History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 126

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 126

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O. C, Sweetund

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YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP.

Sumter, the members were en route to the front, and present with the 1st Michigan Infantry at Alexandria and Bull Run. On the completion of its term of service, the volunteers invariably re-en- listed in the 1st Mich. Inf., reorganized at Ann Arbor, and fought to the close of the war with signal bravery. Many of the soldiers fell on Southern battle-fields; one only returned here to die.

The soldiers from Ypsilanti city and vicinity, who held Commis- sions in the Union army, are named in the following list:

Truman W. Elton, Captain 3d Cavalry.

Byron M. Cutcheon, 20th Infantry.

Delos Phillips, Major 17th Infantry.

Clinton Spencer, Captain Reserve Corps.

Henry S. Boutell, brevet Captain 4th Michigan Cavalry.

Wm. H. Perkins, Captain Co. H, 1st Michigan Cavalry.

C. S. Wortley, 1st Lieut. Co. K, 20th Michigan Infantry.

Geo. N. Harmon, 1st Lieut. 17th Michigan Infantry. Henry Shier, 1st Lieut. 3d Michigan Battery.

J. E. Bassett, Co A, 1st Michigan Artillery.

Wm. Shier, 24th Infantry.

Frank Shier, 24th Infantry.

Sheldon Crittenden, 24th Michigan Infantry.

Levy Freeman, 24th Infantry.

Samuel E. Hudson, Captain Co. F, 1st Sharpshooters.

E. T. Curtis, horse battery, 6th N. Y. Independent.

G. D. Pierce, 41st U. S. Colored Volunteers.

C. F. Ballard, 20th Infantry.

David Stanway, Capt. Co. G, 1st Vet. Vols.

W. G. Shipman, Co. B, 20th Infantry.

Major Cicero Newell, 10th Cavalry.

A. A. VanCleve, Captain 20th Infantry.

Prescott M. Skinner, Captain 20th Infantry.

John L. Yau, 17th Infantry.

John H. Smith, Co. F, 6th Heavy Artillery.

James H. Webb, 24th Infantry.

Wm. A. Siegel, 1st Infantry.

Hadley H. Webb, 17th Infantry.

Thos. J. Edwards, 1st Infantry.

Wm. Edwards, 1st Infantry.

Salmon B. Ormsby, Captain 108th U. S. Colored Infantry.

D. C. Batchelder, 1st Lieut. Co. F, 6th Cavalry.

E. W. Merritt, 2d Company Sharpshooters, 27th Infantry.

A. M. Smith, Co. B, 1st Kansas Cavalry.

C. N. Webb, 1st Lieut. 11th Infantry.

E. Johnson, 1st Cavalry.

John Millin, 136th New York Volunteers.

Y. J. Henderson, 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry.

M. B. Kenyon, 10th New York Infantry.

J. N. Wallace, brevet Major 13th U. S. Colored Infantry.

Geo. P. Sanford, brevet Lieut. Col. U. S. Army.

O. B. Curtis, Corporal 24th Infantry.

Wm. A. Barnard, Captain 20th Infantry.

THE NORMAL COMPANY.

In the summer of 1862, when the Union army was driven back from Richmond, and President Lincoln was summoning fresh troops to reinforce our depleted ranks, the students of the State Normal school resolved to form themselves into a company and

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go forth to the fight at their country's call. The company was or- ganized at Ypsilanti. It was composed chiefly of young men from the Normal school and University, a number of volunteers being also admitted from the vicinity.

It was, of course, called the " Normal Company," Gabriel Camp- bell, a graduate, being made Captain, and Thomas Mathews and James T. Morgan being chosen as First and Second Lieutenants respectively. The members of the company received $10 each as local bounty from the citizens of Ypsilanti. In addition to this the leading business and professional men made up a purse suffi- cient to purchase a handsome sword, belt and sash, which were presented to Captain Campbell at a large public meeting held in Hewitt Hall," Prof. J. M. B. Sill, of the Normal school, now superintendent of the city schools of Detroit, making the presenta- tion address. Dr. Cocker, at present of the University at Ann Arbor, upon invitation, preached a special sermon to the company at the Methodist church on the Sabbath preceding their departure for Detroit, where it was assigned to the 17th Regiment of Michi- gan Infantry as " Company E." This regiment, under command of Col. W. H. Withington, of Jackson, immediately (in August) started for the seat of war and was made a part of the 1st Brigade of the 1st division of the 9th Army Corps, which was under command of Gen. Burnside.

The Normal Company was visited while in Pleasant Valley, Maryland, by Prof. A. S. Welch, the Principal of the Normal school, who spent several days with his old students in the field. In general, the work of the Normal Company was indistinguish- able from that of the 17th Regiment, of which it was a part. The regiment was at first in the army of the Potomac. In the spring of 1863 it went to Kentucky; thence it was called to participate in the siege of Vicksburg, after whose fall it returned to Tennessee. Near the close of the war it again joined the army of the Potomac, and was finally detached as body guard for the general command- ing the division. The Normal Company participated in all the numerous battles through which the regiment passed, sustaining the severest losses and injuries at South Mountain, Sept. 14, 1862; Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862; and near Knoxville the following year, everywhere meeting the arms of the enemy with most commend- able bravery, and enduring fatigue and exposure with patience and even cheerfulness. At South Mountain the full company in their first battle took part in one of the most famous struggles of the war. It was the turning of the tide and the beginning of the suc- cess of the Union canse. We append an extract from a poetical description of the battle, written by Captain Campbell, who led the Normal Company. The roster of this company is given in the county history.

Of the number who went forth, the following men were killed in battle: At South Mountain-Robert C. Irwin, Alexander Mc Kin- non, and William A. Woodard; at Antietam-Francis E. King,

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Gilbert B. Peck, and Webster Ruckman; near Knoxville -- George P. Hathaway, and Walter B. Maxfield; at Spottsylvania, Herbert N. Lonsbury; at Petersburg ---- Edwin A. Bush.

The following died of their wounds: G. Myron Hawley (South Mountain), Daniel G. Hopkins (South Mountain), John H. Marvin (Antietam), Frederick S. Webb (Antietam), Geo. W. McMichael (Knoxville).

The following died of disabilities incurred in the service: Lieut. Jas. T. Morgan (at home), Salmon E. Haight (Fredericksburg), Foster Ames (Lebanon, Ky.), William H. Orndt (Washington), Samuel F. Aulls (Washington), Charles J. Cady (Florence prison), Silas W. Chapman (Frederick City), Harrison McFall (Anderson- ville prison), Thomas W. Gretton (Andersonville prison), Robert E. Vining (Louisville), and Squier Mathews (Covington, Ky.).

The following were discharged on account of wounds: Sergeant John A. McDougall, David S. Howard, Henry D. Burr, Wm. T. Daines, Gregory E. Dibble, Wm. H. Eckler, Seth E. Engle, Ed- ward A. Haight, F. J. Hotchkin, L. M. Jones, Schuyler McFall, Venory Watson, Irwin Shepard, and A. F. Willcox.

For other disabilities the following were discharged: Sergeant Geo. W. Hough, A. T. Billings, H. Brander, A. W. Chapman, H. C. Hayes, M. E. Hillman, C. H. Jones, R. A. Parker, Thomas Parr, R. M. Stiles, H. B. Sturdevant, W. H. Sweezy, L. F. Thomp- son, and H. H. Webb.

Of Captain Campbell see biographical sketch elsewhere. Lieu- tenant Mathews was wounded at Antietam and subsequently promo- ted to the rank of Major. Lieut. Morgan had been made Captain. Sergeant Phillips escaped from a railway train, while a prisoner, and was promoted to a Captaincy and afterward made Lieutenant Colonel of a new regiment; he is now in the organ business in Kalamazoo. Sergeant Safford became Captain and is now a mer- chant in Grand Haven. Sergeant Hough holds a municipal office in the city of Detroit. Sergeant Waltman was wounded, made his escape from Andersonville prison, had several promotions, graduated at the Normal school and the University, and is now a lawyer in Chicago. Sergeant McDougall is a farmer in Superior. Corporals Wier and Harmon were made Lieutenants. J. M. Brewing (wounded at South Mountain) is farming in Augusta; H. H. Webb in Pittsfield; John Horning and W. H. Sweezy near Manchester, and P. V. Fellows in Sharon. W. H. Brearley is city editor of the De- troit Evening News; Geo. D. Herrick teaches music in Grand Rapids; Herbert Deuel and A. T. Billings are in business in Phil- adelphia; E. A. Haight is President of a university in Indiana; J. M. Wood is principal of a ward school in Chicago; Geo. H. Hopkins is a lawyer, has been Governor's Secretary, and is at pres- ent a member of the Michigan Legislature; Irwin Shepard (wounded at battle of the Wilderness) graduated at the Normal and Olivet College, is now Principal of the State Normal school at Winona, Minnesota. Corporal Frederick S. Webb, son of Dr. N. J. Webb,

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

before his death sent an original poem to the Normal Lyceum, which was published in one of the Ypsilanti papers. The follow- ing lines are an extract:

" My loved Normal halls! 'neath heaven's blue dome! No place I hold dearer ; no spot that still brings Such tender reflections on memory's wings * * * *

* I was hurt at Antietam ; on my forehead I bear A wound that a rebel shot gave to me there; And now in the hospital, lonesome and weary, I spend the long days-Oh, so long and so dreary! But that matters little so long as the land Is saved from destruction at treason's red hand,- That red hand of treason! Oh, God ! shall it sweep All over our land like a storm o'er the deep? Or shall gardens of happiness, nursed in the beams Of liberty's sun, and bedewed with the streams Of peace and prosperity, yet gladden the sight Where war is now waging its desolate fight?"

John H. Marvin, who was killed at Antietam, was married just before the company left Ypsilanti. About a month thereafter his young widowed bride wrote a poem commemorative of his burial, " Down by Potomac's Side," which was published in the Detroit Tribune. It was written Sept. 27, 1862, after her husband breathed his last Sept. 18, the day succeeding the battle of Antietam. We extract two stanzas.

"Ten thousand noble ones laid low By bullet, shot and shell. Oh, tell me not that my idol one In that fearful conflict fell ; Not that the murderous shell struck down My husband brave-my pride ; Not that his mangled body lies Down by Potomac's side.

The battle's o'er,-but he'll ne'er return, My darling one-my all. 'Tis hard that he, so good and pure, For his country's sins must fall. This earth is dark, and cold, and drear,- Oh, would that I had died With my brave young hero far away, Down by Potomac's side !"

The Normal Lyceum published a series of resolutions honoring in the strongest terms the self-sacrificing patriotism of the fallen heroes of the Normal Company and declaring that the Normal school "in sending forth her young men to preserve our national existence, she graduates them to a higher school, and one to which posterity, not a nerveless race, but millions of freemen, thanking heaven that a noble ancestry was theirs, will look as the conservers cf our liberties."

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YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP.

THE SEPULCHERS OF THE WYANDOTTES.

In the early years of the village the settlers looked upon the great burial ground of the Indians. This rude cemetery extended along the west bank of the river, from Catharine street to a line drawn east from Pearl street; it presented a surface of conical hills. The relics of Indian settlement, and the innumerable pres- ents bestowed upon each dead warrior (which, however, did not accompany him to the happy hunting grounds), are so many evi- dences of Ypsilanti being the favorite home of the tribes in the dim past. Stone hatchets and iron brooches and rings of silver, arrows, arrow-heads, paring knives, skulls, unnumbered skeletons, remain to tell of their occupation, to relate the story of their rise and fall. This ancient burial ground is now concealed by the four important blocks forming the center of the city. The ground on which Mr. Joslin's residence is built was the nucleus of this old cemetery.

As late as May, 1851, and even for three years later, Mr. Jos- lin's sons disinterred hundreds of relics; other boys joined in the archaeological pursuits, and soon the homes of the village were museums of Wyandotte souvenirs.

CEMETERIES OLD AND NEW.

The first cemetery was bounded on the south by the gravel road. This was a rude burial place, unfenced until 1847. There were between 150 and 200 persons buried there. When a motion was made to remove the bodies of the dead to a new cemetery a shout of sacrilege was raised. The first cemetery was deeded by Judge Larzelere to the village in 1830, as a gift.

The second cemetery was at the east end of Ellis street. With additions it comprised nine acres. Its location was so far away from the village of that day, it was judged the city would never extend so far. It is said that over 1,000 persons have been interred there. Five acres were purchased from Mark Norris, in 1842 or'43, for about $200. A subsequent addition of 400 acres was made.

In 1858 Mayor Joslin proposed to buy the grounds for cemetery purposes on the east bank of the Huron, now known as "High- land cemetery." Messrs. Follett, Lambie, Welch, Stuck, Edwards, and Dr. Town were members of the council that year, and co-oper- ated with him; but owing to the dissatisfaction expressed by the people, the subject was allowed to drop.

Highland Cemetery has usurped the burial ground of the village of former days. It has not grown like other places of interment, .but sprang into existence at once, and without notice, until now it as- sumes an extensiveness and funereal beauty which arrests the attention of the traveler and claim the admiration of the citizens. This temporary resting place for the bodies of the dead is on the plateau east of the Huron, and north of the expansion of that river. Its elevated

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

location evidently gained for it the name bestowed upon it by its founders. The monuments are numerous, and some of them are works of high art, marking the sepulchres of the Folletts, Norrises, Grants, Hawkinses, Dows, Rexfords, Mckinstrys, Moores, Van Cleves. The small monuments placed over the graves of two of Mr. Joslin's children are beautiful in design, and add much to a cemetery already made beautiful by nature. A walk round its winding avenues brings up memories of many of those who were the pioneers of Ypsilanti. At every turn, or drive-way, or walk, some well-known name is perpetuated in enduring marble.

Of all who went forth from this city in defense of the principles and integrity of the Republic, only one or two rest there. The greater number of fallen comrades found graves on the ensanguined fields of Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia. No tell-tale head- stone forms a guiding lamp to mothers, fathers, sisters or brothers who would seek their soldiers' graves, to cover them with garlands, or, perchance, remove the ashes of those they love to this northern soil which nourished them in early years. Highland cemetery is wanting in that one respect, and only in that, to tinge it with a deeper romance.

On laying out this cemetery, Col. Glenn, of Niles, was employed as architect. His design centered in the beautiful confusion of curved and circled paths and drive-ways leading through vistas already formed by the oak groves, and others, at that time pros- pective. Since Mr. Glenn's labors on the lovely plateau, the cypress, willow, pine and cedar have been added to the groves, the roads and terraces he designed now run through the green par- terres, and the capital has been placed upon the plans of the master gardener.

The dedicatory ceremony was performed July 14, 1864; Dr. F. K. Rexford presided. On that occasion Rev. John A. Wilson, Pastor of St. Luke's Church, read the Scriptures; Rev. Geo. P. Tindall offered the prayer; Prof. A. S. Welch delivered the oration; Mayor Edwards, Benjamin Follett and Chauncey Joslin spoke in congratulatory terms of the successful inauguration of the enter- prise; the musical programme was carried out under the direction of Prof. Pease. The services were held on block 32.

Elias Norton, who died July 10, 1864, aged 75 years, was buried the day preceding that of dedication. The interment took place on lot 1, block No. 1. This is supposed to be the first grave ten- anted by the body of a white man in this cemetery. Mrs. M. A. Dow, who died July 12, 1864, aged 39, was buried on lot 24, block No. 62, July 13. Since that period 546 deeds have been issued. The grounds comprise 40 acres, through which run three miles of driveways and three miles of gravel walks. The gate lodge was erected during the year 1880, at a cost of $2,500. It is a very handsome structure, gotten up in the chalet style of architecture, with all its eaves and cornices, pointed gables, and plain windows. The ve- randa is peculiarly Swiss, forming a continuation of the roof, and

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supported by slight pillars springing from a raised platform. On the right of the gateway is a small, tastily constructed building designed for the sexton's office. From the entrance three avenues lead to the cemetery proper. Shade-trees are set along the separat- ing parterres, giving to this portion of the grounds the appearance of a boulevard. The grounds are well ordered, the owners of lots, as well as the sexton, co-operating in their marked attention to the temporary homes of the dead, -- the coup d' oeil magnificent, and the whole cemetery a credit to the city, and particularly to its founders.

SCHOOLS OF THE PIONEER PERIOD.

Within two years after the advent of the American pioneers to this section of the State, the school was found in their midst. Previous to 1826, however, children were called together, arranged in classes, and a determined effort made to instill into their young heads an idea of the alphabet; but the success of such a desultory method was so very questionable that a school had to be organized. This was accomplished by Miss Hope Johnson in 1826 at Wood- ruff's Grove, and by Miss Olive Gorton at Ypsilanti. The ladies are reported to have given all their attention to the pupils, and during the brief term of their career as teachers accomplished as much good as possible. During the summer of 1828, Miss Miriam Brooks undertook the tuition of the little ones of the village. In the winter of 1828-'9, Mrs. Mark Norris devoted her house and time to a number of children whom she instructed. C. Hovey opened a school in 1829, which he conducted for over a year. Miss Ruby Cannon taught a " girl's school " in 1830; Mr. Harwood, de- siring to devote a part of his dwelling to school purposes, placed a room therein at the disposal of Miss Cannon and her pupils.

The brick school-house, erected in 1830 by W. W. Harwood, on the east side of the river, was first used for school purposes in 1831. The first teacher who presided there was Miss Laura Vaill. The " Old Red Building," erected at an early day by Mr. Champion, was utilized as a school-house in 1832. This stood south of the west public square. Grove Spencer, who tau ght an evening class in E. M. Skinner's office, during the preceding 12 months, moved thither in August of that year, and there established his select school. Miss Emily Wead presided over the East-side school in 1833. The "Young Ladies' Select School " was founded in Sep- tember, 1834, by Miss Ruth Palmer. About this time a night school was projected, which, however, had a very brief existence. The school founded by Miss Palmer was conducted in a room over Mr. Vanderbilt's cabinet shop. Miss Granger succeeded her as Principal, and she, in turn, retired in favor of Miss Clark. Miss A. G. Nichols conducted the East-side school in 1834; Denis Hammond, a very successful teacher, taught school here from 1836 to 1839. In 1837, one of the citizens of the present time-Chanu-

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

cey Joslin-conducted school in the first district school-house. This building, devoted to school purposes, was that known as the " White school-house," situated on the west side of the village, now occupied by Mr. Cheney. In 1840 Francis Griffin established a class in the session house of the Presbyterian Church, subsequently moved to the "nunnery," a large frame building which stood near Congress street bridge. This educational establishment was a high class school, yet it fell, and its place was supplied at the instance of Messrs. Landreth and Woodruff, -- the latter in charge of the higher classes, and the former conducting the elementary de- partments. In 1854 Landreth moved to Detroit, after which C. Woodruff established the academical school. Rev. L. H. Moore inaugurated the " Ypsilanti Seminary " in 1844. Assisted by Prof. Eaton, N. West, Ed. Fenney, G. P. Tindall, O. Howell, L. Covell, James Duncan, Misses M. Brown, Louisa Brown, Delia Brown, and Harriet Gray, the reverend principal carried out a liberal educa- tional programme until the sale of the building to the School Board in 1848.

A RECORD OF EVENTUALITIES.

That the profession of school-teacher was highly esteemed in those early years becomes evident from the fact that almost every one of them became a practical man or woman, and all succeeded gener- ally in the contest with the obstacle which this world offers to the industrious as something to be conquered. Olive Gorton married Lyman Graves; Miriam Brooks married Rev. Mr. Frazee; Ruby Cannon paid a similar compliment to Mr. Freeman; Laura Vaill unitedher fortunes with those of Mr. Blackman, of N. Y. Emily Wead found a faithful friend in Salmon Champion; Ruth Parker prized her husband-Rev. Mr. Worthington; Laura Granger discovered that Dr. Smith was her truest lover; Miss Clarke met the Rev. Mr. Murdock to win and retain his affection; Miss A. G. Nichols be- came the wife of Mr. Buck; in fine, those ladies deserved much happiness, and doubtless received their deserts.

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.

Preliminary History .- Hon. John D. Pierce, the first State Su . perintendent of Public Instruction in Michigan, in his report to the Legislature in 1837, said: "The most perfect organization of the entire school system, in all the varied departments of instruction, must fail of securing the desired results without a sufficient number of competent teachers." To secure this result, he recommended that provision be made by which every teacher of the public schools should have a thorough professional training, and should receive a diploma from some proper board before entering upon the work of teaching. No Normal school had been opened in the United States when this report was written.

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YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP.

The first school of this kind, in this country, was organized at Lexington, Mass., in 1839. Another was commenced at Bridge- water, the same State, in 1840. A third was opened at Westfield in 1844. In December of the same year a Normal school was or- ganized at Albany, N. Y. These four are the only regularly organ- ized Normal schools in the United States whose history extends through more years than the one at Ypsilanti. The recommenda- tions of Supt. Pierce did not produce immediate results.

In 1847 Gov. Felch, in his message to the Legislature, after refer- ring to the "deficiency in the qualification of teachers," goes on to say: " In several of the States, Normal schools, having for their ob- ject the qualification of instructors for the great work of education, have been fostered by private munificence and legislative aid, and have been attended with the most beneficial results. Teaching, it- self an art, is properly made a subject of instruction. The mis- sion of the teacher demands high qualifications. As the object of his profession is of the greatest importance, so his employment should be considered most honorable, and his efforts be seconded by every friend of the rising generation. It is difficult to say what method, if any of a public character, should be adopted to raise the standard of excellence in this important department, but I cannot refrain from recommending it to your consideration as a subject in which the interests of the public are deeply involved."

Establishment of the Normal School .- The original act for the establishment of the Normal school was approved March 28, 1849, and took immediate effect. This act was amended by another ap- proved March 25, 1850. The first-named act provided that the school should be under the direction of the Board of Education, and the board was empowered to procure a site in or near some village in the State, where it could be done most conveniently, and to erect thereon buildings suitable for such an institution. For the purpose of defraying the expenses of erecting the necessary buildings, and providing books, apparatus, etc., the Legislature ap- propriated 10 sections of " salt-spring land," and for the support of the school after it should be opened, 15 additional sections of the same land. The amended act provided that the funds received from the sale of the entire 25 sections should constitute an endow- ment for the support of the school; and that the expenses of erect- ing buildings should be defrayed from moneys donated by citizens of the place where the school should be located. If the amount received by donations did not prove to be sufficient, the board was authorized to use funds derived from the sale of the salt lands, up to $10,000. About $8,000 were so used.

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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 126

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