History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 114

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 114

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Jonathan Taft, D. D. S., Professor of the Principles and Practice of Operative Dentistry in the University of Michigan, is a citizen of Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born in Brown county Sept. 17, 1820. He was reared in Ohio, where he received an academic education, and taught school a few years. In 1852 he graduated

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

from Ohio College of Dental Surgery, and in 1854 was appointed to a professorship. there. He is Dean of the College of Dentistry of Michigan University, at the same time holding the same position in the Ohio College of Dental Surgery. For the past 20 years he has published at Cincinnati, Ohio, a Dental Journal. In 1859 he published a text-book of dentistry, which has passed through several edi- tions. He has also published Taft's Operative Dentistry, which was issued four years : Transactions of the State Dental Societies of Ohio and Michigan for eight of nine years, as Secretary of those bodies. He has also published the American Dental Association, from its ninth volume, until now (1880) it has reached the 34th volume. He was married to Miss Hannah Collins, of Ripley, Ohio.

J. C. Taylor, Ann Arbor, was born in Montgomery county, N. Y., in 1820. In 1831 his parents removed to Michigan, locating in Northfield tp., being one of the early settlers in that town. There and at Ann Arbor Mr. Taylor was educated. He read medicine and practiced some years under a license as a homeopathist. In 1840 he came to Ann Arbor, where he has lived the most of the time since. In 1844 he was married to Miss Harriet McCollum, of this city, whose father was an old pioneer here. Of his children Mrs. Emily Allen, of this city, is a musician and teacher of some note. She studied at Ypsilanti and Detroit, under such in- structors as Lyman Wheeler, Dudley Buck, Carl Zerrahn and Carlyle Petersilea. She has taught at Ypsilanti, Jackson, Ann Arbor and other places with marked success. Dr. Taylor is extensively engaged in fruit culture, having 1,200 fruit- bearing peach-trees, and about two acres of grape vines, from which in 1880 he picked 10,000 lbs. of fruit.

J. H. Taylor, house-mover, Ann Arbor, was born in Montgomery county, N. Y., in 1818, and is a son of Willis and Anna (Hurley) Taylor, who became residents of this county in 1832. Mr. Taylor was raised a farmer's boy, and had for his early associates many of those who are now prominent in the offices of this county. At the age of 22 he became engineer in a paper-mill, situated in the lower town of Ann Arbor. He labored in this mill 18 years, and then turned his attention to house-moving. In the latter business he has been quite successful, and has accumulated enough money to purchase a nice city property. In 1844 he married Charlotte Powellson, daughter of Menah Powellson, a native of New York. They have 4 children-Lizzie, wife of C. Henion, of Ann Arbor; Lotta, wife of Darius Pennington, Macon, Mich., Fanny, a graduate of Union school, Ann Arbor, and Herbert J.

Rev."Andrew Ten Brook was born in Elmira, N. Y., Sept. 21, 1814. His father and grandfather were natives of New Brunswick, N. J. As the name indicates, the family is of Hollandish descent, and in early life Mr. Ten Brook's father spoke the language of Holland. Rev. Andrew Ten Brook received his education, -pre- paratory, collegiate and theological-at Madison University, near Utica, N. Y., spending eight years there, and graduated in 1841. It was then the custom for the senior theological class, with the concurrence of the faculty, to appoint one of its members to preach a sermon on January 1, and this appointment was given to Mr. Ten Brook. In October, 1841, he was ordained in Detroit, Mich., as Pastor of the Baptist Church in that city, in which charge he continued until September, 1844. He then resigned to accept the Professorship of Moral Philosophy in Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, where the first class commenced its senior studies at that time. He remained in this position until 1851, when he resigned and returned East. In 1853 he went to Utica, N. Y., where he purchased a half interest in the Baptist Register, and accepted the chief editorial responsibility. For two years he re- mained with this paper ; at the end of that time the owners of the New York Re- cor der united with the Register, and removed the publication of the latter to the metropolis, and Mr. Ten Brook then sold out his interest. He was appointed United States Consul at Munich, Bavaria, and in September, 1856, removed to that place, living there till December, 1862. Returning to the United States, he settled at Ann Arbor in 1863. In September, 1864, he became Librarian of the University of Michigan, which position he retained until -. Mr. Ten Brook's first effort as editor of a religious journal was with the Michigan Christian Herald, the publica- tion of which was begun in Detroit Jan. 1, 1842, by the Executive Committee of the State Baptist Convention. He remained with this paper until his call to the University in 1844. In 1875 he published an octavo volume, entitled the American State Universities and the University of Michigan. Mr. Ten Brook has written numerous articles for the periodical press, the subjects belonging to the domains of philosophy, antiquity, and history. He is now engaged in preaching in the Kat-

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ANN ARBOR TOWNSHIP.

skill mountains, in the State of New York, while his family still reside in Ann Arbor.

Enoch Terhune, dealer in agricultural implements," Ann Arbor, was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., Jan. 30, 1818, and is the sixth son of Enoch and Sarah (Depew) Terhune. His parents settled in Pittsfield tp., in 1831, where the father died at the age of 39. Mrs. Terhune passed away from earth after reaching her 75th birthday. Enoch was in his 14th year when he came to Ann Arbor, but received most of his educational training in the schools of Pittsfield and Ypsilanti. In 1842 he commenced in business in Ann Arbor, as a contractor and builder, and ultimately became quite successful as a manufacturer of sashes, doors and blinds. He also dealt extensively in the lumber business, and brought the first planing- mill machinery in to Ann Arbor, thereby calling down on his head the wrath of numerous workmen, who thought this would spoil their future business. Mr. Terhune has been an active business man of Washtenaw county for over aquarter of a century, and in the long run has made enough to keep the wolf from the door. In 1849 he married Sarah Earl, and she bore thim 1 child-Frederick B., a druggist, of Chicago, Ill. In 1858 Mrs. Terhune died, and a year later Mr. T. married Keziah Taylor. They have 1 child-Dr. Charles Terhune, of Ann Arbor, a graduate of the law department of Michigan University, but having a preference for the medical practice, he entered the lists of the latter profession. The grand- father of Mr. Terhune was an ensign in the Revolutionary war, and the remains of the battle-scarred veteran now lie interred at Pittsfield, Michigan.

Capt. Charles Thayer is the only son of Nathan Thayer, an old resident of this county, who came here in 1824. Nathan was a native of Milford, Mass., and grew to manhood there, engaged the greater part of the time in farming. He then went to Boston, and was engaged in bookkeeping and mercantile pursuits until his emigration to this county. He was married in Pennsylvania in 1790 to Polly Stow, and 2 children were born to them-Anna and Charles. After his marriage he moved to different points in the State of New York, and in 1824 came to Ann Arbor. His wife died in 1803, at Tioga, Pa. His son, Charles, the subject of this sketch, married Mary Ann Hart, daughter of Dr. William Luther and Libbie (Selden) Hart, natives of Durham, Greene Co., N. Y. This marriage was blessed with the birth of 1 child-Delia H., born March 18, 1826, and died Feb. 5, 1837. After farming for about four years, Charles received the appoint- ment of Postmaster of Ann Arbor, which position he filled from 1834 to 1841, during which time his father acted as his deputy, and lived with him till his death. After his term of office expired, Mr. T. moved back on his farm of 320 acres, and followed that business till 1851, and then moved to Ann Arbor, and opened a store containing general merchandise, and for some time carried on both the farm and the store. In 1831 or 1832 he organized a volunteer company of men for protection from the Indians. This company was known as the " Fron- tier " Guards," and he was unanimously made Captain, which title he still bears, although the " Guards, and the ravages of the hostile Indian are now stories of the past. He has been elected to very nearly all the county and township offices since his residence in the county, and was one of the committee appointed to lay out a road connecting with the Detroit and Chicago turnpike. He also assisted in dividing the county into school districts, after Michigan became a State.

Seth Thompson, retired farmer, and an old pioneer of this county, was born in New Hampshire in 1802, and is a son of John T. and Hannah (Ely) Thompson. When Seth had attained his sixth year his parents moved to Maine, where they resided six years, and thence to Madison county, N. Y., where he grew to man- hood, and then married Calista Pebbles. Seven children were born to this union, 5 of whom are living. In 1831 Mr. Thompson moved to Salem, Washtenaw Co., and bought 160 acres of land (still retained by the family), where he lived the first 10 years in a log cabin, and toiled early and late in clearing away the heavy timber. In 1863 Mrs. Thompson was laid at rest amid the scenes of earlier days, and the following year Mr. T. married Mrs. Lansing, a daughter of Dr. Budlong, who died at Adrian, Mich. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the Congre- gational Church.

Mrs. E. F. Todd, dress and cloak maker, Huron Block, Ann Arbor, has minis- tered to the wants of the ladies of that city for over a quarter of a century ; and when any special event occurs in which dresses play a prominent part, Mrs. Todd's services are always called into requisition. She received her instructions in this business from the well-known Madame Demorest, then of New Jersey, but.

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

now a resident of New York city. Mrs. Todd is an active worker in the temper- ance movement, and was formerly President of one of the leading temperance societies of Ann Arbor.

W. A. Tolchard, Treasurer Michigan University, was born at Seneca Falls, N. Y., June 2, 1838, and is a son of William Tolchard, for many years a prominent druggist of Geneva, N. Y. At the early age of 14 Mr. Tolchard was fitted for college, and the same year moved to Lenawee county, Mich., subsequently locating at Hudson, Mich. In this latter place he was employed as a bookkeeper for two and a half years, and afterward served in the same capacity at Adrian. In 1869 he located at Ann Arbor, and very creditably filled the position of Teller in the First National Bank until July, 1878, when he was appointed as Treasurer of the funds belonging to Michigan University. In 1863 he married Martha Foster, of Lawrence county, Mich., and 4 children, 2 sons and 2 daughters, have been born to them. Mr. Tolchard is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge at Ann Arbor.

James Toms, florist, Ann Arbor, was born in Surrey, England, in 1817, and is a son of William and Sarah Toms. His preliminary education was received in night schools. He married Elizabeth Couzins, a daughter of Stephen and Mary Couzins, natives of Hampshire, England. In 1854 Mr. Toms settled at Ann Arbor, where he at first found employment at the Union school, then in process of erection. Of late years he has been engaged in the horticultural business, and is an honorary member of the State society of that name. He is also a member of the Pomological Society, Red Ribbon Club, and St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.

Edward Treadwell, Ann Arbor, is a native of Cayuga county, N. Y., and was born in 1823. He remained there on a farm until 1845, when he came to this county, locating about two miles north of Ann Arbor. Three years later he went farther north on a larger farm, where he remained three years; then he removed to the vicinity of Dixboro, where he lived 12 years. He then came into this city, where he has lived to the present with the exception of four years passed on a farm near here. He was for four years dealing in agricultural implements. For the past three years he, in company with James Osborne, has been buying wheat at this city. Mr. Treadwell represented his town as Supervisor one term, but has generally kept out of politics.

Cornelius L. Tuomy, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 33, Ann Arbor, was born in the town of Scio, Washtenaw Co., in 1843. He is a son of Timothy Tuomy, who came into this county in 1835. Mr. Tuomy was chiefly educated at Ann Arbor. After leaving school he for four years taught school and then returned to farming. In 1864 he purchased his present farm of 227 acres, about 200 of which is under cultivation.

Timothy Tuomy (deceased) was born in County Carey, Ireland, in 1780. His father was a farmer in Ireland and Mr. Tuomy received a liberal education. He was reared a farmer and he followed that business until 1835, when he came to America to better himself. He at once came to Michigan and located in the town of Scio in this county, where he purchased a farm of 367 acres which was cleared up by his exertions. About 1845 he met with an accident which necessitated the amputation of his right arm near the shoulder. Yet he could plow and do many kinds of work as well as most men. About 1815 he was married to Johanna Roach of County Carey, Ireland. To them were born 9 children, of whom 3 sons and 4 daughters are yet living. Mr. Tuomy died in 1864 aged 84 years and in 1880 Mrs. Tuomy died at the same advanced age.

Jacob Vandewarker. One by one the old pioneers pass to the far beyond. Soon they will all join each other on the golden shore, where pioneer hardships and sufferings are never met. Jacob Vandewarker was born at Herkimer, N. Y., Jan. 17, 1813. He came to Ann Arbor in 1836, and soon after commenced the manufacture of boots and shoes in company with Mr. Schoolbeck. Oct. 16, 1837, he married Sarah Ann Branch, of Ann Arbor. Their first house-keeping was on North Main street, where they lived about eight years. Mr. V. then bought a lot, and built a brick house, on corner of Fifth and Catherine streets, where he lived until his death. He was attacked by a stroke of paralysis on Feb. 12, 1881, and on March 3, following, passed over the river. He left a wife, 2 daughters, a son and a daughter-in-law to mourn the loss of a kind husband, a generous and in- dulgent father.

Leonard Vaughn, retired farmer and capitalist, was born in Connecticut, in 1806, and is a son of George W. Vaughn. In 1835 Mr. V. became a resident of Erie,

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Pa., where he was employed by the Government as light-house keeper for many years. In 1867 he came to Ann Arbor, where he has since resided in affluent circumstances, the result of a well spent life. Mr. Vaughn is married and has 1 son, a wealthy banker of Canada.

Victor C. Vaughn, M. D., Lecturer on Medical Chemistry at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, Mich., was born at Randolph, Mo., Oct. 27, 1851. He prepared for college at home and in 1866 entered Central College at Fayette, Mo. He remained at this institution one year, and entered Mount Pleasant College at Huntsville, Mo., where besides pursuing his studies he taught Latin, and from which he graduated in 1872. He remained there as Professor of Latin until 1874, when he entered the literary department of Michigan University, taking the degree of Master of Arts in 1875, and of Doctor of Philosophy in 1876, and was one of the first two who received that degree from the University on examination. In 1878 he graduated from the medical department of Michigan University. In 1876 he was appointed Assistant in the Laboratory, and in 1879 received the appointment of Lecturer on Medical Chemistry, his present position. Professor Vaughn is the author of a number of works. His Thesis at graduation on the subject of "Osteology and Myology of the Domestic Fowl" was published in book form ; also in 1878 he issued a "Handbook of Chemical Physiology and Pathology " which has passed through three editions. He is also editor of the Physician and Surgeon, a monthly medical journal published at Ann Arbor. He has also con- tributed papers to other medical and scientific journals. In 1877 he was married to Miss Dora C. Taylor, of Huntsville Mo. To them have been born 2 children -- Victor Clarence, born March 4, 1879; John W., born Aug. 6, 1880.

William Wagner, merchant tailor at Ann Arbor, was born at Stuttgart, Ger- many, A. D. 1817. There he was educated and learned the business of tailor. In 1838 he came to America and located at Manchester, Washtenaw Co., Mich., where he worked at tailoring with Marshall Parker, with whom he remained until 1845, when he began business for himself. Since commencing business his trade has rapidly increased, and by strict business integrity and attention to the wants of his customers he has won an enviable reputation. He has been in this business longer than any other merchant in the city, and ranks with the pioneers in trade. In 1849 he built the store which he now occupies, No. 21 South Main st.

C. Walker & Bro., carriage and wagon manufacturers, Ann Arbor, commenced in business only a few years ago, and their present prosperity is an index of what may be accomplished by steady perseverance and skillful workmanship. They began the manufacture of carriages in 1868, and two years later Christian Walker began the erection of their present commodious structure, where a large force of skillful mechanics find constant employment.

Thomas Walker, one of the early settlers of Washtenaw county, was born in Nottinghamshire, England, in 1816, son of Thomas and Mary Walker, natives of the same shire. The subject of this sketch passed away many years of his in- dustrious life in his native country, where he learned the butcher's trade. He married Lavina Hill, and 5 children were born to them, all of whom are living. In 1842 he located in Washtenaw county, and for a period of 16 years was a suc- cessful farmer. Since he has resided in Ann Arbor he has owned a meat market and accumulated considerable property.

William Walker (deceased) was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., and while a resi- dent of that State, was united in marriage to Silena Taylor, a daughter of Willis Taylor, of Mount Holly, New Jersey. Six children, 4 boys and 2 girls, 5 of whom are living, were the result of this alliance. Their names are-Marion E., George W., an extensive cigar manufacturer of Detroit; Mary E., Anna E. and Warren. The latter child was born in Rensselaer county, N. Y., in 1842, and attained his majority in the county. He attended the Union school at Ann Arbor, and subsequently graduated from Michigan University. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. D, 4th Mich. Vol. Inf., and participated in the battles that regiment was engaged in. In 1863 he was honorably discharged, and re- turned to Michigan. In 1864 he went South and became a wheelwright in the Quartermaster's department. In 1865 he attended a term of study at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, Detroit, and in 1869 assisted in organizing the Porter Zouaves, being elected 1st Lieutenant of the company. In 1876 he at- tended the law department of Michigan University, graduating in 1878, and was admitted to the Bar the same year. In 1869 he married Sarah McDavitt. Mr

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

Walker is a good mechanic, and has built several fine residences in Ann Arbor and vicinity.

Edwin W. Wallace, Sheriff of Washtenaw county, was born in Livingston county, N. Y., Nov. 6, 1830. The same year his parents, Daniel D. and Laura R. . Wallace, removed to Washtenaw county, and settled on 160 acres of land three miles west of Saline, purchased from Government. Mr. Wallace was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and in after years erected many of the business houses in Saline village. The old "Chicago turnpike," between that city and Detroit, ran by the house, and three years after his settlement Mr. Wallace built a large tavern, called "Wallace's Hotel," where many a weary traveler was refreshed. He also built a large barn which was used as a "station" for over 15 years, often having 40 head of horses in the stable at one time. Edwin well remembers the scenes and incidents of those pioneer days, when the shrill blast of the stage- coach horn was heard echoing through the valley of the Saline river, followed in a few moments by the arrival of the "coach and four," the bustle and hurry in changing horses, the farewell blast of the horn-and away over the road to the next station, and also remembers the first time he ever heard a locomotive whistle. He thought it very similar to the blast of the old horn, only a little more plain and distinct. He died at Saline in 1877. Mrs. Wallace is residing at Chicago. Mr. Wallace, the subject of this sketch, was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1860, when he purchased the stage, express and mail line that ran from Saline to Ypsilanti. He continued in this business until 1872, when he was elected Deputy Sheriff. In 1879 he was elected Supervisor, and in the fall of 1880 was elected , Sheriff. Oct. 11, 1855, Mr. Wallace was married to Rebecca Fellows, born in this county Nov. 13, 1834, and daughter of Festus H. and Harriet Fellows, natives of New York. Two children have been born to this union-Lida J. and Fred. F.

Edward L. Walter, Ph. B., Professor of Modern Languages and Literature in the University of Michigan, was born in Hillsdale Co., Michigan, in 1840. He pre- pared for college at Albion Seminary. In 1862 he enlisted in the Fourth Mich- igan Infantry volunteers as a recruit. He remained until 1863 when on account of illness he was discharged. In 1864 he entered Michigan University, from which he graduated in 1868. He was at once appointed Assistant Professor of Greek and Latin, which position he held one year. In 1869 he was made Assistant Pro- fessor of Latin and retained this position until 1879. Two years of this time, 1871-'2, he was acting Professor during the absence of Professor Frieze. He was also three years in Europe pursuing studies at Leipsic, where he received the degree of Ph. B. In 1879 he was appointed to the chair which he now fills. When he received this appointment he obtained leave of absence and went to Paris, where he remained until Feb., 1880, pursuing studies.

Ludwig Walz, grocer and confectioner, Ann Arbor, was born in Germany in 1843. In 1845 his parents moved to America, and located in Ann Arbor. In this latter place young Ludwig grew to manhood, learning the trade of confectioner with H. Schlottbeck, and shortly after entered into business for himself. Mr. W. married Aggie Pfeifle, a native of Germany, by whom he has 5 children-Sophia, Louisa, Amanda, Willie and Rosa. During the spring of 1880 Mr. Walz entered his present commodious quarters.

Rufus Waples, attorney at law, Ann Arbor. The subject of this sketch is the son of Robert Waples, and is of the sixth generation in this country counting the first English immigrant of the name who was one of the early settlers of Dela- ware. He was born in that State in 1825. Twenty-three years later, in 1849, he emigrated to New Orleans, where he graduated from the law department of the University of Louisiana, and was admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of that State in 1852. He began the practice of his profession with his brother, Stephen Harris Waples, Esq., who was afterward appointed Judge of one of the District Courts, and was later with Mr. Eustis (late of the United States Senate). He was for several years a member of the law firm of Waples & Eustis. In 1858 he married the daughter of A. G. Alsworth, a planter of Texas. He continued the practice of law in New Orleans till the beginning of the Rebellion, when he returned to Delaware with his family, and was admitted to the Bar there and also to the Philadelphia Bar. He made many speeches in his native State against rebellion and slavery; then went to Washington city, where he was admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States, and remained with his family at the capital till 1863. President Lincoln, upon the recommendation of loyal members of the New Orleans Bar, but without application by Mr. Waples

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appointed him District Attorney of the United States for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Returning to New Orleans in May, 1863, he entered at once upon the duties of his office. The United States District and Circuit Courts remained in session continually nearly two years, and the number of Government cases was unprecedented. Mr. Waples was a member of the Louisiana Convention which framed the Constitution of 1868; officiated two years as Attorney for the corpo- ration of New Orleans, and has been the recipient of a number of honors, among them the Doctorate of Laws. He remained in New Orleans practicing his pro- fession, serving for some years on the City School Board and as Trustee of Straight University, and Fellow of the New Orleans Academy of Sciences,, etc. In 1878 he removed to Ann Arbor, Mich .; and in April of the following year was admitted by the Supreme Court, to the Bar of Michigan. In politics, he was a Whig, and on the organization of the Republican party in Louisiana, took an active part in it, and was. for a time President of its State's Central Committee. He was reared a Presbyterian, and joined that Church just before his majority. He helped to form a Congregational Church in New Orleans during the war, and has since adhered to that denomination. His life has been fruitful of events, especially during the war, but there is not room for their recital in our limited space, even were his objections to their narration removed.

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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 114

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