Remaining a bachelor until
twenty-nine years of age Mr. Cassidy was then
married December 10, 1861, to Miss Henrietta
Faulkner. This lady was born in Orange County, N.
Y., May 1,1831, and is the daughter of Col. James
and Martha (McBride) Faulkner, who were also
natives of Orange County, N. Y. They emigrated to
Michigan in 1833 during its territorial days and
the father took up six hundred acres of Government
land in Grass Lake Township, embracing that on
which Mr. Cassedy now lives.
Mr. Faulkner was a man of more than ordinary
ability and learned surveying early in life, which
profession he followed in his native county,
laying out many of its lines and boundaries. He
did gallant service as a Colonel in the War of
1812, and for several years was at the head of the
New York State Militia. In politics he affiliated
with the Democrat party and represented his native
county in the New York Legislature one term. As a
business man he was careful and conscientious in
his dealings and one who enjoyed in a marked
degree the confidence and esteem of his
fellow-citizens. After a long and well spent life,
he departed hence at his home in Grass Lake
Township, April 21, 1869, when eighty-nine years
old. Col. Faulkner built the first frame house in
Grass Lake Township and cut the first stick of
timber on his land. The wife and mother had
preceded her husband to the silent land many
years, her death taking place about Christmas
time, 1845, when she was probably fifty six years
old. There had been born to them eleven children,
eight daughters and three sons, nine of whom are
living and mostly residents of this State.
Jeremiah D. Feely, foreman of the boiler shop
of the Jackson Foundry and Machine Works, is a native
of Ireland, born in 1830. He came with parents to
America at nine years of age, and located in Detroit,
Mich., where he learned the trade of boiler making
with J. & J. Brennan, with whom he worked some 18
years. He then worked for the C., B. & Q. E. E.
Co. at Aurora, Il., two years; returned to Detroit and
worked for the Michigan Central E. E. Co. for a time;
went to Milwaukee in 1870, was two years in the Marine
Boiler Works of Richard Davis; worked three years in
Galesburg, Il.; came to Jackson and entered the employ
of the Michigan Central R. R. Co. in 1876, continuing
nearly three years; then engaged with the present
concern nearly four years ago. He has 10 to 15 men
under his supervision. Twenty-seven years ago Mr.
Feely married Anna Ryan, a native of Ireland, in
Detroit. They have had 7 children, 3 sons and 3
daughters now living. He and family are members of the
Catholic Church. Mr. Feely has steadily pursued his
trade since June 6, 1846.
Alonzo Ferris, retired, was born in
Bennington County, Vt., Feb. 25, 1797. His father,
Aaron G. Ferris, was a farmer and native of Litchfield
County, Conn. The subject of this sketch was reared on
a farm, attending school winters and working on the
farm summers. He married Miss Lydia Dayton, daughter
of Thomas Dayton, who died in 1871. They had 7
children, 3 of whom are living. In 1824 he emigrated
to Monroe County, 1ST. Y., where he farmed and kept a
hotel, and in 1833 came to Michigan and settled in
Genesee County, where Flint now stands, there being
only four families at that time. There were plenty of
Indians in that vicinity. He remained in Flint 10
years and cleared up a farm. In 1846 he came to
Jackson, and was agent at the State's prison for one
year; there were at that time 120 convicts. In two
years he was appointed Keeper, which position he held
for 13 years. In 1847 he was one of three
commissioners who were appointed to establish the
grounds at Lansing for the State capital.
Horace Field, retired, was born in Le Roy,
Genesee Co., N. Y. In 1833, when three years old, his
parents immigrated to this county. His father, Thomas
Field, was a native of Massachusetts, born March 18,
1785, and a carpenter by trade, which he followed a
number of years after coming to this county. He
purchased some wild land and made a farm where his two
sons, William and Horace, were employed in the summer,
attending school in the winter. At that time there
were no modern school-houses; they consisted of log
cabins of the plainest kind. He died March 18, 1872,
at the age of 89 years. Mr. Field's mother, Charity
McCain, a native of New York, was born July 11, 1798,
and died July 4, 1877, at the age of 79 years; when
they came to Jackson the country was a vast
wilderness; came by team, and from Detroit had to
follow Indian trails, of which the country was full;
there were also plenty of wolves, deer and bear. Mr.
Field came to this county in limited circumstances,
with a large family, and it was the time that tried
men's souls; many were the times when he went to bed
hungry; and several winters had been without shoes.
The subject of this sketch married for his first wife
Martha L. Barnes, a daughter of Thomas Barnes, who was
born Feb. 3, 1833, and died March 22, 1876; for his
second wife he married Louisa L. Chamberlain, daughter
of Philetus Chamberlain, of Wayne County, N. Y., Aug.
9, 1842.
Horace Field is
a prominent capitolist of Jackson, standing in the
front ranks of the leading men of wealth and
enterprise who have had the making of this
metropolis, has been dealing extensively in real
estate for some years, and has thus promoted the
growth of the city and county.He is a descendant
of a good old Massachusetts family, his father,
Thomas Field having been born in that State, and
there reared. He went to Genesee county N.Y., in
an early day of its settlements,and locating among
the pioneers of LeRoy, carried on his trade there
several years. In 1833 he broke up his home in
that county and once more became a pioneer,
settling in the Territory of Michigan as a
suitable location. He came with his family by team
to Buffalo, where he embarked on the steamer
'William Penn' for Detroit,and at the latter city
hired a team to take his family to the wilds of
Jackson County. There were no roads at all,and the
journey over indian trails was a slow one. They
found Jackson to be a city in only a name,with but
a few log houses,and two or three frame buildings.
The Government owned the surrounding country,and
Mr. Field entered a tract of land in Summit
Township, two miles from Jackson,paying $1.25 per
acre for it. His first was to erect a log house,
and then he set about the task of clearing a farm
from the forest. There were no railways here for
some years after his arrival,and Ann Arbor was the
nearest milling point, Detroit being the nearest
depot for supplies. The early settlers were much
troubled by the wild animals of the primeval
forest, deer, bears, and wolves roaming near the
settlements, and occasionally approaching the
habitations of the pioneers, and the wolves would
sometimes follow the people. Mr Field while
developing his farm also devoted much of his time
to carpentering for some years, finding plenty of
work in that line to do for his neighbors, and he
also erected a substantial set of frame buildings
on his own farm. He did his share in advancing the
growth of the county, and lived to see valuable
farms, busy villages,thrifty towns, and populous
cities where he had found howling wilderness and
dismal swamps, and uninhabitated praries. In his
death in 1872, at the advanced age of 90 years,
his community lost a venerated and honored
citizen, whos name will be held in rememberance as
that of one of the pioneers of the county. The
maiden name of the mother of our subject was
Charity McCain,and she was born in New York state,
a daughter of Abel and Mercy McCain (McKain). She
lived a long and useful life of seventy nine
years,, dying in the home of our subject in 1877.
She was the mother of thirteen children, twelve of
whom were reared to maturity. The life record of
Horace Field was opened April 1, 1829, in the town
of LeRoy,Genesee county N.Y. When he was in his
forth year his parents brought him from the home
of his birth to the new dwelling place they had
established in the wilds of this county. He still
remembers the incidents of the pioneer life in
which he was reared, and can recollect the rude
log schoolhouse, with its primitive home made
furnature, in which he gleaned his education. Like
all farmer boys,he was early initiated in the work
of the farm, and after his marriage his fathers
homestead was managed by him successfully for some
time. He finally abandoned agricultuer pursuits,
and coming to Jackson, has resided here ever
since, and has been actively engaged in
real-estate business, a large amount of reality
passing through his hands every year. Gifted with
practical tenacity of purpose, possessing a clear
and vigorous mind, his judgement in regard to
business matters is keen and far seeing,and he has
become wealthy in the prosecution of his business,
and at the same time has encouraged the
development of the city in various directions.
When Mr. Field came to Jackson, he bought a lot on
south Milwaukee street, and resided in the house
thereon two years, and then disposed of it at a
good advance. Since then he has erected five other
dwellings, four of which he still owns, including
his present commodius residence on the corner of
Blackstone and Washington streets, and at the
present time he is putting up a substantial,
conveniently arranged building on West Main
Street. Mr Field has been twice married. He was
first wedded in 1850 to Miss Martha L. Barnes,a
native of New York State. To them were born two
children, Nina M. and Willie A., both of whom are
dead. After a pleasant married life of twenty-
five years Mrs. Field departed this life in March
1875. Mr. Field's marriage to his present wife was
solemnized in August, 1877, and she has devoted
herself to making his home cozy and attractive,
and is to him all that a true wife can be. Her
maiden name was Louisa L. Chamberlain. She was
born in the town of Rose, Wayne County, New York,
and is a daughter of Philetus and Julia(Barnes)
Chamberlin, natives respectively, of Monroe and
Cuyuga Counties, N.Y." The following was omitted
from the text and is found in an addendum:"Thomas
Field and Charity McCain came to Jackson County
from Genesee county NY, bringing their family with
them. The year was 1833. Thomas was a carpenter,
and the village(Jackson) was very young. Finding
work was no problem at all. They found the village
contained only a few log buildings and 2 or 3
framed houses. Thomas entered on land 2 miles
south of the village in the present Summit
township."
George W. Fifield, retired farmer, was born
in Sudbury, Vt., Sept. 7, 1810, where he was reared on
a farm. He was a son of Enoch and Abigail (Stevens)
Fifield, father a native of Sudbury, N. H., and mother
of Sudbury, Mass. In 1830 his father came to this
State, and being well pleased with the country,
returned to his home and disposed of a portion of his
property and returned the same year with 5 of his
sons; he started for Jackson County in company with
Edward Morrill, Benjamin Wilson and John Stevens; they
came by canal to Buffalo, by steamboat to Detroit, on
foot to Jackson; looked land a few days and finally
located in Jacksonburgh, now Blackman Township. His
father, in company with Mr. E. Morrill, took up 1,800
acres of wild land; after purchasing the land he was
to build a double log shanty, 18x48. The first night
in Jackson he slept in a cabin that had not a sawed
piece of lumber in it. The first winter there was only
one family north of the city, a man by the name of
Pease. In 1833 his mother and the balance of the
family came on, his father returning for them. Mr.
Fifield was at Kalamazoo, Mich., when there was not a
house in the place. He married Miss Lucina Lincoln,
daughter of Abitha and Lois (Castle) Lincoln, natives
of Vermont, who was born in High Gate, Franklin Co.,
Vt., Sept. 30, 1818. There were 5 children, all of
whom are living - 2 sons and 3 daughters. They are
members of the Free-Will Baptist Church.
Myron W. Fish, manufacturer of saw guards and
real-estate dealer, was born in Wayne County, N. Y.,
Nov. 25, 1829, where he received a common-school
education. In 1851 he married Miss Clarissa A. Palmer,
a daughter of Reuben Palmer, who was born July 15,
1830. Mr. F. came to the county a very poor man, cut
cordwood for 31 cents per cord, and thought he was
making money at that. In 1859 he started for Pike's
Peak, and went as far as the Big Blue, when he met
friends who advised him to return, which he did very
reluctantly. After coming back he engaged in making
milk safes, in which business he remained about three
years. In the fall of 1860 he bought a tract of land
of Judge Chapman, paying $75 per acre; he afterwards
purchased a large tract of land in Osceola County. Mr.
Fish has held the office of Alderman for four years,
also Supervisor of fifth and sixth wards, and other
local offices of trust. He is a sharp businessman,
came to the county with nothing, and by his good
judgment and economy has accumulated a fine property.
Homer D. Fisher, ice dealer, was born in this
city Nov. 5, 1839. His parents, Delos and Phoebe
(Hobart) Fisher, were natives of Yates County, N. Y.,
and emigrated to Michigan in 1836, locating in the
vicinity of Jackson, where his father took up land and
made a farm. He remained on the farm a short time when
he came to this city, and was engaged in the State's
prison as foreman, and afterward as contractor in the
same. He died in this city in 1877, at the age of 63.
His mother is still living. When the subject of this
sketch was 16 years old he commenced clerking, and
followed that business 16 years with the exception of
a short time when he was engaged in the drug business,
at Niles, Mich. In 1863 he married Miss Mary Babcock,
daughter of George S. and Elizabeth (Winneger)
Babcock, who were natives of New York State, and
emigrated to Berrien County in an early day; she was
born in Livingston County, N. Y., Nov. 13. 1836. There
were 2 children, 1 of whom is living - Isabel, born
Oct. 17, 1864, and died Sept. 2, 1878; Isabell, born
April 17, 1875. Mr. Fisher has been identified with
the business of the city for a number of years, and is
Alderman of the fifth ward; few have done more to
advance the general interest of the city.
Mrs. Phoebe L. Fisher, widow of Delos Fisher
(deceased) and proprietor of Fisher's bakery and
confectionery, was born in Yates County, N. Y., in
June, 1818. Israel Hobart, her father, was a native of
Massachusetts, and married Mary Card, of Long Island.
They came with their family to the State of Michigan
in the fall of 1837 and located on a farm about six
miles north of Jackson, where Mr. Hobart died three
years later. Miss Hobart married Delos Fisher in the
fall of 1836, before coming west. Mr. Fisher was born
in the eastern part of New York, in August 1812. After
coming to Jackson County, he carried on farming and
worked at his trade, cooper, some eight years; came to
Jackson in the spring of 1845 and was superintendent
of the cooper shop in the State's prison several
years; then started a shop and conducted the business
a number of years, employing 30 to 40 men; sold out
because of failing health; was employed as Keeper in
the prison some years; and in 1873 exchanged other
property for the bakery and confectionery at 103 West
Main street. His eldest son took the management and
the business ran in Mr. F's name until his death, in
the fall of 1875; since, it has been conducted in her
name. J. N. Branch, her son-in-law, now has the
management, and is doing a large and prosperous
business. Two of Mrs. Fisher's 3 sons are connected
with it; the other is in the ice business in Jackson.
Mr. Fisher was City Marshal a number of years, was
also a member of the City Council, and one term Mayor
of the city. Mrs. F. resides at 541 North Mechanic
Street.
Byron Foote, hay, straw and wood dealer, was
born in Sandstone Township, Jackson Co., Mich., June
12, 1844. His father, Henry Foote, was a farmer, and a
native of Medbury, Vt.; was born in 1805; his family
consisted of 5 children, 2 of whom are still living;
his wife is living in Summit Township. Mr. Foote was
one of the first merchants of the county, forming a
partnership with Wiley Reynolds soon after coming to
the State; from that he engaged in the harness
business and afterward went on a farm. In 1856 he went
to Milwaukee, where he remained but a short time.
Thence came back to Jackson, where he followed
money-lending four years; then went to his farm in
Summit Township, where he died in 1868. The subject of
this sketch is still residing on the same farm,
running it in connection with his business in the
city. He married Miss Frances Harrington, daughter of
Chester Harrington, a pioneer of this county, and was
born in this county in August 1848. He has 160 acres
of land in Summit Township near the city limits, which
is valuable. He is a member of Jackson Lodge, No. 940,
Knights of Honor, and holds the office of Dictator.
Henry Foster (deceased) was born in
Bridgeport, Addison Co., Vt., May 14, 1804, and
learned the trade of blacksmith with his father. When
24 years of age, married Miss Sylvia Adams, daughter
of Timothy Adams, a native of Barre, Mass. She was
born Feb. 10, 1812. When 10 years of age her father
died and she went to live with a sister at Crown
Point, N. Y., and liked so well she never returned.
After marrying Mr. Foster, remained in Crown Point two
years, then went to Bridgeport and remained six; then
started with the intention of coming to Michigan, but
thought it too new and stopped in Wayne County, N. Y.,
where they remained six years. In 1840 they came to
Jackson. He worked at the prison one year and then
engaged in the manufacture of engines for saw and
gristmills; he followed that business until his death,
which occurred Aug. 8, 1864. There was a family of 7
children, 3 of whom are living - Emily E., now Mrs.
Edwin Andrus, of Jackson; George A., now of Detroit,
and Lillian M. In politics was an old-line Whig up to
the time of the organization of the Republican Party,
after which he joined the Democratic Party. Mr. Foster
was a kind and devoted husband and respected by all
who knew him.
Ulysses T. Foster, residence 310 North
Blackstone Street, is a native of Genesee County,
N.Y., born in 1819; is the second of 6 children, 5
sons and a daughter, of Lemuel Foster and Abi Fenn.
They moved to Niagara County, N, Y., when he was seven
years of age, where he received a fair English
education. In 1836 the family came to Michigan, and
settled in Ann Arbor Township, Washtenaw County. His
father, who is a pensioner of the war of 1812, still
resides there, aged 88 years. In 1842 Mr. Foster
returned to Niagara County, N. Y.; remained there
until 1846; then came to Jackson, of which he has been
a citizen since. In October of that year he became
foreman in the wagon manufactory of J. E. Beebe, in
the State's prison, which had been established some
three years previous, employing convict labor, on
contract. Mr. Foster claims, under pretty good
authority, to have made there the first wagon that
crossed the plains to California, during the early old
excitement. He has been continuously in the employ of
the concern since, through several changes of
ownership. The past eight years has had supervision of
the machinery departments. Mr. Foster never served any
apprenticeship; but having a natural genius for
mechanics, thoroughly understands working wood, iron
and steel. He was united in marriage with Helen
Tibbitts, of Whitesboro, Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1848.
They are members of the Congregational Church.
George W. Ford, real estate, loan and
insurance agent, is a native of Jackson; was born Nov.
1, 1842. His grandfather, William Ford, his father
William Ford, Jr., and uncle, Jerry Ford, came to
Jackson in 1836; erected the Aetna Flouring Mill,
purchased a tract of land and laid out Ford's addition
to Jackson that year. In the winter of 1837-38 a store
was built on the site of the present Commercial Hotel,
and his father, Wm. Ford, Jr., in company with his
brother-in-law, Warren M. Buck, started a dry-goods
store. His father, also, in partnership with A. B.
Gibson, established the Detroit & St. Joseph
Railroad Bank, on the east side of Grand River, Mr.
Ford being President and Mr. Gibson, Cashier. William
Ford, Sr., died about 1846, and two years later their
extensive and varied business was closed. Wm. Ford,
Jr., crossed the plains to California; engaged in
mercantile business in Marysville; remained there in
business at different points, returning twice to
Michigan meantime until 1869, when he died at Pacheco,
Cal. His brother Jerry had died some years previously.
They met with reverses, which left them with little
property at their decease. George's mother died when
he was six months old, and he was adopted and reared
by his uncle, Warren M. Buck. He was educated in
Jackson and at the Ypsilanti Normal school; entered
the dry-goods store of Wm. Bennett as clerk at the age
of 19; two years after, engaged with W. R. & S. C.
Reynolds, remaining over five years, till they sold
out, and a few months with their successor, Mr. Field;
became a partner with his uncle, W. M. Buck, in the
real-estate and insurance business in 1871, and at his
uncle's death in 1879, became sole proprietor. He
married Mary E., eldest daughter of Rev. D. T.
Grinnell, of Jackson. They have 2 daughters. Mr. F. is
Regent of the Royal Arcanum, Lodge 120; and a member
of K. of H.
Cyrus H. Fountain, Superintendent City
Water-Works, son of Dr. James and Charlotte (Heustis)
Fountain, was born in Westchester County, N.Y., in
1825. His father being a physician educated him at
Williams College for the medical profession. After
having read medicine and attended one course of
lectures, he abandoned the idea, and turned his
attention to the drug business for nearly four years;
went to California in 1850 and spent two years in the
mines; came home by way of the isthmus, and for a time
remained there in the employ of the Panama Railroad
Co., constructing the line; came home very ill with
the isthmus fever. Mr. Fountain came to Michigan in
1855 and engaged in the milling business in
Manchester, Washtenaw Co., for a number of years; took
a second trip to California in 1860 and returned in
1861, going and coming overland; enlisted as a private
in the 4th Mich. Cavalry soon after arriving in
Manchester; was promoted to First Lieutenant, and in
the spring of 1864 resigned from physical disability.
Afterward he joined the 8th Mich. Cavalry, of which he
was a member when the war closed. He has been in
business in Jackson since 1865; in 1874 was appointed
to his present position. From 1871 to 1873 Mr. F.
served as Alderman from the 3d ward. He married Juliet
R. Field, in New York State, in 1847. They have 2
daughters and a son.
Charles W. Fowler, of Fowler & Dunham,
grocers, West Main Street, was born in the town of
Liberty, Jackson Co., Mich., in 1842, and brought up
in the town of Spring Arbor. Justus and Flora M.
(Lake) Fowler were his parents. They were natives of
Onondaga County, N. Y., where they were married, and
came to Jackson County 1838 or 39, and bought and
settled on wild land in Spring Arbor Township, where
they still reside. Mr. Fowler enjoyed the advantages
of the district school; became joint proprietor of the
Spring Arbor Mills in 1872; sold out and came to
Jackson in June 1874, and nine months after bought a
joint interest in the present grocery house, with Geo.
Stiles and brother, the firm becoming Stiles, Fowler
& Co. They also carried on the manufacture of
buckskin gloves and mittens. Two years later they
dissolved, George Stiles taking the manufacturing
department. At the end of another two years the firm
changed to Fowler, Palmer & Co., and March 1,
1880, to Fowler & Dunham. They keep a general
stock of groceries, of which they sell at retail
$20,000 a year. Sept. 21, 1861, Mr. Fowler enlisted in
Co. H, 1st Michigan Engineers, and served over three
years, the last two as clerk of the company. He
received a gunshot wound in the left hand at the
battle of Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862, but never
left the company; was under the command of Gens.
Buell, Rosecrans, and Thomas, successively. In March
1, 1865, Mr. Fowler was united in marriage with Sarah
J. Olds, of Spring Arbor, but a native of Oakland
County, Mich. Mr. F. is a member of the order of
Chosen Friends, Ferry Council, No. 6, and of the Free-
Will Baptist Church, and one of its Trustees. He is
President of the Y. M. C. A., and was one of the
organizing members and its first Secretary.
Rev. Carl Franke, Pastor German Lutheran Church, is a son of Carl and Sophia (Foellinger) Franke; father a native of Hanover, Germany, mother, of Prussia; his mother's people were among the earliest settlers of Ft. Wayne, where the subject of this sketch was born March 10, 1853; he received his education in the German Lutheran Concordia College, and finished his theological studies at St. Louis, Mo., at Theological Concordia Lutheran College. His first work was at Waverly, Jones Co., Iowa, where he had five charges, and remained two and a half years; thence to Jackson, where he still resides. He married Miss Annie Seemeyer; she was born in New York City May 24, 1856. There are two children, Annie and Clarrie.
Alonzo D. Fuller, of Wells & Fuller, hardware merchants, is the eldest of 6 sons and 2 daughters of Andrew S. and Cornelia (Bunker) Fuller, natives of Vermont and New York, respectively. They married in Ann Arbor, Mich., and Alonzo was born there in 1834. A year later they moved to Jackson County, and settled on a farm in the town of Sandstone. Mr. F. was educated in the district school and Albion College; taught school a number of terms; married Helen C. Ball, of Eckford, Calhoun Co., in the spring of 1864; farmed two years, then moved to Jackson; clerked eight years in the hardware store of Rice & McConnell; traveled two years, selling Champion machines for Warder, Mitchell & Co.; in March, 1876, formed the present partnership with M. M. Wells, and engaged in the hardware business; have a large retail and some jobbing trade, amounting in all to $60,000 a year. Mr. Fuller's father was one of the first in Sandstone town to vote the Abolition ticket, and helped to organize the Republican Party. He died in 1865, and his widow in 1869. Mr. Fuller has been a Master Mason for a quarter of a century; is a member of the Knights of Honor and Chosen Friends. He and wife have two sons, Freddie, aged 14 years, and Charlie, 12 years old.
