History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 79

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 79

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

lowing spring, desiring to pursue a course of theological study at Oberlin, with her husband, was granted class privileges, though ladies were not admitted to membership in the theological department. At the end of three years, 1850, this course completed, she took the second degree, A. M., and the same fall accompa- nied her husband to Portsmouth, N. H. Nothing of interest occurred here out- side the routine of a pastor's wife. In 1853, her husband having accepted a professorship, in Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, she accompanied him thither. The next year, at the opening of the fall term, she obtained an appoint- ment to teach Latin and some other branches in the preparatory department, which position she held one year. On the 24th day of May, 1856, she took pas- sage for Europe, and joined her husband, who had then been a year on the con- tinent. Meeting at Dover, England, they crossed the channel to Ostend, and traveling through Bruges. Ghent, Brussels (spending one day on the field of Waterloo ), Maline, Aix la Chapelle and Cologne, arrived at Berlin on the 20th, where she spent the summer, studying the German language, visiting museums and making excursions to some other places. The month of September was spent in journeying from Berlin to Geneva, Switzerland, visiting Dresden, Erfurt, Frank- fort-on-the-Main, passing down the Rhine to Bonn and returning to Mannheim, thence to Heidelberg, Baden Baden, Strasbourg, Basel, Schaffhausen, Constance, Zurich, the Rigi, Lucerne, crossing the Alps by the Brunig Pass to Berne, thence to Geneva.

From Oct. 4, 1856, until Aug. 25, 1858, Mrs. Holmes resided at Geneva, pur- suing French and oil painting, and making excursions to neighboring places of interest,-Chamoun i, Mt. Blanc, St. Bernard and Lyons, and spending two weeks in Paris. On the date above mentioned she left Geneva and stopping at intervening cities for sight-seeing, reached Dusseldorf on the Rhine, on the 30th purposing to spend some time there under the instructions of Herr Leutze, or some other distinguished master of painting. Not finding opportunities as advan- tageous as she expected, she immediately retraced her steps as far as Bonn and placed herself under the tuition of Herr Joseph Leiendecker. Nine months and a half were spent in this old university city, in intense application to painting and German, under circumstances most favorable and advantageous. In June, 1859, Mrs. Holmes left Bonn, " did the Rhine " the fourth time, and made her way to Stuttgart, via Maintz, Frankfort-on-the-Main, Heidelberg and Bruchsal. Three months were spent there pursuing German and visiting neighboring vil- lages, chief among which was Marbach, the early home of Schiller. From Stutt- gart she proceeded via Ulm to Munich.

In this magnificent capital of Bavaria, surrounded by wonders of art, and enjoy- ing facilities for the study of art afforded by few European cities, about 11 months were spent in close application. The principal excursions made from Munich were one to the quaint, old city of Nuremberg, including Ratisbon and the Walhalla, and one to the Tyrol, going by the way of Oberammergau to wit- ness the Passion Play in 1860.

Bidding a reluctant farewell to Munich on the 4th of September, 1860, she has- tened to Paris, simply calling at Augsburg. Eslingen, Stuttgart and Strasbourg, each a few hours, on the way, and reaching Paris on the 7th. Two months were spent in Paris, at this time, in viewing the city and its suburbs. In November she went again to Geneva, where she remained until the following July, when she set out to visit Rome and Naples before returning to America. Crossing the Simplon, she proceeded as far as Milan, but deeming it imprudent to go farther, on account of the overpowering heat of the season, she returned cia Turin and Mt. Cenis to Geneva. Painting and French occupied her here until October, when she turned her thoughts and footsteps once more toward her native land. Stopping at Paris about two months more, on the 11th of December she sailed from Havre in the Steamship Arago. The Arago reached New York on the even- ing of December 26. Mrs. Holmes took steamboat the next afternoon for Fall River, Mass., where she joined her husband the following morning, Dec. 28, 1861. After three years and a half of quiet and rest, spent in Fall River, she accepted a chair in Union Christian College, Merom, Ind., and in September, 1865, entered upon her duties. Here she distinguished herself as Professor of Latin, French and German for nine successive years. Toward the close of 1875, she returned once more to the home of her childhood, and has since resided in Washtenaw county-since 1877 in Chelsea.

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SYLVAN TOWNSHIP.

Rev. Thomas Holmes, D. D., pastor of the Congregational Church, Chelsea, was the oldest of 12 children of Burroughs and Polly (Denison) Holmes, and was born at Royalton, Niagara county, N. Y., November 24, 1817. He had only moderate opportunities for education in his youth, attending only winter schools after he was 12 years of age. At the age of 16 he mastered Day's Algebra in three months, and the next winter, 1834-'5, attended a select school at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., and studied Gibson's Surveying.

The following winter he taught school in the town of Malta, Saratoga county, N. Y. This was the first of 14 successive winters, spent in teaching com- mon, ungraded schools, one winter in New York, six in Michigan (five of which were in Washtenaw county, and four of these in Ann Arbor), and seven in Ohio. During the summer of 1836, he was one of a corps of civil engineers employed in running a railroad line from Saratoga Springs to Whitehall, and in November of the same year emigrated to Michigan.

The date of the first farewell to mother and home is not definitely remembered ; but, traveling by rail as far as Utica, N. Y., the western terminus of railroad travel at that time, by canal from that point to Buffalo, and by the old Steamer Monroe up Lake Erie, he landed in Detroit on Sunday morning, Nov. 20, 1836. The roads at that time were in a condition so nearly impassable that the 24th, the 19th anniversary of his birth, was spent at Ten Eyck's, 10 miles from Detroit, and on the 25th a very successful journey brought him through Plymouth Corners and Northville, and about one mile farther to the cabin of his Uncle Rosekrans Holmes, where he was received with a hearty welcome.

. During the winter he taught a school about a mile south of his uncle's, and, in March, made his way to Ann Arbor, preparatory to the commencement of labor on his father's farm in Pittsfield, as soon as the opening spring would permit.

After about four years, a small part of which was spent on the farm in Pittsfield, and the major portion teaching in Ann Arbor, in July, 1841, Mr. Holmes went to Oberlin, Ohio, for the purpose of taking a course of classical and theological study. Nine years were spent in this laudable undertaking; two in the prepara- tory department, four in college, and three in the study of theology. The degree A. B. was received in 1847, that of A. M. in 1850.

On the 14th of October, shortly after graduating from college, Mr. Holmes was married to Miss Lettice Smith, oldest daughter of Asa L. Smith, of Ann Arbor. Miss Smith had also just received the degree A. B., having been his class-mate in college.

In 1853 Mr. Holmes was chosen Professor of Greek in Antioch College, Ohio. From April, 1855, until August, 1857, he spent studying and traveling in Europe. A portion of this time he attended lectures in the universities at Bonn and Berlin.

The principal places and countries visited were London, Paris, Brussels, the Rhine, from Cologne to Mannheim, Berlin, Hamburgh, Dresden, Switzerland, Italy, from Milan and Venice in the North to Naples and Pompeii in the South. As President of Union Christian College, Merom, Sullivan county, Indiana, he served from 1865 to 1875.

Mr. Holmes' first attempts at preaching were made in the winter of 1843-'4 while he was teaching in Ontario, Richland Co., Ohio. He received license from a Christian Church in Sheffield, Lorain Co., Ohio, on June 1; was admitted into the Huron Christian Conference in October, and was ordained November 3 of the same year. From this time until his health failed, in 1875, no opportunity to hold forth the word of life was ever refused by him, though for many years he re- ceived but little for it by way of pecuniary remuneration. During the six years, that remained of his student life at Oberlin, the record stands : 1845, preached 63 times; 1846, 54 times; 1847, 27 times ; 1848, 48 times; 1849, 117 times; 1850, pre- vious to graduation, Aug. 28, 141 times ; subsequently 34 times; total, 175 times. January 1, 1851, he accepted a call from the Pleasant Street Christian Church, Portsmouth, N. H. (having served them as supply about two months), to become their pastor. This relation continued until September, 1853, when he, with great reluctance, resigned this charge to accept the Greek professorship in Antioch College, Ohio. On returning from Europe, August, 1857, Mr. Holmes found his old Church at Portsmouth without a pastor, and, declining to resume his posi- tion in Antioch College on account of changes that had taken place in its man- agement, he accepted the unanimous call of the Church, and entered upon his duties as their pastor, October 4. Here he remained until the last Sabbath of

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

September, 1859, just two years, when, on account of failing health, caused by the absence of his wife in Europe, he resigned his pastoral charge and entered the field as an evangelist. Within the next 181 days he preached 207 times, and saw many souls converted to Christ. In April, 1860, he entered into an arrange- ment with four Churches in the State of New York, where he had labored as an evangelist, viz .: at Warnerville, Barnerville, Quaker Street, Schoharie Co., and Wright, Albany Co., to preach in each place on each alternate Sunday. The ex- treme distance between these churches was 20 miles, with two churches at cach extreme sufficiently near together to be reached on the same day. With these Churches Mr. Holmes labored, performing most of his travels on foot, and preach- ing in school-houses and churches outside of these limits on week day evenings, until the last of November, 1861. Anticipating the return of his wife from Eu- rope in a few weeks, which would remove the necessity of a nomadic life to drive away the blues, he then accepted an invitation from the Franklin Street Christian Church, Fall River, Mass., to visit them, with a view to a settlement with them, and commenced his labors amongst them on the first Sabbath of De- cember. The trial resulted in a settlement as pastor; his wife reached home on the 28th of the same month, and he soon found himself pleasantly situated, a happy and contented man once more. In June, 1865, being chosen President of Union Christian College, this charge was resigned, and, in August, Mr. Holmes moved to Indiana. Within the 10 years of his labors at Merom, the seat of the college, he served the Church as pastor and did a great deal of preaching besides through Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and New York.

In 1875, with nervous energies thoroughly prostrated by excessive and continu- ous labor, care and anxiety, he resigned this situation, retired from all active and responsible service, found a home with his youngest brother on a farm in Pitts- field near Ann Arbor, and gave himself to quiet, ease, pure air and sunshine, com- mitting the question of life or death entirely to the will of Providence. Under these favorable circumstances, it soon became apparent that his vital forces were still capable of recuperation; and, in April, 1877, he yielded to an earnest and pressing request of the Congregational Church in Chelsea to supply their pulpit half of the time for a few months. Remarkably, as it seemed to him, the improve- ment of his health, scarcely perceptible before, became decided and rapid from the commencement of these occasional labors. In July following, the Church gave him a formal call to settle with them, and, on the first of September, 1877, his services as pastor commenced. Since that time Mr. Holmes' relations with his people have been very cordial and happy, and the Church has prospered under his labors. His health, also, has greatly improved, and, to all appearances, he possesses vital force and physical soundness sufficient for another decade of active. efficient, and successful labor. A portrait of Dr. Holmes appears in this voulme.

Milo Hunter, proprietor meat market, Chelsea, was born at Sharon, Litchfield Co., Connecticut; is the youngest son of Nathaniel and Rhoda (Peck) Hunter parents of 9 children- Joel, Harriet, Sybil, Sarah, Rhoda, Eliza, Olive, Waite P. and Milo Six of these children are married, and residents of Michigan. When Milo was seven years old his parents removed to Sharon tp., this county, taking up 80 acres of Government land, where Milo resided until he was 34 years of age; he then removed to Chelsea, and engaged in the meat business in 1363, which he has followed since, with the exception of five or six years spent in the grocery trade. In 1858 he married Sarah L. Smith, of Sharon tp. They hive 4 children -Lena, Clara S., Arthur M. and Hattie A., all residing with their parents. Mr. Hunter is a member of the M. E. Church, of Chelsea, in which body he officiates as Trustee.

Hon. Samuel G. Ives, of Chelsea, was born at Lansing, Tompkins county, N. Y, Dec. 21, 1812. From early childhood he was taucht to depend upon his own ex ertions, which fact accounts for the success that has followed all of his under takings through his long and eventful career. When of age he was in possession of only the rudiments of an education, and his entire fortune consisted of a " run- ning horse," valued at $100. In the fall of 1834, he exchanged this horse for 80 acres of land, in what is now called Unadilla tp., Livingston Co., Mich. This land was owned by S. W. Holmes, now a resident of Scio tp. On March 17, 1835, with high hopes and youthful ambition, on foot ard alone, Mr. Ives started for his future home, which he finally reached after days of danger and privation. The site was selected for a building, and a log house, 16x20 feet square, was soon

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SYLVAN TOWNSHIP.

" rolled up," arrangements for clearing four acres of ground and planting it in wheat were made, and Mr. Ives returned to the land of his birth. On Aug. 30, 1835, he married Maria Louisa, daughter of Hon. Josiah Hedden, of Lansing, N Y., and Oct. 6 following, they badeadieu to the scenes of early childhood, with all their hallowed influences, for the home in the "far West." In their new home they were to see the tall unbroken forests swept away, and in their stead the waving fields of golden grain; to see the winding trail of the dusky savage transformed into a broad highway of thrifty commerce; to see the ever moving waters of the beautiful streams, which for ages had borne the rude canoe of the lone Indian, turning the wheels of industry, and aiding in the development of the country and its resources; here for nearly 40 years they toiled together, in sunlight and in shadow, and under the smiles of a kind Providence, whose over- ruling power was ever recognized, they were abundantly blessed in basket and in store. Eight children were the fruits of their wedded life, 7 of whom grew to maturity ; 5 are still living. All are married, in pleasant circumstances, following honorable pursuits, and located within a circuit of a few hours' ride. The com- panion of his youth, the mother of his children, who was the sharer of his joys and sorrows, a helpmeet in truth, departed this life, Oct. 4, 1871, and now sleeps untroubled by the evils and afflictions of this life, in Williamsville cemetery, in Livingston county, Michigan. Hospitable and liberal, Mr. Ives' home was for many years the home of the itinerant minister of the gospel, and Collins, Smith, Pilcher, Bigelow and scores of others found here a hearty welcome and a happy fireside. Nearly a dozen churches, within a radius of as many miles from his old home, have received from him, in the course of their erection, substantial aid and encouragement. To him is due, perhaps, more than to any other, the credit for the erection of the M. E. church at Williamsville, in 1853. For nearly 30 years Mr. Ives has been a prominent member of that denomination, and the mold- ing influence of his life, in favor of morality, temperance and religion will live and be felt long after he has been laid at rest beside his beloved wife.

Mr. Ives has been called to fill many positions of public trust, and in 1844-'5, was elected Justice of the Peace. He was elected in 1854 to represent Livingston county in the Michigan Legislature, and re-elected in 1856, also serving an extra session. He was the first Republican ever elected to that office from Livingston county. Though not a public speaker, yet by his earnest, forcible manner of argument he became an effective and distinguished Legislator, enjoying the full confidence of his political opponents. In 1874 he was unanimously nominated State Senator for his district, but owing to a complication of circumstances, peremptorily declined the proffered honor. He was a Presidential elector in 1872,t and in 1874 appointed by Gov. Bagley, a Commissioner for the Insane Asylum a Pontiac, and proved a very efficient member of the board during the erection of the building. He still retains the position. In 1875 he was appointed a Trustee of the latter named institution. In all his political aspirations Mr. Ives never once suffered defeat. At the outbreak of the late war he was instrumental in raising troops, and forwarding supplies to the brave boys in the field. In 1876, Mr. Ives turned over his farm to his son, Frank E., and removed to Chelsea. He has been President of the village Trustees, and at present is President of the Chelsea Bank. Although having lived nearly three score and ten years, Mr. Ives still retains the full mental and physical vigor of his middle life, and bids fair to live yet many years to enjoy the mercies a bountiful Providence has so liberally bestowed on him. His present wife, Mrs. Mary A. (Duncan) Ives, is a lady of refinement and culture, and highly respected in the social circles of this county.

Christopher Kaiser, farmer, sec. 7, Sylvan tp .; P. O., Francisco; was born in Germany, Dec. 4, 1820. His parents, Urban and Mary (Free) Kaiser, were na- tives of Germany, but emigrated westward in 1830, first settling at Detroit, but in 1840 coming to this county, and settling on sec. 7, where the subject of this sketch has since lived. Mr. K. was sent to school in the "mother country," and after settling in this county he attended the public school for some time. He was married in 1845 to Margaret Keeder, daughter of John Keeder, an old pioneer of this county. To this union have been born 8 children-Charles, Christopher, Edward, Herman, George, Christena, Charlotte and Sarah. Mr. Kaiser and wife are members of the M. E. Church. Politically, he is a Republican. He is the owner of 120 acres of richly improved land.

John Adam Kalmbach, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 17, Sylvan tp., was born in Germany in 1827. He is the son of John Adam and - Kalmbach. He was married in 1854, and is the father of 7 children, 4 boys and 3 girls. Mr. K. is

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

a brick mason by trade, but of late years has turned his attention to farming. He came to this country a poor man and settled in sec. 17, but by industry and thrift has acquired quite a competency, being the possessor of 310 acres of well- improved land. Mr. Kalmbaugh and wife are members of the M. E. Church. He is a Republican,

Hon. Charles H. Kempf, of the firm of Kempf Bros., C. H. Kempf & Son, etc .; was born in Berks Co., Pa., in 1829, and is of German descent. He arrived in Washtenaw Co. many years ago, and first embarked in business in Ann Arbor. He soon after removed to Chelsea, where he engaged with his brother in the hard- ware and lumber trade. He was one of the early Presidents of the village of Chel- sea, and a Trustee for two or three terms. In 1876, he was made a Presidential Elector, and cast his vote for Rutherford B. Hayes. Mr. Kempf is a member of the Masonic order, and a well-known and successful business man of Southern Michigan. He was married in 1854 to Mary E. Freer, a native of Lima tp.

Reuben Kempf, of the firm of R. Kempf & Bro., bankers and lumber merchants, Chelsea, was born in Berks Co., Pa., and came to Michigan in 1854 and learned the tinner's trade at Ann Arbor, where he opened a shop in 1859. He removed to Chelsea the same year, where he has since been engaged in business. In 1876 their present business was established, and they at present are doing a large and increasing trade. Mr. Kempf has been honored by his fellow citizens, by being elected President of the village, and Trustee for several successive terms. He served 12 years on the Chelsea School Board. Mr. Kempf is a self-made man, and an individual of great business sagacity and energy. He is one of the wealth- iest men in Chelsea, and has made his entire fortune within a few years.

Rudolph Krause, farmer, sec. 18, Sylvan tp., P. O, Francisco; was born in Ger- many, April 20, 1836. His parents were Detrich and Ann Maria Krause, but the latter died when Mr. K. was quite young, and he has had to battle with the world alone, never realizing the warmth and tenderness of a mother's love. He was seized with a desire to come to America, and accordingly made preparations. He came to this country, and in 1854 to this county, where he has resided since. He was married in 1863 to Milliam Mana. They have 7 children, 5 boys and 2 girls. Mr. K. and wife are faithful members of the M. E. Church, in which body the for- mer has been Class-leader for 22 years, Steward 10 years, while he officiated as S. S. Superintendent for 17 years. He is a Republican, and has always been noted in the community for his honesty and integrity. He owns a fine farm of 130 acres, with a good substantial dwelling thereon.

Jeremiah Krum, farmer; P. O., Sylvan village; was born in New York in 1799. He is the son of John and Catherine (Sowerman) Krum, both of German descent. Mr. K. was married in 1822 to Cynthia Becker. Four children are the result of this marriage, 1 deceased and 3 living in New York, married and doing well. This wife died in 1854. Soon after he came to Washtenaw county, and was married to Mrs. Lorana Becker, an old pioneer of this county, coming here in 1834, and the daughter of Elias Burchard. She was married in 1831 to Nathan Becker, and to whom were born 5 children. Mr. Krum is a Republican, and has held several minor offices since coming to the State.

Thomas L. Leach, manufacturer of boots and shoes, Chelsea, was born in Suffolk- shire, England, in 1819. His father was Stephen Leach, a brick mason and plasterer. When he was 13 years of age he was apprenticed to a fshoemaker, and worked at that trade until he was of age. He then came to America, first locating at Toronto, Canada, and subsequently at Buffalo, N. Y., where he followed his trade for some years. While a resident of this latter place his wife died suddenly of cholera, and his 4 children followed their mother to the dark valley within 24 hours time. The bereaved and heart-broken husband came to Chelsea, Mich., in 1853, where he had property, and was employed at his trade. In 1862 he bought 20 acres of land north of Chelsea, and by subsequent additions, increased the acre- age to 86. Mr. Leach again married, and 9 children have been born to him- Thomas, Rebecca, Dennis, Walter, Alvin, Maggie, Springfield W., George B. and Robert. Willie is deceased. His son Dennis resides on the farm. Mr. Leach is an Episcopalian and a Democrat.

Michael J. Lehman, Justice of the Peace, Chelsea, son of Michael and Mary E. (Haselschwerdt) Lehman, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, Sept. 3, 1850. His parents emigrated to America in 1853, and came directly to Michigan, locating in Freedom, and subsequently in Sylvan tp. Mr. Lehman graduated from the Grass Lake Union School in 1874, and from the law department of the University of

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SYLVAN TOWNSHIP.

Michigan in 1879. He was engaged in business with William E. Depew for one year, and in 1880 was elected to his present position. He is a fine man and well deserves the success which has crowned his earnest efforts.

John M. Letts, farmer, residing near Chelsea, was born at Salem, Wayne Co., N. Y., in 1808, and son of John and Mary (Woodruff) Letts. His father was a farmer, and Mr. Letts remained on the farm until his 15th year. He was then employed as a driver on the Erie canal, and subsequently became a steersman. He was en- gaged in that business for 13 years, and when he quit, had $500 in cash, with which he came to Michigan in 1836, locating land in Sharon tp., near the Sylvan line. The land comprised 101 acres, somewhat improved, with a log house erected on it, and 10 acres of wheat sown. He traded this property for a quarter section in Jackson Co., on which he lived six years. For several years he has owned a fine farm of 115 acres near Chelsea, part of it in the corporate limits, and valued at $100 per acre. In 1828 he married Sarah McComb, who made him a faithful wife for over 51 years. She died Jan. 21, 1880. He was again married June 21, 1880, to Elizabeth Chase, who died on Nov. 4 of the same year. Mr. Letts has been the father of 7 children-Harriet, wife of John W. Green, of California; Charles E., a merchant and dock owner of Detroit; Mary, wife of H. M. Dean, a Detroit merchant, and Sarah C., wife of Wesley Canfield, a farmer of Sylvan tp. Irene, who was the wife of Samuel S. Green, died in 1850, and Clarkson and Edwin are also deceased. Mr. Letts is a member of the M. E. Church, of Chelsea, and also connected with the I. O. O.F.

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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 79

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