History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 27

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 27

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

But the work was too laborious for one who, like him, suffered both with the bilious diseases of the country, and also with local lameness. It will be remembered by those who knew Mr. Weed that he used a cane, and was frequently very lame. In childhood he suffered from a fever, which on his recovery left a deposit in his leg near the ankle. This resulted in what is called in common par- lance, "fever sore." It could sometimes be healed for a time, then, becoming inflamed, it would "break out" again with renewed vio- lence. From this canse alone Mr. Weed was a frequent sufferer, and the work in which he was now engaged, though all-absorbing, was too hard for his physical well-being. All his life this was his " thorn in the flesh." He had another trial. No man was happier in his home; in the domestic circle his joys seemed to center. In regard to the agency he would say: " I shall never love to be away from home; I have lived at home too long for that." Another trial was to be divorced from his study, and to be, as he often termed it, a wanderer on the earth. In a brief note, dated Jan. 1, 1848, alluding to what Mrs. Weed had written relative to the family having severed their relations with the church at Ypsilanti and becoming members of the Second Church of Chicago, he says:

281

HISTORY OF WASIITENAW COUNTY.

"My truant thoughts, like wife's, have been straying to-day; and with hers have gone back to Ypsilanti. To control my emotions, I have found it necessary to command them back. Still the place and the friends there I can never forget, nor can I forget the Church ; and why should I? However much I may have come short, or failed in my duty to it, I think I can truly say that I have desired its prosperity, and hope I have a heart to be glad if I should be permitted to hear of its advancement through the instrumentality of others. There is no place other than Ypsilanti that seems like home. Very likely I have become inordinately attached to the place and the people, and perhaps it was for this that my peaceful and happy connection with them should be interrupted and broken up. Sure I am that since this has been done I have felt more like a stranger and pilgrim. The wandering life of an agent is a great trial to me, and very probably is the one trial that I needed. May it be sanctified to my good, and to the Churches which I visit. ' Yours truly, I. M. WEED."

Several years after, Mr. Weed assumed the agency of an educa - tional enterprise located at Lake Forest. One of his daughters said to me: " While engaged at Lake Forest, and we living at Waukegan, to human view he seemed to keep the Church together. Coming from Chicago at night very weary, to take charge of the prayer-meeting, and notwithstanding his exhausting labors through the week-preaching on the Sabbath for a long time, and freely offering so much of strength as he had to give to these labors, with- out compensation, this while they were without a pastor." In Grandville, Illinois, he was a faithful preacher and pastor for four years, gaining the love of all. He has now made his home in Illi- nois for 20 years; still his affection for his early home and peo- ple in Ypsilanti was not diminished. His love for them was fully returned, and often had he been solicited to give himself a partial rest from exhausting labor, return with his family, and here end his days in the midst of those whose attachment to their earliest pastor had never faltered. He complied with the request, and six or seven years ago made his home again in the midst of early friends. Before his family had hardly got settled in their new house, the old pioneers hastened to give them what in these days is called a " surprise party," but in pioneer days was simply a " dona- tion visit." They left substantial tokens of their continued regard, and after partaking of elegant refreshments, each returned with enlarged feelings of regard for their old friend's return.

I pass over a few more years, during which, with somewhat renovated health, the early minister found work to do for the Mas- ter, still ever ready "to bless, to comfort and command," in all departments of Christian work. I come now to the close of this good man's life, a life of " faith and works."

I have already made this sketch longer than I intended. Mr. Weed was unexpectedly taken ill on returning from church Sabbath afternoon, and, after a severe illness of 10 or 11 days, died, calm and peaceful, taking leave of all his family, and with a clear, distinct voice, saying, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil ; for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." His last words were, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly." He went to his heavenly rest

282

HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

on the night before Thanksgiving, 1871. On the following Monday his remains were laid in Highland Cemetery, beside three infant children already gathered into the folds of the Good Shepherd. A substantial monument with fitting devices-an open Bible resting on a desk-adorns his grave. Mr. Weed left a wife and four chil- dren. Two daughters remain with their mother at their pleasant home; a son, Ira M. Weed, and daughter (Mrs. Rowley), both hav- ing families of their own, reside at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Of Mrs. Weed it is sufficient to say she was worthy to be the wife of such a man.

PROF. JAMES C. WATSON.

James Craig Watson was born in Middlesex, now Elgin, county, Canada West, June 28, 1838. His parents removed from Northum- berland county, Pennsylvania, to this place, some time previous to his birth. From here his father removed with his family to Mich- igan and located in Ann Arbor. Professor Watson was essentially a self-made man. By industry and 'self-denial he secured the means which permitted him to obtain a college education. All that he has become, all the reputation that he has attained, is due to his indomitable perseverance, and to the determination with which he set himself to surmount the obstacles which stood in his path. Professor Watson graduated at Michigan University with high honors in 1857, and was the first pupil of the famous astron- omer, Dr. Brunnow, who was then Director of the Observatory and Professor of Astronomy in the University of Michigan. Soon after his graduation, in the year 1858, he was appointed Instructor in Mathematics, in the University, and Assistant Observer. In 1859, upon the retirement of Professor Brunnow, Mr. Watson was appointed Professor of Astronomy, which position he held during the college year 1859-'60. In the latter year he accepted the chair of physics in the University, which he held for three years. He was then appointed Professor of Astronomy and Director of the Observatory, upon the recommendation of many of the leading astronomers of the country. Although only 25 years of age his abilities and pre-eminent qualification for this responsible position had already won recognition, and even thus early had he given evidence of the future eminence to which he was to attain. These positions he held until 1879, when he resigned them to accept a similar place in Madison University, Wisconsin, where very great inducements and superior facilities were offered him. During his long directorship of the observatory here, although only 25 years of age at the time of his appointment, the list of discoveries and contributions made by him form a record of which any university might be proud.

Professor Watson was elected a member of the National Academy of Sciences in 1867; of the American Philosophical Society in 1877; of the Royal Academy of Sciences, Catania, Italy,

283

HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

in 1870. He was the discoverer of 23 asteroids, for which he received in 1870 the gold medal of the French Academy of Sciences. In 1875 he received from the Khedive of Egypt the decoration of Knight Commander of the Imperial Order of the Medjidich of Turkey and Egypt. He was appointed Judge of Awards in the Centennial Exposition. He received the degree of Ph. D. from the University of Leipsic in 1870, and from Yale College in 1871. In 1877, Columbia College conferred upon him the degree of LL. D.

Professor Watson was the discoverer of 23 asteroids and two comets,-April 29, 1856, and Jan. 9, 1864. On Oct. 20, 1857, he also discovered, independently, the planet afterward named Aglaia, and on Jan. 9, 1864, one afterward called Io; but it subsequently proved that these discoveries had been anticipated by a few days in Europe. He was placed by the Government of the United States, in charge of the expedition to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, to observe the total eclipse of the sun in 1869; was sent to Carlentina, Sicily, for a similar purpose in 1870, and to Peking in China, in charge of the expedition of 1874, to observe the transit of Venus. The notes of his observations on the latter expedition are very voluminous and valuable. They have not yet been published .. The last and most noted of Professor Watson's discoveries, was that made in July, 1878, in Wyoming, of the existence of one and probably two intra-Mercurial planets. Always a firm believer in Leverrier's theory of the existence of Vulcan, he had the satisfaction on this expedition of proving its positive existence, and of obtaining con- vincing proof to himself at least of the existence of still another intra-Mercurial planet of lesser magnitude.

Prof. Watson died at Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Nov. 23, 1880, while in the prime of life, when a future of great usefulness seemed open before him. Prof. C. K. Adams says of him: "In the death of Prof. Watson science has lost one of its greatest lights and the University of Michigan the most illustrious of its alumni. Wher- ever astronomy is a science the name of Watson has become famil- iar to every scholar. His fame has spread not only over America and Europe, but his services have been sought and his labors rewarded by nations on the opposite side of the globe, where science is but little known. It is no disparagement either to the living or the dead to say that in the peculiar sphere of his intellectual activ- ity he has probably had no superior in the history of this country. With all Professor Watson's genius he united the modesty of the most genuine scholarship. His name was much more frequently spoken in scientific circles than in popular society. During the last years of his life he even left the announcement of his discover- ies to the scientific journals and societies to which alone he contrib- uted. For many years he was a regular contributor of the most prominent scientific journals of Europe and America, and by these journals many of his discoveries were first announced."

284

HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

VOLNEY CHAPIN.

The name of Chapin can be found in the early history of Massa- chusetts. Deacon Samuel Chapin, the progenitor of all who bear the name in this country, removed with his family from Boston to Springfield in 1642. Oct. 10, 1652, he was appointed one of the magistrates of Springfield.

Gad Chapin, the grandfather of V. Chapin, served in the Colonial war against the French and Indians, and held a commission as Captain from King George III. He settled in Bennington, Vt., and in the Revolution served with the Vermont troops. In 1789, with his family, he emigrated to Otsego county, N. Y., and set- tled in the town of Burlington, about 12 miles from Cooperstown. Dan Chapin, the father of V. Chapin, was born in Bennington, Vt., June 16, 1768.

Volney Chapin (the subject of this sketch), son of Gad and Deb- orah (Wright) Chapin, was born in Burlington April 21, 1803. His early years were spent upon a farm, working in summer and going to school when he could; his opportunities for an education were very limited. When 17 years old he was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade, but not liking his master he ran away and went to Moravia, N. Y., where he became an apprentice in the furnace of Jethro Wood, the reputed inventor of the cast-iron plow. After learning the trade and working a few years as journeyman, his first business venture was at Ogdensburg, N. Y., where he carried on a furnace in partnership with George Ward, of Moravia. He contin- ued in business until the summer of 1831, when, with his wife and son (Charles A.), he removed to Rochester, N. Y., and established a furnace which he carried on until the spring of 1833. In June of that year, with his family, he emigrated to Michigan, and settled in Ann Arbor. Here he bought the furnace of Samuel A. Sperry, which had just gone into operation. He formed a co-partnership with Jonathan Hussey, Esq., of Moravia, N. Y., which continued about ten years, the firm being V. Chapin & Co.

All the coal and iron used up to 1839 was brought from Detroit by wagons, and such was the condition of the roads that it took from four to six days to make the round trip. The price of anthra- cite or hard coal at Detroit in those days was $24.00 per ton. From a small beginning the business grew to be large and successful. Their plows and mill machinery were sent into the adjoining States and they made the gearing and machinery for most of the mills in this State. From 1843 to 1846 Mr. Chapin was sole owner, em- ploying sixty men in the manufacture of plows, mill machinery, saw-mill engines and boilers, threshing-machines and separators, stoves, etc. In the summer of 1846 he sold one-half of his busi- ness to a man named Loomis. The firm name was Chapin & Loomis. A few years later Chas. Tripp was admitted and the firm was then known as Chapin, Tripp & Loomis. In 1859 he sold his share

285

HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

in the concern to Mr. Tripp. The property now belongs to Ailes & Gretten ..

In 1844, in connection with George Ward (his old partner at Ogdensburg), he built the " Spring Mills " now owned by Swathel, Kyer & Co. In 1846, with his brother-in-law, Col. Dan'l D. Sloan, he bought the water-power of Judge S. W. Dexter known as the " Yellow Mills," on which he built the " Dover Mills," now owned by Thos. Birket. In 1851 he bought one-half of the paper mill in the lower town of J. H. Lund; this interest he sold next year to his son Chas. A. In 1854 he came into the firm and helped build the Geddes paper mill. The firm then was Lund, Chapin & Co. The firm name was changed several times up to 1865, when it was known as Chapin & Co. The mill in the lower town was burned, that at Geddes sold and the business was discontinued.

Mr. Chapin was also largely interested with his son Volney and F. E. Jones. The firm was known as Jones, Chapin & Co. They carried on the stave and coopering business at Niles and Decatur, Mich., Michigan City, Ind., Chicago, Ill., and Davenport, Iowa. He retired from the firm a few years before he died. On the death of Volney, Jr., in 1872, the business was discontinued.

His business in salt and lumbering in the Saginaw Valley was very extensive. He dealt largely in pine lands, and at one time owned six thousand acres. Chapin township, in Saginaw county, is named after him. He built several saw and shingle-mills on his property. He was also connected with other manufacturing en- terprises.

To Mr. Chapin the present wealth and development of Washte- naw county is largely due. The pioneer farmers acknowledge their indebtedness to him for his generosity and assistance in the days of privations and hardships of pioneer life. Of kindly impulse, the comfort of others was second only to his efforts for their busi- ness advancement; his influence is yet manifest upon men now prosperous, who attribute their success to his timely advice and as- sistance. During his business career he was highly esteemed by all who knew him, and especially by his employes and those who had dealings with him. Advantage was never taken of necessity, and he was lenient in the extreme to his debtors, often to his own in- jury.

In October, 1829, Mr. Chapin was united in marriage at Roches- ter, N. Y., with Miss Chloe Sloan, daughter of James and Phoebe (Stratton) Sloan. She was born May 1, 1802, at Newport, Herki- mer Co., N. Y., and removed with her parents to Jefferson county, and settled near Evan's Mills. She received her education in schools at Moravia and Skaneateles, N. Y., and taught school sev- eral years. She was a woman of rare uprightness of heart and life. The members of her own family and her intimate friends knew how true and steadfast were her affections and how untiring her efforts for those she loved. She was a communicant of St. An- drews (Episcopal) Church about forty years: her husband was also

286

HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

a member, being one of the vestry for many years. They together did much to sustain the Church in its days of weakness and dis- couragement. Of four children two only are living, Charles A. Chapin, of Ann Arbor, and Mrs. S. S. Walker, of St. Johns, Mich. Another son, Volney, died in 1872, at the age of 38 years. Mr. Chapin died March 13, 1869, at the age of 66 years. Mrs. Chapin died January 15, 1876, in her 74th year.

In politics Mr. Chapin was originally a Whig, with strong Anti- Slavery sympathies. He cordially endorsed the principles of the Republican party. In 1839 and '40 he was Treasurer of the county, and was at one time President of the village.

When the First Nat. Bank was organized in 1863 he was its first President. In 1860-'64 he was Treasurer of the University of Michigan. He never solicited public office or neglected his busi- ness for any political preferment. He was a liberal contributor to Church and school interest. With all his business cares and rela- tions he found time for reading and improving his store of useful knowledge. He was a man of correct habits, his character and reputation being above reproach.

CHAPTER XII.

EDUCATIONAL.

Education was one of the first objects that the founders of our Republic had in view. An ordinance of Congress in 1785 seques- tered section 16 of each township in the "Western Territory for the support of public schools." Another ordinance of 1787, for the government of the Northwestern Territory, declared that "schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." An act in 1804, providing for the sale of public lands in the Indiana Terri- tory, comprising the present States of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, expressly reserved from sale section 16 in each township " for the support of schools." In 1805 the Territory of Michigan, comprising the lower peninsula, was organized, and in that act, all the rights secured by the previous acts and ordinances were confirmed. In 1828 Congress placed the school lands in the control of the Territorial Governor and Council. .

The ordinance of 1836, by which Michigan was admitted to the Union, stipulated that section 16 in each township should be given to the State "for the use of schools."

All these acts show the unwavering purpose of the "fathers" to provide for the education of the people. The State Constitution of 1835 declared that the proceeds of all land granted by Congress for the support of schools should "remain a perpetual fund for that object."

In all the acts and ordinances referring to the grant of section 16, it was for " schools," or "public schools." By common consent from the first, this is construed to mean common, or primary schools; and it is understood that no portion of the avails of that section can ever be used for any other purpose. In some States previously admitted to the Union, the 16th section had been granted to the several townships, and the natural result was that much of the avails were lost or squandered; but through the influence of Gen. Isaac E. Crary, in the case of Michigan, it was given to the State, whereby the avails became a common fund which has ever been carefully protected by the State. At an early day the policy was adopted, of loaning the funds to counties and individuals. Nothing was ever lost in the loan to counties. The practice of loaning to individuals was soon abandoned, and yet, of such loans, about $12,000 was lost. Mortgages were taken in each case, but for some reason they were never foreclosed, and stand to this day uncancelled on the records. One mortgage was foreclosed and bid in for the State, but the State never took possession. One of these mortgages

(287)

288

HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

was cancelled by a resolution of the Legislature in 1877. In 1847 the Legislature directed the Board of Auditors on land claims to collect or compromise these debts, but the only surviving member of that Board has no recollection of the subject ever being con- sidered by them.

Under the present constitution these funds are made a perma- nent loan to the State, and used in payment of the State debts, the State paying annual interest at seven per cent. The fund amounted Sept. 30, 1878, to $2,890,090.73. The school lands were originally estimated at 1,148,160 acres; but the Auditor General in 1874 re- ported the amount as 1,067,393 acres. Over 400,000 acres of this is in the upper peninsula.

The first Territorial school law was in 1827, when Gen. Cass was Governor. That enacted that the citizens of any township having fifty householders, should provide themselves with a " schoolmaster of good morals," to teach the children to read and write. Any township with 200 householders must have a schoolmaster who could teach Latin, French and English. Six years later, this law was repealed and another enacted, providing for three commissioners and 10 inspectors. This act also created an office of "Superinten- dent of Common Schools." There are no records showing that this office was ever filled.

Very little was actually done in the way of public schools previous to the State organization. The first State constitution provided for a Superintendent of Public Instruction. Under this law Rev. John D. Pierce, who at present resides at Ypsilanti, was appointed Superintendent in 1836, and was the first State Superintendent in the Union. Most of the States have since followed the example of Michigan in having a special head to their educational institutions.

In accordance with a vote of the Legislature, Mr. Pierce reported to that body in January, 1837, a code of school laws, which was adopted with but little change. That code consisted of 46 sections. The leading provisions were: The townships were to be divided into districts with appropriate powers. All male tax-payers, and no others, could vote in school meeting. Districts could vote a tax for buildings, not to exceed $500 in any one year, and what might be necessary for incidental expenses, not to exceed $90, for supporting the school, which must not be less than three months. Districts could vote $10 a year for a library, and those having a library shared in the proceeds from fines. No provision was made in the original law for a rate-bill, and all taxes voted by the district were assessed and collected by the assessor; but the supervisors were required to assess a tax equal to the amount of primary school fund apportioned to each district. The director hired the teacher, but must have the consent of the moderator or assessor. If the teacher's wages exceeded the funds, the Board could assess a tax to meet the defi- ciency, not to exceed the $90 above mentioned.

Previous to 1869, the law had not defined who had a right to attend school; and the Department of Public Instruction held that

289

HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

no person who was a proper subject for education could be excluded; but this was sometimes disputed. The board in a certain district refused to admit a colored child. The father sued the officers, and the case was carried by him to the Supreme Court. It was an ugly ques- tion, and under the large powers of district Boards, and the silence of the statute upon the subject, the decision would probably have been against the father. But the Legislature forestalled the neces- sity of a decision by enacting in 1869, that " All persons, residents of any school district, and five years of age, shall have an equal right to attend any school therein." In one city the attempt was made to establish a " colored school," and in 1871 the following was added to the law: " And no separate school or department shall be kept for any persons on account of race or color."

The powers of district Boards have been considerably enlarged, as also the minimum length of school. Instead of three months, dis- tricts with less than 30 children must now have three months, those with more than 30 must have five months, and those with over 800 must have nine months (and all as much more as the district may vote), under the penalty of forfeiture of the two-mill tax and pri- mary-school money ; and the power to decide the taxes necessary to carry on the school is taken from the district and given to the board. Districts may unite as they may be disposed, and have as many school-houses and sites as they please. All school taxes are assessed by the township supervisor, and collected like other taxes. The peculiar care of the State for the schools is shown in the fact that, out of all the taxes collected in the township, all school-taxes assessed -- without reference to the amount collected-shall be paid before any moneys can be paid for any other purpose, except for township expenses. It sometimes happens that these two objects absorb all the taxes collected in the township, leaving nothing for the county or State.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 27

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