History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 136

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 136

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Samuel Ruthruff (deceased) was born in Pennsylvania about 1805; moved to New York State at an early day and settled in Seneca county, where he followed agricultural pursuits many years, and there married Miss Susannah Frain; about 1840 he came West and settled in Superior tp., this county, where he bought 80 acres of land, and about the same time also purchased a claim in Ypsilanti tp. In 1861 he moved to Ann Arbor and bought an 80 in that tp. He died at Ann Arbor September, 1878; the remains of himself and wife, who died in 1850, are buried in Superior tp. Twelve children were born to them, namely : Henry, Samuel, Daniel, William, Harrison, Mary, Harriet (deceased), Edwin (a soldier in the late war), Chester, George, John (also a soldier), Sarah and Arthur. Harrison, from whom this sketch is obtained, was born in Seneca county in 1832, but grew to manhood in this county. In 1859 he was married to Miss Mary J., a daughter of David Savage, a Washtenaw pioneer, and 6 children were born to them-Lewis E., Har- riet, Ida E., Viola, Charles S. and Mary. Mr. R. is a property owner in this township.

J. F. Sanders, clothing merchant, Ypsilanti, was born at Lawrence, Schuyler Co., N. Y., April 25, 1840. His father, James Sanders, was a farmer, and died in

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1842. His mother married a Mr. Garretson, and in 1846 removed to Michigan, settling at Flat Rock. Wayne county, where J. F. obtained his education. At the age of 17 years he came to Ypsilanti, and entered the employ of W. W. Wicker, a grocer, where he remained for some time. In 1868 he, in company with Clark S. Wortley, purchased of his employer, S. Hesslein, his stock of clothing and furnishing goods, and they continued under the firm name of San- ders & Wortley, until 1872, when Mr. Wortley retired from the firm. Mr. San- ders' trade increased so rapidly that in 1879 he erected a large three-story brick building, on the corner of Congress and Washington streets, where he now car- ries on his trade. He married Caroline Huckley, of Pittsfield tp., and 2 children have been given them-Susie and Carrie.

Lorenzo Seaman, farmer, sec. 25, was born at Rutland Co., Vermont, in 1814. He was married in his native county to Elizabeth Phillips, daughter of Josiah Phillips, a native of Vermont. Of the 8 children born to this union, 7 are living -Priscilla, Adelaide, Ceylon, Josiah, Julius, Henry and Charles. Mrs. Seaman died in 1862, and a year later Mr. S. married Theresa, daughter of Luman Pot- ter, of Clarendon, Conn. Four children were given to this marriage-Cora, Lo- renzo, Hattie and Daisy. In 1867 Mr. Seaman settled upon his present farm, which comprises 62 acres. He also owns 20 acres of land in Wayne county. Mr. Seaman has in his possession " grandfather's old arm chair," whose existence dates back into the 17th century.

James F. Seeley was born in Mt. Hope, Orange Co., N. Y., July 18, 1819. He is a son of Holly and Elizabeth (Moore) Seeley. His father was a currier and tanner by trade, and James during his youth was employed at the same occupa- tion. At 18 years of age he went to Cortland Co., N. Y., remaining there six months, and from there came to Michigan, arriving here Jan. 14, 1839. He spent about 18 months on the " Campfield farm," Pittsfield township, and subsequently passed the same length of time in Erie, Pa., while there working at his trade. He returned to Michigan in November, 1842, and in the spring of 1843 began to make leather in the township of York. He remained there till April, 1853, engaged in making leather and in farming. Afterward he located in Saline, and built a tannery there, remaining until 1868. His next remove was to Ypsi- lanti, where he bought a comfortable mansion on Washington street, and has since lived in retirement, devoting his time to the management of his estate. In 1846 Mr. Seeley was married to Lydia Ann Judd, of York tp. They have 1 child, Amanda E., who is the wife of Herbert Sweet, a prominent merchant of Ypsilanti.

Albert Seymour, salesman, was born in New York in 1827. He grew to man- hood in Cayuga county, where he learned the trades of a joiner and millwright. He was married in Monroe Co., N. Y., to Elizabeth Yates, and in 1853 located in Ypsilanti, Mich., where for many years he worked at his trade. In 1863 he engaged in his present business, and enjoys a good trade through the southern tier of counties of this State.

Zachariah Shaw (deceased) was born in New York in 1802. During early life he followed teaming, but in 1862 settled at Ypsilanti, and erected a lime-kiln, which he labored at successfully, with one exception, up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1878. Mrs. Shaw is still living. She was the mother of 12 children, 1 of whom, Spencer, is now the owner of the above mentioned lime- kiln. He was born in New York in 1825, and since 1836 he has resided at Monroe and Ypsilanti, owning 120 acres of good land near the former place. Mr. Shaw is doing a remunerative business at Ypsilanti, and in 1880 burned 27,000 bushels of lime. He married Elizabath H. Coe, of New York, and 10 children were born to them, 7 of whom are living.

Lewis Sherwood, farmer, sec. 1, Ypsilanti tp., was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., in 1804. There he was educated and reared on the farm of his father. In 1830 he went to Saratoga county, and engaged in farming, but remained only three years. He then removed to Rochester, and engaged in boating on the Erie canal which he followed until 1847. The following year he was in the livery business, and in 1848 he engaged in the commission and forwarding business, which he fol- Iowed until 1859. In 1860 he came to the city of Ypsilanti, and engaged in the commission business. In 1863 he was appointed gatekeeper on the Detroit and Saline gravel toll road, where he has since remained. Mr. Sherwood is also largely interested in the breeding of fine horses. In 1876 he received the contract for carrying the mail from Ypsilanti to Belleville, which he held four years. He

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YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP.

has also been four years in Ypsilanti tp. In 1856 he was married to Clarissa M. Howley, of Rochester, N. Y.

M. L. Shutts, insurance agent, Ypsilanti, was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., in 1814, son of Jasper and Elizabeth (Laraway) Shutts. When 19 years of age he left New York and settled in Wayne Co., Mich., where he was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. In 1857 Mr. Shutts located at Ypsilanti and subsequently be- came a merchant and dealer in wool. In 1877 he entered into his present busi- ness, and represents some of the best companies extant. He was married at Plymouth, Wayne Co., Mich., in 1835 to Anna Kenyon. Mrs. Shutts died in 1837. In 1840 he was united in marriage to Mary A. Vinton.

Gilbert M. Smith, of the firm of Collins & Smith, retail dealers in wines, liquors and cigars, Arcade Block, Ypsilanti, was born near Goshen, Indiana, in 1838. While yet a lad he removed to Ypsilanti, and was employed as clerk by Joseph Martin. When the war broke out, he enlisted in Co. A, 1st Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., for a three years' service. He participated in several serious engagements, and was honorably discharged at Jackson, Mich., in 1865. In 1874 he was united in marriage to Minerva J. Weatherby.

J. Evarts Smith, farmer, was born in Vermont, in 1829. When 21 years of age, he removed to Essex Co., N. Y., where he purchased 100 acres of land. He then removed to Iowa, where he was engaged in sheep-raising for one year. At the ex- piration of that time he located at Ypsilanti, where he owns 190 acres of choice land, and deals largely in sheep. Mr. Smith is Justice of the Peace of Ypsilanti. He was married in Vermont in 1833, to Rosina Chatterton, of Rutland, Vt. Three children were born to this marriage-Frank, Arthur, and an infant. Mrs. Smith died, and Mr. S. married Martha Brown, of Clarendon, Vt., who has borne him 1 child, William.

Capt. Clinton Spencer, son of Grove Spencer (deceased), who came to Ypsilanti in 1827, was born in Ypsilanti tp., Jan. 31, 1840. His father was the first law prac- tioner in Ypsilanti; but, on account of ill health, was forced to abandon his pro- fession, and removed to Superior tp., where at the time of his death he owned 700 acres, on secs. 2 and 11. He gave $500 to secure the location of the State Nor- mal School at Ypsilanti. He died Aug. 28, 1854; his widow still survives. Clinton Spencer was educated at the Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor schools, and at the outbreak of the civil war he enlisted in the Union army as a private, and received the com- mission of Captain. After the war he was elected Register of Deeds, of this county, and re-elected in 1868. He was appointed Postmaster at Ypsilanti in 1871, and still holds that position. He was married Aug. 11, 1863, to Mary Wilson, daughter of Rev. J. A. Wilson, rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, at Ypsilanti. They have 4 children-Olive, Zayde, Norman and Clinton J.

Hon. Grove Spencer (deceased), a well-known lawyer of this county, was born in Massachusetts in 1803. He studied law, and subsequently graduated from a famous institution of learning in his native State. He was admited to the Bar, and after removal to Ypsilanti practiced his profession a number of years as a partner of Judge Skinner (deceased). Owing to ill health, and in the midst of a lucrative business, he was compelled to abandon his practice, and seek a more healthful kind of labor. He therefore bought farm property, and turned his atten- tions to agricultural pursuits. He served the people in several local offices, and ultimately represented Washtenaw county in the State Legislature. In 1835, he married Emily Millington, a daughter of Dr. Millington, who settled in this county as early as 1826. Eight children were born to them, 7 of whom survive- Burk, living on the old homestead; Clinton, Postmaster of Ypsilanti; Emmons, a resident of California; Lydia, who lives in this county; Grove, residing in Ypsi- lanti; and Wright and Daniel, who are citizens of Kansas. Mr. Spencer died in 1855, leaving to the care of his wife and children, a valuable farm comprising 560 acres.

John Starkweather, capitalist, Ypsilanti, was born in Rensselaer county, N. Y., in 1807. He was reared in Seneca and Cortland counties, of his native State. His father, Capt. Donald Starkweather, obtained his military title by gallantry in the war of 1812. He was well known throughout the East in connection with ship-building and millwrighting interests. He erected the first mill-called the " old Miner's mill"-at Seneca Falls, N. Y. He had the honor of building the first boat to run on the famous Erie canal. He married Fanny Godfrey, a native of Rhode Island. Fourteen children were born to them, of whom John, the subject of this sketch, is the only male survivor. He received a very liberal education,

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

and in 1836 removed to Michigan, locating at Detroit. He entered the U. S. land office, through the influence of Major Biddle. In 1839 he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Newberry, daughter of Elihu Newberry, a retired merchant and farmer, and a sister of John S. Newberry, Michigan's famous Congressman. Mr Starkweather was appointed by Gov. Mason, as Assistant Superintendent of Pub- lic Instruction. under the Superintendent, John D. Pierce. Owing to ill-health,. he located in Ypsilanti, where he rested from manual labors, but he has been act- ively engaged in business. He bought 160 acres of land near Ypsilanti, and since then has been a large speculator in real estate. He owns about 400 acres, valued at $100 per acre. The prompt payment of the war debt of Ypsilanti was mainly brought about by the influence of Mr. Starkweather and E. D. Lay, the present President of the Pioneer Society of Washtenaw County.

J. J. Stephenson, photographist, Ypsilanti, was born in Wayne Co., Mich., A. D. 1847. He was educated in the schools of that county and spent a short time at Ypsilanti. In 1869 he began to learn the business of photography at Jackson. He soon after started a gallery at Chelsea which he soon sold. In 1870 he came to this city and worked for E. P. Baker until 1872, when he purchased an interest in the business. In 1876 he purchased the entire business, and since then has carried it on. Mr. S. is a member of the A. O. U. W. of this city. In 1871 was married to- Miss Bessie Frazier of Ypsilanti, a daughter of Hugh and Martha Frazier, of Huron county, Canada.

John Stockdale (deceased) was a pioneer of Washtenaw county. He was born in Yorkshire, Eng., in 1786. He learned the carpenter's trade when young, and in 1831 came to America, locating at Ypsilanti the following year. He erected many of the early buildings in the latter place, and departed this life in Ypsilanti tp. in 1862. He was thrice married. Two children were born to the first union, 4 to the second, and 2 to the third. Joseph Stockdale was born to the second union. He accompanied his parents to America, and in his adopted country learned the wagon-maker's trade. He was a successful manufacturer of Ypsilanti for 21 years, and in 1857 purchased his present farm, comprising 158 acres, erect- ing thereon a handsome residence during 1878. In 1859 he married Harriet Williams, daughter of S. M. Williams, of Vermont. They have 5 children- Wealthy, Walter, Albert, Henry and Frank.

James Suggitt (deceased) was born in Yorkshire, Eng., in 1804, and passed his early life on a farm. He was married at Hemphone, England, to Sarah, daughter of William and Ellen Wilds, and soon after came to America, locating at Canton, Wayne Co., Mich., where he bought 80 acres of heavily timbered land. He remained there 11 years, sold his farm, and removed to Ypsilanti, where he died, Feb. 23, 1880. He was buried in the Ypsilanti cemetery. Two children born to this marriage are living-Mrs. Amarine and Mrs. Palmer, both residents of Can- ton, Mich.

Sweet Brothers, manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds, Ypsilanti.

Charles I. Sweet, of the firm of Sweet Bros., manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds, Ypsilanti, was born in New York, and is a son of William Sweet, of Seneca Co., N. Y., and came with his parents to Michigan in 1867. He devoted a share of his time to school-teaching, and the remainder to study, until he completed his studies at the Ypsilanti Seminary in 1869. The same year the firm of Sweet & Henderson was formed. with Charles I. as the junior partner. Mr. Henderson re- mained in the firm until March, 1880, when Eugene M., a brother of Charles I., pur- chased his interest, and the firm has since been Sweet Bros. Mr. Sweet was married Aug. 24, 1876, to Eliza M. Everetts, of Watkins, N. Y. They have 2 sons, Willie and Bert.

Eugene M. was married Sept. 29, 1880, to Ella A. Foster, of Ypsilanti.

Herbert Sweet, merchant, Ypsilanti, was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1847. His parents, John M and Mary (Ward) Sweet, came to Michigan in 1863, and located in Pittsfield tp. At the age of 20 years, Mr. Sweet entered the employ of the Farmers' and Traders' Association, where he remained as a clerk for two years. He was em- ployed by Henderson & Glover, of Ypsilanti, three years. In 1873 he formed a co- partnership with William Robbins in the dry-goods business, and the firm is having a good trade. Mr. Sweet was married in 1872 to Amanda Seeley, of Ypsilanti. They have 1 son, Charles Seeley. Mr. Sweet is a member of the Baptist Church, and has been Superintendent of its Sunday-school for five years. He is a member of the A. O. U. W.

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YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP. .

A. A. Sweeting, M. D. (deceased) was born in New York, and received a good medical education at Clinton, Hamilton Co., N. Y. He practiced his profession in the East for several years, and in 1826 came to Woodruff's Grove, Washtenaw Co., Mich., where he remained but a short time, and subsequently owned property in Ypsilanti city, and Superior tp. While a resident of the latter place (in 1842) he sustained severe injuries, from which he died the same year. He was married in the East to Lucretia Warren, a native of Connecticut. One son, A. A., jr., was born in Oneida Co., N. Y.,and was a soldier in the Mexican war. He died in the service. An older son, B. T., was born in 1824, and grew to manhood in the county, where he has since resided, engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1868 he married Sarah Bent- ley, of Superior tp. They have 2 children-May and Alta.

Benjamin Thompson, was born in New York State, May 17, 1805, and became one of the first settlers in Ypsilanti. June 20, 1830, he married Mercy S. Emerson, and they have had 5 children, only 1 of whom is living, the next mentioned. For 25 years Mr. Thompson followed millwrighting, and owned a large carriage manu- factory.

0. E. Thompson, son of the preceding, house, sign and carriage painter, and dealer in agricultural implements in Ypsilanti. He commenced in 1856 as an humble manufacturer of wagons, and in a few years had quite a corps of workmen in his employ. In 1870 he began to make carriages, and purchased the corner building where he is now located. He made his start as a dealer in 1871, when he began to sell the Jackson wagons, made by Tomlinson & Webster; in 1873 he became a regular dealer in agricultural implements, and he now controls the trade in his line of business. He has prospered and accumulated considerable property. In August, 1880, Mr. Thompson patented a grass-seed sower, which in a short time proved to be superior to any of the older sowers in vogue. This year he will manufacture over 500 of these useful machines. Besides the above business, he annually dis- poses of more than $1,000 worth of variegated pattern wall-paper.

James Thorn, farmer, Ypsilanti tp., was born in Bucks Co., Pa., in 1794, and in his youth removed to Seneca Co., N. Y., where he learned the potter's trade. In 1835 he located in Monroe Co., Mich., where he bought 160 acres of Government land, the greater part of it being heavily timbered, and through industry and econ- omy became comfortably situated in life. He was married in New York to Anna ,Chamberlin, who bore him 6 children, 1 of whom, L. E. C., is the only one residing in this township. He was born in New York in 1820, and in 1840 located in Washtenaw county. He is a millwright by trade, and built the Sin- clair Mills, at Ann Arbor, and others throughout the State. In 1850 he bought 105 acres of land in Ypsilanti tp., and has increased his farm to 145 acres. He was married Feb. 7, 1842, to Mary Chamberlain. They have 6 children-Martin C., James W., William, Mary C., Edgar W. and Walter D.

Mrs. Thorn's parents, Wells Chamberlin and wife-who started from Living- ston county, N.Y., in the spring of 1831, in company with his father-in-law, John Marvin, one daughter, two sons, and three others, 12 in all-came to Buffalo with a two-horse wagon, then by steamer to Detroit. They embarked at night, a storm arose, and morning found the vessel heading back for Buffalo instead of Detroit; they put in at Dunkirk. In crossing the Maumee swamps a dreadful rain-storm prevailed and the young men had to take off their overcoats wherewith to protect the children. They came to a house occupied by a woman and two small chil- dren, with no provisions, the man of the house being off a-fishing; the place was also flooded with water, and the emigrant party had to build a bridge in front of the house so that the women and children could get to it. Mrs. Thorn's mother divided her own lunch with these poor children. On arriving at Maumee, Mr. Chamberlin looked up the improvident fishing husband and sent him home. The whole party forded the Maumee river. Here they found a tavern, where they partly dried their clothing and bedding, and slept on their beds on the floor.

Of this party Mrs. Thorn is the only one living, unless it be some of the hired help they had along with them. After remaining at Toledo about two weeks they went on to Detroit, and after a short time to this county, settling about three miles west of Ypsilanti, Pittsfield tp.

Mr. Thorn's son, Martin C.,served in the last war, participating in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam within two weeks after enlistment. He enlisted Aug. 9, 1862, in Co. E, 17th Mich. Inf., and was honorably discharged in June, 1865, at Detroit, having served in many battles.

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

Albert Todd, retired farmer, Ypsilanti, was born in Monroe county, N. Y., and was a son of Wright and Betsy (Denike) Todd. When 23 years of age Mr. Todd began farming on his own account in his native State, and three years after removed to Washtenaw county, Mich., locating in Superior tp., where he bought 240 acres of land, and .has erected thereon a substantial residence. He was married in 1823 to Esther A. Jacokes, a native of Rochester, N. Y. She bore him 2 children- Orrin, who resides on the farm, and Etta, who lives at Ypsilanti. Mrs. Todd died in 1873, and in 1875 Mr. Todd married Adele Jacokes, of Ypsilanti. In 1869, Mr. Todd bought property in Ypsilanti, where he has since lived.

C. L. Tuttle (deceased) was born in Pennsylvania in June. 1801. He settled in Ypsilanti tp. in 1828, where Nelson V., his son, was born in 1833. The latter, Aug. 17, 1862, enlisted in Co. B, 4th Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., and under command of Capt. Gray, of Detroit, proceeded to the front. After a three years' service, he was honorably discharged, and returned to this county. He is a farmer, and resides on the old homestead. He married Mary J. Openo, who died in 1877, leaving 2 children-Henrietta R. and Guy. In July, 1879, Mr. T. married Clara Boutell, & daughter of Hiram and Mary Boutell. They have 1 child, Mary.

Hiram Tuttle was born in Tioga county, Pa., April 3, 1797. Early in life he found employment as a teamster; he moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and set- tled in the near vicinity of Sandusky, where he assisted in the erection of the first wharf in Sandusky city. He was married while residing near Sandusky, to Miss Anna Crane, a daughter of Benjamin Crane, who afterward moved to Wash- tenaw and lived near Saline. It is authoritatively stated that Mr. Tuttle and Benjamin Woodruff were among the first settlers of this county. During the autumn of 1824 he bought land, now in possession of heirs to the estate. It was purchased from the Government, the deed bearing the signature of President Monroe. Erecting a log house, he began the founding of a Western home. The Indian tribes then were numerous in Southern Michigan, were quite friendly and mingled freely with the whites. On one occasion a squaw traded an old flint musket for a peck of corn, of which Mr. T. was sole proprietor. He died after a long and useful life, in 1862, and seven years later occurred the death of his heroic companion, who had shared with him the hardships of pioneer times. Five children survive them-Burton, who married Caroline Stokes; Chris,, who is a resident of this county ; also Hiram, a merchant, and John from whom this sketch is obtained, who married Maria Cannon, a daughter of Josiah Cannon, of New York State. Three children were born to the subject of this sketch-Emma, Carrie and Hiram. Mr. Tuttle is a farmer of means, owning 80 acres of land where he now resides, and is one of the heirs to his father's estate, consisting of 248 acres. Anna Tuttle, sister of above, was united in marriage to William Ort.

Loyal Tuttle (deceased) was a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1801, and grew to mature years. In 1825 he moved from Bradford, Pa., to this county, and settled in Ypsilanti tp., where for a time he worked energetically in the clearing of land. In 1828 he married Rachel Huff, a daughter of David and Rachel Huff, who settled in Washtenaw county as early as 1826, and were well and favorably known to the pioneers in this section. In 1829 Mr. Tuttle bought his first farm land, consisting of 80 acres, situated in Sheldon, Wayne Co., which was shortly afterward exchanged for valuable farm land in this tp. The family moved into a log cabin of the usual description, where they lived for a number of years. They now have a more comfortable residence and a valuable farm of 300 acres. There are 8 children-Lucius, who resides upon the homestead; Nelson, Julia M., Joseph K., Emma S., Lucy A., John C. and Mary E .; Mary L. died Aug. 20, 1851, and Ira B., Aug. 11, 1861. Ira enlisted in the 1st Mich. Inf., and died from the effects of cannon-ball concussion at Bull Run. John was also a soldier in the late war. The ancestry of the Tuttle family, who have many interesting relics in their possession, is traced back to the year 1635. Mrs. Tuttle is comfortably situated in life.

John W. Van Cleve, Ypsilanti, was born at Princeton, N. J., A. D. 1812. His father, John Van Cleve, was a physician there. At Princeton, Mr. Van Cleve was educated and passed the first 15 years of his life. In 1826 his father died, and in 1828 he went to Dayton, Ohio, where he was in the store of an uncle about three years. He then went to Philadelphia, where, until 1833, he clerked in a store. From there he went to New York city, where he was likewise employed until 1837. He then came to this city and at once embarked in general mercan- il e business, at the same time having charge of a milling business here. In

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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 136

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