Lawyer; born in Jackson, Mich., Nov. 20, 1853 ; son of John A. and Harriet (Smith) Bacon. He was graduated (in the "Stars") in 1876 from the United States Military Academy, in which he was the first captain in the corps of cadets, and served as lieutenant in the 1st United States Artillery, from which he resigned. He was admitted to the bar in 1879, and he has a wide practice, extending to many countries; is a director and vice-president of the Webster Piano Company. He served in the New York Legislature as assemblyman, 1887, and in the National Guard of the State of New York, as captain, major and lieutenant-colonel of the Twenty-third Regiment, and as colonel of the Second Provisional Regiment. Colonel Bacon is a member of the Quill and Winter's Night Clubs of Brooklyn. He married in Denver, Colo., Sept, 1, 1886, Harriet Whetelsey Schroter, and they have two children. Residence : 101 Rugby Road, Brooklyn. Office: 46 Cedar St., New York City. He is the author of various books and widely known as a lawyer, lecturer and writer.
George T. Bader, real estate; born, Jackson,
Mich., July 22, 1867; son of George and Hannah M.
(Falahee) Bader; graduate Jackson High School, June
30, 1884, and later completed regular course in
College of Pharmacy; married at Detroit, Jan. 24,
1894, Loretta I. Bosset. Engaged in retail drug
business at Jackson after passing examination as
registered pharmacist before State Board of Pharmacy
of Michigan; accepted position as traveling salesman,
1889, with firm of Farrand, Williams & Clark,
wholesale druggists, Detroit; entered general real
estate, mortgage loans and fire insurance business at
Detroit, Aug. 1, 1892 in which continues. Member
Detroit Real Estate Board. Recreations: Fishing and
all outdoor sports. Office: 221-222 Moffat Bldg.
Residence: 54 Westminster Av.
John C Bader, hardware merchant, 214 Main
Street, is a son of John C and Mary E (Rife) Bader,
natives of Germany; father died in his native place;
mother came to the United States and found a home with
the subject of this sketch until her death, which
occurred in 1864. Mr Bader, Jr., was born in
Oberhausen, Kingdom of Wittemberg, March 21, 1831,
where he received a common-school education and
learned the trade of paper-making. In 1848 he came to
the United States, located in Genesee County, N.Y.,
and followed farming until 1850, when he came to
jackson and followed the same business; in 1852 he
engaged in his present business. He married Miss Katie
Kelly, daughter of Andrew Kelly, of Ireland, in 1850.
They have four children - two boy and two girls. Mr B
came to this country a poor man, but by his own
exertions has accumulated a fine property; he carries
a stock of $12,000 and does a business of from $35,000
to $40,000. Members of the Catholic Church.
Abram H Baird, M. D., was born at Martville,
Cayuga, Co., N.Y., Oct. 2, 1931; was educated in the
literary academy of Wayne County; began teaching
school in 1849; married in 1853, and moved to this
county in April, 1854, where he taught seven terms of
school; was elected Justice of the Peace in the town
of Blackman, and School Inspector in the town of
Sandstone; became a permanent resident of the city of
Jackson in 1864; studied medicine 1872-'3-'4, and
graduated at the Physio-Medical College, of
Cincinnati, O., in the winter of 1874-'5. Since that
time Dr. Baird has been practicing medicine in Jackson
with rare skill and success. During the 27 years of
his residence in jackson County, under the onward and
upward march of pluck, enterprise and civilization,
the Doctor has seen the village of Jackson with one
railroad, grow into an important and prominent
commercial city and railroad center, not excelled by
any inland town in the State. Worthless marshes and
useless woodlands have been converted into fertile
fields; mines have been opened, and the music of
machinery has superseded the wolf's howl and the
Indian war-whoop. Dr Baird was chosen President of the
State Physio-Medical Association, organized at Grand
Rapids May 7, 1879, which position he still holds; he
was appointed delegate to the National Physio-Medical
Association, which is soon to be organized.
Edward Baker, superintendent of the trip-hammer shop of Austin, Tomlinson & Webster Manufactoring Co., was born in Grafton, Worcester Co., Mass., in 1817, and from 10 years of age was brought up in Auburn, N. Y. He is the son of Edward and Polly (Sherman) Baker. He commenced learning the manufacture of scythes in Auburn at the age of 14. He came to Jackson in 1853 and has been identified with prison manufactories since. He was engaged some years with Pinney & Lamsen, and their successors, in the manufacture of agricultural implements, and with the A. T. & W. Manufacturing Co. since 1859. Mr Baker was married in the fall of 1870 to M. Ann Eliza Morrison, who ws born in Orange County, N. Y. By a former marriage he has two sons and two daughters. Politically he is a Democrat.
Dr. Warren Baker, Eclectic physician, was born in Genesee County, N. Y., in 1836. He is the son of John M. and Mercy R. (Miller) Baker, of Windham County, Conn. Dr. Baker was educated in Buffalo, N. Y., read medicine in that city and graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1869 or '70. Aug. 26, 1861, he enlisted in Co. C., 29th Ohio Vol. Inf., served two years in the 12 corps, Army of the Potomac, joined Sherman in the 20th corps, veteranized after the battle of Lookout Mountain, "marched down to the sea" with Sherman, came out a Sergeant and was discharged July 22, 1865, in Louisville, Ky. he began the practice of his profession in Ashtabula County, Ohio, in 1870, remaining there until 1879, when he located in Grand Rapids. In September of the following year he removed to Jackson. he was married in Batavia, N. Y., in 1865, to Cecilia Bassett, and has one daughter, Cecilia, aged 11. Dr. Baker, while a resident of the 19th Congressional District of Ohio, ran against Gen. James A. Garfield for Congress on the Democratic ticket, and once was nominated for Representative in the State Legislature.
George W. Baker, of Kellogg and Baker,
wholesale grocers, was born in Cumberland County,
Maine, Nov. 2, 1837. His father, Arthur M. Baker, was
a native of Portland, that State, and married Harriet
Willard, of Lancaster, N. H. Mr. B. is the elder of
their two sons. His school opportunities were prior to
the age of 14, the last four years of which were spent
in Hamilton Academy. On leaving school he entered a
hardware store as clerk, and has led a commercial life
continuously since. At the age of 18 he went to
Greene, N. Y., and obtained the position of clerk in a
general store, which he retained until 1865, when he
opened a general store on his own account. Four years
later he sold out in Greene, and embarked in the
wholesale grocery business in Wellsville, N. Y.;
conducted it two years, then sold and came to Jackson,
at once engaging in the same line of trade. He married
Christina G. Wilson, of Chenango County, N. Y., in
1859. They have 1 child, Alice J., five years old.
Charles A Baldwin, M. D., is a native of Williamsburg, Essex Co., N. Y., born in Mary 1854. His parents, Asa W. and Samantha (Tucker) Baldwin, were natives of New York, and moved to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1861, where Charles was educated and read medicine with Dr. H. C. Brainard of that city; was three years in the U. S. Marine Hospital, two and a half years as assistant resident physician. Dr. Baldwin graduated from the medical department of the Western Reserve college in 1873; practiced a few months at Royalton, then in Lorain a short time, a year in Cleveland, came to Concord, Jackson Co., Mich., remained four years, and located in Jackson in March, 1880. Doctor graduated in the allopathic school, but uses both allopathic and homeopathic remedies. He is a member of both the State and County Homeopathic Medical Societies. Doctor B. married Emma Langdon, of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1873, by whom he has one child - Kittie Baldwin.
Abram E Ball, manufacturer of fine carriage tops and trimmings, 119 East Courtland Street, was born in Athens, Windham Co., Vt., and is 46 years of age. He attended the schools of his native town, and at the age of 16, went to learn the trade of harness-making and carriage trimming in Boston. He worked as a journeyman in thevarious New England cities for about 12 years; and in March, 1862, he embarked extensively in the business of carriage trimming and selling saddles and harnesses and trunks in Springfield, Vt. In the fall of 1864-'65 he took a partner, and at the end of a year sold out to him. He traveled for a time selling goods through the South and West, and in the latter part of 1870 hires as foreman for J. B. Cornell & Co., in Kalamazoo, Mich.; remained there nearly three years, came to Jackson in July, 1873, and had charge of the trimming room of the Jackson Carriage Factory for the two years previous to its suspension of business; was then trimmer for Mr. John Anderson two years, after which, in July, 1877, he established hyis present business, making a specialty of carriage tops and trimmings, of which he manufactures about $4,000 in value a year, the business having trebled in three years. On Feb. 10, 1861, Mr. Ball married Lina A. Cummings in Concord, N.H., born in Sterling, Mass. They have two childern, a son and a daughter. Mr B. is a member of the Masonic order, lodge, chapter and council, and he and wiffe are members of the Episcopal Church.
Levant Bangs, farmer, 614 Blackstone Street,
son of Ora B. and Phebe (Beebe) Bangs, was born in
1838, in the town of Columbia, Jackson Co., Mich. His
parents, who were natives of Watertown, New York, came
to Michigan and settled on Columbia Twp. in a very
early day. His mother died there some 37 years ago,
and he was brought up from seven years of age by R. J.
Crego, of Columbia Twp., with whom he lived 15 years,
and enjoyed the advantages of the distric school. Mr.
Bangs worked two years for Mr. Crego's brother; and
Sept. 21, 1861, enlisted in Co. C, 9th Mich. Inf.,
which was assigned to the army of the Tennessee, and
served as provost body guard to Gen. G. H. Thomas. Mr.
B. received two flesh wounds by gunshots, in the left
leg and the right arm, at the battle of Murfreesboro,
and carries one of the balls yet; was captured at the
same time, but soon after paroled; the next December
rejoined his regiment, and in March, 1863, was
discharged from disability. After returning home he
was guard at the State's prison. On Nov. 24, 1864, he
was united in marriage with Miss Carrie M. Reed, a
native of Mount Morris, N. Y. In the spring of 1865 he
was employed for six months as night watch inthe
prison, and in the fall moved to and cultivated his
father's farm in Leoni two years. The spring of 1869
he came to Jackson and has since been keeper in the
prison until resigned in March, 1880. He is now
directing his attention to farming. Mr. Bangs and wife
have two children - Edgar A., aged 14 years, and
Florence P., eight years of age. Mr. and Mrs. B. are
members of the First Baptist Church.
Charles Bankson, engineer M.C.R.R., was born
in Cayuga County, N. Y., Oct. 12, 1833, son of
Benjamin and Maria (VanWee) Bankson, natives of New
York, who emigrated to Marshall, Mich., in the spring
of 1837, where Mr. B., Sr., followed butchering for 16
years, and died Jan. 27, 1854; mother is still living.
Mr. Bankson was reared on a farm until he was 20 years
old; his education was limited to the public schools,
attending only 30 weeks in his life, but has educated
himself since. When 21 years old he engaged as fireman
between Detroit and Marshall, and Aug. 20, 1866, was
promoted to engineer; has been on the road 24 years.
Mr. Bankson has been very fortunate in saving life in
the 15 years he has followed engineering; has never
injured a passenger. He married Miss Mary E. Garlick,
who was born in Lower Canada Dec. 11, 1834. There were
five children, two of whom are living - William H. and
Lottie L. Mr. B. is a member of A.O.U.W. and Chosen
Friends.
E. W. Barber, President Jackson Furniture Co., Jackson, Mich., was born in Benson, Vt., July 3, 1828. When 11 years old his parents, Edward H. and Rebecca (Griswold) Barber, emigrated to Eaton County, Mich. His father was a pioneer, clearing up the country, and built a mill in 1840, taking up some 2,000 acres of land. The subject of this sketch remained on his father's farm until he was 19 years old, when he entered the Expounder office at Marshall, and remained there three years; was also assistant on theKalamazoo Gazette and Telegraph, in company with Volney Haskell. Then went to Detroit, where he was engaged on the first Free-Soil paper that was ever published in Michigan, the DetroitDemocrat, as city and commercial editor. He remained here until 1855, then returned to Eaton County, where he engaged in the mercantile business and farming until 1857, when he was appointed Assistant Clerk in the Legislature, and was Clerk of the House from 1861 to 1863. He was elected as County Clerk in Eaton County in 1860. In 1864 he was elected Register of Deeds; in December, 1863, he was appointed Reading Clerk of the House of Representatives, Washington, D.C., in the Congresses of '38, '39 and '40; in March, 1869, received the appointment of Supervisor of Internal Revenue, of the State of Michigan and Wisconsin, and in March, 1873, was appointed as 3d Assistant Postmaster General, and served until 1877, when he resigned. He married Miss Martha Dwight, daughter of Peregrine Dwight, of Belchertown, Mass.
Mrs. Rebecca Barnard, widow of Daniel
Barnard, residence corner First and Biddle streets, is
the daughter of Jethro Bunker and Rebecca Coffin, of
Nantucket, and was born in 1821, in Columbia county,
New York. When she was nine years of age her parents
removed to Michigan; lived seven years in Ann Arbor;
then removed to Sandstone Twp., Jackson county. In the
spring of 1830 Mr. Bunker rode an Indian pony from Ann
Arbor to the present site of Jackson, then containing
but two log houses, and for 30 miles of the route saw
no white person. Mr. Bunker spent the remainder of his
life on the farm he improved in Sandstone, where his
daughter Rebecca married Mr. Barnard in 1840. He was a
native of Dutchess county, N. Y., born in 1816. They
bought the old homestead in Sandstone, and occupied it
till they settled in Jackson in 1872. The old farm is
still in the hands of the family. Mr. Barnard was
Supervisor from Sandstone many years, and after coming
to the city was Superintendent of the Poor, and also
Secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Co. He died
in the spring of 1875. They had 5 sons and 1 daughter.
Two of the sons are deceased; 1, Luther, was
accidentally drowned while bathing in a small lake
near Jackson in May, 1871. Mrs. Barnard now resides
with her son Charles, who is emploved in the hardware
house of Wells & Fuller.
Warren 0. Barney, engineer M. C. Railroad; residence 811 Detroit Street; a son of William G. and Eliza (Baker) Barney, and was born in Calhoun county, Mich., Sept. 26, 1858; received a common-school education; up to the time of coming to this county followed clerking; after coming to Jackson worked in a restaurant, since which time he has been engaged by the M. C. Railroad Company.
Daniel P. Barret, engineer M. C. Railroad,
is a son of Samuel and Lydia A. (Thompson) Barret. His
father emigrated to Detroit, Mich., in 1835, where he
followed his trade as carpenter and car builder; built
the first cars that were used on the M. C. Railroad,
and the Detroit & Milwaukee road ; owned the block
where the City Hall now stands, and his shops were
located upon it. The subject of this sketch was born
in Detroit Oct. 27, 1845, where he was educated. When
18 years of age he commenced work for the M. C.
Railroad as foreman, in which capacity he remained
four years; was then promoted to engineer. May 6,
1868, he married Miss Jesse A. Crowman, who was born
Feb. 22, 1849. They have had 4 children— Charles D.,
born May 17, 1869, died July 1, 1869; Emma E., born
Nov. 12, 1870; Georgie A., born Feb. 6, 1876; Harry
G., born Nov. 19, 1877, died Feb 15, 1880.
John Bedford, pump maker, Jackson, Mich.;
residence, 117 Pearl Street; was born in
Monmouthshire, Wales, April 2, 1828. His father,
William Bedford, emigrated to this country and located
in Pittsburg, Pa., where he followed the business of
manufacturing iron; he died in 1834. Mr. B. was reared
on a farm and received a limited education. In 1848 he
came to Ann Arbor; in 1861 enlisted in the 1st Mich.
Yol. Regt, under Col. Robinson; was at the surrender
of Vicksburg, and participated in all the battles of
the regiment up to the battle of Fredericksburg, when
he was struck with a musket ball; was taken to the
field hospital, and afterward to Washington, D. C.,
and was left in Douglas hospital. After leaving the
hospital he was put on detached service, and afterward
transferred to the V. R. C. His whole term of service
was four years and ten months. He came to Jackson in
1869, and was keeper in the State's prison five years,
since which time he has been in his present business.
In 1870 he received an accidental pistol shot at the
fair grounds, which he carries to the present time.
Mr. B. held a commission from Gov. Blair, and also one
from Abraham Lincoln, as Captain, which he can feel
proud of. They are framed from a piece of wood from
the pirate Florida. He married Leah Welch, who was
born in England in 1835. They have 1 adopted daughter
— Edith, who is still with the family.
George W. Beebe, auditor of Austin,
Tomlinson & Webster Manufacturing Company, was
born and reared till 15 years of age in Seneca Falls,
Seneca Co., N. Y. His father, Joseph L. Beebe, was a
native of the same State, and married Miss Jane
Chapin, born in Massachusetts. George was educated in
Seneca Falls Academy, and upon leaving school entered
the banking house of Sidney Sweet & Co. (now the
First National Bank of Dansville), Livingston Co., N.
Y., and remained there six years, as bookkeeper and
teller. He was then three years bookkeeper in Cook's
First National Bank of Bath, Steuben Co.; returned to
Dansville, and in October, 1863, was united in
marriage with Jenette McCay, of that place. After
passing six years in the hardware business, Mr. Beebe
came to Jackson in the fall of 1869, and continued in
the same line of trade until the spring of 1874, as a
member of the firm of Lenient & Beebe. He then
closed out, and assumed the duties of his present
position. Mr. Beebe is a member of the A. F. & A.
M., lodge and chapter. He and wife are the parents of
2 children — Sophie and George C. Beebe.
James T. Beebe, deceased, was born in
Onondaga County N. Y., Sept. 25, 1830. His father was
a contractor on the railroads, and James was with him
until he was 20 years of age, when he was employed by
the express company, which business he followed until
his death, which occurred in December, 1871. He was
first engaged as messenger on the Great Western K. R.
eight years. He married Miss Ellen M. Marvin, daughter
of W. E. Marvin, of New York State; she was born in
South Deerfield, Mass., May 21, 1839. They have 5
children, viz.: Charles F., James F., Arthur D.,
Elmore M., Marvin. Mr. Beebe was a thorough business
man, of unapproachable character, and was respected by
all who knew him.
Chester Bennett (deceased) was born in the
State of New York, Oct. 9, 1800; learned the tanner's
trade when he was a boy, and followed it until he came
to Michigan in 1834, being before there were any
railroads to Jackson; the first few years followed
farming, then engaged at his old occupation of tanner,
which he followed until his death, which occurred in
1862. He married Miss Polly Curtis, who was born in
Trumbull Twp., Fairfield Co., Conn., in 1798; she died
May 25, 1845, leaving a family of 7 children — 4 sons
and 3 daughters. For his second wife Mr. B. married
Miss Kachel M. Woods in 1846; she was born in Sudbury,
Rutland Co., Yt, Jan. 28, 1805. When Mr. Bennett came
to Jackson it was in its infancy; he took a great
interest in the organization of the Congregational
Church; was a member 40 years, and a Deacon for a
number of years. He was a kind husband and father and
was loved and respected by all who knew him.
George P. Bennett, dentist, was born in
Genesee county, N. Y., and is 59 years of age. He is a
nephew of Isaiah Bennett, who built the first house in
Jackson. His parents were Erastus and Sarah (Peck)
Bennett. His mother was born in Lyme, Conn., and
reared in Ontario county, N. Y. His father was a
native of Vermont. Dr. Bennett is one of a family of
16 children, all of whom reached adult age and had
families. He was educated at the Genesee Wesleyan
Seminary at Lima, and in Middlebury Academy. When 18
years old he came to Detroit, Michigan, and spent 18
months in the hat store of F. G. H. Buhl as clerk. He
came thence to Jackson in 1842. Dr. Bennett had
studied dentistry with a cousin before leaving New
York, and he procured a set of dental intruments and
itinerated, doing what business he could pick up for a
time, and eventually establishing an office with Dr.
Gorham, then a permanent practicing physician. He was
the pioneer dentist by some years in this section of
Michigan. Dr. Porter, of Ann Arbor, afterward his
partner, acquired the details of his profession in Dr.
Bennett's office. Dr. Bennett afterward returned to
New York and took a course of instruction of Dr.
Wanzer, of Rochester. He returned to Jackson, where he
practiced until 1859; meanwhile he engaged in farming
and breeding fine blooded stock. A pair of Devonshire
cattle and 11 Cotswold sheep, the first of these
breeds introduced into Jackson county, were imported
by him. In 1859 he went to St. Louis and opened an
office, but after a year was compelled to leave on
account of war sentiment, when he went to Alton, Ill.,
where he remained some years. In 1863 he reopened the
St. Louis office and conducted business there by proxy
about eight years. In 1868 or '69, he went to
Carrollton, Greene Co., Ill. In 1877 he located in
Louisiana, Pike Co., Mo., returning to Jackson in
1880. At 25 years of age he married Charlotte M. Buck,
of Grass Lake. She died in 1870 in St. Louis, leaving
a son and daughter, the latter now in Denver, Co. In
1872 Dr. Bennett married in Buffalo, Fanny Sleight, of
Carrollton, Ill. Four years later she died in
Carrollton.
William M. Bennett, senior partner of the dry-goods house of Wm. M. Bennett & Son, was born in Bethany, Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1822. James Bennett, his father, was a native of Vermont, whence he emigrated in 1806 to New York State, being a pioneer in that locality. His father having purchased a large tract of land there, divided it among his sons, and James engaged in and followed farming. He was a firm adherent of Methodism, and received license to preach in that Church, confining his ministrations chiefly to local work. William M. was the second of a family of 2 sons and 2 daughters of James and Alta M. Bennett, nee Rumsey, also of Vermont. His early school advantages were such as abounded in the vicinity of his father's farm. Later he attended several terms at Lima Seminary, in Livingston county; engaged in teaching during the winter and labored on the farm in summer. He worked three years for his father after attaining his majority, for which he received $100, having given his sire his entire earnings from teaching besides.
Young Bennett, putting his $100 in his
pocket, started in quest of employment and a future
home in the new wild West. He spent about a year in
Southern Illinois, teaching and clerking in a cousin's
store; then came to visit another cousin in Jackson,
Mich. At the urgent request of his father he visited
the old homestead, after which he returned and settled
down in Jackson, in October, 1847, as a man of all
work, in the new store of S. W. Whitwell, receiving
his board for his services. There was little demand
for labor, and he was determined to be employed. At
the expiration of three months Mr. W., having tested
his value, engaged to pay him a salary of $15 per
month for a year. Two years later Mr. B. had become so
valuable to the concern that Mr. Whitwell contracted
to pay him $1,000 a year, and at the end of three
years more he gave the faithful clerk a one-third
partnership in the business. For some years previous
Mr. Bennett had kept the books and bought most of the
goods for the house. The partnership lasted until the
fall of 1856, when Mr. Bennett purchased Mr.
Whitwell's interest and became sole proprietor. He has
been in the business continuously since, save three
years. In 1875 the firm of Bennett & Son opened
their present metropolitan store, Clarence H. becoming
a partner. They occupy three floors and basement of
their ample building, carrying a stock of $125,000 to
$150,000. Besides their extensive retail trade, they
do a jobbing business of considerable magnitude.
Louise Bigelow was the daughter of Cornelius
and Rebecca Pollimus, who were natives of New Jersey,
and came to Binghamton, N. Y., in an early day, where
the subject of this sketch was born Aug. 4, 1817. When
six years of age her parents emigrated to Cayuga, N.
Y., remained until 1832, then came to Michigan, and
located in Freedom, Washtenaw Co. Here her father
bought a farm and remained upon it until his death,
which occurred in June, 1860; her mother died some
five years later. Mrs. Bigelow came to the State in an
early day when the county was one vast wilderness. The
woods were filled with deer, bear, wild turkey and
Indians. She remembers running deer around hills on
their runways for her father to shoot at. Her sister
taught the first school in Freedom Twp., and she was
the first lady married. In 1869 she came to this
county and located in Henrietta Twp., where they
remained until 1876, then came to Jackson. They are
members of the Congregational Church.
Hamilton Bigham, night yard-master of Mich.
Gen. R. R. at Jackson, was born in Canada in 1842 and
left there in 1856, and lived in Cook and Will
counties, Ill., till he went into the army as a member
of Co. D, 1st Ill. Light Artillery, where he enlisted,
Aug. 27, 1861, serving in the First Brigade, 3d
Division, 17th Corps, Army of the Tennessee, under
John A. Logan a considerable portion of the time, also
under Gen. Geo. B. McPherson. He was wounded at
Vicksburg June 21, 1863, by a minie ball in the right
side, by which he was disabled for several months. In
the winter of 1864 he was promoted to Quarter-master
just before the fall of Atlanta. He was discharged and
mustered out of service July 27, 1865. He returned to
his home in New York and was engaged in a flouring
mill six months. In May, 1866, he was appointed on the
metropolitan police force of Buffalo, serving three
years, over two of which he held the position of
sergeant. He resigned and entered the employ of the M.
C. R. R. in Detroit in 1869, worked in various
capacities for three years, coming to Jackson in
October, 1873, where he worked for the railroad
company 18 months by the day, and since that time as
yard-master. He is a member of the Masonic order,
Paris Lodge, No. 292. He was married in Detroit in
1880 to Susan Boulter, of that city.
Rev. Ira C. Billman, Pastor of the Unitarian
Society, was born in West Carlisle, Coshocton Co., O.,
in 1841, and is the son of Andrew Billman, a
Pennsylvanian by birth, and Catharine Howbert, a
native of Virginia. After their marriage they settled
on the farm where Rev. Ira was born. They were the
parents of 12 children, of whom Mr. B. is the third.
He labored on the farm in the summer and attended
school in winter, reading everything he could obtain,
until 20 years of age, when he entered the
sub-freshman class in the college at Springfield,
Ohio. But three months after, in August, he enlisted
as a private in Co. D, 122d O. V. I., which was
assigned to the army of West Virginia, Gen. Millroy
commanding. The regiment participated in numerous
minor engagements, and in the battle of Winchester,
where a little more than 9,000 Union troops fought a
Rebel force vastly superior in numbers three days,
holding them in check while the Union Army was
preparing for the memorable battle of Gettysburg. They
were finally overpowered and about half of them
captured, among the number Mr. Billman. After 40 days
of imprisonment in Castle Thunder and Belle Island
they were exchanged and sent to Camp Chase, O., but
soon returned to Washington. Here Mr. Billman was
detailed for clerical duties in one of the army
offices, remaining until he was discharged on account
of ill health in the summer of 1864. Having taken
every available advantage to prosecute his studies
while in the army he entered the sophomore class in
college and graduated in 1867; and two years later
completed the course in the Theological Seminary in
Springfield. During his collegiate and theological
course, Mr. Billman was noted for independent thought
and liberal tendencies, and when undergoing
examination for ordination he refused to accept the
creed of the Lutheran Church. Upon being ordained, he
was called to the pastorate of the Lutheran Church of
Wooster, one of the most prominent in the synod of
Eastern Ohio, where he labored two years and a half
and then accepted a call to the Lutheran Society of
Omaha, one of the wealthiest Churches at that time in
the general synod. During his two years of service
there, Rev. Billman instituted a system of detective
work which put him in complete possession of the
facts, and then embodying them in two powerful
lectures delivered to the citizens of Omaha, he broke
up the famous lottery scheme of James M. Pattee, the
most gigantic lottery swindler in the United States,
and caused his arrest and subsequent flight to Europe.
During one week after Mr. Billinan began his
investigations, Pattee received through the postoffice
$115,000 in money orders alone. Leaving Omaha, Mr,
Billman passed a season traveling on the Pacific
coast; then accepted a call to the Congregational
Church of Mt. Vernon, O. At the end of 18 months he
assumed pastoral charge of a Mission Church in Toledo,
O., for two years, during which it became a large and
strong society. In 1876 he became Pastor of the
Plymouth Congregational Church of Adrian, Mich., and
while there, in addition to his ministerial labors, he
filled the chair of mental philosophy and logic in the
Methodist Protestant college of that place. Receiving
a call from the Unitarian Society of Jackson, Mr.
Billman entered upon its pastoral duties in April,
1878. The Church was then feeble and worshiping in an
old, uncomfortable house, but through his labors the
society has greatly increased in numbers, strengthened
in interest, and a substantial and attractive brick
edifice has taken the place of the old one. Mr.
Billman is a zealous student, a clear, logical
thinker, a forcible, entertaining speaker, and
fearless in expressing his conscientious convictions.
Henry H. Bingham, real-estate and produce dealer, was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., Jan 7, 1814, and was a son of Calvin Bingham, and a grandson of a Calvin Bingham, a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His father located in Onondaga county, N. Y., in 1808, and married Miss Betsy Scott, daughter of Phineas Scott, of Bennington, Vt. Henry was reared on a farm, and received an academic education in Cortland County, at Homer Academy. He followed teaching school, and was very successful. In the spring of 1838 he came to this county, where he embarked in the mercantile business in Leoni Twp., and remained there two years; sold out, and bought land in the same township. , and engaged in farming in 1842, which business he followed until 1852; went to Grass Lake, and built the first store in the village; sold goods there three years. He married Miss Amelia Wells, daughter of Dr. Cyrus Wells, of Oakland Co., Mich., who immigrated to this State in 1836. There are 4 children — 2 sons and 2 daughters. Mr. B. has held several local offices of trust; in the fall of 1847 was elected to the Legislature, the first session held at Lansing after the removal of the capital from Detroit; in the spring of 1852 was made Assistant Keeper in the State's prison, and. in January, 1855, was appointed Clerk, and continued in that capacity over 11 years; in the fall was appointed Warden, and held that position five years. Since that time he has been dealing in produce and real estate. Mr. Bingham’s administration of the prison was characterized by economy, the institution, under his management, paying, for the first time, its own expenses.
Frank M. Bisbee, engineer M. C. R, R., is a
son of Isaac and Mary (Osborne) Bisbee, natives of
York State, and was born in Calhoun County, Mich.,
Sept. 26, 1852, where he received a common school
education. His father was a miller by trade, and Frank
worked in the mill until two years previous to going
on the road. In 1872 he went on the road, as fireman,
and in 1878 was promoted to his present position. He
has met with some accidents, but not through his
carelessness; at one time ran into a pile of wood,
that had tipped, over on the track, and threw his
engine over a bank. He married Miss Ada Foster,
daughter of John Foster, of Michigan City, Ind., and
was born in Hudson, Mich., July 24, 1854; 1 child,
Maude J., was born June 8, 1876.
James Blakely, dairyman, Jackson, was born
in Delaware County, N.Y., Feb. 10, 1833, where he was
reared on a farm. His parents, James and Margaret
(McNaughton) Blakely, were natives of the same State.
In 1852 he took a trip to California, via the Isthmus,
and was four weeks in making the voyage; he landed in
San Francisco, where he remained a short time, and
then went to the mining regions, where he remained six
years in mining and two years worked at farming. In
the meantime he took a trip to the Frazier River in
the British Possessions, making the trip in three
months. In I860 he came back to his home in New York,
and married Miss Helm Leal, who was born July 20,
1838. Their 2 children are Clarence L., born Dec. 29,
1862, and Helen L., born Jan. 1, 1872. Mr. B. remained
in New York State about two years, and in 1863, taking
his family with him, went to California, where he
remained only one year. In 1865 he returned again to
California, and remained about three months, thus
making three trips to the Golden State. He remained in
New York about two years, then came to Jackson County,
where he has followed farming and dairying; has one of
the finest dairies in the county. In 1872 his barn was
burnt and he lost 39 cows, besides hay and grain.
Joseph Blessing, florist, Jackson, was born
in Wittemberg, Germany, on the l5th day of June, 1850.
He received a common school education, and was reared
to the business of florist. He came to the United
States in 1873, and in 1878 went back to his native
country, where he married Mary Bader, daughter of
Joseph Bader, who was born Aug. 17,1858. They have 2
children, — Josephine and Georgie. Mr. and Mrs.
Blessing are both members of the Catholic Church.
C. C. Bloomfield, of the firm of Bloomfield
& Robinson, wholesale merchants in carbon oil,
corner of Mechanic and Courtland streets, is a native
of Jackson County, and is 37 years of age. He came to
Jackson 18 years ago and went into the employ of Bliss
& Co. In 1868 he established the present business
in a moderate way. For seven years he conducted it
alone and built up the heaviest oil trade in Michigan.
In 1875, A. B. Robinson became a partner, and since
that time they have established several branch houses,
and control the carbon-oil traffic of nearly the
entire State.
J. W. Boardman, sole proprietor of Steuben
Wine Company, Jackson, Mich. This company was
established in 1873 by J, H. Van Husen & Son, who
conducted the business four years, since which time
Mr. Boardman has been sole proprietor. He has a
building 100 feet deep, 20 feet wide and occupies
three floors; does a business of $35,000 per year. Mr.
B. was born in Jackson Nov. 15, 1855. He received his
education in this city and graduated in the high
school. His father, David Boardman, was a native of
Ireland, who immigrated to the United States in 1849.
He married Miss Ida Mathews of this county, who was
born in this county in 1859; they have 1 child—
Louise.
John Boos, saloon-keeper, Jackson, Mich.,
was born in Germany Sept. 24, 1827, where he received
a common-school education. In 1844 he came to the
United States and located in Chicago, where he learned
the upholsterer's trade and followed it 15 years; came
to Jackson in 1870; was employed on the police force
one year, and in 1869 commenced his present business.
He married Miss Mary Haoedrid, who was born in Germany
in 1830. They have had 9 children, 7 of whom are
living— Josie, Amelia, Johnny, Frankie, Louis, Joseph
and Georgie. Mrs. Boos' father is a resident of
Wisconsin, and is 80 years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Boos
are members of the Catholic Church.
Moses K. Bortree, joint proprietor and manager of the Bortree Manufacturing Works, is the youngest of a family of 3 sons and 5 daughters of Thomas and Anna Bortree, nee Kedlam, and was born in Wayne county, Penn., in May, 1841. He was educated in Hawley, Penn.; came to Michigan about 15 years ago, and embarked in the drug business in New Baltimore, Mich., but two years later turned his attention to the manufacture of hoop-skirts; carried it on there a year, and a year in Grand Rapids, then removed to Jackson in 1868 and continued the same business until his factory was destroyed by fire in June, 1869. The loss was total, leaving Mr, B. in debt nearly $5,000 which he has since paid with interest. Two months after he resumed business again in the Central Block In 1872 Mr. Bortree invented the Perfection bustle, on which he realized, in connection with his hoop-skirt business, a net profit of $11,000 in 1873. That year he took in Mr. Chas, W. Higby as partner. They added the manufacture of corsets in 1874, and in July, 1875, Mr, Bortree invented the Bortree Adjustable Duplex Corset. The following year the firm was changed to an incorporated company, Mr. B. holding half the stock and being made general manager of the concern, he has recently brought out four new inventions pertaining to corsets, one of which has been patented in the leading countries of Europe. Their products are sold exclusively at wholesale, and are handled in the commercial centers from ocean to ocean, amounting in volume to $300,000 a year. This flattering result is chiefly due to the inventive genius and superior business management of Mr. Bortree. He married Miss Mary Culver in Detroit, who is the mother of 2 children— Claude M., 11 years old, and Annie L., 3 years of age.
T. C. Boughton, store-keeper, M. C. R. R.,
was born in New York city, Oct. 13, 1834. When 19
years old he was employed as clerk in the Shoe and
Leather Bank, and remained there two years then came
West and located in Detroit, where he formed the
acquaintance of and married Miss Lovina Van Avery,
daughter of Peter Van Avery, who was one of the
largest land owners at that time in Michigan. She was
born in 1836. By this union there are 1 son and 2
daughters, namely: Amy, William W., and Edna. Mr. B.
studied law with Judge Crofoot of Pontiac two years,
and was elected Clerk of the Probate Court of Oakland
County. Soon after the war broke out he was
commissioned by Gov. Blair as Quartermaster in the 22d
Infantry, which was stationed in the Western army and
remained there three years. After the war, he went to
Detroit, and was employed in the auditor's office for
some time. In 1877 he came to Jackson, where he has
been employed since. Mr. Boughton is Secretary of the
Young Men's Christian Association and has always been
an active member. Is also a member of the Methodist
Church and advocates every thing, which elevates the
human race.
Isaac N. Branch, baker and confectioner, was born in Stockbridge, Ingham County, and is 42 years of age; his parents, Mason and Maryette A. (Burbank) Branch, natives of Vermont, settled in Ingham county in 1836. They came to the State a year earlier and lived in Washtenaw County. Mr. Branch was engaged one year as a salesman in a grocery and crockery house in Ann Arbor. Thence he came to Jackson and engaged with Merriman Bros. & Co., in the spring of 1860, remaining with them over 11 years as a clerk in a general store. He then sold goods with P. R. Sabin until he engaged in his present business five years ago. The bakery known as Fisher's, was established more than thirty years ago by Messrs. Webb & Butler. It was the only one at that time and the daily bread was peddled in a basket at that period. Holland, Chapman & Co., succeeded Mr. John Webb some 10 years ago and afterward the business passed into the possession of Mrs. P. Fisher, for whom Mr. Branch is acting manager, in which capacity he has served four years. The house manufactures a full line of general baker's goods, employs 10 hands and sells at wholesale and retail. Two wagons are kept running and a considerable jobbing trade in confectionery is carried on. In 1868 Mr. Branch married Helen Fisher of Jackson and has 1 son. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. lodge, chapter and commandery.
John J. Brenk, merchant tailor, of the firm of Brenk & Feldher, 108 West Main Street, is the son of Conrad and Mary (Schafer) Brenk, and was born in Germany in 1829. At the age of 15 years he began learning the tailor's trade, and served three years at cutting in the city of Berlin. According to the custom in that country Mr. Brenk served the Government three years in the army, leaving it in 1853. In January, 1851, he started the tailoring business in a small town near Coblenz; but owing to the military demands made upon him by the Government, he immigrated to America in 1855; located in Detroit, Mich., and was seven years in the employ of John Stevenson, now of Chicago. Mr. Brenk came to Jackson in 1862, and was cutter seven years for W. R. & S. C. Reynolds, and then for their successor, L. H. Field, until February, 1873, when he formed a partnership with Anthony Feldher and established a merchant tailoring and gentlemen's furnishing business. They do a business of $25,000 to $30,000 a year. Mr. Brenk married Mary Rindsherd, of Detroit, in 1858, by whom he has 4 sons - Joseph G., a cutter in the store; Robert G., Edward G. and Frederick A. Mr. B. has earned a prosperous business and a fine home with the shears and goose.
S. Brenton, veterinary surgeon, Jackson,
Mich., was born in Ontario, Hastings County, Canada,
Oct. 10, 1858; was reared on a farm until he was 20
years of age, when he commenced the study of his
profession, and graduated at Ontario Veterinary
College, Toronto, Canada. He treats all diseases of
horses and cattle, is a young man and thoroughly
understands his profession, and is the only regular
graduate in the city. He is meeting with good success.
He married Miss Flora M. Vickery, of Australia, who
was born April 2, 1857.
Henry Bromley, general freight and ticket
agent of the Fort Wayne & Jackson Railroad, son of
Thomas and Maria (Howard) Bromley, was born in Durham,
England, in 1841. His father died before his birth;
and when he was seven years of age the widow crossed
the Atlantic and settled in Oneida County, N. Y. Seven
years later she removed to Niagara Falls. Henry's
school opportunities were limited. In 1859 he went on
the Great Western Railroad as brakeman; was 10 years
in the employ of that and the Detroit & Milwaukee
Railroad, part of the time as station agent. In 1869
he took charge of a station on the Burlington &
Missouri River Railroad; in September 1872, took the
agency of the Ft. W. & J. and Ft. W., M. &
Cinn. Railroad at Ft. Wayne, remaining until April
1877, then came to Jackson as General Freight Agent;
in the fall of 1880 took charge of the passenger
department also. He now controls the entire passenger
and freight business of the Ft. Wayne & Jackson
line. The passenger business amounts to $85,000 and
the freight traffic to $195,000 a year. Mr. Bromley
was united in marriage in Summit County, O., to Miss
Radia E. Munn in 1866. He is a member of the A. F.
& A. M.
Alexander Brown, florist, 812 Wildwood
Avenue, was born in Sandstone Twp., Nov. 17, 1837. His
father, Alexander Brown, was a native of Tompkins,
Schuyler County, N. Y., where he followed the
occupation of farmer; he died in this county in June
1837. His mother is still living in Sandstone Twp. Mr.
B. can remember when the country was wild, before
there were any public highways laid out, and had to
cross fields. In 1860 he engaged in the grocery
business, and remained until 1862, when he enlisted in
the 5th Mich. Cav., and remained in the service three
years; participated in the battle of Gettysburg under
Gen. Ouster. After being discharged from the army he
again engaged in the grocery business, and followed
the same until 1870, then worked at gardening; in 1879
he commenced in his present business as florist. He
married Miss Clarissa Cuff, daughter of Thomas Cuff,
one of the early pioneers of Sandstone Twp. They have
1 son, Alexander, Jr.
Edwin C. Brown, Assistant General
Superintendent of the Michigan Central Railroad, is a
native of New Hampshire, started in railroading in his
early manhood as a baggage man, and after a succession
of changes and promotions, accepted the position of
Division Superintendent of the main line, Air Line,
South Haven, South Bend and Joliet divisions of the
Michigan Central Railroad, in February, 1875. On June
6, 1876, he became Assistant General Superintendent of
the Michigan Central Company's entire lines. Mr. Brown
has the active management and supervising control of
the operative department of the 803 miles of this
great corporation's road, extending into three States.
In 1879 the road moved 3,513,819 tons of freight, and
carried 1,445,655 passengers, a passenger traffic
equivalent to carrying 93,232,430 persons one mile.
The lines earned during that year $7,415,428.86.
William Brown, of Brown &
Myers, dealers in farm machinery, also Deputy U. S.
Internal Revenue Collector, West Pearl Street, was
born in Genesee, Livingston County, N. Y., May 23,
1842; is the son of Andrew S. Brown and Jane
Jennings Brown, nee White. They moved to Michigan
when William was two years of age, and settled in
Ionia County in the spring of 1844. There he grew to
manhood with a meager district-school education.
Sept. 19, 1861, he enlisted in Co. F, 13th Mich.
Inf., which was assigned to the western department
of the army, commanded by Gens. Buel, Rosecrans and
Sherman successively. Mr. Brown fought in the
battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Chattanooga, Stone River
and Chickamauga, in which he received a wound in the
left side of the face by buckshot, that sent him to
the hospital two weeks. He veteranized in January
1864; was promoted to 2d Lieutenant soon after. His
regiment spent that summer in the engineer corps on
Lookout Mountain; joined Gen. Sherman's army amid
marched to the sea; went via Savannah to
Bentonville; there fought the last battle of the
war; went thence to Washington; thence to
Louisville, Ky., and were mustered out. From
February 1865, Mr. Brown was 1st Lieutenant, acting
Adjutant, in command of the company in Sherman's
campaign. He was absent from the command but two
weeks during his entire service. Upon returning home
he spent four years farming in Ionia County; came to
Jackson Aug. 30, 1869; was turnkey at the jail,
prison guard and keeper respectively, until May,
1872; superintended the opening of the Porter coal
mine that summer; Dec. 1, hired to U. S. Express
Company; became agent the next summer, and held the
position until the U. S. and American were united
under one local management; in October, 1878. Mr. B.
engaged in the kerosene oil trade in company with J.
C. Eslow, of Albion, which continues; in February,
1879, established the farm implement business, and a
year after took Martin Myers as partner. Aug. 10,
1880, Mr. Brown was appointed Deputy U. S. Internal
Revenue Collector for a division of the Third
District, comprising Eaton, Ingham, Jackson and
Washtenaw counties. He married, in Ionia County,
Jan. 4, 1864, Nancy A. Hawley. He is a member of the
Masonic order and Knights of Pythias.
William R. Brown, insurance
agent, real-estate and loan broker, was born in
Stratford, N. H., in 1820. He is the son of Samuel
T. and Mary Brown. His mother died when he was four
years old. He was educated at Lancaster Academy in
the same county, and taught school winters while
obtaining his education. He engaged as clerk and
bookkeeper in the Marlboro Hotel, Boston, the first
temperance hotel in America, where he was employed
12 years, the last three of which he was sole
manager. He managed the disposal of the furniture
and equipments of the house, and at the termination
of his period of service, the proprietor, in
recognition of the value of his management,
presented him with $4,000. He took charge of
Congress Hall, Saratoga, as its proprietor, in 1851,
and conducted it five years. He then engaged in fire
and marine insurance business in Boston for four
years, when he became President of the National
Insurance Co., of Jersey City, where he remained
about three years. When the war broke out, he, being
a Douglas Democrat, took an active interest, and was
appointed by the State of New York to the care of
the wounded soldiers sent home, with his
headquarters in Washington. In 1865 he came to
Jackson, and located on a farm in Leoni Twp.,
adjacent to the city limits, which he still owns. In
1873 he was elected Sheriff on the Democratic
ticket, and selected in 1875 by 1,560 majority. Upon
the expiration of his term he remained two years
with his successor, and has since resided in the
city. In December 1879, he formed a partnership with
A. M. Tinker, and engaged in insurance business. He
entered upon his present business relation in
December 1880. In 1843 he married Mary Hadley, a
native of Boston, and has 1 daughter, Mrs. Whitman
D. Ford, of Jackson. Mr. Ford was a resident of
Saratoga, N. Y. Mr. Brown is a member of the Masonic
order, and a Knight Templar. He is a regular
attendant at the Congregational Church.
Geo. M. Bryant, engineer, was born in Paw Paw, Van Buren County, Mich., July 22, 1850, and received a common school education. His parents, Asel and Huldah (Millard) Bryant, were natives of Otsego County, N. Y., and emigrated to Michigan in 1844. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm; enlisted in the 28th Michigan Vol. Regt, in 1864, when 14 years of age; participated in the battles of Nashville and Kingston, and remained until the close of the war. In 1870 he engaged in railroading for the M. C. R. R., and in February 1875, received an engine. He married Miss Hattie Tucker, daughter of William Tucker, who was born in Niles, Mich., July 30, 1853. One child, Blanche M., was born Feb. 6, 1877. Mr. B. is a member of the Masonic order and Knights of Pythias.
Ransom D. Bullock, dealer in
musical merchandise, West Main street, son of
Benjamin and Cynthia Bullock, nee Barry, is a native
of Orleans County, N. Y.; born in February, 1830. He
came when a lad to Livingston County, Mich., the
home of his paternal grandfather, Hezekiah Bullock,
with whom he resided until 21 years of age; worked
on the farm in summers, and enjoyed a limited
attendance in the district school in winters. In
youth Mr. B. began the study of vocal music, and in
the spring of 1855 returned to his native State and
became a student of the Normal Musical Institute,
conducted by Lowell Mason, William B. Bradbury and
George F. Root; spent one season there and another
after the school was removed to Boston, under the
same professors; was several years holding musical
institutes, chiefly in Michigan. In 1862 he began
the sale of musical instruments in Jackson without a
dollar of capital; conducted the trade by carrying
his instruments through the country on a wagon;
occupied a small room over a store in Jackson Hall
Block - since burned. Hard work and business tact
steadily enlarged the sales, and the limited
quarters were exchanged for a more commodious room;
assistant salesmen were employed, branch houses were
established, three in all, at Detroit, Grand Rapids
and East Saginaw, besides a corps of 20 traveling
salesmen throughout the State. Mr. Bullock controls
the sale in Michigan of the Steinway, Hazelton
Brothers, Ernest Gabler, and the Wheelock pianos;
also the Smith American and the Sterling organs. His
stock involves a capital of $50,000, and sales run
from $200,000 to $250,000 a year, being the heaviest
in the Peninsular State. In 1854 he married Rhoda
Barry, of New York State. They have 2 sons - Julien
and Arthur. He has served two years as Alderman. He
and wife are members of the Baptist Church; has had
charge of its music 18 years.
Daniel V. Bunnell, clothier
and merchant tailor, 122 and 124 W. Main Street, was
born in Ontario County, N. Y., in 1835. His parents,
Ebenezer and Abigail (Hotchkiss) Bunnell, had a
family of 5 daughters and 3 sons; came to Michigan
and settled in Grass Lake in the spring of 1838;
were among the pioneers in that part of Jackson
County. Mr. B. was educated in the district school
and academy of that village. At the age of 18 spent
a year in Detroit as clerk in the wholesale grocery
of Chauncey Hurlbut; came to Jackson, and was
salesman in the dry-goods house of W. M. Bennett
several years. In April 1859, he opened a general
store in Jackson, which he conducted until 1871,
then closed out, and has since devoted his attention
to ready-made clothing, merchant tailoring and
furnishings. Mr. B. has one of the finest stores and
most extensive and desirable lines of gentlemen's
wear in Central Michigan, and commands an extensive
trade in each department. Mr. Bunnell was married
when 23 years of age to Miss Mary A. Graham, of
Jackson. They have 1 son and 2 daughters. Mr. B. is
a member of the Masonic order, lodge, chapter and
commandery; is Past Commander of No. 9. His mother
died in Grass Lake in the spring of 1849; father, in
the fall of 1852. Mr. Bunnell was elected Mayor of
the city of Jackson in the spring of 1881.
Nelson Burkhart, Keeper at
Michigan State's prison, Jackson, has been
officially connected with the institution for 13
years, the first five years as shopkeeper, and eight
as keeper of the front gate. Since 1865 he has been
engaged in no other business but handling criminals;
was keeper of the Jackson county jail two years and
Deputy Sheriff three years. Mr. Burkhart was born in
the town of Grass Lake, this county, in 1848.
William Burkhart, his father, was a native of New
York, and married Eliza Price, of Pennsylvania. They
came west and settled in Grass Lake some years
before Nelson's birth. He was reared on the farm and
enjoyed the privileges of the district school. Aug.
4, 1862, he enlisted in the army in Co. F, 20th
Mich. Inf., which was assigned to Gen. Burnside's
corps; fought in the battles of Fredericksburg,
Columbia, Ky., Jackson, Miss.; was with Grant in the
battles of the Wilderness; was wounded in the hip by
a shell at Spotsylvania, disabling him from further
field service. Some months previous to muster out,
in August 1865, Mr. Burkhart received promotion to
2d Lieut. He married in Jackson, Dec. 15, 1869,
Czetta, daughter of Justice Welling, of the city,
and an early settler. Mr. B. is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, lodge No. 50 and commandery No.
9.
Edgar Burnett, express agent,
corner of Mechanic and Courtland streets, is a son
of Asa and Dalinda (Sias) Burnett; father a native
of St. Lawrence county, N. Y., and mother, of
Connecticut; they emigrated to this State in 1834,
and located at Ann Arbor, which was at that time a
vast wilderness. There they raised a family of 5
children, 4 girls and 1 son. Edgar, who was born
Oct. 17, 1849, received a common-school education;
from 14 to 17 he worked on a farm and then was
employed by the express company where he has since
been engaged. He married Miss Julia Kacocks,
daughter of Charles Kacocks, a native of
Connecticut, and was born on April 30, 1856. They
have 2 children, Hattie and Asa M.
Gilbert F. Burtch, patentee
and manufacturer of the Burtch washing-machine, and
Burtch clothes-ringer, was born and reared on a farm
in Oxford county, Canada, and is 30 years of age.
After working several years at the carpenter's trade
and bridge building, he came to Michigan in the fall
of 1869 and was a student two years in the
University at Ann Arbor; returned a year to Canada;
buried his mother while there; came to Jackson in
1872; worked a year and a half at the carpenter's
business; returned to Canada; pursued bridge
building 18 months; located permanently in Jackson
at the end of that time; perfected his
washing-machine and procured his patent in
September, 1878, and at once began manufacturing
them. He had only sufficient means to make one
machine at a time; and introduced it making on trial
from house to house. In the fall of 1879, Mr.
Burtch's improvement was put into a joint-stock
company; and there were over 800 machines made and
sold in 1880. He has also patented a superior
clothes-ringer, which promises to meet with great
success. It is remarkable for simplicity of
construction and perfection of its working. He is
the sole owner of the patent and has 600 wringers in
process of construction. Mr. B. married Ellen
Lawrence, of Ridgeway, Lenawee County, Mich, in
November, 1874.
Rev. Theophilus Buyse, a Catholic clergyman, and priest of St. John's Church, Jackson, was born at Rumbeke, in East Flanders, in the Kingdom of Belgium, June 7, 1832. He is one of a family of 10 children, and one of his brothers is also a priest. His father, Peter Buyse, who occupied for some time a prominent position under the Belgium Government, is deceased; but his mother, Judith Buyse, is still living, at an advanced age. Among the many earnest, devoted, and distinguished prelates of the Roman Catholic Church, those of Belgium descent, so far at least as they are represented in this country, are comparatively numerous; and, by their character and attainments command the fullest confidence and respect of the community. Whether it be that the young Belgian breathes in the atmosphere of his little kingdom the inspiration that commands him to the holy office, or whether it is imbibed from the mother whose devotion is there more conspicuous, we can not say; but certain it is that during Mr. Buyse's childhood his tastes inclined him to missionary and priestly work. It seemed indelibly stamped upon his mind that he must be a priest. With this end in view he was carefully educated at Roulers in his native province, entering a seminary there at the age of 13, and remaining 10 years. He here acquired that superior education and training for which the schools of the Catholic Church are so noted, including a thorough knowledge of six languages. In 1856 he left Belgium for the United States, and after a short time spent at Detroit, went to Cincinnati to complete his studies at Mt. St. Mary's Seminary under the charge of Bishop Quinlan, now at Mobile. He remained here a year and a half, when he returned to Detroit; and Dec. 19, 1858, was ordained to the priesthood by the late Bishop Lefevre, also a Belgian by birth, then in charge of that diocese. His first mission was at Ira, St. Clair County, Mich.; his field also extended into Macomb, Lapeer, Sanilac and Huron counties. In 1870 he was assigned the charge of St. John's Church at Jackson, one of the most populous parishes in the interior of Michigan; it embraces not only the Church, but a girls' school, under the charge of the Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and a boys' school, under a lay teacher, the two comprising some 350 pupils.
Father Buyse has the responsible administration of the parochial affairs, in which he has the services of an assistant priest. As a cultured gentleman, he is especially popular; has always identified himself with those local and public enterprises having for their object the moral improvement and material prosperity of the people, and has labored zealously, both in his own Church and through other channels, for the alleviation of destitution and suffering among the poor. He holds his own political views, but does not obtrude them upon others; insists that his parishioners exercise their right of suffrage by the light of their best judgment. Words of mere encomium are alike out of place, whether addressed to the priest or the gentleman; and Father Buyse, sustaining the character of both, needs no eulogy.
