela Stark. living in Ionia county, Mich., and Epaphras, who was born in this county in 1836, and educated at the common schools. He has been a successful farmer through a long and eventful life. He is a man of means, enterprise, and thrift, and owns 180 acres of tillable land. He was married Sept. 13, 1868, in Superior tp., to Mary Connelly, born in this county, and a daughter of Maurice Connelly. They have 3 children-Ralph, Epaphras and Anna G. His grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his father served in the Toledo war.
H. Matthews, proprietor Palace Market, W. Huron st., opp. P. O., Ann Arbor, was born at Northamptonshire, England, in 1842. In 1855 he came to Amer- ica, and in 1866 was united in marriage to Maria Curtis, of Webster tp., Washte-
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naw county. He established his present business in Ann Arbor, some 13 years ago and owns one of the finest meat markets in the city.
John Matthews, proprietor meat market, N. Main st., Ann Arbor, was born at Ann Arbor in 1854, and is a son of Roger Matthews, who came to this county in 1834. John grew up in Washtenaw county, and since his entree into business has been quite successful.
O. L. Matthews, attorney at law, at Ann Arbor, Mich., is a native of Pennsylva- nia, and was born at Prospect, in that State. He was educated in the common schools and at Witherspoon Institute, at Butler, Pa. He read law with Lewis Mitchell, of Butler, for a time, and then entered the law department of Michigan University, from which he graduated in 1878. He then returned to Pennsylvania where he was engaged in teaching about a year. In 1879 he came to Ann Arbor, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of law and in the real estate and insurance business.
William McCreary, Ann Arbor, was born at the North of Ireland in 1814. When but a boy he came to America, landing at Quebec. He then followed the St. Lawrence and crossed over to St. Albans, Vt., where he lived four years. May 17, 1834, he came to Ann Arbor, where he has since lived. When first he came to this county he worked on Mallard's creek during the summer, and went to school in the winter. In the spring of 1835 he came into the city and was in the teaming business, moving passengers, until 1838, when he went into the tanning business, which he followed two years. In 1849 he sold out to his partner, and in 1850 went into the business of leather and shoe findings, which he followed until 1867. Failing health compelled him then to give up business. Since then he has traveled largely for his health. He is now living a retired life at Ann Arbor.
Patrick McKernan, Circuit Court Commissioner, was born in Northfield tp., in this county, in 1835. He received his elementary education in his native town and also taught school there. When about 24 years of age he came to this city, where he was in the school of Mr. Van Cleve, afterward a General in the U. S. army. He also attended Ann Arbor Union School for a short time, and the old Seminary in Ypsilanti under Mr. Estabrook a few months. He entered the law department of Michigan University in 1865, from which he graduated in 1867. Since then has practiced law in this city. From 1860 until 1865 he was Supervisor of Northfield tp. He has been Justice of the Peace in Ann Arbor four years, and also carried on a small farm. In 1880 was elected Circuit Court Commissioner of Washtenaw Co., which position he now holds.
James McMahon, attorney at law, Ann Arbor, was born in County Clare, Ireland, April 4, 1819. He was educated there and at Innis, where he was in college, but left before graduating, owing to financial reverses. In 1837 he came to the United States locating in Ann Arbor. While yet a boy he learned the trade of black- smith, and when he came here he worked for a time for John Huston. In poli- tics he joined the old Whig party and remained with it until the organization of the Republican party at Jackson in 1854, when he connected himself with it. Soon after coming to this city he began the study of law, which he has practiced the most of the time since living here. He has represented Ann Arbor District in the Legislature two terms. He for two terms served as Clerk of the county. During the war he served in this county two years as Provost Marshal. He has also served on the Board of Supervisors in this county five or six years, most of the time as Chairman. He has four times been elected Justice of the Peace in this city, serving over 14 years, during which time he entered over 5,000 cases on his dockets. In 1878 he was elected Circuit Court Commissioner, and served until Jan., 1880. He is now practicing law at Ann Arbor, with his office at the corner of Huron and Main streets.
D. McMillan, dealer in pictures and artists' supplies, Ann Arbor, was born in Canada, of Scotch parents, A. D. 1825. He was educated chiefly in Ohio. In 1842 he began to learn the trade of cabinet maker, which he completed. In 1848 he settled in Ohio, where he lived until 1851, when he returned to Canada. However, he intended returning to the United States to live, which he did in 1859, when he came to Ann Arbor; this has since been his home, with the exception of two years, which he spent in the service of the Government during the war, in the contract and building department. He then returned to this city, where he was engaged in pattern making and carpenter work until 1878, when he purchased the art rooms of
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Winslow Brothers. This business he has built up and improved, and now has a fine trade.
Mansfield S. McOmber (deceased) was born at Walworth, N. Y., in 1815, and came to Michigan when a boy. He settled in Washtenaw county in 1849, and in early years was a mechanic of more than ordinary ability. In later years he dis- played unusual energy and perseverance as a business man, and was engaged in various enterprises. He was married at Highland, Mich., to Miss A. Stevens, and 12 children were born to them, 4 of whom-C. S., George W., Edwin, and Allen- are residents of Ann Arbor. George W. is a young man possessing great business talents. He is proprietor of a confectionery on State street, and is also agent for the Toledo Steam Laundry.
Lorenzo Merritt Lyon, retired farmer, was born in New York city, in 1804. His father, Samuel Lyon, was born in Westchester Co., N. Y., and brought up at a farmer. He was married to Miss Sarah Merritt, a native of Long Island. After marriage, he removed to New York city. He remained in the latter place a number of years, then disposed of his property, and bought a farm at Ithaca. He subsequently sold his farm, and again returned to the busy scenes of mercantile life in Canandaigua. He sold his property and business in 1830, and immigrated to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he died. Lorenzo spent his youthful days at school in New York city, and at the age of 14 years, entered the broker's office of Robert Bruce, at 54 Water st. When 16 years of age he left his position for Western New York. He traded for two lots of land in Scio tp., this county, after which he determined to come to this State, which he did, arriving at Ann Arbor, Nov 13; 1830. On Feb. 23, 1832, he was married to Lura Lane, a native of Windsor, Broome Co., N. Y., and daughter of David Lane, who settled in Washtenaw county, in 1830. Eight children have been born to them, 7 of whom are living -- Daniel, Charles W., Maria, Robert G., Theodore H., Ar- thur S., and Jennie C .; Helen J. is deceased. Mr. Lyon has been identified with all the different features of advancement connected with pioneer life, and is proud of the fact that he was one of Washtenaw county's first and hardy citizens. He has been honored with different positions of trust in Scio tp. Mr, Lyon connected himself with the M. E. Church in 1832, and for nearly half a century has strived to walk in the " straight and narrow way." He is an active mover and partici- pant in the temperance cause. A few years ago Mr. Lyon moved to Ann Arbor and built a fine residence on W. Huron st
Lewis Miller (deceased) was born in Scio tp., Washtenaw Co., in 1844, and was a son of Godfrey Miller, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. He married, in Scio tp., Fredericka Burkhardt, who settled in this county in 1848. Mr. Miller became a farmer of prominence in Scio tp., owning at the time of his death 235 acres of valuable land. His widow sold this property in 1880, and at present re- sides in Ann Arbor, where she owns valuable city property.
D. S. Millen, proprietor Ann Arbor Soap Works, was born in Connecticut in 1823, and is a son of John D. Millen. At the age of seven years, his parents moved to Ballston, N. Y., and thence to Albany. In 1839 D. S. moved to De- troit, Mich., when he became employed in the Whitney Tribune Corps. In 1840 he was a resident of Grand Rapids, and moved from the latter place to Ann Arbor. In 1845, he married Levisa Booth, a daughter of Elijah Booth, of New York city. Mr. Millen was a manufacturer of hubs and spokes in Wisconsin for 11 years, but since his residence in Ann Arbor, has devoted his time and attention to the manufacture of an excellent quality of erasive soap.
Lorrin Mills, one of the pioneers of Ann Arbor, was born in Litchfield county, Conn., Dec. 15, 1804, and was the ninth son of Asa and Arethusa Mills, natives of Connecticut. Of this family a prominent journalist says: " Lorrin Mills is one of a family of 14 children ; of these 10 lived to middle age, married, and became heads of families; all are Christians and professional singers; all pledged to total abstinence ; all are Republicans. Of the male members four are church Deacons. The posterity of this family number about 150 grandchildren and great-grand- children. In 1862 seven brothers and one sister met at Kalamazoo, Mich., with their consorts and children, in all a family gathering of about 40." At the age of 16 Mr. Mills was apprenticed to a merchant tailor, and served considerable time at this trade. In 1826 he came westward, and located in the village of Ann Ar- bor in June. He built a small frame building that served for a home for several years. In 1828 he married Harriet G. Parsons. a daughter of Roswell and Agnes Parsons, well-known pioneers of this county. Mrs. Mills died June 18,
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1869, and was laid at rest in the cemetery at Ann Arbor. There are 2 children of Mr. Mills' family living-Addison D. and Kittie B., wife of Rev. R. D. Parker, of Manhattan, Kans. Two children are deceased-Mattie I. died in Febuary, 1860, and Lorrin C. departed this life in August, 1862. In March, 1874, Mr. Mills suffered another bereavement, in the loss of his second wife, formerly Mrs. Bur- nett, whose memory is held in grateful hearts by a large circle of relatives and friends. When Mr. Mills arrived in Ann Arbor, he was in all probability the first tailor west of Detroit. Like many who left comfortable homes in the East, he had little capital, financially speaking, but an inexhaustible fund of energy and vigor, which foreshadowed a prosperous future. The humble dwelling previously mentioned was partitioned off for the double purpose of a home and a workshop. Mr. Mills was a member of a military band, organized in Buffalo, N. Y., and was identified with the reception committee who welcomed the noble La- fayette to America's shores, on the occasion of his re-visit to this country, and had the honor of a formal introduction to the great French General. He was also an eye witness of the opening of the Erie canal, and was in the band that furnished music on that occasion. Mr. Mills has been a Deacon in the Congregational Church for 34 years, evincing a kind, Christian spirit, and has indeed proved him- self a worthy laborer in the vineyard of the Lord. He has served as Superinten- dent of Sabbath-schools for 25 years, and for 19 consecutive years, from its organization, Superintendent of the Congregational school at Ann Arbor. He also led church choirs for 25 or 30 years. He is now residing at Ann Arbor, in very comfortable circumstances, a fitting reward for the laborious and faithful services in the trying scenes of pioneer life.
Mr. Mills' portrait is given in this volume.
George W. Moore, bookkeeper with C. Eberbach, was born in Phelps, Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1825, and is a son of Loren and Philena (Amsden) Moore, the former a native of Vermont, and the latter a native of Massachusetts. George was but six years old when his parents settled in York tp., and spent his early life among the pioneer scenes of Washtenaw county. He received a liberal education at the district schools, and applied himself closely to study, while others more careless whiled away the precious time in frivolous amusements. In his 23d year he married Caroline Hunt, a daughter of Timothy Hunt, a pioneer school teacher of Washtenaw county. Four children were born to this union, 2 of whom survive- Emily and Ellen. Mrs. Moore died in 1856, and two years later Mr. M. married Jane E. Hunt, of Lodi tp. She died in 1871. In 1873 he married Emily Barnes, a native of Michigan. In former years Mr. Moore was a farmer and grocer.
John Moore, dealer in books and stationery, Ann Arbor, was born in Berkshire county, Mass., in 1824. He received a liberal education, and at the age of 18 removed to Genesee county, N. Y., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for about eight years. While a resident of this latter place he married Emily Calkins, and 6 children have been born to them. Mr. Moore is an Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor. About 1868 he embarked in his present business, and so far has been quite successful.
Lewis Moore (deceased), the founder of the Ann Arbor Agricultural Works, was born at Lancaster, Pa., A. D. 1808. He grew to manhood in that State, where he married Miss Sarah Chalfin. He was in the agricultural implement business in Pennsylvania until 1853, when he came to Ypsilanti. Mich. There he engaged in farming and lumbering, also carrying on a saw-mill. He died in 1875. He was the receiver of a number of patents from 1848-'64, and, like many inventors, lost much from litigation. He was the patentee of a wheat drill, mowing machine and other articles. Of his children, Eli, the elder, grew up in Pennsylvania, but has spent much of his life at Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor. He learned the trade of machinist. He has been connected with the Ann Arbor Agricultural Works as salesman and manager, and is now Superintendent of the same. He married at Ypsilanti, in 1869, Miss Elizabeth Moore. To them have been born 3 sons-Win- tle, Eli and Walter. He is a member of the Masonic Society, Knights of Honor and others.
Elijah W. Morgan, attorney and counsellor at law, Ann Arbor, was born in Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y., May 15, 1805. His parents moved there about 1800, when there were not a dozen families living in the town. His father, Rev. Elisha Morgan, of the Black River Baptist Association, was a native of New London Co., Conn., and of Welsh descent, and his mother, a native of Stonington, in the same county. Owing to the scarcity of mechanics, when Watertown was
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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
yet a village Mr. Morgan's father had to exercise his Yankee ingenuity in making and repairing agricultural implements, and Elijah worked with him, and gained a great deal of practical knowledge about all kinds of machinery, and would always learn the reason anything was made the way it was, and what benefit it was to make it that way, and in such cases always endeavored to learn the theory as well as the practice of whatever he did. His mother was quite feeble, and Elijah learned to do housework, to sew, to knit, and in every way he could to save her steps and make life a little brighter for the feeble woman. He grew up a stout, healthy, rosy-cheeked lad, and was quite strong for one of his age. One day his father was called to preach a funeral sermon, the distance being about 20 miles. He told Elijah to cut corn-stalks the next day. The boy had never done such work before, but next day labored long and earnestly at what he supposed was the work given him to do. Most of the kernels of corn at that day had on them a spot of glaze about the size of a duck shot, or small pea. His father re- turned after dark and was surprised and displeased to learn that Elijah not merely topped the corn stalks, covering nearly half an acre, but cut to the ground and spoiled all he had touched, when corn was likely to be scarce During the night it grew very cold, and a hoar frost killed all the seed in the vicinity, and for many miles around there was no seed corn raised that year except what that 11 year old boy saved by a mistake! Elijah was sent to school before he had reached his sixth birthday, and had not been attending long before he showed conclusive evidence of the remarkable memory he possessed, and learned so fast that he passed many who had been in attendance for years. When he was nine years old his father moved to a small farm in Rutland county, and when 14, to a place 16 miles further east, in Lewis county. He owned no land in this latter place, ex- cept a small garden, and Elijah worked on a farm and at other occupations till he was 17, when he entered Lowville Academy, remaining there four summers; from the time schools closed in the spring till the close of the academic year in September. The last two summers he assisted in the academy as teacher, and be- fore the close of the fourth summer he was engaged as assistant teacher in the new academy, from the next spring, until the fall of 1827. This he did, at the same time completing all the studies of the usual college course, and keeping up the study of law in the office of Charles Doyan, an attorney at Lowville. Mr. Doyan was a member of the New York Senate, and his duties requiring almost his constant attendance at Auburn, before the academy was out in 1827, he hired Mr. Morgan to take charge of the business, and to board at his (Doyan's) home, and see to doing what the family required, which duty Mr. Morgan faithfully performed until the spring of 1829. Having heard fabulous stories of the won- derful region lying along the banks of the St. Joseph and Huron rivers, Mr. Morgan decided to emigrate West, and see if it would be a good place for a young attorney to settle. (He had studied law some in New York.) He came to De- troit and from there he traveled over this part of the State, but finally concluded to locate at Ann Arbor, believing that was the best place for an opening. After locating he entered the office of Gideon Wilcoxson, the Prosecuting Attorney of Washtenaw county, remaining with him till he died in August, 1830. He was Deputy County Clerk of this county, and acted as Clerk of the Court until after his admission to the Bar in November, 1830. Mr. Morgan has been honored with very near all the offices in this county which the people of Washtenaw confer upon any of her citizens. Of the duties of school, village and city offices, and of the business of companies or societies for the benefit of the town or public, he has borne his share of the burdens. He was the first President of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & Northern R. R., and was also Cashier and Director of the Bank of Washtenaw. In matters pertaining to the educational interest of the community he has always taken an active interest, and donated one-fifth of the land on which Michigan University at present stands. The donors numbered seven, three of whom are living to-day. He also sold to the city of Ann Arbor the ground on which the high school building stands, at a very small price. In his dealings with persons, as an attorney, he always endeavored to obtain an amicable settlement between all parties connected with the case he had in hand, telling them it was better to do this way than to have a long siege of trouble. He has given his attention to the real estate business more than any other attorney in the county, and has done a large amount of conveyancing, and making contracts for working lands on shares, and such other work as pertains to the business of that office. Mr. Morgan is the oldest practicing attorney in Washtenaw county, but at
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