USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan > Part 49
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 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105
THOMAS ROWE.
Thomas Rowe, who is engaged in the laundry business in Ann Arbor, was born near Montreal, Canada, on the 30th of October, 1863, and is a son of William and Eliza Rowe. The father came to Washtenaw county about twenty-seven years ago, and is now living upon a farm west
THOMAS ROWE.
443
PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
of the city, his attention being given in undivided manner to his agricultural interests. Unto him and his wife were born eight children, of whom seven are yet living, namely: Elisha. Thomas. Elizabeth, Michael, William, Matthew and George.
Thomas Rowe came to Michigan when a youth of fourteen years, and pursued his education in the schools of Ypsilanti, completing his studies in 1876. He afterward engaged in business as a railroad machinist for six years, and then turned his attention to farming and the dairy business. selling milk in Brooklyn, Jackson county. Dur- ing the past seven years he has conducted a laun . dry in Ann Arbor, and in this work has secured a liberal and growing patronage which enables him to conduct a delivery system and employ a large force in the operation of the plant. The excellent work which he does and his good busi- ness principles constitute the secret of his grati- fying success.
In 1888 Mr. Rowe was united in marriage to Miss Mabel E. Basom, of the town of York, and they have one child, Mabel E .. who at the age of twelve years is attending school. In his political views Mr. Rowe is an earnest republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church. He resides at No. 326 North Fifth avenue, and his business is located at No. 406 Detroit street, where he is conducting a fine and well equipped hand laundry. Since en- tering upon this work his efforts have been at - tended with success, and he is now a well known representative of industrial life in Ann Arbor.
MARY L. HAMILTON.
Mary L. Hamilton, who has developed a splendid business as a representative of fire and life insurance companies in Ann Arbor, and who is also agent for improved and unimproved real estate, is a native of Salem township, Washtenaw county, born July 7. 1854. Her father. Warren Hamilton, was of Scotch descent and settled on a large farm in Salem township, when he came to this county. Removing later to Ann Arbor he
acted as president of the Washtenaw Mutual Fire Insurance Company for many years. He was a very active and influential worker in the Presbyterian church, in which for a number of years he served as presiding elder. He had two sisters, Mrs. John Pebbles, of Salem township ; and Mrs. Horace Bradley, who is now living in Corunna, Michigan, at the age of eighty-one years. Mr. Hamilton, however, passed away May 18. 1877, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Anna Waldron, died on the 10th of December. 1807. at the age of eighty-two years. She was a native of Seneca county, New York, and received her early education in Ovid Academy. She was a woman of superior char- acter and culture, leading a strong, helpful life. In their family were eight children, namely : Mary J., who died March 12, 1842: Frederick. who died January 20, 1843; Theresa, who passed away September 28, 1874: William R., who died May 1. 1802: Alexander White. who was a prominent business man of Ann Arbor and was instrumental in securing the establishment of the first waterworks here, acting as its president and superintendent for several years and represent- ing a number of fire and life insurance com- panies, besides practicing law here for twenty years ; Florence .A., who died May 30, 1884; and Joel Warren, who was postmaster at Eaton. Indi- ana, for a number of years and cashier of the bank there and also engaged in mining in Mexico.
Miss Hamilton, whose name introduces this record, began her education in the schools of Salem township and continued her studies in the high school of Ann Arbor. She has been in business herself for eleven years as a represent- ative of various fire and life insurance companies and the policies which she has written represent an investment of many thousands of dollars. She is also agent of improved and unimproved real estate and has a wide knowledge of property values and has negotiated a number of important realty transfers. Through her own untiring effort she has built up an excellent business which now returns to her a very gratifying an- nual income. She resides in a beautiful home at No. 210 Thayer street, south, and she has a
444
PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
wide and favorable social as well as business ac- quaintance in Ann Arbor. She has been an active worker in the Presbyterian church, and she possesses a fine soprano voice and musical talent of superior order that makes her a favorite in musical circles in this city.
JAMES JUDSON PARSHALL.
James Judson Parshall, who is carrying on general farming and fruit raising in Ann Arbor township, giving supervision to his business in- terests although he has passed the eighty-sixth milestone on life's journey, was born in Palmyra, New York, February 23. 1820. He is a repre- sentative of one of the old New England families and the ancestry can be traced back to England. The first of the family to come to America was James Parshall, who was sent here by the English government to build a fort at the mouth of the Connecticut river at Saybrook. He landed on the shores of the new world in 1634 and devoted his life to civil engineering and surveying. The great-great-grandfather of our subject was a minister and the great-grandfather. Jonathan Parshall, followed the occupation of farming on Long Island, while James Parshall, the grand- father, who resided in Orange county. New York, followed the occupation of surveying and died in Palmyra in 1825.
John Parshall, father of our subject. was a native of the Empire state and married Persis Hopkinson, who was also born in New York. He was a farmer in early life but became better known as a contractor and builder of canals and took a contract for the construction of a part of the Erie canal. He was likewise engaged in canal building in Ohio, Michigan and Illinois and was also engaged in the mercantile business. He died in the year 1857. In his family were eleven children : Harriet, Julia, Sallie, Elizabeth, James J., Rebecca, Norman, Caleb, John Melvin, Charles Henry and Priscilla. The father was a soldier of the war of 1812 holding the rank of lieu- tenant and there were eleven representatives of the family name in the Revolutionary war, so
that it will be seen that patriotism and loyalty have been among the strong characteristics of the Parshalls.
James Judson Parshall, of this review, was brought to Michigan in his youth and was a student in the schools of Pontiac. After putting aside his text books he was employed in a store until twenty-one years of age, when he went upon the lakes, spending three years as a soldier. In January, 1845. he came to Ann Arbor and soon afterward purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Ann Arbor township, while subsequently he bought sixty acres of land ad- ditional. All of this land he cleared. taking from it about eight hundred cords of stone, which was used for building purposes in Ann Arbor. He laid out Geddes avenue, which passes his home, and was the first man to travel over it. Mr. Parshall has carried on general agricultural pursuits, cultivating the crops best adapted to soil and climate and also raising sheep. He has likewise given considerable attention to horti- cultural pursuits and at one time had an orchard of five thousand peach trees. At the present time he has one thousand peach trees, four hundred apple trees and six hundred pear trees in bearing condition and his fruit raising interests constitute no unimportant part of his business.
In 1845 Mr. Parshall was united in marriage to Miss Esther McFarland and unto them were born five children, of whom two are yet living. namely : A. J., who is a civil engineer in the em- ploy of the United States government at Chey- enne, Wyoming : and Florence, who is the wife of C. R. Henry, an attorney of Alpena, Michigan. The mother of these children died in October. 1856, and in March. 1857. Mr. Parshall married Elizabeth Culbertson, by whom he had a son, Charles, now managing the home farm. For his third wife he married Mrs. Sarah Stevenson, now deceased, and to them was born a daughter, Lena, at home.
In his political views Mr. Parshall is an earnest democrat and his fellow townsmen, recog- nizing his worth and ability, have called him to some offices. He has served as county drain commissioner for eight years and as county supervisor for one year, and at all times and in
445
PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
all relations of life he has been loyal to the best interests of the county in which he has so long made his home, living here from pioneer times to the present. His name is a synonym for honor and integrity in business affairs, and in the even- ing of life he is enjoying the respect and vener- ation which should ever be accorded one who has advanced thus far on the journey. His suc- cess is attributable entirely to his own efforts and his honesty, and his life record presents many traits of character worthy of emulation.
ALBERT D. ENGLISH.
Albert D. English was born on the farm where he now resides on section 21, Manchester town- ship, his natal year being 1862. His father, Benjamin G. English, was a native of Ireland, born November 14. 1832, and in 1836 was brought to the United States by his parents, Rich- ard and Susan (Green) English. The father of Richard English came to Michigan from Ireland in 1834 and located in the southeastern part of Manchester township, where he died in 1846. His grandson. John English, brother of Benjamin G. English, lived on section 23. Manchester township, and there died in 1902. He was mar- ried to Cordelia A. J. Watkins, a daughter of Royal Watkins. Cordelia English died in Febru- ary, 1879, and in November, 1897. John English married Mrs. Margaret Zeigler, the widow of Philip Zeigler and a daughter of John D. and Magdalena (Kern) Bauer. She is still living on the old John English homestead. She had no children by her last husband but had one by her first marriage. Christian Zeigler, who is also at home. John English was one of the prosperous farmers of Manchester township, owning over two hundred acres of rich and arable land. He held membership with the Baptist denomination and was one of the founders of the Iron Creek church, in which he also served as an officer. His political support was given to the democracy. The grandfather, Richard English, bought the farm upon which Albert D. English now resides and there he reared his family of eight children,
namely : Ann, who is the wife of Richard Green, of Manchester township; John G., who died in January, 1002: Benjamin G .: Sarah, the wife of Lucius D. Watkins, of Norvell township, Jack- son county. Michigan : Susan, who is the widow of John Paine Lowe and resides in Paterson, New Jersey, her husband having been publisher of the Farm Journal of New York city : James W., who died in 1864: Richard W .. a contractor and builder at West Duluth, Minnesota; Eliza R., the wife of Henry R. Palmer, of Bridgewater township, Washtenaw county ; and Matilda, who died in infancy. Of this family James W. was a soldier of the Civil war. He became a mem- ber of the Seventeenth Michigan Infantry, enlist- ing at Manchester in 1861 and was under Gen- eral Mcclellan in all of his campaigns. He was captured at the battle of Spottsylvania Court- house and taken to Andersonville prison, where he died in 1864, when about forty years of age. Richard English, the father of this family, was for his day a very prosperous man and at his death owned three hundred and twenty acres of rich and valuable land. He was an active worker in the Baptist church of Manchester, served as one of its officers and did all in his power to pro- mote its growth and extend its influence. . 1 gentleman of sterling integrity and splendid character. he enjoyed the love and esteem of his neighbors and many friends. His political support was given to the democracy and he was always loyal to any cause which he espoused. His death occurred in 1853. when he was fifty years of age.
Benjamin G. English, father of our subject, was reared upon the old family homestead and a few years after his father's death came into pos- session of the old home farm, which he success- fully conducted for many years or until he re- tired to Manchester about ten years prior to his demise, which occurred February 21, 1905. He owned and operated one hundred and fifty acres of land and was a general farmer, practical and progressive in his methods. He belonged to the Freewill Baptist church, was active in its work and was one of the founders of the Iron Creek church in Manchester township. He, too, voted with the democracy but he believed in the gold
26
476
PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
standard. For seventeen years he filled the of- fice of justice of the peace and his long contin- ued service certainly indicates his fidelity and justice in the discharge of his duties. He wedded Miss Mary Baldwin, whose birth occurred in the state of New York, on the 17th of August, 1832, and who is now living in Manchester. Her parents were Francis and Jane ( Lee ) Baldwin, members of the Baptist church and in their fam- ily there were five children: Annetta, who was born in 1859 and is living with her mother ; Lucy, who became the wife of Rev. Frederick Sim- mons, a minister of the Baptist church and died at her home in Sheridan, Montcalm county, Michigan, in 1001, at the age of forty years ; Albert D., of this review : James W., who died in 1872, at the age of seven years ; and Elwin B .. who was born in 1874 and is living in Man- chester township.
Albert D. English was reared on the farm which is yet his home. He has always lived here and he now owns one hundred and twenty acres of this place and sixty acres on section 28. Manchester township. In his youth he attended the district schools and afterward completed his literary course in Manchester high school, from which he was graduated in 1881. He taught school for one term but has always followed farming and is today one of the most prosperous and progressive agriculturists of his township. He has a beautiful home and upon the place are splendid barns and other equipments, including the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. He is likewise a stockholder in the Union Savings Bank of Manchester, of which his father was president from its organiza- tion in 1894 until his death. He also owns stock in the Manchester creamery.
On the 2d of November. 1898, Mr. English was married to Miss Marion B. Monteith, who was born in Monteith, Allen county, Michigan, in 1863, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Campbell) Monteith. The father was a native of New York and came to Michigan in 1838. settling in Allegan county, where he followed agricultural pursuits. His wife was a daughter of Robert and Jane Campbell, who came to this state in 1835. locating in St. Joseph county. The
town of Monteith, which is a railroad center, was named in honor of Thomas Monteith. In the Monteith family were eight children : Robert C., deceased ; David P., who is living in Martin town- ship, Allegan county : Julia, who has also passed away; Thomas, a farmer of Allegan county ; Sarah and Jennie, both deceased; Marion; and Maggie S., who is the wife of James E. Harper, a jeweler living in Delhi, New York.
The only child of Mr. and Mrs. English, Thomas, died in infancy. Mr. English belongs to the Iron Creek Freewill Baptist church, of which he is a trustee and his wife is a member of the United Presbyterian church of Martin. He gives his political support to the democracy and has served as school inspector of his township.
RUSSELL E. ATCHISON. M. D.
Dr. Russell E. Atchison, superintendent of the Homeopathic ( University ) Hospital, at Ann Ar- bor, was born in Salem township, Washtenaw county, on the 22d of July, 1870, his parents be- ing Stephen and Melissa ( Knapp) Atchison, both of whom are natives of the state of New York. but are now living on a farm in Salem township. having removed from the Empire state to Wash- tenaw county, since which time the father has car- ried on agricultural pursuits here. In their fam- ily are five children: Addie, now the wife of Dean Perkins : Russell E. : Fred E., a real-estate man in Detroit: Myron E., a resident farmer of Salem ; and Florence, the wife of Dr. Robertson, of Battle Creek, Michigan.
Dr. Atchison, of this review, began his educa- tion in the schools of Salem, was graduated at the high school in Fenton, and supplemented his early training by study in the Ypsilanti Normal. He came to Ann Arbor in 1895 and entered the medical department of the University of Michi- gan, being graduated therefrom in the class of 1900. He at once entered upon active practice. and is now superintendent of the Homeopathic Hospital connected with the university. This is an immense institution and the position which Dr. Atchison fills is, therefore, a very important
DR. R. E. ATCHISON.
449
PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
and responsible one. A broad mind, continued investigation and research and an experience of the practical working of the profession have well qualified him for the duties which have devolved upon him, and during his five years' service as superintendent his course has given excellent satisfaction to the medical trustees as well as to the many patients who have received treatment here.
In 1900 Dr. Atchison was united in marriage to Miss Anna B. McRae, a native of Beecher. On- tario. Canada. The hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them, and they occupy an envi- able position in social circles. Dr. Atchison is a member of the Alpha Sigma fraternity, also of the Washtenaw Medical Society and of the Homeopathic Institute.
LEVI DOUGLAS WINES.
Levi Douglas Wines, well known in educa- tional, musical and political circles in Ann Arbor and wielding a wide influence for advancement in these lines in the city where he makes his home, was here born on the 24th of May. 1852. his parents being Daniel Erasmus and Phoebe H. (Douglas) Wines. The father, a native of Connecticut, became a pioneer settler of Michi- gan. taking up his abode in Detroit in 1831. He removed to Ann Arbor in 1837 and for many years in his business career was engaged in con- tracting and building. He died in 1893. his re- mains being interred in Forest Hill cemetery. Ann Arbor, and ten years later. in 1903. his widow passed away. The only daughter horn of their union is Mrs. Hale, of Detroit. The father was first married to Ann Maria Baker, by whom he had two children: Charles A. Wines, now of Grand Rapids: and Abram B. Wines, a contractor of Ann Arbor. For her first husband Mrs. Phoebe H. Wines married Charles H. Lud- low, of Long Island, New York, and to them was born one child. Charles H. Ludlow, now a resident of Detroit.
Levi D. Wines, the only son of the second marriage, began his education in the public
schools of his native city at the usual age and passed through successive grades until he had completed the high-school course by graduation with the class of 1870. He afterward took up a course of study in the engineering department of the University of Michigan and is one of its alumni of 1874. Through the succeeding five years his time and energies were devoted to engineering and on the expiration of that period he became a teacher in Ann Arbor in the fall of 1879 and is now professor of senior mathematics in the high school. As an educator he is capable, zealous and earnest. imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he has acquired and his identification with the public-school system of Ann Arbor for a period of twenty-six years stands in incontrovertible evidence of the promi- nent place which he occupies as an educator in public regard. Professor Wines is also well known in musical circles in this city and has been treasurer of the Choral Union since the fall of 1800 and treasurer of the School of Music of the University of Michigan since its organization in 1892. In fact, he was one of the promoters of the school.
In 1882 Professor Wines was married to Miss Susie C. King, a native of the state of New York, and they have become the parents of four children : Olive Lillie, a graduate of the high school of Ann Arbor and now a student in the literary department of the university : Harold Douglas, likewise a graduate of the high school and now pursuing an engineering course in the university : Dorothy Phoebe and William Brad- ford. who are public school students here.
Mr. Wines is recognized as a local political leader, exercising his right of franchise in sup- port of the republican party, upon whose ticket he has been called to several positions of public honor and trust. He has twice represented his ward on the board of aldermen and was presi- dent of the council for one term, while at this writing. in 1905. he is a member of the board of park commissioners. He is a Mlason, belonging to Fraternity lodge, No. 262. F. & A. M., and to Ann Arbor commandery. No. 13. K. T. He is a steward in the Methodist church and takes an interested and helpful part in various lines of
450
PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
church activity. His is a well rounded character in which due attention is given to the physical. mental and moral development of his nature and with a recognition of man's obligations to his fel- lowmen he has labored for the best interests of the city and for the promotion of its aesthetic and intellectual culture.
FRANCIS J. LEWIS.
Francis J. Lewis, deceased, an honored veteran of the Civil war and for many years a respected and valued resident of Ann Arbor, was born in this city on the 10th of February. 1844. His parents became residents here in pioneer times. The mother died August 28. 1905. at the ad- vanced age of eighty years after a residence of sixty-five years in Ann Arbor, having established her home here in 1840.
Francis J. Lewis was familiar with the city in its early days when it gave little promise of attaining its present prestige as a commercial and intellectual center. His education was acquired in the public schools. He manifested his loyalty to the government at the time of the Civil war by enlisting in 1861 in the Fifth Michigan Cavalry and serving with General Custer's brigade. He was with the army for four years and one month and was a brave and loyal soldier. never faltering in the performance of any mili- tary duty assigned to him. He gave his political allegiance to the republican party which stood as the defender of the Union in the dark days of the country's peril and which has always been the champion of reform, improvement and progress.
After his return from the war, Mr. Lewis entered the employ of the Michigan Central Rail- road as brakeman on a passenger train and filled that position for three years. About 1869 he opened a flour and feed store in Ann Arbor, which he conducted for two years, and on selling out opened a summer hotel at Michigan Center. four miles east of Jackson, Michigan, which he conducted for seventeen years. He then dis- posed of the property and returned to Ann Arbor.
carrying on a billiard hall here for six months, but at the end of that time he was obliged to give up business on account of ill health, and practically lived retired until his death.
On the 12th of May, 1870, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Crosby, whose parents. James B. and Martha ( Hendrix) Crosby, were natives of the state of New York. At an early day in the development of Michigan they came to Washtenaw county and later the father engaged in farming for a number of years in Wayne county, owning and operating a large tract of land near Plymouth. He died in the year 1892 and is still survived by his wife, who is now living in Tuscola county, Michigan. In the family of this worthy couple were six chil- dren : Mlrs. Alice A. Johnson, also a resident of Tuscola county : Mary M., widow of Francis J. Lewis: Charles W., who is a manufacturer of Jackson, Michigan: Warren C., who follows farming in Tuscola county; Mrs. Lydia F. Myres, of Saline, Michigan : and Mrs. Emma A. Maddigan, of Cleveland, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis became the parents of one son, James C., who is now a member of the Ann Arbor bar. Mr. Lewis passed away May 31. 1804. after a residence of a half century in this city and the fact that many of his stanchest friends were numbered among those who knew him from his boyhood to the date of his death is an indication that his life was a most honorable and upright one. In all matters of citizenship he was loyal and progressive, in business was re- liable and he held friendship inviolable, but it was in his home that his best traits of character were displayed, for he was very devoted to the welfare of his family.
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.