History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 134

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 134

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John Lacy, a resident of Ypsilanti, was a soldier in the civil war. He lived at Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1861, and there raised Co. " C," of the 35th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf., and was elected its Captain. They participated in the first battle of Bull Run. In 1861 he resigned his position, and returning to New York, ably assisted in raising the 94th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf., being elected First Lieutenant of one of the companies. Bravery on the field of battle caused him to receive a Captain's commission. He was subsequently promoted brevet Major, and was honorably discharged in 1865. Mr. Lacy has been a resident of Ypsilanti for many years.

Rev. Eugene Laible, Pastor of the New Jerusalem Church, Ypsilanti, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1824, and a year later his parents, Joseph and Magdalena Laible, settled at Detroit, Mich., where Eugene obtained a thoroughly practical education, and was subsequently engaged in the grocery and paint and oil trade, remaining in the latter business over 25 years. Mr. Laible is the founder of the Swedenborgian congregation at Ypsilanti, and has been their pastor since that period. He owns valuable city property in Detroit and Ypsilanti. He was mar- ried in 1844 to Martha M. Chase, a daughter of Charles Chase, of Binghamton, N. Y. They have 3 children-E. F., a merchant of Detroit ; Grace M. and Rosaline M.

Cornelius Lang, merchant, Ypsilanti, was born in Bridgewater tp., Washtenaw county, in 1840, and is a son of John Lang, a native of Germany, who settled in this county in 1830 and located land in Bridgewater tp. He was a mechanic by trade but was well fitted for agricultural pursuits, and in due course of time became comfortably situated in life. . He married Elizabeth Keefer. Of their 4 children, 2 are living-Joseph and Cornelius. Cornelius was married in 1870 to Jennie Gunn, and 5 of their children are living. Mr. Lang is quite unassuming in manners, but an active and reliable business man.

O. G. La Rue, speculator, Ypsilanti, was born in Sussex (now Warren) county., N. J., in 1811. His parents were John and Mary (Lake) La Rue, the former of whom was a native of France, and came to America about the time of the Revo- lutionary war. In 1826 Mr. La Rue removed to Livingston county, N. Y., where he subsequently married Catharine Wallerer, a daughter of Abraham Wallerer. In 1860 Mr. L. came to Ypsilanti, where he has since resided. In 1843 Mrs. La Rue died, and the following year Mr. L. married Hannah Howell, daughter of David and Agnes Howell, natives of New Jersey.

Hon. Ezra D. Lay, President of the Pioneer Society, was a son of Aaron Lay, a ship carpenter of Saybrook, Connecticut, and was born Dec. 6, 1807. His father removed to New York in 1812, and engaged in farming, where Mr. Lay died in 1856, and Mrs. Lay five years later. Here Ezra D. received a common-school education, and in 1825 learned the cooper's trade, which he followed for three years. He cameto Michigan in 1832, and settled in Ypsilanti tp., where he bought 160 acres of land on sec. 2. He brought with him from the Rochester Nursery about 25,000 fruit trees of standard varieties, which he planted, and finding himself doing a profitable business in that line, he continued in that vocation for many years. This was the first general nursery business started in the Territory of Michigan. In 1834, he married Malinda Kinne, daughter of Joshua Kinne, a Bap- tist clergyman of Monroe Co., N. Y. This union was blessed with 2 children-Su- san M., wife of Dr. Pattison, of Ypsilanti, and William H., still at home. Mr. Lay's farms contain 175 acres of land, all under improvement.

Col. George W. Lee, Indian Agent, was born in Chenango county, N. Y., to which place his father, Guy C., had emigrated from Castleton, Vt. The latter was the third son of Col. Noah Lee, an officer of the Revolutionary war, who served in 1760 in the army which invaded and captured Canada from the French. Col Noah Lee also commanded a company of Allen's Green Mountain Boys, who, in

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company with Benedict Arnold, captured Ticonderoga and Crown Point from the British in 1775. He also served with distinction before Yorktown, and witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis. George W.'s mother was a daughter of Amzi Bene- dict, a merchant of Danbury, Ct. In 1830 the family moved to a farm near Can- astota, Madison Co., N. Y .; in 1836 they came to Livingston county, Mich. May 12, 1847, Mr. Lee married Miss Elizabeth, only daughter of the late Sterling Armstrong, of Newark, N. J.

Mr. Lee followed farming until 1845, when, in company with a younger brother, he began business at Howell, Mich., in which he was successful until 1861, when he went into the war. He was a Whig until the organization of the Republican party at Jackson July 6, 1854, in which he took a zealous part. In 1858 he was appointed on the Board (of three) of Control of the State Reform School at Lan- sing, of which he is at present the presiding officer. In 1855 he established the Livingston Republican at Howell, the first Republican paper in the county, and still flourishing. In 1860 he was chosen Presidential Elector for Abraham Lincoln, and was appointed by the Electoral College a messenger to deliver the result of the vote to Mr. Lincoln.

On the outbreak of the war he was appointed United States Quartermaster, and assigned to Detroit in charge of the equipment and transportation of all Michigan troops, which position he held during the war. He had the rank and pay of Colonel, and the title of Chief Quartermaster of Michigan, Department of the Ohio. He was honorably discharged in June, 1866, having disbursed millions of dollars, with strict fidelity. He is now Indian Agent for the "Mackinaw Agency," including all the Indians in Michigan. By his characteristic kindness he has won the esteem of all these aborigines, and he speaks with enthusiasm concerning their rapid progress in agriculture and the arts. Religiously, Mr. Lee is a Metho- dist. He is a man of decided opinions, active temperament and strong social worth.

Andrew J. Leetch, retired merchant, was born in New York State in 1830. Five years later his parents, Andrew C. and Betsy Leetch, settled at Canton, Wayne Co., Mich. Andrew passed his youth upon a farm, becoming liberally educated in district schools. Acquiring the trade of a carpenter and joiner, he was employed in this calling for a number of years. While the war was in progress, he contribu- ted liberally toward its prosecution. In 1860 he was elected to the Legislature from Wayne county, and served in 1861-'2. In 1865 he went into business at Ypsilanti, as a grocer, and succeeded in acquiring a fair share of the city and country trade. In 1866 he erected and soon had in successful operation an extensive brewery and malt house. This building is located on East Congress street, and is now used as a wagon shop. In 1874-'5 Mr. Leetch was Supervisor of the second dis- trict. He is the owner of a valuable farm in Superior tp., and ranks among the most substantial citizens of Ypsilanti.

James M. Lowden (deceased) was born in New York in 1800, and has followed agricultural pursuits through life. While a resident of Seneca county, he mar- ried Rachel Lyon, a native of New Jersey. In 1832 he came to Washtenaw county, and in 1824 permanently located in Ypsilanti tp. At the time of his death, he owned 300 acres of valuable land. He died in April, 1880. Five children survive him-William H., a resident of Augusta tp .; Mrs. F. A. Graves, Mrs. P. B. Rog- ers, Mrs. M. Van Gresen, of Nebraska, and James T. R., who resides on the old homestead, where he was born in 1841. In 1868 he married Sarah J. Sherwood. Mr. Lowden ranks among the more progressive agriculturists of Ypsilanti tp., and owns 172 acres of land, on sec. 31.

Joseph Lucking, proprietor of meat market, is a native of England where he was born in 1831, son of Watson Lucking, a butcher of Great Waltham, Essex, and died in England. His mother was Mary Lucking, same name but not related. Mr. Luck- ing left England in 1847 and came to Toronto, Canada, where he learned his trade. Living there until he was 23 years of age, he came to Ypsilanti, and shortly after went into business on Congress street. He is the oldest butcher in the city; has a slaughter-house at the suburbs, and kills annually a great number of cattle, hogs, etc. His experience has made him a good judge of beef. Mr. Lucking was mar- ried in 1853 to Miss Ellen Ford, and has 3 children-George W., Alfred E., a lawyer in Detroit, and Thomas M. He owns the building where he is located, also other city property, being very comfortably situated in life.

Mrs. H. D. Martin, proprietress millinery establishment, Congress street, Ypsi- lanti, commenced her present business in 1872. She has built up a large and in- creasing trade, and ranks among the leading houses of Ypsilanti.

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Joseph Martin, son of John Martin, deceased, was born Jan. 27, 1820, in North- umberland county, Penn., his parents remaining there until 1832, when they moved to Seneca county, N. Y., and there Mr. Martin followed his trade, that of a bricklayer. Later he went to farming in that county, and in 1838 came to Michigan, and settled in Ypsilanti tp., taking up one 80-acre lot, on which he commenced and continued improvements until 1846, when he enlisted in Capt. Williams' company and engaged in the Mexican war of 1848, in Zachary Taylor's time. This, moreover, was not the first service that John Martin did for his country. In the year 1812 he served in the American army as a butcher, afterward as a commissary. He died in the year 1848, from disease contracted while in the Mexican war. Joseph married Margaret Nichols, in January, 1851, and they have 8 children, 5 sons and 3 daughters-Effie, John, Charles, Helen, Joseph, Edward, Minnie and William. Mr. Martin commenced grocery and liquor busi- ness in 1846, on the premises he now occupies, with Walter Hawkins, under the firm name of " Hawkins & Martin," under which arrangement they continued until 1855, when they dissolved, Mr. Martin assuming full control of the business, which has continuously prospered under his direction. This store fronts on Con- gress street 38 feet and extends 60 feet back. Size of the lot is 38x165 feet.

Mrs. Helen McAndrew was born near Glasgow, Scotland. Her father was Thomas Walker, a business man of that country. In her native land Mrs. Mc- Andrew received her elementary education, and in 1849 was united in marriage to Mr. William McAndrew, now in the furniture business in this city. They at once came to America and the first year was passed in New York city and Baltimore, Md., chiefly. In 1849 they came to Ypsilanti, where has since been their home. Mrs. McAndrew had had much to do with sick persons. She saw the need of lady physicians and felt a desire to study and become qualified to practice medicine. She read many works on medicine here, but could not secure an education in the profession in this State. Consequently she had to go to New York, leaving her husband and son, three years old, while she pursued the studies that the schools of her own State would not admit ladies to. She entered New York Hydropathic and Hygienic Institute, a regularly chartered medical college under the direction of the well-known and noted Doctor R. T. Trall, from which she graduated in October, 1855. She at once returned to Ypsilanti, where she has since been in general practice. When the feeling began to grow stronger that women should be admitted to the State University, a little circle was formed here to do what they could to help the good work. Of this number were Mrs. Dr. Gerry and Mrs. McAndrew, who worked long and earnestly, hardly daring to hope to see it completed in their life. The result is well known, and much is due to these noble women for what they did. Mrs. McAndrew is a friend of temperance in every form. Herself and sister, Mrs. King. are at the head of the Band of Hope in this city, numbering about 190 members. She is also a member of the Sons of Temperance and the Women's Christian Temper- ance Union. A strong worker in this good cause, she hopes to see the day when there will be a strongly enforced prohibitory law in the State of Michigan. For many years she has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in this city. She is mother of 2 sons, of whom the elder, Thomas, is a rising young business man in this city, and the younger is pursuing studies in the State Normal school.

Charles McCormick, dealer in fish and smoked meats, was born in Steuben county, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1824, son of John and Betsy McCormick, who settled in Washtenaw county in 1825, near Dixboro, Superior tp., where land was purchased from the Government; it consisted of 480 acres, but subsequently John McCormick became the owner of some 700 acres. He died in 1832, and in 1956 occurred the death of Mrs. McCormick. Charles followed agricultural pursuits until his 25th year. In 1851 he was united in marriage with Miss Marian, daughter of Michael Minton. In 1834 he was the prosperous proprietor of a flouring-mill, in connection with a Mr. Rogers, well known to pioneer residents. For three years Mr. McCormick was City Marshal, and for several years ably filled the position of Alderman.

McElcheran & McAndrew, dealers in furniture and upholstered goods, under- takers, etc., Ypsilanti, are George McElcheran and Thomas McAndrew. Their business was started about 1845 by David Coon. He sold to Mr. Vinkle, and in 1876 the present firm purchased it. Their store is 27x114 in size, and two stories and basement. They manufacture fine upholstered goods for their own trade.

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The senior member of the firm, George McElcheran, was born at Seneca Falls, N. Y., in 1833. He was educated at Albany, where he remained until 14 years of age. He then went to Dansville, Livingston Co., N. Y., and learned the furniture and undertaking business. In 1855 he came to Michigan and was in the employ of David Coon, of Ypsilanti, until 1862. He then entered the employ of the Great Western railroad as conductor, remaining there until 1876, when he engaged in his present business. Mr. McElcheran is a member of Phoenix Lodge F. & A. M., and is connected with the M. E. Church. In 1855 he married Mary Bough- ton, of Ypsilanti. To them have been born 2 daughters. Mr. McElcheran is al- ways pleasant and friendly, and has many friends in Ypsilanti.

J. H. Mckinstry, tobacconist, Ypsilanti, is a native of New York State, and during the war served as a midshipman in the United States Navy. In 1867 he permanently located at Ypsilanti, and in the years that have rolled by he has gained a fine trade, and well deserves the success which has so abundantly crowned his earnest and faithful efforts.

A. McNicol. manufacturer of boots and shoes. Ypsilanti, was born at Glasgow Scotland, in 1839, and Was early apprenticed to the shoemaking trade. In 1868, to better his financial condition, he accordingly went to Canada, and thence to Detroit. He did military duty during the Fenian war in Canada, and was afterward employed in a large boot and shoe establishment at Windsor, Canada, and Romeo, Mich. In 1867 he came to Ypsilanti, and soon after invented the well-known McNicol cement, and traveled and sold the county and State rights for over 11 years. He was married in Ypsilanti, to Helen Treat. They have 2 children-Jennie M. and George A.

Alvin Mead was born Oct. 6, 1822, in the State of New York. Was the son of William Mead, a native of Winchester county, where Alvin was born, and from which county he moved, in 1823, to Ontario county, and engaged in farming, where he died March 11, 1858.

Alvin Mead came to Michigan in 1854, from the State of Ohio, New London tp., and purchased 100 acres on sec. 7, where he now lives. His farm is of excellent soil and all under good state of cultivation except 15 acres of timber. He married Margaret Charlton, daughter of John Charlton, a farmer of Ontario county, N. Y., Jan 20, 1847, and they have 3 daughters-Lottie, Frances B. and Delia E.

Joseph F. Miller, Ypsilanti, was born at Detroit, A. D. 1845. About 1853 his parents removed to Richmond, Va., where his father dealt in musical instruments. In that city Mr. Miller was educated. When but 12 years of age he began to learn the business of manufacturing jewelry, and later learned the trade of watch- maker. He followed this business in Richmond until the breaking out of the war, when, against his will, he was compelled to enter the Confederate service, and was assigned to duty at Richmond. After the battle of Gettysburg he secured a pass through the Confederate lines and came North. At Washington he was arrested as a spy or dangerous person, and only after considerable difficulty was he released on & sworn parole not to go South of the Philadelphia line during the war. He was in Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York city a short time, and in 1863 went to Detroit. In 1864 he came to this city and since that time has been engaged at his trade with S. H. Dodge. In 1867 he was married to Miss Ellen J. Osborn, of Ypsilanti, a daughter of George Osborn, a pioneer of this county. Two sons have been born to them-George, aged ten years, and Frank, six years of age, both of whom are living.

Richard Millor, merchant tailor, Ypsilanti, was born in Virginia in 1824. In his youth he came North, and settled at Ypsilanti, where he has since resided, and built up a large city and custom trade. He was married at Ann Arbor in 1855 to Lucy Patten, a daughter of William Patten, a pioneer of Washtenaw county.

Ashley Minor, Ypsilanti, was born at Woodbury, Litchfield county, Conn., in 1810. His father was a farmer, and Mr. Minor was reared in that business and educated in his native county. When 17 years of age he began to learn the busi- ness of blacksmithing. In 1834 he went to Ohio and in 1835 came to this city. Heat once started a blacksmith shop which he has carried on till quite recently, when on account of ill health he gave it up. He is the oldest blacksmith now in the city. In poli- tics he was an old line Whig, until the formation of the Republican party, since when he has been a Republican. In 1841 he was married to Miss Sarah McCormick, of this city, a daughter of Alexander McCormick, a pioneer of this county. To them have been born 4 daughters and 3 sons, all but one of whom are living.

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YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP.

David Moore ranks among the pioneers of Washtenaw county. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1795, where he grew to manhood. He received a liberal education, and at an early day removed to Geneva, N. Y. In 1830 he came to Michigan, by wagon conveyance, and, in connection with a Mr. Rash, purchased 80 acres of Government land in Superior tp., Washtenaw county. Mr. Moore enlisted as a private soldier in the war of 1812, and not long after married Abigail Randall, who died June 29, 1844, and was buried in Cross cemetery, Superior tp. Eight children were born to this union, 6 of whom are living-William, Martha, James, Delilah, Sarah and Samuel. In 1846 Mr. Moore married Rosanna Thompson, who died in 1879, leaving 2 children-Cynthia W. and Nettie R.

James C. Moore, son of Lewis Moore (deceased), was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., in 1843; at 12 years of age he accompanied his parents to Ypsilanti tp. ; in 1865 en- listed in Co. A, 24th Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., was honorably discharged at Detroit at close of war; had charge of Moore saw-mill for several years, ultimately became member of the Ann Arbor Agricultural works; in 1878 bought 80 acres of land, where he now resides; is the inventor of a useful and neat windmill now in use on his farm, and also of a barrel hoop-cutter, and log turner; was married in 1873 to Clara Louise Kelley, who has given him 2 children-Ella J. and Sarah.

Lewis Moore (deceased) was born in Pennsylvania in 1807. In early life he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits. At the age of 17 years he became a contractor and house-builder. He was married in 1832 to Sarah H. Claffin, who bore him 9 children-Eli ; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. Milton Chase of Otsego, Mich .; George, who resides in Augusta tp .; Emily, wife of B. D. Kelley ; Martha, who re- sides on the old homestead ; James ; Lewis, who married Eliza Benclair, of Detroit ; Martin and Persey. Mr. Moore invented the well-known Keystone Grain Drill, and in 1854 settled on a farm on sec. 34, of Ypsilanti tp. For 16 years he operated a grist-mill known as the Moore Mill, during this time manufacturing agricult- ural implements. He died in 1872 and lies interred in Ypsilanti tp.

Thomas A. Moore, farmer and drover, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1842. His parents were Andrew and Hannah Moore, who were married in 1835. Thomas passed his early life upon a farm. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he en- listed in the 30th Reg. Pa. Militia, where he remained three months. In 1862 he came to Ypsilanti, and enlisted in Co. A, 24th Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., and served as escort at the funeral of Abraham Lincoln. At the close of the war he bought 34 acres of land where he now resides. He takes great interest in educational matters, and assisted in the erection of Centennial school, district No. 5. He was married in 1867 to Eliza, daughter of Christian Helley. They have 4 children -Arthur K., Ella G., Clinton and Charles L.

George Moormon, an early settler in this county, was born in Orleans county, N. Y., in 1823. His parents were William D. and Elizabeth (Granger) Moormon, natives of England, who settled in New York in 1820. In 1830 they located at Rawsonville, Mich., where Mr. Moormon died in 1831. Mrs. M. departed this life in Ionia county, Mich., in 1878, Five children survived this union. George, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood in this State, and received a liberal education. In 1851 he entered into the mercantile trade, owning at the time 200 acres of land. In 1853 he moved to Ypsilanti, where he was successfully engaged in the grocery business until 1878. He owns 540 acres of land; in 1857, erected the Spencer building ; in 1860, two stores on Congress street; in 1866, the Arcade Block. and owns 300 feet front where Hemphill, Batchelder & Co.'s bank is located. He has 4 children-Mary, Carrie, Burton G. and Nellie.

Jonathan G. Morton, one of Washtenaw county's earliest settlers, was born in Ware, Massachusetts, March 22, 1802. His father, Thomas Morton, was a native of Massachusetts, a farmer by occupation, and died in 1804. Mr. Morton was reared on a farm, and at the age of 17 years procured a horse and wagon and traveled from New England to Michigan, selling " Yankee notions " along the road. He arrived at Ypsilanti August, 1824, and in 1825 kept a general store, in a log cabin on the corner of Pearl and Huron streets, being the first store in Ypsilanti. In 1826 he sold out, and engaged in farming, which occupation he has since fol- lowed. He resides on sec. 31. He was married in March, 1826, to Almira Gorton They have 3 children-Anastatia, wife of C. D. Pritchard, of Iowa; Amand, wife of J. R. Holmes, and Andalusia, wife of J. Q. A, Sessions, of Ann Arbor. Mrs. Morton died at the age of 73. She was the daughter of Job Gor- ton, one of the earliest pioneers of this county, who came to Ypsilanti in 1825, with his family, and located a farm on Paint creek, three miles south of the vil-

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

lage. When the county was first organized he was one of the first Supervisors of Ypsilanti, which then included Pittsfield. Mrs. Morton was well known for her social qualities and general intelligence, as well as her many other noble qualities and good cheer with which her many friends and acquaintances have been welcomed. The old settlers, the fathers and mothers of this county, whose industries and economy transformed it from a wilderness to its present honored name and position, are rapidly passing over the river. We give a lengthy rem- iniscence of Mr. Morton in the history of Ypsilanti. As truly worthy pioneers we give the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Morton in this history.

Josiah Newell, gr., a pioneer of Washtenaw county, was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., in 1815. His parents, Josiah and Esther (Bradley) Newell, settled in this county about 1831. Mr. Newell was apprenticed to learn the millwright trade in his 16th year, and in 1833, settled at Ypsilanti. He soon after returned to the East, but in 1837, came once more to Michigan. He afterward went to Walworth county, Wis., and in 1837 returned to Ypsilanti, where he was married to Priscilla Chamberlain, who bore him 6 children-Solon (dec.); Homer; Cicero, a soldier in the late conflict, and a salesman for an extensive establishment at Sioux City, Iowa; Agnes E., a resident of Portland, Oregon; Charles, a Bugler in the civil war, and now a resident of Saginaw City, Mich., and Eva, wife of Samuel Vail, a resident of Ypsilanti. Mrs. Newell died Nov. 8, 1854, and May 8, 1855, Mr. N. married at Bryan, O., Mary W. Thomas, a daughter of P. R. Thomas, an officer under the first Napoleon, and for many years a professor at West Point.

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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 134

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