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 132
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Lee L. Forsythe is among the honored pioneers of Ypsilanti. He was born in New London, Conn., in 1800. His parents were William and Prudence (Perkins) Forsythe. When he was 18 years of age he went to Savannah, Georgia, where he was employed on a plantation for three months. He returned to New York, where he was employed as a clerk for several years. He afterward spent a year in Pennsylvania, and two years in Ohio. In 1830 he came to Michigan, and located at Ypsilanti. Mr. F. was Deputy Sheriff of this county under Daniel B. Brown. He was a Lieutenant in the early militia, and did duty as commander of a patriot squad during the cholera scare. In 1832 he married Eveline Welch, and she bore him 7 children. Mrs. Forsythe died in her 66th year. On Aug. 21, 1874, Mr. Forsythe married Maria Lay, a sister of Hon. Ezra D. Lay, of Ypsilanti.
B. F. Foster, retired farmer, was born at Suffolk, Long Island, in 1815, and is a son of Justus and Susannah (Halsey) Foster. When 20 years of age, he shipped on board the whaling vessel, Atlas, of Norwich, and in that wild life beheld many exciting and dangerous scenes. In 1835 he abandoned that hazardous exist- ence, and located in Oakland county, Mich., where he remained engaged in
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farming until 1866. He then removed to Ypsilanti. In 1836 he was married to Elizabeth Coddington. They have an adopted child-Ella.
Abraham N. Fox (deceased), who located in this county in 1856, was born in Connecticut in 1814. In his youth he learned the tanner's trade, and was subse- quently apprenticed to a shoemaker. He afterward turned his attention to farm- ing, and bought 80 acres of land. In 1864 he enlisted in the Michigan heavy artillery, and died from exposure at Mobile, Alabama. He was married in Mon- roe county, N. Y., to Roxanna Hicks, a daughter of Samuel and Charlotte Hicks. Four children were born to them-Lucy J., who married Lewis Wilcox, of Milan, Mich. ; Josephine, wife of Robert Mallion, who resides on the old homestead ; Lauretta. wife of Addison C. Gardner, of Milan, Mich .; and Clarinda, wife of Will- iam Mallion, of Y psilanti.
Donald G. Fraser, of Ypsilanti, was born in Nova Scotia, A. D. 1840, and is a son of James and Nancy (McLaurin) Fraser. His father was a farmer, and until his 16th year Mr. Fraser lived on a farm. In his native province Mr. F. was ed- ucated and learned the trade of a blacksmith. In 1863 he came to Michigan, locat- ing at Detroit, where he remained seven years and removed to Monroe. There he was for five years engaged in the business of blacksmithing, when he removed to Exeter and engaged in the milling business. In 1871 he sold his mill and came to this city. He at once opened a blacksmith shop and has continued to carry on that business. Jan. 1, 1866, he was married to Miss Anna Chase, of Monroe. To them have been born 1 son-Roy Leighton, and a daughter-May Bell. Mr. Fraser is a member of the Presbyterian Church of this city. He is also a member of the Pho- nix Lodge and Excelsior Chapter of F. & A. M. of this city. In 1878 he was elected on the Democratic ticket as Alderman from the second ward, and in 1880 was re-elected to the same office.
Adam Freeman (deceased) was born in New York State, July 9, 1790, where he was married to Mrs. Almira Mason. In 1831 he settled in this tp. After a long and industrious life he died amid the scenes of his early Western labor, April 18, 1867. Mrs. Freeman, who survives him, resides on the early settled homestead, and is now in her 84th year. Mr. Freeman was twice married, and many of his children are honored residents of this county. Lucinda, from whom this narrative is obtained, married John Waterbury, a son of Ira Waterbury, a prominent farmer.
Harvey French (deceased) may be ranked among the pioneer dead of Monroe, Mich. He was born in Ontario county, N. Y., in 1788. While a resident of New York he was united in marriage to Amanda Hazelton. In 1835 he settled in Monroe county, Mich., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years. He died in August, 1878, leaving a wife and 5 children-E. D. French, of California; Francis E., R. H., Mary and J. W., a resident of Ypsilanti, who was born at London, Monroe Co., Mich., in 1841. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. H, 18th Mich. Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war. He then returned to Mon- roe county, and in 1867 married Julia Peck. Mr. and Mrs. French have an adopted daughter-Lois A.
William Fuller (deceased) was a native of Norfolk, England, where he was married to Phobe Bonton. He emigrated to Washtenaw county in 1832, locating in Ypsilanti, where he died in October, 1865. Mrs. Fuller departed this life in 1848. Four children are living-Stephen, a wealthy manufacturer of South America; John, engaged in business in Ypsilanti; Eliza, a resident of Superior, tp .; and George. The latter grew to manhood in this county, and received a lib- eral education. He learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, and worked at that line of business for over 22 years. In 1879 he devoted his attention to the manu- facture of sash, doors, blinds and cigar boxes. He owns the brick structure wherein he transacts business, and obtains a fair share of the public patronage. In 1851 he married Marian Parker, who died in 1855. In 1857 he was united in the bonds of holy wedlock with Ellen Pooley. Mr. Fuller has been a Master Mason for over 27 years. During the war he was a non-commissioned officer. He is an industrious man and an earnest Christian.
Othello H. Gage, of the firm of Leonard & Gage, grocers, Ypsilanti, was born in Detroit, Mich., in 1844, and is a son of Henry Gage (deceased), who settled in that city in 1817. When seven years of age Othello's parents settled in Ypsi- lanti, and he there learned the trade of a stone mason. He followed his trade for 17 years, in the different States of the Union. He was among the more skillful workmen in the erection of the substantial and handsome Union Block, and the Hawkins House. In 1863 he enlisted in Co. A, 14th Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., and in
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1864 re-enlisted in the 1st Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., and was severely wounded at the battle of Spottsylvania Court-House. He was lodged at the Philadelphia and Richmond hospitals, until his recovery ; he was again wounded at the battle of Hatch's Run, and was in the army hospital at Washington, during the grand army review and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. He was transferred to the Government hospital at Detroit, from which institution he was honorably dis- charged in June, 1865.
W. R. Geer, retired farmer, Ypsilanti, was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1812. His parents were Dyer and Sarah Geer. W. R. early turned his attention to agri- cultural matters, and subsequently engaged in the grocery business. While a resident of New York he married Sally A. Perkins. In 1861 he came to Michi- gan and located in Washtenaw county. In 1869 he removed to Livingston county but ill health compelled him to relinquish active life, and in 1871 he settled at Ypsilanti. Mr. and Mrs. Geer have 3 children-Helen, wife of George Ander- son ; Carlyle D., who resides in Genesee county, and Henry W., who married Sarah Morgan, of Howell, Mich.
William A. Gibson, M. D, was born July 18, 1843, son of Thomas and Marietta Gibson, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Vermont. When Will. iam was four years of age he accompanied his parents to Buffalo, N. Y., where he remained a few years. He was a resident of Ann Arbor one year, and in 1848 his parents located in Ypsilanti, where he has since resided. He obtained his education in the Ypsilanti schools, and graduated from the medical department of the University of Michigan, in 1866. He located at Marshall, Michigan, where he followed his profession for three years. At the expiration of that time he returned to Ypsilanti. Dr. Gibson has been County Physician four years; City Physician one year, and pension examiner since the close of the late war. He was married Sept. 27, 1866, to Laura S. Kirtland. They have 2 children --- Bessie Isabel and Laura Irene.
Jason C. Gillett was born July 13, 1814, at Fishkill, up in the Catskill mount- ains; was the son of John M. Gillett, a farmer. They left the mountains in the year of Jason's birth and moved to Mendon tp., Monroe Co., N. Y., where he re- ceived a common-school education and remained there until they came to Michigan and settled on sec. 1, Ypsilanti tp., purchasing 80 acres in the year 1834. In 1856 Jason bought 90 acres, 10 of which is in Superior tp. This farm was taken from the Government by John Dickerson, and under Mr. Gillett's care has been developed into one of the best stock and grain farms in this tp. Mr. Gillett was married in 1836 to Mary Clark (deceased), daughter of J. H. Clark, of Mendon, N. Y. He has 2 sons living-Charles M., of Cleveland, Ohio, and Webster, of New York city.
Lyman Graves (deceased) was one of the oldest and well respected citizens of Washtenaw county. He was born at Sunderland, Mass., July 22, 1794, a son of Capt. Selah Graves, a fur dealer and a Revolutionary soldier. Mr. Graves came to Michigan in 1824, and located 320 acres of Government land on sec. 28, Ypsi- lanti tp. In 1826 he married Olive Gorton who bore him 6 children, 5 of whom are living-John, Frederick A., Eleanor, Miranda and Albert R.
Frederick A. was born in Ypsilanti tp. July 21, 1831, and completed a good education in the Ypsilanti Seminary Aug 24, 1851; he married Martha J. Low- den, a daughter of James Lowden, who came to this county in 1830. They have 8 children-Alpheus, James, Mittie, Frederick, Emma, Theresa, Annie and John. Mr. Graves owns 101 acres of the homestead farm.
Albert R., third son of Lyman Graves, was born at Ypsilanti Feb. 28, 1840, and received his education in the Ypsilanti Seminary and the State Normal school. He was married Dec. 3, 1863, to Phobe M. Comstock, daughter of Nathan Comstock, of Ypsilanti. He settled on 80 acres of the homestead farm. In 1875 he was elected Township Clerk, and was Supervisor in 1879-'80. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and connected with the A. O. U. W., and the Patrons of Hus- bandry.
Daniel B. Greene, one of Ypsilanti's pioneer citizens, was born at Northfield, Vt., Aug. 17, 1815. His parents, Nathan and Julia (Stone) Greene, emigrated to Michi- gan in 1836, locating in Bridgewater tp., Washtenaw county, where the former died in March, 1856. Daniel remained on the farm until 1840, and attended school at Tecumseh, Mich., where he remained three years, after which he taught three years in the same institution. In the meanwhile he had studied law, and was ad- mitted to the Bar in 1848. He opened an office at Tecumseh, and in 1850 removed to Ypsilanti, where he has since practiced his profession, with the exception of five years-from 1870 to 1875-spent in the mercantile trade. In 1845 he married El-
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mira L. Mills, of Franklin, Lenawee Co., Mich. They have 3 children-Arthur M., a teacher of music, at Lansing, Mich .; Wilmer D., manager of the Telephone Ex- change, Ann Arbor; and Edward H., a printer, residing at home. Mr. Greene is a worthy and efficient officer of the Presbyterian Church at Ypsilanti, and one of the Superintendents of the Poor of this county.
Jacob Grob, brewer and ice dealer, Ypsilanti, was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, in 1839. In 1851 he crossed the Atlantic, and first located at Monroe, Mich. In 1861 he removed to Ypsilanti and built the first brewery in that city. In 1864 Mr. Grob erected an extensive ice-house, and supplied many tons of that cooling luxury to the inhabitants of Ypsilanti during the hot and sultry summer months. In 1861 he was united in marriage to Sophia Post, a daughter of John Post, of Washtenaw county. They have 2 children-Lizzie and Ida.
Austin Guild, successor to O. B. Bradley, manufacturer of the celebrated "Sil- ver Diamond " cigars, Ypsilanti, was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1813. In June, 1853, Mr. Guild removed to Ypsilanti, where he turned his attention to the manu- facture of carriages, and contracting for sign and ornamental painting. In 1870, he began the manufacture and sale of cigars on Huron street. In 1843 he married Miss Susan Roberts. They have 1 child-William H., a resident of Ypsilanti.
Charles Hagadorn, proprietor of livery stable, Ypsilanti, was born at Highland, Oakland Co., Mich., in 1857, and is a son of Joseph Hagadorn, a native of St. Joseph, Mich. He was formerly a successful business man of Detroit, but lately has cast his fortunes with the citizens of the seat of the Michigan Normal school.
Raymond Hale (deceased) was born in Vermont in 1800, and at an early day located at Springfield, Ill., where he lived for a number of years. In 1862 he settled at Ypsilanti, where he retired from active life. Mr. Hale's third wife was Mrs. Lucy McIntyre, of New Hampshire. Mrs. Hale is very comfortably situated in life. She owns a farm of 300 acres in Ypsilanti tp., and also valuable city property.
M. S. Hall, son of R. T. Hall (deceased), a pioneer of Michigan, was born at Tecumseh, Mich., March 28, 1839. He attended the Ypsilanti Seminary, and completed his education at the State Normal school. He taught school from 1861 to 1862, when he enlisted as a private in the 18th. Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., serving as such 19 months, and was then promoted 1st Lieutenant of the 44th U. S. C. I., and was mustered out of service with the rank of Captain. He also served as Aid de-camp, and acting Assistant Adjutant Gen. on the staff of Col. Lewis J. Morgan, of Ohio. In 1872 he returned to Michigan, and engaged in teaching, and Jan. 3, 1878, married Bell A. Spencer, a daughter of Capt. S. R. Spencer, a merchant pio- neer of this county. They have 1 child-Grace L. Mr. Hall is a member of the firm of M. S. & W. H. Hall, manufacturers of the Hamlin Chain Pump Bucket.
William H. Hall, M. D., was born at Tecumseh, Lenawee Co., Mich., April 7, 1836. He received his early education at home, and prepared for college under Prof. Estabrook, of the Ypsilanti Seminary. In 1857 he entered the University of Michigan, consuming three years in classical studies, but was forced to aban- don school on account of ill health. A few years later he graduated as M. D., from the medical department. He then spent a few months at the Electrical and Hygienic Institute, of Detroit. In 1871 he opened an office at Ypsilanti, with Dr. Goodrich, and they continued together for two years. Since then Dr. Hall has been simply engaged in the special treatment of chronic, acute and nervous dis- eases. He is also a member of the firm of M. A. & W. H. Hall, manufactur- ers of Hamlin's Chain Pump Bucket.
Herman Hardinghaus, of the firm of L. Z. Foerster & Co., brewers, Ypsilanti, was born in Prussia in 1846, and in 1864 emigrated to America. He first located at Cincinnati, where he was married to Rachel Kalb. In 1874 he settled at Yp- silanti, and two years later was admitted to partnership in the above firm.
Philander Hascall, Ypsilanti, was born at Leroy, Genesee Co., N. Y., A. D. 1811. He is the son of Jeremiah and Joanna (Reed) Hascall. His father was one of the pioneers of Genesee county, N. Y., and served in the war of 1812. His paternal grandfather served in the war of the Revolution. At Leroy Mr. Has- call received his education, grew to manhood and learned the trade of painter. In 1832 he went to Livingston county and spent four years at Geneseo and Cale- donia Springs. In 1836 he came to Ypsilanti, where he at once began work at his trade, which he has followed almost continuously to the present time. He has now been in the business longer than any other man in this county. June 9, 1836, he was married to Miss Mary A. Christen, of Wilson, N. Y. To
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them have been born 6 sons and 3 daughters, of whom 4 sons and 2 daughters are living. The sons are all located at Detroit, in the employ of various business houses. One daughter is the wife of Geo. L. Moore, a business man of Ann Ar- bor, and the other is a resident of this city, and for some years has been employed in the store of E. M. Comstock. Mr. Hascall was a member of the original Wy- andotte Lodge, I. O. O. F., and at the time of its closing held the position of Noble Grand. He has served this town as Treasurer, Constable, and on the School Board, of which he was a member when the site for the Seminary was purchased.
Abiel Hawkins (deceased) was born at Williamston, Mass., Dec. 10, 1797. His parents soon after removed to Vermont, where his boyhood was passed. While he was yet young his father died, and at an early period he was thrown upon his own resources. From the time he was 12 years old he cared for himself. In 1814 he went to Buffalo, N. Y., arriving there shortly after it was burned by the British, and when there was but one house left standing. In 1818 he, with his brother Robert, came to Michigan. At Detroit the brothers parted, Robert engaging in the fish business near Springwells. Four months later Abiel returned to Buffalo. Here he remained until 1821, when he went to Batavia, N. Y., and engaged in business with Gen. L. Towner. In 1822 he married Sophronia Winslow. Their married life extended over a period of nearly 50 years. Seven children were born of this union, of whom but 2, Frederick W., and Walter H., now of Ypsilanti, are living. In 1834 he again visited Michigan, and purchased a farm near Ypsilanti. He soon became satisfied that farming was not his forte, and exchanged his farm for the hotel property at Ypsilanti, which for so many years bore his name, Cholera breaking out in 1834, it was not until 1835 that he removed his family to Ypsilanti. In this connection, together with the proprietorship of some of the principal stage routes in the State, he became widely known among the early settlers. Politically, Mr. Hawkins was a Democrat. He never held or aspired to office. Through the suggestion of the Hon. Robert Mcclellan, his warm personal friend, he was ap- pointed Postmaster at Ypsilanti, under Polk's administration, but the duties con- flicting with his obligations as mail contractor, he resigned. He was an active, stirring man, and as a friend, steadfast and true. He died at Ypsilanti, Feb. 8, 1878.
Walter H. Hawkins, proprietor of the Hawkins House, Ypsilanti, was born at Batavia, N. Y., May 3, 1825. In 1835 he came to Ypsilanti, where his father had settled in 1833. When a young man he clerked two years in Ypsilanti, and then spent three years in a business house in Detroit. In 1847 he returned to Ypsi- lanti, and united with his father in the hotel, stage and livery business. This business they continued until 1857, when he was appointed Postmaster of Ypsi- lanti, which position he held eight years. During that time he was still inter- ested in the hotel business. In 1859 he took the Follett House, which he conducted until 1862. During the years 1862-'3-'4, he was buying horses for cav- alry service. In 1863 Mr. Hawkins engaged in the hardware trade, and followed it until 1872. The next two years he was in the livery business, and did a large trade in buying and selling horses. In 1874 he became again interested in the old Hawkins House. In the spring of 1879, this building was removed, and he engaged in the building the new Hawkins House, which was opened in September, 1879, and is one of the finest hotels in the State. In public affairs and matters, he has always been interested. He has three times served as an Alderman of the city, and as such, was the most active member in perfecting and improving the city's system of streets. Among his public acts it is but just to say that he organ- ized and raised the money for the Ypsilanti Fair Gound. When the Normal school was built, lack of means had decided the board to have no tower on the building. He opposed it, and by his efforts the money to build it was raised by subscription, and the building embellished by its present sightly tower. He conceived the idea of an opera house, and was a prime mover in securing it, rais- ing with the help of H. M. Curtis $3,000 to start a fund. While a Vestryman of the Protestant Episcopal Church, he raised by subscription $4,000 to liquidate its debt. In 1851 he married Addie Perry, of Ypsilanti, who died in September, 1857. In 1861, he was married to Statira D. Welch, of Pittsfield tp. To them have been born 2 children, a son and a daughter.
Robert W. Hemphill, sr., banker, Ypsilanti, was born at Clinton, Lenawee Co., Mich., Jan. 4, 1839, and is a son of Nathaniel Hemphill, a pioneer settler of Mich- igan. He received his preliminary education in the schools at Clinton, and com- pleted it in the State Normal school, at Ypsilanti. His first business experience
David Palmer
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was gained as a clerk for William Vaughn, a merchant of Ypsilanti. After a year spent in the commission business, at Chicago, and some time in the banking house of Follett, Conklin & Co., of Ypsilanti, he engaged with Mr. Follett in the banking business until 1864, when he became connected with the First National Bank. He retired from that in 1878, and in 1879 established the present banking firm of Hemphill, Batchelder & Co. Mr. Hemphill was married May 12, 1862, to Addie M., daughter of Charles Moore, of Ypsilanti. They have 3 children- Robert W., jr., Charles M. and Josie M.
Peter Hendricks farmer and gardener, Ypsilanti, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1802. As early as 1826 he came to Michigan and settled at Plymouth, in Wayne Co., where he bought a farm of 80 acres, on which a small cabin had been erected. In 1828 he married Maria Sands, and 3 children were born to them-Elijah J., Emma and Ely. Mrs. Hendricks died in 1834, and the following year Mr. Hen- dricks was married to Hannah Woodruff, who was born in 1818. Two children blessed this union-Juliette (dec.) and Franklin. Mr. Hendricks was a teamster in the Black Hawk war, and assisted in raising the first barn and grist-mill at Plymouth. He owns valuable property in Ypsilanti.
Walter Hewitt, musical composer, Ypsilanti, was born in this county in 1839. He received his education at the Ypsilanti Seminary, and the Dutchess County Academy, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Mr. Hewitt studied music in Boston, under the well-known J. C. D. Parker. In 1866 he published his first musical composi- tion, known as the Andenken Polka, and arranged for the piano. In 1878 he published the " Hewitt Harmony," the sale of which has been very large. Mr. Hewitt has written a large number of songs, ballads and pieces of instrumental music, all of which have met with good success. He was married in 1866 to Caroline Cook, of Burlington, Vt., and daughter of Joseph Cook. They have 2 children-Walter and Pauline. Mr. Hewitt was organist of Westminster Church, of Toledo, for seven years. He has resided in Michigan 19 years.
Walter B. Hewitt, retired merchant, Ypsilanti, was born at Stillwater, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Feb. 4, 1800. His parents were Elias and Cynthia (Johnson) Hew- itt. When 25 years of age Mr. Hewitt located near Wall Lake, Oakland Co., Mich., where he remained one year, and was then engaged in the boot and shoe trade at Detroit, for four years. In 1831 he came to Ypsilanti, where he was en- gaged in business until a few years since, when he retired to private life. In 1850 he bought a farm near Ypsilanti, which has occupied a share of his attention since. He lost about $4,000 in 1851 by a fire consuming his building and stock, which were only partially insured. In 1825 he married Paulina Child. They have 5 children living, 1 died in infancy-Edward, a merchant; May, wife of William Cheever; Charles, Principal of the Knightstown, Ind., high school ; Lois and Walter. Mrs. Hewitt died Feb. 2, 1879, at the age of 76 years.
Herman Holmes, who settled in Michigan as early as 1828, was born in Vermont in 1807. He first located in Macomb county, this State, on land previously pur- chased by his brother from Government. In 1844 he removed to Ypsilanti, where he became actively engaged in the grocery and saw-mill business. In 1861 he
purchased his present farm, comprising 200 acres. He was married in York tp., Washtenaw county, in 1832, to Drosilla Alexander. They have 5 children-Mur- ray P., who married Mary Ann Reed, and is proprietor of the only steam feed- mill in Ypsilanti tp .; Melvina, wife of George W. Jarvis, of Ypsilanti ; J. R., who married Amanda Morton, of Ypsilanti tp .; Cornelia, wife of Grove Seelye; and Cassius M., who married Ellen Youngs, a native of New York.
John Howland (deceased) was born in Greenfield, Mass., Jan. 18, 1797, the son of George Howland. He was a direct descendant of the John Howland who came over in the Mayflower, a fact of which he was justly proud. In his youth he was apprenticed to the trade of tanner and currier, which he followed all his life long. During the latter years of his life he traveled extensively in the interest of his trade, over the greater part of Michigan, forming many acquaintances among whom he was known as the "oldest boy on the road." On arriving in Manchester, this county, he made a trip, on foot, to Chicago, on business. He was an active part- ner in the tannery which he built at Ypsilanti in 1844, under the firm name of J. Howland & Co., the partner being his son, John N., next mentioned.
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