USA > Michigan > Lenawee County > Illustrated history and biographical record of Lenawee County, Mich. > Part 17
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HENRY WILCOX was born at Westminster, Vermont, No- vember 14, 1812, where he resided for but a few years. His father was drowned in the Connecticut river, in 1817. His mother soon after moved to the State of New York, and lived for many years at Mt. Morris, where she died. Mr. Wilcox was reared and received his schooling at Mt. Morris, and lived there until 1835, when he came to Michigan and located some government land in Franklin, this county. He soon after sold his first purchase, and settled in Cambridge, near Springville, where he remained several years, but finally purchased a large farm in Franklin, ten miles west of Te- cumseh, where he followed farming until he removed to the city of Adrian in 1852. After coming to Adrian, he followed building and contracting, but for many years he was in poor health, and only at- tended to his personal affairs. He was truly a pioneer, and in his young manhood was ever ready to assist in every way in building up and organizing churches, schools, roads, bridges, etc., and in sub- duing the forest and making the country desirable. He was a pru- dent, thrifty man, with untiring energy and good judgment. His efforts were rewarded in saving a competency. He was a man of fine mind and quiet habits, and was ever mindful of those dependent
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upon him. He lived to a good old age, and enjoyed all the faculties of youth to the last. He passed away as if in sleep, in his 86th year, dying December 2, 1897. September 3, 1836, he married Miss El- mina Roberts, daughter of Reuben and Mary (Harrison) Roberts, of Mt. Morris, N. Y., and one son, Isaac L., was born to them March 30, 1855. Isaac L. married Mary E. Rogers, daughter of William H. and Melinda (Tracy) Rogers, July 14, 1875, and they have had five children, as follows: La- vergne H., born October 13, 1876, was a member of Company B., 31st Michigan Infantry, in the Spanish-American war, and died in the service September 9, 1898; Florence May, born December 7, 1897, married Lemoine C. Wells, June 25, 1902, and resides at Wellsville, Ohio; Ernest R., born October 11, 1879, died in infancy ; Clarence E., born December 14, 1880; Vera E., born June 13, 1882. All were born in Adrian. Mrs. Isaac L. Wilcox was born in Madison, Lenawee County, Henry Wilcox. Mich., February 22, 1847. Mrs. Henry Wilcox was born near Sar- atoga Springs, N. Y., February 25, 1818. Her father was a farmer, and for many years re- sided near Mt. Morris, N. Y. He came to Michigan to visit his daughter and died at her home in Adrian in 1870. He was born near Saratoga, in 1793. Her mother was of English parentage, her father, Robert Harrison, be- ing an English soldier. He was the second son. His elder brother, under the law of primogeniture prevailing in England, got all the family estates, and he was put upon a man of war to fight out his inheritance. His vessel was sent to America, at the breaking out of the Revolution. Mr. Harrison was taken prisoner, Mrs. Elmina Wilcox.
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swore allegiance to the American cause, and served nearly seven years in the continental army. He witnessed the execution of Major Andre, and often spoke of the sad scene in his declining years. Mrs. Wilcox, a zealous church adherent, was an active, working member of the temperance army that made the crusade in Adrian, and labored long and unremittingly in the cause. She was an active member of the Soldiers' Aid Society during the great Re- bellion of 1861-5, and was untiring in her efforts to relieve the suf- fering of the soldiers. She possessed talent as an artist, and has painted many meritorious landscape and pastoral scenes. One painted in her 85th year shows remarkable vitality and talent.
GEORGE E. WHALEY was born in Verona, Oneida County, N. Y., November 25, 1823. His father, Dr. Alexander Whaley, was a native of Connecticut, and migrated to Central New York. He settled in Verona, where he practiced his profession for over fifty years. He started from his native town in Connecticut when a young man, with a horse and his "saddle-bags," to look for a loca- tion. He followed marked trees through the country until he was weather-bound by a snow storm at Verona. He remained there for a few days until the "roads" could be made passable, intending to continue his journey ; but after mingling with the people there for a day or two, he was so well pleased with the location, that he was easily persuaded to remain there and teach a term of school, as well as practice medicine. He afterwards purchased 160 acres of land, which is now nearly covered by the village of Verona. After locat- ing there, he returned to his native town in Connecticut, married Abigail Snow, and raised a family of nine children, two daughters and seven sons. George E. Whaley, the subject of this sketch, was the eighth child and sixth son, and resided in Verona several years, where he was engaged in the mercantile business. In 1863 he re- moved to Iowa, settled near DesMoines, and engaged in the sheep business. He was not satisfied, and after a residence of about eighteen months he sold his large farm, came to Michigan, and settled in Adrian. He had made a short stop at Adrian when going to Iowa, and was so well pleased with the place that he came here as soon as he could sell his property in Iowa, coming in March, 1865. He was an active, honorable business man, and soon identified him- self with the business interests of Adrian. He purchased a large farm about two miles west of the city, where he resided some years. He was actively engaged in merchandising for several years, and won the respect and esteem of all good citizens. He died in Adrian, September 24, 1887. May 15, 1849, he married Miss Sarah C. Dun- bar, daughter of Horace and Alice Dunbar, of Camden, Oneida
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County, N. Y., by whom he had one child, Charles E., born October 17, 1850, now a merchant in Adrian. He (Charles) married Miss Frances Tayer, June 22, 1882, daughter of William R. and Harriet Tayer, and they have one daughter, Jessie Louise, born September 17, 1884. Mrs. Sarah C. Whaley was born in Camden, N. Y., No- vember 26, 1828. Her father traced his ancestors back to the Pil- grims. His father and mother were natives of Plymouth, Conn. Her mother was a native of Livingston County, N. Y., and was the daughter of Jacob Park. For eight years Mr. Whaley was connected with the Rome, Ogdensburg and Watertown Railroad, as agent at Camden, N. Y. He afterwards engaged in the drug trade at Syracuse, New York.
FREDERICK SIMS was born in the village of Harwell, Berk- shire, England, October 8, 1835, and came to the United States with his parents when he was about six months old. His father, Richard Sims, was a native of Harwell, England, where he lived and followed farming until 1836, when he came to America and settled near Rochester, Mon- roe County, N. Y., where he engaged in horticultural work in one of the leading nurser- ies. He left his native land with his wife and family of five children, one of whom died at sea. He supported this family by his labor, near Rochester, for about sixteen years, when he had accumu- lated money enough to think of purchasing a farm of his own. In the fall of 1851 his oldest son, Robert, came to Michigan and selected a farm on Section 19, in Seneca, this county, and the family fol- Frederick Sims. lowed in the spring of 1852. Here Richard Sims lived with his family until his death in 1863, aged 75 years. About the year 1827 Richard Sims married Susan Dandridge, of Culham, Oxfordshire, England, and they were the parents of seven children. Mrs. Susan Sims was born in 1798, and died in Seneca, this county, in 1864. Frederick Sims, the subject of this sketch, lived with his parents and followed farming until he
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was married. His education was limited to what he could learn in the country schools. He was an expert penman, and during the winter months taught writing school, for it was necessary in those days for him to turn every penny to make ends meet. In 1863 he purchased a farm on section 30, in Dover, where he resided until 1872, when he removed to the village of Morenci. Here he engaged in money loaning and speculation, and was very widely known in that part of Lenawee. Being shrewd, calculating, careful and push- ing, he achieved the name of a successful financier. He died in Mo- renci June 12, 1891. October 16, 1863, Frederick Sims married Miss Elida M. Crampton, daughter of Bela aud Angeline Crampton, of Morenci, this county, and they had two children, as follows: Susie A., born January 25, 1865; Mary Ella, born February 7, 1867. Mrs. Elida Sims was born in Bergen, Genesee County, N. Y., July 25, 1841, and came to Michigan with her parents in 1850.
JONATHAN H. GREEN was born in Rush, Monroe County, N. Y., September 19, 1828, where he resided until he came to Michi- gan in 1850. His father, Nathan Green, was born in Scipio, N. Y., April 5, 1804, and when he was yet a child his widowed mother re- moved to Monroe County, N. Y. Here he grew to manhood, and received a country school education. He learned the moulders' trade, and made the first cast iron plow with cast iron standard in New York. He afterwards, for several years, kept the half-way house between Rochester and Geneseo. He finally purchased a farm in Rush township, where he died, August 26, 1874. July 1, 1827, Na- than Green married Miss Maria Green, daughter of Jonathan Green, of Saratoga, N. Y., and they had seven children, Jonathan H. being the oldest. Mrs. Maria Green was born in Balston, Saratoga County, N. Y., and died in Rush, N. Y., March 15, 1846. Jonathan H. Green came to Michigan, when he was nearly 23 years old, and first settled in Southfield, Oakland County, where he purchased a farm, but only remained one year, when he sold out and came to Lenawee County, where he has resided ever since. In 1852 he purchased a farm on section 16, in Raisin, this county, where he now resides. He now owns 240 acres of land, with good buildings, and enjoys all the comforts of a prosperous farmer. In 1854 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and filled that office for nine years. In 1863 he was appointed by Hon. Joseph R. Bennett, who was at that time U. S. Assessor of Internal Revenue for Michigan, assistant assessor for the 8th district, which then comprised the eastern half of Lenawee County. On the following year, 1864, this appointment was con- firmed, under a change of law, by Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury. In 1867-8 he was re-appointed by the Secretary of the
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RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Treasury, assistant assessor. In 1869 he was appointed U. S. Deputy Marshal for the Eastern District of Michigan, by the Hon. Joseph R. Bennett, was re-appointed by S. S. Mathews in 1877, and continued in the service until 1880. He was appointed Undersheriff by John G. Mason. Since that time he has lived quietly on his farm and enjoyed life and the fruits of honest labor. October 17, 1859, Jonathan H. Green married Miss Jane M. Cornelius, daughter of William and Mary Ann (Mead) Cornelius, of Rush, Monroe County, N. Y. They have three children, as follows: Maria A., born in Rush, N. Y., March 5, 1851, married Madison M. Graves in Decem - ber, 1870, resides in Ridgeway, this county, and has three children ; Chauncey A., born June 3, 1873, married Catherine Mosher, July 28, 1898, have one child, Jonathan R., born March 31, 1903 ; Olive Jane, born June 1, 1883, married Mr. Smith, March 27, 1902, has one child, Clayton M., born January 5, 1903 ; Alice C., born in Raisin, this county, May 14, 1856, married David E. Banker, November 1, 1883, resides in Macedon, Wayne County, N. Y., has two children, Addie, born March 26, 1887; William J., born June 10, 1890; Arthur C., born in Raisin, May 21, 1864, married Sarah L. Hunt, November 19, 1885, has two children, Florence E., born February 13, 1888; Elmer H., born November 30, 1895. Mrs. Jane M. (Cornelius) Green was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., April 26, 1828. Her parents were natives of Dutchess County, came to Michigan in 1851, and settled in Adrian township, where they died.
CLARK KNOWLAN was born in Parma, Monroe County, N. Y., April 21, 1845, and came to Michigan with his parents in 1847. His father, Thomas Knowlan, was born in the same place, Novem- ber 10, 1811, where he was brought up a farmer, and resided until 1847, when he came to Michigan and settled on section 10, in Dover. He resided there for about ten years, when he sold to Brackley Shaw, and purchased again on Section 11, where he died January 16, 1898. About the year 1841 Thomas Knowlan married Miss Catherine Bush, daughter of Christopher and Polly Bush, and they had three children, Clark being the oldest. Mrs. Catherine (Bush) Knowlan was born in Parma, N. Y., March 6, 1810, and died in Dover, this county, October 2, 1891. Her parents were natives of New York State, and pioneers in Monroe County. They died there at their old home. Clark Knowlan was less than three years old when he came to Lenawee County, and it has been his home ever since. He was educated in the schools of Dover township, and has always followed farming. He resided with his parents until he was about twenty-seven years old, when, in 1862, he purchased 80 acres
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of land on Section 33, in Rome township. He afterwards purchased land in Dover, on Section 3, where he now resides. He has added to his farm from time to time, until he now owns about one thous- and acres in the townships of Rome, Dover and Hudson. His idea from the first has been to engage in mixed farming, and he has been successful in his method, being out of debt, and enjoys the results of his efforts. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and is a
Clark Knowlan.
Mrs. Ann Janetta Knowlan.
member of the Cadmus church. In politics he is an enthusiastic Republican, but never has been an office-seeker. February 4, 1873, Clark Knowlan married Miss Ann Janetta Schaeffer, daughter of William and Sarah (Gamber) Schaeffer, of Madison, Lenawee County, and they have four children, as follows: William H., born November 15, 1873, resides in Hudson township; Millard C., born July 9, 1875, married Addie L. McNutt, has one daughter, and re- sides on Section 23, in Dover ; Thomas H., born February 23, 1878, married Hilda B. Ikle, December 20, 1899, has one daughter, and re- sides in Hudson township; Vera S., born March 3, 1887, at home. Mrs. Ann Janetta Knowlan was born in Seneca County, N. Y., Oc- tober 10, 1844. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, but went to Seneca County, N. Y., when he was young, with his parents. He afterwards settled in Erie County, Ohio, came to Michigan, and settled on Section 11, in Dover, in 1862. He died in Adrian, April 30, 1891. His wife was Miss Sarah Gamber, a native of Seneca County, N. Y. She was the mother of eight children, and died in Dover, this county, September 15, 1901.
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RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Winslow and Lucina Bates of Rome.
For a full sketch of the life of Winslow and Lucina Bates, of Rome, see Whitney & Bonner's History and Biographical Record of Lenawee County, Vol. 1, page 388. Mrs. Lucina Bates died at her home in Rome, September 24, 1903.
WESLEY REYNOLDS was born in Benton, Yates County, N. Y., December 9, 1835, and came to Michigan with his parents in September, 1836. His father, Leonard Reynolds, was born in Green County, N. Y., in August, 1800, and was the son of Samuel and Ab- igail (Belding) Reynolds, who were farmers of Green County, N. Y. Samuel Reynolds was a soldier in the war of 1812. He came to Michigan with his wife, late in life, and died at his son William's, at Wolf Creek, this county, in 1850, aged 76. His wife died about two years after, aged 75 years. Leonard Reynolds came to Michi- gan with his family in 1836, and purchased a farm on Section 14, in Rome, where he ever after lived. When he settled on this farm his family consisted of his wife and six young children. The "farm" at that time was all covered with heavy timber, but he succeeded in providing for those depending upon him, cleared up his land in good time, made a comfortable home, and lived to enjoy it for many years. In 1822 Leonard Reynolds married Miss Betsey Halstead, daughter of John and Polly (Wendle) Halstead, of Yates County, N. Y., and they had eleven children, Wesley being the sixth child
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and fourth son. He died March 27, 1882. His wife died October 3, 1880. Wesley Reynolds, subject of this sketch, was nine months old when he came to Michigan, and has lived in the township of Rome, with the exception of about one year, ever since. He was brought up a farmer. In 1866 he purchased 60 acres of land on Sec- tion 24, in Rome. At that time a log house and one small barn comprised his buildings. He pushed along with characteristic en- ergy, until now his buildings consist of a good framed house, a tenant house, six good barns and outbuildings, and his farm, con- sisting of two hundred acres. He has for many years dealt quite largely in fat cattle and other marketable stock. November 22, 1860, Wesley Reynolds married Miss Clarissa A. Thomas, daughter of Charles L. and Sally Thomas, of Adrian township, and they have two children, as follows: Xara Luella, born October 30, 1862, marred, May 8, 1889, George E. Baragar, has one daughter and re- sides in Rome; Charles L., born May 24, 1865, married Maude Seager, October 15, 1891, has one son, and resides in Onsted, this county. Mrs. Clarissa A. (Thomas) Reynolds was born in Adrian township, this county, June 14, 1838. [For her family record see Joseph M. Baker's sketch, in this volume.]
EUGENE BYRON KNAPP was born in Rome, Lenawee County, Michigan, March 22, 1854. His father, Hiram Knapp, was born near Clyde, N. Y., in 1827, and came to Michigan with his par- ents when he was seven years old. Hiram Knapp was the son of Abram and Elizabeth (Drake) Knapp, who came to Michigan in 1834 and settled in Rome township, this county, on Section 36. Hiram Knapp purchased of his father a part of the family home farm in Rome, and resided there until his health failed him in 1867. He was a popular and well-known auctioneer, and for many years conducted public vendues in all parts of the county. He died in Adrian in February, 1869. In January, 1853, Hiram Knapp married Miss Charlotte Selleck, daughter of E. L. and Nancy Selleck, of Adrian township, who was born May 3, 1838. [For Mrs. Charlotte Knapp's family record, see sketch of C. W. Selleck in this volume.] Eugene B. Knapp has resided the most of his life in Lenawee County. He lived on a farm until he was about thirteen years old, and was educated in the Adrian city schools. His first employment, in 1872, was for F. R. Stebbins, the well-known pioneer cabinet maker and furniture dealer, remaining there until 1874, when he engaged in the mercantile business in Adrian. In the spring of 1876 he sold his business and went to Henrietta, Clay County, Texas, where he purchased a tract of 360 acres of public land. This land he improved and engaged in general farming. He built buildings,
4-
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RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and founded a comfortable home. He liked the country and was prospering, but owing to illness in his family, and a disposition to make a good "deal" when the opportunity came to him, he disposed of all his holdings there in 1879 to a gentleman from Tennessee. He at once returned to Michigan. On recovering his health he en-
Home of E. B. Knapp, on Scott Street, Adrian.
gaged in the agricultural implement business, as a traveling sales- man, and followed that calling until 1896, when he engaged with the Page Woven Wire Fence Company of Adrian as a salesman in the State of Ohio, and was promoted as an assistant at the home office to C. H. Page, until August 1, 1898, when he was regularly in- stalled as correspondent or sales manager for Michigan and Ohio, which position he still holds. September 16, 1875, Eugene B. Knapp married Miss Melinda Estella Dodge, daughter of Dr. T. F. and Lucinda Dodge of Adrian, and they have five children, as follows: Maggie Dell, born in Adrian, July 31, 1876, married J. H. Wilson, is the mother of one child and resides at Lewiston, Ohio; Halbert M. born same place, November 7, 1879, married Miss Mary O. Scott, and resides in Adrian; Glenn J., born same place, August 17, 1881; Frank G., born same place, April 3, 1884; Louise A., born same place, May 20, 1890. Mrs. Melinda E. Knapp was born in Adrian, September 28, 1851. Her father, Dr. Thomas F. Dodge, was born in Andover, Vermont, August 21, 1806. He came to Michigan in
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1830, and first settled in Blissfield, but subsequently purchased land on Section 20, in Madison. In 1836 he sold to Seth P. Benson and removed to Adrian, where he died May 28, 1877. Her mother, Mrs. Lucinda (King) Dodge, was born in Fishkill, N. Y., June 26, 1827, and died in Adrian, December 18, 1901. E. B. Knapp's home is on Section 20, in Adrian township, now on Scott street in Adrian. It was taken up from the government by James Whitney in 1827, who conveyed it to Marian Stephens in 1832; Abel Whitney to N. Fratts in 1834; N. Fratts to O. M. Roode in 1838; in 1849, O. M. Roode to J. W. Scott; Scott to E. H. Winans, etc., etc.
HON. JOHN K. BOIES, a prominent and active citizen of Hudson for many years, was born in Blandford, Hampden County, Mass., December 5, 1828. His father, Samuel Boies, was born in Blandford, and lived and died there. The family was originally French, with the name of Du Boyce. But pending the persecution of the Protestants in France during the 16th Century, they fled to Scotland and changed their name to Boies. In the chaos that fol- lowed the rule of Oliver Cromwell they were driven from Scotland to Ireland. But even in Ireland they were not to be let alone, and again started in search of a home, and came to America. Deacon David Boies, who is the progenitor of all of the name in this coun- try, landed about 1727, and first settled in Hopkinston, Mass. Some time later he removed to Blandford, where he died in 1752. From the time of Deacon David Boies to the present date the family has taken an honorable part in the public affairs of Blandford, and at many different times members have held seats in the State Legisla-
ture. In 1813 Lemuel Boies married Experience Keep, of Long- meadow, who was descended from rugged Puritan stock. Her brother, Rev. John Keep, was one of the founders of Oberlin Col- lege. Lemuel Boies and Experience (Keep) Boies had three chil- dren : Franklin, who died young ; Henry M. Boies, and John Keep Boies. Lemuel Boies died when his youngest son was only four years old, and the family soon removed to Westfield, where John K. Boies was educated in the Westfield Academy. In 1845 he came West to Oberlin, Ohio, where he intended to study law, but in December he visited his brother, H. M. Boies, who was engaged in mercantile business at Hudson. He decided to enter into business with his brother, and make Hudson his home. When he was twenty-one a partnership was formed under the name of H. M. Boies and Brother. This firm continued until about 1857, when the business was sold to a stock company. But the next year J. K. Boies & Co. bought it back and continued to do business at the Old Corner Store for 30 years. In addition to his mercantile interests, Mr. Boies dealt
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RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Hon. John K. Boies, Hudson.
largely in grain, pork, wool and other kinds of farm produce. In 1855, in company with his brother and Nathan Rude, he started the first bank in Hudson, under the name of Boies, Rude & Co. The bank continued, with changes in the partnership, necessitated by the death of the senior members, and at the death of J. K. Boies in 1891, the Boies State Savings Bank was incorporated and succeeded to the business. Politically, Mr. Boies was a staunch adherent and supporter of the Republican party, and in every campaign devoted
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his eloquence to its service. He was elected President of the village of Hudson in 1863, and was re-elected in 1867. In 1864 he was elected to the Michigan Legislature, and was re-elected at the end of his term. In 1868 he was elected to the State Senate, and was re-elected in 1874. In 1871 he was appointed by Gov. Baldwin a member of the State Board of Control of Railroads, and served four years. In 1878 he was re-appointed as a member of that board by Gov. Croswell, and held the position nine years. In 1880 he was appointed by President Garfield a member of the United States Board of Indian Commissioners, serving in this capacity until he re- signed in 1885. In the campaign of 1882 he was the Republican can- didate for Representative in Congress for the second district of Mich- igan. His defeat was due entirely to unfortunate differences be- tween factions in the party. He served many years as trustee of the public schools and Congregational church of Hudson. Octo- ber 22, 1852, he married Miss Sarah Amelia Spear of Hudson, who died January 5, 1870, leaving three children : Eva A., now Mrs. Frederick A. Wing of Seattle; Clarissa E., now Mrs. H. V. C. Hart of Adrian, and John Henry, who married Edna Bel Beachboard, of Hudson, and died at Denver, Colo., December 10, 1894. August 26, 1875, Mr. Boies was married to Mary W. Colton, daughter of Rev. T. G. Colton of Hudson. Mrs. Mary (Colton) Boies died September 10, 1888, leaving one child, Bessie. Mr. Boies died at Washington, D. C., August 21, 1891. His memory will long be revered by those who knew him best, and can recall his devotion to the affairs of state and community of his adoption, often to the sacrifice of his personal interests.
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