History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 131

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 131

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Abraham Cooper, contractor and builder, was born in Orange Co , N. Y., Jan. 1, 1820. Growing to mature years at Tompkins, Seneca Co., N. Y., he there learned the carpenter's trade and also took a practical course in architecture. He worked upon the Ithaca Academy in 1842, and three years later removed to York tp., thence to Ypsilanti, where he has since resided when not engaged in business away from home. He has erected several fine residences and business blocks in Ypsilanti, and while traveling through the Southern States, built the well-known Harvard cotton-seed-oil mill at Dallas, Texas. In 1877 he built an entensive wheat elevator in St. Clair Co., Ill. Mr. Cooper was also master carpenter at the erection of the passenger depot at Jackson, Mich.

N. Cordary, produce dealer, Ypsilanti, was born in the province of Alsace Lor- raine, France, A. D. 1833. His father was a grocer in that province, and there Mr. Cordary was educated and grew to manhood, acquiring a knowledge of his father's business, which he has turned to profitable use When 19 years of age he came to America and for five years lived in New York city. He then went to Detroit, where he engaged in the produce business. In 1864 he came to this city where he has built up a large business in general farm produce. His business is the largest in the State done by one man on his own responsibility. He keeps a team constantly running to Detroit, and also ships extensively to New York, Boston, and other Eastern markets. During hisresidence in Detroit he was in 1860 and '61 Chairman of the City Republican Committee, but since then has kept out of political life. In politics is now a Democrat. He is a member of St. John the Baptist (Roman Catholic) Church of this city. In 1860 he was married to Miss Carolina Taft, of Troy, Mich., who died in 1867, leaving 2 sons, 1 of whom died in 1879, at Sandwich College, Ontario. In 1871 he was married to Eliza H. Scuddel, of Hyannis, Cape Cod, Mass. To them have been born 1 son and 1 daughter.

Addison Coryell was born Dec. 27, 1829, in Pittsfield tp., and received his early educational training in Monroe county, Mich. His father was a mechanic by trade, and assisted in the erection of the first frame houses at Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor. Addison was married Jan. 1, 1852, to Jenette, daughter of Hiram Run- dell, a farmer and shoemaker of Pittsfield tp. Three children have been given them-Clarence, Charles and Archie. Mr. Coryell owns the old homestead farm, conprising 80 acres in Ypsilanti and 40 acres in Pittsfield tp.

Benjamin S. Covert, son of Abraham B. Covert, was born in Seneca county, N. Y., Dec. 6, 1831, and came to Ypsilanti tp, settling on sec. 12, in 1834, the family consisting of father, mother, Benjamin and Mary E., now wife of Thos. J. Freeman,

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

a farmer of this tp. Mr. Covert is still living on the old homestead of 160 acres, where his father first settled, and where he died Sept. 9, 1874, and his mother Nov. 26, following. Benjamin S. was married to Malinda Runyan, daughter of Abram B. Runyan, of Bridgewater tp., this county, April 24, 1861, and they have 4 children-Emma J., Myron A., Ida M. and George M. Mr. Covert's time is entirely - devoted to the care of his family and farm duties, and raises grain and stock, principally the latter.

Martin Cremer, foreman sorting department of Peninsular Paper-Mills, Ypsi- lanti, was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., in 1843. In 1868 he came to Michi- gan and located at Ypsilanti, where, with little exception, he has found profitable employment in the well-known paper-mills of that city. In 1863 he enlisted in Co. F, 15th N. Y. Cav., serving as a private cavalryman until the war closed. He was once captured at Green Spring Run, and taken to Libby prison, where he was detained as a prisoner for four weeks; thence to Salisbury ; thence to prison at Lawrence, where he remained until he made his escape, toward the close of the Rebellion. He returned to Ithaca, N. Y., and there married Anna G. Smith. They have 1 child-Minnie L.

Allen Crittenden, a prominent citizen of Washtenaw county, was born in New York in 1807. He there married Emily Reed, a daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Reed. In 1831 he came to Michigan and located 160 acres of Government land in Pittsfield tp. Mr. Crittenden has represented his township in the County Board of Supervisors several terms, and enjoys the confidence of the people of the county. An older son, Newton E. Crittenden, was born in 1836, and received his education in the district schools and Ypsilanti Seminary. In 1861 he married Emily Tripp, a daughter of Rev. Henry Tripp, of Lenawee Co., Mich. They have 3 children- Eloise, Amy and Alice. In 1858 Mr. C. purchased 124 acres of land, paying $22 per acre for the same. He now owns 250 acres of valuable land; is a member of the Washtenaw Mutual Insurance Co., and in early life himself and wife were em- ployed as teachers in the district schools.

A portrait of Newton E. Crittenden, from a photograph taken at the age of 43, is given in this volume.

Alvin Cross (deceased) was one of the early pioneers of this county, and a son of Jason Cross, a farmer of the Empire State; was born in New York Aug. 11, 1803, and came to Michigan in 1823, and settled on sec. 15, on the farm now occupied by Benjamin Emerick, of Ypsilanti tp., which place he sold in 1831 and bought on sec. 14, 112 acres. He was married Nov. 23, 1826, to Elonce Rogers, of Massachusetts, daughter of Thomas Rogers, a farmer of Seneca Co., N. Y., and they have had 6 children -Jason A. the only one now living. Jason was born July 19, 1842, and received his schooling at Ypsilanti Normal. In the year 1867 he married Miss Mary Grisell, daughter of William Grisell, a Methodist preacher of Delaware Co., Ohio. They have 3 children --- Carrie A., Arthur C. and Emma R.

William Cross, Ypsilanti, was born in Genesee county, N. Y., in 1805. His parents were Jason and Mary (Moon) Cross, who in 1824 settled with their family about two and a half miles from the present city of Ypsilanti. In 1830 they pur- chased a farm which now chiefly lies within the corporate limits of Ypsilanti. In 1829 the subject of this sketch, with his brother Alvin, purchased a distillery, they having more grain than they could sell. They operated it about two years, and a temperance lecturer came along and got up quite an interest in temperance. The brothers decided to give up the business. Their change of mind was thor- ough, for they had the copper boiler cut up, the tubs were taken out and used for grain bins, and the distillery was known no more. In 1831 he engaged in mercantile business which he followed for several years; he then engaged in, and followed farming until 1856, when he platted a portion of his land into town lots. Mr. Cross has been a member of the Presbyterian Church of Ypsilanti for many years. In 1828 Gov. Lewis Cass commissioned him Captain in the militia and this was the first company in the county. He served as such five and a half years, and then, because he took part in the so-called Cholera war without orders from his superior officers, he was reduced to the ranks. In 1829 he was married to Mary R. Hammond, of Ypsilanti. To them were born 6 children, of whom 3 are now living. Mr. Cross has always been an active worker, and has given largely of his means to help Ypsilanti. When the time shall come for him to " lie down and sleep " forever, his work and name will be remembered and cherished in the hearts of many citizens of Ypsilanti.

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YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP.

Henry V. Deitrich, nurseryman, Ypsilanti, was born at Floyd, Oneida Co., N. Y., July 19, 1849. His parents, Henry and Sophia (Draper) Deitrich, were living on a farm, where Henry remained until his 16th year. He was engaged in a cheese factory, at Lowell, N. Y., for several years. In 1862 he went to Califor- nia, but returned to New York in 1863. In 1864 he came to Michigan and bought the " John D. Pierce farm," near Ypsilanti, comprising 51 acres of land, to which he subsequently added 10 acres more. He is a very successful nurseryman and fruit-grower. He was married Aug. 16, 1864, to Adelaide Clark, of Ypsilanti. Mr. Deitrich is a member of Ypsilanti Grange, No. 56.

J. C. Demosh, proprietor Barton House, Ypsilanti, was born in France in 1829, and three years later accompanied his parents to America. In the East young Demosh learned the shoemaker's trade, and soon after removed to Detroit, Michi- gan ; thence to Belleville, where he worked at his trade for 18 years. He subse- quently became proprietor of the Belleville House, and in 1878 of the Barton House, at Ypsilanti. He was married in Belleville to Lucy Lucus, who died in 1858. In 1863 he again married, Mrs. Delia Hollister, a native of Utica, N. Y. Mr. Demosh has a livery in connection with the hotel.

Mrs. O. A. Dennis, proprietor millinery establishment on Huron street, Ypsi- lanti, is the widow of G. R. Dennis, a native of Fairhaven, Vermont, where he became a prosperous merchant. He subsequently removed to Bangor, Maine. In 1841 he emigrated to Michigan and settled at Milford, Oakland county, where he was a leading merchant for many years; also at Fenton. He became well known throughout the State, and at his demise the press paid a glowing tribute to his worth as a citizen and merchant. Three children are living-2 boys and 1 girl. Mrs. Dennis established her present business in 1878, and enjoys a large and increasing trade.

Sidney S. Derby (deceased) was born in Vermont, but grew to manhood at Covington, N. Y. He became a resident of Washtenaw county as early as 1827, but shortly after returned to New York, where he was married the same year to Permina Phelps, daughter of Isaiah Phelps. After marriage he returned to Michigan and settled near Dexter, upon a farm of 80 acres, where he became prosperous. His father was a physician, but was not able to give his son the edu- cational training he desired. Sidney therefore had to depend on himself in youthful days, and the estimable quality of self-reliance was fully developed. Mrs. Derby died, and in 1853 he married Lamella Lee, at Detroit, Michigan. Mrs. Derby is a daughter of Guy and Sally (Benedict) Lee, the former of whom was at one time the largest property owner in Livingston county, Michigan, and also a son of Gen. Lee, of Revolutionary fame. Four children were born to this union. All are living. Mr. Derby was a leading merchant of Ypsilanti in early days, and served the people as Constable and Deputy Sheriff. He died suddenly of heart disease in 1877.

William Deubel, of the firm of W. H. Deubel & Co., proprietors Ypsilanti City Mills, was born at Washington, D. C., Feb. 10, 1824. In 1829 his parents removed to Long Island, N. Y., and in 1835 to Wayne county, Mich., where William received a common-school education. He entered the employ of H. B. Holbrook, and acquired a thorough knowledge of the milling business. At the age of 21 years he married Sally Purdy, daughter of James Purdy, a pioneer of Wayne county, Mich., and by virtue of his own industry and perseverance soon after became owner of a farm in that vicinity. In 1865 he disposed of his prop- erty, and purchased the Ann Arbor City Mills. He subsequently formed a co- partnership with Franklin Swift, and the firm soon after purchased the Sinclair Mills, selling the City Mills in the fall of the same year. Mr. Deubel sold his interest in the Sinclair Mills in 1874, and bought the Ypsilanti City Mills from E. B. Ward, of Detroit. His sons, William H. and James P., are assisting him in the business, and also owners of the Huron Mill, of Ypsilanti, which property they purchased of Nathan Follett in 1873. They immediately renovated the interior of the mill, and put in the latest and most improved machinery, and are doing a large business.

P. H. Devoe, farmer, was born in Saratoga county, N. Y, in 1847. In his youth he became a resident of New York city, where, for a period of six years, he owned a produce store. He also married Eda Moore, a daughter of Matilda Moore. In 1879 he bought his present farm of 80 acres. Mr. and Mrs Devoe have 1 child.

David Dickerson (deceased) was born in New York State in 1796, and followed the independent vocation of farming from boyhood, in which he accumulated

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

wealth in the mature years of manhood. While a resident of the East he was married to Miss Sarah Jane Wood, a daughter of Daniel and Silence Wood. In 1860 David Dickerson came West to Ypsilanti tp., where he bought farm property. He died a short time after his Western settlement, leaving his esti- mable wife and family a comfortable property.

Peter Dickerson, who ranks among the more substantial farmers of this tp., is a native of Ontario county, N. Y., where he was born in 1811. He was married in that county to Miss Sarah Jane Dickerson, a daughter of Abraham and Lucretia Dickerson. In 1857 he came West and settled in Ypsilanti tp., and purchased a farm of 160 acres. He has 3 children living.

S. H. Dodge, dealer in jewelry, fine gold and silverware, Ypsilanti, was born at Waterloo, N. Y., in 1833. In 1849 his parents came to Ypsilanti. In 1852 he en- tered the medical department of Michigan University, remaining one year, when he gave up the study of medicine. The year following he was at Lansing, in the Auditor General's office. He was then appointed to the mail service, and for six years served on the Michigan Central railroad as mail clerk from Detroit to Chi- cago. In 1861 he purchased his present business at Ypsilanti, which he has in- creased until he now has the largest and best stock in this county, and one of the finest in the State. In 1863 he was married to Miss Perry, of Ypsilanti, whose parents were among the early settlers of this locality. To them have been born 3 sons and 2 daughters.

James Doherty, tobacconist, is a native of County Mayo, Ireland, where he was born in 1852. In his 21st year he sailed for America, and soon after settled at Yp- silanti. He was first employed by H. M. Curtis, in the latter's carriage establish- ment, where he learned the blacksmith's trade. He worked at the latter business until March, 1881, when he purchased E. D. Richmond's tobacco store. Mr. Doherty carries a fine stock of tobaccoes, and enjoys a good trade.

Albert B. Draper ranks among the more enterprising citizens of this township, He was born in New York, and when nine years of age, accompanied his par- ents, Benjamin and Diadama Draper, settled in Washtenaw county, where the subject of this sketch was educated. He attended the old Ypsilanti Seminary, and grew to manhood on his father's farm, a portion of which (114 acres) he subse- quently purchased. June 12, 1861, he married Ann Jeanette Potter, a native of New York. They have 4 children-Wallace S., Celista D., Willis B. and Waldo E.

Benjamin Draper, jr. (deceased), was born in Otsego county, N. Y., in 1813, and was a son of Benjamin Draper, sr. Mr. Draper grew to manhood on a farm in New York. He was married Nov. 28,1833 to Diadama Dorritt,a daughter of Nathan Dorritt, of New York. In 1844 he removed to Ypsilanti tp., Washtenaw county, Mich., where he bought a farm of 130 acres. He died in 1854, and was buried in Ypsilanti cemetery. Mr. Draper was a strong believer in spiritualism, and a man of unusual industry and unflagging energy. He left an estimable wife and 5 chil- dren-Caroline, Nancy, Agnes, Albert and Stephen.

Heman Drury, who settled at Ypsilanti in 1824, is a son of Elihu and Lavina Drury, early pioneers of the county, the former of whom died at Adrian, Mich., in 1876, having 3 children living. Heman, the elder, grew to manhood in Wash- tenaw county, and engaged in the mercantile trade at Jackson, Mich., in 1869. In 1875 he bought the "Parson's Mill," at Saline, and two years later purchased a drug store at Ypsilanti. He engaged in the latter business only a short time when he retired from active life. Mr. Drury married Miss Harwood, a daughter of William H. Harwood, whose sketch will be found in this work. They have 2 children-Mrs. Emily Place, of Lansing, and Josephine, a high-school teacher of Ludington, Mich.

Frank Earl, of the firm of Barnum & Earl, Ypsilanti, was born in St. Law- rence county, N. Y. In 1852, when he was but a year old, his parents came to Michigan, locating in Van Buren county, where Frank was educated. In 1873 he went into a store at Paw Paw to learn the trade of jeweler. He remained there until 1877, when he went to Bronson in the same business. There he remained until 1878 when he came to this city and, in company with Mr. Barnum, engaged in the jewelry business. He was married in 1876 to Miss Josephine L. Gates, of Paw Paw. To them have been born 1 son and 1 daughter. Mr. Earl is a member of the Presbyterian Church of this city.

Mrs. E. T. Eldridge is the relict of Edward Eldridge (deceased), who was born at Lima, N. Y., in 1814. He was engaged in teaching for some years. He was married at Groveland, Livingston Co., N. Y., to Eunice T. Shepherd, a daughter

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YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP.

of Col. Shepherd, who, as well as his son, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Some 13 children were given to this union, all of whom grew to mature years, and 9 survive-David, born in Connecticut, in 1788; Sarah; Cor- nelius, born in 1792; Jerusha; Ely; Permelia, relict of Gen. Loomis (dec.), a former resident of Ypsilanti; Chauncey L .; Charles L .; Eunice, who was born in 1808, and has been a resident of this county for 26 years.

Benjamin Emerick was born in the year 1817, March 9, at Gorham, Ontario Co., N. Y. He was a son of Jacob Emerick, a farmer of that county, where they lived until the year 1832, Benjamin being at that time 15 years of age. He finished his schooling in Ypsilanti district school. In the year 1846, Jan. 22, he married Miss Hariett N. Rowley, daughter of Isaac Rowley of Ypsilanti tp., and a pioneer of the county. They have 2 children-Frank, a graduate from the law and scientific department of Michigan University ; Frederick, a commercial traveler of marked business ability. Mr. E. own 128 acres ot Washtenaw's best farming land, all under cultivation but four acres of timber.

William Emerick was born July 7, 1811, in the State of New York, Ontario Co., in the town of Gorham; was the son of Jacob Emerick (deceased) who came to Michigan in 1832, and settled on sec. 15. William came to Michigan with his father, and took up 320 acres from the Government, and purchased 240 acres of other parties. He was married in 1846 to Hannah Kellogg, of Northville, Wayne Co., who died April 3, 1865, leaving 4 children-Eugene, Albert, Louise and Will- iam. Mr. Emerick now owns 129 acres of land, 12 acres of timber.

Fairchild & Hayden, successors to Fairchild & Spencer, dealers in fresh and salt meats, in all probability transact the leading business of the kind in this city. The senior member, Mr. Fairchild, was formerly located on West Congress street, and in February of this year (1881) he moved into his present commodious building on Huron street, which he is engaged in refitting and furnishing throughout. Messrs. F. & H. have every facility for the transaction of a remunera- tive business, which they now enjoy, carrying, as they always have, a first-class pat- ronage. Mr. Fairchild is a native of Rochester, New York, and came to Ypsi- lanti during the spring of 1872. Mr. Hayden was born in Ypsilanti, where he justly takes rank among the more enterprising citizens of the place.

Mark Finley, M. D., dentist, Ypsilanti, was born in Superior tp., Washtenaw county, July 9, 1856. His parents, Florus S. and Martha Jane (Tooker) Finley, resided on a farm; where Mark was reared, and remained until 1876. He received his literary education in the Union and Normal schools of Ypsilanti, and in the fall of 1876 entered the dental department of the University of Michigan, where he remained two years. He graduated in March, 1878, and the following June opened an office in Detroit, where he remained 15 months. He then removed to Ypsilanti, where he has since lived, and secured a lucrative practice.

Addison Fletcher, of Ypsilanti, was born 1811, March 22, at Mount Hall, Vt., where he lived until eight years of age. His parents in 1819 moved to Massachu- setts, where they lived until 1829, and where Addison received his schooling. In 1837 he came to Michigan and settled in Wayne county, tp. of Sumpter, erected a small log cabin, floored with split and hewn logs, roofed with a marsh haystack, and here commenced the carving of his present fortune. In 1850 he moved to Ypsilanti tp. and located just southeast of the then village of Ypsilanti, where he has ever since lived and developed one of Washtenaw's best farms. In 1832 he mar- ried Philinda Seaman, daughter of Charles Seaman, a farmer of Clarendon, Vt. They have 7 children-Charles, Franklin, Rolan, Addison, Samuel, Philinda and Jane, now wife of Daniel Campbell, a farmer of this tp. The homestead consists of 135 acres, and he also owns 110 acres on section 22.

Charles Fleming, in the employ of Sweet Bros., the well-known planing-mill proprietors, was born in New York in 1818. In his ninth year he came with his parents to this county, and in 1836 learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, which business he has made principally his vocation through life. In 1840 he married Mrs. Jane Shudard, a native of New York. They have 2 children-Ida F. and Edith. In 1878 Mr. Fleming engaged in his present business. He was Alderman of Ypsilanti for three terms.

James Fleming (deceased), who settled in Washtenaw county in 1827, was born in Lycoming county, Pa., in 1787. While a youth he removed to New York State, locating in Seneca county. In 1807 he married Martha Wade, a native of New Jersey. He came to this county in 1827, purchasing 80 acres of land, breaking the same with a horse team, then probably the only one in Washenaw county.

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

In 1812 he played a conspicuous part as an army officer, in the war of 1812, and in 1840 removed to Lenawee county, Mich., where he passed the remainder of life. Five of his children are still living-Jesse, who married Susan McConnell, is a resident of Adrian, Mich .; Charles, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Lettie is the relict of Sellack Chase, who departed this life in 1871, and was a farmer by occupation, and a soldier in the late war; Eliza, who is supposed to have been the first white child born at Ypsilanti city; and William, who married Mrs. Angeline Stevens, of Tecumseh, Mich.

L. Z. Foerster & Co., proprietors Grove Brewery and Bottling Works, Ypsilanti, established their present business about 1870. The brewery was formerly in possession of Taufkirth & Trockenbrod, and was built at a cost of several thousand dollars. When purchased by the present firm the annual sales were about 50 barrels, and at present they are between four and five thousand barrels. L. Z. Foerster, the senior member, was born in Canada in 1836, and learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner. He was married to Mary Loeffler, who died in Canada in 1865. He then married Rosa Smith, his present wife.

Joseph Follmore, of the firm of Follmore & Scoville, manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds, Ypsilanti, was born in Germany April 5, 1818, and emigrated to America in 1837. He was raised a "farmer's boy," but having a natural incli- nation for manufacturing and mechanical pursuits, he learned the cooper's trade, which he followed but a brief time. He came to Michigan in 1837, and first located at Lowell, Superior tp., where he gained his first experience in a saw-mill. Three years later he removed to Ypsilanti, and in 1870 established his present business. Mr. Follmore was married in 1848 to Susan J. Allen, of Ypsilanti. They have 3 children-Ellen, Josephine and George B. M.

James Forsyth (deceased) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1792, where he was educated and also learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. In 1809, when but 17 years of age, he came alone to America. He made his home in Brooklyn and New York city until 1829, when he came to the Territory of Michigan and settled in the present city of Ypsilanti. He purchased 80 acres of land just south of the present city limits, but soon sold it and purchased village lots on the east side of the river. He followed his trade until he was 78 years of age and old age compelled him to give it up. He died A. D. 1873, at the age of 81 years. Mr. Forsyth was a mem- ber of the First Masonic Lodge in Ypsilanti. During his residence in New York State he was married to Miss Sallie Murphy, of Long Island. To them were born 3 sons and 5 daughters, all of whom are still living. Mrs. Forsyth died in 1870. Few men did more according to their means than did Mr. Forsyth for Ypsilanti.

James M. Forsyth, Justice of the Peace, Ypsilanti, was born in New York city in 1828. In 1829 his parents came to Ypsilanti, where he was reared and educated. When about 18 years of age he began to work at the trade of cooper, which he had learned. He followed it 10 years, when he engaged in the restaurant business, which he followed four years. Since then his time has been engaged in official work. During this time he has been Deputy Sheriff 11 years, City Marshal five years, Constable and Justice of the Peace, which he now holds. In politics, is a member of the Greenback party. He is a member of Ypsilanti Lodge F. & A. M., No. 128, of this city. In 1852 he was married to Miss Emma R. Aiken, of Ypsilanti, who died Dec. 31, 1878, leaving 1 son. In February, 1880, he"was married to Mrs. Mary Babcock, of this city.

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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 131

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