Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Part 5

Author: Beakes, Samuel W. (Samuel Willard), 1861-; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 886

USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan > Part 5

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Hon. Samuel Doty. the grandfather, was born in Stephentown, Rensselaer county, New York. May To. 1795. and in 1815 was married to Miss Polly Sanford. He came to Ann Arbor in 1834 and was a prominent figure in the early history of this portion of the state. He served as a member of the legislature of Michigan in 1838 and the following year he removed to Man-

PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

chester. His death occurred in Tecumseh, Michi- gan, September 3, 1878.

George Washington Doty, father of William G. Doty, was born at Lockport, New York, Novem- ber 24. 1825, and was therefore but nine years of age when brought by his parents to Michigan in 1834. In later years he was engaged in mer- chandising and he was also postmaster of Man- chester during the second administration of Presi- dent Cleveland. For a number of years he has lived retired from business life, his former activ- ity being crowned with a period of rest and ease in which he makes his home in Ann Arbor. He was married February 12, 1851, to Rhoba Jane Brown, a daughter of William M. and Laura E. (Wheeler) Brown, and in September, 1890, they took up their abode in this city, where they are now well known and honored citizens.

William G. Doty is the only survivor of the two children of his father's family and was born at Manchester, Michigan, on the 6th of September, 1852. His early education was acquired in the public schools, where he continued his studies un- til he had completed the high-school course by graduation with the class of 1871. He then be- came a student in the University of Michigan and completed the literary course by graduation, in 1875.at which time the degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred upon him. The following year he came to Ann Arbor and entered upon the prac- tice of law in this city, where he has made for himself an enviable reputation as a leading attor- ney. He has a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and has been con- nected with much important litigation tried in the courts of his district. He was register of probate from the ist of January, 1877. until the Ist of January, 1897, covering a period of twenty consecutive years and since 1899 he has been jus- tice of the peace, filling the position at this writing for the second term. In 1891 he was called to the mayoralty of Ann Arbor, his capable administra- tion being followed by a re-election that continued him in the office for two years or until 1893. He is recognized as one of the leading workers in the ranks of the democracy and his public service has been most commendable, being characterized by unfaltering devotion to the general good.

On the 26th of June, 1877. in Homer, Michi- gan, Mr. Doty was married to Miss Kate West- cott, a native of Perrysburg, Ohio, born July 23, 1853. Her parents were Josiah N. and Sophronia (Willard) Westcott. Her father, born January 8. 1810, died in 1885. while her mother, who was born September 30, 1810, passed away in 1883. Judge and Mrs. Doty have one son, Ralph West- cott, who was born in Ann Arbor. August 5, 1886.

Mr. Doty is one of the prominent Masons of Michigan and in 1890 and 1891 was grand com- mander of the Knight Templars of the state. He has likewise held various offices in Ann Arbor commandery and is in full sympathy with the teachings and tents of the craft. One of the dis- tinguishing traits of his ancestry-a loyal and patriotic citizenship-finds exemplification in his own life record.

HON. ANDREW JACKSON SAWYER.

Andrew Jackson Sawyer, lawyer and legisla- tor, living in Ann Arbor, is a native of the Em- pire state. He was born on the 18th of Novem- ber, 1834. his parents being Abraham and Polly ( Phillips) Sawyer, both natives of New York. His paternal grandfather was John Sawyer, the blind Baptist preacher, of whom Horace Greeley made such favorable mention. In New York Abraham Sawyer carried on merchandising, and also conducted a wagonmaking and blacksmith shop. In township affairs he was active and in- fluential and held various offices of public trust and responsibility. He subsequently came to Michigan to make his home with his son Andrew J., and here he died at the age of seventy-two years, while his wife departed this life at the age of ninety-two years, the remains of both being interred at Chelsea, Michigan. Of their seven children two sons also died in this state.

Andrew J. Sawyer, born in Mottsville, New York, resided there until eleven years of age. when he accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Caton, New York, in which place he spent the succeeding six years of his life under

A. J. SAWYER.

PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

the parental roof. He then started out in the world on his own account, dividing his time be- tween attending school and teaching. He came to Michigan in 1857, and the following year was married to Miss Lucy Skinner, a native of New York, and a daughter of Samuel C. and Hulda (Howell) Skinner. They have become the par- ents of five children, but only three are living : Fred. Lorenzo and Andrew J. The eldest son, (now following insurance and real estate busi- ness at Ann Arbor ), married Alice O). Derby and has a daughter. Grace W. Andrew J., Jr., his father's partner and now prosecuting attorney of the county, married Lulu Rose and has two chil- dren. Irene Hope and Richard Watkins.

On coming to Michigan, Mr. Sawyer located in Mason, Ingham county, where he engaged in teaching school. He also entered upon the study of law at that place under the direction of O. M. Barnes and H. L. Henderson, both now deceased, and when his preliminary reading had equipped him for examination he was admitted to the bar in 1860, and entered upon practice in Chelsea. Washtenaw county. There he remained until 1873, when he removed to Ann Arbor, here form- ing a partnership with Judge Edwin Lawrence, with whom he was associated in practice for a year. In 1877 he entered into partnership with Professor J. C. Knowlton, which connection con- tinned for eleven years with mutual harmony. pleasure and profit. They had a large and im- portant clientage and the records indicate that they were associated with the leading law cases tried in the courts of the district. In 1800, when his son, A. J. Sawyer. Jr., had graduated from the University of Michigan, Mr. Sawyer of this re- view admitted him to a partnership, and the firm of Sawyer & Son has since had a continuous ex- istence. During the years of his practice here Mr. Sawyer has been called into every judicial district in the state and into adjoining states. He spent two monthsin the famous electric sugar case in New York city, which involved several million dollars, (his opponent being the present Dis- trict Attorney Jerome ). He is one of the learned lawyers of the Washtenaw county bar. having a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence in its various departments. His

devotion to his clients' interests is proverbial, yet he never forgets that he owes a higher allegiance to the majesty of the law. In his practice he shows careful preparation and painstaking care in the presentation of his cause, giving due promi- nence to every point, yet never losing sight of the important point upon which the decision of every case finally turns.

Since age gave him the right of franchise Mr. Sawyer has been active and influential in local po- litical circles and in fact his influence has extended to other sections of the state. Ilis opinions carry weight in the councils of his party and he is a leading republican of Michigan. He has served in various offices of trust in Ann Arbor, was city attorney, and for three terms represented his dis- trict in the state legislature, being elected in 1877. 1870 and 1807. lle was an active working member of the house, interested in constructive legislation, and introduced a bill for the establishment of a home for wayward girls, which resulted in the indus- trial school for girls at Adrian. He was also the author of the present mode of drawing jurors in this state and the author of the law permitting children who were born deformed to be sent to the University of Michigan to be operated on without expense to the parents, also the law per- mitting water to be sent there for analysis from any district where a contagious disease ha 1 broken out. also the law which provided for send- ing to the university the bodies of those who died without friends and whose burials were a charge to the public. Mr. Sawyer was chairman of the judiciary committee during his last two terms and was a member of the same committee the first term. During his incumbency no statute ever passed the committee that was declared um- constitutional.

Since 1860 Mr. Sawyer has been a member of the Masonic fraternity, was one of the organizers of the lodge at Chelsea and is one of its past mas- ters. He is likewise interested in lodge work in Ann Arbor but holds no office here. He is also a Maccabee and an Elk. He has kept abreast with modern thought and is interested in the great so- cial, economic and political problems of the day. while in his profession he has displayed that con-

PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

centration of purpose and ready adaptability of legal principles to the point at issue without which there is no success in the legal fraternity.

EDWARD B. GIBSON, M. D.

Dr. Edward B. Gibson, a leading physician of Washtenaw county, who is also the owner of a fine farm on section 11. Pittsfield township, where in connection with general agricultural pursuits he is carrying on the dairy business, was born in Toronto, Canada, December 12, 1845. His par- ents were Thomas and Ellen ( Branford) Gib- son. The father was born in Ireland in 1810, and in 1837 came to America, landing at New York. After some time spent in Illinois and Michigan he eventually went to Toronto, Canada, where he was married in 1845 and has since made his home. By trade he was a carpenter. He married Miss Ellen Branford, whose parents never came to America. Their children were: Edward B .. of this review : Mary, the wife of Ed Blackstone, of Toronto, by whom she has one child ; Thomas F., of Chicago, who has three living children ; Margaret, the wife of Thomas Graves, of To- ronto: Ellen, the wife of Joseph Clark, of To- ronto, by whom she had one child; and Robert J., who died seven years ago.

Dr. Gibson acquired a good literary education, which was completed by a high-school course and after coming to Ann Arbor he entered the medical department of the state university, from which he was graduated with the class of 1887. The same year he was married on the 4th of July to Miss Anna E. McDonald, who was born in Macomb county, Michigan, August 12, 1854. and is a daughter of Theodore McDonald, whose birth occurred in Trenton, New Jersey, while his wife was a native of Rochester, New York. Dr. and Mrs. Gibson have become the parents of six children, namely: Theodore, born in 1888: Helen E., born in 1880: Deborah McDonald, in 1891: Florence, in 1803; Edward, in 1805. and Anna, in 1807.

Dr. Gibson located for practice in Huron county, Michigan, where he lived for ten years

before buying land in Washtenaw county. He is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and ninety-four acres, the land being rich and pro- ductive. This is devoted to general agricultural pursuits and good crops are annually harvested there. He also makes a specialty of the dairy business, selling cream to retailers, and he keeps a fine herd of cows. In addition to his agricul- tural interests he continues in the practice of his profession and is accorded a liberal patronage. His religious faith is indicated by his member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church. Politi- cally he is a republican, having been justice of the peace for many years and also health officer of his township. Socially he is connected with Cass lodge at Port Austin and he likewise belongs to Washtenaw chapter. R. A. M., in Ann Arbor. His life has been well spent, and in professional and agricultural circles he has won a good name and gained a fair measure of success.

MARTIN J. CAVANAUGH.

Martin J. Cavanaugh, a leading member of the Washtenaw county bar, enjoying a distinctively representative clientage, was born in Manchester. Michigan, in 1865. his parents being Mathew and Mary ( Dealy) Cavanaugh, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father came to Michigan in early life and eventually took up his abode at Manchester, settling on a farm, where he contin- ued to make his home until his death, which oc- curred March 17, 1891. when he was fifty-eight years of age. His widow still survives him and is now living in Scio township. In their family were six children, of whom five are living : Mar- tin J. : Thomas J., who is a graduate of the Uni- versity of Michigan of the law class of 1892, and is now engaged in the practice of his profession at Paw Paw, this state : James S., a farmer ; Mrs. Margaret Poole, and Mrs. Ellen Downer.

Martin J. Cavanaugh mastered the elementary branches of learning in the common schools of Sharon township, and continued his studies in the high school at Manchester, where he was graduated with the class of 1883. His more spe-

PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY

cific education was acquired in the University of Michigan, and he was graduated from the literary department with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1887. The same year he was admitted to the bar. having devoted considerable time to the mas- tery of the principles of jurisprudence, and he entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in Chelsea, where he remained for a year as a partner of M. J. Leaman. He then came to Ann Arbor, where he has since practiced with much success, being regarded as one of the leading law- vers of the city. He is careful and painstaking in the preparation of his cases, logical in argu- ment, forceful in the presentation of his case be- fore court or jury and clear and concise in his appeals. In 1896 he admitted William W. Wede- meyer to a partnership under the firm style of Cavanaugh & Wedemeyer, and this relation has since been maintained.

Mr. Cavanaugh is also well known as a leader in political circles and public life in his adopted city. We was school commissioner of the public schools of Washtenaw county from 1889 until 1895. and is now president of the Ann Arbor board of education, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart supporter through his effective championship of measures for the general good.

On the 6th of November. 1889. Martin J. Cava- naugh was married to Miss Mary C. Seery, and they have four children: Stella. Ralph, Camillia and Ruth. Because of a social, genial nature and deference for the opinions of others. Mr. Cava- naugh is a popular citizen, while by reason of his thorough equipment and devotion to his profes- sion he has gained prominence at the bar, where advancement depends solely upon individual merit and capability.

JAMES R. BACH.

James R. Bach, whose judgment and enter- prise have proven important factors in the suc- cessful conduct of leading business interests in Ann Arbor, was born in this city, September 7. 1859. His father, Philip Bach, a native of Baden, Germany, came to the new world in 1833, and

remained for about a year a resident of Pennsyl- vania, whence in 1834 he removed to Ann Arbor. He was one of the pioneer merchants of the city, establishing and conducting a store in days when the inhabitants here were few and when business development had made little progress. Ile mar- ried Miss Hanna J. Polhemus and they became the parents of one daughter, Hanna J .. now the wife of James D. Warner. of Cincinnati, Ohio. For his second wife Philip Bach chose Nancy L. Royce, of this city, and unto them were born four children : Mary B., who is now living in Can- ada : James R. : Philip, a resident of Bakersfield, California ; and Rudolph, deceased.

Reared under the parental roof James R. Bach acquired his education in successive grades of the Ann Arbor primary, grammar and high schools. wherein he continued his studies until 1878 and then, putting aside his text-books, he entered busi- ness life, where he has won a creditable name and position. He is now the secretary and treasurer of the City Ice Company of Ann Arbor and to other fields of activity has extended his efforts. being likewise secretary of the Rettich Building Association. He is also well known as an ex- tensive real-estate dealer, handling both improved and unimproved property, and he represents a number of old and reliable insurance companies, having an extensive clientage in both the real-es- tate and insurance business. He has studied the needs and possibilities of his city in relation to its material improvement and his efforts in the field of real-estate operations have proven of benefit to Ann Arbor as well as the source of gratifying in- come to himself. Success in any walk of life is an indication of earnest endeavor and persevering ef- fort- characteristics that Mr. Bach possesses in an eminent degree.

In 1880 Mlr. Bach was married to Miss Blanche F. Tremain and they had one daughter, Lois, who is now living in Seattle, Washington. In 1891 Mr. Bach married his present wife, whose maiden name was Martha MI. Drake. In Masonic circles he has attained the Knight Templar degree and is a past commander of Ann Arbor commandery He is likewise a past exalted ruler of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks and his reli- gious faith is indicated by his membership in the

PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

Episcopal church. A democrat in his political affiliation, he was elected on that ticket the first city clerk of Ann Arbor and his interest in the public welfare has been manifest in tangible co- operation for the general good along many lines of progress and improvement. His acquaintance is wide, his circle of friends almost equally so. for his salient characteristics are such as gain high and favorable regard. In all his varied rela- tions in business affairs and in social life he has maintained a reputation and standing that have impressed all with his sincere and manly purpose to do by others as he would have them do by him.

DANIEL L. QUIRK.

Daniel Lace Quirk, president of the First Na- tional bank, and president of the Peninsular Pa- per company, who get gives considerable per- sonal attention to business enterprises, although he has passed the eighty-seventh milestone of life's journey, has been one of the leading promot- ers of the varied and important enterprises, indus- trial, commercial and financial, which have re- sulted in the present growth and prosperity of the city and moreover is entitled to honor and distinction because of his successful accomplish- ments in business lines elsewhere in the state and nation. In fact so far-reaching and beneficia! have been his labors that he can not be said to be- long to any one community, although Ypsilanti points with pride to him as one of her citizens.

His life record began on the 15th day of June. 1818, at the country place of Ballachrink, near Peel, on the Isle of Man. This was the ances- tral home of the family through many genera- tions. It was the property of John McQuirk in 1515. of John Quirk in 1600, of a second John Quirk in 1702, of Baby Quirk in 1716. The last named was the heiress of John Quirk and mar- ried Thomas Cottier. Ballachrink came into possession of Eleanor Cottier in 1704. and she married Phil Quirk. Their son, Hugh Quirk. succeeded to the property in 1826 and later sold it to Caesar Corris, and in 1802 J. C. Corris, a

grandson of Caesar Corris, sold the property to a Mr. Nowall, of Douglas, Isle of Man.

Hugh Quirk, father of Daniel L. Quirk, was an only son and became a farmer and vessel owner. He married Miss Ann Lace, a niece of a deemster of the island, and her father was an Episcopal clergyman. The family numbered twelve children, namely: John. William, Evan, James, Dan who died in infancy, Eleanor. Dan, Phillip. Matthew. Thomas, George, and one still- born. As stated above, Hugh Quirk in 1827 sold the family homestead. Ballachrink, and emigrated to America, settling in Rochester, Monroe county. New York, where he took up the business of con- tracting. Later he moved to a farm near Hen- rietta, in the county of Monroe, New York, where he lived until 1838. Later Daniel L. Quirk was apprenticed to learn the trade of a carpenter and joiner and followed that pursuit for several years. While thus engaged he was in the employ of Fitch Ilill, and with him went to Ann Arbor. Michigan, the name thus becoming established in Washtenaw county. For several years Daniel L. Quirk was connected with building operations in Ann Arbor and Lodi. In 1847 he removed to . Belleville, Wayne county, Michigan, having pur- chased a saw and grist mill, a cooper and black- smith shop and the one store of that place. He carried on business successfully until 1854. when he disposed of his interests at Belleville. From 1852 until 1854 he occupied the office of auditor of Wayne county and served as postmaster at Belleville under the administration of Franklin Pierce. When chosen for the position of county auditor, he ran fourteen hundred votes ahead of the democratic ticket-a splendid testimonial of his personal popularity and the confidence re- posed in his business integrity by the general public.

In 1853. Mr. Quirk stopped at Detroit, where he met David Stewart, then a member of con- gress, and together they went to Chicago. While there he formed the acquaintance of James F. Joy, who at that time was largely interested in railroads and was president of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad. at that time built as far as Aurora, Illinois, and projected to Burling- ton, lowa. Mr. Quirk was employed to oversee

I.L. Quick

...

RESIDENCE OF D. L. QUIRK.

PAST AND PRESENT OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

the building of the extension at a salary of fifteen hundred dollars a year, but there was consider- able delay and while waiting for the work to commence he occupied his time in buying and selling live stock and grain. Finally he was re- leased from his contract with the railroad com- pany, and in 1855 removed to Lyons, Iowa, where for thirty-five hundred dollars he pur- chased a hotel that he managed for eleven months and then sold for eleven thousand dollars. In 1855 he became a resident of Sterling, Illinois. where he purchased a lumber yard and built a warehouse, and he also erected warehouses at Morrison and Round Grove. From that time un- til 1859, when he removed to Chicago, he was in the grain commission business. In the latter city he became associated with Asa Dow under the firm name of Dow. Quirk & Company. with his home at the corner of Pine and Illinois streets. He continued a resident of Chicago until the spring of 1860. when he removed to Ypsilanti in order to offer his children better educational priv- ileges.

Recognizing business oportunities in this city. Mr. Quirk, on the 25th day of November. 1863. joined with others in organizing the First Na- tional Bank, of which Asa Dow became presi- dent and Benjamin Follett cashier. On the 13th of January, 1885, Mr. Quirk succeeded to the presidency and has since been in that position. He is notable as one of the oldest bankers of the state. The First National Bank was originally conducted as the private banking house of Fol- lett. Conklin & Company. In 1863 Mr. Conklin withdrew and Mr. Follett decided to transform the private concern into a national bank and in- terested Mr. Quirk and Mr. Dow in the enter- prise. This was the first bank incorporated in Washtenaw county, being organized November 25. 1863, and the original stockholders were Ben- jamin Follett. Robert W. Hemphill. Daniel L. Quirk, Cornelius Cornwell and Asa Dow. The institution was capitalized for fifty thousand dol- lars and these gentlemen constituted the first board of directors. On the 15th of December. 1863. Mr. Dow was elected president, Mr. Quirk vice president and Mr. Follett cashier. A few days later the capital stock was increased to sixty-

two thousand five hundred dollars, and the greater part of the increase was taken by Isaac M. Conklin. Following the death of Mr. Follett, Mr. Conklin was chosen cashier, January 10, 1865. He was the strongest financial man of the county in that day and took just pride in making a strong bank. Soon after the capital was increased seventy-five thousand dollars. From time to time changes in the offices occurred. the personnel of the manage- ment today being as follows: Daniel L. Quirk. president : Charles E. King, vice-president : D. L. Quirk, Jr., cashier, and F. L. Gallup, assistant cashier. The first two are on the board of direc- tors, together with C. S. Wortley, T. W. Me- Andrew and D. C. Griffin. The bank has had a continuous and prosperous existence for forty- two years. Its management has been conserva- tive and it has paid its stockholders a handsome total of three hundred and sixty-nine thousand two hundred and fifty dollars in dividends. Its growth has been steady and healthful and it has weathered the financial storms which have swept over the country. In the spring of 1005 a new bank building was erected, which is the finest bus- iness structure of the city.

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Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Part 5

Author: Beakes, Samuel W. (Samuel Willard), 1861-; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 886

Author: Beakes, Samuel W. (Samuel Willard), 1861-; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 886