History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 130

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 130

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In the fall of 1852 the State Normal school opened with a teachers' institute of six weeks, which he attended, being present at the dedication of the building and the inauguration of the first Principal of the school, Prof. A. S. Welch.

Following the institute, he engaged to teach for four months the school at Verona, Calhoun Co., at $17 per month and " board around." The following spring he returned to the Normal school and attended during its first regular term, and during a part of the next term, until the time of leaving for Port Huron, where he had been engaged to teach during the winter at $45 per month.

At the close of his engagement at Port Huron he returned to the Normal school, where he remained one year. At the close of this year he married Miss Julia E. Walter, of Clarkston, Mich., with whom he had become acquainted at the Normal school.

At the time of his marriage, under the influence of what seemed a strange de- sire of his father, he entertained the idea for a time of pursuing the occupation of farming, and accordingly engaged in a partial charge of his father's farm at Climax.

Finding his preference for the work of teaching so strong, he remained upon the farm but a single season, and the following fall he engaged as Principal of the school at Constantine, which was then just opening as a graded school in a new building. After one year at Constantine he was induced to enter upon charge of a combined common school and academy at Mishawaka, Ind., where he remained during five years. Returning then to Constantine he was in charge of the school there the following two years. Having now taught eight years and in the mean- time been at work upon one of the courses of study of the University, laying out a portion for completion each year, he determined to go to Ann Arbor and pursue the studies still before him.

Agreeably with his mathematical inclinations he entered the engineering de- partment and was graduated at the end of the year. He had completed a full preparatory course in Latin and Greek at the Normal school, to which he had made considerable addition by private study and teaching, and accordingly, four years after his graduation as a civil engineer, the degree of M. A. was conferred upon him by the University.

Following the year spent in study he took charge of the graded school at De- catur, Mich., where he remained three years.

The county superintendency of schools having been inaugurated he was elected as the first incumbent of that office for Van Buren county, and in connection with the duties of that position, engaged in the publication of a weekly news- paper at Decatur called the Van Buren County Republican.

The following fall he was appointed Professor of Mathematics in the State Normal School, a position which he still occupies.

L. C. Birk, proprietor Ypsilanti ashery, was born at Bridegeport Conn., in 1853, and three years later his parents moved to Ypsilanti. In 1878 Mr. Birk was united in marrage to Carrie Schmid, daughter of John C. Schmid, a well-known lumber dealer of Ann Arbor. Mr. Birk was formerly a resident of Ann Arbor, and while residing there was Treasurer of the Ann Arbor Shooting Club. He es- tablished his present business in 1878, and has 12 leaches, and the same number of vats in active operation. He manufactures about 60 casks of potash yearly, which find a ready sale in New York city.

Francis P. Bogardus, Cashier of First National Bank, Ypsilanti, was born at Carbondale, Penn., May 9, 1837. His father is Hon. Edgar Bogardus, a promi- nent and much respected citizen of Ypsilanti. In 1846 Mrs. Bogardus died, and Francis soon after accompanied an uncle, Isaac N. Conklin, to Ypsilanti, Mich. He received a good education in the public schools, and after some time spent

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in the drug store of E. Sampson, he was employed in the bank of Follett, Conk- lin & Co. as bookkeeper. He remained there until 1860, when he engaged in the banking business with his father, under the firm name of E. & F. P. Bogardus. This business relation continued seven years, when it was consolidated with the First National Bank, Mr. Bogardus being elected Cashier. Mr. B. is a man of marked social characteristics, genial manners and full of enterprise and ambi- tion. He was City Treasurer of Ypsilanti for several years, and Mayor for two terms. He was instrumental in securing the location of the Normal school at Ypsilanti, and was one of the promoters and builders of the fine opera house that adorns that city. Mr. Bogardus is not a strong political partisan, but lends his influence to those who can best serve the cause of the community, State or nation. He married Sarah E. Hall, a daughter of Charles Hall (deceased), an old pioneer of this county. They have 3 children- Charles, Fannie and George.

E. Bortle, proprietor restaurant and hotel, Congress st., Ypsilanti, was born in Columbia county, N. Y., in 1820. Early in life he learned the carpenter's trade, and in 1855 he went to Chicago, Ill., where he worked at his trade until the break- ing out of the Rebellion. He raised two companies of troops, one in the three months' service, and the other for the second call of troops to serve three years. He was elected Captain of the 10th Ill. Vol. Cav., and served in that capacity un- til 1863, when he resigned his commission and located at Rochester, N. Y., where he was the successful proprietor of a hotel and restaurant for some years. In 1871 he located in Ypsilanti, and established his present business, enjoying at present a good trade.

Henry S. Boutell, agriculturist, was born in Steuben county, N. Y., in 1829. He was reared to manhood in his native State, and there married Delia Cheney. daughter of William Cheney, a prominent miller of Rochester, N. Y. In 1851 Mr. Boutell settled in Ypsilanti tp., where he resided until the war commenced He enlisted in Co. B, 4th Mich. Cav., and participated in 86 battles and skir- mishes, and also at the capture of Jefferson Davis. He was twice wounded, and honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn., as brevet Captain of Co. C. He re- turned to this county, and has since been engaged in farming. Mr. Boutell and wife have 3 children-Henry, Horace and Lima. Mr. B. was Treasurer of Ypsi- lanti tp. for several terms.

Rev. Samuel D. Breed, Ypsilanti, was born in Oswego county, N. Y., in 1821, and is a son of Reuben and Martha (Everett) Breed. Samuel attained his 18th year in New York, and in 1861 entered a well-known theological seminary at Chicago, where he took a thorough course of study. He began his ministerial career at Chelsea, Mich., thence to Augusta, thence to Grand Blanc, Genesce Co., thence to Rochester, Mich., and thence to Ypsilanti. He is now pastor of a flourishing congregation at Flat Rock, Mich. He was married to Orpha A. Fenn, of Sylvan tp., who died Feb. 12, 1846. They had 1 child, Reno O., who gave up his life in the Rebellion. Mr. Breed was united in marriage to Amelia E. Bos- worth, who has borne him 4 children-Dwight A., Merle A., Amelia and Ger- trude.

H. H. Brinkerhoff, insurance and real estate agent, was born near Auburn, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Jan. 1, 1819. His parents, Jacob N. and Maria (Johnson) Brinkerhoff, were natives of Adams county, Pa., who settled in New York at an early date. When H. H. had reached his 10th year his parents removed to Liv- ingston county, N. Y., where he remained until his marriage to Sarah Begole, daughter of William Begole, of Mt. Morris. He then removed to Michigan, locating at Tecumseh, and subsequently at Saline, where he bought 240 acres of land. Eight years after he desired to give his children the benefits of a good education, and therefore removed to Ypsilanti, where he has since resided.

W. K. Brock, farmer, is a native of Devonshire, England, where he was born in 1826, son of Richard and Charity Brock. In his 18th year he crossed the ocean and took up his residence with his people in New York State. In 1851 he was married to Miss Angie Brown, a daughter of Hiram Brown. The year following Mr. Brock came to Michigan and first settled in York tp., where he invested in 80 acres, residing upon this property until 1866, when he purchased his present property, comprising 145 acres of remunerative land in Ypsilanti tp.

Walter A. Buckbee (deceased) was born in Vermont in 1807. He was educated in his native State, and at an early age began the study of law. He was admitted to the Bar by Judge Hinsdale, and soon after married Amanda Weed. He came to Michigan in 1837, locating at Ypsilanti, where he had previously purchased a

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fine residence property. Soon after arrival he was admitted to practice in the Bar of Michigan, and devoted all the energy and ambition of his nature to his profession. He died in 1850, leaving a wife and 4 children. The children are- Sarah, wife of H. M. Cheever, of Detroit; Walter, a clerk in the employ of the well-known publishing house of Jansen, McClurg & Co., of Chicago, who married Elizabeth Love, of Canada; Mary, wife of Mr. Jansen, of the previously mentioned firm; Edward, land agent for the C. & N. W. railroad, at Chicago, and who married Mary Church. He was a soldier in the late conflict.

A. P. Bucklin was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1812. His grandfather, William Bucklin, was a native of Rhode Island, and settled in New York, at a very early date. He died at Little Falls, at an advanced age. His wife was a lady of more than ordinary worth. She bore him 7 children, 1 of whom, Francis B., was the father of the subject of this sketch. He owned a valuable tract of land in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., but came to Michigan in 1842, and located in Jackson county. After several years he removed to Iowa, and thence to Pecatonica, Ills., where he died at the age of 85 years. Mrs. Bucklin died in Erie Co., N. Y., in 1822. In 1838 A. P. Bucklin was married to Cornelia A. Preston, daughter of James A. and Margaret Preston, natives of New York. In early life he was em- ployed on a stage line between Detroit and Ypsilanti. After his marriage he purchased a farm of 80 acres in Jackson county, and at the expiration of 10 years disposed of his farm and entered the employ of the M. C. R. R., where he re- mained until 1860. He then purchased the old Perry House, at Ypsilanti, and changed the name to the Bucklin House. In 1868 he retired from active life, and bought a good residence on Huron street. Mr. Bucklin is a member of the Ma- sonic order and a well-respected citizen of Ypsilanti. He has 6 children-De Witt C., who married Mrs. Nellie Bogardus; Delos P., who married Nelly Jolly, of New York; Frank D., who is married to Frances Covert; Louisa H., wife of Charles Elliott, of Detroit; Walter, married to Ida Scott, of Dayton, Ohio; and Anna, a resident of Ypsilanti.

A. F. Burbank, foreman of Ypsilanti Paper Mills, was born in Ann Arbor July 18, 1844, the youngest son of the next mentioned. In 1854 the parents exchanged their Ann Arbor property for 100 acres in Augusta, where they resided nine years, and A. F. obtained a good English education; they then removed to Romulus, Wayne county, and settled upon a farm, but shortly afterward moved back to Ann Arbor. March 23, 1867, Austin F. settled at Ypsilanti and soon was employed by the Cornwell Paper Co., as an assistant on one of their numerous paper machines; within three months he was promoted to a more responsible position, and after the boiler explosion of 1876, to a still higher position, that of foreman. March 8, 1868, he married Emma J. Woodruff, daughter of Benj. and Ruth (Fuller) Woodruff, and the name of their only child is Lucy E. Mr. B. is a Freemason and a member of the A. O. U. W.

George G. Burbank (deceased) was born April 9, 1800, at Montpelier, Vt .; at 22 he went to Rochester, N. Y., where he married Lucy Hinchie, who was born Sept. 8, 1802, in Monroe tp., Saratoga Co., N. Y. In 1836 he came to Detroit, and dur- ing the succeeding winter obtained the right to practice medicine in the territory of Michigan, locating in the spring in Scio village. After a wearisome journey by . wagon drawn by an ox-team, the following day he hired a man with a horse- team, and thus provided with an ox and horse-team, journeyed that day as far as Mr. Pray's, one of the first pioneers in Southern Michigan. In four years he re- moved to Ann Arbor, where he purchased a house and lot on the southwest corner of Fourth and Liberty streets, where he passed the remainder of his life.

Wells Burt, Ypsilanti, was born in Erie county, N. Y., in 1820. His father was there a business man. In 1824 his parents moved to Macomb county, Mich., and were among the pioneers of that locality. In the schools of that day Mr. Burt was educated, graduating from a log school-house. On a farm the first 19 years of his life were passed and then he engaged in public surveying with his father on township lines in Wisconsin during 1839-'40. In 1843 he engaged in surveying in Iowa, which he followed until 1851. In that year he engaged in the mining and manufacture of iron. He is interested in the Lake Superior Mining Co., in Marquette county, Mich., and is in- terested in a number of furnaces in the State. He is President of the Union Iron Co., of Detroit. In 1865 he came to this city, attracted by the schools, and since then has resided here. In politics Mr. Burt is a Republican. In 1851 he was married to Miss Beaman, of Rochester, Mich.

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E. S. Butts, proprietor of the well-known Moore saw-mill, was born in this county in 1841. His parents, S. K. and Lydia A. Butts, purchased land in Ypsi- lanti tp., in 1844. E. S. was reared on this farm, and in 1863 enlisted in the 12th Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., and after three years service received his discharge at Niles, Mich. He returned to this county and engaged in milling. In 1880 he pur- chased his present mill. December, 1877, he married Mary A. Snodgrass, a native Venango Co., Pa. They have 1 child-Viola.

Hiram Cady (deceased) is well remembered by the early pioneers of this county who yet survive, as a man of unusual intelligence and upright character. He was born in New York in 1807, and there educated. In 1830, in Ontario county, he married Mary Webb, of New England parentage. In 1832 he settled in Pittsfield tp., where he located 80 acres of land. He died in 1852. Mrs. Cady died in 1877. His son, C. H. Cady, grocer, Ypsilanti, was reared on a farm, re- ceiving his preliminary education in thedistrict schools, and ultimately taking a four years' course at the seminary in Ypsilanti. In 1872 he entered actively into business as a grocer, and in 1879 established a branch store at Ann Arbor. This store was finally abandoned, owing to the increase of business at the parent store in Ypsilanti. Mr. Cady, while residing in Pittsfield tp., served as County Com- missioner, and Township Clerk. He was married in 1858 to Theresa Begole, a daughter of Samuel and Valeria Begole, They have 5 children-Eliza. Louisa, Agnes, Mary and Pearl. Mr. Cady is also engaged in farming, and owns 140 acres of the old homestead property.

David Campbell, farmer, was born in this county in 1841, a son of Charles and Mary Ann Campbell, who settled in Washtenaw as early as 1841. In 1862 David Campbell enlisted in Co. F, 24th Mich. Inf., and proceeded to the front from Rawsonville, and became a participant in many important battles, as the Wil- derness, Fredericksburg, Mine Run, Petersburg, Coal Harbor, etc. He was honorably discharged at Detroit in 1865, and returned to Rawsonville. For five years after the close of the Rebellion he was a highly esteemed employe of the Cornwell Paper-Mill Co., serving as an engineer. Feb. 18, 1880, he bought his present farm land, consisting of 58 acres, formerly owned by Lewis Smith. In 1866 he was married to Miss Jane Fletcher, a daughter of Addison Fletcher, a well-known pioneer of this county, of whom a biography appears elsewhere. Mrs. Campbell died after a short illness, March 6, 1880, and was laid at rest in the Day cemetery. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, namely : Jennie L., Chas. D. and Fletcher.

George Campbell, an employe of the Peninsular Paper-Mills, was born in Scot- land in 1846. Growing to mature years in Scotland, he found employment in a paper-mill at Aberdeen. In 1870 he crossed the ocean, settling at Watertown, N. Y., and three years later at Ypsilanti. Mr. Campbell was married in Water- town, N. Y., to Elizabeth Henderson. They have 2 children-Jennie and Minnie.

David Carr (deceased) was born in Scotland in 1821. In 1824 his parents emigrated to America, and first settled at Romulus, Wayne Co., Mich., where he grew to manhood, and first entered into business at Belleville, as a merchant, where he was also Postmaster, and became prominently identified with the place. In 1848 he married Cynthia A. Jewett, daughter of George and Elizabeth Jewett, and they have had 5 children, 2 of whom are living, namely : Bella, wife of James E. Siever, of Kansas City, where she now resides, and David, also a resident of that enterprising Western city. Mr. Carr was accidentally killed in 1864, by the run- ning away of a spirited team while on his return from Ypsilanti to Belleville. During the late war he was an army sutler, and showed unusual liberality, finan- cially speaking, toward the prosecution of the war.

Mrs. Elizabeth Cheshire is a widow of Frederick J. Cheshire, a native of Shrop- shire. Eng. He was a silk broker in early days, but removed to Canada, where he obtained a position as reporter on the Toronto Globe. He was a graphic writer and a thorough master of short-hand. He died in Canada in 1865. Shortly after, Mrs. Cheshire removed to Ypsilanti, Mich. She was joined in marriage to Mr. Cheshire at Shropshire, Eng., in 1834. Nine children were given to bless this alli- ance, 5 of whom are living-William, a carpenter of Ypsilanti ; John, a farmer in Minnesota; Alfred, a resident of Grand Rapids Mich .; Mrs. Elizabeth Crabb, and Blanche.

Cyrus Churchill was among the first to settle in this now prosperous county. He was born in Vermont, and in his 21st year went to New York, where he mar- ried Rachel Hustler. In 1826 he came to this county, where he had previously

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purchased Government land located two and a half miles south of Ypsilanti. Mr. Churchill was a plain-spoken man, unusually energetic, honest and trustworthy. He died Aug. 18, 1860. His pioneer wife departed this life in 1844, leaving 5 chil- dren-Alfred, a soldier in Co. H., 7th Mich. Cav., was mortally wounded at Cedar Creek, Va .; Amy R., a resident of Ypsilanti; J. T. H., who resides in Wisconsin; Sylvia A., wife of John Lacy, of Ypsilanti; L. W., a resident of Iowa, and Elias C.

A. J. Clarke, photographer, Ypsilanti, was born near London, Ontario, in 1840. 'He received but little school education, but has educated himself. In 1855 he came to this county and went to Dexter, where he learned the process of taking the old ambrotypes. He remained there until 1857, when he came to Ypsilanti and opened a gallery near the depot. This was soon after burned, and he removed to the west side of the river. He experimented in the then new process of taking photographs and introduced them in this city. He has continued the business until now, and ranks among the oldest artists in the county. Mr. Clarke is connected with the I. O. O. F., in this city, and is a member of the M. E. Church. In 1874 he was married to Miss Ella Forsyth, of this city, a daughter of James Forsyth whom it is believed died in the late war.

Abraham Clawson was born in Shenandoah Valley, Va .; moved to Seneca county, N. Y., with his parents; in his 19th year he married Miss Eleanor Brown; Sept. 1, 1825, he came to Michigan and bought of the Government 105 acres of land in sec. 25, near Belleville, district of Detroit, now Wayne Co .; the following year he returned and bought of the Government 200 acres joining thefirst; in 1827 he came again and purchased 80 acres on sec. 10, tp. of Ypsilanti, which now con- stitutes a part of what is known as the "Grove farm." During these years he did not reside in Michigan. In the spring of 1830 he brought out his family, consisting of wife and 5 children; the eldest of the children, however, Sarah, the wife of John Robison, did not emigrate West until 1838, when she, with her hus- band located on land joining her father's on the north. His daughter Magde- lene, her husband, Z. L. Easton, Mathias Easton and his wife Susan, and two younger sons, Thomas B. and Abraham, occupied a log house of two rooms until Aug. 27, 1831, when he bought of Grove Spencer 160 acres in secs. 3 and 10, on the plains east of Ypsilanti, where he moved his wife and youngest son, Thomas B. having died in the spring of 1831. There being no. burying-ground laid out then, he was buried on the farm until the death of Abraham in 1840; he was then removed to what is now called the Spencer burying-ground.

The daughter and husband, Z. L. Easton, went on the land purchased in 1825 near Belleville, Mathias remaining on the Grove farm until June 1, 1836, when he sold and bought 160 acres in sec. 3, York tp., of William Howard; here he resided until the spring of 1848. They then rented their farms and bought a house in the village of Ypsilanti, corner of River and Congress streets, since burned and rebuilt, now known as the Eckerish Hotel, both families remaining there one year.

The son's family consisted of wife and 3 daughters-Elizabeth, born Jan. 4, 1831; Sarah I., Sept. 4, 1833; Susan M., Aug. 24, 1835; and Abraham, born May 15, 1837, in the tp. of York, and died Sept. 10, 1840.

April 12, 1849, Mathias sold his farm and bought the homestead, his father living in the village until his death, May 29, 1856. His wife then went to re- side with the youngest daughter on a farm in Superior tp; afterward moved to her eldest daughter's, where she died October, 1850. May 19, 1854, Mathias sold the homestead, and bought house and lots No. 199 and 200, west side of school district No. 2, east side of river, Harwood's addition to Ypsilanti, Nov. 17, 1855, he purchased 80 acres, sec. 34, in the town of Superior ; here he moved and resided one year. October, 1856, took back the north 40 acres of the old farm on Mill street, now Forest avenue; built and moved there in November, 1857 :while living there the youngest daughter, Susan M., was married, Sept. 8 1863; also the eldest, Elizabeth M., June, 1867; the second daughter, Sarah I., having married when he lived on the old homestead Jan. 1, 1850. March 1, 1869, he bought in the city, No. 25 Washington street, where he, with his eldest and youngest daughters, now lives, his wife having died Dec. 17, 1874.

Arthur Coe, Ypsilanti, is a native of Rockland Co., N. Y., and was born in 1803. In that county he was educated and lived until he was 23 years old, when he went to Canandaigua and Waterloo, N. Y. He was by trade a shoemaker. He then went to Wayne Co., N. Y., living at Marion until 1836 In that year he came to

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this county, and purchased 120 acres of land in York tp. This was mostly wild land, and he cleared it up and continued to add to it till he had 560 acres, which he still owns. In 1869 he gave up active work, and came into this city to live. In politics Mr. Coe has always been a Democrat. In 1831 he was married to Sarah Redner, of Geneva, N. Y. To them have been born 4 sons and 4 daughters, all of whom but 1 son are living.

Isaac K. Collar, farmer, was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1816. When quite young his parents, Calvil and Eunice Collar, settled in Steuben county, N. Y., where Isaac grew to manhood. He received a common-school education, and in 1836 settled in Ypsilanti tp. He soon after purchased 80 acres of land of Josiah Rundall. In 1840 he married Mary Lowden, a native of this county. Seven children were given to this union, 6 of whom grew to mature years. William, the eldest, was a soldier in the late war. Mrs. Collar died in 1869, and is buried in Augusta tp. cemetery. In 1870 Mr. Collar married Mrs. Elizabeth Stone, relict of Eugene Stone (dec.), and daughter of Linus and Sally Kelley, who settled in this county in 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Collar are members of the M. E. Church, in which denomination the former has been a Class-leader for over 25 years. In 1847 he built his present farm residence.

Madison Cook (deceased) a pioneer of Washtenaw county, was born at Chester- field, N. H., Feb. 2, 1806. He was liberally educated, and early in life displayed a wonderful mechanical skill, which brought him considerable more than local fame. He was married in Vermont to Maria White, a native of the "Green Mountain State." In 1830 Mr. Cook came to Ypsilanti, where he resided until his death. He was a very hospitable man, and when young united with the Congregational Church of Ypsilanti, in which body he lent valuable aid as a member of the choir. He died in 1859, and not long after his pioneer wife was also laid at rest. They left an adopted daughter, the wife of Samuel L. Parsons, formerly a brilliant attor- ney of the Michigan Bar.

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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 130

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