Henry Gass, proprietor of saloon and billiard
hall, was born in Rhine, Bavarian Germany, on Jan. 10,
1823, came to the United States in 1851, and located
in Ohio, where he kept a boarding house and worked by
the day. In 1855 he came to Jackson, worked in a
nursery for Herwood & Downing two years, then came
to the city and worked at making candles and soap, and
in 1860 embarked in his present business. He married
Miss Mary Crinner, a native of Germany, in 1839. They
have had 8 children, 7 of whom are still living -
Mary, Agnes, Elizabeth, and Catherine, born in
Germany; Henry, Emma, in Ohio; Adam and Ida in
Michigan.
John Gee, dealer in hides, pelts and tallow,
is a son of John and Clarissa (Henderson) Gee, natives
of New York, who emigrated to Blissfield, Lenawee Co.,
Mich., in 1837, when the subject of this sketch was
six years old, then removed to Fairfield Twp. His
father was a blacksmith by trade and followed it in
connection with farming; in 1853 he went to Ingham
County, and lived with his son, John Gee, until 1868,
then removed to Columbia Twp. and remained two years;
came to Jackson, where he engaged in buying hides and
pelts for other parties; afterward engaged for
himself, and has continued in the business since. He
died in 1871 at the age of 82, and his wife died in
Lenawee County, in 1853, at the age of 55 years. John
Gee married Miss Abbie Jane Peak, daughter of Peter M.
Peak, of New York, who came to this State in 1847. She
was born in Monroe County, N. Y., Nov. 21, 1833. They
have 2 sons - Lozella A., born Oct. 10, 1856, and
Meloni A., April 16, 1861. Mr. Gee has held the office
of Treasurer in Bunker Hill Twp.; in politics he is a
Republican. He is doing a fine business, and his trade
amounts to $30,000 per year. His father was a soldier
in the war of 1812, and was under Capt. Mack and
Lieut. Harris, and served three months and 13 days.
Douglass Gibson, President of the Jackson
Interest and Deposit Bank, the only living child of
Hon. Amasa B. and Mary (Douglass) Gibson, was born in
May, 1827, in Crown Point, on the border of Lake
Champlain, N. Y. His father was a native of Voluntown,
Conn., born Oct. 10, 1795, and died in Jackson, Mich.,
Oct. 26, 1868; was of Scotch and Protestant Irish
ancestry. During his early manhood he engaged in
mercantile pursuits in Crown Point; came with his
family to the Territory of Michigan in the autumn of
1831, lived a year or two in Ypsilanti, then removed
to Spring Arbor, Jackson Co., and in the spring of
1836 to the young town of Jackson, and became a member
of the mercantile firm of Coleman, Cooper & Co.
Two years later he became Cashier of the St. Joseph's
Railroad Bank. In 1842 he established a real estate
and insurance business, which he conducted
prosperously until about two years prior to his
decease. While residing in Spring Arbor he was chosen
Supervisor of that town, including what is now eight
townships; was also appointed Sheriff by the
Territorial Governor, elected to the same office after
the organization of the State; served on the County
Board of Supervisors; was Building Commissioner of the
State Prison; Commissioner and Superintendent for the
erection of the court-house; was candidate for the
State Senate in 1856; elected Mayor of the city in
1861, and served three successive terms; was a
prominent and active member of the Congregational
Church for many of the last years of his life.
Douglass Gibson was educated in the Michigan State
University, graduating in the class of 1850. In 1852
he engaged in the saddlery hardware trade; some years
after formed a partnership with E. H. Rice, as Rice
& Gibson, and conducted a general hardware
business, with a succession of partners, until 1873,
when he sold out; and having previously entered into
the banking business in February, 1869, in company
with Thomas Westren, he has since paid exclusive
attention to that, doing a general and prosperous
banking business. Mr. Gibson has served the city two
years in the Board of Supervisors; is a member of the
A. F. & A. M., lodge, chapter and commandery. He
married Mary J., daughter of Albert Howe, of Jackson,
in 1850. They have 1 son - Albert H. Gibson.
William A. Gibson, homeopathic physician and
surgeon, was born in Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.,
in 1843. Thomas Gibson, his father, was of
Scotch-Irish stock, and was born on shipboard when his
parents were on the voyage from Scotland. He pursued
farming and the mason trade during active life. He
married Maryette Piper, of Palmyra, N. Y. Her parents
were Vermont people, and her father was a soldier in
the war of the Revolution. Dr. Gibson is the eldest of
4 brothers and 1 sister. The family moved to Jackson
in 1848, and 10 years later upon a farm in Liberty
Twp., remaining until 1868, then returned to the city.
Doctor was educated in the district and Normal
schools; began to read medicine at intervals when 16
years old; attended his first course of medical
lectures in Michigan State University in the winter of
1861-62; spent the summer as a student in the office
of Dr. Root, of Gambolville, Hillsdale Co.; in
September, 1863, entered the army as hospital steward,
and filled that position until the close of the war.
Returning to Jackson, he became a student with Dr. G.
W. Carhart; attended a second course of lectures the
next winter, and graduated from the Michigan State
University with the degree of M. D. in the spring of
1866. In May he began to practice in Marshall, Mich.;
did a prosperous business until he moved to Jackson in
the fall of 1869. Doctor Gibson has served as City
Physician four years; was one year physician for the
county; for the jail four years, and has been
examining surgeon of Government pensioners two years
in Marshall, and since 1873 in Jackson. He is
Secretary of the Jackson County Homeopathic Society;
is a member of the Michigan State Homeopathic
Association of Physicians and Surgeons, and is one of
the Curators of the Buffalo College of Physicians and
Surgeons. He served as Alderman from the 4th ward two
years - 1866 and 67. Doctor Gibson early became
self-dependent, educated himself, has always been an
energetic, hard worker, and has an extensive medical
practice. He married Laura S. Kirtland, in Jackson, in
September 1866. Her parents were early settlers in
Jackson County from Portland, Maine. Dr. and wife have
2 daughters - Isabel and Irene. The Doctor is an
admirer and has always driven fine horses. He now owns
the celebrated Hambletonian horse "Tremont," for which
he paid a large sum of money, and one of the most
valuable animals in Michigan.
John B. Gilson, of Snow, Gilson & Co., boot and shoe merchants, West Main Street, is a native of Genesee County, N. Y., born in 18 -. His parents moved to Michigan, and settled in Dexter when he was eight years old; lived there on a farm some years. He came to Jackson, and in the winter of 1860-61 began to learn the shoemaking trade with W. N. Woodsum; served nearly three years; worked as a journeyman two years, and then changed to the position of salesman, continuing until June 30, 1869, when he became a partner. The concern did a large business, of some $25,000 a year, but becoming financially embarrassed, the stock passed into the hands of Snow, Gilson & Co., in 18-, and has since been handled by them. Mr. Gilson was married to Catherine McWilliams, a native of New York, in June 1872. They have 3 sons. Mr. G. is a member of the Young Men's Catholic Benevolent Association and of the Catholic Church.
Prof. John Baxter Glasgow, Superintendent of
the city schools of district No. 17, is the eldest of
a family of 3 sons of James H. and Sarah Glasgow, nee
Baxter, natives of Scotland, and was born in
Jonesville, Hillsdale Co., Mich., May 29, 1853. James
H. Glasgow was born in Greenoch, Scotland, in 1819;
came to America about 1851; married in New York State;
came west and settled in Hillsdale County. They moved
to Jackson in August 1857, and he immediately obtained
employment as an officer in the State's prison, which
continued until August 1868. He then engaged in the
foundry business in Marshall, Mich., three years; at
the end of that time returned to Jackson, and has ever
since been Keeper in the prison. Prof. Glasgow fitted
for college in the schools of Jackson, and took a
course in Michigan State University, graduating in the
class of 1877. He spent a year in Yale attending
lectures in the Divinity school and the college, and
was elected to his present position in the fall of
1878, being but 25 years of age and never having
taught a school. The marked success of the school
during his three years' superintendency demonstrates
the wisdom of the choice.
Andrew J. Gould, real-estate and loan agent,
E. Main Street, near Mechanic, was born in Hillsdale
County, Mich., April 25, 1839; was reared and educated
there; came with his parents to Jackson in 1858; was
employed three summers as Guard or Keeper in the
State's prison, and taught school in winters, in this
and Hillsdale counties - in all, seven terms. In 1861
he married Rosetta, daughter of Allen W. Grover, a
prominent farmer of Pulaski Twp., Jackson Co., and
farmed there three years. He then moved to the city,
entered the law and insurance office of Bostwick &
Gould, read law with them, and was admitted in May
1869. Sept. 3 following he opened an office for real
estate and insurance, and probably does the heaviest
real-estate business in the city. Mr. Gould has for a
number of years been a member of the Board of Cemetery
Trustees, for three years Chairman of that body, under
whose management the cemetery has been made one of the
most beautiful spots in Michigan. He and wife are
members of the Unitarian Church.
James Gould, Judge of Probate, of Jackson
County, son of Amos and --- Gould, is a native of St.
Lawrence County, N. Y., born Nov. 24, 1831; came to
Michigan with parents, who settled in the forests of
Hillsdale County in 1856. His school opportunities in
the new country were but meager; learned the alphabet
at eight years of age, and, being a strong boy, soon
after began to render valuable aid to his parents on
the new farm. The season after his 13th birthday he
worked six months for a neighbor for $3 per month;
continued to work on the farm for seven years. In the
winter of 1850-51 Mr. G. attended the Union school of
Jonesville, living in the family of Hon. George Munro;
made rapid progress in his studies; at the end of one
year in this school was qualified to teach, and taught
in the Union School of Moscow. In the spring of 1853
he entered the Normal School at Ypsilanti, and
remained a year; the following year taught as
Principal of the Jonesville Union School, and began
reading law; was several years Principal of the
Litchfield Union School; came to Jackson in April,
1861, and was an officer in the State's prison for two
years; in 1863 formed a law partnership with V. M.
Bostwick, and began practice, and carried on a loan,
real-estate and insurance business, which rapidly
increased, and amounted in 1868 to $240,000. Mr. Gould
was admitted to practice in the United States courts
in 1870; the same year the partnership dissolved by
the death of his partner, and he closed up their
business in 1872; was appointed by the Superintendent
of Public Instruction to visit Hillsdale College and
report the condition, progress, etc., of the
institution. He is a pronounced Republican in
politics; assumed the duties of his present office
Jan. 1, 1881; has served as School Inspector, and in
the Board of Aldermen; has for years been an active
member of the M. E. Church, and was the first
President of the Y. M. C. A. of Jackson; is a member
of A. F. & A. M., lodge, chapter, council,
commandery, and has also taken the Scottish Rite
degrees. He married Miss Caroline, daughter of James
Fitton. They have no children, but have reared several
adopted ones.
G. T. Gridley was born in Vernon, Oneida Co., N. Y., July 1, 1816. His father, Norman Gridley, died in Paris Oneida County, N. Y. when G. T. was 12 years old. He was educated at the Clinton Grammar School and pursued the classical studies at local academies. He clerked in a dry-goods store at Utica for a while, and at the age of 17 entered the law office of Timothy Jenkins, an eminent lawyer of Oneida, where he remained two years, teaching school during the winter months. In 1834 he entered the law office of his uncle, Hon. Philo Gridley, a very eminent lawyer of Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y., where he remained three years. In 1837 he came to Michigan; located at Ypsilanti the first week in June, and entered into a law partnership with Grove Spencer. He found a very pleasant home among the new settlers of this county. May 4, 1837, he was married in New York to Caroline W. Todd, daughter of John R. Todd, Esq., of Verona, Oneida Co., N. Y. After remaining four months in Michigan, Mr. Gridley returned to New York and brought his wife to his new home. The following spring he entered into partnership with George N. Skinner, and continued in that relation until his removal to Jackson, in 1849. While living in Ypsilanti Mr. G. was elected Village Recorder, Village Assessor, and at the time of his removal was holding the office of Master in Chancery - an office which was abolished some years later. The year 1844 will be remembered as the great presidential contest, when James K. Polk defeated Henry Clay. Mr. Gridley took an active part in the campaign. He was very successful, and in less than a year was appointed Prosecuting Attorney by the Governor, in place of David Johnson, the latter being elected to the Legislature. At this time Mr. G. met with the greatest affliction of his life, in the death of his 2 children - one, a precocious little girl in her seventh year, and the other an infant six months old. In 1848 he was appointed Injunction Master of this circuit, and held the position until the office was abolished, in 1850. The same year he was elected County Judge, and about the same time was elected Director of the Union School of this city, a position he held for 12 years, with the exception of one year. It was under his administration that the large and commodious school building was erected in l854-55, which at that time was the largest and best school building in the State. Soon after this Mr. Gridley was elected President of the village of Jackson, and he drafted the charter of the city when it was incorporated in 1857. In 1852, and again in 1857, he was the Democratic candidate for Judge of Probate, but was defeated. In 1867 he was appointed Assessor of Internal Revenue of the Third Congressional District of Michigan by President Johnson, and served until the office was merged into that of Collector, in 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Gridley have had 5 children; only 2 are living, both daughters; the eldest is the wife of Col. W. S. Gridley, and has 3 children; the other is the wife of Edwin C. Knight, and resides at Battle Creek, Mich. Mr. G. loved his profession and has always been successful, loving justice more than honor and fame.
Col. William Seward Gridley was born July 13,
1838, in Schenectady, N. Y., and is a direct
descendant of Thomas Gridley, who emigrated from Essex
County, England, to Hartford, Conn., where he settled
about 1630. His father, Capt. Reuben Gridley, was born
in Hartford County, Conn., in 1805. He was a Whig
politician and an effective stump speaker; was noted
for his ready wit, also for his great muscular
strength. About 1816 he removed to Woodstock Twp.,
Ulster Co., N. Y., and in February 1822, he married
Mary Dewell, a native of New York. In 1829 his house
was destroyed by fire, and 3 of their children,
Malinda, Peter and Almira, were consumed in the
flames. Mr. and Mrs. Gridley barely escaped with their
lives by jumping from a second-story window, each with
a child in his arms. Mr. Gridley was very badly burned
in trying to save his other children, and for several
months his life was despaired of. In 1830 he removed
his family to Schenectady, where he lived until his
death; himself, wife and an infant born the same day,
all died June 23, 1843, within a few minutes of each
other, and were all interred in one grave in the
Methodist burying ground on Albany Hill. Their 4
surviving children are- Sarah Wilson, wife of Thomas
Cleary; Henry Seward and William Seward (twins), and
Nathaniel T. T., who was killed June 27, 1862, in the
battle of Gaines' Mill, in front of Richmond. The
subject of this sketch passed the greater part of his
youth in Schenectady. When the war of the Rebellion
broke out, he held the commission of First Lieutenant
in a company of artillery. When Gov. Morgan, of New
York, issued his call for 30,000 men from that State,
Col. Gridley promptly offered his services, and, at
his own expense, recruited a company of infantry, and
in three days after the call, reported with this
company to the Governor at Albany, which was the
fourth company organized in the State; this company
was attached as Co. A, 18th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Rifles,
and was mustered into service May 17, 1861. While at
Albany, Col. Gridley was one of the pallbearers at the
funeral of Col. E. E. Ellsworth, being detailed for
that duty. June 18, 1861, the 18th was ordered to
Washington, and July 22d this regiment, with the 16th,
31st and 32d, were formed into a brigade and called 2d
Brigade, 5th Division, Army of Virginia, under command
of Col. Niles. This division was at the battle of Bull
Run and formed the left wing of the Union army. Aug.
14, 1862, Mr. Gridley was promoted to Major of the
18th Regiment, and was afterward in the following
battles: 2d Bull Run, Crampton's Pass in South
Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg. The regiment
was mustered out at Albany, N. Y., May 28, 1863. While
in the army, Col. Gridley had several hair-breadth
escapes, but received only a slight wound. He was
several times ordered to duty as a member of a general
court-martial, and at the end of his term of service
was brevetted Lieut-Col. and Col., for gallant and
meritorious service. During the years 1865-66, Col.
Gridley read law in Schenectady, N. Y., and was
admitted to the Bar May 8, 1867. He at once entered
upon the practice of the law, and has continued the
same ever since. Oct. 1, 1867, he married, at Jackson,
Mich., Caroline Eleanor Gridley, eldest daughter of
Hon. G. Thompson and Caroline W. (Todd) Gridley, and
in December 1868, removed to Jackson, where his family
has continued to reside. They have 3 children--G.
Thompson, William Mallory, and Olive Vernon. In May
1869, Col. G. went co Nebraska and engaged in his
practice; while there, he was Deputy Clerk of the
District Court, Notary Public, and U. S. Commissioner
for the U. S. Judicial Circuit and District of
Nebraska. In the spring of 1870 he returned to
Jackson; was appointed chief clerk to Hon. G. Thompson
Gridley, U. S. Assessor for the 3d District of
Michigan, which position he held until the office of
assessor was abolished. Nov. 21, 1872, he was
appointed U. S. Internal Revenue Ganger for the 3d
Collection District of Michigan, which office he held
till 1873. In November, 1872, he was elected Circuit
Court Commissioner and served two years; was
re-nominated in 1874, but was defeated with the rest
of the Republican county ticket. In 1877 he was Clerk
of the Judiciary Committee in the House of
Representatives, at Lansing, and the House passed a
resolution complimenting him for his ability and
faithful services; he is now (1880) Secretary of the
Judicial Committee of the Michigan State Senate. In
politics, Mr. Gridley has always been an active
Republican, casting his first Presidential vote for
Abraham Lincoln.
Lieut. Col. Ebenezer B. Griffith, hardware merchant, was born in Batavia, N. Y., in 1837. His parents were Owen Griffith, of New York City, and Mary Rowland, of New Jersey. They removed to Jackson, Mich., in 1850, which was their home until death. Mr. G. was educated in the schools of the city, and at the age of 16 began to learn the trade of tin and coppersmith. After working a short time as a journeyman, the war of the Rebellion began, and he being Orderly Sergeant of the Jackson Grays, tendered his service to the Government, and was probably the first man in the State to enlist. Anticipating the bursting of the war cloud, the officers had reorganized their company; Gen. Withington being made Captain and Mr. Griffith First Lieutenant, and they tendered the services of the company to the Governor of Michigan before any call was issued by the President for troops. They went to the front as a part of the First Michigan Infantry, joined the army of the Potomac, and made the first capture of the war at Alexandria. Their term of enlistment had expired the day before the first Bull Run battle, but they decided to participate, and Mr. Griffith commanded the company in that fight. Upon the reorganization of the regiment at Ann Arbor, he was commissioned Captain of Co. D, of the First Mich. Vol. Inf. The regiment guarded the B. & O. railroad at Annapolis Junction a short time; went to Fortress Monroe, and joined McClellan before Richmond; were in the seven days' fight, soon after which ill health compelled Capt. Griffith to retire from the service after being in 16 months. For a year after returning to Jackson he was unable to engage in business; then formed a partnership with his father and embarked in the hardware trade, he becoming sole proprietor at his father's death, in 1876. In February 1875, Co. G, First Mich. State Troops, was organized for six years, and Mr. G. was elected its Captain. In 1879 he was promoted by vote of the commissioned officers to Lieut. Colonel of the regiment, and now holds the office. Mr. Griffith married Ama Bailey, of Jackson, in 1874; is a member of A. F, & A. M., Lodge 17, and he and wife are members of the Episcopal Church.
