History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 157

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 157


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Samuel W. Chandler. M. D., physician and surgeon, Saline, was born at Clin- ton, Lenawee Co., Mich., July 18, 1847. His parents were Charles and Eliza (Woo- ster) Chandler, the former a native of Oneida Co., N. Y., and the latter of Hunt- ington Conn. They located in Lenawee Co., in 1834, where Mr. Chandler soon became a leading and prominent citizen. He was a delegate to the first State Constitutional Convention, which convened at Lansing. He filled the office of Pathmaster, in Clinton, for 25 years; was Recorder of Deeds of Lenwaee Co., six years, and County Clerk, three years. He died in October, 1871, aged 69. Samuel W. was reared to manhood in Clinton, and received his literary education in the public schools of that village, and at Ypsilanti, of which schools he was a member for one year. Oct. 1, 1868, he commenced the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Austin Alvorde, of Clinton. He remained with him two years, and with Dr. A. Tuttle, one year. During the winter of 1868-'9, and 1871-'2, he attended the medical department of Michigan University, graduating March 7, 1872. May 8, of the same year, he married Mary Ida Kies, born in Clinton, Lenawee Co., Jan. 10, 1849, and daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Kies, the former of whom is President of the Clinton Woolen Mills. They have 3 children -George F., Fred K. and Abbie L. Immediately after his marriage Mr. C. came to Saline and began to practice his profession, and by strict adherence to business has gained a good lucrative practice. Mr. C. and wife are members of the M. E. Church, and he is a member of the Knights of Honor, in which body he has filled several official positions. In politics he follows in the footsteps of his father, who was an " old-line Whig," but when the Republican party was organ- ized, he enlisted under its banner, and was a faithful member till his death.


A. K. Clark (deceased) was born in Jersey City, N. J., Nov. 1, 1810, and moved to Tyre, Seneca Co., N. Y., at the age of six years. His advantages for obtaining an education were very limited. He was obliged to labor to aid in supporting the family during the summers, and to support himself while at school winters by doing chores wherever he could find such opportunities. His father's poor health and a large family of 10 to provide for made it necessary for him to render all assist- ance possible for their support. Thus the avails of his labor were confined to his father's home till he was 18 years of age, when he was "bound out " as an ap- prentice to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade. Twenty-five dollars a year were given him for his services. At the close of three years' apprenticeship, he had good clothing and a considerable sum of money. This he earned by working over time, making chests, cupboards, etc., of evenings and odd hours. These found a ready sale, as such articles were seldom found. His father at this time was over 60 years of age, and poor in health, as well as in this world's goods, and Mr. Clark felt it to be his duty to provide a home for his parents in their de- clining years, that they might spend their last days in comfort and peace, and this he uid with his first earnings. He then turned his attention to obtaining a competency for himself, and with that object in view came West. On his first trip he located land near Lake Michigan and worked at his trade in what are now the cities of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. He then returned to Seneca Co., N. Y., his home, and married Martha Stevenson, who still survives, Nov. 9, 1836, and soon after returned to Michigan and purchased 120 acres which forms a part of the homestead. He made a profession of religion in his early youth, and united with the Presbyterian Church in Saline, June 14, 1840. The same day his wife connected herself with that society. He always had in view one distinct and well-defined object, that of honesty, steadily and with a continuity of purpose seldom equaled, to live in the fear of God and to obtain an honorable competency for himself and family. All his property he had acquired was wholly the result of his labor and industry. On his arrival in Saline in the spring of 1837 he was very destitute of many things that would help a needy pioneer. There being no cellar under his house, was obliged to dig it nights, while during the day he was engaged hard at work to support his family. He cleared much of his land by


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the light of the moon and from burning brush and log heaps. It was a very common thing for him to travel six or eight miles to do a day's work at his trade. In precept and example he ever strove to teach his children to be indus- trious, true and honest and faithful to every trust. He bequeathed to them an inheritance better than silver or gold, that of a good name and an unblemished character. Mr. Clark was elected to the State Legislature in the fall of 1874; performed the duties of his office with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He has honorably filled other offices of trust and responsibility. In him the poor found a ready and ardent friend and helper. He was an advo- cate and supporter of all public enterprise. His life closed Dec. 21, 1879, with a triumphant death. Thus passed one of Saline's early and most respected pioneers.


Albert M. Clark, of the firm of Clark Bros., hardware merchants, Saline, was born in Saline tp., July 13, 1843, and is a son of Albert R. and Martha Clark, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Seneca county, N. Y. Albert M. was reared on a farm, and received a good education in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti schools. For eight years he was Superintendent of the Saline schools. He followed farming till July, 1868, when he received a sun-stroke which so impaired his health as to make it necessary for him to follow some other vocation. He opened a drug and grocery store in Saline, continuing in that business for three years. He then opened a hardware store, and in 1879 he received his brother into partnership, and the firm has since been Clark Bros. He also deals extensively in grain, owning the grain elevator in that village. Nov. 1, 1865, he was united in marriage to Mary A., daughter of Loring and Maria Edmunds, early pioneers of this county, having located here in 1830. Mrs. Clark was born in this county Feb. 13, 1842. Three children were born to them -Ardie M., Eda M. and Albert L. Mr. C. is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and politically is a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party.


Arthur S. Clark, junior member of the firm of Clark Bros., dealers in hardware, Saline, Mich., was born in this county Sept. 20, 1851, and is a son of Albert K. and Martha Clark, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of New York. Mr. Clark was reared on a farm, and received his education at the common schools of Saline, and the Normal School of Ypsilanti. Soon after leaving school Mr. Clark took a tour through the Western States, but subsequently returned to Washtenaw county. where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until July, 1879, when he entered into business with his brother, Albert M. Clark, where he has since continued. He was married Oct. 8, 1873, to Clara E. Eddy, who was born near Ann Arbor May 21, 1852, and daughter of Orlando and Martha Eddy. Mrs. Clark died Oct. 17, 1878, and on Sept. 30, 1880, Mr. C. was married again to Jen- nie E. Rouse, who was born at Minneapolis, Minn., Oct 22, 1856, and daughter of Dr. William H. and Emily A. Rouse. Mr. Clark is Republican, and has never taken a chew of tobacco, smoked a cigar or pipe, nor drank a glass of liquor dur- ing his life.


Andrew Cole (deceased) was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., April 8, 1815. He came to this county in June, 1837, and remained here till 1843, when he returned to New York. He stayed in the Empire State only a short time, and then came back to Washtenaw county, and purchased land in sec. 34. He was married April 8, 1841, to Mary A. Bailey, born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Nov. 15, 1819. Three children have been born to them-Hamilton, Lorin and George. The subject of this sketch departed this life June 11, 1872, at the age of 58. He was a leading member of the Baptist Church of Mooreville for 38 years. In all his dealings with his fellow man he followed the " Golden Rule," and to the poor, was a faithful friend and ready counselor. In benevolent enterprises, he always stood well to the front, carried for his motto through life-" Live and let live." He raised to manhood probably a dozen orphan boys, and when he died they mourned the loss of a kind father and gen- erous friend.


Samuel Collins (deceased) was born in Monmouth county, N. J., April 8, 1817. His parents were members of the Society of Friends, and Mr. C. was reared in that quiet and humble religion. In 1838 he removed with his parents to Lenawee Co., Mich., and in tais place he grew to manhood. Dec. 1, 1846, he married Mary J. Robison, born Nov. 16, 1830, and daughter of Samuel and Jane A. Robison, natives of Schenectady Co., N. Y. Of their 7 children, 4 are now living-Timothy, who married Elizabeth Pennington; Ella, wife of George Kooder; Jennie, wife of Frank Burg, and Willie. Sophia J. died March 11, 1859, aged 12 years; Libbie C., wife of Lyman L. Killy, died June 15, 1873, and Frank, who died Dec. 21, 1871.


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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.


Mr. Collins was laid away to rest June 30, 1877, at the ripe age of 60 years. He was a well-known and respected citizen of this county, and mourned by a large circle of friends and neighbors ..


Samuel Cross (deceased) was born in Brome county, N. Y., Sept. 10, 1804. He passed his early life on a farm, and received a good education. In September, 1831, he came to this county, and entered 80 acres of land on sec. 23. In 1838 he entered 80 acres more of the same section. He was married to Elizabeth Donald- son, and 1 child was born to them-James N., who still occupies the old homestead. Mr. Cross departed this life Sept. 4, 1877, and left a widow and 1 child to mourn his loss. His wife is still living. James N. was born in Yates county, N. Y., Aug. 10, 1828, and reared on a farm. He received a common-school education, and the day Franklin Pierce was inaugurated President of the United States (March 4, 1853) was united in marriage to Frances Leap, born in Manchester Oct 24, 1833. She bore him 2 children, and died March 18, 1856. In December of the same year, Mr. C. married Angeline Taylor, and she died Oct. 17, 1871. On Oct. 17, 1873, he married Sarah A. Barnes, and 3 children have been given to them-Estella A., Jay and Jessie. Mrs. Cross was born May 23, 1853, and is a daughter of Isaac and Mary Barnes. Mr. C. is the possessor of a fine farm of 305 acres, located on sections 23 and 24, and valued at $60 per acre. Politically he is a Republican.


Beverly P. Davenport, son of William H. Davenport, Saline, was born in Saline Aug. 3, 1852, and received his educational training in the Saline Union school. In 1871 he graduated from the Detroit Commercial College, and in April, 1873, entered the mercantile trade with his father. On Oct. 8, 1873, he married Emily Pope, born in February 1853, and daughter of Charles and Wealthy Pope, early pioneers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Davenport are ardent workers in the M. E. Church, and bear a pleasant influence on all with whom they meet. Mr. Daven- port is a member of the Knights of Honor. They had 1 child sent to them-Ed- ward A., who is deceased.


William H. Davenport, the oldest and most prominent living merchant of Saline village, was born in Genesee county, N. Y., Oct. 22, 1826. His parents were Beverly and Gertrude (Foster) Davenport, natives of New York, who set- tled in Washtenaw county in 1827, locating at the " Grove," now within the city limits of Ypsilanti. Mr. Davenport's father lived but a few years after entering this county, and his remains were interred in the old cemetery at Ypsilanti. Will- iam H. subsequently removed to Saline, and when 12 years of age entered the employ of C. Vanhusan, as clerk. He was employed in mercantile pursuits for several years, and in Feburary, 1851, entered into co-partnership with H. J. Mil- ler. They opened a " general store," and continued in business two years. Mr. Davenport then purchased Mr. Miller's interest, and has since been engaged in the mercantile business. His son, B. P. Davenport, has had an interest in the store for some years, and now transacts a large part of the business. Mr. Davenport was married in 1851 to Zilpha Parsons, daughter of Orrin and Rebecca Parsons, natives of New York. Three children were given to bless this union, 2 of whom are living-Beverly P. and Mary A. Archer C. is deceased. Mr. Davenport's mother departed this life Dec. 5, 1880, at the very advanced age of 94 years. She was raised in the lap of luxury, and gave up all her comfortable and pleasant surroundings to follow her "lord and master," into the wilderness of Michigan. Her last days were like the first, spent in a quiet and peaceful home, and she sank sweetly and calmly to rest, trusting that in the " last day" she would be called to partake of the joys of Heaven-the blissful reward for the many trials and temp- tations she had overcome in the nearly 100 years passed upon this earth. Mr. Davenport is an old pioneer and a worthy member of that noble band. He is traveling down life's hill very fast, and strives to do all the good he can while yet a resident on this earth. He has been prominently identified with all Christian, moral and benevolent movements, and is well noted for his kindness and gen- erosity.


Henry T. Eddy, son of Enoch and Milla Eddy, early pioneers of this county, was born in Ontario county, Aug 7, 1821. His parents were natives of Conway county, Mass., and emigrated to Michigan in 1832, settling in Oakland county. In 1834, they removed to this county and lived here till 1855, when they went to Shiawassee county, where they still reside. Henry was raised and educated in this county, and Jan. 26, 1845, married Olive R. Rouse, born in Shenandoah Co., N. Y., and daughter of Henry and Beda (West) Rouse. They had 1 child, Olive R., who married Orrin Parsons, but died May 12, 1873. Mr. Eddy is a


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mechanic by trade, and has followed that vocation for years. In 1872 he went into partnership with his son-in-law, in the lumber business. They erected a planing mill at Saline, and have been operating it since. Mr. E. and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican.


Aaron L. Feldcamp, a prominent German of Saline tp., was born in Westphalia, Prussia. Aug. 17, 1829. His parents, Henry and Anna Feldcamp, were natives of the same place, and the former distinguished himself as Corporal, under Gen. Blucher, during his six years service in the French Revolution. He was in sev- eral principal engagements ; Waterloo, Moscow, and was present at the surrender of Napoleon Bonaparte in Paris. He came to America in 1836, and settled in Freedom tp., Washtenaw Co., where he died Aug. 4, 1846. His birth occurred July 10, 1784. His wife still survives him, and at present is 85 years old. M. F. was reared to manhood in this county, and sent to the district schools to be edu- cated. May 4, 1856, he married Rosanna Bissinger, daughter of Conrad and Catharine Bissinger, natives of Germany, who emigrated to this country in 1834, and settled in Scio tp., where Rosanna was born Aug. 27, 1835. This union was blessed with 10 children, 7 of whom are living-Lydia A., wife of Henry Linden- schmidt, George J., Charles E., Mary, Julius, Otilda, and Martha. Mr. and Mrs. F. are leading members of the Bridgewater Lutheran Church. He has been J. P. for 16 years, 12 years in Freedom tp., and 4 years in Saline tp., and at present is Sup't of the poor in the latter tp. In politics he is a firm advocate of the principles as set forth by the Democratic party. His occupation is that of a farmer and stock-raiser, his farm comprising 486 acres, all under a good state of state of cultivation, adorned by a handsome residence. Mr. F. is ranked with the leading and enterprising men of Saline tp.


We give Mr. Feldcamp's portrait on page 1337 in this history.


Byron W. Forbes, farmer, was born in Washtenaw Co., Oct. 2, 1838. His par ents, Joshua (deceased) and Maria Forbes, were early pioneers of this county having located here in 1838. Byron W. was raised on a farm and educated in this county. Oct. 9, 1863, he married Alice Rhodes, and 7 children were born to them, 6 of whom are living-Flora M., Adelia E., Blanche H., Stella, Mary E., and Dennis Ray. Allie is deceased. Mr. F.'s father died Feb. 10, 1879, aged 72. Mr. Forbes owns a good farm of 200 acres on secs. 22 and 32, valued at $50 per acre. He has filled the office of Township Treasurer one term, and polit- ically is a Democrat. His mother is still living, aged 71.


Jortin Forbes, Justice of the Peace, Saline, was born in Buckland, Mass., May 8, 1812. He was married in Livingston Co., N. Y., Sept. 22, 1835, to Deborah P. King, a native of Detroit, Mich., born Oct. 6, 1813. To this union 4 children were born, viz: Minerva, born in Genesee county, N. Y., August 18, 1837; Ann, born in Livingston county, N. Y., June 29, 1839; Sarah, born Oct. 1. 1841, and Julia, born June 11, 1848, were natives of Livingston county, N. Y. Mrs. Forbes died Aug. 13, 1857. Mr. F.'s progenitors were Scotch. John Forbes emigrated to America at a very early day, and died in Duxbury, Mass, in 1661. His ances tors were a clan of war proclivities in the Highlands of Scotland. The clan stil exists in the Highlands. They were a very noted family in Scotland.


Rev. H. M. Gallup was born in Newstead, Erie Co . N. Y., Nov. 8, 1826. In Sept., 1835, his father and family came to Michigan, locating near Brooklyn, Jackson county. Here among the pioneers in the wilds of the territory of Michi- gan was spent his early life. In Nov., 1846, his father died leaving the mother with 8 children to mourn their loss, and continue the trials of life in a new coun- try. In 1852-3 he visited California and returned to the old homestead. Feb. 18, 1858, he was ordained to the ministry at Brooklyn, Mich., and in March follow- ing he removed to Grass Lake, Mich. The Church then numbered 38 members During the nearly 11 years' pastorate the present church edifice was erected and 193 additions to the membership. In Oct., 1868, icmoved to Jonesville, Mich .; while there, was largely instrumental in organizing the Baptist Church at Hills- dale. After four years labors here removed to Leslie, Michigan, where during a pastorate of five years a parsonage was built and a general awakening in the interests of the Church. His health entirely failed,bringing all pastoral labors to a close. In Dec., 1877, he removed to the Church of Columbia, to do only what he might be able. Here he remained until Jan. 18, 1880 when with health only slightly improved he came to Saline, Mich., to watch and wait for divine favor, hoping for love and mercy to the end. As a minister of the gospel Mr. G. is effi- cient.


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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.


Artemas H. Glover, one of Washtenaw's early pioneers, was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., Oct. 3, 1812, and is a son of William and Delpha (Haywood) Glover, the former being a weaver by trade. Mr. G. followed fanning in the summer, and making brooms in the winter, for the first nine years of his business life; then made harness for about 18 months. At the end of this time he hired out to the different farmers in the neighborhood, working as a day laborer among them till 1837, when he emigrated West and purchased 80 acres of land on sec. 4, Saline tp., of this county. He improved this some, and in 1842 sold it and pur- chased 100 acres on sec. 3, where he still lives. He was married March 2, 1837, to Jane Bowen, born in Cayuga county, N. Y., July 1, 1818, and daughter of Martin and Mary Bowen, of Stafford, Mass. This union has been. blessed with 3 children-Emma, wife of Thomas Hood, Romain and Irwin. The latter is engaged in business in Chicago, Ill. He was a teacher in the grammar depart- ment of Sturgis Normal school for a number of years. Mr. Glover's father was soldier in the war of 1812, and emigrated to this country about 1850, and died in 1857. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of a family of 9 children, all of whom are living, and over 50 years of age. They are as follows: Artemus H., aged 69; Charles, aged 66, resides in Kansas; Susan E., aged 64, resides in Gra- tiot county, Mich .; William, aged 62, lives in Jackson, Mich .: John, aged 60, re- sides in Gratiot county, Mich .; Lorain, aged 58, lives in Chelsea; Samuel, aged 54, home in Livingston county, Mich .; Jane, aged 52, resides in Chelsea; and Alfred, aged 60, living in Jackson county, Michigan. Mr. G. is a Democrat, and has served that party in several local offices.


A. H. Goodrich, proprietor Goodrich House, Saline, was born in Hartford, Co., Conn., Feb. 20, 1805, and is a son of Barzillah and Clarissa (Hosford) Goodrich, natives of Connecticut. The father of the subject of this sketch was a sea captain, and when A. H. was 11 years of age, he took him to sea as cabin boy, and being quick to learn, and showing his ability to make a good seaman, it was not long before he tread the deck as a captain. He followed this business, traveling to and from the West Indies till 182-, and commenced to work at the cabinet trade. This he did till he was 21 years old, when he resumed his seafaring life, and spent five years traversing the coasts of South America, being many times nearly shipwrecked. After enduring the perilous life of a sea-captain for five years, he quit the sailor's life and became a " landsman." He emigrated to Washtenaw Co., and engaged as a clerk in the drug store of Keats & Ludden, where he remained one year. He then bought Ludden's interest in the business, and a year after the other half of the stock, and received into partnership S. P. Griswold. In 1836 he engaged in the hotel business, and not long after went to Chicago, Ill., remaining there one year, and from that time till 1861 he was in business in the States of Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa and North Carolina. When Ft. Sumter was fired upon by the rebels, he was at Wilmington, N. C., and immediately came North again. He kept a hotel in Michigan City for three years ; the Follet House at Ypsilanti for one year; traveled eight years for Bachelder & Co., marble dealers of Ypsilanti, and in May, 1879, he opened his present hotel in Saline, and enjoys a good trade. He was married Sept. 2, 1834, to Julia A. Stow, born in New York, Oct. 14, 1813. They were blessed with two children, one of whom is living-Charlotte F., wife of Joseph H. Neff, of Wilmington, N. C. Two children were born to them-Della J. and Nellie B., but the younger died Aug. 30, 1879, at the tender age of 18 years. Mr. Goodrich was Township Treasurer 10 years; Clerk and Supervisor one year each; Justice of the Peace for four years. His father died of cholera in 1831, being on his way from this county to Detroit. He formerly owned a vessel, and during the war of 1812 was frequently captured.


David Gordon (deceased) was born in Scotland, March 9, 1805. He emigrated to America in 1833, and remained in New York city, where he was engaged in contracting, and other business, for about 7 years. From New York he went to Hartford, Conn., and obtained the contract of building the Hartford bridge. On Nov. 16, 1843, he married Sally A. Cole, born in Allegany Co., N. Y., April 7, 1821, and daughter of Garrett and Sarah (Wrener) Cole, the former of which was a soldier in the war of 1813. This union was blessed with the birth of 6 chil- dren, 4 of whom are living-William, John, David and Ellen, wife of James Col- lins. In 1846 Mr. Gordon emigrated to this county, purchased a tract of land, and followed farming as a business till his death, which occurred Nov. 6, 1870, he being 65 years old at the time. He left a wife and 4 children and a large circle


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of friends and neighbors to mourn his loss. He was a good man and well respected by all with whom he was acquainted.


John F. Graf, Saline, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 6, 1833. His parents were John G. and Margaret Graf. Mr. G. was reared in his native land, and attended its public schools, where he received the education he now pos- sesses. In 1854, he emigrated to America, and came West, till he saw Washtenaw county. This fair spot pleased him, and he purchased a farm; by subsequent purchases this farm has been increased to 305 acres. May 1, 1860, he married Dolly Grass, and this union has been blessed with 6 children, 4 of whom are liv- ing-Charles F., George A., William H. and Lydia. Mr. G. is a member of the German Lutheran Church, at Saline, and in politics is a firm believer in the principles adopted by the Democratic party.


Wm. Melville Gregory, whose portrait we present on page 401, is one of the pio- neers of Saline township. Of the original settlers and purchasers of Government land very few remain. In some of the towns of our county probably not one can ' be found. He was born March 23, 1804, the time being memorable in history for one of the greatest snow-storms of modern days. Upon the farm now in posses sion of Hon. Albert G. Fox, in the tp. of Sand Lake, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., his father, Dr. Uriah M. Gregory, had settled in the year 1800, only ten miles from the city of Albany, where the Low Dutch from Holland had pitched their tents nearly 200 years before. The rugged pine-clad hills remained for New England enterprise to occupy. Dr. Gregory, although a practicing physician, of Connect- icut birth and training, was a thorough farmer, as the heavy stone walls and enormous fences built of the stumps of pine trees, could testify. His mother, Lucretia, nee Ely, was also of Connecticut descent; the place of her birth was Westbrook, near the mouth of the Connecticut river, where her father, Col. John Ely, was for a long time surgeon and physician. As a commanding officer in the Revolutionary army, Col. Ely was in active correspondence with Gen. Washing. ton. His life and service to his country, the well-known writer, Samuel G. Good- rich, also one of his grandsons, in his " Recollections of a Life-time," has presented to the world. In the early years of this century the schools of New England, and especially of New York State, were not noted for the extent of their teaching.




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