USA > Michigan > Lenawee County > Illustrated history and biographical record of Lenawee County, Mich. > Part 32
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
EUGENE C. TURNER was born in Woodstock, Lenawee County, Mich., June 16, 1857. His father, George H. Turner was born in Seneca County, N. Y., December 9, 1823, and was the son of Caleb Sutton and Leah (Waldron) Turner, of the same place. Early in 1832 Caleb Sutton Turner and family emigrated to the State of
375
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Michigan and settled in Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County. In 1837 he moved to Lenawee County and settled in Adrian township, liv- ing there until December 12, 1850, when he died. In Febru- ary, 1854, George H. Turner married Mary J. Beers, daughter of Charles and Keziah (Wade) Beers, of Adrian township, Lenawee County, Mich., and they had three children, Dewitt C., Josephine G. and Eugene C. In December, 1855, George H. Turner and family moved to Section 31, Woodstock township, Lenawee County, where he had bought 228 acres of land, improving the same and erecting fine farm buildings. In 1874 Dewitt C. Tur-
George H. Turner.
Mrs. Mary J. Turner.
ner married Frances Shales, December 31. He lived on a portion of the 228 acres until his death, July 11, 1896. Josephine G. Turner married George L. Hickox, October 1, 1874, and died in Osseo, Hills- dale County, October 13, 1881. Eugene C. Turner, the subject of this sketch, has resided on this Section 31 farm in Woodstock, Lena- wee County, since his birth. He lived with his parents until his marriage to Elizabeth M. Bennett, daughter of John A. and Miriam (Smith) Bennett, December 27, 1881. October, 1882, George H. Turner and wife, Mary J. Turner, moved from the farm to Adrian city, where, January 28, 1884, Mary J. Turner died. George H.
376
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Turner lived in the city of Adrian until his death, September 18, 1888. George H. Turner's mother, Leah (Wolson) Turner, died on the Woodstock farm, aged 81 years, in the year 1877. Eugene C. and Elizabeth (Bennett) Turner had three children, Ray G. and Roy J., (twins) born September 24, 1887; Edward B. Turner, born April 30, 1890. Roy J. Turner died October 12, 1894. Eugene Turner and wife are still working the old Woodstock farm and edu- cating their two remaining boys, Roy G. and Edward B. Although Mr. Turner is not a graduated veterinary, he is very successful among his neighbors in his treatment of all diseases that horses, cattle and other domestic animals are subject to. He makes no pre- tension as a professional, but assists his neighbors when called upon. [For Mrs. Elizabeth (Bennett) Turner's family history, see John A. Bennett's record, in this volume. ]
GEN. WILLIAM HUMPHREY was born in Canandaigua, N. Y., June 12, 1828, coming to Michigan with his parents in 1838. His father, John Humphrey, was born in Hopewell, Hunterdon County, N. J., May 21, 1798. When seventeen years old John Humphrey went to Geneva, N. Y., and commenced in 1815 to learn the black- smith's trade with Moses Hall. In 1825 he married Miss Jane Hall, a daughter of Moses Hall. In the winter of 1828 he went to Canan- daigua, N. Y., and established a foundry and machine shop, which he carried on for about ten years. He then sold his business in Can- andaigua, and in 1838 came to Michigan, and settled in the town- ship of Wheatland, Hillsdale County, where he had previously taken up 160 acres of land. With his family he located upon this land, occupying a shanty made of split logs, only sixteen feet square. With some improvements, the family occupied this abode for four years, before a better and larger log house could be built. He was a resolute man, with force and strength of character sufficient to over- come all the difficulties and vicissitudes of a pioneer life. He was well-informed and took a general interest in all public affairs, hold- ing many positions of trust and honor. Besides serving several terms as Supervisor, in 1844 he was elected to the State Legislature. He died at his home in Wheatland, October 16, 1870. His wife, Miss Jane Hall, whom he married at Geneva, N. Y., January 1, 1825, was born at Geneva, N. Y., April 13, 1809, and died at Jackson, Mich., while visiting her son, July 20, 1879. She traced her ancestry back to John Hall, Sr., who was an Englishman, and the first settler of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, in the valley of the Passaic. Wil- liam Humphrey, the subject of this sketch, spent his childhood and youth on a farm, and depended for his education on the district schools of Hillsdale County, until 1848, when he went to Geneva, N.
377
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Y., where he had the advantage of two school years, afterwards attending a commercial institute at Cleveland, Ohio. In the fall of 1857 he came to Adrian and engaged in the mercantile business as a clerk, where he remained, with the exception of one year, when he taught school at Williamsport, Pa., until the first call for troops in 1861, at the breaking out of the great Rebellion. May 25, 1861, he was mustered in at Ft. Wayne, Detroit, as captain of Company D., 2d Michigan Infantry, receiving his commission from Gov. Austin
Blair, April 25, 1861. He took
part in the first battle of Bull Run. In 1862 he served in the Peninsular campaign, in Gen. Phil. Kearney's division ; and also engaged in the second battle of Bull Run. In the fall of 1862 he took part in the bat- tle of Fredericksburg, under Gen. Burnside. In 1863 he ac- companied Burnside to Ken- tucky, and the following May was commissioned as colonel of the 2d Michigan Infantry. In June he was ordered to
siege, and also took part in Vicksburg, taking part in the
Sherman's campaign against Jackson in Mississippi. In August his regiment returned to Kentucky, and in Septem- ber started on the East Ten- nessee campaign. He took
about Knoxville, and at Fort part in various skirmishes
Saunders, where Longstreet
was repulsed with fearful loss,
In the spring of 1864 his regiment
Gen. William Humphrey.
he had command of a brigade. was ordered to the Potomac, and he served in Grant's cam- paign against Lee, participating in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania and all the engagements up to October, when he was discharged on account of expiration of service. During the summer of 1864 a part of the time he had command of a brigade and was breveted brigadier general to date from July 30, 1864. The follow- ing is in brief the war record of Gen. Humphrey: Captain 2d In- fantry, April 25, 1861. Colonel February 16, 1863. Wounded in ac- tion at Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864. Brevet brigadier general United States Volunteers August 1, 1864, "for conspicuous and gal- lant service both as regimental and brigade commander throughout the campaign." Mustered out September 30, 1864, and honorably
378
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
discharged. After his retirement from the army and return to Michigan, Gen. Humphrey purchased the Daily and Weekly Watch- tower, of Adrian, taking possession Saturday, September 9, 1865, and on the following Monday, September 11, issued the Daily Times. He continued as one of its editors until 1866, when he was elected Auditor General of Michigan, and upon taking office aban- doned all editorial work. He filled the office of Auditor General for four successive terms, and in 1875 was appointed Warden of the Michigan State Prison at Jackson, occupying this position for eight years. In 1883 he became interested as a partner in the Adrian Brick and Tile Machine Company. In 1890 he was appointed post- master at Adrian by President Harrison, and held the office for four years. He died at his home in Adrian, January 12, 1898. Oc- tober 9, 1867, Gen. William Humphrey married Miss Mary E. Sin- clair, daughter of Daniel D. and Elizabeth Sinclair, of Adrian, Mich. One child was born to them, Kate, who was born in Lan- sing, Mich., December 31, 1872. Daniel D. Sinclair was born in Broadalbin, Montgomery County, N. Y., April 16, 1805, learned the tailor's trade and followed merchandizing for many years. He came to Michigan in 1834, and settled in Adrian in 1835. He held many political offices, and was a member of the first Legislature that convened at Lansing in 1848-9. In 1849 he was commissioned Brigadier General by Governor Ransom, and was afterwards in the service of the Michigan Southern railroad for many years. He was elected Supervisor of his ward in Adrian for seventeen successive years. His parents, Duncan and Christie Sinclair, were natives of Glenlion, Perthshire, Scotland, and came to America in 1798. In 1834 he married Miss Elizabeth Hyde, of Brockport, N. Y., and they had six children, as follows: Henry H., Mary Elizabeth, Harriet Maria, Edward W. and Daniel C. One child died in infancy. Mrs. Mary E. Humphrey was born in Adrian, Mich., June 18, 1844. Mrs. Hum- phrey was active in Grand Army and Relief Corps work, both locally and throughout the state, and at the encampment at Flint at the time of her death gave the greetings of the W. R. C. to the G. A. R., her efforts on that occasion being such as to make her friends proud of her. She was for seven years treasurer of the local Relief Corps, holding that office at the time of her death. She was also identified with the Adrian Woman's Club, and had taken a prominent part in educational and philanthropic work. She was a woman of rare ac- complishments and high social standing. The city of Adrian never was more startled than on the morning of June 14, 1901, when the following dispatch was posted on the bulletin boards, and the citizens fully realized its import :
FLINT, June 14 .- One of the most appalling accidents that ever happened in this city took place at the Hamilton avenue crossing of the Pere Marquette rail- road at 9 o'clock this morning, when the Detroit fast express, No. 2, due here at. 9. struck a carriage which was driven by Major George W. Buckingham, and also occupied by his daughter Anna. Mrs. Tom S. Applegate and her sister, Mrs. William Humphrey, of Adrian, all of whom were instantly killed.
379
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
No two ladies in Adrian were better known or more highly re- spected, and their death so shocked the community that it was not until after the funeral on the following Sunday that all could fully realize the terrible fact.
JAMES ROBERTSON was born in Martinsburg, Berkeley County, W. Va., October 22, 1808. He was the son of John and Mary (Surgen) Robertson, of Martinsburg, W. Va. John Robertson was the son of Alexander Robertson, who was a native of the North of Ireland, and descended from the Scotch dissenters. James Rob- ertson was brought up among the mountains and woods in Berkeley
James Robertson.
Mrs. Elizabeth Robertson.
County, Va., and lived there until after his first marriage to Miss Barbara Pitzer, daughter of Andrew Pitzer, which occurred April 6, 1832. They had one son, John W., who was born February 26, 1833. Mrs. Barbara (Pitzer) Robertson was born in Berkeley County, W. Va., February 23, 1807, and died in Preston County in 1833. About the year 1810 he removed with his parents, when two years old, to Preston County, W. Va., and settled near Maple Run, now Aurora, where he resided until February, 1843, when he again sold his hold- ings, emigrated to Wayne County, Ohio, and settled on land near Wooster. After a residence there of about seven years, he purchased a farm of unimproved land near Medina, Ohio, which he cleared up, and within five years erected buildings, fences, etc. In 1854 he sold his farm in Medina and came to Michigan, settling in Ogden, this
380
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
county. His first purchase here was the old Truman-Sheldon farm on Section 22, of 200 acres. He continued to purchase land in the township until at one time he owned nearly 1,700 acres. His family now owns about 1,200 acres of this land. At the time of his settle- ment in Ogden the township was an unbroken wilderness, almost impenetrable for man or beast. A large portion of the surface was covered with water, and thousands of acres of what is now the most valuable and productive land in Michigan was then traveled over with flatboats and cotton-wood "dugouts." Mr. Robertson, with his sons, succeeded in clearing, ditching and suduing over 1,000 acres, which is now the most desirable farm land in Lenawee County. He succeded in comfortably locating all of his large family in Og- den, and became one of the wealthiest and most prominent men of his township. For four years he did a successful mercantile busi- ness at Ogden Centre, where he was also postmaster. His home was the most hospitable place in the township, and his good wife was the best known and most highly respected woman in the community. In February, 1880, his health beginning to fail, he went south. He boarded the train at Blissfield, went as far south as the railroad would carry him, and finally, arriving at the end of the track, in Florida, purchased an orange grove near Ocala, in Marion County. He afterwards purchased a home in Anthony, in the same county, where he lived until his death, which occurred May 26, 1898. He was a man of much more than ordinary ability, with the requisite moral and physical courage to undertake large enterprises and carry on success- ful business ventures. On the 27th day of March, 1834, James Rob- ertson married Miss Elizabeth Heckert, daughter of Peter and Maria Heckert, of Maple Run, now Aurora, Preston County, W. Va., and they became the parents of twelve children, as follows: George P., born in Preston County, W. Va., March 15, 1835; Alpheus J., born same place, January 28, 1837; Josephus M., born same place, September 20, 1838; Martin L., born same place, March 15, 1840; Isaiah W., born same place, April 11, 1842; Caroline L., born in Canaan, Wayne County, Ohio, August 29, 1844, married Nicholas V. Hile; Alexander F., born in Milton, Wayne County, Ohio, De- cember 22, 1846; Emily V., born same place, December 4, 1848, mar- ried Edwin Lee ; Sarah J., born in Medina, Ohio, May 9, 1851, married George W. Wilt; Alonzo P., born in Medina, Ohio, June 14, 1853. A pair of twin boys died in infancy. Mrs. Elizabeth (Heckert) Rob- ertson was born in Preston County, Va., April 15, 1815, and died in Ogden, this county, December 23, 1882.
FREDERICK JAMES BUCK was born on Washington street, New York City, June 21, 1847. In the summer of 1854, when only seven years of age, his parents came to Michigan, locating in Adrian. His father, George Henry Buck, was born in Bennington, Vt., Au-
381
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
gust 9, 1819, and when he reached his majority he left the parental roof to commence life's battles. In 1840 he landed in New York city, and in 1841 was united to Miss Ellen Cavanaugh, by whom he had ten children, all of whom are dead with the exception of Frederick J. Buck and Mrs. Rose Englehart, of Adrian. George Henry Buck died at Monroe, Mich., Octo- ber 5, 1890. Mrs. Ellen (Cav- anaugh) Buck was born in Ire- land, December 4, 1830, and came to America with her par- ents when a child only two weeks old. She died at Adrian, Mich., July 2, 1863. In 1863 George H. Buck and three sons, Frank H., John D. and Charles E. Buck, entered the service of their country, the father and John D. enlisting in the Twenty-seventh Michigan Infantry, while Frank H. and Charles E. enlisted in the Eigh- teenth Michigan Infantry. At the breaking out of the war Frank H. enlisted in the Second Michigan Infantry, and after serving some months, was dis- charged. All returned home at the close of the war with the exception of Charles E., Fred J. Buck. who died of typhoid fever at Decatur, Alabama, in 1864. Charles E. was the twin brother of Frederick J. Frederick J. Buck, the sub- ject of this sketch, went with his parents to Rome Center in 1856, locating on the Bertram farm, where he lived for a few months, then went to "Coontown," (now Addison) where he resided until the spring of 1857, when he returned to Adrian. His boyhood days were taken up with hard work, there being a large family and he did his share towards their maintenance. He had but little school- ing, and what knowledge he has acquired was learned in a print- ing office. From 1859 to 1863 his family, known as the Buck Family, toured Michigan and Ohio giving concerts. At the city of Detroit, October 13, 1863, Frederick J. Buck enlisted in Company I, Twenty- seventh Michigan Volunteer Infantry as a private, being only 16 years of age, and served to the close of the war. He was detailed as a drummer boy, and it was his duty, as well as all musicians, during an engagement, to assist in carrying the wounded comrades from the field of action to the regimental hospital, and he has had some very narrow escapes. He took part in twenty battles, among them the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor,
382
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Petersburg, siege and capture of Petersburg. He was mustered out of the service July 26, 1865, receiving an honorable discharge. At the close of the war Frederick J. Buck went to work on a farm near Bloomfield Center, Oakland County, Mich., where he learned to till the soil. February 22, 1869, he landed in Hudson and entered the Gazette office as "devil." The Gazette at that time was owned and edited by the late W. T. B. Schermerhorn. In the summer of 1873 Mr. Buck moved to Adrian and entered the Journal office, then run by the late Japheth Cross. That fall he entered the composing room of the Adrian Daily Press, located in the basement of the Masonic Temple. He was promoted to foreman of the composing room, which he held until July, 1880, when he went to Sault Ste. Marie, and took charge of The News of that place. August 24, 1884, Mr. Buck returned to Adrian and took cases in the composing room of The Adrian Daily Times and Expositor, on which paper he has been employed ever since. October 7, 1899, he was placed on the reportorial staff by the late Mrs. Harriet M. Applegate, who con- ducted the paper at that time, and under the new management of The Times was retained as such, which position he still holds. Mr. Buck is a member of Woodbury Post, No. 45, G. A. R., having held various offices from commander down. He belongs to Maple City Lodge, No. 39, K. P., and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Adrian. August 1, 1872, Frederick J. Buck married Miss Mary Elizabeth Pratt, of Hudson. This union was blessed with five children, as follows: Jennie May, born at Hudson, Mich., May 30, 1873. She was married to Francis Marion Drake, June 19, 1895. They have one daughter, Irene Moreland, born at Adrian, Mich., April 2, 1896 ; Lena Rose, born April 6, 1876, died September 29, 1876; Lizzie Ellen, (better known as Daisy) born July 2, 1879, mar- ried Arthur Vincent Cole, October 26, 1899. They have two sons, Francis Vincent, born March 25, 1901, and Frederic Lisle, born October 3, 1903; Joseph Fred, born January 24, 1888, at home; Dora Glendelle, born January 26, 1891, died July 22, 1891. Mrs. Mary Elizabeth (Pratt) Buck was the daughter of James B. and Dolly Reed (Lyons) Pratt, of Hudson, this county. She was born in Medina, Lenawee County, June 22, 1853. Her father, James B. Pratt, was born in the State of New York, November 6, 1824, and died at Hudson, Mich., December 13, 1875. Dolly Reed (Lyons) Pratt was a native of New York State, and was born in 1831, and died at Hudson, Mich., January 8, 1864.
DARIUS CROSS was born in Rowe, Franklin County, Mass., June 5, 1814. His father, Jude Cross, was born in Bucklin, Frank- lin County, Mass., October 15, 1773. His father, Abel Cross, came from England and settled in Bucklin, early in 1700. He was a sol- dier in the French and Indian War, and was taken prisoner by the In-
383
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
dians and imprisoned in Detroit for two years, when he made his escape and returned to Massachusetts. He afterwards served through the Revolutionary War. Jude Cross was a farmer, and always lived in Franklin County, Mass. He was the father of fif- teen children, and died in Rowe, December 26, 1852. He was mar- ried twice. First to Mary Ware, of Bucklin, February 7, 1793. She died in Rowe, September 11, 1819. He next married Susannah Wheeler, of Zoar, Mass., in 1820. She died March 30, 1859. Darius Cross lived in Bucklin until the fall of 1837, when he came to Michi-
Mr. and Mrs. Darius Cross.
gan and took up 80 acres of land in Medina township. He chopped off an acre or so, and sold out to a man named Perry. He after- wards purchased land near Madison Centre. He has resided in Mad- ison ever since. Mr. Cross has always been an active man. He early in life learned to play the snare drum, and his father, being an expert fifer, he, with two brothers, composed a "martial band " that was in demand at every "general training" in his native country. Mr. Cross, when in his 89th year, challenged any man of his age in the county to a drumming contest. He had been drumming for more than 70 years, and is still expert with the sticks, always on hand when there was an opportunity to make music. August 15, 1837, he married Miss Lucretia Ranny, daughter of Jessie and Ruth Ann (Flowers) Ranny, of Ashfield, Franklin County, Mass., by whom he had six children: Edwin D., born in Madison, Lenawee County, Mich., July 20, 1840, married January 1, 1866, Susan A. Potter. She died January 24, 1892. They had one child, Japheth,
384
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
born March 3, 1869; Ruth Ann, born in Madison, March 3, 1842, married George Cross, June 9, 1870. They have one child. Christo- pher, born May 30, 1872; Orpha Eulana, born in Madison, April 1, 1848, died March 17, 1849; Ella Amanda, born May 25, 1846, died September 16, 1851; Ella Adelle, born in Madison, August 1, 1851, married Edgar L. Dalton, November 15, 1876. She was the mother of four children. She died at Tyre, Mich., May 10, 1885; Cora Belle, born in Madison, January 29, 1859, and now resides in Madi- son. Mrs. Lucretia Cross, was born in Ashfield, Franklin County, Mass., February 24, 1819. Her parents raised a family of nine chil- dren, and Mrs. Cross is the only survivor. Since the above was writ- ten Mr. Cross has passed away, having died at his home in Madison, August 3, 1903.
HOWARD M. HOPKINS was born in Clyde, N. Y., December 15, 1841, and came to Michigan with his parents in the fall of 1844. His father, Aaron Hopkins, was born in Nassau, N. Y., in 1794, where he resided until 1844, when he came to Michigan and settled on Section 16, in Rome, this county. After coming to Michigan, he only lived about three months, dying December 5, 1844. In March, 1836, he married Miss Phebe Marks, at Nassau, N. Y., and they had four children, as follows: Betsey Ann, who in 1861 married John Crandall, and died in Rome, November 5, 1865; Harriet, who married Darwin Markham in 1865, has two daughters, and resides in Rollin, this county ; Howard M., born as above; Frank, was a member of Company E., 3d Michigan Cavalry, served through the great Rebellion, and died in Chicago, Ill., December 29, 1871, aged 27 years. Mrs. Phebe ( Marks) Hopkins was born in Nassau, N. Y., in 1806. After the death of her husband, Aaron Hopkins, she, in 1847, married Paul Spink, of Hanover, Jackson County, Mich. She resided in Hanover until 1872, when she came to Rome, this county, to visit her son Howard, and died at his home in November of that year. Howard M. Hopkins, the subject of this sketch, came to Michigan when he was three years old. He made the trip with his parents in a covered wagon and team of horses, from Nassau, N. Y. His father's death left his mother with four small children in almost a destitute condition. Our subject and his older sister were adopted by Jeremiah Ferguson, who brought them up and gave them a good home. The keenest gratitude is felt for Mr. and Mrs. Fergu- son by both Mr. Hopkins and his sister, as no helpless children ever fell into kinder hands. Our subject had all the advantages of the district schools of Rome, and during the winter of 1860 he attended Adrian College. He was raised on the farm he now owns and lives upon, and has always followed farming. September 16, 1861, Howard M. Hopkins enlisted in Company E, 3d Michigan Cavalry,
385
RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and served three years. He participated in sixteen engagements and skirmishes, and was constantly on scouting service. On his re- turn from the army he at once engaged in farming on his homestead on Section 21, in Rome. He has served his township as Highway Commissioner, School Inspector, and was County Superintendent of the Poor for three years. He is a member of Woodbury Post, G. A. R., No. 45, of Adrian; also of Maple City Lodge, K. P., No. 39, and Adrian Lodge, No. 429, B. P. O. E., and charter member of Rome Grange. January 1, 1866, Howard M. Hopkins married Miss Delia A. Teachout, daughter of Isaiah and Mary (Howland) Teachout, of Rome, and they have had two children, as follows: Maud, born in Rome, March 16, 1867, married Eugene Hopkins, has three children, and resides in Lockport, Ill .; Eugene C., born in Rome, February 15, 1871, married Miss Millie Dowling, of Rome, and has two daughters. Mrs. Delia (Teachout) Hopkins was born in Rome, this county, August 22, 1846. Her father, Isaiah Teachout, is still living in Rome township, in his 81st year, having been born in Wayne County, N. Y., in 1822. Her mother, Mrs. Mary (Howland) Teachout, was born in Wayne county in 1822, and died in Rome, this county, September 27, 1872.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.