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 34
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The question of authorizing a loan of $40.000 was submitted to the people at the spring election in 1877, and carried. Plans and specifications were then advertised for, and one furnished by G. W. Bunting, of Indianapolis, was adopted. The committee, ap- pointed by the Board of Supervisors for that purpose, then adver. tised for sealed proposals for building, and on the 28th day of June, 1877, met at the old court-house, in Ann Arbor, to consider the proposals. Ten contractors made bids ranging from $56,879 to $73,500. The committee adopted the bid of McCormick & Swea- ney, of Columbus, Indiana, on account of representations as to their responsibility and character as builders, though not the low- est by $21. The work was immediately commenced and rapidly pushed forward to completion.
LAYING THE CORNER-STONE.
The corner-stone was laid with imposing ceremonies at Ann Ar- bor, Thursday, Oct. 25, 1877. The day was very pleasant, and soon
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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
after seven o'clock people commenced to arrive, and continued so. till time for the procession to move. The city of Ann Arbor was decked out with streamers extending from roof to sidewalk, and the stars and stripes floated proudly over many of the buildings. About 11 o'clock a procession was formed, and the number swelled by several hundred of the University students, which, after march- ing through several of the principal streets, halted at the northeast corner of the court-house, where the stand from which the speak- ers delivered their addresses was located.
Judge E. Lawrence, President of the day, opened the exercises by stating the object of the meeting, and then called upon the Aun Arbor band for a piece of music, after which the Rev. Dr. Cocker delivered a most impressive prayer. *
President Lawrence then arose and said, that as he had been. connected with the new building, he would make a few remarks pertaining thereto. He said he had been connected with the old court-house for 41 years, and had come to Washtenaw county when it contained but five towns, and had been identified with it ever since; that he considered it, physically, as an old county, and second to none in the Northwest, for which he felt proud. IIe re- ferred to the many criticisms he had been subject to, as being the overseer of the work, and said that he used to think grumblers and fault-finders the meanest, most contemptible men on God Al- mighty's earth, but had become older and changed his mind, and considered that it was the searching criticisms of these men that caused the progress in civilization. They constantly found fault with everything, thus exposing the weak points when they are, from the pressure of such influences, constantly forced forward. He then alluded to the many trials he had been called upon to bear, and then said it was impossible to have made as solid a wall of stone as they did of brick, that where large bowlders were placed, the tend- ency would be to crack the wall placed upon them; that the foun- dations of the ancient buildings, which had stood for 5,000 years, were of . brick, and that this ought to be long enough to sat- isfy the most particular. In conclusion he said, that 40 years ago he had raised money by subscription to level the ground around the court-house, build a fence, and plant trees, but now was in favor of cutting them all down and having a smooth green with fountains at each corner of the building.
Col. Burleigh then read two letters, one from Governor Cross- well and one from Judge T. M. Cooley, regretting their inability to be present. He then read the contents of the box placed in the corner-stone, which is as follows:
The Ann Arbor Courier, Michigan Argus, Ann Arbor Register, Detroit Post and Tribune, the Detroit Free Press; Catalogue of Michigan University; Medical College announcement; Historical, sketch of Michigan University; The Chronicle, No. 1, 1877; Medi- cal and surgical announcement, 1877-'78; University Palladium, 1876; Catalogue of Museum of the University ; The Michigan
THE OLD COURT HOUSE
349
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
Almanac, 1877; Circuit Court calendar, fall term, 1877; Cata- logue of Michigan State Normal School; Proceedings of Board of Supervisors, 1876; Constitution, etc., of Ann Arbor Scientific Association; Catalogue of Ann Arbor public school; Proceedings of Michigan Publishers' Association; photographs of the old court- house; Programme of the day; large posters of the day; photo- graphs of the workmen on the court-house; charter, etc., of Ann Arbor city; Constitution, etc., of Ann Arbor Schuetzenbund; Con- stitution, etc., of Ann Arbor Arbeiter Verein; poetry on the old court-house, by Mrs. Pierce; copy of the report of the court-house building committee; blank bond for the city of Ann Arbor for court-house; Michigan State Gazetteer.
After some music, Chauncey Joslin, the orator of the day, arose, and said he had never, in a life of 64 years, delivered bnt one oration, and that was when he was 16 years old, on the subject of " Universal Education and Universal Taxation," and that the senti- ment it contained was so universally condemned, that he promised himself never to repeat it; that he had offered $5 to get out of the job, but his offer had been rejected. The many associations with which he was bound to the old court-house caused him to be sad instead of joyful upon this occasion. It was in the old court- house 40 years ago that he was legally born. He was admonished by the lapse of years that soon he would give place to younger men, which caused sober thoughts to pass through his mind. He con- trasted the politicians of the early day with those then, much to the discredit of the latter. Formerly a man was elected to office because of his fitness, and he would commit political suicide did he solicit votes. He thought the jury box one of the best schools in which man could be placed to teach him human nature, and give him a knowledge of the world. Ex-Governor Felch then laid the corner- stone and dedicated it to justice and posterity, amid the ringing of the bells of the city and playing of the band.
The stone is located in the northeast corner of the building, and is inscribed with these words: "Erected in 1877."
Speeches were then made by Prof. Wells, of the law department, D. Cramer and J. Webster Childs, which concluded the ceremonies of the day.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING.
The new court-house is a handsome structure, 80x127 feet in size, and in the main part about 54 feet in height. In the center of the building is a tower which rises from the basement to a height of 152 feet. On each corner of the building is a small tower, between each of which is a figure of justice. The walls are of pressed red brick, two and a half feet thick, and are trimmed with stone, while the basement walls are of stone. The walls that support the towers are three feet in thickness. The roof is of slate and the cornices of iron, as are also the stairs. The entire building is fire-proof, and erected and furnished at a cost of $83,000. A large clock was placed
21
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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
in the tower, at a cost of $1,000. This clock was the gift of Luther James, for which the Board of Supervisors passed a vote of thanks. The liberality of Mr. James on this occasion will long be remem- bered by the citizens of the county.
The Second Jail Building .- The first jail was a rude affair, and was soon displaced by the present edifice. This building is situated on North Main street, about four blocks from the court-house. It is a brick structure, two stories and a half high, the front part of which is used for a dwelling by the jailor, and the rear divided into apartments and cells for the prisoners. It was erected in 1837, by John L. and Robert Davison, at a cost of $17,000. When erected it was considered a handsome building, in which the citizens felt a just pride, but almost a half century has passed away and it be- gins to show signs of age.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
Washtenaw county was represented for the first time in the Third Legislative Council, the first session of which convened at Detroit May 5, 1828, with an adjourned session July 3. The second ses. sion was held Sept. 7, 1829. Henry Rumsey, of Ann Arbor, was the first Representative.
James Kingsley was elected in 1830 and served as a member of the Fourth Council in 1830 and 1831.
In 1831 the Territory was divided into legislative districts, Washtenaw county comprising the fourth, being represented in the Fifth Council by James Kingsley and George Renwick.
The Sixth Council had as Representatives from Washtenaw George Renwick and Abel Millington.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS.
The first Constitutional Convention held in this State was in 1835. It assembled at Detroit May 11, and adjourned June 24, after completing its labors. Washtenaw county was represented in this convention by Gilbert Shattuck, Abel Godard, William Moore, Robert Purdy, John Brewer, Alphens Collins, Michael P. Stubbs, Richard Brower, Rufus Crossman, Nathaniel Noble, Rus- sell Briggs, Orin How, Emanuel Case, Edward Mundy, Orrin White. It was this convention which formed the first Constitu- tion of the State. The delegates were elected April 4, 1835, in pursuance of an act of the Territorial Council passed Jan. 26, 1835. The Constitution was adopted by a vote of the people in October, 1835, there being 6,299 yeas and 1,359 nays. It remained in force as the fundamental law of the State until the Constitution of 1850 went into operation.
FIRST CONVENTION OF ASSENT.
An act of Congress was passed June 15, 1836, cutting off Toledo and vicinity from the limits of Michigan and giving that territory
351
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
to the State of Ohio. The admission of Michigan as one of the States of the Union was based upon her assent to this transfer. In pursuance of an act passed by the Legislature July 25, 1836, a Con- vention was called to take action in this matter. Election of dele- gates was held on the 12th of September, 1836, and met in Ann Arbor, Sept. 26, and adjourned Sept. 30, after refusing to con- sent to the transfer. Washtenaw county was represented in this this Convention by Seth Markham, Michael P. Stubbs, Marcus Lane, Ebenezer H. Conklin, George P. Jefferies, Elnathan Noble, George W. Glover.
SECOND CONVENTION OF ASSENT.
The general desire for admission to the Union by the people of Michigan, caused many to be dissatisfied with the result of the convention held in December; therefore another convention was called which convened at Ann Arbor, Dec. 14, 1836, and adjourned the next day. The Detroit Advertiser, Dec. 16, 1836, says of this convention: " This voluntary assemblage of men ' in their original capacity,' organized at Ann Arbor on the 14th instant. They adopted a resolution giving what they called the assent of the State to the requisition of the act of June 15, and appointed a brace of special messengers to carry their proceedings to Washington." The records of this convention are not to be found in the office of the Secretary of State, it not being regarded by the State officers as a legal body, although by its action, and by its acceptance of the Congressional terms, Michigan was admitted as a State of the Union, Jan. 26, 1837, being given the northern peninsula in lieu of the southern boundary line heretofore claimed by the Territory and State of Michigan. Washtenaw county was represented in this convention by Nelson H. Wing, Samuel Cham- pion, Jr., Nathaniel Noble, Lyman Downs, James Huston, Esek Pray, George W. Jewett, Solomon Sutherland, Samuel Denton, Samuel B. Bradley, Elisha Congdon, Stoddard W. Twitchell, Jesse Warner.
CONVENTION OF 1850.
This convention convened at Lansing June 3, 1850, and adjourned Aug. 15, after the formation of the present Constitution which was adopted, by a majority of 26,736. James Kingsley, Elias M. Skinner, Earls P. Gardiner, Daniel Hixson, Morgan O'Brien, Will- iam S. Carr and Benjamin W. Wait were representatives from this county.
CONVENTION OF 1867.
A convention was called and convened at Lansing May 15, 1867, to frame a new Constitution. This convention adjourned Aug. 22, after preparing a Constitution, which was submitted to a vote of the people and rejected by a vote of 71,733 yeas to 110,582 nays.
352
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
Thomas Ninde, Charles H. Richmond, Lyman D. Norris and Dan - iel Hixson represented Washtenaw county.
LEGISLATURE.
Washtenaw county, since the formation of the State, has been a part of various Senatorial and Representative Districts and at times been ably represented by men of acknowledged ability. In the limited space of this volume it is impossible to give more than the names of its Representatives, which follow:
First Legislature .- Senate: Edward Mundy, Lieutenant Gov- ernor; Silas Finch, William J. Moody, Henry Rumsey. House: John Brewer, Alanson Crossman, Orin Howe, R. E. Morse, Rufus Matthews.
Second Legislature .- Senate: Edward Mundy, Lieutenant Gov- ernor; George B. Cooper, William Moore, Henry Rumsey. House: Orin Howe, Oliver Kellogg, Thomas Lee, Gilbert Shattuck, James Kingsley.
Third Legislature .- Senate: Edward Mundy, Lieutenant Gov- ernor; George B. Cooper, James Kingsley, William Moore. House: Rufus B. Bement, Walter A. Buckbee, Samuel Doty, Esek Pray, Orange Risdon.
Fourth Legislature .- Senate: Edward Mundy, Lieutenant Gov- ernor; Townsend E. Gidley, Olney Hawkins. House: John Low- ry, Caleb N. Ormsby, Lewis Allen.
Fifth Legislature .- Senate: Townsend E. Gidley, Olney Haw- kins. House: William S. Carr, Edward L. Fuller, Musuris Ken- ny, Grove Spencer.
Sixth Legislature .- Senate: James M. Edmunds, Edward L. Fuller, Townsend E. Gidley. House: Jacob Cook, John Geddes, Eurotas Morton, Grove Spencer.
Seventh Legislature .- Senate: Edwin M. Cust, James Kingsley, House: Walter B. Hewitt, Thomas J. Rice, Orin White.
Eighth Legislature .- Senate: Henry Compton, Robert S. Wil- son. House: Orin Howe, William Moore, Thomas J. Rice.
Ninth Legislature .- Senate: Edwin M. Cust, Henry Compton. Robert S. Wilson. House: Henry Hall, Chauncey Joslyn, Micah Porter, Norton R. Ramsdell.
Tenth Legislature .- Senate: John Allen, Edwin M. Cust, Sam- uel Denton. House: Henry Compton, Fitch Hill, Asa Williams, Thomas Wood.
Eleventh Legislature .- Senate: John Allen, Charles P. Bush, Samuel Denton. House: P. C. II. Brotherson, Harvey Chubb. James M. Edmunds, Orin Parsons, Darius Pierce.
Twelfth Legislature .-- Senate: John Allen, Charles P. Bush, Samuel Denton, Henry B. Lathrop. House: Harvey Chubb, Eb- enezer C. Eaton, James M. Edmunds, Darius Pierce, George Ren- wick.
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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
Thirteenth Legislature .- Senate: John Allen, Samuel Denton, Nelson G. Isbell, Michael Shoemaker. House: William Burnett, Lyman Carver, James Kingsley, Edward Lawrence, Grove Spencer.
Fourteenth Legislature .- Senate: William Finley, Nelson G. Isbell, Michael Shoemaker, Dwight Webb. House: Amos Gillet, Salmon L. Haight, Benjamin W. Waite.
Fifteenth Legislature .- Senate: William Finley, Nelson G. Is- bell, Michael Shoemaker, Dwight Webb. House: Julius Movius, George Sedgwick, Grove Spencer.
Sixteenth Legislature .- Senate: Barnabas Case, George Dan- forth, Nelson G. Isbell, Michael Shoemaker. House: Jarvis E. Marvin, Aaron D. Truesdell, William Warner.
Seventeenth Legislature .- Senate: Henry Hall. House: Alex- ander Ewing, Salınon L. Haight, William E. Warner.
Eighteenth Legislature .- Senate: Charles Tripp. House: Don- ald McIntyre, Charles Shier, Ezra Whitmore, Jeremiah D. Wil- liams.
Nineteenth Legislature .- Senate: Sylvester Abel. House: Amos C. Blodgett, Oliver High, James McMahon.
Twentieth Legislature .- Senate: Elihu B. Pond. House: Jas. McMahon, Andrew Robison.
Twenty-first Legislature .- Senate: Nathan Webb. House: Sul- livan M. Cutcheon, Charles S. Gregory, Andrew J. Leetch.
Twenty-second Legislature .- Senate: John J. Robison. House: Hiram J. Beakes, Elisha Congdon.
Twenty-third Legislature .- Senate: James W. Childs. House: James Clements, Joshua Forbes, Elias Haire, Charles Shier.
Twenty-fourth Legislature .- Senate: James W. Childs. House: Jeremiah D. Corey, John S. Jenness, Thomas White.
Twenty-fifth Legislature .- Senate: Lyman D. Norris. House: Orman Clark, James Kingsley, Newton Sheldon, Charles Shier.
Twenty-sixth Legislature .- Senate: Emanuel Mann. House: Aaron Childs, James M. Congdon, Claudius B. Grant, Samuel Post.
Twenty-seventh Legislature .- Senate: James W. Childs. House: Peter Cook, Claudius B. Grant, Michael J. Noyes.
Twenty-eighth Legislature .-- Senate: Jeremiah D. Corey. House: Albert K. Clark, Ezra D. Lay, George Sutton.
Twenty-ninth Legislature .- Senate: John L. Burleigh. House: Edward P. Allen, Ezra B. Norris, Andrew J. Sawyer.
SUPREME COURT.
The first representative on the Supreme Bench from Washtenaw county, was William A. Fletcher, who served from 1836 to 1842, as Chief Justice.
George Miles was elected Associate Justice in 1846, and served four years.
Alpheus Felch was elected Associate Justice in 1842 and resigned in 1845.
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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
Edward Mundy, Associate Justice, was elected in 1848 and served until 1851.
Edwin Lawrence, Circuit Judge from May 1857 to January 1858. (Under the constitution of 1850 the Circuit Judges of the State comprised the Supreme Court.)
Thomas M. Cooley, Associate Justice from 1864 to 1868, and Chief Justice from 1868 to the present time. Term expires, 1885.
NATIONAL REPRESENTATION-CONGRESS.
Washtenaw county, on its organization was represented in the 20th Congress by Austin E. Wing; in the 21st, by John Biddle; 22d, by Austin E. Wing; 23d, by Lucius Lyon; 25th, by George W. Jones. The foregoing were Territorial Delegates.
On the admission of the State, and until 1843, Michigan had but one Representative in Congress; consequently Washtenaw was in the first district and represented by Isaac E. Crary, from 1835 to 1841, and by Jacob M. Howard from 1841 to 1843. Since the latter date the county has been represented by Robert McClelland, three terms; Alexander W. Buel, one term; Ebenezer J. Penni- man, one term; David Stuart, one term; Henry Waldron, five terms; Bradley F. Granger, one term; John W. Longyear, two terms; Austin Blair, three terms; Edwin Willits, three terms.
MINISTER TO CHINA.
James B. Angell, appointed in 1880, with power to make a new treaty with the Chinese Government.
COUNTY OFFICERS-PROBATE-JUDGE.
R. S. Wilson. .1837-41 | C. H. Van Cleve. . 1849-53 | H. J. Beakes ...... 1865-73
G. Sedgwick .. 1841-45 C. Joslin. 1853-57 N. W. Cheever .... 1873-77
S. P. Fuller .. 1845-47 B. F. Granger. ... .1857-61 Wm. D. Harriman.1877-
E. M. Skinner. 1847-49 T. Ninde. 1861-65
REGISTER OF DEEDS.
Edward Clark .... 1835-41 W. R. Martin ..... 1855-59 | C. H. Manley ..... 1871-73
George Corselius. . 1841-43
H. G. Sheldon .... 1859-61
E. G. Schaffer .. .1873-77 G. W. Gilbert. .1843-47 J. R. McLean. .. 1861-63
C. H. Manley. .1877-81 T. M. Ladd .. . .. 1847-51 H. G. Sheldon . . 1863-65
Lorenzo Davis .... 1851-53 P. Tuite. .1865-67
N. Mosher .. 1853-55 C. Spencer 1867-71
COUNTY CLERKS.
D. E. Lord. . 1827-31 | B. King. .1845-47 | E. B. Pond. . .. 1865-67 J. T. Allen. .1831-35 C. Swift. 1847-49 J. I. Thompson. . . 1867-69
N. H. Ramsdell. . . 1835-37 J. C. Mundy 1849-53
J. J. Robison .1869-73
W. N. Stevens. .. . 1873-75 J. E. Field. .. . .1837-39 James McMahon. . 1853-55
L. C. Goodale ..... 1839-43 R. J. Barry 1855-63
Peter Tuite. .1875-77 E. P. Gardner .. . 1843-45 | T. W. Root 1863-65 Everett B. Clark. . 1877
Erastus N. Gilbert. 1881-
355
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
COUNTY TREASURERS.
L. H. Whitmore. . 1827-29 ) O. W. Moore ... .1845-47 | J. W. Babbitt .. .1867-69
B. Farrand. . .1829-31 S. Abel. 1847-53 P. Blum .. .1869-71
David Page. .1831-39 R. Matthews. . . 1853-55
S. Fairchilds .. . . 1871-77
V. Chapin. . .. .. .1839-41 S. Grisson. . . 1855-63 Matthew Gensley . 1877-79
D. T. McCollum. . 1841-43 Horace Carpenter 18 3-65
S. Fairchilds.
.. 1879-81
N. H. Wing. 1843-45
P. Blum 1865-67 Jacob Knapp .. . . . . 1881 --
SURVEYORS.
Orange Risdon .1835-39 | S. Pettibone. 1847-49 | Smith Wilbur, . . . . 1875-79
R. Peterson. 1839-43 J. M. Chase .. .. .1849-61
John K. Yocum .. . 1879-81
J. Preston. 1843-45 C. S. Woodard .. .. 1861-69 C. S. Woodard. .. . 1881 --
R. Whipple. 1845-47 | G. S. Caswell ..... 1869-75
SHERIFF.
W. Anderson .. . 1835-39 | N. B. Nye. .1853-55
B. R. Porter. 1867-71
James Sanders. .. . 1839-43
J. C. M.ad. ..... 1855-59
M. Webb. 1871-73
P. Slingerland. .. . 1843-45 T. F. Leonard ... 1839-61
M. Fleming.
1873-77
G. Shattuck .... . . 1845-47 W. H. Pattison ... 1861-63
Josiah S. Case
.. 1877-81
E. W. Spaulding. . 1847-53
P. Winegar. .
1863-67
-
Edwin M. Wallace 1881 --
CIRCUIT COURT COMMISSIONERS.
C. H. Van Cleve ... 1853-55 | C. Holmes, jr. .1867-69 | J. W. Babbitt ..... 1875-77
H. J. Beakes. . . . . . 1855-57 J. W. Babbitt. 1869-71 ". K. Whitman. . . 1877-79
C. H. Van Cleve. . 1857-61 S. G. Taylor. 1869-71 Frank Emerick ... 1877-79
D. S. Twitchell. . . 1861-63 R. Beahan .. 1871-73 James McMahon. . 1879-81
T.LHumphreyville1863-65 J. W. Babbitt. 1871-73 Fred A. Hunt. .. . 1879-81
R. E. Frazier
.1865-67
J. F. Lawrence. .. 1873-75
H. Stephenson. .. . 1881 --
J. Carpenter. .. . 1865-67
C. H. Van Cleve. . 1873-75
Patrick McKernan.1881-
S. G. Taylor .1867-69 J. F. Lawrence ... . 1875-77
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
J. M. Walker 1853-55 A. C. Blodgett .1865-67 | R. E. Frazier .1875-77
A. D. Crane ... 1855-59 R. E. Frazier 1867-71 J. W. Babbitt ..... 1877-79
S. Abel. 1859-61 E. F. Uhl. 1871-73 Frank Emerick ... 1879-81
A. D. Crane 1861-65 E. P. Allen. 1873-75
C. R. Whitman. .. 1881-
CORONERS.
John Allen. D. Tyler
N. B. Nye.
S. D. McDowell
C. Chipman.
J. P. Jewett.
S. Lapham.
J. Crissey. John Kapp 1875-77 Calvin F. Ashley. . 1875-77
S. Botsford.
E. Root.
P. C. Murray
A. Brown ..
M Clark ..
C. S. Goodrich
Martin Clark .... . 1877-79 P. C. Murray.
R. Edmonds ..
L. H. Reynolds
C. S. Goodrich
G. P. Rhodes.
G. P. Jeffries
J. G Leland.
S. G. Sutherland.
G. Shattuck
Conrad George. 1881
S. G. Sutherland.
J. Peebles.
J. Rick . .
T. Tate ...
L. L. Forsyth.
P. C. Murray.
C. S. Goodrich.
L. Foster
W. F. Breaky.
T. W. Hunt
O. White.
W. Dexter.
C. B. Cook.
J. Hatch.
Lewis C. Risdon. . 1877-79 F. K. Owen. .1879-81 W. G. Terry. . .. 1879-81
Martin Clark .. . . 1881- - B Spencer. W. H. Roth
356
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.
J. D. Pierce.
! George S. Wheeler.
COUNTY DRAIN COMMISSIONERS.
J. J. Parshall. | D. M. Finley.
COUNTY JUDGES.
Samuel W. Dexter .¡ O. W. Whitmore. ¡ A. Case
ASSOCIATE JUSTICES.
H. Compton
B. Prudy
H. Aulls.
W. R. Perry
O. Kellogg ..
C. Clark.
C. W. Lane
THE GERMAN ELEMENT.
The following is from the pen of Hon. Emanuel Mann, whose father was one of the first German settlers in the county:
" It was in the autumn of 1829 that Frederick Schilling, of Weins- berg, and Jonathan Henry Mann, of Stuttgart, in the kingdom of Würtemberg, in South Germany, crossed Lake Erie together in search of a new home in the Territory of Michigan. Schilling was accompanied by his family, consisting of wife, son and daughter. (Both son and daughter are still living at Sebewaing, Huron county.) J. H. Mann left his family at Reading, Pennsylvania, with a view to move in the following spring in case he found a desirable loca- tion in Michigan. They were advised by Daniel F. Allmendinger, also a native of Würtemberg, living near Dansville, New York, who had visited Michigan a short time before, to go to Washtenaw county, where said Allmendinger had already purchased Government land in the township of Lodi.
" As there was some good Government land in the o wnship of Scio, Frederick Schilling purchased 80 acres on sectiotn -- in said township. J. H. Mann, a tanner by trade, concluded to settle in the village of Ann Arbor, and to move his family the following spring.
"On his return to Pennsylvania, he wrote a letter to his brother- in-law, Emanuel Josenhans, in Stuttgart, giving a very favorable account of what he saw of the new Territory and the route by which it could be reached by immigrants from Germany, from New York via Erie Canal and Lake Erie. Mr. Josenhans circulated the letter amongst the peasantry in the neighborhood of Stuttgart. The con- sequence was that numerous immigration was started for Michigan by a class of small farmers and mechanics who had very limited means.
"J. Henry Mann with his family arrived at Ann Arbor in the first days of June, 1830, where he purchased a tannery of Harvey Austin. Said tannery was situated at or near where the present depot of the Toledo & Ann Arbor railroad is situated. During the
357
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
following summer and fall the families of Jacob Paul, Jacob Stoll- steimer, Carl Horming, Jacob Gross, Christian Auch and Daniel F. Allmendinger settled in Scio. George Mayle, a shoemaker, and Emanuel G. Wildt settled in Ann Arbor. In the winter of 1830 to 1831, Professor Gottlob Nordmann from Berlin, Prussia, arrived with his family. Mr. Nordmann, was Professor of Mathematics in a military academy and lost his place on account of his liberal polit- ical views. Mr. Nordmann moved in the spring of 1831 to Lima and became a farmer.
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