Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches, Part 10

Author: Chapman Brothers
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 684

USA > Michigan > Mecosta County > Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 10

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The great lawyer was convinced of the innocence

of his clients, nor did the verdict of that jury and the sentence of that judge remove his firm belief that his clients were the victims of purchased treachery, rather than so many sacrifices to justice.

The verdict of " guilty " was rendered at 9 o'clock P. M., Sept. 25, 1851. On the 26th the prisoners were put forward to receive sentence, when many of them protested their entire innocence, after which the pre- siding judge condemned 12 of the number to the fol- lowing terms of imprisonment, with hard labor, within the State's prison, situate in their county : Ammi Filley, ten years; Orlando L. Williams, ten years; Aaron Mount, eight years ; Andrew J. Freeland, eight years; Eben Farnham, eight years; William Corvin, eight years; Richard Price, eight years; Evan Price, eight years; Lyman Champlin, five years ; Willard W. Champlin, five years; Erastus Champlin, five years; Erastus Smith, five years.

In 1840, Gov. Barry became deeply interested in the cultivation of the sugar beet, and visited Europe to obtain information in reference to its culture.

He was twice Presidential Elector, and his last public service was that of a delegate to the National Democratic Convention held in Chicago in 1864.

He was a man who, throughout life, maintained a high character for integrity and fidelity to the trusts bestowed upon him, whether of a public or a private nature, and he is acknowledged by all to have been one of the most efficient and popular Governors the State has ever had.

Gov. Barry was a man of incorruptible integrity. His opinions, which he reached by the most thorough investigation, he held tenaciously. His strong con- victions and outspoken honesty made it impossible for him to take an undefined position when a principle was involved. His attachments and prejudices were strong, yet he was never accused of favoritism in his administration of public affairs. As a speaker he was not remarkable. Solidity, rather than brilliancy, char- acterized his oratory, which is described as argument- ative and instructive, but cold, hard, and entirely wanting in rhetorical ornament. He was never elo- quent, seldom humorous or sarcastic, and in manner rather awkward.

Although Mr. Barry's educational advantages were so limited, he was a life-long student. He mastered both ancient and modern languages, and acquired a thorough knowledge of history. No man owed less to political intrigue as a means of gaining posi- tion. Ile was a true statesman, and gained public es- teem by his solid worth. His political connections were always with the Democratic party, and his opin- ions were usually extreme.

Mr. Barry retired to private life after the beginning of the ascendency of the Republican party, and car- ried on his mercantile business at Constantine. Ile died Jan. 14, 1870, his wife's death having occurred a year previous, March 30, 1869. They left no children.

Cepheus Filch

GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN.

117

ALPHEUS FELCH.

A LPHEUS FELCHI, the third Governor of Michigan, was born in Limerick, Maine, Sep- tember 28, 1806. His grand- father, Abijah Felch, was a sol- dier in the Revolution ; and when a young man, having with others obtained a grant of land be- tween the Great and Little Ossipee , Rivers, in Maine, moved to that re- gion when it was yet a wilderness. The father of Mr. Felch embarked in mercantile life at Limerick. He was the first to engage in that business in that section, and continued it until his death. The death of the father, followed within a year by the death of the mother, left the subject of this sketch, then three years old, to the care of relatives, and he found a home with his paternal grandfather, where he re- mained until his death. Mr Felch received his early education in the district school and a neighboring academy. In 1821 he became a student at Phillips Exter Academy, and, subsequently, entered Bowdoin College, graduated with the class of 1827. He at once began the study of law and was admitted to practice at Bangor, Me., in 1830.

He began the practice of his profession at Houlton, Me., where he remained until 1833. The severity of the climate impaired his health, never very good, and he found it necessary to seek a change of climate. He disposed of his library and started to seek a new home. His intention was to join his friend,

Sargent S. Prentiss, at Vicksburg, Miss., but on his arrival at Cincinnati, Mr. Felch was attacked by cholera, and when he had recovered sufficiently to permit of his traveling, found that the danger of the disease was too great to permit a journey down the river. He therefore determined to come to Michi- gan. He first began to practice in this State at Mon- roe, where he continued until 1843, when he removed to Ann Arbor. He was elected to the State Legisla- ture in 1835, and continued a member of that body during the years 1836 and 1837. While he held this office, the general banking law of the State was enact- ed, and went into operation. After mature delibera. tion, he became convinced that the proposed system of banking could not prove beneficial to the public interests ; and that, instead of relieving the people from the pecuniary difficulties under which they were laboring, it would result in still further embarrass- ment. He, therefore, opposed the bill, and pointed out to the House the disasters which, in his opinion, were sure to follow its passage. The public mind, however, was so favorably impressed by the measure that no other member, in either branch of the Legisla- ture, raised a dissenting voice, and but two voted with him in opposition to the bill. Early in 1838, he was appointed one of the Bank Commissioners of the State, and held that office for more than a year. Dur- ing this time, the new banking law had given birth to that numerous progeny known as "wild-cat" banks. Almost every village had its bank. The country was flooded with depressed "wild-cat" money. The ex- aminations of the Bank Commissioners brought to light frauds at every point, which were fearlessly re-

ALPHEUS FELCH.

118

ported to the Legislature, and were followed by crim- inal prosecutions of the guilty parties, and the closing of many of their institutions. The duties of the of- fice were most laborious, and in 1839 Mr. Felch re- signed. The chartered right of almost every bank had, in the meantime, been declared forfeited and the law repealed. It was subsequently decided to be constitutional by the Supreme Court of the State. In the year 1842 Governor Felch was appointed to the office of Auditor General of the State; but after holding the office only a few weeks, was com- missioned by the Governor as one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, to fill a vacancy caused by the resig- nation of Judge Fletcher. In January, 1843, he was elected to the United States Senate for an unexpired term. In 1845 he was elected Governor of Michigan, and entered upon his duties at the commencement of the next year. In 1847 he was elected a Senator in Congress for six years ; and at once retired from the office of Governor, by resignation, which took effect March 4, 1847, when his Senatorial term com- menced. While a member of the Senate he acted on the Committee on Public Lands, and for four years was its Chairman. He filled the honorable position of Senator with becoming dignity, and with great credit to the State of Michigan.

During Governor Felch's administration the two railroads belonging to the State were sold to private corporations,-the Central for $2,000,000, and the Southern for $500,000. The exports of the State amounted in 1846 to $4,647,608. The total capacity of vessels enrolled in the collection district at Detroit was 26,928 tons, the steam vessels having 8,400 and the sailing vessels 18,528 tons, the whole giving em- ployment to 18,000 seamen. In 1847, there were 39 counties in the State, containing 435 townships ; and 275 of these townships were supplied with good libra- ries, containing an aggregate of 37,000 volumes.

At the close of his Senatorial term, in March, 1853, Mr. Felch was appointed, by President Pierce, one of the Commissioners to adjust and settle the Spanish

and Mexican land claims in California, under the treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo, and an act of Congress passed for that purpose. He went to California in May, 1853, and was made President of the Commis- sion. The duties of this office were of the most im- portant and delicate character. The interest of the new State, and the fortunes of many of its citizens, both the native Mexican population and the recent American immigration ; the right of the Pueblos to their common lands, and of the Catholic Church to the lands of the Missions,-the most valuable of the State,-wereinvolved in the adjudications of this Com- mission. In March, 1856, their labors were brought to a close by the final disposition of all the claims which were presented. The record of their proceed- ings,-the testimony which was given in each case, and the decision of the Commissioners thereon,- consisting of some forty large volumes, was deposited in the Department of the Interior at Washington.

In June of that year, Governor Felch returned to Ann Arbor, where he has since been engaged princi- pally in legal business. Since his return he has been nominated for Governor and also for U. S. Sen- ator, and twice for Judge of the Supreme Court. But the Democratic party, to which he has always been attached, being in the minority, he failed of an elec- tion. In 1873 he withdrew from the active practice of law, and, with the exception of a tour in Europe, in 1875 has since led a life of retirement at his home in Ann Arbor. In 1877 the University of Michigan conferred upon him the degree of LI .. D. For many years he was one of the Regents of Michigan University, and in the spring of 1879 was appointed Tappan Professor of Law in the same. Mr. Felch is the oldest surviving member of the Legislature from Monroe Co., the oldest and only surviving Bank Com- missioner of the State, the oldest surviving Auditor General of the State, the oldest surviving Governor of the State, the oldest surviving Judge of the Supreme Court of Michigan, and the oldest surviving United States Senator from the State of Michigan.

Want Gring.

GOVERNORS.

WILLIAM L. GREENLY.

ILLIAM L. GREENLY, Governor of Michigan for the year 1847, was born at Hamil- ton, Madison Co., N. Y., Sept. 18, 1813. He graduatedat Un- ion College, Schenectady, in 1831, studied law and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1834. In 1836, having removed to Michi- gan, he settled in Adrian, where he has since resided. The year following his arrival in Michigan he was elected State Senator and served in that capacity until 1839. In 1845 he was elected Lieut. Gov- ernor and became acting Governor by the resignation of Gov. Felch, who was elected to the United States Senate.

'The war with Mexico was brought to a successful termination during Gov. Greenly's administration. We regret to say that there are only few records extant of the action of Michigan troops in the Mexican war. That many went there and fought well are points conceded ; but their names and nativity are hidden away in United States archives

and where it is almost impossible to find them. The soldiers of this State deserve much of the credit of the memorable achievements of Co. K, 3d Dragoons, and Cos. A, E, and G of the U. S. Inf. The two former of these companies, recruited in this State, were reduced to one-third their original num- ber.

In May, 1846, the Governor of Michigan was noti- fied by the War Department of the United States to enroll a regiment of volunteers, to be held in readi- ness for service whenever demanded. At his sum- mons 13 independent volunteer companies, 11 of infantry and two of cavalry, at once fell into line. Of the infantry four companies were from Detroit, bear- ing the honored names of Montgomery, Lafayette, Scott and Brady upon their banners. Of the re- mainder Monroe tendered two, Lenawee County three, St. Clair, Berrien and Hillsdale each one, and Wayne County an additional company. Of these alone the veteran Bradys were accepted and ordered into ser- vice. In addition to them ten companies, making the First Regiment of Michigan Volunteers, springing from various parts of the State, but embodying 10 a great degree the material of which the first volunteers was formed, were not called for until October follow- ing. This regiment was soon in readiness and pro- ceeded by orders from Government to the seat of war.

Epaphrodites Rausoun.

125

GOVERNORS.

. J"

EPAPBRODITUS RANSOM.

HE HON. EPAPHRODI- TUS RANSOM, the Seventh Governor of Michigan, was a native of Massachusetts. In that State he received a col- legiate education, studied law, and was admitted to the bar. Removing to Michigan about the time of its admission to the Union, he took up his residence at Kalamazoo.

Mr. Ransom served with marked ability for a number of years in the State Legislature, and in 1837 he was appointed As- sociate Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1843 he was promoted to Chief Justice, which office he re- tained until 1845, when he resigned.

Shortly afterwards he became deeply interested in the building of plank roads in the western portion of the State, and in this business lost the greater portion of the property which he had accumulated by years of toil and industry.

Mr. Ransom became Governor of the State of Michigan in the fall of 1847, and served during one term, performing the duties of the office in a truly statesmanlike manner. He subsequently became President of the Michigan Agricultural Society, in which position he displayed the same ability that

shone forth so prominently in his acts as Governor. He held the office of Regent of the Michigan Univer- sity several times, and ever advocated a liberal policy in its management.

Subsequently he was appointed receiver of the land office in one of the districts in Kansas, by Pres- ident Buchanan, to which State he had removed, and where he died before the expiration of his term of office.

We sum up the events and affairs of the State un- der Gov. Ransom's administration as follows: The Asylum for the Insane was establised, as also the Asylum for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind. Both of these institutes were liberally endowed with lands, and each of them placed in charge of a board of five trustees. The appropriation in 1849 for the deaf and dumb and blind amounted to $81,500. On the first of March, 1848, the first telegraph line was com- pleted from New York to Detroit, and the first dis- patch transmitted on that day. The following figures show the progress in agriculture : The land reported as under cultivation in 1848 was 1,437,460 acres; of wheat there were produced 4,749,300 bushels; other grains, 8,197,767 bushels; wool, 1,645,756 pounds; maple sugar, 1,774,369 pounds ; horses, 52,305 ; cat- tle, 210,268; swine, 152,541 ; sheep, 610,534; while the flour mills numbered 228, and the lumber mills amounted to 730. 1847, an act was passed removing the Legislature from Detroit to Lansing, and tempo- rary buildings for the use of the Legislature were im- mediately erected, at a cost of $12,450.

GOFERNORS OF MICHIGAN.

129

ROBERT MCCLELLAND.

R OBERT Mc CLELL. AND, Governor of Michigan from Jan. 1, 1852, to March 8, 1853, was born at Greeneastle, Frank- lin Co., Penn., Aug. 1. 1807. Among his ancestors were several officers of rank in the Revolution- ary war, and some of his family con- nections were distinguished in the war of 1812, and that with Mexico. His father was an eminent physician and surgeon who studied under Dr. Benj. Rush, of Philadelphia, and practiced his profession successfully until six months before his death, at the age of 84 years. Although Mr. McClelland's family had been in good circum- stances, when he was 17 years old he was thrown upon his own resources. After taking the usual pre- liminary studies, and teaching school to obtain the means, he entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle, Penn., from which he graduated among the first in his class, in 1829. He then resumed teaching, and having completed the course of study for the legal profession, was admitted to the bar at Chambersburg, Penn., in 1831. Soon afterward he removed to the city of Pittsburgh, where he practiced for almost a year.

In 1833, Mr. McClelland removed to Monroe, in

the Territory of Michigan, where, after a severe ex- amination, he became a member of the bar of Michi- yan, and engaged in practice with bright prospect of success. In 1835, a convention was called to frame a constitution for the proposed State of Michigan, of which Mr. McClelland was elected a member. He took a prominent part in its deliberations and ranked among its ablest debaters. He was appointed the first Bank Commissioner of the State, by Gov. Mason, and received an offer of the Attorney Generalship, but declined both of these offices in order to attend to his professional duties.

In 1838, Mr. McClelland was elected to the State Legislature, in which he soon became distinguished as the head of several important committees, Speaker pro tempore, and as an active, zealous and efficient member. In 1840, Gen. Harrison, as a candidate for the Presidency, swept the country with an overwhelm- ing majority, and at the same time the State of Michi- gan was carried by the Whigs under the popular cry of " Woodbridge and reform " against the Democratic party. At this time Mr. McClelland stood among the acknowledged leaders of the latter organization; was elected a member of the State House of Representa- tives, and with others adopted a plan to regain a lost authority and prestige.

This party soon came again into power in the State, and having been returned to the State Legislature Mr. McClelland's leadership was acknowledged by his election as Speaker of the House of Representatives

130

ROBERT MCCLELLAND

In 1843. Down to this time Michigan had consti- tuted one congressional district. The late Hon. Jacob M. Howard had been elected against Hon. Alpheus Felch by a strong majority ; but, in 1843, so thoroughly had the Democratic party recovered from its defeat of 1840 that Mr. McClelland, as a candidate for Con- gress, carried Detroit district by a majority of about 2,500. Mr. McClelland soon took a prominent posi- tion in Congress among the veterans of that body. During his first term he was placed on Committee on Commerce, and organized and carried through what were known as the " Harbor bills." The continued confidence of his constituency was manifested in his election to the 29th Congress. At the opening of this session he had acquired a National reputation, and so favorably was he known as a parlimentarian that his name was mentioned for Speaker of the House of Rep- resentatives. He declined the offer in favor of J. W. Davis, of Indiana, who was elected. During this term he became Chairman of Committee on Commerce, in which position his reports and advocacy of important measures at once attracted public attention. The members of this committee, as an evidence of the es- teem in which they held his services and of their personal regard for him, presented him with a cane which he retains as a souvenir of the donors, and of his labors in Congress.

In 1847, Mr. McClelland was re-elected to Con- gress, and at the opening of the 30th Congress be- came a member of the Committee on Foreign Rela- tions. While acting in this capacity, what was known as the " French Spoliation Bill" came under his spe- cial charge, and his management of the same was such as to command universal approbation. While in Congress, Mr. McClelland was an advocate of the right of petition as maintained by John Q. Adams, when the petition, was clothed in decorous language and presented in the proper manner. This he re- garded as the citizens constitutional right which should not be impaired by any doctrines of temporary expe- diency. He also voted for the adoption of Mr. Gid- dings's bill for the abolishing of slavery in the District of Columbia. Mr. McClelland was one of the few Democrats associated with David Wilmot, of Penn- sylvania, in bringing forward the celebrated "Wilmot Proviso," with a view to prevent further extension of slavery in new territory which might be acquired by the United States. He and Mr. Wilmot were to- gether at the time in Washington, and on intimate and confidential terms. Mr McClelland was in sev- cral National conventions and in the Baltimore con- vention, which nominated Gen. Cass for President, in 1848, doing valiant service that year for the elec- tion of that distinguished statesman. On leaving Congress, in 1848, Mr. McClelland returned to the practice of his profession at Monroe. In 1850 a convention of the State of Michigan was called to revise the State constitution. He was elected a

member and was regarded therein as among the ablest and most experienced leaders. His clear judgment and wise moderation were conspicuous, both in the committee room and on the floor, in debate. In 1850, he was President of the Democratic State convention which adopted resolutions in support of Henry Clay's famous compromise measures, of which Mr. McClel- land was a strong advocate He was a member of the Democratic National convention in 1852, and in that year, in company with Gen Cass and Governor Felch, he made a thorough canvass of the State. He continued earnestly to advocate the Clay com- promise measures, and took an active part in the canvass which resulted in the election of Gen Pierce to the Presidency,

In 1851, the new State constitution took effect and it was necessary that a Governor should be elected for one year in order to prevent an interregnum, and to bring the State Government into operation under the new constitution Mr. McClelland was elected Governor, and in the fall of 1852 was re-elected for a term of two years, from Jan 1, 1853. His admin- istration was regarded as wise, prudent and concilia- tory, and was as popular as could be expected at a time when party spirit ran high. There was really no opposition, and when he resigned, in March, 1853, the State Treasury was well filled, and the State otherwise prosperous. So widely and favorably had Mr. McClelland become known as a statesman that on the organization of thecabinet by President Pierce, in March, 1853, he was made Secretary of the Interior, in which capacity he served most creditably during four years of the Pierce administration. He thoroughly re-organized his department and reduced the expend- itures. He adopted a course with the Indians which relieved them from the impositions and annoyances of the traders, and produced harmony and civilization among them. During his administration there was neither complaint from the tribes nor corruption among agents, and he left the department in perfect order and system. In 1867, Michigan again called a con- vention to revise the State constitution. Mr. McClel- land was a member and here again his long experi- ence made him conspicuous as a prudent adviser, a sagacious parliamentary leader. As a lawyer he was terse and pointed in argument, clear, candid and im- pressive in his addresses to the jury. His sincerity and earnestness, with which was occasionally mingled a pleasant humor, made him an able and effective advocate. In speaking before the people on political subjects he was especially forcible and happy. In 1870 he made the tour of Europe, which, through his extensive personal acquaintance with European dip- Tomates, he was enabled to enjoy much more than most travelers.

Mr. McClelland married, in 1837, Miss Sarah E. Sabin, of Williamstown, Mass. They have had six children, two of whom now survive.

A Parsons

GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN.

133

ANDREW PARSONS.

NDREW PARSONS, Gover- nor of Michigan from March 8, 1853 to Jan. 3. 1855, was born in the town of Hoosick, County of Rensselaer, and State of New York, on the 22d day of July, 1817, and died June 6, 1855, at the early age of 38 years. He was the son of John Parsons, born at Newburyport, Mass,, Oct. 2, 1782, and who was the sonof Andrew Parsons, a Revolutionary soldier, who was the . ? of Phineas Parsons, the son of Samuel Parsons. a descendant of Walter Parsons, born in Ireland in 1290.

Of this name and family, some one hundred and thirty years ago, Bishop Gilson remarked in his edi- tion of Camden's Britannia: "The honorable family of Parsons have been advanced to the dignity of Viscounts and more lately Earls of Ross."

The following are descendants of these families : Sir John Parsons, born 1481, was Mayor of Hereford; Robert Parsons, born in 1546, lived near Bridgewater. England. He was educated at Ballial College, Ox- ford, and was a noted writer and defender of the Romish faith. He established an English College at Rome and another at Valladolia. Frances Parsons, born in 1556, was Vicar of Rothwell, in Notingham; Bartholomew Parsons, born in 1618, was another noted member of the family. In 1634, Thomas Parsons was knighted by Charles 1. Joseph and Benjamin, brothers, were born in Great l'orrington, England,

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Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches, Part 10

Author: Chapman Brothers Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers Number of Pages: 684

Author: Chapman Brothers
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 684