USA > Michigan > Lenawee County > Illustrated history and biographical record of Lenawee County, Mich. > Part 38
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RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ing highly esteemed by all who knew him. June 18, 1885, John I. Knapp married Miss S. Viola Wood, daughter of Zebina and Huldah Wood, of Adrian. She was born in Columbia, Loraine County, Ohio, May 3, 1838, and came to Michigan in 1840 with her parents, settling in Wheatland, Hillsdale County. Her father, Zebina Wood, was born in Macedon, Wayne County, N. Y., August 14, 1805, and married Miss Huldah Church in 1831. They had three daughters, as follows: Mrs. S. Viola Knapp, as above; Mrs. Sarah V. Stowell, born in Wheatland, Hillsdale County, December 29, 1840, resides in New York City ; Emma C., born same place, July 7, 1848, now Mrs. A. M. Clark. Zebina Wood died in Adrian, Mich., May 18, 1875, and his wife, born in Ontario, N. Y., July 19, 1806, died in Adrian August 10, 1895. At the opening of the State Industrial Home for Girls at Adrian, in 1881, Mrs. John I. Knapp, then Miss S. Viola Wood, was the first officer appointed by the Board of Control. After serving four years as Matron, she received the following upon her resignation :
INDUSTRIAL HOME, May 7, 1885.
MY DEAR MISS WOOD :
I am requested by the Board of Control to send you this expression of their , friendship. The resolution was adopted upon receiving your resignation as Matron of Central Cottage:
Resolved, That the Board of Control in accepting the resignation of Miss Viola Wood desire to express their appreciation of the faithfulness with which for four years she has discharged the onerous duties pertaining to her position here. Coming into the service as she did, with the opening of the institution, we cannot but feel that the degree of success which has been attained in carrying out the charitable intention of the State is, in a large measure, due to her wise counsels and efficient labors.
The Members of the Board of Control of "The State Industrial Home for Girls."
Ever your friend,
ELIZA S. STEBBINS, Clerk of Board.
The Lambie Family: Ellen, John K. and Josephine, grandchildren of John I. and Ellen Knapp.
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ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
WILLIS E. ALCHIN was born in Rollin, Lenawee County, Mich., November 22, 1855, and has always lived on the shore of Round Lake. His father, Thomas Alchin, was born in Maidstone, Kent, England, October 29, 1823. He was the son of Charles and Mary Alchin, who were the parents of eleven children, Thomas be- ing the seventh child. Charles Alchin was a farmer in England, but came to the United States in 1830 with his family, first settling in Western New York. They resided there until 1844, when another move was made, and the family came to Michigan and settled on Section 14, in Rollin, this county. After several years' residence he finally sold out and moved to Bushnell, Montcalm County, where he died in 1879. He was twice married, his first wife dying of par- alysis in 1848. Thomas Alchin was about twenty-one years old when he came to Michigan, and soon after purchased land on Sec- tion 14, and settled on the bank of Round Lake. He was always a farmer, and a thrifty, honorable man. In 1854 he united with the Methodist Episcopal church, being ever after an active, earnest and consistent Christian worker. Before coming to Michigan, he met with an accident by falling from a load of wheat. In falling he struck upon his head, dislocating his neck in such a manner as to turn his face over onto his left shoulder. He lay in that condition for about twenty-four hours before a physician could be found who could perform the operation of setting his neck back in place. Strange to say, he survived the shock, and lived to a good old age, dying at his home in Rollin, July 23, 1901. October 21, 1847, Thomas Alchin married Miss Mary S. Town, daughter of Nathan and Irene (Tomp- kins) Town, of Rollin, and they had two children, as follows: Cor- nelia G., born March 18, 1849, married F. M. Griswold, October 21, 1878, has eight children, and resides in Hudson, this county ; Willis E., as above. Mrs. Mary S. (Town) Alchin was born in Norwich, Ontario, Canada, October 29, 1828. Her father, Dr. Nathan Town, was born in Berkshire County, Mass., July 15, 1792. His father was of Irish extraction and always lived in Massachusetts. His mother was of Scotch extraction and always lived in Massachusetts. Nathan Town lived in Massachusetts until he was a young man, when he went to the State of New York. He only lived there a short time when he went to Norwich, London district, (now Oxford County, ) Canada, where he settled and lived until 1838. When he was a young man he studied medicine, and after his location in Canada, commenced to practice and was a successful physician. In 1836, what is familiarly known as the "Patriot War," broke out, and the doctor was in sympathy with the patriots. In 1837 he was arrested on a charge of treason and imprisoned in the Hamilton jail for nine months, when he, with others, was sentenced to be hung. A short time before the day set for the hanging a reprieve came from Queen Victoria, and he was banished from the Province. He was compelled to leave before he could settle his affairs or get his family ready to move. He immediately went to Detroit, arriving
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RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
there in November, 1838, where he remained until his family came. He then went to Hanover, Jackson County, where he lived until the following spring, and in May, 1839, located government land on the shore of Round Lake, in Rollin, this county, on Section 11, where he lived until his death, which occurred October 28, 1854. The doctor did very little at farming, but devoted his entire attention to the practice of medicine, which he followed up to the time of his last sickness. He was the second physician to locate in Rollin, Dr. Hall being the first. March 25, 1813, he married Miss Irene Tompkins, of Herkimer County, New York, who when young associated with the renowned Beecher family, by whom he had six children, as fol- lows : Eliza, born January 23, 1817, was the wife of Orin Avery. She died in Norwich, Canada, July 9, 1838; Julia, born August 31, 1819, was the wife of Abram Swartout, and died in Denham, Canada, October 3, 1876; Cornelia, born December 10, 1821, married W. B. DeLong of Norwich, Canada, and died October 5, 1889; George F., born April 5, 1825, a farmer of Rollin, died February 5, 1890; Mary, S., as above; William B., born July 23, 1830, was a graduate of Mich- igan University and became a prominent physician. At the death of his father he took up his practice in Rollin, occupied the old home- stead, and for about fifty years was engaged as an active physician. He died at his home in Rollin, March 31, 1903. All of the children were born in Norwich, Canada. Mrs. Irene Town was born in Wat- erbury, Connecticut, May 11, 1793, and died in Rollin, July, 1859. October 27, 1853, Dr. William B. Town married Miss Elmina C. Smith, daughter of Americus and Martha (Beal) Smith, pioneers of Lenawee County. Mrs. Elmina Town was born in Fairfield, this county, August 29, 1835, and now, 1904, resides in Hudson. August 13, 1879, Willis E. Alchin married Miss Alice D. Briggs, born April 13, 1860, daughter of Oris and Adelia (Field) Briggs, of Mottville, Mich. Mr. Alchin has always been a farmer, but has found time to give attention to public duties. When a young man he taught school for several terms. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and from 1884 to 1888 he was Deputy Sheriff under A. K. Whitmore, and from 1898 to 1900, under John C. Iffland. He now resides on the homestead on the bank of Round Lake, so long occupied by his grandfather, Dr. Nathan Town, and his uncle, Dr. William B. Town.
GRANT FELLOWS was born in Hudson township, Lenawee County, Mich., April 13, 1865. His father, Nelson H. Fellows, and his mother, Sarah M. Perry, were both natives of New York, and early settlers in Medina, this county. Grant Fellows was educated in the public schools of Hudson, and read law in the office of L. R. Pierson of that city. He was admitted to the bar December 11,
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ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
Grant Fellows.
1886, and opened a law office in the city of Hudson, January 1, 1887, where he is now practicing his profession. He formed a co-partner- ship with B. D. Chandler in the spring of 1890, which partnership continues to the present time. This is one of the prominent law
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RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
firms of Southern Michigan, and especially of Hudson and Lenawee County. Mr. Fellows is a strong advocate and able pleader at the bar, and is acknowledged to be among the most eloquent public speakers in Michigan. He is an active and energetic Republican politician, and has for many years taken a prominent part in State and National political campaigns. On the hustings he is sought after by his party leaders, and has devoted much time and energy to public speaking in this and other States. He is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias and an Elk, and has never held or sought public office.
JOHN D. SUTTON was born in Brutus, Cayuga County, N. Y., April 13, 1803. He was the son of Jeremiah and Hannah (Smally) Sutton, of Sussex County, N. J. Jeremiah Sutton was born in. Sussex, August 8, 1774, and died May 8, 1848. His wife, Hannah, was born in the same county, July 6, 1780, and died
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Sutton.
June 23, 1855. John D. Sutton came to Michigan in the winter of 1835-6, and took up 160 acres of land on Section 11, in Medina, where he resided until his death, which occurred July 25, 1877. He cleared up and improved 140 acres, built good buildings and raised a large family. He was a thorough farmer, an honor- 29
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ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
able and enterprising man, and a highly respected citizen. In the early days of the settlement he never shirked a duty or respon- sibility, and was progressive and ready for any service. Septem- ber 18, 1836, John D. Sutton married Miss Abigail Knapp, daughter of John and Mamre (Hotchkiss) Knapp, of Medina, this county. This was the first wedding to take place in the township. There was not a minister in that portion of the county at that time, and the ceremony was performed by Deacon Cook Hotchkiss, the first Jus- tice of the Peace elected in the township. They became the parents of nine children, as follows : Mamre A., born May 10, 1839, and died in Har- vey, Ill., in October, 1891; William M., born July 2, 1841, enlisted in Company I, 11th Michigan Infantry, in 1862, and died at Bardstown, Ky., of measles, January 21, 1863; Martha J., born October 13, 1843, married S. W. Curtis, Lewis I. Sutton. and resides in Hudson, this county ; Lewis I., born July 26, 1846; Millard F., born September 13, 1849; Hannah, born January 6, 1852, died at the age of four years; Ellen S., married Abram Luyster, and resides at Pasadena, Cal .; Mary, born September 6, 1858, died in infancy ; Charles W., born October 25, 1861. Lewis I. Sutton, who now owns the old homestead on Section 11, in Medina, has retired from active business and now re- sides in Clayton Village. No- vember 11, 1868, Mr. Sutton married Miss Alice Camburn, daughter of John and Marga- ret Camburn, of Seneca, this county. Two children were born to them as follows: Hat- Mrs. Alice Sutton. tie, born September 19, 1869,
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RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
married A. S. Baker, November 28, 1895, resided in Clayton, had one daughter, born April 5, 1902. Mrs. Baker died Novem- ber 14, 1902; Fred, born August 15, 1878, and resides in Clayton. Mrs. Alice (Camburn) Sutton was born in Seneca, this county, April 26, 1846. Her parents were among the very first settlers in Medina township, and her father outlived all the original pioneers of the township. [Since the above was written Mr. Lewis I. Sutton has died, passing away at his home January 12, 1904.]
A PIONEER MILL. The engraving here presented shows the old "Red Mill," which was erected by Addison J. Comstock and his brother-in-law, Isaac Dean, in 1829. It was the second flouring mill to be put in operation west of Monroe or Toledo.
The first mill in Lenawee County was built by Wing, Evans & Brown, in Tecumseh, in 1826. It is truthfully related that a rock was found about a mile and a half from the mill site, which was worked into a mill-stone and used for several years, being capable of grinding ten bushels of grain per hour. This mill at Tecumseh was one of the very first in the interior of Michigan Territory.
The old "Red Mill" at Adrian, was the second, and proved a great advantage to all the incoming settlers. For some years after
1
Old Red Mill, erected in 1829.
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ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
its successful operation, it became a source of flour supply for the first settlers who located in this region, and as far west as Cold- water, and in some instances, White Pigeon Prairie and Goshen, Ind.
The original structure was quite small. By reference to the en- graving it can be easily seen where a large addition was later built on. It was for many years operated by water, but as the water sup- ply became inadequate and unreliable, steam power was added. The building was destroyed by fire November 25, 1884, but the original stone foundation of one of the oldest "land marks" in Lenawee County can still be seen.
RICHARD I. BONNER was born in Pembroke, Genesee County, N. Y., March 7, 1838. His father, Thomas E. Bonner, was born in London, England, in 1804, where he lived until he was old enough to be put to a trade, when he was sent to Bath and appren- ticed to a locksmith and brass-worker. He served seven years ap- prenticeship, and returned to London, where he was engaged in his business until 1830. He received three valuable medals from differ- ent industrial societies, and the highest commendations from the industrial journals of London, for his workmanship and improve- ments in locks. He was also a designer and engraver on wood or metal, and taught drawing at one time in London. He came to America in 1830, and settled in the city of New York, where he opened a business place and manufactured locks and brass work, and followed designing and engraving. There were only three other engravers in the city at that time. He subsequently went to Newark, N. J., and carried on an extensive business until 1834, when he moved to Buffalo, and in company with John W. Davock, did a large business until 1839, when, owing to ill-health, he sold out and came to Michigan, settling in Livingston County, where he purchased a farm. He afterwards disposed of his farm and went to Ypsilanti and engaged in business. In 1845 he moved to Tecumseh. In 1846 he came to Adrian, and moved his family there April 1, 1847. He carried on a brass foundry and general jobbing shop in Adrian un- til the spring of 1851, when, owing to ill-health he again sold out and started for Oregon, but died at Vevay, Ind., at the home of his brother-in-law, John Henry, May 17, 1851. He was one of the first in Adrian to have his life insured, and the policy was one of the first paid. He had many warm friends wherever he was known; was social, companionable and generous, with a fund of knowledge on all subjects that interested or agitated the people during his life- time, that made his society sought after, and his opinions and judg- ment valuable. He was, undoubtedly, the most skillful and best me- chanic, in every sense of the term, that could be found in the West,
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RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
at the time of his death. He was an expert in all branches of metal working, a great lover of art, and was possessed of a peculiar genius for engraving, drafting and inventing new designs and models. De- cember 25, 1828, he married, at St. Luke's church, in the Parish of St. Luke, London, Miss Mary Wynn, by whom he had four children, as follows : Mary A., born in the Parish of Shoreditch, London, December 1, 1829, married John Armstrong; Elizabeth, born in
Richard I. Bonner.
Mrs. Margaret M. Bonner.
Newark, N. J., July 22, 1831, married Samuel Mandeville; Thomas E., born in Newark, N. J., October 8, 1832, resides in California ; Samuel George, died an infant. Mrs. Mary Bonner was born in London, and died in Buffalo, N. Y., November 20, 1835. May 23, 1837, he married Miss Grace W. Illenden, daughter of Richard and Sarah Illenden, by whom he had five children, as follows: Richard Illenden, born March 7, 1838 ; Sarah Maria, born at Pembroke, Genesee County, N. Y., May 9, 1839, now the widow of Franklin B. Nixon, of Adrian; Mary Jane, died in infancy ; John Davock, born in Ypsilanti, Mich., April 7, 1842, now of Washington State; Wal- ter George, born in Ypsilanti, June 16, 1844, now of Eureka, Hum- boldt County, California. Mrs. Grace W. Bonner was born at Wood- church, Kent, England, May 7, 1816, and died in Adrian, December 26, 1860. [For her family connection see Richard Illenden's record
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ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
in this volume.] Richard I. Bonner commenced to learn the art of printing January 2, 1854, in Adrian, in the old Expositor office, with those thorough and practical printers and publishers, S. P. and T. D. Jermain. He served an apprenticeship of four years, and has followed the business in some capacity, with the exception of a few years, ever since. In 1860 he became a partner in the Expositor of- fice with S. P. Jermain and Marcus Knight. In 1865 Page & Bon- ner leased the office and run the Daily and Weekly Expositor one year. In January, 1867, Mr. Bonner established the Adrian Journal, a Democratic paper, and was its editor for several years. In 1873 he
John S. Brown.
Mrs. Sally Brown.
engaged with Wm. A. Whitney, and went with him to Philadelphia and New York, to purchase the presses and material for the Daily and Weekly Press office. He selected all the material, which cost about $8,000, superintended the arrangement of the office, set up the presses, started them, putting them all in full and perfect operation, wrote the salutatory of the paper, and was superintendent and one of its editors for over five years. He commenced the publication of the "History and Biographical Sketches of Lenawee County," in company with Wm. A. Whitney July 7, 1879, and published two volumes. In the early spring of 1881 Mr. Bonner commenced the publication of the Evening Record, the first two cent daily paper in Adrian. This enterprise was successful, but owing to ill-health he sold the plant to S. W. Beakes in the fall of 1884. He then engaged in an out door calling for some years and in the spring of 1894, went to Virginia, where he purchased a farm and engaged in oyster
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RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
growing in the York river. He afterwards sold his Virginia prop- erty and went to Washington, D. C., where for about one year and a half he was editor of the old National Intelligencer. In 1900 he went to Philadelphia and engaged in journalistic work. He re- turned to Adrian in the spring of 1902, and in company with Mr. John I. Knapp commenced work on this volume, The Illustrated History and Biographical Record of Lenawee County. March 24, 1863, Mr. Bonner married Miss Margaret M. Brown, daughter of John S. and Sally Brown, of Adrian, and they have one son, John S., born in Adrian, Mich., November 11, 1864. Mrs. Margaret M. (Brown) Bonner, was born in Adrian, Mich., March 4, 1842. Her father was a pioneer in Lenawee County, coming to Michigan in 1833, first settling in Rome. He was born in Canada in 1815, and died in Adrian October 29, 1877. Her mother was born in Clarence, Erie County, N. Y., March 2, 1818, and died in Adrian, July 24, 1872.
John S. Bonner and Family.
John S. Bonner, the son of' Mr. and Mrs. R. I. Bonner, was edu- cated in the public schools of Adrian, and early became a journalist, which calling he has always followed, with the exception of about two and one-half years. In 1901 he went to Para, Brazil, South America, as Vice and Deputy U. S. Consul, at that important sta- tion at the mouth of the Amazon river. During his residence there he mastered the Portuguese or Spanish language, and profited by a valuable experience. He has had a good newspaper training, having been employed on many of the largest newspapers, both East and West. December 23, 1897, John S. Bonner married Miss Mabel Clayton, of Washington, D. C., and they became the parents of three children, as follows : Priscilla, born in Washington, D. C., February
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ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
17, 1899. Two sons, Albert and Perry, (twins) died in infancy. Mrs. Mabel (Clayton) Bonner was born in New York city, December 23, 1870. Her father is a native of Maine, of English and Dutch ancestry, his mother being a Stuyvesant. He served all through the great Rebellion, was severely wounded at the battle of Antietam, was in Libby Prison, was brevetted Colonel and commanded a regiment at Gettysburg. He was for many years in the War Department at Washington, and is now engaged in business in Cuba. Mrs. Clayton is a native of Pennsylvania, of English ancestry.
BRICK TAPPIAN I
MACHINE CO.
The Adrian Brick and Tile Company's plant.
The above engraving shows the Adrian Brick and Tile Machine Company's plant, situated on Water street, between College and Michigan avenues. It is the largest foundry and machine shop plant in Southern Michigan. It was built in 1883, the company then con- sisting of James Farrar, John I. Knapp and Joseph C. Mckenzie. The size of the building is 304 feet long and 60 feet deep, and required 1,250,000 brick in its construction.
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RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
EDWARD FRENSDORF was born in Hudson, Mich., Novem- ber 28, 1863, and has always lived in Hudson. His father, Louis Frensdorf, was born in Beuern, near Frankfort, Germany, April 15, 1833, and was the son of Edward and Bertha Frensdorf, of Beuern, where Mr. Frensdorf was a merchant. Louis lived in his native city until he was about twenty years old, when he was drafted for service
Louis Frensdorf, Hudson.
in the German army. Not liking a soldier's life he managed to avoid the conscripting officers, and came to the United States, land- ing in New York in 1853, soon after going to Cincinnati, but being an unsophisticated German boy he drifted about some, finally com- ing to Michigan, first stopping in Jonesville for a short time, then at Hillsdale, and finally settling in Hudson in 1857. In 1858 he opened a grocery and provision store on the south side of Main street and commenced buying farmers' produce. He was quite suc-
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ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
cessful in his business and soon became a prominent citizen. He was a young man of good attainments, but wholly unacquainted with the language and business methods of his adopted country. In order to equip himself for the work he had undertaken, he applied his spare time to the study and understanding of his surroundings. He com- menced with a very limited capital, but his courage and perseverance soon assured his success. He ultimately became the most prominent buyer of grain, wool, pork, hides and general produce in Hudson, and in fact Lenawee County. He soon took an active interest in public affairs, espousing the Democratic side of politics, and in his later life filled many offices of honor and im- portance. He was much in- terested in his home city, and heartily endorsed all public improvements inuring to the city's welfare. He was a mem- ber of the public school board, served several years as Alder- man, and was elected president of the village of Hudson in 1890. In 1891 he was appointed a member of the State Board of Edward Frensdorf. Railroad Commissioners, by Governor Winans. This ap- pointment came unsought, and was filled with credit to himself and the State. He was a stock- holder in nearly all of the manufacturing companies of Hudson, and a stockholder and director in the Boies State Savings Bank. He largely assisted in the locating and building of the Cincinnati Northern Railroad. He became a leader among his fellows. He was thrifty, generous and honorable, and for forty years was an influential factor in the commercial, political and social affairs of Hudson. He died at his home May 10, 1896. February 21, 1857, Louis Frensdorf married Miss Caroline Rosenfield, of Baltimore, Md., and they had six children. Edward Frensdorf was the only son, and became a business partner with his father in 1888. Since that time he has been actively engaged. At the death of his father he continued the business, and is now, as was his father, the leading wool and grain buyer in Southern Michigan. His business interests are quite large and his career is very successful. He is President of the Globe Fence Company of Hudson, Vice President
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RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
of the Detroit Times Company, Director of the First State Bank of Hillsdale, Director of the Boies State Bank of Hudson, Director of the Western Shoe Company of Toledo, and is a stockholder in many other important industries. He has served his city as Alderman, and was elected Mayor of Hudson, on the People's ticket, in 1903, by the largest majority in the history of the city. In politics he is a Democrat, and is earnest in his advocacy of progress with economy.
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