History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 137

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 137

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1235

YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP.

1850 he sold his business and engaged in farming, which he followed for some time. In 1857 he with Mr. Cornwell built a paper-mill, and carried it on under the firm name of Cornwell & Van Cleve until 1864, when he sold his interest to Mr. Cornwell. That mill was the first paper-mill in this city and the beginning of the present great paper business of Ypsilanti. When the Peninsular Paper Company was organized in 1867, he was one of the stockholders, and was made Secretary of the company. Except a short time, he has held that position to the present time. He represented this town as Supervisor five years, during which time the city was set off from the town. Mr. Van Cleve is an Episcopalian and has been a member of St. Luke's Church of this city since 1859. He was also one of the charter members of the first Odd Fellows' Lodge in Ypsilanti, and has been a member of the Masonic fraternity here. In 1834 he was married to Miss Julia Hunter, of New York city, who died in this city Feb. 16, 1879. To them were born 5 sons and 2 daughters, all of whom are living but one son, William, who for a time was Secretary of the Peninsular Paper Company. Of the living children, John W., jr., and Mrs. Mckinstry live in this city ; Frank H. is a busi- ness man at Escanaba, and is land agent at that place for the N. W. R. R ; Charles is located at Port Huron, Mich .; Augustus is in the general ticket office of the M. C. R. R. at Chicago; the other daughter, Mrs. Mary Parrott, is a resident of Dayton, Ohio.

Silas Van Dusen is a native of Dutchess county, N. Y., where he was born in 1807, and where he grew to manhood. He married Hannah Soule, and subse- quently worked at shoe-making and farming in Monroe Co., N. Y. He afterward removed to Rochester, and in 1866 to Plymouth, Michigan; thence to Ypsilanti, where for many years he was engaged in the sewing-machine business. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Dusen, one of whom is living, Mary L., who received a good musical education at Rochester, and for several years was organist in the Universalist Church of that city. For nine years she has occu- pied the same position in the Presbyterian Church at Ypsilanti. The elder child, Charles T., was a soldier in the 8th New York Cav., and Orderly Sergeant at beginning of war. He served with marked success through that long and bloody conflict, and was an eye witness of the surrender of Lee, at Appomattox Court- House. He received the discharge of a Captain, and returned to Ypsilanti, where he died in 1874.

Harry H. Walkinton, machine tender at Cornwell Paper-Mills, is a native of Lincolnshire, England. He emigrated to America in 1873, and for six years was a resident of Pennsylvania. He then settled at Ypsilanti, Mich., where he has since resided. He is regarded by his employers as a valuable assistant in the manufacture of paper.

Charles H. Wallace, who died in August, 1877, may be ranked among the pio- neers of Washtenaw. He was born at Thelford, Orange Co., Vt., Feb. 11, 1812. In his childhood and near the close of the Revolutionary war, his father left New England, and with multitudes of emigrants settled in the State of New York. In 1832 he came to Washtenaw and settled in the township of Saline, and farms were purchased three miles west of this place. Young Wallace preceded the family and came to Saline in May, 1831. In 1833 he married Miss Eleanor Custing. Mr. W. was Deputy Sheriff, in which office he proved a capable man. In 1853 he was elected Justice of the Peace for four years, and again in 1857 and 1861, and finally, in 1866, as a Magistrate. Two things were noticeable in his administration-avoid- ance of county expenses, inducing often a settlement without legal notice; and very rarely were his decisions set aside by a higher court; and many widows and orphans have found in him a wise and faithful counsellor. In 1857 his only son, Bradley, died at the age of 21, and September, 1861, Mrs. Wallace died; again death invaded the household, when, in January, 1865, his daughter Sarah passed to her reward. Of his 4 children 2 remain-Mrs. Adeline Williams, of Oxford, Mich,, and Mrs. Lucy Ripley, of Chicago. In September, 1862, Mr. Wallace was united in marriage with Mrs. Jennie B. Rice, relict of Hiram Rice. His business during his latter years was extensive and varied, in real estate and the loaning of money. He was more than ordinarily successful.

Edwin Warren, machine tender at Ypsilanti Paper-Mills, was born in Onon- daga Co., N. Y., in 1844, and is a son of George and Eleanor Warren. Mr. Warren settled at Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1858. On Aug. 10, 1863, in Allegan Co., Mich., he enlisted in Co. A, 3d Mich. Cav., for three years' service. He was con- nected with the Western divisions of the army, and was mustered out of service

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

at San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 12, 1866. In 1869, he entered the employ of the Ypsilanti Paper Co., where he has since labored. In 1866, in Michigan, he married Elvan White, a daughter of Enoch White. He then proceeded to the lumber regions of the "Wolverine State," where he resided for three years. They have 3 children-Leonard, born Feb. 28, 1870; Marcella, born Feb. 6, 1876, and Myrtle, born Dec. 22, 1878. Mr. Warren's brother, George, an employe of the paper-mill, was born in Washtenaw county, in 1860.

Rev. Ira Mason Weed, Ypsilanti (deceased), was born Jan. 14, 1804, at Hines- burg, Vermont. His parents were John and Dolly (Phelps) Weed. He passed his early life among the hills of Vermont. He prepared for college with his brother-in-law, the Rev. Mr. Johnson, of Hopkinton, N. Y., and entered the sophomore class of the University of Vermont, from which he graduated in 1825. Intending to follow the legal profession, he studied law with Judge Fine, of Ogdensburg, N. Y., one year. During this time he was converted and turned his thoughts toward the ministry. He gave up his legal studies and entered Andover Theological Seminary. In 1829 he was licensed to preach, and in the same year was ordained at Park Street Church, Boston. In May, 1830, he was married to Miss Caroline N. Dulton, of. Hillsboro, N. H., and came to this city. In 1834 he was installed Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Ypsilanti, in which he had ministered four years. In 1847 he went to Chicago, having accepted the position of District Secretary for the Northwest, of the American Board of Com- missioners of Foreign Missions. This position he retained for 10 years, laying broad foundations for benevolence in Churches and aiding pastors in their work. In 1855 he removed to Waukegan, Ill., and after two years accepted the agency of the educational institution projected at Lake Forest, a suburb of Chicago. In 1862 he went to Granville, Ill., where he served as Pastor four years. He then returned to this city, where he passed his remaining days, ministering occasionally to vacant Churches in this vicinity. Nov. 30, 1871, he passed from this life. Mr. Weed was the first settled pastor in Ypsilanti and helped largely in forming the religious tendencies of the early village. He was a man of warm sympathies and remarkable power in winning the affection of those whose lives were not in accord with his teachings. His religion was that of calm devotion, settled con- viction and firm principles. He was a close student of the Bible and a man of prayer. When he died many a man not of his Church felt that he had lost a true friend, and that in truth " a good man is gone." He left a wife, three daughters and a son to mourn his loss. Of these one daughter has since died.

William Wheeler, employed at the Peninsular Paper-Mills, was born in Buck- inghamshire, England, in 1831. He was emyloyed in the paper-mills of his native land, and in 1857 settled in Canada. In 1863 he removed to Wayne Co., Mich., and the following year to Ypsilanti, where he has since been employed at his trade. He was married to Lucy A. Wight, and 5 children were born to them, 4 of whom are living. Mrs. Wheeler is a native of Wayne Co., Michigan.

Charles R. Whitman, Prosecuting Attorney of Washtenaw county, was born at South Bend, Ind., Oct. 4, 1847. He is a son of W. G. and Laura G. (French) Whit- man. His father was a machinist, and a near neighbor and intimate friend of ex-Vice President Schuyler Colfax. When Charles was 15 years of age his father removed to Chicago, and he was educated in the Chicago schools. In 1864 he went to Ann Arbor, Mich., and in 1866 entered the literary department of the Uni- versity of Michigan, graduating in 1870 with the degree of M. A. In the fall of 1870 he was employed as Principal of the Ypsilanti Seminary, remaining there one year. In 1872 he was married to Elvira C. Joslin, a daughter of Hon. Chaun- cey Joslin, of Ypsilanti. The same year he entered the law department of Michi- gan University, graduating in 1873 with the degree of B. L. He soon after formed a co-partnership with Hon. Chauncey Joslin, in the law business, continuing in that relation until January, 1881, when the firm was dissolved and Mr. Whitman opened an office for himself. In 1874-'7 Mr. Whitman was a member of the Ypsi- lanti School Board, being Secretary for two years. In 1876 he was elected Cir- cuit Court Commissioner, holding that office for two years. In 1878 he was a candidate for State's Attorney, but being a Democrat and two other candidates in the field, he was defeated. In 1880 he was a member of the Democratic State Committee, and an executive officer of that body. Mr. Whitman was elected Pros- ecuting Attorney of Washtenaw county in 1880, by a large majority. He is a strong advocate of temperance, and an orator of distinguished ability. He is an Episcopalian, and a Vestryman of St. Luke's Church at Ypsilanti.

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YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP.

J. H. Whitney, in the employ of the Peninsular Paper Co., was born in Massachu- setts. In 1872 he was joined in the bonds of holy wedlock to Fanny Barnum. Mr. Whitney is a skillful workman, and a valuable employe of the above named firm.

James H. Wilcox, of the firm of Batchelder & Co., and a son of Willard D. Wil- cox (deceased), was born May 27, 1831, in the town of Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y., where he gained his early education, and in 1837 his parents moved to DeRuyter, Madison Co., N.Y., and there remained until 1850, and finished an academic edu- cation and learned the wool-carding and cloth-dressing business. In 1851 he, James, left DeRuyter and went to Rhode Island, and engaged as traveling agent in the book and stationery business, and later returned to New York, and entered hotel business for five years, until'1862, and in 1863 came to Ypsilanti, went into the hotel business, and ran the Wetherbee, now Barton, House. In 1870 he engaged with Batchelder Bros. as traveling salesman, representing their monument busi- ness, which position he occupied until 1877, when he formed a partnership with H. Batchelder and Geo. W. Loughridge, which forms the present firm of H. Batch elder & Co. Mr. Wilcox was married Feb. 17, 1867, to Miss Sarah J. Haner, daughter of Chas. P. Haner, a farmer of Augusta tp. They have 1 daughter- Ella M.

Capt. William Wilkinson (deceased), a well known and early resident of this prosperous county, was born at Edinburgh, Scotland, and at an early day crossed the Atlantic ocean, locating in New York State, where he was engaged in merchant tailoring for some time. He came to Ypsilanti some years since and erected a building on Congress street, where he followed his trade for many years. He also built a fine residence. He was married in Scotland to Agnes Henry, a granddaughter of the Earl of Crawford, whose ancestry is traced back to William the Conqueror. Mr. Wilkinson died in 1870, leaving a wife and the following children-William W., a tailor, residing in Ohio; George, first steward on a mail steamer of the Morgan Line, plying between New Orleans and Havana ; John L., named in honor of the Earl of Crawford; James, a resident of Ypsilanti; Robert, a merchant of Cincinnati; Mrs. J. B. Campbell, who lives in Ypsilanti.

Judson A. Willson, farmer, Ypsilanti tp., was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1827. His parents were Selleck and Anna (Lee) Willson. Judson was liberally educated, and while a resident of New York married Minerva North, a daughter of Stephen and Esther North. In 1857 Mr. Willson settled in York tp., Washte- naw county, where he bought 127 acres of land. In 1864 he removed to Pittsfield tp., and in 1877 located on his present farm, comprising 102 acres. Mr. Willson and wife have 2 children-Ella, wife of James Forsyth, of Ypsilanti, and Eugene, a native of this county.

Rev. John A. Wilson, D. D., Rector of St. Luke's (Protestant Episcopal) Church, Ypsilanti, was born at Washington, D. C. His parents died when he was a mere child, and having no relatives he has no way of definitely knowing his age. When about eight years of age he went to Baltimore, Md., where he afterward learned a trade, which he found valuable to him in his early life. He attended a self-sup- porting school on the banks of the Delaware, about 10 miles from Philadelphia, about 15 months, when it broke up. From there he went to Kenyon College at Gambier, Ohio, where he graduated in 1837, and in 1839 graduated at the Theo- logical Seminary. In that year he was ordained to the diaconate of Mount Ver- non, Ohio, by Bishop McIlvaine. In 1840 he came to Michigan and was ordained to the priesthood at Detroit, by Bishop McCoskry. His first pastorate was at Pontiac. where he remained until 1846. When he went there, there was no Church at Pontiac, but during his pastorate he gathered a congregation and built a Church. In 1847 he came to this city, where he found a church edifice, but the parish was much disorganized. By careful, persistent labor he gathered together a portion of the former members of the congregation and soon had a thriving, growing Church. From that time to the present he has been the beloved Rector of St. Luke's.

In 1842 he was married to Miss Olivia Chase Edson, of Center Randolph, Ver- mont. To them have been born 2 sons and 1 daughter; 1 son has died. The living son is now a rising merchant of this city. The daughter is the wife of Captain Clinton Spencer, now Postmaster of Ypsilanti. At the annual commence- ment in 1878, Dr. Wilson's alma mater conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.

William Wilson and wife were among the earliest pioneer settlers and most worthy. He was born in the town of Tendering, county of Essex, England, about

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

60 miles from the city of London, Oct. 2, 1795, and was reared on a farm. At the age of 15 years he was bound out to a butcher, an army contractor; at the age of about 16 years he was taken to London by his employer, Mr. Stebbing, and when about 18, desiring to see more of the world, ran away and shipped as a butcher on the East India Company's cruiser, the Marquis of Ely. While in the service of the East India Company, he visited many parts of the world, including Bengal, China, all along the coast of Africa, Cape of Good Hope, Madagascar, Borneo, etc., etc. After voyaging on the seas for several years he returned to England to visit home, and while walking down the streets in the city of Woolwich he heard some one call his name, when he turned, and it was the man to whom he was apprenticed, and from whom he had run away. After having a sociable talk Mr. Steb- bing wanted him to remain with him, but not succeeding in his persuasions, before leaving him, however, he gave Mr. Wilson his indenture papers.

His ship being about ready for another voyage, he again went to sea, and returned the year Bonaparte died. Mr. W. visited the Island of St. Helena during Em- peror Napoleon Bonaparte's life, but was not nearer his house than one-fourth of a mile, sentries being placed at that distance around his quarters. The vessel Mr. W. sailed in had all the discipline of a man-of-war, carrying 32 guns, part 32- pounders, long eighteens, cannonades, etc. He participated in various hand-to-hand fights on the sea, receiving several wounds in these affrays while boarding the ene- my's vessels. Several scars remain as slight reminders of these affrays, one on the wrist by a cutlass, and one on the upper lip, done with a boarding pike.

After his return from the last voyage he was married to Miss Sophy Cross, & native of Allthorn, county of Essex, Eng. The ceremony was performed Octo- ber, 1823. April 1, following, Mr. W., with his wife, took passage on the sailing packet, " Wm. Thompson," bound for New York, where they safely arrived in six weeks, or about May 10. They remained some two months, waiting for an uncle, when they came up the Hudson river to Albany, and then by stage to Schenectady, where they took the Erie canal to Lockport, from there to Tonawanda by stage, and thence to Black Rock by boat. Mr. W. had left his wife at Utica. He re- turned for her and came to Buffalo and thence to Detroit. Here he left his wife and he and his uncle started on a prospecting tour, for the purpose of locating a home. This was during the year 1824. In the fall they visited the north part of Ohio and parts of Canada. He picked out land in Ypsilanti tp., this county, and in the fall of 1825 came with his wife and uncle's family, and settled here on sec. 22, where he bought the northwest quarter for his uncle, from John Shaw, an Irishman, who had erected a log house on the land. He was from Detroit, and it is said he brought nine barrels of whisky, and when he had used that up he was ready to sell his claim, which Mr. W. bought, with improvements, 10 acres being planted to corn and potatoes, for $350.

Mr. W. went to Detroit to have the deeds made out and signed. Mrs. Shaw had promised before this to sign it. When he called for her signature (her husband had already done so), Mr. W. hunted her up and asked her to sign. She said she would not, "at all, at all," and wanted a pound of tea for doing so, which he pro- vided and everything was all right.

Soon afterward he entered 160 acres on sec. 21. In the fall of 1827 he built a log house on this place and moved into it. Mr. W. and uncle owned at one time about one section of land in this neighborhood.

Mr. Wilson lived here with his wife from October, 1827, to November, 1866,-a period of about 40 years,-and moved to Ypsilanti, where he has resided ever since. During the above named time Mr. W. cleared up about 250 acres of land, nearly all heavily timbered. During his early life in the county, many Indians lived here, and often they called and received food and lodging at Mr. W.'s house, spreading their blankets before the fire-place on which they would sleep.

In 1840 or '41 Mr. Wilson erected a frame house and buildings on sec. 21. This building still stands. He was quite fond of the chase, and killed all kinds of game, panthers that were large enough to carry off a yearling deer. One day he killed three bears. As a slight sample of endurance, in an early day, having no other conveyance, he shouldered three bushels of wheat and carried the same to Ypsilanti to mill, and returned the same way; and although now 86 years of age, is hale and hearty, with no tremor to his hand.

Mr. W. joined the Masonic fraternity 60 years ago, and has kept up his con- nection with the order to the present time. He now belongs to Phoenix Lodge. No. 13, and has held many offices in the same.

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YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson lived together for nearly 57 years, when she was called to leave her life-time friend and husband, to go to the other shore. She departed this life on Saturday, the last day of October, 1880, aged about 77 years.

Mr. W. has always been a Democrat in politics, and for many years served the township as Commissioner of Highways.

The portraits of Wm. Wilson and his wife, Sophy, appear on another page. His is from a photograph taken at the age of 84, and hers about ?7.

Wilson & Rathfon Bros. are the leading clothiers of Ypsilanti. They established their present business in 1879, and have had a steadily increasing trade since that period. They have also, in connection, a cutting department, presided over by W. J. Crouch, a skilled workman.

Abraham Wolsey ranks among the more valued workmen employed by the Peninsular Paper Mills. He was born at Norfolk, England, in 1830. In 1837 he accompanied his parents to Ypsilanti, Mich., where he has since resided. From early years he has been an attache of the mill, and in 1871 was married to Carrie Fuller.

Charles S. Woodard, Ypsilanti, was born in the town of Rose, Wayne Co., N. Y., in October 1821. Hisfather brought his family here in 1830, and for many years the home was in Pittsfield. There Mr. Woodard was reared. He attended school there for a time, but his education was chiefly acquired in Ypsilanti and was the result of his own work and exertions. When about 17, he began to study with the intention of becoming a surveyor. When about 19, he began to practice surveying in this county. He has done a vast amount of surveying in this county and city. Since 1842 he has regarded Ypsilanti as his home. In 1848 he entered the Government service as surveyor, and until 1851 was engaged in the upper and lower peninsula of this State. Since 1851, has devoted his time to civil engineering. He has worked largely on railroads. Among his first work was surveying on the Chicago & Northwestern. He was next employed on the western end of the Michigan Central, running into Chicago. For a number of years he was chief engineer of the New Albany & Salem, running from Michigan City south in Indiana. When the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw R. R. was built, he was chief engineer of the division extending from Jackson to Bay City. Later held the same position in the Fort Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw R. R., which was really the southern extension of the former road. This position he held until 1870. Since then he has been connected with various railroads in various positions. Mr. Woodard has been County Surveyor a number of terms, but his business and incli- nations have kept him out of politics. Was a member of the early lodges both of Masons and Odd Fellows, but for some years has not been connected with either. Is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church of this city. He was married in 1854 to Miss Elizabeth Emrick, of Dayton, Ohio. To them have been born 2 daughters, both of whom are living.

Benjamin Woodruff was born March 8, 1815, at Middlesex, Yates Co., and came to Michigan in 1834, settling in Monroe county. His wife, Ruth Woodruff (nee Fuller) was born at the same place in 1819.

Alva Worden, of the firm of Worden Bros., manufacturers of whip sockets, Ypsi- lanti, was born in Pembroke tp., Genesee Co., N. Y., March 24, 1820. His father, John S. Worden, sr. (dec.), came to Michigan in 1827, locating 160 acres of land in Superior tp., where he lived until 1860; then removed to Ypsilanti, and died Oct. 10, 1875. Alva received his schooling in Superior tp., and when young, learned the tinner's trade. In 1843 he entered into business at Ypsilanti, which he continued for 20 years. After two years' retirement, he again engaged in the same business, but retired again in 1869. He was married Dec. 29, 1868, to Adella R. Havens, daughter of G. R. Havens, of Ypsilanti. They have 2 children-Joseph and Frank.

John S. Worden (deceased) was born in Connecticut, and at an early period moved to Steuben county, New York, where he followed agricultural pursuits until his location West. He had married, while a resident of the East, Miss Sophia Rohrbeck, of Massachusetts, who was born in 1790. Accompanied by his estimable wife and 8 children, during the autumn of 1826, after some · weeks of vexatious delay in travel, he located in Superior tp., upon a farm of 200 acres, which was purchased from the Government at 10 shillings per acre. The pioneers preceding him to this favored locality were the Emericks, McCormicks, Harwoods and others. Mr. Worden became a wealthy man for the period of time in which he lived. He was unassuming in disposition, and had a large circle of

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

acquaintances and friends, and merited the respect of all with whom he was brought in contact. Oct. 4, 1866, occurred the death of Mrs. Worden, and in 1873 the remains of John S. Worden found a last resting place in the city ceme- tery of Ypsilanti. He left a family of 5 children, namely: Mary Ann, a resi- dent of Vermont, who married Fred Andrews; Samantha married Eleazer Price, a physician; Alva married Adella Havens, of Galesburg; he was born at Batavia N. Y., in 1826, and grew up amid pioneer associations in this county. For 18 years he was an honored and systematic merchant of Livingston county, and be came more than ordinarily successful in life. Disposing of his business enter- prise in Livingston county, he came to this city, where he entered actively into business, in connection with his brother, in the manufacture of whip sockets. This also proved a financial success. In the midst of great prosperity Mr. W. was called to a brighter and better life, in 1876. To the care of his benevolent wife he left a family of 2 children-Alva, jr., and Eddie C. Mr. Worden was for many years Postmaster of Hartland, Livingston county, and also officiated as Notary Public.

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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 137

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