History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 90

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 90

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).

Dr. William Taylor, physician and surgeon, Dexter, was born in Dublin, Ire- iand, Dec. 19, 1821, and first visited America in 1850, while officiating as Surgeon on board a steamship. He was six years at sea in this capacity, under the Amer-

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

ican flag, and in 1858 came to Washtenaw county, locating in Dexter village. He commenced the study of medicine at the youthful age of 15, and passed ex- amination at Apothecary Hall of Ireland College for surgeon, in 1841, and received a diploma signed by the celebrated Sir Astley Cooper. The Dr. practiced medi- cine in England under an old and experienced surgeon, and when he settled in Washtenaw county, he was fully able to attend to the most delicate and intricate surgical operations. On June 29, 1863, he married Mary A. Dancer, who was born in England in 1835. They have 1 child-William. Dr. Taylor enjoys at present a large and remunerative practice.

Albert Trempre, farmer, sec. 22, Scio tp., was born in Washtenaw county in 1835, and is a son of Jacob and Maria (Roosa) Trempre, of German descent. Albert was reared and educated in this county, and in 1861 married Miss L. Andrews. They have 4 children-Ada Bella, Lucy Amelia, Katie and Hattie. Mr. and Mrs. Trempre are charter members of Scio Grange. He is the owner of 86 acres of tillable land.

Samuel O Tubbs, farmer, sec. 12, Scio tp., was born in Ontario county, N. Y., in 1834. His parents were George and Sophronia (Walters) Tubbs, early settlers in Washtenaw county. Samuel was the recipient of a fair education, and in 1867 was married to Frances Eliza Randall, and 3 children have been given to them. Mr. Tubbs is a prominent farmer, and owns 217 acres of valuable land. Mrs. Tubbs is a consistent member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Tubbs was but three months old when his parents brought him to Washtenaw county.

William W. Tubbs, farmer, was born in Orleans county, N. Y., Dec. 2, 1829. His parents were George and Rebecca (Walters) Tubbs, of English descent, the for- mer a native of Vermont, and the latter a native of Connecticut. They came to this county in 1832, and settled on sec. 12, Scio tp., where the former died in 1854, the latter following him one year later. Mr. Tubbs was reared and educated in Washtenaw county, and wisely chose the vocation of a farmer, in which business he has been very successful. He owns 150 acres of well-improved land, also mak- ing a specialty of raising hogs. On Nov. 28, 1860, he married Lucy Ann Barnes. Her parents were pioneers of the county, and her father taught school in Ann Arbor, at a very early date. Mr. and Mrs. Tubbs are members of the Congrega- tional Church, situated in Webster tp. Mr. Tubbs has been elected as Superin- tendent, Secretary and Treasurer of the Sunday-school, numerous times. In politics he believes in the principles adopted by the Republican party.

Patrick Tuomy was born in Ireland in 1830. His parents, Timothy W. and Joanna (Roach) Tuomy, emigrated to America, and settled on sec. 22, Scio tp., Washtenaw county, in 1835, where the former died in 1864, in his 79th year, and the latter in 1879, aged 80 years. Patrick was reared in this county, and received his education in the select schools of Ann Arbor. In 1871 he married Elizabeth Clark, and 4 children have been sent to bless this alliance-Francis Clark, Cornelius, Timothy Justin and Eugene Hilton. Mr. and Mrs. Tuomy are consistent mem- bers of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Tuomy and his brother own 268 acres of valuable land.

William R. Tuomy, farmer, sec. 21, Scio tp .; P. O., Dexter; was the oldest of a family of 8 children, and born in Ireland, in April, 1819. He is the son of Timo- thy W. and Joanna (Roach) Tuomy. He came to Washtenaw county in 1835, and settled on the same sec., where he now resides. He is the owner of a choice farm of 180 acres, well improved, and has a brick house erected on it, costing over $2,000. Mr. T. was married in 1855 to Levina Smith. They have 7 children, all living. They are-William Henry, John C., James S., Mary B., Nellie, Charles D. and Mattie. Mr. Tuomy and family are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

Benjamin W. Waite, retired farmer, Dexter, was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., in 1811. He is the son of Benjamin and Polly (Whedon) Waite, the former being born in New York, and the latter a native of Vermont, both of English descent. Mr. W. was sent to the public schools of his native place, and received all his ed- ucation in the county in which he was born. He was brought up on a farm and has been in that business all his life. He was married in 1834 to Lois Ann Hicks, a member of the Baptist Church. They have been blessed with 4 children, all of whom are living. Mr. W.'s political views are Republican, and he has served that party faithfully on important occasions in the past, being elected Supervisor, in 1848; to the State Legislature in 1850; was a member of the committee selected to revise the Constitution of Michigan, in 1850; was Superintendent of the Poor of

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this county for 20 years, and also President of the Washtenaw Mutual Fire Insur- ance Company for four years. He came to this county in 1839, settling in Scio town- ship; and has seen many changes since then in the once uninhabited and wild county. He bought and worked a large farm of 200 acres, and a few years ago sold it for $80 per acre. At present he is living in Dexter village, where he owns a nice residence, costing about $4,000 when erected.

Benjamin W. Waite, jr., farmer, sec. 4, Scio tp., was born in New York, Nov. 18, 1838. He is the son of B. W. and Louisa Ann (Hicks) Waite, natives of New York, and the former of German descent. In 1862 he married Electa Chapin, and 3 children are the result of this marriage-C. M., Agnes and Edith E. Mr. Waite has been more than ordinarily prosperous in farming, and at present owns 220 acres of well-improved land.

Dennis Warner, retired merchant. This gentleman is one of the oldest settlers now living in the village of Dexter. He was born in the town of Cornwall, Ad- dison Co., Vt., May 17, 1812, and was the son of Jared and Anna (Rockwell) War- ner, both natives of Connecticut. The Warners were of English origin, and the Rockwells from Scotland. Dennis' grandparents, Philip Warner and John Rock- well, were pioneers of the Green Mountain State. Jared Warner had a family of 6 children, 4 sons and 2 daughters, whose names, in their order were-Horace, Willis, Lucy (who married Amos W. Davis), Dennis (the subject of this sketch), Anna (who married Lucius L. Cooper) and Jared.

When Dennis was 13 years of age his father died, and he was then (March, 1827) bound out until the age of 21 to Warren Spaulding, a farmer in the town of Shoreham, Vt., with the privilege of attending school one month each winter. Three years afterward Mr. Spaulding failed and came west to Michigan, leaving Dennis free to take care of himself. The latter then (in the spring of 1830) let himself to a Mr. Julius DeLong, of Cornwall, Vt., to learn the tanning, currying and shoemaker's trade. After working about one and a half years, faring hard and being poorly clothed, he left his situation and worked two months with 'Squire Aaron Lawrence, at Shoreham, earning money sufficient to buy some good clothes. He then attended Newton Academy in Shoreham a term of three months, working for his board and going in debt for his tuition. By this time his clothes had become too shabby for service at the counter, and he determined to make a venture. He accordingly presented himself to a stranger, a merchant in Shoreham named James Turrell, described to him his situation and asked for credit. Mr. T. promptly replied, " Yes ; I know you will pay me, from the looks of your face." A prouder, happier boy never breathed than Dennis at this time, and this reply of the stranger exerted an influence upon the mind and heart of youthful Dennis which has run through all his life.

His sister made his clothes for him, and he then engaged as clerk in the store of Matthew Watson Burchard, at Watch Point, on the shore of Lake Champlain, at $3 a month. Here he worked for two years, so economizing as to pay all his debts. He was now of age, and desired to emigrate to Michigan with his sisters and brother-in-law, A. W. Davis, who had caught the " Western fever." His em- ployer was anxious to retain him two years longer and then make him a partner. Until his relatives got ready to start, two months afterward, Mr. W. worked on a farm for Levi O. Burchard, a brother of his former employer, at $12 a month, with which money he could defray his traveling expenses. The parties started West about Sept. 1, 1833, by the steamer Phoenix, from Larrabee's Point on Lake Champlain to Whitehall, N. Y., by the canal to Buffalo, thence by steamer to Detroit, where they hired a team to take them 50 miles through the woods to the town of Sylvan, where lived Arnold Davis, a brother of A. W., who had come West the year previous. They arrived about the last of September.

At this time Mr. W. had but a " five-franc " piece (94 cents) in his purse. Be- ing eager to secure some land near by on sec. 13, at the Government price, he borrowed $100, at 14 per cent., and at once seized an offered job of cutting rails from the standing trees, at 50 cents per 100. Many a night found the honest and ambitious youth with aching arms and blistered hands, so recently from behind the counter, determined that, if a will would work out a way to bring him a com- petence and independence in future years, it should not be wanting. He made a little money at this heavy business, and learned also to make shingles and with them roof the numerous log houses which rapid immigration found necessary. At first he made shingles for a Mr. Thomas Sill, at $12 a month, and afterward took contracts, working busily from early morn till late at night. He would rise

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

two hours before the sun, walk seven miles, and before noon have one side of a roof covered with shingles, working all alone.

Thus he was soon enabled to repay his borrowed money ; and after selling his 80-acre piece at an advanced price, he purchased two 80s, in the town of Lima. He had 10 acres broken, rolled up a log cabin, and prepared for housekeeping by marrying Miss Harriet N. Wines, daughter of 'Squire Mahlon Wines, Feb. 1, 1835. In order to obtain the means for purchasing farming utensils, he had hired out, a week before his marriage, as clerk for a year for Charles P. Cowden, a dry-goods merchant at Dexter, at $18 a month and house rent. By the close of the year he had saved enough to buy a cow, a yoke of oxen, and a few implements for farming; and April 1, 1838, a happier couple never took possession of a pala- tial home.

As an illustration of the difficulty of breaking the original soil, we may state that six yoke of oxen were required, and the plowshare had to be sharpened every morning. For the latter purpose Mr. Warner had to put it into a bag, and carry it over his shoulders a distance of three miles. He would return in time to do a day's work before night.

The first season of Mr. W's farming operations the crops failed, and the ter- rible financial crisis of 1837 set in ; and the "last pound that broke the camel's back " in Mr. Warner's affairs was the loss of one of the oxen, for this caused him to leave his farm, rent it out, and move into Dexter to retrieve his lost fortune. Here the first winter he shoveled gravel on the embankment across the creek, for the track of the M. C. railroad ; then he resorted to shoe-making; after a few months he borrowed $100, at 18 per cent. interest, and bought a stock of leather, employed a hand to help, and soon another hand, and another until in a few years he had 14 in his employ.

The numerous wants of so many people, and some with families, suggested to Mr. Warner the idea of bringing on a stock of general merchandise, and he went to New York city, somewhat after the same plan as he went to buy clothes when a boy ; although a stranger to the dealers he was trusted by them, and he brought home a fine stock of dry-goods, groceries, boots and shoes, hardware, leather and findings, etc., etc. The $100 which he had borrowed was paid within a year, and the Dutchman of whom he borrowed it was anxious to lend him more money, even at a lower rate of interest, saying, " Vel, I lets you have it at 15 per cent." This was the last money which Mr. W. ever borrowed. However, during his busi- ness career he was often in debt, but he never allowed an obligation to pass the time of its redemption. He carried on this mercantile business for 23 years, his patronage increasing so that he went to New York twice a year, and sometimes to Boston, Buffalo and Detroit, for supplies. His sales sometimes amounted to more than $30,000 a year.

At the close of this 23 years of active business, he began to feel old age creep- ing over him, and he concluded to sell out and take the remainder of life easy. He is therefore now enjoying the fruits of his life's labors, being the owner of much valuable business property in Dexter and three good farms, one of which consists of 150 acres, adjoining the village, and on which are surveyed lots. He contributes a great deal to benevolent objects. Last year he gave $550 to Olivet College. He has also suffered many severe losses, especially by fire, and was often discouraged. Twice was the whole block consumed in which his stores were situated, losing two stores by each fire, which swept away nearly all his possessions. The little insurance he had, proved to be in worthless companies. He also lost his family one by one until he was left alone. His first wife died April 28, 1847, the 2 children having died previously. For his second wife he mar- ried Mrs. Martha M. Ellis, formerly Murdock, April 14, 1855. There is now 1 son, Charles Henry, who is living at home. Mr. Warner is a member of the Congregational Church, and in politics is a decided Republican. He has served his township in various local offices.

Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Warner will be found on pages 858-9.

Martha M. Warner was born in Framingham, Mass , Jan. 20, 1825, the eldest daughter of a family of 7, by her father's second wife. Her father, Samuel Mur- dock, was of Scotch descent and was born in Westminster, Mass .; her mother, Nabby Stone, was born in Framingham, Mass. The family came to Rochester, N. Y., in 1828, living there and at Penfield, a few miles out of the city, until 1839. The year previous, 1838, her mother died and was buried at Mt. Hope, Roches- ter. In the spring of 1839, the family came to Ypsilanti, Mich., to place his

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daughters in the family of an old friend, and under the instruction of Miss Eliza Clark, formerly of Derry, N. H., a graduate of Mount Holyoke, Mass., whom he afterward married. With her the subject of this sketch began pursuing her studies preparatory to, and an application was made for, an entrance the following year at Holyoke ; but owing to losses in her father's business, with long sickness and death of her step-mother, and brother Henry Martyn, changed her plan, and she as- sumed the place of housekeeper for her father, instead of fitting herself for teach- ing, as had been her intention, She was married to John C. Ellis, of Ypsilanti, May 1, 1845, coming immediately to Dexter. He died Feb. 25, 1848. Kate, now Mrs. W. H. Morehouse, of Emporia, Kansas, was the only child of this union. Subsequently she was married to Dennis Warner, April 14, 1855. Charles H., still with them, is their only child. Mrs. W. united with the Presbyterian Church at Penfield, N. Y., at 12 years of age. On coming to Dexter she united with the Congregational Church, as there was no Presbyterian Church here. Only two besides herself remain of the family of 7: S. W. Murdock, of this place, and Mrs. J. B. Smith, of Jacksonville, Ill. Two died in infancy and were buried at Fram- ingham, Mass., a brother at Ypsilanti, and a sister, Mrs. D. C. Whitwood, at El- wood, Detroit. By her father's first marriage the only child, Mrs. T. D. Eames, of Jacksonville, Ill., still lives.

Hon. William Warner, lumber and hardware merchant, Dexter, was born in Connecticut in 1806, and was a son of Curtis and Eunice Warner, of Scotch de- scent, and natives of Connecticut, where the former died. In 1826 Mrs. Warner and William immigrated to Washtenaw Co., and settled in Dexter tp. In 1844, in Wayne Co., Mich., he married Helen A. Holmes, born in New York, in 1821, and daughter of Rosecrantz and Sallie Holmes. They had 4 children by the mar- riage, 2 of whom are living-Eva W., wife of Nicholas Macken, of Minnesota, and Anna L. Mary H. and William II. are deceased. Mr. Warner was elected to several local offices, and in 1851 was nominated by the Republican party to rep- resent Washtenaw county in the Michigan Legislature, and the following autumn was elected by a handsome majority. He filled the office with honor to himself and credit to his constituents. He is the happy possessor of 290 acres of nicely cultivated land, and also owns a half interest in 440 acres of land left by his de- ceased brother.

Byron C. Whitaker, of the firm of Warner & Whitaker, dealers in lumber and machinery, Dexter, was born in Yates Co., N. Y., May 30, 1835. He is the son of Isaac and Achsah (Cushman) Whitaker, both natives of New York, and of English descent. Mr. W.'s parents came to Washtenaw county when he was a baby, and he was raised in the State. He went to the common schools for a while, but finished his education in the Ypsilanti High School, which institu- tion he attended two years. He farmed it for several years in Lima tp., and while residing there served as Township Treasurer and Supervisor. He traveled as sales- man for the Champion Reaper Co., from 1875 till 1879,and was very successful in this line. At the latter period he entered into partnership with William Warner,and the firm now does a successful business in lumber and agricultural implements. He was married Dec. 17, 1861, to Lucinda Holmes, and 1 child, Anna May, is the result of this union. Mrs. Whitaker is a member of the Baptist Church.

Murray S. White was born in Washtenaw Co. Dec. 18, 1848. The grandfather of Mr. White came to Washtenaw county in 1824. His parents were Henry K. and Martha (Stone) White, and 6 children were born to them. Murray S. re- ceived a common-school education, also attended the Ann Arbor High School. In 1872 he married Sarah A. White, who was not a relative. In politics Mr. White is a Republican.

Mrs. Mary 'A. Willcox was born in Ireland in 1825. She is the daughter of James and Mary (Ferguson) Henning, both natives of Ireland, and old pioneers of this county, coming here in 1833, and before Michigan was admitted as a State. They settled on sec. 9 in Scio tp. Mrs. W. has 2 sons-Edward G., born April 19, 1856, and David Tracy, born March 2, 1861. She is the proud possessor of 160 acres of fine farming land, and resides there, while her sons work the farm. The youngest son, David Tracy, has been attending the Michigan University. Mrs. Willcox has one sister who has been quite a proficient teacher for many years.

B. B. Williams, manufacturer, Dexter, was born in New York, in 1831. He is the son of William T. and Amanda (Burnett) Williams, both natives of New York, and of English and Irish descent. Mr. B. received his early education in

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

the district schools of his native State, and when a young man came West to seek his fortune. He worked at the carpenter's trade in Ann Arbor the first six years he was in the county, and then turned his attention to farming, and worked a farm in Webster tp. for the next 10 years. Getting tired of this and thinking he could better his condition at his old trade, he came to Dexter and started a sash, blind and door factory, which he has operated since. He owns one of the best manufactories of this kind in the county, and has the reputation of turning out good and substantial material. He was married in 1860 to Clarissa C. Cooley, and 2 children were born to them-Herbert A. and Anna L., both living. In politics Mr. W. is a Republican.

J. W. Wing is a prominent farmer of Scio tp., and a worthy member of the Pio- neer Society of Washtenaw County. His ancestors are traced back to the 16th century on his father's side, when they emigrated from England and settled near Massachusetts bay ; those on his mother's side, whose name was Lee, were from London, England, and settled near Ipswich, Essex Co., Mass., in 1635. His father, Benjamin Wing was born at Hardwick, Mass., Oct. 22, 1774, and his mother, Rebecca Lee, was born at Barre, Mass., March 24, 1780. They were mar- ried Feb. 24, 1800. Mr. Wing was born upon a farm near Sullivan, Madison Co., N. Y., Sept. 14, 1820. When 12 years of age he accompanied his parents to Mich- igan, and settled on a farm in what is now Scio tp., Washtenaw Co. His early educational advantages were limited, but in 1837 he attended an academy at Ann Arbor where he remained one year. Hon. John Farnsworth, of Illinois, and Hon. Orlando Loomis, were two of his classmates. While at school Mr. Wing studied surveying and civil engineering, and subsequently assisted in laying out a large portion of Ann Arbor city. In 1838 he commenced to teach school in Livingston Co., Mich .; in 1842-'3, he taught school at Howell, Mich., where he prepared several teachers for duties in a school; in 1838 he bought 120 acres of land in Livingston Co., which he sold in 1844; he then removed to Ann Arbor city, and in 1851 purchased the Capt. Perkin's estate, in Scio tp., comprising 240 acres, where he has since resided. Mr. Wing was married May 22, 1843, to Matilda Judson, who departed this life in 1849. In 1854 he was united in marriage to Harriet Bradford, a native of New York. They have 3 children-Minnie, born May, 1858; George, born May, 1861; and May, born May, 1867. Mr. Wing has never used liquor or tobacco at any time in his life, and is also a prominent mem- ber of that progressive order known as the Patrons of Husbandry, an organization which has, perhaps, done more to advance the science and success of agriculture in the United States than all others put together. He is a man of enlarged re- ligious, political and educational ideas, and has served his fellow men in differ- ent official positions. Mr. Wing and his brother, Hon. Washington Wing, of Elgin, Ill., a former member of the Michigan State Legislature, are the only living members of the family of eight who came to Michigan in 1832.

Charles G. Zahn (deceased) was born in Germany in 1831, where he received his education. He accompanied his parents to America in 1846, and 10 years later was united in marriage to Catherine F. Realy, a native of Germany, who immigrated to America in 1844. Seven children were born to them, all living with their mother. Mr. Zahn was in political sympathy with the Democratic party. He died Feb. 26, 1876, leaving to his wife a valuable farm of 85 acres.

Dr. William E. Ziegenfuss, physician and surgeon, Dexter, was born in Penn- sylvania Aug. 8, 1854, and is a son of George and Catherine Ziegenfuss. William came to this county in 1876, and entered the medical department of Michigan University, graduating in June, 1878. He located in Dexter in the autumn of 1879 where he has since resided in the practice of his profession. The Dr.'s early educational facilities were rather limited, but he obtained sufficient knowl- edge to enable him to teach school, at the age of 17. He also attended State Normal School of Pennsylvania, three terms. Dec. 23, 1879, he married Hattie L. Sill, born near Fort Huron Oct. 19, 1851, and daughter of George S. and Sarah B. (Peatt) Sill, of English and French descent. Dr. Ziegenfuss and wife are members of the M. E. Church The Dr. in the short time he has resided in Dex- ter, has gained quite an encouraging practice.

ANN ARBOR TOWNSHIP.

This township contains about 21,300 acres of land, the greater portion of which is under cultivation, divided into 224 farms, or 95.09 acres per farm.

The Huron river enters the township at the southwest gr. of section 7, flows southwesterly, passing through the northeast quarter of Ann Arbor city, and leaves the township at the center of the eastern boundary of section 36, below Geddesburg. The Mich- igan Central railroad runs through the valley of the Huron, cross- ing the river at the western town line. In section 17, there are two railroad bridges, one in section 27, one in section 28, and one in section 36, at Geddesburg. The Toledo, Ann Arbor & Grand Trunk railroad bridge spans the river in section 20. The villages are Geddes in the southeast, and Foster in the northwest part of the town. Throughout the township the homes of the people tell of prosperity and progress.

The town of Ann Arbor has within its limits one city-Ani Arbor-and two villages, that of Newport, better known as Foster's or Cornwell, and Geddes. Newport is the location of the Cornwell Mills, and is situated on section 7. Geddes is located on section 36 and comprises about a dozen houses, and also a paper-mill which does a large business. The village is located on the Robert Ged- des' farm. A paper village was laid out at an early day on section 17, to which was given the name of Barton. One house comprises the entire village.

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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 90

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